Vanity Fair magazine

What:    An opinion article in The Los Angeles Times

Where:    http://tinyurl.com/OrthHitPiece

Pertinent portion (fifth paragraph):

Just trying to fit in at any level as one constantly has to do in the Peace Corps has served me in good stead, whether I was listening to heartbreaking tales of naive, star-struck parents allowing their little boys to spend too much time with Michael Jackson or uncovering Arianna Huffington’s fierce loyalty and reliance on her odd guru, John-Roger, to cite just two examples.

When:    Published February 25, 2011

Why:    Next to Martin Bashir and Diane Dimond, Maureen Orth was and remains one of the most vocal critics of Michael Jackson.  Her articles about him are too malicious and painful to repeat here, but most Michael Jackson admirers know who she is.

We at MJTruthNow feel that vile comments, such as Orth’s reference to Michael Jackson in this article, should not go un-rebutted.  Negative commentary about Michael should be clearly and consistently confronted, which is the sole goal of MJTruthNow.

Please respond as soon as possible to the article at the link above, using respectful language and hitting the beast Maureen Orth right between the eyes.  She’s malevolent, mean, nasty and virulent.  Her words should not stand uncontested.

However!  Please use all the personal restraint you can muster so that your comment is taken seriously and not moderated. Many readers of this article may not be aware of Orth’s malicious intent and her unrelenting use of the power of the media to destroy Michael Jackson.

Without fan names, ladies and gentlemen, please form an orderly and powerful line at

http://tinyurl.com/OrthHitPiece.

http://tinyurl.com/BashirEmploy

Last September, Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC, announced that Bashir had joined MSNBC at 3:00pm.  Several months later, it has finally been disclosed that his show is set to debut on Monday, February 28, 2011.

We don’t know if it’s still possible to subvert his employment, but we want to try.  Here are some facts about Bashir that you may not know.

http://tinyurl.com/BashirCriticized

http://tinyurl.com/JacksonSues

http://tinyurl.com/JacksonStatement

http://tinyurl.com/BashirJustify

http://tinyurl.com/BashirTricked

http://tinyurl.com/BashirSexist

http://tinyurl.com/BashirBestWife

http://tinyurl.com/SwervyBashir

Regarding Monday’s MJTruthNow newsletter, we received many supportive responses, for which we thank you.  We’d like to share one with you.

Dear MJTruthNow:

Thank you for sending this clarification to the fan base. You have my absolute agreement and support on this issue. It is a sad but true fact that outsiders tend to underestimate us when we identify ourselves as MJ fans. We, more than anybody else, should know how judgmental media can be; how they like categorizing and labeling others.  I have noticed the difference once I switched to using my real name and photo in addressing media outlets. It is as if an MJ nickname or avatar prevents them from reading a single word you write. They’re like: “Oh, another obsessed fan! Nothing new.” For them, it’s not worth the effort of reading because they think they already know what a Michael Jackson fan would say.

And to my dear fellow fans, those who think that changing their MJ nicknames or avatars is some kind of betrayal, I say, believe me, it is the total opposite. Deeds speak louder than words. I am a proud Michael Jackson fan; that’s why I want my family, friends, students, co-workers and the whole world to know that it is me, Nagla, who is speaking for Michael Jackson.

At the age of 32, I’ve grown far from the teenage girl who was bullied at school because she loved Michael Jackson. With lots of pity on those who did not allow themselves to see beyond this being a matter to tease me with, it is time for me to heal and make that change.

***

Thank you, Nagla, and thank you to everyone who defends Michael Jackson’s personal legacy using a proper name.

Please review the 300+ comments already posted.  We’re asking you to also immediately comment on this Huffington Post article.

http://tinyurl.com/BashirMSNBC

We shall then write to several Comcast and MSNBC executives to ask why they’re not listening to their viewers.  We will direct them to this  Huffington Post article as proof.  We need hundreds and hundreds of comments on this article. Please forward this newsletter far and wide.

http://tinyurl.com/BashirMSNBC

Remember:

• No Michael Jackson avatars
• No Michael Jackson screen names
• No love letters to Michael
• Please use spell check
• Always remain respectful

Again, we wish to thank everyone who participates in the healing of Michael’s legacy. Together we shall reach our goals.  Thank you for your hard work and dedication.

