This was a day I had long been anticipating! 23rd January 2010, the first Fan Event since Michael died in June last year. Up until now, I am ashamed to say I had never attended a Fan Event, although (as you readers of my blogs will now know) a life-long MJ Fan, I had never found the need. Now it was something I needed to do!! The idea of being around other people with whom I could 'talk Michael' all day was, to me just now, heaven on earth. Also it would give me a chance to see the 'Exhibition' before it closed and moved on to another country at the end of the month. There was also the prospect of a meeting that had been organised with a some fans from a couple of the forums.
I travelled alone, partly through choice, but also because there simply was no one else in my environs who was remotely interested in Michael Jackson. Since the actual event (being held in a nightclub in the O2 called 'The Indigo') didn't start until 3pm and it was only 10 o'clock when I arrived, I decided to go straight to the 'Exhibition'. This contains a selection of Michael's stage costumes, along with memorabillia such as a selection of his gold discs, and accessories like his selection of rhinestone encrusted gloves. Also items from taken from his last real home and sanctuary - Neverland (including the imposing archway that dominated the entrance to the estate). It was awe inspiring - If I could have I would have stayed there all day, it was beautifully laid out with most of the costumes being within touching distance - although I didn't, the temptation was to jump up onto the plinth and hug and envelope oneself in them, to try to get the 'essence of the man'( I understand that although to others, this sort of behaviour might sound a bit wild, for people who have lost someone 'close' to them, this is a very natural reaction). I desperately looked for signs to indicate that items 'usage' - make up on the collar, frayed collars, cuffs, hems. It was beyond comprehension that these were the actual outfits that I had seen on Michael in the wonderful videos of his concerts and 'short films'. Amusingly the 'Gold Pants' did look very worn around a 'certain area'!! Now I must add that up until now I had been fine, sad but fine. I then turned into another room and was hit by the 'Neverland Arch'. It was then that the tears started....that arch deserved to be nowhere else other than Neverland, his beautiful paintings and belongings deserved to still be residing nowhere else other than Neverland. Much as it was wonderful and I feel honoured to have set sight on them, they were I felt not meant for 'public consumption'. I could almost feel Michael's soul being torn apart (again) at having all these 'strangers' oggling his belongings. I really wanted to shout to my accompanying crowd " Go away....what do you think you are looking at!! Would you like it if someone took all the things out of your house, for complete strangers to see?". I think the costumes designed for him to wear for 'This is it' ( although amazingly beautiful) were the saddest of all. They stood there pristine, unused....never to be used. We could only use our imaginations as to how Michael would have looked in them. Then at the very end 'The Glove'. The iconic symbol of Michael - only one but radiantly beautiful, each crystal perfect but not a pair (as gloves generally are) but just one - alone! It was time to go, I had to meet up with my fellow fans and I suppose I was really looking forward to the interaction.
It is a very strange set up really looking back on things now...here I was attending a fan event for someone who was no longer alive and trying to find people who felt like friends because I had conversed with them so often online, but didn't know what they looked like and only knew them by their 'Forum name' i.e' Miss Moonstreet'! However, I needn't have worried I spied a group of people huddled together by the door and decided to take the plunge. It turned out my hunch was right. What a diverse bunch we were! Although most of them were younger than me, they were a mixture of races and backgrounds but the beauty of this day was none of that mattered because we all had one thing in common - Michael! It really boosted my ego ( I am sorry to admit), since several recognised me from my postings and the picture on my website for my book. Ooooh it was soo lovely to actually talk about Michael to people who didn't roll their eyes heavenwards or look board! Walking around it was amazing to see the variety of ages present - and their outfits. I think the youngest must have been only about 3 - 4 yrs old!! So many mini-Michael's. So many talented mini Michaels! They were gliding and Moonwalking better than us oldies and for the majority of them at least, they certainly didn't need any cohersion!! If parents were wanting to introduce their siblings to the entertainment world, this certainly was a good start, since none were able to move more than a few feet before having a request for a photo! As for us grown ups well, yet again we didn't let Michael down. It was obvious that many had taken and spent a considerable amount of time and money for this day! People had come from as far a field as Bulgaira and Holland! Amusingly enough I ran into several single ladies who, like myself had escaped from 'the non-believers at home' and taken the plunge. I was interested and yet confused since generally the mood was up-beat. The only ones with tears in their eyes were those of my generation, still mourning, still trapped in our grief with still no closure! The hope I think for a lot of us was to find some sort of closure through this day. The younger generation are lucky enough (if that is the word) not to have all the 'History'. They take Michael and his music at face value but it is wonderful to see that at least Michael's legacy is safe for the next couple of generations.
