Catch the Michael Jackson adding a coaster bit?

What he's done for our society????

You make him sound like he's a stateman or a scientist...

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--George H
---Superman the ride...coming to a SF park near you soon...
Currency tracking experiment... http://www.wheresgeorge.com (Referring to The "George" on the $1 bill - Not Me)
*** This post was edited by redman822 2/7/2003 12:22:22 PM ***

Bingo. It's sad that "people" like him get the press, when the people who really improve society never get noticed.

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- "I used to be in the audio/visual club, but I was kicked out because of my views on Vietnam........and I was stealing projectors" - Homer Simpson

The issue is not his being a "kid at heart." Ths issue is that he is still a kid mentally and emotionally. Those are two *very* different things. I feel comfortable saying that as coaster enthusiasts we are all "kids at heart" but that is different than being emotionally and mentally stunted.

IMHO in order to not like someone I think you have to have an understanding of them. After seeing the interview I have a much greater understanding for what's going in all those grey cells in his head. I am *not* a fan of Mr Jackson but I also do not hate him. If anything I feel sadness and pity for the man. He has some *very* serious mental and emotional problems...so severe that he cannot see them. In his mind he is completely normal.

However it does seem to me that there are a few people in this thread who have admitted to not watching the interview who's comments seem to rather childish and uniformed.

My opinion. Your mileage may vary.

Moosh

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"It looks smaller than I imagined, but still looks to be a great ride." -- CPLady

*** This post was edited by Mamoosh 2/7/2003 12:27:26 PM ***

I don't necessarily condone everything he does at all, but we really don't know everything he does either. It's just like we'll never know the whole truth about a lot of things having to do with famous people, but we'll still judge. It's the nature of people to do so. I think Moosh pretty much nailed it though. The man definitely has a lot of issues from his own childhood. All we can do is pray that he isn't hurting these children in any way. I got no sexual vibes from him at all either. Oh well, we can go back and forth about this forever just like any serious subject.

On another note....... The man has an amusement park for a home ! (exclamation marks x a zillion ) You gotta at least love him for that. Right? :)

Too bad his park is centered around so many younger children it'd be kinda neat to make a SLC type of coaster with "Thriller" theming. ( I know not very funny :(... but it would still be a cool ride)

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...Agghh, gimme a break will ya?

Mamoosh said:

If anything I feel sadness and pity for the man. He has some *very* serious mental and emotional problems...so severe that he cannot see them. In his mind he is completely normal.
Bingo. I have known people with severe mental sickness. I can't help but see parallels. But, and this applies to Michael, the first step to getting help is admitting you have a problem.
I don't hate Michael. How could I hate him? I don't know him! But, it is very apparent that he needs serious help.
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- "I used to be in the audio/visual club, but I was kicked out because of my views on Vietnam........and I was stealing projectors" - Homer Simpson

I completely agree with Moosh. I've watched this man since I was a kid and it's sad to see his transformation into what everyone thinks is some kind of freak. Granted, the man IS a freak, but to each his own. He shouldn't be sleeping with kids in his bed, but like Moosh stated, he doesn't see anything wrong with it. He also shouldn't be hanging babies out of hotel windows either, but the man is emotionally and mentally disturbed.

I don't mind the guy really, he's weird and eccentric, but his music is still pretty good. As long as he's not doing anything illegal or immoral (which everyone knows he probably has... ;)) I don't have a problem with him. He has the right to act or look any way he wants. I say leave him alone.

Justin

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Never look a gift horse in the mouth, because horses have very bad breath

So is Michael Jackson getting Shock or /Wave? ;)

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Xcelerator- Put the Pedal to the Metal!

From www.dictionary.com

freak1 ( P ) Pronunciation Key (frk)
n. A thing or occurrence that is markedly unusual or irregular:

I think that accurately describes Michael Jackson...even his supporters have to admit he and his actions are markedly unusual or irregular...

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--George H
---Superman the ride...coming to a SF park near you soon...
Currency tracking experiment... http://www.wheresgeorge.com (Referring to The "George" on the $1 bill - Not Me)
*** This post was edited by redman822 2/7/2003 1:02:02 PM ***

No no no, he's getting Excalibur from SFAW, you know the one that is sitting at Frontier City in the bone yard.

If I had to take my pick, I'd say he'd definitely take the SHOCK, why change history now? ;)

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SWOOSH
MIG-The Midwest Information Guide mig.sfne.com

Please let's not forget the out of court settlement he reached with the family of the 13 year old boy who accused him of sexual abuse. The boy even described a birthmark he had(you can imagine where) in perfect detail. Mr. Jackson had to show the birthmark to the judge. I remember reading that in Vanity Fair back then, and not having any doubts in my mind that he did it after reading the article. I wish I would have saved the magazine to quote from when I hear people defending him.

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Millennium Force Laps-103
**Vertigo Launches-21**

redman822 said:

freak1 ( P ) Pronunciation Key (frk)
n. A thing or occurrence that is markedly unusual or irregular:
A freak compared to ????? what exactly? How many people who were child mega-stars, grew up in the public eye, alledgedly beat with a belt by their father, ridiculed by their siblings turned out fine and dandy?

