Now my heart breaks for his children because by all accounts he was an amazing father. I do hope that the biological mother has no claim since she was willing to walk away. No amount of money or anything else could ever compel me to walk away and sign away the rights to my children and the fact that she did gives me bad vibes about the kind of parent she would be.

The whole thing is terribly sad. I’ve been in a funk ever since the news came out. I loved Michael’s music and maintain that he was one of the greatest talents we’ll ever see. RIP.

There are those who are beloved by peeps in the outside world, but yet behave completely differently within the confines of their own home. It’s not acting. It’s the typical behavior of a narcissist.

OJ, for instance was considered a ‘good guy’  by most of his colleagues’ ¦

Yes MJ, I know you are absolutely correct in this. It’s just so hard when you deal with someone’s sweet, fatherly side i.e., Joe, and still have to know that it is probably just a facade and there is a real monster inside, same with O.J. I’m sure. My soft-side prefers to remember the sweet Joe, it’s just me.

HappyDaisy
Jun 28th, 2009 at 12:23 pm

I do not know much about Joe Jackson. Here is a 2005 photo of him holding part of Michael’s hand. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7181495/

HappyDaisy: This is the Joe Jackson that I had contact with. That pic brought tears to my eyes. Perhaps he changed in his latter years, perhaps I am blind, who knows? But I just love that pic. I retired so I never saw Joe again after he promised me an autographed pic and cd from Michael. I would have loved them.

Of course none of us here know the entire situation. I just think it is strange now that people are concerned with the visitation rights of Ms. Rowe. Who was concerned while Michael was alive and didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t she basically take money from him for those children? If true, why the sympathy for her after the fact?

Anna, we don’t know the details, but how powerful could a woman be against someone who had money, the best lawyers, maybe a reporter or two on the payroll, and the poll of American public against her?

GrammieKari: I didn’t mean to sound cold-hearted in my post. I am a grandma too and there is no money, no person in the world with enough power to take away a child of mine. Just a personal thing, I guess.

I was wondering how often she saw the children, then I read that she hadn’t seen them for a very long time. Therefore, even tho she is the biological mother (who gave up her rights), how could a court return the children to her after all this time? It would be like giving them to a complete stranger!

No one seems to be come out of this well, from his mother who appeared to be more interested in Michael’s money than the welfare of his children, to Jermaine Jackson who drew Michael to his rather dubious Muslim world (the Nation of Islam appeared to have ripped him off quite seriously), to the people who leeched off him (apparently he only got 200K out of a 1 million dollars fee). The nanny, having been with Michael for such a long time, would know a lot of secrets (and the article suggests she can name names), and is probably the only who doesn’t a great vested interest in keeping those secrets quiet. I’m sure there is also self-interest on her part, perhaps she is also settling some score, but it would really be interesting if she decides to spill all, if the family doesn’t decide to buy her silence that is.

Just as an aside, as I was looking at the pictures, I noticed how fair skinned the children appear to be. Michael stated on an interview once that Blanket’s Mom was an anonymous donor, but he said she was African American. Blanket does not look African American at all. Even the interviewer pointed that out to Michael. I just can’t imagine all the crap that is going to start surfacing for months to come from all the people that knew Michael and were sworn to secrecy. A lot of it will be from scorned people and Michael will never be able to defend himself and we will probably never know the entire truth about any of it. Crappy and opportunistic people will be coming out of the woodwork. I think all the stuff about to come out will be sadder than the day he actually died. I hope and pray that it won’t be. I feel so sad for his kids right now, having to deal with the death of their father and then all the crap that is about to come out from all of his “so called friends”.

We may be surprised at what is in Michael’s will and guardianship requests. Usually there are at least two parties listed. The first may not be around, in the hospital, died, etc. Then the children would go to the second listed. However, as mentioned children are not property and the judge will do what is best for the children and keep all three together. This is so important for the little one who needs to be with his brother and sister.