Sad as it may seem, I was determined that this was one 'gig' I was going to be right in the front row! Having never been to an MJ concert, this was the nearest I was ever going to get. I had seen pictures and YouTube vids of 'Navi' and to me he was 'close but no cigar'. However, 'beggars can't be choosers' so for the chance of spending a couple of hours, singing and boogie-ing to Michael, he would do! Up close (I got my front row spot) he is bigger and not as hansome as Michael, the outfits were or looked like 'cheap' copies of the originals and we had to suspend belief when we had four 'white' Jackson 5's!! It also was slightly annoying that the speech Navi gave, although thanking everyone including the fans, he left out the one person without whom all of this would not have been possible - Michael! However, the evening was well rehearsed and good fun!
Normally at the end of a 'gig' or a 'concert' you are left with a feeling of euphoria (bourne out of seeing your idol up on stage), so at the end of this one it was strange. It was with a heavy heart that I turned round and started heading home with a feeling of emptyness. The evening hadn't bought me any closer to getting any closure. However, the day was not all bad, since I had met some wonderful people and can now actually start putting some faces to names on the Forums. Today, however, the tears have come again, as has the grief. Is there nothing that will staunch the ache, pain and anger?
Sunday, 24 January 2010
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
A Fight to the Bitter End!!
It is now nearly 7 months since we lost Michael. My heart is still broken and no day starts or ends without my thinking of him. We still have no answers, the Forums are riddled with fans desperated for the slightest bit of information on the state of the Investigation. Reports in the Press are confusing....Read one paper and the LAPD had finished the investigation and passed it across to the D.A, read another and the LAPD are denying that the case has been closed and is still 'on going'. As if that wasn't bad enough.... "Dr Murray's charge of Homicide reduced to Involuntary Manslaughter" was one headline that really made us dispair. WHAT???
You have to understand here that 5 years ago the investigating body in Michael's Homicide was also responsible for the most heinious and gross mis-carriage of justice that I have ever bore witness to. The Arvizio/Jackson child molestation case was the biggest courtcase that America had witnessed, since O.J. Simpson Trial. The LAPD were involved along with the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office. D.A. Tom Sneddon was someone with a massive chip on his shoulder, obviously racist and out to get Michael, for once and for all - he had been gunning for him, I reckon, ever since Jackson settled with the Chandlers back in '93. Convinced of Michaels guilt, he literally scoured the world to try to find a witness who would give him the evidence he needed. He tore Michael's life apart, literally. With LAPD he invaded Neverland taking a whole army of officers- most armed - to search the one place, up until then, where Michael really felt 'at peace'. Ofcourse we all know now that they could not come up with one shread of evidence or a single witness to prove Michael was guilty. And so on that June day although he walked out of that courtroom a free man, he also walked out a 'broken one'.
Fast forward now to the present, where all that happened in that courtroom has now taken effect destroying a wonderful humanitarian, brother and father!! The Fans subsequently have little or no trust in the LAPD, further compounded by reports such as the one posted on a Fan Forum:-
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Detective from LAPD told my friend MJ was a Child Molester!
Tonight a friend came down to visit. She lives in Burbank a bit west of LA. She is a hair dresser in LA. She told me you are not going to be happy with what I am about to tell you...(.I am going to leave names out of this to not get anyone in trouble) She told me that Friday night a client came into the shop to have her hair done. This woman is a detective for the LAPD. My friend is a huge MJ fan! So while she was doing her hair she ask her client how was the investigation going for Michael.
