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Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael"/ Excerpt @pg151/New Interview Post 3743

Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

Resa said:
Would you call someone who has diabetes and can not survive without medication an addict? Because I don't see how that is different from someone that has to take anti anxiety medication to have a reasonably productive life.

Earlier you asked for the differences between addiction and dependency. The following is the difference.

Addiction:
feelings of satisfaction & desire to repeat drug experience;
altered state (euphoria, etc) NOT compatible with normal function;
risk of harm and need to stop drug use (this may be realized by the addict as well);
the entire focus of the person's life is obtaining and using drug to obtain the psychoactive effects; generally,
this person also eventually becomes physically dependent due to the prolonged and repetitive use of drug.

Dependence:
need the drug to function normally;
if condition improves, patient can be weaned from the drug;
PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE BY ITSELF DOES NOT EQUATE WITH ADDICTION
dependence is characterized by withdrawal symptoms;
dependence also occurs with nicotine, alcohol & SSRI antidepressants
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Yes , I understand the difference between one for illness, one for recreation.

But in the end, they are both drug-related and have withdrawal symptoms and will lead to addiction.
(maybe Demerol in Michael's case)
 
ivy said:
In that sense the use of "addict" is really unfortunate. but to me it seems like he didn't mean it like that. The word "situational" and his explanation at Gest documentary makes it seem like he was meaning dependency on prescription due to medical issues (such as back pain) at sometimes - which is quite normal and a lot of people can experience that in their life. That's why I'm waiting for the book to make a clear sense of what he actually means.
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How many people in the public have seen the documentary and how many will wait for his book to come out to make a clear sense of what he actually means?To many, the misconception that Michael Jackson was an addict is further reinforced.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

bluesky said:
Yes , I understand the difference between one for illness, one for recreation.

But in the end, they are both drug-related and have withdrawal symptoms and will lead to addiction.
(maybe Demerol in Michael's case)
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No you still don't get it. Maybe you need to read my post or Ivy's post again. If those are not satisfactory maybe you can research addiction vs dependency to understand the true differences. Dependency does not necessarily lead to addiction, in many cases it does not.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

It's true, that the jury has received instructions about what they may not view, read, or do research or "experiments" about. Yet, they are human, and this jury has not been sequestered. They are in their homes. A family member could be flipping through channels, the jury-member walks through the room. . and there you have it.

Whatever else, I think the timing is TERRIBLE, with the trial ongoing and in its final phase. Frank has the right to write a book, and hopefully it will contain warm and pleasant anecdotes about Michael. There is other material that I wish he would keep to himself. But, publicize it NOW? I wish he hadn't.

It must have been SO hard, to be Michael. Let me put it this way? Sometimes I share personal thoughts with my friends, or have stayed at their homes, closely. I'm pretty sure none of my friends are going to write books about me, or my foibles, or deepest thoughts, or ANYTHING. Michael is not here to give his blessings to this book, or to say to Frank, "Please do NOT write about me." If he felt it necessary to do this, I wish he'd WAITED at least until the trial was over. That was the least he could do, to honor and respect his friend.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

love is magical said:
It's not totally about the book. It's not about the songs neither. I OPENLY admit I have issues with the song. But, I pre-ordered the book because I am indeed able to separate the two matters. At one point, I genuinely wanted to hear from Frank Cascio.
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Hi Love, i believe that it is impossible to separate the two things. Will you buy a book from Chandler if he would want to write a book about MJ?, will you separate the two things?.

