Michael Jackson is dead

[QOD]

sad

I see no similarity at all.

they were a band in the 90s

Me neither bobbysmum, but then hey, we're in denial

The Abusive Catholic Priests were a band?

Dittany

If you have proof for your claims, you really should have let the authorities know.

I seem to remember that in a civilised society, one is innocent until proven guilty.

I hope that if a child of yours is ever accused of something, that they will be afforded the right of being innocent until proven guilty, even though you are incapable and unwilling to extend that right to others.

BTW, MJ is dominating the album and single charts.

RIP MJ

at Policy

Oh yes, they had quite a following in certain circles

I bet you were there, Quattro. Gobbing, probably.

What d'you think then? Would you say MJ dunnit? (I don't see how anyone can be sure on the evidence that's currently available.)

I think all the available evidence was put before the jury policy, and they considered it and gave their verdict. They know far more than the rest of us ever will.

Anyway he's topping the album charts and that's a fact!

Agree with you that no-one can know for certain. My take is that he was badly advised on the first case. He didn't defend it, despite the character of the family behind it. He just paid them a fortune to go away.

Which then bred the second case and it would have been never ending. He'd have been prey to any unscrupulous parent if he caved again so he had to defend. And was found innocent.

Very succintly and clearly put quattro. I agree. He would have been better to defend first time around, but was no doubt very badly advised. And let's face it, with the sort of shite he had around him as role models, I doubt he'd have known good advice if it hit him in the face. If there had been genuine child abuse in the first case, you'd think the parents might be more interested in justice than making a fast buck too wouldn't you.....

Having got himself into a corner, he then had to take the stand and defend the second case and was found not guilty of the charges.

That's interesting Quatt, thank you.

Dittany, you really discredit yourself by defending what is surely clear to you as well as the rest of us, prejudiced waffle.

Previously I've been of the opinion that you were pretty clever but now it just sounds like you have a fixed rule for every situation and will resort to low level attacks on others' opinions just to 'win' an argument. It would look far better if you occasionally admitted you might be wrong about, well, anything really.

It seems a shame to let a good brain fall victim to a dogma of quite silly proportions.

But as you suggested I needn't read your posts - I just wish I could enjoy them as I used to.

Quattro

You echo my sentiments perfectly.

Thing is, just because one of the families who accused Jackson of child abuse turned out to be a bunch of dubious lightfingered extortionists doesn't actually make him not a nonce.

No, actually, it was both families.

That's true, of course, SGB. Aren't we left, though, in the simple position of having no fucking clue what happened?

'Tis is the mystery of the sphynx..

I assume by 'nonce' you mean child sex offender? (Let's call it what it is)

Of course, what you say is entirely correct SGB. But it doesn't make him a sex offender either. Which is what the more intelligent posts on the thread have been repeatedly pointing out.

He was an easy target, let's face it.

In his desperation to be liked, or loved, or to make a genuine human connection, he put himself in a vulnerable position.

He wasn't a normal person, but how could he be? He'd never had a normal life.

And because he looked weird, it was easy to believe he was a predator.

I don't know the truth, and I doubt any of us ever will.

I was a bit when I read this in the paper today (ok, it's the NOTW, I think it's an extract from a book...may not be credible but it apparently a 'quote' from Jordy Chandler's father)

"...one night Evan went into the bedroom and found [Jackson] and Jordy under the same blanket.

"Jordan was in the foetal position with Michael hugging him from behind with his hand in my son's crotch," said Evan.

"I was extremely confused. I thought that my son was a homosexual. I left them and decided to speak later when I'd calmed down."

I would question that reaction of a father finding his son in bed with a grown man having his crotch fondled. I'm quite sure I'd rip the said man's arm off.

Having thankfully never been in that situation (and hopefully never will be), I obviously don't know for sure how I'd react.