Two months after the death of Michael Jackson we are still beseiged by hype surrounding the "King of Pop". For that matter, "The King of Rock and Roll" still draws crowds thirty two years after his death. I can appreciate the kinship that fans both "Kings" feel. I can also understand how Elvis fans have accepted his self-destruction, but I can't understand the ease with which fans of Michael Jackson forgive his apparent pedophilia. By overlooking Jackson's penchant for exploiting children, are his fans guilty by association?
The Orange County Register recently published a great article by Mark Steyn that explores the same concept with regard to Teddy Kennedy. Steyn contemplates whether Americans became complicit with the death of Mary Jo Kopechne by not calling Teddy's bluff regarding Chappaquiddick. Steyn's article does a great job of pointing out how Kennedy apologists are more than ready to trade tales of his legacy for the life of a girl.
One of the online readers of Steyn's article pointed out a link to a 1969 article in Newsweek about Kennedy and Chappaquiddick. It is certainly worth a read, and is really interesting in retrospect. The article certainly supported the fact that the Kennedy machine was going to keep rolling forward, Mary Jo Kopechne or no.
By overlooking an individual's victimization of others, we denigrate the memory of those victims. We typically frown on the Nuremberg defense. If acting on unconscionable orders is distasteful, then how much worse is accepting the unconscionable acts of others? How can we not be guilty by association?
Sunday, August 30, 2009
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2 comments:
Fascinating reading the Newsweek article from '69. Think they would publish something like that today?
Glad you got the comment block working. I have tried a few times but assumed it was because of my lack of computer expertise that they were not published. They were FANTASTIC of course but because of my age and forgetfulness I cannot remember what I wrote. Oh well, guess I will have to make something up again.
1. Keep the blogs coming! I find them very well written, interesting and informative. I also agree with about 99.99% of everything written. I say that because I don't want you boys to feel that you have EVERYTHING figured out.
2. Thanks for providing a forum for those of us who know you to be able to post comments in a more comfortable way. IT is everyone's duty to make ones feelings known regarding our government and elected representatives.
3. I would like to say that I am a proud member of the Brohican tribe, which is the largest group of citizens in this country. They have been largely silent because they are normally too busy trying to be successful, productive citizens. The members of this tribe have never looked for the GOVT to solve their problems but believe that hard work, belt tightening and a positive outlook will carry them through the rough spots.
Thanks again for providing a forum and I will try to comment frequently and hopefully intelligently.
H Ray a proud Brohican
PS: Perhaps the readers should learn what your Acronym means, Brohica.
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