Why do people have to be mean?

[primetime]

Here's what I don't get. Someone posts a thread about the passing of some celebrity. This celebrity is well known, but for some odd ball reason, people want to chime in and just be flat out rude. WHY?

This thread is inspired by the Michael Jackson threads. Unless you lived in the middle of the damn planet, you KNOW Michael Jackson was a loved guy WORLDWIDE and you KNOW people are going to show some love for the guy. I don't give a damn about the ALLEGED misdeeds by Michael, you KNOW he is a very POPULAR celebrity, but yet you still feel the need to insult the man.

Don't you realize people will get offended? Someone pointed out if some truly evil person died, no one would care. Well Michael is NOT viewed as a truly evil guy. The man has entertained BILLIONS of people worldwide for decades. His charity work is legendary and he really does care about people. I think it is bullshit that people want to rip on him on the day he died. My goodness, doesn't anyone have any tact anymore? If this was a guy who killed millions of people, rip away. But you're not stupid. You're not blind. You know Michael is loved by many. You know people are going to show love for the man. Wait. Just fucking wait until the shock is over, then say your crap. I highly doubt people viewed Michael the same way they view OJ. OJ won't have tribute threads. We all know this. But you damn well knew Michael would.

Have some tact. Have some class. Is it really that hard? I have seen this type of behavior over the years. Why do people have to "rain on the parade" of others? Why?

 

[kis123]

It's obviously hard for some people.......

It's terribly difficult to separate the man, his music, his contributions to society, and his misdeeds. I'm not trying to absolve him for anything he's done and I know anyone not crawling from a rock in the last 20 + years knows he's made some horrible mistakes. But it doesn't take away from all the good music he's left, all the charity work he did, and the impact he's made around the entire world. Unless you've been living in a cave, you know who Michael Jackson is; or at least know of him.

Again, he was a musical genius, but a very tormented man. His father ruined him while his mother sat silently and watched. No one close to him took the risk to extend him the help he greatly needed. There is a thin line between genius and insanity and unfortunately he crossed over more than a few times. It doesn't take away from the humanitarian causes he supported or the music and videos he created. He paid his tribute to our Civil Rights by pushing his way through MTV--prior to that no videos by black artists were being played. He made mistakes, but he left so many positive things I simply can't ignore him. I've been his fan since the mid 60s-it's hard to let go.

True performer, true professional who changed the face of pop culture. I don't know why some only cling to his mistakes when he did so many wonderful things we can celebrate long after his passing......

 

[Tamia78]

Because they're stupid.

What I don't understand is that in any tribute thread that I don't really like/know the person who died, I keep my mouth shut. I don't really have anything good to say about the deceased, so why should I chime in with some idiocy?

These trolls defend themselves by saying they are entitled to their opinions. Fine, so you are. But start another damned thread, then you can state your opinions all you want to, with no problems from anyone. You state your opinions in a thread clearly NOT related to your stupid opinions, don't whine about having freedom of speech, then, when people call you stupid and insensitive.

I guess that's what you get when anonymity and immaturity combine. Grow up, people.

--T

 

[Goodieluver]

Since this is in response to the MJ thread. The scandal with him and his obsession with little boys(either sexual or not) became a major part of his character and how he was portrayed.

Everyone and anyone made light of Bubbles the monkey, MJ's playland, him fake dropping his kid out of a window, his kids wrapped up in sheets as they walked around, his nose job\physical apperance obsession, etc etc. Its part of who he was and how people viewed him

As for OJ

When he eventually dies, do you honestly think people will just go "rip OJ, you had a great career and you will be missed"? Hell no, you will have everyone saying "good riddance to that scumbag murderer" and completely negate all the good OJ did in his life before the murders. He did do good things in his life, but he is only known as a murderer\criminal now.

Yes its different to compare a alleged pedophile with a murderer but its the concept of reputation. I made a joke cuz i thought it was funny and relate able to one of his songs. I wasn't judging his character at all, simply just making a joke.

