Plaid Journalism

Famous Failures

2009-08-18T18:28:00.001-07:00

Off the Wall was released 30 years ago today

2009-08-10T16:38:00.001-07:00

"I dedicate this to the year of the child & my mother." -Love, M.J.

I was 8 days old when this was released. If you were a child in 1979, this album is dedicated to you! Michael loves you!

:D

Michael Jackson Visits Orphanages

2009-08-03T13:09:00.000-07:00

These are the moments that have the ladies falling in love with Michael. I know it's what did it for me. One thing about Michael is that he visited as many orphanages and hospitals as he did concerts. He always said that although there is a price to pay for fame, the wonderful thing was that it gave him the opportunity to use the world as a stage for bigger things. Bringing attention to the social injustices was one of many.

Michael is surrounded by children in an orphanage, and they feed him. I am not sure that all the things they were trying to feed him was food.

Here is Michael in an orphanage in Bucharest, Romania. Michael was really shy offstage, and you can see some of that here. His smile is heavenly.

A dedicated fan created a compilation on what made Michael love children so much. At 5:46, you will see a little boy with Michael & Lisa Marie. His name is Bela Farkas. He needed to get a liver transplant or else he would die. Michael sent his people to find him one. He did. Bela is alive today because of that.

Michael Jackson was not a castrato

2009-07-24T14:03:00.000-07:00

Seriously, people, I keep reading these rumors.

Have you no common sense anymore?

Michael Jackson was subjected to a 25 full, nude body search by police, no thanks to Tom Sneddon.

No where in the full, nude body search, was there any mention of him being castrato, and if he was, that would be a big story in itself.

Jordan Chandler was never molested by him.

He told investigators that MJ was circumcised, and described some patches due to vitiligo.

He had a 50% chance of getting the first part right. Jordan got BOTH of the things wrong.

Why did Michael Jackson settle?

He didn't. The settlement was against his will. His insurance company settled.

Michael wanted to fight this, but he had no control of his life.

On the third page of the lawsuit, you will find all the details you need:

Click here to view. PDF

"The insurance carrier negotiated and paid the settlement, over the protests of Mr. Jackson and his personal legal counsel."

So, please, people, stop believing everything you hear on the damn internet.

Why Oprah thinks Michael Jackson is guilty

2009-07-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

Let's look at Oprah for who she is:

Materialistic!

She once admired how Michael Jackson was so thoughtful in putting in hospital beds so sick children could enjoy the magic show.

You know what she did when she made her school for girls? She was so focused on the color of the curtains that there were molestation charges brought against some of the people who worked there.

Sinners are always the first to point fingers.

Selfish!

The only thing she shares with the "less fortunate," aka her audience members, are materialistic gifts: cars, houses, etc. Michael, on the other hand, shared with the real less fortunate, giving to war victims, sick children and inner city kids.

Never does research!

How many time has she had frauds on her show? Plenty. Why do people keep trusting her?

She always has non-doctors giving medical advice, like Jenny McCarthy. WTF?!

She is always telling people how to lose weight and be healthy when she's not. That's like having a homeless person giving you financial advice or mortgage advice.

Why do people continue to trust her?

Because only idiots watch Oprah. The world is full of idiots.

Seriously. Ask someone who watches Oprah, and take a look at their life. Open your eyes and you will see what kind of garbage she's telling people. Oprah is greedy, she's not a good person, but because she gives people "things," they love her, even when she's giving the most insane advice.

The Truth About Religion

2009-07-23T17:56:00.000-07:00

Going to church doesn't make you more of a Christian than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Still editing....

2009-07-21T13:16:00.000-07:00

Working on my short film/documentary:

"If Jesus came back, would you recognize him?"

It's just the working title. Since it began, it has taken a few different directions.

It was one of the themes that came up suddenly that was the reason I pulled out from my first tv appearance (KTLA doesn't count) in the cop program. The interview was great, don't get me wrong, but I have serious questions and doubts on the people handling the editing.