"Some people on here are MJ fans and don't appreciate the bashing. He may have made some mistakes, but we're all human, and there's nothing wrong with being a kid at heart. I can't believe some of you...."

I swear when it comes to this subject, Mamoosh and I were seperated at birth. I agree with him 100%.

But in terms of the quote above, I think that people need to first realize that MJ thinks himself super human. How about the "I'm not gonna die" quote? He acts and thinks in ways that contradict society. The difference is, he doesn't consider them mistakes. He is not mentally developed enough to realize that what he is doing needs to be corrected.

A "mistake" is something that happens without pre-meditation or without a lot of preperational thought. A "mistake" is often (and should be) corrected. But MJ is too oblivious to the things he has done, he does not see them as "mistakes" and does not bother to correct them.

He's an odd mix. On one hand, the strict verbal abuse about his appearance obviously affected him enough to feel he needed to "correct" or "perfect" his looks.

But on the other hand, his mentality and maturity level has never been questioned or corrected. And those around him defend him, rather than recognizing that there is a severe problem and help him.

I think it is a huge comment on being a celebrity, albeit extreme, and it really paints an ugly picture.

I admire his dedication to needy and sick kids, I just don't agree with the way in which he "helps" them. Inviting the children to his amusement park is an amazing gesture, but that should be it.... period.

I'll talk a bit out of turn here, David Mandt of PKI told me that when he worked at Star Trek: The Experience" in Vegas, MJ visited. Because David was PR Director, he was in charge of seeing MJ around the attractions etc. He said that MJ found out that there was a "Make a Wish" kid attending also, and basically treated the child like gold. David said that Michael treated the boy like he was the most important thing in the world. However, the parents were not allowed with them and were subsequently pushed aside.

This solidifies the fact that MJ cannot relate to adults. If he did, he would realize that the interaction between underpriveldged kids and their parents is more important than what they do, what they see, or what they are given.

As far as his park, I am surprised that MJ doesn't have a more elaborate set up. I mean, it looks too portable! Heck, I'd go gang busters on my park if I had that kind of dough. Where's the B&M speedcoaster Jacko?

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Shaggy

R.I.P. Maestro
Phantom Theater 1992-2002

Fine, coasterfreaky, I'd call them freaks too if they acted like MJ ...

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--George H
---Superman the ride...coming to a SF park near you soon...
Currency tracking experiment... http://www.wheresgeorge.com (Referring to The "George" on the $1 bill - Not Me)

Its human nature to want to label everything, especially things we do not understand. Notice that the definition above does not define freak as either good or bad, just "unusual and irregular." Its odd how many choose to use the word negatively.

Just an observation.

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"It looks smaller than I imagined, but still looks to be a great ride." -- CPLady

He should build a Spagetti bowl coaster called "Molester". I caught the interview and I have two words for "it" Sicko Freako" The guy should be locked up. Anyone that molests kids needs to be locked up.

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Loyal fan of Nolimits.
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stoogemanmoe.

Miss coastergames.net? Here is a good site.

stoogemanmoe said:
Anyone that molests kids needs to be locked up.
He was cleared of wrongdoing.

I can't think of too many professional psychologists, my mother included, who think there is nothing wrong with a 40+ year old man sharing his bed with children who are not his own.

It shouldn't be acceptable for him, either, just because he is Michael Jackson.

He was never cleared of the charges, they couldn't press charges because he paid his accuser off and as part of the settlement there was a clause the he couldn't testify.

From RollingStone.com

In 1993 a child "friend" of Jackson's went to his father with reports that Jackson had molested him. The boy's father brought the case to the police, who began an investigation of the pop star but were unable to press charges when his main accuser received an undisclosed settlement from Jackson and subsequently declined to testify.

And from www.TheSmokingGun.com

The child's declaration includes a graphic account of alleged sexual encounters with Jackson at the performer's Neverland Ranch and various hotels. Four months after the Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit was filed, the two sides announced that the matter had been settled, though terms were not disclosed. News reports have estimated that Jackson paid north of $15 million to settle the tawdry action. No criminal charges were ever filed in connection with the teenager's charges.

Also at the link for the Smoking Gun is the full transcript of the child's statement...Caution, it is not for the faint of heart...
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--George H
---Superman the ride...coming to a SF park near you soon...
Currency tracking experiment... http://www.wheresgeorge.com (Referring to The "George" on the $1 bill - Not Me)
*** This post was edited by redman822 2/7/2003 1:43:17 PM ***

Well either way...he was not convicted, and so he was cleared.

Source: BBC - 3rd paragraph down

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2735315.stm

He settled out of court. In order to be cleared of wrong-doing the case would have had to have gone to trial. Still, settling out of court, in and of itself, is not an indication or admittance of guilt *or* innocence.

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"It looks smaller than I imagined, but still looks to be a great ride." -- CPLady

*** This post was edited by Mamoosh 2/7/2003 1:47:32 PM ***