[AgThorn]

To settle a civil suit and avoid criminal prosecution, Jackson paid a reported $20 million to the family of another boy who alleged that Jackon had sexually molested him.

Which may prove something and may not ... the fact that a family could have done a whole lot more PR damage than $20M to Michael because he let them get too close is a good reason to shut them off and pay them money as well.

I tend to agree that it is suspicious and deserves further evaluation but I wish the that the authorities and press would do less "guilty, guilty" claiming before they have all the facts. This is contrary to what our country is all about.

And Jackson has openly stated that sleeping with boys is a wonderful expression of love.

To be accurate, he actually said: "Why can't you share your bed? The most loving thing to do, is to share your bed with someone." Small difference, but still important.

Do I think he's guilty? I don't know. Is he wierd? yes, is he excentric? yes, is he gullible, and a target for people that want to take advantage of him? a double yes.

By the way, I believe pedophilics should be locked up for a long time, I don't own any of his albums nor do I even care for his music and I shake my head everytime I see him on TV but I still don't like to see people taken advantage of. It would be a shame to ruin this man's career over some false charges by people that were simply 'bounty hunting'.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks for a good reply.

I'd say that it strains credulity to believe Jackson paid the family $20 million even though he was totally innocent. It's hard imagine he did it to avoid PR damage: paying the settlement itself damaged his reputation horribly. The only reasonable inference I can see is that he knew that if the child testified he was likely to be convicted of molestation.

As for the authorities claiming "guilty," that is the prosecutors' job when they believe someone is guilty. Of course the burden will be on them to prove it.

As to Jackson's quote about sleeping with children, I don't see a substantive difference. He is clearly admitting to and extolling the practice of sleeping with children.

[Humvee]

K-mart was having a blue light special until Michael Jackson showed up. He heard K-mart had boys' pants half-off.

[eastforker]

I guess you never read the statement by the kid he molested ten years ago.MJ is one sicko and has been for a long time.Pull your head out of the sand and go look at the evidence yourself.You won't be making these defensive statements anymore.

[js1138]

Sorry, but the Rabbi is right. When you've faced a charge of sexual abuse of a minor -- innocent or guilty -- you don't allow yourself to be accused again. In particular you don't sleep with minor children and brag about it in public.

[Marysecretary]

I agree. We've already tried him and found him guilty. He is a sad case. I feel compassion for him but if he's guilty, he needs to go away for a long time.

[IrishRainy]

But how did you feel about the Catholic priest "scandal"? Were you so ready and willing to hear their side of it, or were you like so many others, ready to lock them up and throw away the key?