Classic Rant #190 (February 9, 2010): The Blame Game

Michael Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter yesterday. This sets the stage for a potentially sizzling courtroom drama as prosecutors attempt to proved the good doctor caused the singer's death.

According to the criminal complaint, the doctor "did unlawfully, and without malice, kill" Jackson, by acting "without due cautiion and circumspection."

Murray supposedly administered a powerful general anesthetic and other drugs to the singer in order to help him to go to sleep.

As Murray walked by fans on his way to the courtroom, some were reported to cry out, "Murderer!" as he passed them.

Well, the newest courtroom circus will certainly be this trial. Anything having to do with Michael Jackson, either in life or death, is sort of like a circus, so should this be any different?

Jackson was a brilliant singer, dancer, and all-around entertainer. However, he had massive social problems, even if few people want to admit it now that he is in the ground. He was also a drug abuser before the doctor came on the scene.

So where does Murray fit into all of this?

Well, it was under his watch that Jackson died, supposedly under his care. He gave him drugs that are only used in a hospital, not at home. He supposedly was late to the scene, on a cell phone yaking away, when Jackson's body gave out.

But, even though the Jackson family does not want to hear this--and neither do fans who were blinded by Jackson's talent--how much is Jackson himself culpable for his own death?

Look, we know he had insomnia. But to allow a doctor to administer things to your body that are only used during surgical procedures ... I mean, come on, don't you think Jackson should have said no?

How much was the doctor directed by Jackson--and his money--to partake in this episode?

The doctor was on the payroll, so he was another in the succession of "Yes" men that Jackson had in his employ.

Damn the Hippocratic Oath!

The doctor was an enabler, but you have to have one that governs your actions to be an enabler, and Jackson was it.

And where were Jackson's friends and family during this period? Funny, they seemed to all crawl out of the woordwork when he died.

I am sure the doctor will be penalized in some way, perhaps even lose his license to practice medicine in the state of California.

But I don't believe he was totally at fault here. Jackson had to have known he was getting something out of the realm of what we consider normal to help him go to sleep.

And sleep he did.