This is only my opinion.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

classic said:
Also, pain and anxiety and other related issues are so subjective that that is why people get into these gray areas with the terms and can easily accept medication for blood pressure and diabetes from these medications. Michael obviously had medical reasons for the medications. Yet, some people may say, I understand this hurts but does it really hurt to the point that you need the medication or is it just that you don't want to feel even the slightest pain; for some the second option would imply that you are taking the medication too much or needlessly. For example, with Michael's insomnia, there are people who will never get what insomnia is to the degree that it drives a person to ask for propofol; no matter how much any of us would have been concerned and understanding of Michael's sleep problem, how many would have not given a second thought to knowing he was taking propofol for it?
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the bolded part...because we love Michael ..you are right,,we probably would of had no problem excepting his use of propofol to sleep..BECAUSE of his insomnia. We,,,maybe I should speak for me...I would of wanted him to use a anesthesiologist with ALL the equipment and didn't leave his side,,that would of kept him safe. Unfortunately Michael couldn't make it public knowledge that he was using propofol to sleep because it would NEVER of been excepted in the medical community, I truly believe that Michael tried absolutely everything to help him sleep..medications,,sleep clinics. Just imagine after all that time of not being able to sleep and you KNOW what WILL help you to sleep..BUT it is not heard of to be given out of a hospital setting,,..and you have to keep it quiet because you are THE BIGGEST person on the planet...so you TRUST a doctor....and that doctor fails you. I personally dont see the "addiction" in that scenario,,,what I do see is a person desperate for sleep. So again yes,,,,,I agree with you...they way that we love Michael...."I" would of excepted knowing that it took propofol to help him sleep when he was stressed as long as he was WELL monitored. These are MY personal feelings.

edited to add...In my world,,,the name Michael Jackson and the word addiction just don't go together,,,they never have and they never will. I just wanted to clarify that for those that care how I feel . It is so difficult hearing people,,,(no one here) call Michael an addict....I dont now or will I EVER believe that, I believed HIM,,when he came out and told us he had a problem....but he went and got help for that problem...and in MY eyes...that only made Michael more of a person first,,,hero second. I really really just wanted to say this,
 
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love is magical said:
How many people in the public have seen the documentary and how many will wait for his book to come out to make a clear sense of what he actually means?To many, the misconception that Michael Jackson was an addict is further reinforced.
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I know. and it's really heart breaking to see that media runs with such stories even though we had autopsy. I just said we cannot just blame Frank for it. Just today Rebbie and Tito said that they needed to admit that Michael was addicted to strong drugs after the trial. We have many people that says similar things. Also like I said Walgren said "no one is denying that he wanted Propofol". Perhaps we are now in a place that there's no sense in denying Propofol or Demerol use and it's no longer private and whether it was an addiction or dependency will be determined by every individual.

Looking to the autopsy and that his internal organs being healthy I do not think he was an addict. I do not think Demerol or Propofol was addiction either and they had legitimate reasons for use. However every day I'm seeing fans blame Klein for Demerol addiction or occasionally deleting posts from this board that goes to call Michael an addict. Do you understand what I'm trying to say? It's not private anymore, it's not news, some things are even facts (such as he was given Demerol and asked for Propofol), it feels like it's time for everyone to evaluate what they think.

Autumn II said:
If he felt it necessary to do this, I wish he'd WAITED at least until the trial was over. That was the least he could do, to honor and respect his friend.
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In all fairness the book was announced in January and probably the contract was done longer before that. At that time the trial was to happen at May and be long over by this time.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if the jury thinks that Michael was an addict or not. What they must specifically decide is not going to be dependent upon if he is an addict. They can think all day and night that he was an addict. They must answer a couple of questions about Murray; based on the prosecution's statement of the law, whether Michael was or was not dependent upon medication will not or should not be a catalyst for exonerating Murray. Most of these people were fans of Michael, right? They've probably heard it all anyway.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

Autumn II said:
It's true, that the jury has received instructions about what they may not view, read, or do research or "experiments" about. Yet, they are human, and this jury has not been sequestered. They are in their homes. A family member could be flipping through channels, the jury-member walks through the room. . and there you have it.

Whatever else, I think the timing is TERRIBLE, with the trial ongoing and in its final phase. Frank has the right to write a book, and hopefully it will contain warm and pleasant anecdotes about Michael. There is other material that I wish he would keep to himself. But, publicize it NOW? I wish he hadn't.