It was then that she learned that her client was one of the team members working on his case. This lady obviously didn't know my friend was a MJ fanatic when she made he first insulting remark about MJ. So my friend quickly rushed to Michael's defence, which angered this woman. She said to my friend, are you kidding me you know he was a child molester. My friend said, there was never any evidence of that and the woman said that is what you think... not to go into all the details this woman slammed Michael and said he was a sick person.
I guess the woman was so irritated with my friend defending MJ, that she started getting so loud that others in the shop were now taking notice of the conversation. My friend said she was embarrassed and pissed and at that point she wanted to take a chunk out of her hair. I would have and told her the hair cut is on me but my friend is so sweet!
The bottom line is my friend told me the detective basically said the LAPD was not liberal and there were no shades of grey, simply black and white and they couldn't wait to be done with this case. Like it was a big hassle to them.
So what I am saying to you, is the LAPD has no concern for MJ, the think he was a child molester and they could careless if Murray is punished or not. They mostly have not done a good job on the case and they just want it over with. We are never going to see justice for our idol when the police department who is working the case think he was a criminal.
http://www.michaeljackson.com/uk/node/567846
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We are all desperately worried that due to the outcome of the courtcase in June '05, the LAPD was left with 'egg on it's face'. We do feel that they might look on Michael's Homicide investigation as 'payback time'!! There are so many things that just aren't right. For instance, the crime scene wasn't secured for at least 48hrs and, partly due to that many things went 'missing' - one of them the CCTV tapes along with the backup disks. Several things occur to me about this:-
1. It was intentional on the part of the LAPD.
2. Dr Murray's missing minutes....could they have been used to disable the CCTV system, and a phone call to either check he was doing it right, or to say "It had been done". Then for other parties to go in remove all the evidence? I know I've been watching to many 'cop shows'!!
3. Quite possibly (and hopefull) Janet & LaToya removed the tapes and back-up disks. Knowing that they could contain valuable evidence as to Murrays actions. One assumes that they will then produce them with a flourish, should the case go to court.
So, with that in mind, I have posted a suggestion (see below) on various forums as to how we could possibly organise ourselves, should we need to 'fight' the verdict.......
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is just a thought!!
Things are dragging on with the investigation. The majority of us have little or no faith in the LAPD's handling of it (due to it's past history with Michael). The majority of us feel frustrated since there is very little we can do, especially due to our geographical locations. We are all worried and concerned as to what we can do if things do go in Murray's favour or if we percieve that the investigation is flawed in any way? I have always said that our strength was in our numbers, however because we are all so globally spread out organising anything globally was always going to be a major,major task. So I think we have to think slightly outside of the box and accept that due to their proximity to the Action, we have to leave the co-ordination of any physical demonstrations/protests etc., down to the LA fans. I also think we do need to think about the possibility of setting up a 'Fighting Fund' for Michael. Since if we do need to call on any sort of worthwhile specialist help with our cause - it will cost money. How do we raise this money - wristbands- they are cheap to bulk buy and we could design a really cute one (first thoughts...luminous with diamante inbetween the words 'Justice for Michael' or 'Fighting for Michael'). This would mean those, such as myself, would feel like we were helping and would have something to show for it and would also be able to instantly identify other fans who had done similar. Obviously the Fund would have to be set up properly with an Accountant enlisted to oversee that every penny/cent was accounted for as well as board members to organise and co-ordinate things. Should however, things go Michael's way and the outcome is favourable....do I need to spell that one out!! Then all the money raised would go to one of Michael's Charities or even 'The Jackson Family Foundation'.
As I said this is just a thought. Please feel free to let me know what you thin k ...is it workable?? Some how someone would need to organise the LA side of things and the fans. Board members, although I think should again come from LA or the US at least but will be accountable to all fans. Is there anyone out there who feels they could take on such a task??
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unfortunately in between me posting this and the fans reading it - Haiti happened. Obviously everyone' focus, especially those in the USA, shifted. So we will wait and see. I will keep 'bumping' in the hope that eventually people will start taking an interest again.