With ANY public figure, you will have those who love\worship\enjoy them and then people who are the opposite and see the figure in a different light. Hell when Misawa died in the ring, dont remember if it was here, i saw in several threads and such about "wrestling is fake" or whatever. I very much enjoyed Misawa and he was very beloved to me since the 90s. Did I care what they said? No, because I know there are those who don't feel the same I do and I don't need them to remember an idol of mine. If someone wants to ad to the remembrance it works, if someone wants to detract, I simply don't allow it and move on. Its actually quite simple. All kinds of bad comments came out about Catholics when the Pope died, When Cardinal Bernadine died, and other catholic officials because of the stigma of the catholic church being proven or not. Do i care about it? Not at all, I remember what parts I choose to when mourning

Hell, I thought my joke had tact compared to the comments made by the others, I didn't even come close to touching the allegations, I simply played on words from his own song title

Also as stated by someone(ray?) That responding to the so called trolls(also using that term just exacerbates more flaming) simply gives more cause to argue. This thread is more proof, you will have others coming to bash and defend and take away from what you wanted was a day of tribute and remembrance. If the so called trolls are meaningless, it shouldn't be too hard to skip over their message and simply go on with your day. Attacking people by calling them trolls and immature and "living in mothers basement" really are no better than the comments they left that angered you

I hate to keep editing but why do you think there are no "mean" comments in the Ed McMahon thread or the Farrah Fawcet thread? Because they were celebrities who had low if no stigma attached to them. Now if one of them had a nasty past, you can guarantee those who don't like them would comment and they have the right to

 

[tkpatience]

For better or worse, fame comes at a price. When Michael Jackson decided to allow himself to be publicly broad casted on TV he became a public figure allowing him much less privacy. People can have their opinions about the guy.

I'm not a mod, just a member of this terrific forum. However, there is a sticky about the golden rule. Freedom of Speech still has limitations of Time, Place, and Manner.

 

[Tamia78]

If the so called trolls are meaningless, it shouldn't be too hard to skip over their message and simply go on with your day. Attacking people by calling them trolls and immature and "living in mothers basement" really are no better than the comments they left that angered you

And.......why can't they just ignore the thread about someone that they don't even like or care about? I don't respond to threads that have no relevance to me. Is it too much to ask that others show the same courtesy?

--T

 

[RobAce]

When he eventually dies, do you honestly think people will just go "rip OJ, you had a great career and you will be missed"? Hell no, you will have everyone saying "good riddance to that scumbag murderer" and completely negate all the good OJ did in his life before the murders.

Honestly...not excatly those words...but I will say "RIP OJ. I remember you for the thrills you gave me in my youth watching you play football with my brother and father sitting next to me. Too bad your talent is now over shadowed by your criminal acts. I hope you made peace with your maker or whatever you believe because you have some things to answer for."

Something along those lines.

Also I think most people do not want to start a thread that only 5 to 10 people will view, and would rather post for the most attention and the biggest audience.
If people really have to say something, they would rather have it in front rather than pushed to the background.

If people can not have a little tact.....at least for 1 day, I can't understand it. Is it that important to make your opinion known that you know full well that people will react harshly too? Yes it is your right to say what you want. Yes you should speak about things you care about....but is it necessary to do it right then, right there at that time. No way of waiting just a day or so.

I really do not think it is too much to ask.

Rob

 

[Goodieluver]

And.......why can't they just ignore the thread about someone that they don't even like or care about? I don't respond to threads that have no relevance to me. Is it too much to ask that others show the same courtesy?

--T

You are right in that aspect too, but if people didn't like Jackson before then and were people who would always slam him in the past, for today and the next few days they are to forget that? People have their opinions and express them as they feel. Im sure if someone started a "Wacko Jacko: Boy rapist dead" thread, you would have pro jackson people FLOOD that thread saying how insensitive and immature and bad that thread is and have a MASSIVE flame war in that thread. It would attract anti and for posters to chime in as well, even though there is a tribute thread on its on and you will have spillover into both. The door swings both ways.

I liked his music, not obsessed or a fan but I liked. But I won't deny his past and how he was raised but then again I don't care enough yet for his past deeds to really do anything to me. Whether he did what he did or didn't

 

[primetime]

Again, the question was posed to those who leave "bad taste" comments is WHY? Why even bother posting something bad? You damn well know people will react in anger. You're not dumb. You must do it for attention. Basically, stop being an ass and don't post anything at all. Let the people who love him have their time to say something nice. It's like going to some funeral, attended my thousands of people, and people are giving a nice eulogy. Then you get up there and say something completely uncalled for. If you get your ass kicked, you better not wonder why.

Question is, would anyone do something like that? Goodness I hope not...

 

[Goodieluver]

Again, the question was posed to those who leave "bad taste" comments is WHY? Why even bother posting something bad? You damn well know people will react in anger. You're not dumb. You must do it for attention. Basically, stop being an ass and don't post anything at all. Let the people who love him have their time to say something nice. It's like going to some funeral, attended my thousands of people, and people are giving a nice eulogy. Then you get up there and say something completely uncalled for. If you get your ass kicked, you better not wonder why.