It must have been SO hard, to be Michael. Let me put it this way? Sometimes I share personal thoughts with my friends, or have stayed at their homes, closely. I'm pretty sure none of my friends are going to write books about me, or my foibles, or deepest thoughts, or ANYTHING. Michael is not here to give his blessings to this book, or to say to Frank, "Please do NOT write about me." If he felt it necessary to do this, I wish he'd WAITED at least until the trial was over. That was the least he could do, to honor and respect his friend.
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I agree he could of waited...imo

ivy said:
I know. and it's really heart breaking to see that media runs with such stories even though we had autopsy. I just said we cannot just blame Frank for it. Just today Rebbie and Tito said that they needed to admit that Michael was addicted to strong drugs after the trial. We have many people that says similar things. Also like I said Walgren said "no one is denying that he wanted Propofol". Perhaps we are now in a place that there's no sense in denying Propofol or Demerol use and it's no longer private and whether it was an addiction or dependency will be determined by every individual.

Looking to the autopsy and that his internal organs being healthy I do not think he was an addict. I do not think Demerol or Propofol was addiction either and they had legitimate reasons for use. However every day I'm seeing fans blame Klein for Demerol addiction or occasionally deleting posts from this board that goes to call Michael an addict. Do you understand what I'm trying to say? It's not private anymore, it's not news, some things are even facts (such as he was given Demerol and asked for Propofol), it feels like it's time for everyone to evaluate what they think.



In all fairness the book was announced in January and probably the contract was done longer before that. At that time the trial was to happen at May and be long over by this time.
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I agree Ivy....it is now public knowledge..people need to make up their own minds as to what it is they want to believe about Michael...I myself chose to believe he has a sleeping problem and when he was stressed he needed propofol to sleep....as I stated above....I will NEVER to him as an addict...I dont see that, Every single one of us here,,,need to make up their own minds,,,make peace with in themselves...so that THEY can live with their own way that they now chose to remember Michael...not everyone feels the same way I do,,,and that is ok,,,that is their own choice, Whats works to ease my mind,,,may not be what eases theirs. I can except that.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

My worry is that Frank could say all these nice things but Michael's "issues" (that's how I put it) will be what gets the attention. Look at people now when Michael's name comes up the first thing out their mouths are drugs and addiction. All these people they say want to help Michael and see the truth. Is it working? I wonder because everything good gets ignored and all the focus is on the drugs. How is that helping Michael and his legacy?

I am sorry but I feel blindsided here. I believed the family when they said they knew nothing about drugs and now Frank is saying how he was there and saw things. I wasn't expecting this from this book because I believed what they said on Oprah. This, the bodyguards, and Murray filming a documentary and waiting for the verdict is too much. Michael is gone and he still gets no peace.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

Self interest is the order of the day right now. None of us will ever truly know whats the truth or whats a lie 'cause the person who is the focus of these stories is no longer her to acknowledge or refute them.

To me, its just sad, sad, sad that all these caring and concerned 'friends' did'nt have a darn thing to say while Michael Jackson was alive about drug issues, but the minute he died, its like 'we have to let the world know the truth of who Michael Jackson was!'...yeah right.

I keep asking myself, was there anybody who MJ could truly trust?
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

For those who truly knew Michael and cared about him, his issues were private and kept that way. Things coming out now are for different reasons, depending upon the people. For some, it is to boost themselves/their importance. For others, it is to be the "savior" role. For some, it was forced (as in Ortega's position) due to court proceedings. And for some, it is to put out what they knew to be true about all that is floating out there in the media. I'd rather have Frank explaining what situations he saw Michael needing medication, than for the media to act as if he was just taking it for the fun of it. The only way to set the record straight would be to talk about it.

Frank apparently cared well before his death. K. Ortega cared. And others. But they dealt with Michael as they should have because while Michael was here, it was up to him what would be discussed in public or not. That is what should have happened.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

But, if this happened and if he really felt there were times he needed to hide pills, then so what? I have told a person before to watch how much of a painkiller they take because of what it could lead to. Was the person an addict? No. Did I even think of the person as an addict? No. Did I not want to see them dependent upon the medication knowing that if taken too regularly the person would have to keep upping the amount to get the effect, especially when I knew all the supposed side effects, etc.? Yes. Who knows if Frank had reason to worry or if he was being a worry wart. But, Frank had to deal with it as a friend in that time and moment.
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You do realize that Frank did not describe it in the way u wanna see it or think he meant. Which is precisely the problem. He left it wide open creating the very thing he said he wanted to fix for MJ, misconceptions. SMH

Apparently, Michael wasn't so upset that the friendship ended; he remained close to him.
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So? This is not what I'm talking about and wasn't my point. With all the things MJ went through with his family he still talked to them at times too. So?