More later!

MJTruthNow.com

]]> http://mjtruthnow.com/2011/02/addressing-bashirs-unethical-behavior/feed/ 0 http://mjtruthnow.com/2011/02/our-thinking-about-fan-avatars-and-screen-names/ http://mjtruthnow.com/2011/02/our-thinking-about-fan-avatars-and-screen-names/#comments Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:03:36 +0000 mjadmin http://mjtruthnow.com/?p=7933 We’ve published several MJTruthNow newsletters wherein we asked for your support by commenting on blogs. We believe, over time, we can overcome the negativity surrounding Michael Jackson that was maliciously spread by medialoid.

When we ask for your help, we always include these tips for effective commenting:

• No Michael Jackson avatars
• No Michael Jackson screen names
• Use gender neutral screen names
• No love letters to Michael
• Please use spell check
• Always remain respectful

Word has reached us that some Michael Jackson fans feel that requesting they not use Michael Jackson avatars and screen names makes the fans feel ashamed to be Michael’s fans. This is definitely not our intention, so this newsletter will explain our thinking about fan avatars and screen names.

An avatar is an Internet user’s representation of him/herself or alter ego. We see them as small photos or pictures used on Internet forums and other communities such as Michael Jackson fan sites. Many fans enjoy using photos or images of Michael Jackson as their avatars.

A screen name is a nickname. Many fans enjoy identifying with Michael Jackson by using screen names such as MJlover, MJ4ever, IluvMJ, Justice4MJ, LoveUMJ, Joy4MJ, etc.

However, a fact of the serious business of vindication of Michael Jackson in mainstream media is that obvious fan identity is counterproductive to effective advocacy. As we have seen time and time again, media is routinely condescending to Michael Jackson fans.

It’s essential that Michael’s advocates operate firmly outside the arena where his fans are summarily dismissed and marginalized.

This is not a betrayal or rejection of Michael’s fans or Michael himself, but a necessary strategy to achieve justice for Michael Jackson on an uneven and rocky playing field where every step must be carefully planned.

Even ardent admirers of Michael’s body of work and his many humanitarian efforts may cringe at some forms of the idolization of Michael. At the same time, they’re compelled to rally against what happened to Michael. He was virtually destroyed by certain malevolent members of the media.

When observers, who may not necessarily be Michael Jackson detractors, say, “I don’t get these people” [Michael Jackson fans], our best response is to appeal to their empathy for what it must have been like for Michael to have been targeted for demonization by medialoid.

We can’t effectively appeal to that core of empathy when we present ourselves with fannish behavior, avatars and screen names. We ask that you refrain from presenting as a fan when advocating for Michael Jackson in mainstream media.

The best place, in our opinion, for fans to communicate in full fan mode is on Michael Jackson fan sites. Everyone there is already convinced of Michael’s unique talents and their love and respect for him as a person.

Thanks, as always, for your support.

What may have been compelling about our entreaty is that we provided proof that Bashir is an especially bad actor on the stage of rapidly deteriorating journalism in America. HMI’s letter packet contained comments from YouTube videos featuring Bashir, and from randomly selected blog articles about him, including his profile at ABC News. Thousands of comments were provided, virtually all of them negative. Bashir is pretty much universally despised.

To provide further food for thought, we included Matt Semino’s poignant essay…

http://tinyurl.com/semino

…and a rant by Jeff Koopersmith…

http://tinyurl.com/koopersmith

By July 2010, Bashir was gone from ABC News, only to resurface a few months later at MSNBC where, it was reported, he is to occupy the 3:00 pm (Eastern) time slot.

The typical length of an employment contract at an on-air news source is four years. Bashir’s tenure at ABC News was November 28, 2005–August 6, 2010. We don’t know if the evidence we provided contributed to his departure, but going from a prime time network news program to a mid-afternoon cable news spot is definitely a demotion.

