This was passed on to me this morning from reader Ruben Quezada. He points out it came from a soldier named Issac who is serving in Iraq:
I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael Jackson . As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to many people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn’t the point of my rant.
Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the country was to ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to flock to a memorial in Hollywood , and even Congress sees the need to hold a “moment of silence” for his passing?
Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he’s a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades?
What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America .
Where is there moment of silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying “good ridence,” and “Thank God for IEDs?”
When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a “Pop Icon?”
I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
They need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for them.
But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.
Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Feel free to pass this along if you want.
Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is serving in the military; “So that others may live…”
– Isaac
are we really fighting for our OWN freedom?
god bless MJ, god bless ALL soldiers (regardless of country. god bless teachers, janitors, cooks, soldiers, doctors, etc. we live in a system where everyone does their part – no one “deserves” greater praise than the other.
as for the media circus surrounding MJ’s death, he was the most famous person on the face of the earth. what did you expect?!
With due respect to all those who go out every day and put their lives on the line, be it police officers, firefighters and our armed forces, but they know that danger is inherent, a permanent and inseparable part of their job.
The choose to serve in that position with full knowledge of the dangers that exist every single day, and one of those dangers is death.
Every time one of these servicemen and women do a heroic thing (save someone) and they survive, they say they were just doing their job and don’t think themselves as heroes. We, the general public who are 100% appreciative of what they do day in and day out, call them heroes because that’s what they are.
And when one of them is unfortunate enough to loose their lives, there is the proper and respectful ceremony for them. There is the proper funeral with flags and hundreds paying their respects. There is the procession, the nice speeches, the flag, the doves, the loves ones saying their goodbyes. They are not forgotten, they are not thought of as less than anyone else, they are appreciated for having put their life on the line. There is ever Memorial day, their very own special day when the entire nation celebrates those who have given us our freedoms.
So then, why can’t those who need to grieve and celebrate Michael Jackson’s life be left to do as they wish without being criticized? Why do people who don’t agree with all the fan fare just accept MJ celebration as something that many people need to do for someone they dearly loved? There is a time and place for everything and everyone, and this is MJ’s time. Over a billion people can’t be wrong. He touched many throughout the world. And I imagine all those servicemen who die for us also get their due respect from everyone they touched and many times from those who also did not know them.
Peace be with everyone and take care.
How stupid are you, Isaac? Freedom?!! We are not free. Cops have pulled me over plenty of time with no just cause. (I’m not a gangbanger, nor do I look like one, wearing gangsta clothing.) I haven’t bother to stand for the Nat’l Anthem for 13 years. Don’t give me this “love it or leave crap” either. I was born here; I’ll stay if I wish. If you believe in forced patriotism, you’re no better than Castro or Hitler. All the soldiers who have died, have died for nothing.
All law abiding soldiers (even you if applicable) should be honered, but you are showing your ignorance by stating that MJ did nothing but entertain us. He participated in numerous humanitarian events and donated millions to causes to make this world better which, I’m pretty sure, is more than I can say for you and Frank Jerkdot.
“It’s better to keep your mouth shut and just be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”
First off, all law-abiging soldiers (even yourself if applicable) should be honored. However, you show your considerable ignorance by stating that MJ did nothing but entertain us. He is one of the most charitable pop stars ever, and has donated 100s of millions of dollars to causes to make this a better world, which I’m pretty sure is more than I can say for you and Frank Girardot.
Always remember my wise one, “It’s better to keep your mouth shut and only be thought to be a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”
to the guy who responded to eric:
i wasnt defending frank girardot, i was calling him out (along with the letter). Of course MJ did more for this world than entertain – im with you there 100%. i was just making the point that soldiers are equals to any other career and shouldnt necessarily be looking for “thank you’s”.
peace.
Are you kidding me???
A soldier know the risks of the job. they are not looking for notoriety.
Whole police departments stop to have a funeral when a cop gets killed. They all get time off and make a huge spectacle of it and we pay the bill.
There are just as important “ordinary people” dying every day. Fathers, mothers etc.. Whole departments do not get the time off to honor them.
For all of those that mourn MJ. Do you not recall his statement on 20/20 that he did not see anything wrong with sleepimg with little boys? Everyone that has chose to honor MJ is just as sick as he was. He gave us great music and that is it. He is not or was not a real humanitarian.
Isaac you have every right to rant and God bless you and all the soldiers.
Unfortunately, Isaac, you are defending a minority of people that can not comprehend freedom and what it means. Pull your pants up David and get a job. That’s a tired act you have.
A lot of people in this country are cowards and can not understand what you and the other servicemen do. Nor do they understand what it means to be willing to die for something you believe in. Therefore, they will never give you the respect that is well deserved. Instead they flock to worship a child molester and a family that mentally and physically beat their children.