What makes what Frank say differently than the Jacksons is that he is telling what he experienced. What we always get from them is they thought this and that and as if it was the only reason he could have possibly kept them at bay.
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Um, Frank said that what the Jacksons been saying about MJ drug issues were true on the 20/20 interview. lol

@ IVY When Frank called MJ a "situational addict" he was trying to say he only used occasionally when certain things were not right for mike. Completly not saying anything about his health problems like Lupus, something Elvis sure didn't have. Elvis was using daily that's why his auptospy was way different from Michael therefore Frank shouldn't have compared MJ to him and Lisa Marie less!
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

Autumn II said:
It's true, that the jury has received instructions about what they may not view, read, or do research or "experiments" about. Yet, they are human, and this jury has not been sequestered. They are in their homes. A family member could be flipping through channels, the jury-member walks through the room. . and there you have it.
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Frank clearly said that in Michael's life there were 2 types of doctors. On one side there were absolutely fantastic doctors and on the other side there were random people, selfish and disgusting doctors who saw Michael as quick money. And later he said that Conrad Murray was the worst!
I don't see that video as something positive for Conrad Murray!

Also regarding Frank's book, for years mass media primary published the viewpoints of those who did not know Michael, so if Frank (who knew Michael) wrote in his book how kind, humble, caring, devoted, generous, true and decent human being Michael was I don't see nothing wrong with that.

Anyway I'll judge the book when I read it.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

I'm firm in my opinion. Frank knew there was a trial coming up. Out of deference to Michael, personally, I wish he'd waited before revealing anything personal about him, at all. (I think we all know there are good and bad doctors? That's certainly not a unique viewpoint?)
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

As fans we are interesting..

J. Randy Taraborelli writes a book and we trash it because we believe he wasn't that close to Michael he claims. Then comes a person that was close to Michael for 25 years but we are not happy with that, we see that as a betrayal of privacy..

We look out for every little tidbit about the Michael to understand the real man better, but when we are given the real man - with his good sides and bad sides - we aren't happy.

We are a hard to please bunch that's for sure.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

The fact that his book will talk about drug issues that is all people will focus on. He can talk about how great Michael was and what good he did but I am afraid that will all be ignored. It always gets ignored. I thought his family didn't see any problems and this book could be different. That's the impression I got. Michael was healthy and no major organ damage and that gets ignored. Maybe people have good intentions but the media only wants to be negative especially when it comes to Michael. All I see are family and friends especially giving it to them on a silver platter. I don't see how that helps Michael they way they say they want to help him.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

ivy said:
As fans we are interesting..

J. Randy Taraborelli writes a book and we trash it because we believe he wasn't that close to Michael he claims. Then comes a person that was close to Michael for 25 years but we are not happy with that, we see that as a betrayal of privacy..

We look out for every little tidbit about the Michael to understand the real man better, but when we are given the real man - with his good sides and bad sides - we aren't happy.

We are a hard to please bunch that's for sure.
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This is something that I will agree with. What matters in the end is the source.

I don't get how people who read or watch various things about Michael get so upset that there is a book about him from someone who actually had a close friendship and who hasn't portrayed any obvious agenda other than writing about his friend. Maybe he is fed up with hearing other people talk about who Michael is without really being there over the span of so many important things in his life. And some of the non-important things, too, that just makes up life.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

marebear said:
The fact that his book will talk about drug issues that is all people will focus on. He can talk about how great Michael was and what good he did but I am afraid that will all be ignored. It always gets ignored. I thought his family didn't see any problems and this book could be different. That's the impression I got. Michael was healthy and no major organ damage and that gets ignored. Maybe people have good intentions but the media only wants to be negative especially when it comes to Michael. All I see are family and friends especially giving it to them on a silver platter. I don't see how that helps Michael they way they say they want to help him.
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But, Frank's book and what the media chooses to focus on are two different things. What if the prosecutor had worried about the media's focus versus the facts? The media has always picked and chosen when it comes to Michael. Unfortunately because of the trial, Michael's use of medications is a topic of discussion. It simply is. And we may not like it but it is what it is. I would rather have someone who can address things that was close to him versus people taking guesses.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

ivy said:
As fans we are interesting..

