As I was reading the post about Michael Jackson, it occurred to me that we are more or less convicting this man before he has had his day in court.

The reason for this post is to speak out about those who have gone to trial and been convicted.(Some of which are now our pp's)

All our pp's have done something to end up in prison. Well, maybe there are a FEW who were 'unjustly convicted' but let's say most of them have done something. How would we feel if we had known them prior to his or her sentencing and everyone had convicted them before their trial simply by going by what the media has revealed? In my opinion, we'd think it was unfair. Is it not unfair to convict ANYONE prior to hearing all the facts? I think not.

Granted, MJ has disrespected the justice system by using his celebrity status in order to get away with coming to court on his own terms. However, there are so many of us, myself included, who have already made up our minds about what did or did not happen. But then, we're the first to defend our pp's because we have come to care about them as human beings, or more.

I am the first to say that many people who are convicted of a crime, often get far more time than I feel is fair. And, it's true that MJ will likely not have to do the kind of 'hard' time our pp's have to do even if he IS convicted. Yet, there is someone who cares for him, just as we care for our friends or loved ones who are incarcerated. It's highly likely they'd appreciate what we're doing here by downing him, just as we'd be offended if someone did the same thing to our pp's.

My point is this: We're an open-minded, caring group of people who write to inmates. That means we have forgiveness in our hearts for those who have simply made a mistake along the way. (Please understand that I realize how we ALL feel about pediphiles (sp) and it's 'different' when people harm a child in some way.) But why do we sing the praises of writing to inmates, and the feelings we have for them, be it friendship or more, when we bash someone else? To me, it seems as if we have double standards. How can we say one crime is 'forgiveable' when another is not? Isn't a 'wrong' a wrong, no matter what it is?

I'm sorry if I appear to be on a soapbox, or ranting. It's not that. It's just that I am interested in finding out why we 'bash' or ridicule one person for something, when those we care about have done things equally wrong.

**Note** I DO understand how we all feel about child molesters. But it's not JUST those convicted of such crimes I'm talking about. I'm speaking in general terms. For example, we can write to murderers, and car thieves and say they have a kind and caring heart. While we sit back and judge whether someone is guilty or innocent and hope they go to the very place we wish we could get our pp's out of because it is so inhumane or hellish.

I look forward to reading your responses. You are some interesting, intelligent people with great ideas.

I agree it is as though we have double standards and I have been called a hypocrite on more than one occasion.
I watched the interview with MJ where he spoke of having children sleep in his bed (this in my opinion is not normal behavior) a grown man sould not be letting other peoples kids sleep with him. so in my opinion the man convicted himself.but I do agree with you this is america and he is innocent untill proven guilty and sometimes I think people have a hard time remembering that. I think the reason I want child molesters in jail is because there is no known cure for them. I would rather see them in prison than ruining a childs life.
I guess all in all I do have double standards and that is something I need to work on as a person. Thank you for your post it made me think!

ok gator heres my point

MJ has ridiculed the courts 1 by beign late
not on once but twice now
if one of us are our penpals did that we would of been sitting in jail still with a heavy fine on our heads
2 him showing up in PJ's
again if one of us did it the judge would of throwed us in a str8 jacket and we would be sittin in jail
3 this isnt the first time MJ has been accused yes i dont like are care for people that have harmed children are the elderly
4 theres an old saying everything comes out in the warsh rather he is innocent are guilty it will be known
5 to me this person is a sick really sick indivinual (sp) for starters he lost what respect i had for him when he hung his child over a banister when he did that it showed me he has no respect for kids what so ever
there maybe pediphiles in prison for molesting children but i doubt if even they have respect for MJ

I don't really have an opinion about the case, I'm not following it. I did read about it in the newspaper, I think the main witness admitted lying before in court in another case? So, basically I figured all he said could be lies too?

Anyway, I think MJ is created this way by the media. I mean, this is what COULD happen if you create stars at an early age. No normal childhood like the rest of the world. Things could go right and people can turn out to be normal. In this case I think his parents and the world created MJ the way he is now.

I'm not saying that he's innocent of guilty or saying that it's okay to have children sleep in your bed. But he doesn't know how to deal with people obviously. Everybody he met probably used to scream with excitement whenever they laid eyes on him?

It's sad...

Gilly, I, too, have double standards. I think I mentioned that in the original post, if not, forgive me. But I should thank YOU, instead of you thanking ME. I had to be reminded that we ALL have our faults, though we have the power to change them. Thanks!

Wolfdreamer, I completely agree with you about how if this were anyone other than a celebrity they'd have gotten far different treatment as far as MJ's antics go. I, too, have thought of the fact he held his OWN CHILD over that railing. But mind you, this is not typical of someone who is in possession of all his marbles. I think that may well be used to show the courts how he may be guilty by reason of insanity or some other type of defense.

I do not belive celebrities should get prefrential treatment simply because they are celebrities. But it DOES happen. Still, it just goes to show that had those we care about who are incarcerated had had the funds, they may not be doing the time now.

I, for one, feel the justice system is less than fair. I mean, all it takes is a little notariety and a bit of cash to change the steadfast rules for them. It's not only unfair, it's unconstitutional! But what can ya do?

To both of you....I don't think much of child molesters either.And, you can rest assured that I have seen first hand what those in prison think of them. I think if MJ is found guilty, he will be dealt with accordingly amoung the inmates.