There are a lot of evil rich people that donate to charity. This whole thing about Mike giving millions is crap. Try living a humble, honorable life. Try putting your life on the line for those to do not have the heart to do it themselves.
Believe me Isaac. There are many people back home that appreciate the freedoms that they have. There are many people that wish they could be in a position of honor and heroism like you are. Those people look up to you and thank you everyday.
The men and women who are fighting in our wars made a choice to do so based on the fact that we as human beings decided one day to become less than human beings and fight one another. Michael Jackson though he wasn’t a favorite of mine, became an icon because he did something to put SMILES on people’s faces not sorrow in their heart. When we think of our soldiers over there fighting for us we never forget it that is why we have 4th of july which celebrates our independence AND why we have Memorial day which celebrates those who have died in the military AND why we have Veterans day which celebrates Veterans from the military who have died or are still living. As Americans we have several days that we celebrate for various reasons for things that have happened in our history even September 11th will soon be a holiday if not already. It’s ridiculous to think that just because a person in the military dies we MUST pay respects to them because they were doing their job. I do my job every day and if I were to die no one would make a big deal SO WHAT!!!! Stop whining and change jobs if you don’t get the recognition you are looking for. Fighting in the military is not so you can be remembered as some icon or glamour and glitz it is to remind us that we made our bed and now we have to lay in it. I’m sorry that people have died for the freedom of this country, people who didn’t deserve to die but don’t blame others for it blame your government for even bringing war to our doorstep in the first place. I don’t like Michael Jackson because of the things he has done to himself and others but he made us want to get up and dance and sing and and I’m sorry but the last time I checked smiling was better than crying. People die every day and no one pays their respects to them. You talk about how calloused we as Americans are because we don’t flock to a soldiers side. Think about it do I know who Joe Schmo soldier is unless I was friends with him/her, no I don’t, but I knew who Michael Jackson was because he was on T.V. and he was on the radio or I may have met him in person at one of his concerts but I don’t know you do I. I’ve never met you in person, I’ve never talked to you over the phone and I’ve never seen you on the T.V. Why should I HAVE to mourn you when that is your families and friends place? You also talk about how soldiers swear to defend the Constitution. Do you realize that the Constitution was written for one ethnicity and one only when it first began? Times change, perceptions change but I haven’t seen the Memorial Day or Veterans Day or 4th of July day change at all. Just because a few people want to mourn for Michael Jackson fanatically who cares, let them, why should it bother you, you know who you are and what you stand for and if you stand for the right thing people will know. Don’t worry we won’t have a Michael Jackson day but we will still have Memorial, Veterans, and 4th of July day!
Even after MJ’s death, it is still a circus. Who cares? I have more respect for the men and women sacrificing their lives on a daily basis, that those in the limelight. There are more important issues in life than the death of a pop icon. Amazing, there is an on and off button on the boob tube.
I regret the lose of those whom followed MJ. However, he has had his final moment on the big stage. Now it is time to move on. His destiny is set forever and irreversable, just like EP. I would really like for him to have a moment to speak to those fans left behind. I wonder if he would usher in any warnings about the after live, now that all his fame and money (or debt) have been stripped away. I would like to see what he now thinks about accepting the gift of salvation for Jesus Christ. Forever….is a long time and I can’t judge were MJ is, neither can you. You can and will form your own opinion though. Set back and think about it if you were to die today where would you spend eternity.
ONLY THE BLOOD OF JESUS, CAN WASH AWAY ALL OUR SIN’S.
Either MJ accepted this free gift or rejected it. The rest has vanished, exceept for where MJ’s soul will spend eterntiy; enjoying pardise or burning in Hell.
The good news is you still have time……so what are you waiting for. Get on your knees and accept Jesus Christ gift of salvation. He did die for you.
If this offends you “too bad” it’s the plan as day truth. Oh and on judgement day you can never say, ‘Lord no one every told me”.
Issac God Bless You and thank you for your service.
Former USMC
ok…Im a soldier myself, but I have to say this…
we need to publicly mourn all the soldiers who have died?
We do, it’s called Memorial Day. Did everyone forget what that day meant, what is was for? It’s not just the beginning of summer…
MJ had a moment of silence, Soldiers have a whole day dedicated to them, in honor of them, to remember them.
How much more do you want?
You get the day off dont you? isnt that good enough?
I was wondering who is Isaac? I would love to thank him or whoever is the real person who wrote this. For it’s true. The service men & woman who stand up for our rights & freedom deserve to be treated like famous people. I would just like to tell the writer thankyou & talk to the person. I don’t mean no harm. I would tell each & every service person thankyou if I could. To me they are the heroes. So If you could help me to make contact with him or who wrote this I would be very happy. My late husband & our oldest son was service men. So as a wife & mother this is very importain to me.
Thankyou for your time,
Little Bell