On Michael Jackson and the Peace I Hope His Passing Gives Others

I was a little conflicted when I heard the news of Michael Jackson's passing today. I love the hits of the Jackson Five and many of the pop star's solo works, but his personal life was so muddled with possible scandal, that it is hard for me to truly mourn him.

It is one thing to be weird. Lots of people are strange or do strange things from time to time that they regret. But when it comes to harming children or putting them in harm's way or even in uncomfortable situations, that I find very hard to forgive. And despite the lack of a conviction in a court of law, I cannot really laud him the way I heard people doing on the radio.

Whether or not he was guilty of any wrongdoing, it occurred to me that Michael Jackson likely died without finding true peace. And that is a very sad thing. I made a crack on Facebook about Vincent Price being the true pop icon featured in "Thriller" and that joke was likely ill-timed. But I think it is true that the cloud of suspicion that surrounded Jackson during his later life prevented me from "liking" his contribution to that song. So, Vincent Price wins.

I really hope Michael Jackson does rest in peace, because I don't think he found that in life. I hope that none of what he was suspected of ever happened. I do not think that is likely. If he did commit those horrible acts on children, I hope his passing lets the victims rest easier.