You have to stand for what you believe in, even if it's not easy.

That section in question is called "Character," which I'm thinking of naming it as so. Not sure yet.

I've never met the guy, but it's going to be dedicated to Brett Ratner.

/end of thoughts

Just a warning

2009-07-19T14:52:00.000-07:00

I use this blog as more of a personal diary to write down my thoughts.

I'm working on an MJ project now, so if you happen to stumble upon my blog, that is why you will see a lot of MJ posts.

That being said, here's my MJ thought for today:

The same people who claim MJ was more of a "big kid" and regressed, are also the same ones that say he's a pedophile

Martin Bashir is a good example.

Look, people, he can't be both. Stick to one. He was either a big kid with no sexual tendencies, or a grown man with sexual tendencies.

He was not a pedophile.

Do you have bad judge of character?

2009-07-19T08:51:00.000-07:00

Would you let Michael Jackson hang out with your child?

Before you decide, pick which opinion you would trust:

Whoopi Goldberg, a good friend of Michael Jackson, said yes.

Joy Behar said she would with a nanny cam but has never me the guy.

If you picked Joy Behar, your have bad judge of character.

Akon, Teddy Riley, Geraldo, Whoopi, and many, many others who have met him have all said the same thing:

"I would trust him with my child."

Akon went as far to say that Michael made him want to be a better father.

If you would trust Joy's opinion, an opinion from someone who has never met the guy, you have bad judge of character. You are judging a man not by his actions, but by the words of people who did not know him.

And if you would trust Joy's opinion, you are definitely not someone I would trust with my child.

Poem: the wrong reasons

2009-07-16T15:36:00.001-07:00

(Some of my poetry, as cheesy as it sounded when I wrote it back then, can be found by searching my name on Poetry.com. The search brings up 3 results under my name, but they are all me. Back then, the website was a really nice and popular poetry site, but it has since become a rather generic site, maybe due to its merge with Lulu. I decided to repost some of my poems here.)

the wrong reasons

2007

I wanted to believe you, I wanted you to lie

I wanted you to tell me

How much you wanted me in your life.

I wanted to run, I wanted to leave

I wanted to prove that

You would one day miss me.

I wanted you to stay, To hold you in my arms

To tell you that I love you

And never say goodbye.

Even though I miss you, Even though I cry

I still hold you so near me

Even when I close my eyes.

I wanted you for all the wrong reasons

But you left for all the right

And one day I will stop crying

But not until my dreams stop holding you tight.

Michael Jackson & Crazy Fans

2009-07-16T00:55:00.000-07:00

No matter how crazy the fans were or what situation they put him in, he did not sweat it.

Michael had a genuine love for his fans, and made sure he always put on a show.

Here are some of my favorite crazy fan moments I found on youtube, in no particular order:

Let's start with my favorite:

During his concerts, Michael always lets one fan join him on stage during certain ballads. If I could be any MJ fan, I would love to be her. I love how he holds her. During the song, she then kisses him and he keeps singing, but the smile on his face is priceless.

A crazy fan runs up to Michael as he is a few feet in the air. He could have died, or been seriously injured, but he got to be held by Michael Jackson. Needless to say, MJ kept on singing.

Another lucky fan chosen to join MJ on the stage during "You Are Not Alone." The fan then passes out, and, not missing a beat, Michael picks her up and hands her over to security.

During the filming of "Beat It," MJ used real gang members. I don't know if any went on tour with him, but watch as his thugish looking dancers rush to save Michael from a fan who runs up on stage. I guess they have double duty as bouncers! As usual, Michael is unfazed by it all.

So, you might wonder if anything fazes Michael. Well, there is just one minor thing that will get Michael to call security himself. Michael saves a bug's life.

Dear Michael-

2009-07-07T04:39:00.000-07:00

Since no one reads this blog anyway, I'm going to write to Michael, hopefully he can find it.