In the meantime it appears that both Murray and The Jackon's have appointed their attorneys. For the Jackson's - Patrick Dixon ( Head District Attorney and the man who put Phil Spector away) & Alan Jackson who was also involved in the Phil Spector case. For Murray - Michael Flannigan. I must admit with both sides having appointed their attorneys, it does begin to feel as if things are moving on. It is almost like two prize fighters limbering up in the ring waiting for the bell to go!! That is if the D.A. decides it should go to court!!
I feel, as with other who have passed away, the world is forgetting Michael too quickly. I have lost count of the number of 'petitions' I have signed in Michaels name. I do hope though that if there can be any good come out of all this that we do manage to reign in the Tabloids/Paparrazzi. For it is they who I feel ultimately have to share the responsiblility of Michael's death along with every member of the Prosecution, and every person who testified against Michael, in that Santa Barbara Courtroom .
I miss you more Michael
Keep the Faith
You have to understand here that 5 years ago the investigating body in Michael's Homicide was also responsible for the most heinious and gross mis-carriage of justice that I have ever bore witness to. The Arvizio/Jackson child molestation case was the biggest courtcase that America had witnessed, since O.J. Simpson Trial. The LAPD were involved along with the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office. D.A. Tom Sneddon was someone with a massive chip on his shoulder, obviously racist and out to get Michael, for once and for all - he had been gunning for him, I reckon, ever since Jackson settled with the Chandlers back in '93. Convinced of Michaels guilt, he literally scoured the world to try to find a witness who would give him the evidence he needed. He tore Michael's life apart, literally. With LAPD he invaded Neverland taking a whole army of officers- most armed - to search the one place, up until then, where Michael really felt 'at peace'. Ofcourse we all know now that they could not come up with one shread of evidence or a single witness to prove Michael was guilty. And so on that June day although he walked out of that courtroom a free man, he also walked out a 'broken one'.
Fast forward now to the present, where all that happened in that courtroom has now taken effect destroying a wonderful humanitarian, brother and father!! The Fans subsequently have little or no trust in the LAPD, further compounded by reports such as the one posted on a Fan Forum:-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detective from LAPD told my friend MJ was a Child Molester!
Tonight a friend came down to visit. She lives in Burbank a bit west of LA. She is a hair dresser in LA. She told me you are not going to be happy with what I am about to tell you...(.I am going to leave names out of this to not get anyone in trouble) She told me that Friday night a client came into the shop to have her hair done. This woman is a detective for the LAPD. My friend is a huge MJ fan! So while she was doing her hair she ask her client how was the investigation going for Michael.
It was then that she learned that her client was one of the team members working on his case. This lady obviously didn't know my friend was a MJ fanatic when she made he first insulting remark about MJ. So my friend quickly rushed to Michael's defence, which angered this woman. She said to my friend, are you kidding me you know he was a child molester. My friend said, there was never any evidence of that and the woman said that is what you think... not to go into all the details this woman slammed Michael and said he was a sick person.
I guess the woman was so irritated with my friend defending MJ, that she started getting so loud that others in the shop were now taking notice of the conversation. My friend said she was embarrassed and pissed and at that point she wanted to take a chunk out of her hair. I would have and told her the hair cut is on me but my friend is so sweet!
The bottom line is my friend told me the detective basically said the LAPD was not liberal and there were no shades of grey, simply black and white and they couldn't wait to be done with this case. Like it was a big hassle to them.
So what I am saying to you, is the LAPD has no concern for MJ, the think he was a child molester and they could careless if Murray is punished or not. They mostly have not done a good job on the case and they just want it over with. We are never going to see justice for our idol when the police department who is working the case think he was a criminal.
http://www.michaeljackson.com/uk/node/567846
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are all desperately worried that due to the outcome of the courtcase in June '05, the LAPD was left with 'egg on it's face'. We do feel that they might look on Michael's Homicide investigation as 'payback time'!! There are so many things that just aren't right. For instance, the crime scene wasn't secured for at least 48hrs and, partly due to that many things went 'missing' - one of them the CCTV tapes along with the backup disks. Several things occur to me about this:-
1. It was intentional on the part of the LAPD.
2. Dr Murray's missing minutes....could they have been used to disable the CCTV system, and a phone call to either check he was doing it right, or to say "It had been done". Then for other parties to go in remove all the evidence? I know I've been watching to many 'cop shows'!!
