If not, then you are still ignorant and stupid.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Billie_Jean

Also nothing in the BNET link you posted refutes the significance of the "Billie Jean" video, and the profound effect it had on the music industry, pop culture, and MTV.

Yeah, you're right "Billie Jean" was not the first black video on MTV, but it was the first regularly played, and MTV at first didn't want to play it until Walter Yetnikoff threatened to not submitt anymore videos to MTV if they didn't play it.

I was 9 years old when The "Billie Jean" video came out, and remember how every kid in my small southern town neighborhood at the time wanted to look like and be like Michael Jackson.

Claiming "Billie Jean" wasn't "rock", was code for "it's black music."

Are you stupid enough to think that "Billie Jean" wasn't a rock song?

While I appreciate your implication that I'd somehow have a meaningful impact on the other events you listed, if only I'd turn 100% of my attention to addressing those weighty matters here in my comments on Salon- I think you over-estimate my powers to put a mind-beam on things.

Believe me, this has not been for want of trying on my part...I have quite a few letters directed toward many of the topics you mentioned.

But, well, to keep this brief...this is my commentary, and I write about what I feel like writing about.

Just like you...although that I don't ever recall going into full-caps mode and demanding that another LW "shut the fuck up!"

Not that you don't have a right to do that around here. You do, just like I have the right to ignore you.

You're right, Cab Driver. You and Hutman should battle it out ad nauseum to see which of you two knows the most about Michael Jackson. I'm on pins and needles to see who wins. It's kind of like an award that goes to the tallest midget. LOL.

PS: Are you both fans of pedophilia, too?

You watched for this reason for the same reason people stare at accidents. Michael Jackson, sadly was the ultimate train wreck.

Some people are incredibly angry that anyone can feel sad and want to pay tribute to one of their idols, especially with such hardship and complex issues and violence in our world-- the economy, Iran, Iraq etc. Do these same people feel angry everytime they eat dinner because hunger exists? The thing is, most of us find these events very overwhelming, while the collective grief/nostalgia of Michael Jackson was something a lot of people could relate to and share. Just because people loved his music does not mean that they don't care about anything else-- sometimes it's easier to cry over these things or reminisce because it makes you forget for a moment the bills to pay or the wars that aren't ending. The majority of his fans are not in total denial of his problems anda lot of us who got caught up in the whole frenzy of it all hadn't listened to him in years but still could remember how great he was. Yes, there is a lot going on in the world and most people didn't decide to just ignore everything else because of this, even if this zoomed to the top of the list for 2 weeks. Things will go back to "normal", the world is still a mess, Ahmadinejad is still crazy and repugnant, we'll make dinner and do our laundry, and worry about our own individual dramas again.

You're new around here, I can tell.

One hundred per cent.

I usually agree with you Joan but have to disagree on this one. As I Michael Jackson fan my entire life (I was 1 years old when thriller was released. I grew up on his music and I thought this was an appropriate and touching send off.I think to have wanted people to discuss his failing at what basically amountedto a funeral is pretty unrealistic.I have never been to a funeral where people brought up all of the negatives and misgivings in a persons life. That is completely inappropriate at a funeral or memorial. Memorials are a time to celebrate the greatness of a persons life period. Michael Jackson was loved by many but he was also dissected by many more and it destroyed him. Let's not continue this destructive practice by dissecting what we think is the appropriate way for his family and children to mourn in grieve. Im glad they had the courage to hold a public memorial so that his fans could find some closure and celebrate his life with them. There will be plenty of time to rehash eccentricities and questionable decisions because the media can't help themselves.

I did read the talk page.

If you were nine when Billie Jean came out, you're probably too young to remember much of what came before Billie Jean on MTV. I'm older than you, and I remember very well.

I do think that, by the standards being applied in 1982, "Billie Jean" was not "rock." It's more of a dance-pop song. MTV didn't play Barbara Streisand, or Barry Manilow, or Barry White, or the Irish Rovers, or Los Pinguinos del Norte, or any number of groups that were popular in the 1980s, because those groups didn't play rock music. This applies to white, black and brown people: most artists did not get MTV aiplay in 1982, because the network was interested in the small AOR format.

"Not rock" is not a code word for "black." If it were, they wouldn't have been playing Eddy Grant and Tina Turner, whom they did consider to be rock.

Finally, the fact that you consistently have to shout "stupid" at me because I disagree merely underlines the weakness of your argument. Ad hominem attacks rarely prove that you are right, but they often give the impression that you are desperate. So keep calling me stupid, if you think it will help you.

I am so glad that Sarah Palin will be free soon to stop the erroneous ethics complaints that is abusing the system and why it was set up. Something is very wrong here when women like Joan works her little old heart out to tear down women who hold a high position and have a decent family along with it. I believe if Joan worked as hard to find out why our tax dollars is paying for thirty-four Czars, along with their staff, she would find ethics is clearly violated in its worst form. Sarah Palin is not only a very smart woman, but also has common sense undoubtedly is missing in Washington. What a shame You, Joan, are wasting your energy in the wrong places against other women. Instead of going on MSNBC and other liberal stations to bash Gov. Palin, try getting to know the woman that is amazing. I, like many, understood everything Sarah said in her press conference plainly. I would only guess that Joan needs to question her own articulation and education. She needs to get out into the real world and learn a little common sense. Our country isn't doing very well under this administration and there is no sugar coating it no matter how much you want to cover it up by spending so much time bashing Gov. Palin and her little children. Remember, your only almighty savior said himself, children are off limits, but yet you insist on preying on the precious ones of Sarah and Todd's. Most of us are smart enough to know why these hate sites like Joan Walsh Salon, Huffington Post, and etc. is trying to take over the Internet along with going on ONLY liberal media outlets to spew their hate against Gov. Palin, Christianity, marriage, and killing little helpless full term babies. God help you all.