In mid-December 2010, HMI again sent the letter packet to 29 carefully vetted executives at Comcast, NBC Universal and MSNBC. As of the end of January, at least one media gossip blog is wondering where he is.

http://tinyurl.com/martinbashir

Thomas Roberts was recently given a full time position at MSNBC. He currently appears in the 3:00 pm time slot.

http://tinyurl.com/thomasroberts

If MSNBC wants to do the right thing, they’ll leave Roberts in the 3:00 spot and kick Bashir to the curb. However, Keith Olbermann abruptly left MSNBC on Friday, January 21, thereby leaving a hole in MSNBC’s line-up. We hope we’ve given MSNBC sufficient pause about Bashir and that he’s not waiting in the wings, possibly to take Olbermann’s place.

http://tinyurl.com/kolbermann

We feel it’s critical to let MSNBC know that (a) Thomas Roberts is doing a fine job in the 3:00 spot and (b) Bashir is an unpopular and detrimental hire for MSNBC. We’re especially concerned that, if given a berth at MSNBC, Bashir will disingenuously comment on the Conrad Murray trial.

We urgently request that you make your views known at the following contact emails. You can, of course, post the same comment at all three contacts.
letters@MSNBC.com

viewerservices@MSNBC.com

GeneralComments@feedback.msnbc.com

Commenting matters. Internet “buzz” is–or should be–important to television programmers. For example, if the programmer for the Discovery Channel had had his ear to the ground more astutely, she would have known that the Michael Jackson autopsy program would land them in hot water.

Nielsen BuzzMetrics Tries to Measure Buzz in Social Media
http://tinyurl.com/nielsenbuzz

As they say in Chicago politics, vote often. Don’t forget the cardinal rules of effective blog commentary:

• No Michael Jackson avatars
• Use a gender neutral screen name, not a Michael Jackson fan screen name
• Remain respectful at all times and use spell check
• Avoid writing love letters about Michael

Thanks for all you do to protect Michael Jackson’s personal legacy.

This is America, a nation of laws. The facts don’t change and the prosecution’s trial strategy doesn’t revolve around the esteem in which the victim is held. Nor should it! Multi-millions of Michael Jackson fans would stretch, arms locked, around the world. That would not–should not–impact the course of action of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office one little bit. Why? Because we are a nation of laws, not mob rule.

In the case of Conrad Murray, it appears that millions of fans, most of whom have never even seen the inside of a courtroom, are somehow now experts in bringing criminals to justice. They speculate, assume and presuppose that because the victim is Michael Jackson, and if he’s dead, then someone murdered him and someone must pay. Without really being privy to the evidence that the District Attorney’s office assembled over nine long months–during which time they were loudly criticized for taking so long–the fans believe they can do a better job than a District Attorney’s office with an 87% conviction rate. Without truly understanding the legal distinctions between first, second and third degree murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, or medical malpractice for that matter, they treat all charges the same. Michael Jackson is dead, so someone must have murdered him.

So what do the fans do? They dress up like Michael Jackson and show up at the courthouse with posters festooned with various images of Michael. Playing right into the media’s hand, they’re quickly perceived and presented by the media as “crazy Michael Jackson fans” and no one’s collective mind is changed–either about how Michael actually died or why the fans are even there. No one takes them seriously because all observers hear is cries of “Justice for MJ!”–whatever that means–accompanied by a mob mentality. The fans are people to be tolerated; just part of the landscape of craziness that routinely surrounded Michael when he lived and is no different now.

May Justice Prevail

What if the fans showed up in street clothes, with posters bearing one image of Michael over the entreaty “May Justice Prevail”–without presupposing what that justice should be?

Michael Jackson deserves to be represented by mature, composed, intelligent, articulate and determined fans.