3. Quite possibly (and hopefull) Janet & LaToya removed the tapes and back-up disks. Knowing that they could contain valuable evidence as to Murrays actions. One assumes that they will then produce them with a flourish, should the case go to court.
So, with that in mind, I have posted a suggestion (see below) on various forums as to how we could possibly organise ourselves, should we need to 'fight' the verdict.......
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is just a thought!!
Things are dragging on with the investigation. The majority of us have little or no faith in the LAPD's handling of it (due to it's past history with Michael). The majority of us feel frustrated since there is very little we can do, especially due to our geographical locations. We are all worried and concerned as to what we can do if things do go in Murray's favour or if we percieve that the investigation is flawed in any way? I have always said that our strength was in our numbers, however because we are all so globally spread out organising anything globally was always going to be a major,major task. So I think we have to think slightly outside of the box and accept that due to their proximity to the Action, we have to leave the co-ordination of any physical demonstrations/protests etc., down to the LA fans. I also think we do need to think about the possibility of setting up a 'Fighting Fund' for Michael. Since if we do need to call on any sort of worthwhile specialist help with our cause - it will cost money. How do we raise this money - wristbands- they are cheap to bulk buy and we could design a really cute one (first thoughts...luminous with diamante inbetween the words 'Justice for Michael' or 'Fighting for Michael'). This would mean those, such as myself, would feel like we were helping and would have something to show for it and would also be able to instantly identify other fans who had done similar. Obviously the Fund would have to be set up properly with an Accountant enlisted to oversee that every penny/cent was accounted for as well as board members to organise and co-ordinate things. Should however, things go Michael's way and the outcome is favourable....do I need to spell that one out!! Then all the money raised would go to one of Michael's Charities or even 'The Jackson Family Foundation'.
As I said this is just a thought. Please feel free to let me know what you thin k ...is it workable?? Some how someone would need to organise the LA side of things and the fans. Board members, although I think should again come from LA or the US at least but will be accountable to all fans. Is there anyone out there who feels they could take on such a task??
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unfortunately in between me posting this and the fans reading it - Haiti happened. Obviously everyone' focus, especially those in the USA, shifted. So we will wait and see. I will keep 'bumping' in the hope that eventually people will start taking an interest again.
In the meantime it appears that both Murray and The Jackon's have appointed their attorneys. For the Jackson's - Patrick Dixon ( Head District Attorney and the man who put Phil Spector away) & Alan Jackson who was also involved in the Phil Spector case. For Murray - Michael Flannigan. I must admit with both sides having appointed their attorneys, it does begin to feel as if things are moving on. It is almost like two prize fighters limbering up in the ring waiting for the bell to go!! That is if the D.A. decides it should go to court!!
I feel, as with other who have passed away, the world is forgetting Michael too quickly. I have lost count of the number of 'petitions' I have signed in Michaels name. I do hope though that if there can be any good come out of all this that we do manage to reign in the Tabloids/Paparrazzi. For it is they who I feel ultimately have to share the responsiblility of Michael's death along with every member of the Prosecution, and every person who testified against Michael, in that Santa Barbara Courtroom .
I miss you more Michael
Keep the Faith
Friday, 1 January 2010
THESE SIX LONG MONTHS
On Christmas Eve, I did something I hadn't done ( I am ashamed to say) for a long time! I went to the 'Watchnight Service' at our little local church. I also bought a 'friend' with me - this friend took the form of a candle, since Christmas Day would mark the 6 month anniversary of the death of Michael (Jackson). I felt the need to try to find some sort of solace in the lighting of the candle in the church and also at the same time to ressurect my faith and to 'ask God why he had to take Michael so soon!'
