According to Plan

I should say that this post is inspired by the recent premier of The Dark Knight being on HBOHD at least once a day. If you haven't watched it in HD, you are definitely missing out. Also, I'm writing this the day after the "tragic" death of Michael Jackson.

The outpouring of grief and emotion after the King of Pop's death is, among other things, pathetic. While my man could sing and dance better than anyone, back in the day, he really hasn't done anything good in about 20 years. And it goes without saying that he touched little boys. It's sad that so many people worship someone who is best known as an entertainer. People don't line up outside of VA hospitals when a 21-year-old soldier dies of complications from shrapnel in his brain.

I think this speaks to the misplaced priorities in our culture. People are putting so much energy into grieving for a man they never met. They are spending money to buy roses to put on makeshift memorials for a person who never even knew they existed. Fans are crying over the loss of someone who sang and danced for a living. And furthermore, did I mention he touched little boys? Sure, yea, I know, he was never convicted of anything, but he did settle a bunch of those cases out of court for millions of dollars. Also, what grown man puts himself in situations like that? Boo hoo, I know, Michael Jackson didn't have a childhood and Joseph beat him. So what? Unfortunately, thousands of children in this country are abused and have to grow up too fast, but that's not an excuse for being a creeper. Joe Torre got beaten by his dad, nuff said.

One of the most evil characters in American cinema, The Joker said, "You know... You know what I've noticed? Nobody panics when things go 'according to plan.' Even if the plan is horrifying! If, tomorrow, I tell the press that, like, a gang banger will get shot, or a truckload of soldiers will be blown up, nobody panics, because it's all "part of the plan." But when I say that one little old mayor will die, well then everyone loses their minds! "

People don't really care when most people die, but when anybody with any amount of fame passes on, it's a "tragedy", "so sad", "a shock". It really upsets me that people shed tears over this man. Yes, he was undoubtedly a big part of American culture (in the '80s and '90s) and there will probably be no one like him again (parents of little boys are rejoicing). But that's not sad, that's just life. Something sad is that 12.7% of all American deaths in Iraq have been 21-year-olds or that 79% have been under that age of 30. Something sad is that 15 million kids in American don't get enough food. Those things are sad. Put people don't shed tears for things like that or spend money to try and rectify the situation. I guess we shouldn't care because that's all "according to plan".