It was in all the magazines, and every news channel on television, Michael Jackson death was the top news story in the world. Yes, he is “The King of Pop” and idolized by thousands, but was his life really more important then anyone else’s? On average 150 000 people die a day, and on June 25, 2009, I only heard of 2 deaths, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson, both celebrities. If there were any chance to save Jackson, from a Utilitarian’s perspective, saving him would have honestly been better for society, then say an old woman in her 80’s; however, is this truly ethical? What does it show about us saying, saving Michael Jackson would be better then saving a man in his 20’s? I know when Jackson died I was not thinking about the 150 000 other people, but I do know that this is wrong. We have to learn that yes it is sad when such an iconic figure dies, but that it happens everyday and that celebrities are really just people like everyone else.
The second issue with the death of Michael Jackson was before his death, he reportedly had been given propofol, along with two anti-anxiety benzodiazepines: lorazepam and midazolam. These we rumored to be given to him by his personal physician, Conrad Murray (who is serving time in the Los Angeles County Jails, for manslaughter) Murry said Jackson “entrapped” him into giving him these drugs; however, from the rumors throughout Jackson career, how does one know if he was full competent? Murray has also been classified as "mentally disturbed" and "suicidal," according to a probation account. With an incompetent doctor, this could have only led to a disaster.
Two days ago, Conrad Murray was sentenced with 4 years in prison, no one knows if he actually drugged Michael Jackson; however, his actions show. He feels no remorse or sympathy towards his client, and that he does not care about him. The death of Michael Jackson was a very tragic complication; to some it was just the end to a great musician, to others it was the most awful event that they have lived to see. However nobody can compare his death to the grief of loosing a loved one, no matter how much of a MJ fan you are!
Celebrities do command much more of our attention. I wonder if any Nobel prize-winners died that day.
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