Dear Michael,

Words cannot express what change you have brought to my life since you passed away.

Since you've been gone, I've been watching your interviews on youtube and listening to songs I hadn't appreciated the way I should have.

I remember when I first saw Smooth Criminal, I used to watch it over and over and over. And I so loved Remember the Time.

But those songs don't bring a tear to my eyes and a tug to my heart as when I watch Will You Be There, Heal the World, and many of your ballads.

Your humility and sincerity are rare. I was an atheist, I don't know if I still am.

There is no way that anyone could have given so many beautiful songs with socially conscious messages to the world. You were our very own version of Job, and through your trials and tribulations, your faith in God never faltered.

I don't think there is anyone who can say they believe in God and be as Jesus-like as you were.

People always tell us to build character, to be ourselves, to express ourselves, that it's on the inside that counts, not what's on the outside, and this is what you did. You were not judgmental, your work ethic was phenomenal, you were always humble and had a caring heart.

Yet, for all we say, the public, mostly the mean media, judged you on your looks.

What is normal?

Paris Hilton's bleached hair? Pamela Anderson's boobs?

No.

You were normal, it's the world that is the problem.

You were only trying to spread peace and love, and I think you would be happy to know that it may have taken 40 years, but your message is coming in loud and clear.

Your songs are amazing, but your heart is even more amazing.

On behalf of human kind, I'm sorry.

I think you were a gift from God, and as an atheist, I am reconsidering what I thought God was.

Maybe I still have a hard time believing in the Bible, but you have shown that faith is not about the Bible, but actions.

I needed to see someone who truly believed it and lived it.

You should know that Sony has added many new songs to your youtube channel and people are just in awe of your talent that crossed genres. I recently heard 2000 Watts, and did not believe it was you! What talent!

My only wish for you would be wish you more happiness in your life, and that you would have enjoyed it more and worried less about what people thought of you. Regardless of what the media was saying, your fans had shown otherwise.

But since we can't go back in time, my wish is that if there is a heaven, you are enjoying it as a 10 year old.

I'm going to do some more soul searching, because if there is a heaven and you're there, that's where I want to be.

Thanks for helping me find my way back.

Michael Jackson: Unbreakable, Part 1

2009-07-05T21:23:00.001-07:00

I'm working on a mini-documentary on Michael Jackson. Here is the first draft I put together, but it's in no way the final product.
I'm a visual person, so storyboards only get me so far.

It will be about 2 hours long.

I was inspired by his sincere and humble personality, and my goal is to show the world the real story, through his own words. Part 2 coming soon.

Reactions to: Obama Invites Gay Rights Activists to the White House

2009-06-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

The New York Times posted this article on their facebook fan page regarding Obama's invitation to gay rights activists. Here are some of the reactions:

From the supportive:

"I hate to say this but as an African American who believes in gay rights (Marriage, Against Don't Ask Don't Tell and DOMA) he hasn't been too vocal on issues that exclusively affect one of his most loyal constituency (African Americans) that finally came out to vote in large numbers in the south.

Guess what??? I understand.

He's had some pretty big fish to fry as of late.The man has been stretched all ways. I'm not giving him a pass, like so many did with Bush, but damn it's been a busy 5 or so months."

-Christopher Eddins

"I'm still confident that Obama will come around and do the right thing for LGBT Americans. Patience. He has to clean up an incredible mess left by the Bush/Cheney crime family."

-Lynn Wolfe

To the offensive:

"Wow just when I thought he was great president he invites fuckin faggotts there.. I hope he inviting them 2 burn them."

-Justin Naccaratto

"ooooooo noooooooo , 1st a black president, and now fags in the White House. Stay away..........."

-James McKeown

Quotes of the Day: Iran

2009-06-22T06:48:00.000-07:00

"How dare these men who call themselves protectors of religion enter a girls' dormitory in the first place?"