In my previous post I mentioned that I had been 'lucky' enough not, up until now, to have experienced grief. So this grieving process is all new to me. The worst thing is there is this little voice in my head which pops up every now an then saying "But you didn't actually know him, it wasn't like he was a close friend!". Which technically is true. However, having spent most of my life devouring every slight bit of information on the man, I do feel like I know him, it does feel like he was a friend, since if I was happy or sad, I had an MJ song I would cry to or dance to!! So now it has been six months and my heart is still breaking, the anger and frustration at the fuitility of it all is still there!! He is the first thought in my mind on waking and the last before going to sleep. I desperately want all of this to just be a very bad dream, that I will wake up from. 1 just dont want him to be and cant accept that he is dead!!
The saddest thing is that reading and posting on the Fan Forums, there are so many like myself, stuck in this perpetual cycle of grief. New Year's Eve was a really bad time for a lot of us....moving into 2010 felt like leaving a part of Michael behind. I personally kept thinking "this time last year he was alive, alive and probably looking forward to the following year with apsolutely no knowledge of what was to befall him!!"
What doesnt help us is the lack of throughflow of information. I feel that there should be a 'Spokesperson' appointed by Michael's family, to communicate with the fans, to keep us updated either on 'the investigation' or on how 'the family' is progressing. To also acknowledge all the effort that has been put into the variety of wonderful gifts sent to either Encino or Michael's tomb at Forest Lawn. At least we would feel included.
I and I am sure the rest of Michael's fans can understand that his family need their 'space', their time to mourn, we in no way want to intrude on any of that. We also understand that the investigation is going to take a long time, and we do not want to jeopordise that. However, we also need some sort of support and form of recognition that a lot of us have stuck with Michael through the good times and the bad and that we have put a great deal of money into his career.
My greatest concern is that as time relentlessly marches onward, Michael's death will become 'old news' people will forget the circumstances and forget to care!! I personally do not think that in the end anybody will be charged with his death. The 'good' Dr Murray has already been allowed to continue practising and there is already talk of 'downgrading' the Homicide charge to a Manslaughter one! I also feel that he was the 'scapegoat' and that the real culprits are too rich and powerful and are quite capable of buying their way out of any 'Murder' charge. So the murder of not just a Superstar but a wonderful human being will go unpunished in the end!
In this respect there is one 'weapon' in Michael's arsenel that Michael's murderers will not have taken into account, that of his fans. With one of the largest fanbases in the world, we could be a force to be reckoned with. Within this 'force' there must be professional Lawyers, Doctors and Accountants, whose services in an advisery capacity would be very useful, helping us question legal documentation along with medical teminology and also understanding Michael's financial affairs. Just now there seem to be a 'wealth' of different MJ Fan Clubs. Surely for the sake of ensuring Justice is served for our Idol, they could all amalgament into one, with Global branches, thus making it a whole lot easier to co-ordinate or implement any action deemed necessary. This would be the time to make History, since nothing like this would have been done before. This would be the time to show the world exactly how 'loyal' we are to Michael and what lengths we will go to for him.
At this moment in time I am prepared to 'fight tooth & nail' to try to implement this, since I feel this is the only way we will get any answers. As to what happens in the end if and when we do....I would like to think that if a 'Main Fan Club' was set up that it would continue to operate and would work alongside the family to ensure a throughflow of communication between the two parties. That the fans would be allowed a say on such things as :- Souveniers (quality and types), allocation of funds (which Charities should benefit), his music( what is released, and when - we dont want continual 'Greatest Hits' or compliation albums with one new song included).
Through the book I am compiling at present 'Michael - By His Fans, For His Fans', I am collecting a wealth of 'stories' the fans have sent to me regarding their feelings and Histories of following him. The best thing about it all is that I have recieved quiet a few entries from teenagers as young as 13/14yrs, which is so reassuring, since that means his memory is safe for at least the next 50 or so years!!
