Death of Icons

This has definitely been a long week for Hollywood, with the death of three icons (two in the same day).  While some deaths may not have been suprising (because the icon had been ill for quite some time), another left the world asking “why?”.

Then, our little state lost its own icon in a tragic death that has no rhyme or reason….and just makes you wonder what makes a guy  rip away someone else’s life, leaving everyone else in a pool of his aftermath.  I’ve always struggled with this – what happens inside someone’s head that makes it “okay” for him to destroy not only the victim’s life, but, the lives of everyone around them – both the victim and the murderer.

I am confident, in the case of Ed Thomas, that the townspeople of Applington-Parkersburg will get this through this.  There are calls for prayers for both the Thomas family and the Becker family….but, gosh, what a terrible thing.  And the townsfolk that I’ve watched in interviews – both after the devastating tornado last year and Coach Thomas’ death this year….in general, they appear to be strong Iowans….who pick up the pieces, deal with it, and keep moving forward.

While we are on the topic….when there are MULTIPLE witnesses to a shooting, why is it that the shooter is still presumed innocent?  I know that it’s the way our justice system was set up….but, when someone is clearly guilty (the person who commited the crime)….is that really necessary?  Maybe if there is more than 20 eyewitnesses (since we all know how unreliable eyewitnesses testimony can be), we can just skip the “potential gunman”, and go straight to – this guy did it.

Back to the losses of our national icons.  It kind of makes me angry that everyone continues to bash Michael Jackson after his death.  He was strange – eccentric – but, that isn’t criminal.  He had a terrible time (from the sounds of it) managing money – again, NOT criminal.  And, if you all remember….he was found not guilty of the charges.  Weird that many people presume he was guilty when he was found not guilty (without 20+ eyewitnesses)….but, a guy who is CLEARLY guilty of murder (back to the Iowa Icon’s death) is still presumed innocent.  How screwed up is that???

No matter what Jackson’s personal issues were – he was eccentric, not very good with money management, not super good at choosing the people around him wisely, terribly misunderstood, frail but not frail, addicted and not addicted, etc….he was a great artist who changed the face of music videos and music itself.  I liked his music when I was younger, and was ALWAYS amazed at his artistry.

I think this is more of a case of people not understanding the mind of an artist.  They have a tendency to see the world much differently than a non-artistic person….sometimes, people think they are just an “odd duck” and sometimes people think they are a total freak….but, in the end, in my opinion, it has to do with living in a different side of our heads.  He was what I considered an “upper level” artist – someone who was not only artistic, but, one who was almost a prodigy.  Those artists don’t come along often – but, they *almost always* have “issues”….So, while us common artists are considered a little odd…..the prodigy type artists are “cut-off-my-ear” type  odd – again, not criminal….but,  that living in that side of your head at that intensity couldn’t possibly make you more normal than the average artist….if anything, it would push you in the other direction.  The perfectionism that comes with it….well, that never helps a person emotionally.

And, Farrah….I have to say that I couldn’t imagine going from a “sex icon” to releasing a documentary on your struggle with cancer.  But, I think allowing people to see that not-glamorous battle demonstrated, in a big way, her spirit – it was very important to her for people to see that battle that every day people face and the fact that she was a “sex icon” when she rose to fame didn’t stop her from showing the raw ugliness of cancer and the treatment of it.  I *didn’t* watch the documentary…when I was flipping through the channels, I saw it, but, watched less than 2 minutes and found myself wondering why someone would watch the whole thing – not because of the documentary, itself…but, more the subject matter.  I found the whole idea to be very sad and borderline morbid.

Then, there was Ed McMahon….some people said they were shocked when the news of his death was released….but, I am not sure why.  He had not been in good health for several years.  EVERYONE – even people who didn’t see Carson/McMahon on the tonight show know that great “Heeeeeeeeeeere’s Johnny!” – and you see people trying to come up with that great one line that everyone will remember them by all the time.  McMahon was definitely an original.  I’m also sad that he will never come to my door with a check for 10 million dollars!  I never thought of McMahon as a “pichman”….but, when I heard him referred to as a great pitchman, I had to agree….his name gave credibility to many things that otherwise wouldn’t have meritted a second glance.

All in all, a very sad week.  I hope, as time passes, we will be able to recognize the best of those we have lost and understand that what we see on the surface can easily be misunderstood.