-Zeinab, 26

"Our problem goes beyond the elections. They are ruining our religion. They chant Heydar, Heydar [another name for the Prophet Mohammed's cousin, Imam Ali, a central Shi'a leader] when they kill these innocent people. That's terrifying! They feel justified in the name of Islam!"

-Sara, 27

Both are Iranian college students whose roommate was killed during a raid in the girls' dormitory.

Source: Time

Religious Lesson of the Day: Jesus

2009-06-22T02:50:00.000-07:00

Jesus was born in the Middle East and this is a more accurate portrait of what he looked like.

Actually, he probably looked a LOT like Osama Bin Laden, but that truth would upset too many of you. I'm an atheist, but there was a Jesus, historically, the same way that someone in the future will say there was once an Elidet.

Christ is not a last name, it's a title meaning the “Anointed One.”

There is historical record from historians that a "Christ" existed, but not that this particular "Christ" was a miracle worker.

As a matter of fact, most historians from that era never mention any special significance of a special Jesus.

The Ayatollah is Powerless

2009-06-22T01:52:00.000-07:00

No matter how you dice it, the Ayatollah lost power. When the Supreme Leader of Iran tells you to settle down, and you don't, what else is there to do?

Iran has also tried unsuccessfully to censor the internet, but they should have taken a few lessons from China.

You see, in China, they censored it from the beginning. In Iran, the internet was available until it wasn't, and by then, it was too late. (And a big shout out to all the people creating proxies!)

I am just thankful Obama hasn't said anything that would provoke Ahmadinejad to do anything drastic.

The last thing we need is a sound-bite like McCain's "bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" to be played on Iranian media by our President.

The best comments on the situation in Iran thus far are from commenters on Fark.com

To immunize or not to immunize, that is the question

2009-05-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

I don't have children. I feel that to bring a person into this world, one must be prepared for the ultimate sacrifice in raising that child, and I'm just not ready for that yet.

That being said, when I do have a child, I will immunize my child.

"But that causes autism!" you will say.

"And so what? Autistic people can be very functional in society," I will reply.

"Why would you put your child through hardship in life when you can have a normal child?" you will keep insisting.

"Well, having an autistic child sure beats having a dead one!" I will say.

Unlike some people, I will do what is best for my child, not what is easier.

If as a mother you can't learn tolerance, you probably shouldn't be having children.

Who does Obama think he is, for crying out loud!

2009-05-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

"Wall Streets must be the most irony-impaired people on the planet. What do they think the government is bailing them out with? Money left by the money fairy? Pay yer taxes, you bums."-LittlePig (comment #9) in response to:

"I'm appalled at the anti-Wall Street rhetoric. It was OK on the campaign but now it's the real world. I'm surprised that Obama is turning out to be so left-wing. He's a real class warrior."-Top Obama fundraiser & hedge fund manager, in response to Obama closing tax loopholes the wealthy take advantage of.

I can't believe Obama would try to keep his word. These politicians are elected say one thing and do another, why is Obama breaking this tradition?!?!

Obligatory: /s

Today on digg

2009-05-11T17:11:00.000-07:00

Today on digg: McCain says "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has "been working well."

"You can not just decide one day that you want to be attracted to guys instead of girls or vice versa. If you don't believe me, then try it."-dty2010

"Any straight person would know that you can't choose to be gay."-macweirdo42

both in response to
"Being gay is a choice"-akphidelt on digg

Although there has been scientific evidence that gay people are indeed born that way, the obvious was missed wether someone is living a lifestyle they are either "choosing" or not.

Being afraid of someone and treating them as second class because they are gay is absurd. Personally, I find it more offensive that people are in violent relationships than two gay consenting adults.

If God indeed, made all of us, then he had to have make gay people. Or else there is no God. One contradicts the other.

Since there has been a lot of confusion on the subject of gay people, Adam & Eve have come with a message from God about why he made gay people and how to fix it.