• Mature because they look like people who left their jobs in the city to stand vigil.
• Composed because they don’t behave like fans at a Michael Jackson concert, moonwalking and hamming it up for the media’s cameras.
• Intelligent because they have formed a sober, well-imaged message–about themselves and about Michael.
• Articulate because they spell every word of that message correctly.
• Determined because they want the world to understand that Michael Jackson mattered. That his absence remains a large wound on the collective consciousness of society.

It’s a strategic error to publicly dare the prosecutors to behave a certain way because “the eyes of the world are upon you.” The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is not the enemy! And make no mistake: the eyes of the world are on the media-manipulated crazy Michael Jackson fans. Please, for Michael’s sake, don’t be one.

We must be mindful of media’s real power to manipulate images and literally shape public opinion about fan activity.

The success of a website is dependent on traffic to the website. A content based website such as TMZ often gets a lot of traffic (12 million visitors per month, each visitor generating multiple page views) due to incoming links and higher visibility to search engines. It relies mainly on ad publishing for its revenue stream. With advertising rates so low these days, only a very high volume website (more than 1 million page views per month) can make substantial money.

Traffic can be related to ad publishing revenue for content-based websites because higher page views generate more ad revenue.

How Revenue Depends on Traffic

Let’s consider the income potential for a content based website such as TMZ. A web page on average can show two banners (one on top and one skybanner on the side). The average CPM (cost per thousand) rates are around $0.50. This translates to a CPC (cost per click) rate of $0.10 per click with a 0.5% CTR (click through rate).

The website can also show one pop under ad per visitor at $3.00 CPM. The revenue that can be generated is below (assuming an average 5 page views per visitor).

Monthly Page Views      2 Banners @ $0.50 CPM      Pop Under @ $3.00 CPM

25,000                                    $ 25/month                              $ 15/month
100,000                                $ 100/month                            $ 60/month
1,000,000                           $ 1,000/month                        $ 600/month
30,000,000                       $ 30,000/month                   $ 18,000/month

For high traffic websites and for niche markets, the owner can negotiate a higher CPM rate. On top of that, these websites can promote one line ads directly from the advertiser for a fixed amount per month. Usually that rate is around $500 per month per text ad for approximately 30 million page impressions per month or 0.0167 CPM.

In the case of TMZ, Harvey Levin and his band of punks know that anything with Michael’s name in the headline will generate clicks. The story doesn’t even have to be true! Therefore, outrageous claims, salacious headlines, sick and twisted stories–doesn’t matter–they all generate clicks for TMZ and put money in Harvey Levin’s pocket.

For more insight into TMZ’s disreputable practices, click here.

The next time you’re tempted to click on TMZ and put money in Harvey Levin’s pocket, please remind yourself that this is what you’re supporting. Here’s the latest TMZ smear of Michael Jackson’s personal legacy.

http://tinyurl.com/tmzsmear

Here’s Charles Thomson’s rebuttal.

http://www.sawfnews.com/Gossip/66107.aspx

Please, for Michael’s sake, don’t click on TMZ.

National Conference for Media Reform
Boston, MA
April 8-10, 2011
Event details: http://ncmr11.eventbrite.com

If you’re willing and able to attend this event, please email us at MJ Truth Now
Thank you.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6BS3VZ20101231

To say we’re filled with joy and relief by this development is putting it mildly. It’s because you cared and wrote and called and otherwise made your voice heard that the Discovery Channel changed its corporate mind.

Discovery put their viewers’ sensibilities before corporate profits and they are to be commended.

Please send a note of thanks for their wise decision to at least one executive at Discovery Communications.

John Hendricks
Founder and Chairman
john_hendricks@discovery.com

David Zaslav
President and CEO
david_zaslav@discovery.com

Peter Liguori
Chief Operating Officer
peter_liguori@discovery.com

They’re all located at:

Discovery Communications
One Discovery Place
Silver Spring, MD 20910

We’re grateful to the Executors of The Estate of Michael Jackson for their forceful and principled letter sent to the president of Discovery Communications. If you would like to thank them as well, a note can be faxed to 310-553-7068.