My only hope is that the children will not be told things that are not true. They will need guidance. I don’t go along with, “The children are upset, but they’re fine.”

The moving truck thing doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t seem strange to me. It is a rented home and the home isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t a crime scene. Janet appeared to be one of the people supervising and sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the last Jackson Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d suspect of being opportunistic right now. Most likely they wanted to get the kids things and prevent the owners or staff from pilfering items for eBay.

I agree about the moving trucks. The first of the month is this Wed. Rent is due again. $100,000. a month is a lot of money. And I’ve read where when rich people die, the maid or butler steals them blind. Get it for the kids before the hired help steal it.

The kids should NOT go to Debbie Roweà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve had no contact; what judge would possibly give them to a stranger? The only Jackson you donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t hear much about is MJà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s sister Rebbie. Maybe since she stays out of the press thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a good sign of stability. Certainly not Joe and Katherineà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦Joe obviously canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t raise kids well and Katherine apparently did nothing to stop the abuse.

I too believe that Rebbie Jackson should get the kids.
She was married and out of the house before all the weird stuff happened. She has 3 kids of her own and all are well balanced.

That said, not to say that Joe hasn’t mellowed and buried the hatchet with some or all of his children – some of these guys do mellow if not completely change, I have witnessed this myself- grandchildren often are the catalyst to bridge that rift.

I mean he lost control of all his kids a long time ago. And Joe was probably not much worse than most stage parents who push or pushed their kids too hard, whether that is coming from a good place – desire for their children to reach the full potential of their talent and live a better life, or a selfish intent or both. See Simpson, Spears, Lohan, Barrymore.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7181495/

I havenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t seen him for a couple of years, but either he is an excellent actor as I stated above, or a changed man. He was never anything but sweet, I never saw him in a bad mood, and he always voluntarily spoke endearingly of Michael. The last time I saw him he was preparing to meet Michael in Europe. RIP Michael.

There are those who are beloved by peeps in the outside world, but yet behave completely differently within the confines of their own home. It’s not acting. It’s the typical behavior of a narcissist.

OJ, for instance was considered a “good guy” by most of his colleagues…

Of course none of us here know the entire situation. I just think it is strange now that people are concerned with the visitation rights of Ms. Rowe. Who was concerned while Michael was alive and didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t she basically take money from him for those children? If true, why the sympathy for her after the fact?

Anna, we don’t know the details, but how powerful could a woman be against someone who had money, the best lawyers, maybe a reporter or two on the payroll, and the poll of American public against her? I want to give Debbie the benefit of doubt. In fact, MSNBC has said that she was not seeking custody (at least at this point) but wants visitaion time with the children.

Michael Jackson’s music was important in my life (dancing), and my children’s. He was a musical genius and great entertainer. But he had some major issues which I was not comfortable with.

Well, except that it was from Joseph, a domineering and controlling abuser

Yes SpenserJ, I have also heard all those stories. I will have to add something to this though of my own personal opinion, for what it’s worth. I never met Katherine but I know they have a condo here in Vegas. I have spoken to Joe probably 2-3 dozen times as he used to come into my place of business a couple of times a week. He was very pleasant and always looking for a good watermelon, lol.

He may be a great actor but he was always a perfect gentleman who spoke very highly of two of his children, Janet and Michael. He never mentioned any of the other children to me, for whatever reason, I don’t know. He told me that Janet was the hardest working child of his (I think he meant currently) and he always spoke very compassionately about Michael. He was always concerned with Michael’s health, even asking me to pray for him.

I haven’t seen him for a couple of years, but either he is an excellent actor as I stated above, or a changed man. He was never anything but sweet, I never saw him in a bad mood, and he always voluntarily spoke endearingly of Michael. The last time I saw him he was preparing to meet Michael in Europe. RIP Michael.

I would also hope that Debbie Rowe is given visitation rights, and time to get to know her children.

