Michael Jackson, R.I.P.

But I wouldn't call your piece or tone snarky. I'd call it a fine sense of dry irony or ironic wit, whichever. Snark has a bitter cynical component to it which is very corrosive. Can you telll I hate snark? I've been reading too many blogs for too many years.

SNARK = MEAN. Snark isn't mean? Snark is the very definition of mean - mean-spiritedness, mean-heartedness. It gives permision to and encourages flame wars. It may start out as a little snipe here there, but it soon escalates. And it gives the advantage to the ones quick with a quip, quick with a clever comeback or riposte. That doesn't mean it's right. The snarker can feel smug, but of what, really? Technique, but not substance. PEOPLE GOT ALONG FINE BEFORE WITHOUT SNARK, AND PEOPLE GET ALONG FINE NOW WITHOUT SNARK, THANK YOU.

Micheal Jackson was a great talent. His music will live on for a long time. He had an unsual life style. We may all learn from his life and make better decessions. Again the music is great, especially The Jackson 5 early work.http://drjalee53.blogspot.com/

Excellent observation.

How come nobody has been snarky enough to ask the question, why is MJ of brown skin going into UCLA Med Center from the ambulance. Was he wearing theatrical white makeup? And if so, why?

Great article, and right on the money. Michael doesn't deserve the snark, but everyone trying to cash in, dwell on the morbid, or just plain can't mind their own business sure does.

Catch the Big Al bump and grind at the APOLLO here.

YOUTUBE.

Someone needs to remind the Saville Row-suited blowhard that Michael did not whip up racial hatred as he did in Crown Heights and Harlem, and no, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder were most certainly not ''ghettoized'' and had Top One hits long before Jackson and his brothers appeared in 1968 on DISNEY to be released to the world stage. Big Al is tossing out race cards faster than a three-card monte dealer in Reno.[ and would out-self-promote Elmer Gantry]. Even in death, Jackson deserves better than Sharpton.

I just want to say thanks for the Rev comment. I am a MJ fan. I was at the tribute at the Apollo. And I think it???s weird for both Rev to be connected to the Jackson???s. Like this is the greatest moment in Black History. My favorite comment made by Rev Jackson was on CNN when he said, ???Death is a mysterious thing. No one knows what happens.??? Isn???t he a Rev shouldn???t he talk about heaven or hell. Lol.

If MJ got this kinda love from the media, he would still be alive. Great piece.

Very pithy. The media could use a dose of pithy:. instead of content we get 24 hour speculation from guest 'experts'.

Very fascinating article! At the same time, I believe that there is a very important lesson that we must learn from all of this. Before the death of M.J he was life was a feature for comedians all over the world. Now that He is dead so many who ridiculed this man are all of a sudden torn to pieces.

The reality is that we must show more love for one another. We are different and that is obvious. But we have so much more in common than we think. We all long for love and human affection. I wish that M.J had received more of this when he was alive.

Snarkalicious! Thanks, Raina.

Snark away!!! How can we pretend to be so shocked and upset when we discarded MJ years ago. The grief is so disingenuous. He was guilty in the public eye of being a pedophile and his career over. But now that we can cover his death 24-hours a day and make a buck, we suddenly love and miss him sooo much. This coverage (sadly) is what we live for???that's the snarkiest part! We think he was a twisted wierdo, but want to know every detail of his wierdness. As usual, Americans get what they pay for??? cheap tabloids and less than credible journalism. But I think you are wrong on one thing (your article), MJ belongs with the likes of Sinatra and Elvis, as an entertainer. Heck wasn't Sinatra linked to organized crime, and Elvis addicted to RX drugs? too snarky?

I have heard Mr. Jackson's ashes will be pressed into Leggos...now young boys will be able to play with HIM for a change.

The only appropriate reaction I've seen were the mass moonwalks in cities throughout the world. We weren't having tp listen to anyone speak, just the anonymous masses letting out their inner-Michael Jackson as a goodbye.

Excellent essay; reading it is worth 15 points toward your Licensed Curmudgeon certification.

My choice of a headline for a column announcing Mr. Jackson's death would have been: "young boys can feel just a bit safer now - Michael Jackson has died" Sorry, but that's the way it is.

Thanks for this, someone finally gets it.

"And why are the Reverends hanging around anyway? It doesn't really help their reputations as camera-crazed hangers-on. (And by the way, is calling people fools the best way to stop a potential suicide? See--snark at work!)"

Amen! When Jackson died my husband and I bet how long it would take ol' Jesse and Al "Whenever There's a Chance to Be on TV We'll Grab It in the Name of Our Own Power" would jump on the death bandwagon, and it didn't tale long for our prophecy to be fulfilled. We can be comforted by the fact that they'll do what they always do -- capitalize on the sensation, then disappear until there's another ill-fated black person in the news. At least with the flavor-of-the-month garbage that passes for journalism these days we never have to be subjected to Jesse and Al for too long, thank god. Every time they crawl out of the gutter they leave me longing for a live mute button to shut them up.