We hope you’ll take the time to acknowledge when someone changes his or her mind and does the right thing. After all, this is what vindication for Michael Jackson is all about–people changing their minds.

Happy New Year!

http://tinyurl.com/24xso2j
The Discovery Channel website hosts a discussion forum where a thread has been started to discuss this issue. Discovery’s own forum is likely the dominant forum viewed by Discovery decision makers. They’re probably also checking The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New York Times, USA Today, Huffington Post, etc. Of course, we encourage you to submit your opinion to as many blogs as you have time, but please make a special effort to register and post at the Discovery Channel’s own forum.

The page to register is http://community.yourdiscovery.com/eve
The specific thread to discuss this issue is http://tinyurl.com/22urf3x
Tips for posting:

• Don’t use Michael Jackson fan monikers or avatars.
• Don’t make this issue exclusively about Michael Jackson. It’s about respect for all deceased persons–famous or not.
• Use respectful language.
• Proofread your comment and use spell check.

We have two more weeks to work on persuading Discovery to reconsider this decision. Please write as many letters as you can and encourage your friends and family to do likewise. Here are the most important executives to approach.

John Hendricks
Founder and Chairman
john_hendricks@discovery.com

David Zaslav
President and CEO
david_zaslav@discovery.com

Peter Liguori
Chief Operating Officer
peter_liguori@discovery.com

They’re all located at:

Discovery Communications
One Discovery Place
Silver Spring, MD 20910

As always, thanks for your tireless efforts. We’ll keep you posted as matters progress.

It’s not easy being in the business of vindication. When we fight for what is right, we’re constantly exposed to harsh and unpleasant realities. How much easier it would be to simply sit back and take nothing but pleasure in the glorious musical legacy that Michael Jackson left behind. Life would be sweet, as we wouldn’t have to deal with distressing news or feel compelled to do anything about it.

The trouble is, we can’t take pure pleasure in a legacy that has been unfairly tarnished, and we do feel constantly compelled to do something about it–not just for Michael’s sake, but for our own.

We of The 500 believe that if we raise our voices as one, we can get things done.

The collective power of many voices was demonstrated by Gardner Street School’s recent decision to uncover Michael Jackson’s name from the auditorium named for him. Plywood covered that name for seven years and was a powerful symbol of public dishonor (view on Facebook).  Yet school officials were moved by many reasonable, determined voices to do the right thing, and now the unveiling provides another powerful symbol–this time of justice prevailing.

The 500 will not stop there. Small victories can lead to big ones, motivating us to continue our fight to shine the light of truth on all aspects of Michael Jackson’s final public record.

WHO WE ARE

The 500 acts to vindicate Michael Jackson in the press by commenting on negative articles and programs, and at times through phone calls, email, and regular mail.

A managing team informs The 500 members about a Jackson-related press item or program that warrants a strong response, so they can rebut misinformation with facts, castigate judgmental or biased articles, and support positive narratives. The 500 may also attack the credibility of particular journalists, such as Diane Dimond, Maureen Orth and Martin Bashir.

The 500 doesn’t have a website or Facebook. It’s not an organization that advertises itself. In reality, The 500 is simply a communication and coordination tool, bringing together anonymous individuals who write well and would like to do something about the way the media has portrayed and continues to portray Michael Jackson. The 500 is made more effective by not appearing to be a coalition of any kind, instead striving to convey that widespread disgust with media bias against Michael Jackson comes not just from avid fans, but from the realm of ordinary, unconnected and objective citizens as well.

OUR GOALS

The 500′s overarching goal is to influence and improve public perception of Michael Jackson that was maliciously warped by 20 years of irresponsible, reprehensible and inhumane media coverage. We aim to do no less than utterly change the media-driven narrative about him. This is already happening, and must continue.

Our focus is on mainstream media rather than tabloids or the murkier depths of the Internet blogosphere. These outlets are largely shunned by thinking people–the very audience we want to engage. We aim to change those hearts and minds that are open to the truth. We believe we’re unlikely to win over confirmed haters. We won’t exhaust our membership by engaging with questionable sources that lack credibility and broad audience appeal. In fact, responding randomly and without focus can bring undeserved attention and validation to nonsensical, hateful, or deliberately provocative reports and opinion pieces.