Question is, would anyone do something like that? Goodness I hope not...

You roam the sports forum and watch wrestling if i recall so you will be someone i can address this with. Chris Benoit

I know for a fact maybe not here but I received a shit of flak from people on FB and others because I made a tribute to Benoit. All because of how he killed his ex\son. Did I care what they said? No, I still honored my memory of Benoit and kept on doing what I did, regardless of the comments and I still regard him with great wrestling respect. Some people would say he deserved what came to him(after the truth came out), wouldn't tact and manners merit that people not say bad things about him? Hell we have a poster here who publically attacks Benoit in his signature with every post. If i cared I could go "Respect his memory!!!!" But I don't, because he is free to think what he wants on the man and if he despises him, then he despises him and its a done issue with me. People will react to how they feel about someone based on what they know and you will have people who agree and people who disagree. Point being people will remember what they want about someone and will point it out

I didn't post what I posted for attention or to be an ass, I posted what I posted because I thought it was funny.

As for the funeral comment, you are right, 99% of the time that would result in violence. But then again that is a real life scenario and this is the internet(serious business!) If someone came to me today and said "Hey Jackson died, what do you think", I'd prob respond with a smart alleck response and then go "That sucks" If the conversation kept up, Im sure I would throw in some other comments
But then again, I highly doubt someone would go to a funeral to talk shit like that. Why would someone go to a funeral to someone they dislike

 

[kis123]

Again, the question was posed to those who leave "bad taste" comments is WHY? Why even bother posting something bad? You damn well know people will react in anger. You're not dumb. You must do it for attention. Basically, stop being an ass and don't post anything at all. Let the people who love him have their time to say something nice. It's like going to some funeral, attended my thousands of people, and people are giving a nice eulogy. Then you get up there and say something completely uncalled for. If you get your ass kicked, you better not wonder why.

Question is, would anyone do something like that? Goodness I hope not...

Don't hold your breath for you might turn blue! I don't even think they know why they do what they do, but I'm looking forward to hearing some responses to your question. I'd like to know why they think that kind of behavior is okay. I bet all is quiet on the front now............

 

[Tamia78]

Question is, would anyone do something like that? Goodness I hope not...

No, because the idiots have the computer to hide behind. Trust me, they would NEVER do that crap in person.

In reference to the Michael Jackson threads. Those who are bashing MJ seem to be younguns. When they were little, all they saw of Michael was when he was in courts fighting child molestation allegations (which have NEVER been proved). They never experienced him before all that. They didn't watch "We are the World" or even know about all the things he did before all that crap started. I guess we can't really blame them. Just chalk it up to ignorance, I guess.


--T

 

[primetime]

But Goodie, when those people were ripping Benoit, did you not wonder why are they doing it? It obviously impacted you because you're bringing it up. What happened to Benoit is one thing as it was PROVEN he did the crime. Michael's allegations were always CIRCUMSTANTIAL. Major difference.

To those who insult during tribute threads, why post in them? Again, you KNOW Michael is loved by many. You KNOW this. So, WHY? Why even put yourself in that position?

 

[venray]

Welcome to the internet folks....where wondering "Why" will make you crazy....

As I said earlier....commenting and ragging on those who have no self control only gives them more reason to keep the flames going...

Every time someone told someone else they were acting like an ass, the bigger ones showed themselves even more...

We all would like those with nothing nice to say...to say nothing...but that will never happen on line..how we choose to deal with them is another story....we can rant at them and give them power..or we can simply ignore the sad comments until they stop making them...

It boils down to who is the "bigger person" and who has the most self control......

The one with the most self control always wins....

 

[rha]

Common sense is not common

 

[Soda Bobinski]

I think one of the things it also comes down to is ... the detractors feel the overwhelming need to let everyone else know how "superior" they are as people.

By being the relatively few who are "unaffected" by a controversial ( yet widely adored ) figure's death & shouting their opinions from the rooftops , they're basically insinuating that the rest of us are saps for "overlooking" said figure's alleged transgressions.

It's like , we're all of a sudden supposed to forget the contributions made by the person & disown the profound effects they had on us as children?! ... BEFORE the controversies came about?!


Yeah , y'know what?! ... I get it. Michael Jackson had his problems. He may or may not have molested children. Fact is , the general public doesn't really know what went down w/all that business. Obviously , people are gonna form their own opinions on those events & what actually took place & are free to do so.

