As simple as it sounds, I do not tolerate any tabloid bashing of Michael from anyone that enters my home. If you do not have anything but negative to say about Michael garnered from select media sites, and aren't interested in being informed/enlightened, then leave it outside or don't come inside. Period.
The absolute BS that I've heard from people r/t Michael astounds me. The ignorance is not tolerated unless it's a 2 sided conversation where both sides can be heard/discussed. And if it can't be discussed from both angles, not an option. I can get really heavily into facts if that's what they want, but rarely gets that far.
Many write me off as some kind of fanatic-
I've recorded all the pre-trial, trial, and post trial tapes. I show them to anyone that is interested enough to engage in the conversation r/t Michael. If they bring the subject up, do not be surprised or uninterested to see all that I have on tape to verify anything I say.
Wish there could be an honest discussion, without the barriers/tabloid fueled "facts" involved, but I don't see it happening anytime soon. The media will feed off of Michael's death for as long as they can. Sad and frustrating truth, but it will be as such for as long as they can milk it. And there will be those that vehemently dismiss Michael, and just as many, if not more, that will support and believe that Michael Jackson was not what the media protrayed him to be over the last several years as well as the previous decade(s).
While I am not standing on the street corners yelling for Michael's vindication, I am supporting him whenever push comes to shove, trying my best to speak cohesively and with verifiable facts when the occasion arises. It's not always an easy thing, to be sure, especially in the area where I live.
If I can portray myself as a conscientious, reasonable, and informed person, then I can only hope that someone may listen and appreciate and respect/understand my point of view in anything I may say r/t to Michael and their interpretation of him as the performer, humanitarian, private person, father, child, and icon of my generation.
jmo