J. Randy Taraborelli writes a book and we trash it because we believe he wasn't that close to Michael he claims. Then comes a person that was close to Michael for 25 years but we are not happy with that, we see that as a betrayal of privacy..

We look out for every little tidbit about the Michael to understand the real man better, but when we are given the real man - with his good sides and bad sides - we aren't happy.

We are a hard to please bunch that's for sure.
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It depends on which fans because some of us are not that desperate or noisy hoping and asking for anyone to give us any private info about MJ like so many that knew him are doing. I'm just fine with what MJ let us know in his interviews himself. No one is perfect and I don't need someone telling me he had to hide pills from MJ to know that. I just think some are going to far in unheard detail about his life. Adding to the fire. Instead of just working with all that's already out there about MJ and trying to clear it up, like atleast one promised MJ he would do.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

classic said:
But, Frank's book and what the media chooses to focus on are two different things. What if the prosecutor had worried about the media's focus versus the facts? The media has always picked and chosen when it comes to Michael. Unfortunately because of the trial, Michael's use of medications is a topic of discussion. It simply is. And we may not like it but it is what it is. I would rather have someone who can address things that was close to him versus people taking guesses.
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I see what you mean. I just wish that the drugs and addict talk would not be the only thing that seems to matter. There was so much more to Michael and I want him to be remembered for more than that if that makes sense. Now that he is gone I want the good things to be more out front than the bad all the time. I want peace for him and to have respect. He deserves that.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

bluetopez said:
Frank also gave totally credibilty to the Jacksons claims when he said they knew what was going on but, MJ kept them away.

Yet there are still some trying to give frank the benifit of the doubt when they always attacking the Jacksons on Twitter for the same ish. o_O I mean if ya'll believe Frank why not the Jacksons then when he says their right.
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You're right and I don't get it either :)
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

I'm gonna get bashed for this, but having read the last few pages....

You CANNOT have it both ways (and that's exactly what I've seen some do...again SOME)

You can't have disdain for the Jacksons, but in the same breath defend Frank and/or give him the benefit of the doubt. Especially when BOTH have essentially said the same thing. Mike had an issue and they tried to intervene.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

marebear said:
I see what you mean. I just wish that the drugs and addict talk would not be the only thing that seems to matter. There was so much more to Michael and I want him to be remembered for more than that if that makes sense. Now that he is gone I want the good things to be more out front than the bad all the time. I want peace for him and to have respect. He deserves that.
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You are very right about what he deserves.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

marebear said:
I see what you mean. I just wish that the drugs and addict talk would not be the only thing that seems to matter. There was so much more to Michael and I want him to be remembered for more than that if that makes sense. Now that he is gone I want the good things to be more out front than the bad all the time. I want peace for him and to have respect. He deserves that.
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You are very right about what he deserves.

As for the Jacksons that some are mentioning, I have a problem with their motives when they speak about Michael and also with believing in what and how they state things. Frank is talking about what he has seen/experienced. The Jackson's pretty talk about what they heard whenever pressed for details. And I am not buying that all those "interventions" were truly interventions about Michael's use of medicine. I don't think they are being totally up and up about why Michael held them at a distance and I also think that they want to use it as bolstering how they look to the public moreso than trying to explain who Michael was. That is just my opinion of it all.
 
Re: Frank Cascio to write memoir of his friend Michael Jackson / press release at pg12 / Nov 15 ,201

That Other Fan said:
...

You can't have disdain for the Jacksons, but in the same breath defend Frank and/or give him the benefit of the doubt. Especially when BOTH have essentially said the same thing. ...
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Not everyone lives in that kind of black and white, 'you're either with me or against me' world. There's a hole lot of grey out there.
 
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