We will, however, take issue when supposedly responsible elements of mainstream media use tabloid sources and tactics to target, vilify and destroy lives. This phenomenon reached its zenith in coverage of Michael Jackson for the past 20 years.

Our team carefully weighs many factors when choosing how and when to act, including circulation and influence of the media outlet, extent of a report’s potential damage to Michael Jackson’s image, and how a story might affect his children.

The primary focus for The 500 is to disconnect Michael Jackson’s name from child molestation in the public mind.  This association represents the single most serious threat to his legacy, and we will work vigorously to counter the travesty that spawned it. We will also address other persistent and malignant themes, such as: (1) he was a drug addict at the end of his life; (2) he was ashamed to be black, so he “bleached” his skin and had surgery on his nose; and (3) he was an emotionally damaged weirdo/megalomaniac–perhaps barely human, etc.

HOW WE WILL ACHIEVE OUR GOALS

In order to achieve ultimate vindication for Michael Jackson, as members of The 500 we must hold high standards for the manner in which we address detractors. We won’t attack or dehumanize others with violent speech. We will use respectful, factual, persuasive and thoughtfully constructed arguments to win over media consumers who may be uncertain what to believe, and who might therefore be persuaded to take another look. This doesn’t mean we lack clarity about what is right. Where we cannot persuade or win over, we will be unafraid to use strong but measured language to condemn the perpetuation of injustice whenever we see it.

We expect to lobby hard and be persistent, if necessary over an extended period of time, to fully reclaim Michael Jackson’s rightful standing as an exceedingly rare human being who combined creative genius and brilliant performance with a humanitarian message of love and inclusiveness for all people. If The 500 does its job well, it will be clear to everyone everywhere why he remains beloved the world over.

JOIN US!

If you think The 500 would be a meaningful way to help vindicate Michael Jackson, please contact us at rivers.bend09@gmail.com. Thank you.

Various aspects of vindication of Michael Jackson in mainstream media are also beginning to solidify.  This issue of the MJTruthNow Newsletter will provide Newsletter subscribers with The Vision for Vindication of Michael Jackson in mainstream media.

The Board of Directors, if you will, of The Vision is comprised of eleven Michael Jackson Advocates.  It matters less who they are but what they are:  dynamic, resourceful, vibrant, eloquent, compassionate, hard-working and dedicated to Michael Jackson’s personal legacy.  Each brings a special talent, insight or connection to one or more of the following categories.

MJTruthNow.com – A lot of work still needs to be done on the website so that it’s the definitive stop for people looking for information about Michael’s legal issues.  As we said from the inception of MJTruthNow, it’s not a tribute site–there are hundreds of those on the Internet–nor is it a go-to site for conspiracy theories or other “justice” issues.  We believe that the labeling of Michael as a pedophile still presents the most challenging threat to his personal legacy and the most abominable injury he suffered.  Once the allegations are effectively dealt with among the media brainwashed masses, every other positive thing that Michael inspired and championed can more authentically grow and thrive and be a benefit to society.

At this time, we need a web developer experienced in Word Press.  If you’re a talented web designer or know someone who is, please write to contact@mjtruthnow.com.  At this time, we can’t pay for these services.

MJTruthNow Newsletter — Much of the progress we envision for the goals discussed in this Newsletter will be reported via this Newsletter. Current subscribers number about 4,000 but we need 40,000+.  We plan to send this Newsletter out at least once per month wherein we’ll highlight one or more of the categories in which progress has been made since the previous Newsletter.

We ask each of you to help us reach our goals by inviting other Michael Jackson supporters to sign up for this Newsletter.

