Joseph Sobran on Michael Jackson Four Years Ago

I’m relieved that he wasn’t convicted. If it’s the government versus Michael Jackson — or, as they say, The People v. Michael Jackson — I’ll root for Michael every time. Too many of the people have been having too much unholy glee at Michael’s expense. They remind me of the mob who turned out to punish the woman caught committing adultery, with the law on their side and stones in their hands. Jesus didn’t criticize the law, but he suggested that the first stone be thrown by some guy who’d never sinned himself. The woman walked (albeit with a firm warning).

As the prosecution brought lurid testimony against Jacko, I asked myself how I might be made to look if the government could invite, or force, all the acquaintances I’ve ever made to testify against me. The truth would be bad enough; but add to that the lies that my enemies would be glad to repeat, and which the public would be willing to believe, and even an acquittal wouldn’t do much to repair the damage.

In Jacko’s case, of course, there’s a special angle. Child molesting is one of those things — like flag burning, pot smoking, and Holocaust denial — that cause some people to freak out. It’s not enough to say you’re against them; if you oppose them with anything less than hysteria, some readers are sure to assume you favor them.

From an article titled The Acquittal, linked to in a post in which I said, "I didn't follow the media circus, as the story was of little importance to me, but I have to say I was a bit disappointed by the lynch-mob mentality displayed by many conservatives" — Michael Jackson.