Thank you for taking the time to read this & I would love any comments you might wish to make
Keep the Faith
In my previous post I mentioned that I had been 'lucky' enough not, up until now, to have experienced grief. So this grieving process is all new to me. The worst thing is there is this little voice in my head which pops up every now an then saying "But you didn't actually know him, it wasn't like he was a close friend!". Which technically is true. However, having spent most of my life devouring every slight bit of information on the man, I do feel like I know him, it does feel like he was a friend, since if I was happy or sad, I had an MJ song I would cry to or dance to!! So now it has been six months and my heart is still breaking, the anger and frustration at the fuitility of it all is still there!! He is the first thought in my mind on waking and the last before going to sleep. I desperately want all of this to just be a very bad dream, that I will wake up from. 1 just dont want him to be and cant accept that he is dead!!
The saddest thing is that reading and posting on the Fan Forums, there are so many like myself, stuck in this perpetual cycle of grief. New Year's Eve was a really bad time for a lot of us....moving into 2010 felt like leaving a part of Michael behind. I personally kept thinking "this time last year he was alive, alive and probably looking forward to the following year with apsolutely no knowledge of what was to befall him!!"
What doesnt help us is the lack of throughflow of information. I feel that there should be a 'Spokesperson' appointed by Michael's family, to communicate with the fans, to keep us updated either on 'the investigation' or on how 'the family' is progressing. To also acknowledge all the effort that has been put into the variety of wonderful gifts sent to either Encino or Michael's tomb at Forest Lawn. At least we would feel included.
I and I am sure the rest of Michael's fans can understand that his family need their 'space', their time to mourn, we in no way want to intrude on any of that. We also understand that the investigation is going to take a long time, and we do not want to jeopordise that. However, we also need some sort of support and form of recognition that a lot of us have stuck with Michael through the good times and the bad and that we have put a great deal of money into his career.
My greatest concern is that as time relentlessly marches onward, Michael's death will become 'old news' people will forget the circumstances and forget to care!! I personally do not think that in the end anybody will be charged with his death. The 'good' Dr Murray has already been allowed to continue practising and there is already talk of 'downgrading' the Homicide charge to a Manslaughter one! I also feel that he was the 'scapegoat' and that the real culprits are too rich and powerful and are quite capable of buying their way out of any 'Murder' charge. So the murder of not just a Superstar but a wonderful human being will go unpunished in the end!
In this respect there is one 'weapon' in Michael's arsenel that Michael's murderers will not have taken into account, that of his fans. With one of the largest fanbases in the world, we could be a force to be reckoned with. Within this 'force' there must be professional Lawyers, Doctors and Accountants, whose services in an advisery capacity would be very useful, helping us question legal documentation along with medical teminology and also understanding Michael's financial affairs. Just now there seem to be a 'wealth' of different MJ Fan Clubs. Surely for the sake of ensuring Justice is served for our Idol, they could all amalgament into one, with Global branches, thus making it a whole lot easier to co-ordinate or implement any action deemed necessary. This would be the time to make History, since nothing like this would have been done before. This would be the time to show the world exactly how 'loyal' we are to Michael and what lengths we will go to for him.
At this moment in time I am prepared to 'fight tooth & nail' to try to implement this, since I feel this is the only way we will get any answers. As to what happens in the end if and when we do....I would like to think that if a 'Main Fan Club' was set up that it would continue to operate and would work alongside the family to ensure a throughflow of communication between the two parties. That the fans would be allowed a say on such things as :- Souveniers (quality and types), allocation of funds (which Charities should benefit), his music( what is released, and when - we dont want continual 'Greatest Hits' or compliation albums with one new song included).
Through the book I am compiling at present 'Michael - By His Fans, For His Fans', I am collecting a wealth of 'stories' the fans have sent to me regarding their feelings and Histories of following him. The best thing about it all is that I have recieved quiet a few entries from teenagers as young as 13/14yrs, which is so reassuring, since that means his memory is safe for at least the next 50 or so years!!
Thank you for taking the time to read this & I would love any comments you might wish to make
Keep the Faith
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