The 500 — This advocacy group is likely to be one of, if not the most influential aspect of The Vision by replacing the current false negative meme with an overwhelmingly factual positive meme.  Currently about 100 writers are enrolled in The 500.  Only 400 more to go, at which time we’ll raise the bar to 5,000.  We have recruited for The 500 through this Newsletter and will continue to do so.  Ideas for how to more effectively recruit are needed.  Please contact rivers.bend09@gmail to apply for inclusion in The 500 or to submit an idea for recruiting.  Also, if you know a Michael Jackson supporter with strong and persuasive writing skills, please ask him/her to contact rivers.bend09@gmail.com.

The 500 Rebuttal Library — Much of the proof needed to effectively and unemotionally rebut the allegations is found on the MJTruthNow site, but it’s not stored in a way that’s immediately useful to a writer when the clarion call goes out to The 500.  The Rebuttal Library also contains sample rebuttals we hope will inspire our writers as they compose their own rebuttals.  If you have a link you believe is factual, above reproach, verifiable and directly addresses a challenge to Michael’s reputation, please contact mjlinks@ymail.com and tell us why you think it should be included in the Rebuttal Library.

Humane Media Initiative — HMI  is somewhat bogged down at the moment because the logo has not yet been finalized.  We have a tagline–”Facts, not frenzy”–but the creation of a non-profit organization, which costs quite a bit of money, remains on the back burner until other categories within The Vision gain strength.  When the HMI logo is finalized, a letter packet to carefully selected executives of NBC/MSNBC, where Martin Bashir is currently employed, will be sent under the auspices of HMI.

Another task on HMI’s agenda is reaching out to journalists who still care about good journalism and newsworthy people who should care about good journalism as it directly impacts their lives.  We also need a website for HMI.  Please offer your services or direct inquiries to bluejewel100@yahoo.com.  At this time, we can’t pay for website development or services other than hosting.

The  Documentary – We’re all passionately committed to a high quality, professionally produced documentary by an experienced documentary maker about Michael’s medialoid challenges that will be worthy of Academy Award consideration.  If anyone knows a documentary maker personally or you’ve seen a documentary that impressed you with its impact, please send full documentary maker contact information to bluejewel100@yahoo.com.   Under the auspices of Humane Media Initiative, we’ll write to each prospective documentary maker.  We’ll also need a website for HMI that features a mechanism for tracking fundraising for completion of a documentary.  Part of our due diligence will be to determine how much money is needed.

Michael Jackson’s Law (anti-defamation of the deceased) — Frankly, this is a law that may not actually ever pass.  It’s fraught with formidable First Amendment obstacles.  The mighty media  machine, with endless lobbying power and funding, is guaranteed to strongly oppose such a law.  Even under the best of circumstances, it’ll take a long time and a lot of hard work to pass Michael Jackson’s Law.

Nevertheless, two core members of MJTruthNow already have a good head start on research in this category.  They will continue to pour over articles and law journals looking for a breakthrough in legal precedent.   Retroactivity of such a law is the first hurdle we must overcome.  We need money to pay First Amendment lawyers to comprehensively research this issue.  As soon as the HMI logo is finalized and letterhead is printed, we’ll reach out to newsworthy people in a professional manner for support.  In the meantime, please submit inquiries and ideas to tandkkam@aol.com.

As one or both of these categories–Documentary and Michael Jackson’s Law–gains traction, HMI will begin the process of becoming a non-profit organization, as this is required to move forward in these categories.

YouTube Takedowns — This particularly nasty bit of Michael Jackson advocacy requires effort similar to the Gardner Street campaign.  Please submit your inquiries, offensive YouTube videos and ideas to bluejewel100@yahoo.com.

Fan Club Outreach and Coalescing Effort — Other than the unassailable vindication of Michael Jackson in mainstream media, coalescing Michael’s fan groups remains the biggest challenge to The Vision.  If anyone on this Newsletter subscriber list is friendly with leaders of other groups, we welcome your feedback as to how we can effectively join forces.  Please contact mjtruthnow1@gmail.com.

Research — Among Michael Jackson Advocates are probably hundreds of tireless researchers and they know others who are skilled in this category.  Please direct inquiries to cost30027@mypacks.net.