... & to be quite honest , it sounds perfectly reasonable to me for people to believe that he was guilty of the accusations of molestation. I probably even agree w/'em.

But fans shouldn't be made to feel guilty for liking someone on top of mourning that someone's death.

Especially since the reasons they're being made to feel guilty aren't actually fact , but rather hearsay.

 

[The Fallen Angel]

Comes down to people are entitled to their opnion and they are allowed to post it. Obviously if you dont agree with it do what your preaching and dont post about it. Your opinion of someone doesnt change when they die nor should it. Dying isnt a get out of jail free card where instantly people can only say good things about that person

And the Oj and michael cases are damn near exactly the same. People are pretty sure oj killed 2 people and people are pretty sure michael jackson had sex with little boys but neither has ever been proven.. and yes i will start an oj tribute thread when he dies because i respect the man and i expect that many people will post their opinions and say negative things but their entitled to.

 

[Soda Bobinski]

Comes down to people are entitled to their opnion and they are allowed to post it. Obviously if you dont agree with it do what your preaching and dont post about it. Your opinion of someone doesnt change when they die nor should it. Dying isnt a get out of jail free card where instantly people can only say good things about that person

I don't think anyone is saying that people aren't entitled to their opinions or that they're not allowed to post those opinions , Trez ... just that it'd be decent of those critics to show a little respect to the posters who obviously are admirers by NOT bashing the person they're paying tribute to.

It's just common decency to not spit on others' grief.

 

[Lord Doctor]

Not everyone loves everyone, and unfortunately, some people just have to be a bunch of microcephalic morons about their dislikes and vocalise them in ways that are utterly distasteful (people worldwide).

In this case, it was because Jackson was accused of molesting kids on several occasions, and as soon as someone is accused of that, then he/she's public enemy number one regardless of any evidence or lack of evidence, especially if they're different in some way. Jackson never grew up, he was like a big kid with more personal demons than the Goetia.

The fact that all Jackson's accusers were quite satisfied when they all received a large sum of money and went home smiling doesn't seem to impress those who had jeered and berated him over the years.

To those who still berate the man I can only say this: If someone had done to me what he was supposed to have done, money would not silence me nor take away any pain. There is no justice in payoffs. Just think about that.

 

[locker669]

... I don't give a damn about the ALLEGED misdeeds by Michael, you KNOW he is a very POPULAR celebrity, but yet you still feel the need to insult the man...

I can name at least two people that do give a damn.

 

[kis123]

I can name at least two people that do give a damn.

Unfortunately their parents didn't give enough of one because if it was my son, no amount of money would've been enough to keep me from shouting from the rooftops!

We can't even keep bashing threads from being bashed around here. If a person's opinion is negative either make a thread about or keep it moving.

I remember someone made a thread a few years back about tickling someone until they peed. That person also asked only for responses from those who liked it. Guess what? They got EXACTLY what they asked! Not one negative response in that thread to this day. I find the practice absolutely disgusting and chomped at the bit to post, but I exercised self restraint and didn't bring negativity into it.

Are people around here trying to tell me something as revolting to me as pissing on yourself can get more respect than a Michael Jackson tribute thread??

That's a damn shame!

 

[PenMasterRule]

I always found it funny when someone posted hurtful/rude/insulting posts and then acted completely surprised when someone took it the wrong way. Didn't see that coming? BS! You're posted hoping to get a rise out of people. You're posted hoping to get noticed.

I made that thread for people to show respect, and they didn't. Instead we have people who posted and quickly edited their posts because they were afraid of getting caught and we had people showing their asses and posting just to be rude and disrespectful. They showed their true colors the previous night. They showed what kind of people they were. The funny thing is if something tragic happened in their lives you know they would post it here. And you know what else? If anyone made fun of the person or thing they were posting about they would be up in arms. Demanding justice and there will be people saying 'it's their opinion'. And I guess the right to post ones opinion means I have the right to trash any thread as long as it's my opinion to do so.

 

[c7_assassin]

I made that thread for people to show respect, and they didn't.

The thread you started said this:

Just reported.

I think he died of a cardiac arrest. They found him not breathing in his home and he was rushed to the hospital..

If you had said, "This is for Michael Jackson fans only, please post no negative comments," I would've started my own thread.

I didn't edit a bit of what I said before, and I stand by it.

