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mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> Dear MJJC Family,
We are sure you have seen the other posts about the Aaron Carter story in the News and Announcements section of the forum, but we are also posting here and we need for people to take action immediately.
MJJC’s official statement has been posted in the following link, but I’ve also included it here as well.
http://www.mjjcommunity.com/forum/t...Barrak-Story?p=3425519&viewfull=1#post3425519
Also, below is a link where the article appeared with an update from TMZ.
http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/60677956.html
Story:
On 29 May, 2011 90s pop singer Aaron Carter filmed an interview with freelance 'journalist' and friend Daphne Barrak for OK Australia magazine's 27 June edition. The article and excerpts that have been released have spread rapidly across all media for one reason - it involves Michael Jackson.
Carter’s friendship - and we use that word loosely - with Jackson is not in question. However, the Michael Jackson fan community strongly rejects the elements of the story that suggest and imply that Mr Jackson gave Aaron Carter drugs or alcohol
or would have acted in any way improperly with him.
Indeed, the fan community finds it puzzling that Mr. Carter would give this kind of interview, after all the years of defending Mr. Jackson (even as recently as 2010). He spoke highly of Jackson’s influence on his life and his work and strongly denied that anything inappropriate had occurred between them (see Howard Stern interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtURi...layer_embedded).
Rebuttal Points:
As for the claims made by Carter, they can be debunked not only by what he said previously and consistently. In fact, Aaron Carter was on the witness list for the defense in the 2005 trial.
They can also be refuted by those who were there:
"I saw Michael leave for just a few minutes to wash of that cake, he was later zipping on a glass of wine, and he never finished it. They were out driving around the ranch with the fourwheelers and we were many out there having a laugh about it. when talking to Michael he said he didn´t even know half of the people being there but he loved that the fans could be there. When he finally left the party after driving around the ranch, he was alone except for one security guy. he invited a few (I was among them) into the house, we were there for about an hour. He left for his bedroom and didn´t ask us to leave, it was more like "enjoy yourself, I trust you". And there were no Aaron Carter anywhere to be found in that house during that night. he´s taken care off by Tucker I think, I didn´t see him after the drive around the ranch. So much more happened, but not a single minute was Michael out of sight except when he cleaned up himself."
Additionally, the points listed below can also be used as a rebuttal to this story.
Carter's Video Interview
2005: As an adolescent, Carter is relaxed and open
2011: As an adult, Carter is markedly uncomfortable
Carter's Financial Situation
2005: successful and thriving
2011: owes the IRS $1 million (+/-)
Carter's Career Track
2005: successful and thriving (was he?)
2011: struggling and striving
Carter's Health
2005: seemingly unaffected by drug use
2011: recently discharged from drug rehab
Frank Cascio who maintained a friendship with Michael Jackson tweeted "I knew Michael for over 25 year and NEVER once did he use cocaine or suggest to anyone else to use cocaine. Never!!!!" (
http://twitter.com/#!/fdcascio/status/86547254990733312).
In light of this and other evidence, the Michael Jackson fan community is questioning the motive for this seeming change of heart and story.
The timing of the interview is also suspect. In June millions around the world mourn the passing of Mr Jackson and those with even the remotest connection to him seem to find it an ideal time to promote a book, CD or project. Aaron Carter’s willingness to jump on that bandwagon is disappointing but not surprising. He has said, through his representative, that he was misquoted in the article. However, in watching the edited excerpts of the interview, it is clear that Mr. Carter's answers allowed for speculation and innuendo.
Carter's denial is now being widely reported. But more needs to be done. Mr Carter must demand a full retraction from OK magazine, if it is indeed misrepresenting what he said. But as the story continues to unfold it becomes clear that the Carter camp have seen the benefits of tying his name in a negative way to Mr Jackson’s and is taking full advantage.
This story had been circulating for two weeks and some concerned Jackson fans had reached out to Aaron Carter, as early as 15 June, only to be rebuffed and ignored. An official and strong statement of denial would have halted this story in its tracks. This is what that an honourable person would do in love and respect for a friend and mentor who has died. However, the speculation and insinuations were allowed to linger . And the only person who has been damaged in this debacle is Mr Jackson who is not here to defend himself . All of the others who are involved have been able to raise their profiles on his back.
Furthermore, it is disturbing that we live in a time when our media is willing to copy and paste a story without first verifying its accuracy and veracity. No one attempt to check the accuracy or veracity. Now that there has a denial of some aspects of the interview, we can only hope that there will a more rigorous screening process before stories are aired or published, especially when the source is a tabloid and the author has a questionable reputation (see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Dz7rs8VfA).
Call to Action:
We call on all Michael Jackson fans to boycott the magazine and to express their opinion to the editors of OK magazine and to Daphne Barak (the author). Fans also need to let their sources of news and information know that they are no longer interested in uncorroborated, salacious stories. Please be respectful, not confrontational and sincere with your responses. We need to appeal to these outlets from a concerned consumer perspective, not a fan perspective.
Michael Jackson was defamed and maligned in life, his fans are committed and determined to see that this defamation does not continue in death.
As always, the MJJC Legacy Project Media Advocacy Team thanks you for your willingness to help defend, protect, preserve and honor Michael’s legacy. Also, thank you TheChosenOne for drafting and posting the MJJC official statement.
MJJC Legacy Project Media Advocacy Team
Kim (windy09)
Maria (Maria MJ)
Deborah (DeborahFfrench)