Of course none of us here know the entire situation. I just think it is strange now that people are concerned with the visitation rights of Ms. Rowe. Who was concerned while Michael was alive and didn’t she basically take money from him for those children? If true, why the sympathy for her after the fact?

of course this is the danger of buying from ticket brokers aka scalpers, some fools paid $25,000 for 2 tickets to these concerts, they are never getting that back

A man of Michael’s means and with the lawyers surrounding him would always have a will that addressed the children specifically. I suspect his will was updated regularly.

Grace Rwaramba, 42 started as an office assistant to the Michael before becoming a nanny to his three children: Prince, now 12; Paris, 11; and Blanket, 7. The chidlren are said to be very close to her, and Katherine has requested her presence. I would hope that whoever gets custody would also employ Ms. Rwaramba.

I would also hope that Debbie Rowe is given visitation rights, and time to get to know her children. Most judges would rule not to separate the children. At some point, Michael had to have thoughts of this custody situation. I pray his will is clear about that. My suggestions would involve people who truly care about the children. For their sake, I hope this will turn out well.

As for the children, according to an article in the LA Times, per Calif law the biological mother would most likely get custody unless she’s proven an unfit parent. The contract MJ had her sign waiving parental rights is illegal and unenforceable. As for the 3rd child born to an anonymous surrogate, depends on if MJ legally adopted the child. I hope the children are kept together. Joe & Katharine haven’t lived together in years. He’s in Vegas; she’s at the Encino compound. Besides-aren’t they about 80? If the kids go to a sibling, I do think Janet is the least dysfunctional of the bunch and the one Michael was closest with.

Yes, he was found not-guilty. That doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t mean he wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t guilty. See: OJ.

Neither is it proof of his guilt, is it? Michael was cleared of 17 counts, they couldn’t even convict him of the minor allegations such as corrupting a minor, that to me speaks of massive doubt.

I’m a great believer in innocent until proven guilty. At any rate guilty or not, the man was flawed. Michael the artist not the man is the one I shall remember.

As to the AEG refund, I don’t want it. I have 10 tickets that I was so grateful and happy to have secured, the day those tickets arrived we had a celebration dinner in honor of the occasion.
They can keep my money, I’ll keep the tickets.

So tired of the canonizing of a likely pedophile. Sorry, but please.

Can’t we canonize his music w/o canonizing him?

mac says

I heard on Fox news today that the house was being paid for by AEG, the promoter of the tour. So AEG may want to stop paying the rent as soon as possible.
====================================
Oh yeah? Well since the trucks are there already they should stop paying. They donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t need to pay anymore.

Perhaps they’re looking for something to reimburse them for all of the money RS said they would lose if the tour never happened…:(

This entire situation is just so sad. It’s amazing to me the impact his musical genius has had upon the world, and it will continue to do so. While I feel for him as a human being, there are just so many questions about his life. To me there is a separation between the man and his music. Music=brilliance. Man=too many questions.

Is it bad that I hope that his finances will be in so much trouble that thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s nothing left and the ones who really care about the kids sans money will get custody?

Then I must be bad too. Ditto….

MJ was a musical genius but à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“weirdà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  is a massive understatement about him.

Oh yes, much more than just “weird”. I understand that some people may feel that Michael was innocent of the charges of molestation, and I know it’s kind of not nice to speak ill of the dead so soon. But, I think the evidence against Michael was pretty strong. I certainly never would have left my children alone with him. I believed he was a pedophile. I feel his death and the bulk of his adult life was tragic. I also recognize his art and his contribution to music. But, I still believe he was a pedophile.

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t read anything sinister into Katherine wanting to know if money was in the house. His family is certainly more entitled to it than potential looters.

Actually, they’re not entitled to anything unless his will says so. So, searching the house for cash before the estate has been probated is akin to stealing. And, I really think that since the lifestyle they’ve lived for the past 40 years was earned on the back of their child – he’s given them enough.

The life they made that child lead is directly related to the fact that he grew into a complete nutter as an adult. So, I don’t think they should get the chance to screw up his kids.