I felt the need to be mean because frankly, everyone getting weepy about this man's demise offends me. We've been using the OJ example a lot on this thread, and I think it's a good one. If OJ died, and people started up apologetic tribute threads to a man who got away with murder, it would really piss me off. I'd have to post some nasty comments just to balance out the thread. (Nasty comments about OJ; I don't make personal attacks on people for having opinions.)

If you guys would've talked glowingly about Michael Jackson the day before he died because you love him so much and he did so much for the world, then fine, be sad, and I didn't mean to step on your grief.

But if he was a joke to you yesterday and some kind of hero today, and it doesn't matter to you what he allegedly did with little boys, then I have no sympathy. You haven't lost anything. And you might look back and feel a little silly about crying over this sick weirdo.

 

[PenMasterRule]

The thread you started said this:



If you had said, "This is for Michael Jackson fans only, please post no negative comments," I would've started my own thread.

I didn't edit a bit of what I said before, and I stand by it.

Good for you.

I felt the need to be mean because frankly, everyone getting weepy about this man's demise offends me. We've been using the OJ example a lot on this thread, and I think it's a good one. If OJ died, and people started up apologetic tribute threads to a man who got away with murder, it would really piss me off. I'd have to post some nasty comments just to balance out the thread. (Nasty comments about OJ; I don't make personal attacks on people for having opinions.)

Sure you do. I mean you felt offended because people liked someone you didn't? How sick is that? No you just felt like trolling the thread showing everyone what kind of human being you were. Not much of one. You made offensive remarks about the guy just because you wanted to troll the thread and get all the attention thrown on you. That's all. It wasn't because you were offended, it wasn't because you wanted to make a point. It was just trolling. Plain and simple. And as we all know trolls want attention.

If you guys would've talked glowingly about Michael Jackson the day before he died because you love him so much and he did so much for the world, then fine, be sad, and I didn't mean to step on your grief.

Sure you meant to step on it. Don't try to change the fact that you were.

But if he was a joke to you yesterday and some kind of hero today, and it doesn't matter to you what he allegedly did with little boys, then I have no sympathy. You haven't lost anything. And you might look back and feel a little silly about crying over this sick weirdo.

He wasn't a joke to me yesterday, the day before or the day before that. I guess in your world the 'Guilty even when proven innocent' holds strong and true. Now why don't you present the evidence that he did something wrong before you crucify him any further?

 

[kis123]

What is all of this comparison to OJ stuff?? I ain't buying it! It's just an easy scapegoat to justify the meanness that came out in people yesterday. The only thing MJ and OJ have in common is Johnnie Cochran, thank you very much!

I've been around since the Jackson five hit the scene; watched as Motown, his family, and the media basically pimped a child out of his childhood. I'm pretty sure the signs were there long before he started acting out. I'm also sure everyone turned a blind eye and deaf ear to them. He himself was abused and emasculated by his own father who just used him as a means to an end. If someone would've stopped long enough to get him some help, maybe....just maybe, he would've turned out differently.

We grew up with a different MJ than the one who lived the last 10 years or so. We grew up an artist and a musical genius that can be compared to no one. We saw him singlehandely push MTV and others to start playing black videos because prior to Thriller, we weren't getting any play. That opened the door to videos today. He contributed to causes we've never even heard of and people who can barely speak English around the globe know his songs.

I'm not telling anyone to ignore what he was accused of doing and personally I believe there was some truth to it. Case #1--yes, I think he did it. Case #2, that young boy was pimped out by his parents to extort money from MJ. I feel badly for him, but I really don't think MJ did it. He did some bad things, but he did a lot of good in this world before he broke down mentally.

Now onto OJ; he beat and abused his wife (who he started seeing when she was only 17) to the point she divorced him. He stalked her and even saw her with a lover on the couch. When the divorce is over, it's over and he had no business stalking her, but she was his property and he couldn't let go.

This man was accused of chopping his wife and her lover up in the yard where his children played every day. Whatever anyone thought about Nicole, she was the mother of his children and he did that crap at their home?

He hired a shrewd attorney and Cochran did his job. If the LAPD would've done theirs, maybe he would've gotten convicted. What does this man do after acquittal? Thumps his chest and blocks the Brown family from getting any compensation or justice for Nicole. And he keeps this up for over 10 years. Then this man makes a book saying if he did do it, this is how?? Where's MJ's book of "if I really did molest those boys, this is how I'd do it??" See the difference people? MJ fell back into obscurity until the heat came off and OJ defiantly flicked off the world.

So please stop comparing the two of them; it's a lazy cheap shot and you know it.