DennisMansfield.com

Michael Jackson Murdered?

The news this weekend that Michael Jackson may have been murdered is oddly fascinating and worthy of watching, like an auto accident happening right before your eyes.

The bulk of the argument seems to be that Michael "self-administered" certain drugs...under the direction of one or two physicians, ultimately allowing the legal community to now deduce that the docs were contributing to his death... as a homicide rather than an accidental death by his own hand.

Then LaToya Jackson stated publicly yesterday that her brother was indeed murdered....

Over the weekend we've heard from a collection of "professionals" responding to her claim that Jackson could not have died without "somebody" knowing...or someone knowingly contributing to his death.

We've also heard that the toxicological report "should have already been produced"...hmmm. (an implied conspiratorial statement)

Having had to deal with the accidental death by drugs of my own son,  a short four months ago, I've seen the type of thoroughness that a properly conducted tox-report  takes. In our family's case we did not receive the report for almost 8 weeks, after our son died.

The celebrity nature of Michael Jackson's death could very well have accelerated the report, but I doubt it. The doctors and others who do these reports take copious amounts of time to properly conduct the investigation and present a well organized report.

But let's investigate LaToya's accusation for a second....that "someone" knew and either did nothing...or that "someone" purposely murdered her brother.

Aren't both claims the same thing?

Whoever knew and did not attempt to direct the singer towards recovery, contributed to his death. And every person who sold/gave/bought drugs for him wrapped their collective fingers around the syringe that brought death to Michael Jackson.

So, did someone murder Michael Jackson? Of course they did. And they had both an unwilling accomplice and a willing one: the singer himself.

He first took the drugs, then the drugs took him. It's standard operating procedure in every drug addict's life, who dies while "using".

This tragic death should bring to mind Mick Jagger's line (from one of his more controversial songs) for Michael Jackson's paid-family and paid-friends to consider :

I shouted out,
Who killed the Kennedys?
When after all
It was you and me.

Den

Hollywood on the Alamo: Takes 1, 2, 3 and 4

As the day comes to an end, I had to have a last posting about "The Alamo".

So here are a few examples of how Hollywood treated the story - from Billy Bob Thorton...to John Wayne...back to Fess Parker, as they "Remembered the Alamo."

Den

The Alamo - a picture of losing to WIN.

The Alamo in San Antonio is such a picture of giving one's all so that others could live.

When I was a boy I lived in San Antonio and often visited this Mission. The deep rooted understanding of Crockett and Bowie and Travis became a part of who I became as an adult. Winning means much, yet sometimes a loss will birth a win for others.

It wasn't about "them" and it is not about us.
Den

The Pope and the President(s)

The Pope will be meeting with President Obama shortly. This ought to be interesting...

I'm wondering what the tenor of their conversation will be, especially as it is juxtaposed to the Pope's very warm relationship with George Bush, when he was in office.

Bush and the Pope had many philosophical similarities that, quite frankly, are not there with the new President. 

With President Obama's administration being very focused at a more secular Presidency - and thus the First Family deciding NOT to join a church in the Capitol City - along with many administrative decisions to embrace a more restrictive understanding of Church/State relations, my question is again before us: what in the world will they discuss?

Benedict is a gracious man, as is President Obama. Both men see the life issue completley differently. Mr. Obama told Pastor Rick Warren that the abortion issue was "above my pay grade". Pithy comment, certainly...but equally sure to cast a long shadow across the Pope's face, if repeated in quiet and diplomatic conversation.

If the Pope brings to America his moral authority, that is a part of his pay grade, on issues of conscience and issues of God's heart, how then can a nation governed by a more-secular Presidential perspective even "have ears to hear"?

That's why I said: this ought to be interesting....
Den

One picture says it all.

"Two old ladies lyin' in bed, one rolled over to the other and said..."

Hot concrete...Texas temperatures of 105...NCOs with straight-arrow Campaign Hats and "double-time" songs.

Seeing my son-in-law, who is an Ada County Deputy Sheriff and a martial arts black-belt instructor, run like the wind with his Flight...was exceptional.

My father served in the USAF, his father served in the US Army, as did I. One of my brothers served in the US Army (twice) and one in the USAF. Two brothers-in-law serve(d) as Officers - USAF and USN. Various cousins were/are enlisted men.

And now Caleb. It is a long line of family.

It is ALSO an honor to watch this one man graduate from Air Force Boot.

Den

Seeing her spouse for the first time in a loooong time.

Standing behind my adult daughter today was a memory I will never forget.

She has been supporting her husband throughout his extremely tough time period of Basic Training. Never seeing him....never holding him. Only on an infrequent basis did she speak to him by pay phone. Never a glance....

Until this morning.

She saw him and her reaction was glorious! Love conquers Basic Training.

I was so blessed to watch her as she saw him for the first time!!

Den

All those years ago ...Part Two

....hardest events of a person's life.

And he is completing it on this date.

What an honor to have him serve our Nation. What a special gift to have his graduation on or near this date.

For you see, 35 years ago today I STARTED my brief time in the military.

Every person who ever swore an oath to the US, received a short-short hair cut...and "grew up" due to Basic Training knows what I mean.

35 years from now, I expect that my son-in-law will remember these days of July.

Den

All those years ago...and ahead.

July 8th is a crossroads date.

My son-in-law is finishing USAF Basic Training and will serve in the Air National Guard of Idaho. He will have this experience in his rear view mirror for the rest of his life.

He finished one of the hardes

Why we need Eddy Van Halen AND a Triumphant Video

This is a reminder of circular logic and its impact on going no where.

Bill and Ted are seen at 4:01 in this video discussing how best to proceed with their band, Wild Stallions...

Listen to their arguments and think "politics".

Den