We flail around and lash out to blame someone – anyone – we think made it happen, let it happen, could have but didn’t stop it from happening, cannot or won’t make it better.  Never mind the fact of life that we can’t always have what we want right now – or at all.

Death is the worst deprivation because it can’t be reversed.  The global grief attendant to Michael Jackson’s death is singular in that it quickly enveloped many generations, including those who discovered him posthumously, those who hadn’t thought of him in years, as well as longtime admirers.

Here’s a touching comment posted on The New York Times blog days after Michael’s death:

“I am an improbable mourner.  I don’t own any Michael Jackson music, haven’t been aware of his activities, and didn’t form any conclusions during or after the days of his trial.  I am white, middle aged and living in the Midwest, definitely not “cool.”  The day Michael Jackson died I was reading online and one comment listed someone’s favorite Jackson songs and video.  I clicked and watched each one, then linked and searched and linked some more, again and again.  At some point in that process my heart broke at the sense of loss, and the level of grief I felt left me without words.  I tried to explain it to a friend and simply couldn’t.  I can only imagine what Michael’s family and close friends are experiencing.  If I could I would send my deepest condolences and love to them from here in Indiana where it all started.”

Clearly, this is a kind person amazed by a depth of feeling which defies the logic of her life.  Her post prompted my search for others to talk to.  I have always felt happy and content with Michael Jackson in my life.  At Michael’s 2001 Madison Square Garden concert, I felt great joy but also discomfort that something menacing was at work to take him away.  I don’t mean conspiracy as that word is defined.  Maybe something more Greek and inevitable.

I always wondered why many women routinely wept in his presence, aside from their loving the dazzling creature to bits.  Michael wrote that when you grasp the beloved thing too tightly, it’s bound to slip away like a bar of soap in wet hands.  Well, that’s certainly true.

Calling The 500

We’re looking for 500 people who can write–factually and intelligently when requested–with an eye to the pragmatic aspects of reclaiming Michael Jackson’s positive public image.

What if 500 people or more were to be made aware of misinformed, biased, or otherwise negative mainstream press about MJ–the kind that potentially influences much of Joe Public?  What if these 500 could muster facts and cool persuasion to respectfully respond to MJ-bashing press when it opens its maw?  What if 500 could refute the notion that anyone standing up for Michael Jackson is just another crazed fan?  How about if we are instead concerned and intelligent readers who’ve had enough of the cesspool of judgment and persecution–the trampling of ethics in pursuit of dirty dollars–that characterized the media during MJ’s trial, and continues unabated today?

We at MJTruthNow think it’s possible that if 500 people or more were willing and able to write the occasional letter, post the comment or make the call, they could actually function as a check on the kind of irresponsible journalism that unjustly ruins lives. They might even provide a protective function for Michael Jackson’s children.  We’d like to gather a group that takes over the megaphone in the public sphere on Michael Jackson’s behalf.  As a bloc, we’ll respond when we’re made aware of the trash story, the baloney story, the malicious story that’s being fed to a gullible public.  We intend to call the media on its irresponsible reporting when feasible and where impactful.  No longer will silence imply agreement with misleading and lazy reporting on the part of mainstream media and medialoid.

We need good writers who can stay on message and write persuasively.  We do have a fairly strong idea about what kind of writers will be most effective, but don’t intend to micro-manage anyone’s comments apart from offering guidelines.

If you think The 500 is for you, please contact us at rivers.bend09@gmail.com so we can add you to the newly formed Yahoo Group for The 500.  From there, once we’ve built a little critical mass, we will get to work by issuing a set of guidelines and resources to our writing membership, to be followed by occasional brief messages about where to direct your comments.

Please leave a comment and website link if you discover exploitation of Michael Jackson or his children; if you know of specific incidences that represent medialoid attacks or egregious media bias and unfair or unethical reporting by mainstream media as it relates to Michael Jackson, his family, or his legacy.

More content is added daily, so come back soon!