Goodbye, Mr. Jackson

Michael Jackson was *acquitted* by a jury of his peers of child molestation. He settled out of court with a previous accuser (whether the accusation was valid or merely a rather successful attempt to use the threat of bad publicity and the legal system to extract large sums will likely never be known).

That Mr. Jackson...was a man of unusual quirks...seems a relatively good bet. That he molested anyone, anywhere - I'm not quite so persuaded. That he had issues with drugs, pain management, and a deeply challenging youth abetted by an only slightly less challenging adulthood - seems a pretty good bet.

If we are sincere about "innocent until proven guilty", an acquittal means an end, and barring certain knowledge on the part of the accuser, should mean the end to speculative accusations on the matter. And the man is dead now, beyond mortal punishment or criticism - and should he have erred in that particularly hideous fashion, he is facing far sterner judgment than humanity might offer up - and is certainly beyond the risk of any recidivism.

What we can say with some certainty is that Mr. Jackson was a man of incredible talent, with a broader vocal range than the vast majority. A talented choreographer and composer. And a huge influence on the music of the last 40 years.

Just perhaps, now that he is gone, for the sake of his children, his friends, and his family...the sheer number of cheap shots (and I'll admit my own guilt in taking a cheap shot or two, passing on a joke or so just too evil not to share)...seems a bit excessive. Let him rest, and let us all move on.