QUOTE: " ... recent deaths of great scientists, artists, others who advanced the good of humanity (who) get maybe 3 lines in an obit. But the media (which apparently has nothing else to write about!!!) has blown this one up to obscene proportions. Shows you what our values are."
Completely agree. Too much M.Jackson.
Let's offer a prize for the most appropriate and shortest obituary! Absolute maximum twenty words words including definite and in indefinite articles.
"Driven child star (that's three words), entertainer, sang, danced, made money, spent badly (ten words so far). Alleged unusual/weird personal relationships often in media. No children. (Twenty total?)"
And that's more than enough, since he appears to have self destructed at age 50.
Now back to real life! And boy doesn't this nonsense really open up our way of life and attitudes to anyone who wishes to criticise our 'Western' and 'Democratic' lifestyle!