http://www.care2.com/greenliving/1012517.html
The Michael Jackson and Kim Jong Il Connection?
The last time I spoke to my friend Michael Jackson was about a month ago, 3 weeks before his shocking death. He had called me late one night to ask about another of my close friends who he had read about in the news. Laura Ling, a former colleague and friend, was detained originally by North Korean border guards along with her colleague Euna Lee on March 17th. Since then, they have been imprisoned, had very little contact with their families or western officials, and endured a secretive trial at which they were sentenced to twelve years hard labor. At this present moment, it is unclear where Laura and Euna are – whether they remain in a government guesthouse where they were originally held, in a hospital (due to medical problems for both of them), or moved to the infamous North Korean labor camps that many do not survive.
Michael had read some of the details regarding Laura and Euna’s predicament. As was often the case with him and global events he read about – from famine in Africa to victims of natural disasters in far off countries, to orphans created by wars – he felt a deep sense of empathy for Laura and Euna. When I shared with him that Euna had a four-year-old daughter, he was even more anguished.
He asked me whether I had had any contact with Laura. I told him I had written her a few letters and had been assured they were getting through. Outside of that, her own family had only heard from her twice – brief monitored phonecalls – in the over three months they had been imprisoned. When I told him that, Michael paused.
“Do you think,” he said hesitantly, “that the leader of North Korea could be a fan of mine?”
I didn’t really know how to respond. Not much is known about the reclusive Kim Jong Il or “Dear leader” as he is called in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Over the years it’s been alleged he has a thing for Hollywood, certain NBA stars, Elvis, and specific liqueurs. Still, I’d never heard about any connection between Michael Jackson and Kim Jong Il.
Michael said he had seen some pictures on the internet of the Dear Leader. “You’know, he wears jackets like mine.”
I couldn’t help but laugh a little. It’s true. Michael always had a fascination with military-like jackets, the types with markers and badges on the collars and shoulders. If you search it online, you will indeed find a lot of images of Michael and Kim Jong Il, similarly bedecked in analogous outfits.
“I don’t really know,” I answered Michael. “But I can try and find out.”
“Please,” Michael responded without hesitantly, “because maybe if he was a fan, I could help get those girls home.”
I explained to Michael that there were larger geo-politics involved, nuclear programs, a new administration trying to assert its foreign policy strategy (Obama), and another one in NK possibly going through some sort of transference of power.
“Yeah,” Michael said wistfully, “but if someone wants to do something good, they just can. They don’t really need to worry about all that other stuff.”
And that was really the end of that conversation. I kept my promise and tried to see if I might find a connection between MJ and KJI, but sadly I wasn’t able to. Before I was able to get back to Michael, the news regarding his tragic passing broke. The tributes and commemoratives began in earnest and have not stopped.
Then the irony occurred to me, the far out bizarre seemingly impossible possibility: there is really only one person in the world today that could make a truly meaningful tribute to Michael Jackson. If indeed Kim Jong Il ever was a fan of Michael Jackson, ever gasped at Michael’s moonwalk, smiled at Thriller, hummed along to the Jackson Five or any of Michael’s countess hits, his pardoning of Laura Ling and Euna Lee and sending them home to their families would be a profound act of compassion, a true tribute to a man whose death has left the entire world in mourning. What a better way to re-invent himself and his own conflicted image than for Kim Jong Il to send a message of hope, forgiveness, and empathy as a commemoration of possibly the greatest icon of our times. It’s an act that would be historic, covered by every news organizations in the world, and be immortalized in the annals of time.
Alas, maybe I’m naïve to have such dramatic hopes for my friend and her colleague, to think that leaders of nations may be influenced by the dying wishes of great artists. Or…maybe not. To me, Michael’s memory will always be as a great friend and mentor. To many around the world, it will be as an iconic and brilliant musical artist. Wouldn’t it be staggering if one Kim Jong Il were to honor him – post-death – as a truly great humanitarian?
Please Sign the Petition for Amnesty for Laura Ling and Euna Lee.
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66 comments
add your comment »deepak u were close to MJ.. how lucky u r...
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Way to go Sandy! MJ did so much for both humans and animals. A heck of a lot more than folks dogging him around. He loved the world and wanted to heal it. So did Elvis, Lennon, Garcia, and so many others. The haters didn't kill their message and they won't kill MJ's. :)
Oh, and where were these haters when MJ released his green album? Love this man forever. Hey, please give me a look on http://www.squidoo.com/michaeljacksonnowandforever
I really want to keep MJ's dream alive. Just getting the word out makes people think about his causes. And if it ever does make anything it all goes to the AHA in MJ's honor. Peace and purss!
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(CON'T) ..shot in four different places and depicting man-made ecological devastation and renewal..."
Update: Jackson performed "Earth Song" at the
(partial)Lyrics to Michael Jackson's EARTH SONG........What have we done to the world
“”Look what we've doneWhat about all the peace
That you pledge your only son...What about flowering fields
is there a timeWhat about all the dreams
That you said was yours and mine...Did you ever stop to notice
All the children dead from warDid you ever stop to notice
The crying Earth the weeping shores
I used to dreamI used to glance beyond the stars
Now I don't know where we are
Although I know we've drifted far
Hey, what about yesterdayWhat about the seas
The heavens are falling down
I can't even breatheWhat about apathy
I need youWhat about nature's worth
It's our planet's wombWhat about animals
We've turned kingdoms to dust
What about elephantsHave we lost their trust
What about crying whalesWe're ravaging the seas
What about forest trailsBurnt despite our pleas
What about the holy landTorn apart by creed
What about the common man
Can't we set him freeWhat about children dying
Can't you hear them cryWhere did we go wrong
Someone tell me whyWhat about babies
What about the days
What about all their joyWhat about the man
What about the crying man
What about AbrahamWhat about death again
Do we give a damn””
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Perspective:
You will find partial lyrics to Michael Jackson's "Earth Song" at the end of this post (elephants, whales 'n all) the AMAZING,heart-wrenching video to this is on is on the treehugger site... A MUST view!
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/06/michael-jackson-earth-song-biggest-uk-single-not-released-in-us-video.php
""...Was Michael Jackson the World's Biggest Environmentalist?
by Alex Pasternack, New York, NY on 06.26.09Jackson's "Earth Song," His Biggest UK Chart-Topper, Wasn't Released As a Single in America. Michael Jackson was famous for his socially-conscious music, but "Earth Song," his big, bold environmental call-to-arms, is often overlooked. Still, by sheer dint of his reach, the song might have made Jackson (who bears no relation to U.S. EPA chief Lisa Jackson) a kind of super-sized Al Gore, a decade before An Inconvenient Truth.
"Earth Song" is indisputably the most popular green-themed tune ever. It remains Jackson's best-selling song in the U.K. (yes, bigger than "Thriller" or "Billie Jean"), and beat out the Beatles' first single in 25 years for the top spot on the British charts. But the song, and its lavish globe-trotting video, barely registered in the U.S.Whatever the reason, the song was never released as a single in Jackson's home country. And the dramatic music video -- shot in four different places and depicting man-made ecological devastation and renewal..."
Update: Jackson performed "Earth Song" at the 1996 World Music Awards in
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Here's a different kind of green perspective on the MJ conversation:
http://www.ecohearth.com/eco-news/eco-op-ed/724-the-passing-of-the-king-of-pop-and-the-real-deathapalooza.html
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wow. Are you serious? You know Michael Jackson personally? How? that is so crazy! That is pretty amazing to be able to talk to him. Truly respect MJ though, such a pure and loving heart. RIP.
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Ratty S Thk you ;) Keep on Loving
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TO AMEN SIGALA:
I currently live in Greece but I'm Anglo-Saxon and was born in another country:)
I'm also MJ's age....just for the records...and if my heart hasn't 'grown' yet...well...it never will :). That's not the point though....you're talking about Peter Gabriel of course....that incident has been going around for eons, it has never been proven...a mystery within a mystery. Anyhow, I still say MJ was PHONY all the way...sorry :):)
ROCK ON!
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Ratty S I see your from Greece. Telling people you are not part of the FALSE group doesn't make it true. How you speak to them, treat them, deal with them does. The singer to the group Genesis, forgot his name, had the life-guard, who neglected to do his job that caused his best friend to drown, be seated in the front row to get his message from the song he wrote about his best friends drowning. THE LIFEGUARD KILLED HIMSELF AFTER THE CONCERT.
WORDS CAN KILL/HURT/DESTROY/WIN OR LOOSE BATTLES. i see u have a heart but it still needs to grow.
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A very moving article...I wish Kim Jong II would read this piece and Free the Ladies to show that Micheal's legacy lives on!!
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