I see from the comments on the M.J.A.N. site, for the blog, and follow-up blog, that some fans criticize the letter for "telling Katherine how to raise those children." I'd like to give my thoughts on that? At the outset, almost ALL fans wished Katherine well, and were supportive. She did some things differently from Michael's parenting, i.e. sending two of the three kids to school. That wasn't Michael's choice for them, but he was gone and she had custody, and I didn't see fan interference or outrage. The kids began to be photographed in public, on the way to Karate classes, etc. That was not (not very much) criticized, either.
The first REAL alarm was the Taser incident, involving Blanket. We still don't know what the truth was, but it was sufficiently serious as to involve a DCSF visit, and follow-ups. I don't know about anyone else here, but I'm a parent, and DCFS has never been to MY house, or the homes of anyone that I know! This began to be quite concerning, and at that point the reality of just how MANY people were in that house, became a topic for discussion, and consternation. But STILL, most fans supported Katherine's parenting.
So, some (not many, but they are very vocal) fans are "outraged" that the letter is "interfering!" Guys? After the Taser incicent, Katherine THEN signed a contract with Howard Mann, a porn producer. If you've READ that contract, not only does it presume to sign Michael's children to a life of servitude! (thankfully, not legalyl!), but it uses the word "EXPLOITATION." It only got worse. Kids on Oprah. Katherine saying "Michael's nose was a toothpick." (SHAME on her. Yes, . . .shame.) The kids were signing belts, wearing t-shirts that made them walking logos for a charity that was so bogus that a lawsuit was filed against it, and then Paris holding up bottle of Joe's perfume-line, and now we know that the kids will "make an appearance" at the so-called Tribute (and THANKFULLY, KISS will not be there. But, they would have been without fan-action -- pretty sure).
So the question is, at what point ARE we "our brothers' keepers?" Children -- all children -- would be safer if families were not islands, and if people paid attention and saw if children were in abusive, dangerous, or exploitative situations. We ARE responsible. Every adult person is responsible for EVERY child if we see what we perceive as harm being done. Adults should be looking out for children! It really does "take a village." I certainly wouldn't want interference with MY parenting -- unless -- I signed up my child to make money for ME, through the schemes of a porn producer! I think at that point, I would lose the right to raise my child only "my own way" without comment or interference. Chlidren are NOT property! If anyone was paying attention, I hope they would intervene in a situation like that? And they SHOULD.
Add to that what we DO know about Michael? We KNOW about his parenting. We know, a hundred percent, that he never, EVER would have used his children to promote HIS products and projects. We know that he gave his children a life full of travel, educational opportunities, and protection from the excesses of media. Those children were lovingly supervised! Katherine's behavior crossed the line, BADLY, with the Howard Mann contract, and events involving the children, since then.
This was not an overnight situation. At the outset, almost everyone wished Katherine well. But things went sour, and we know that from PUBLIC knowledge -- kids' tv appearances, photo-ops, required promotion of an extremely sketchy charity, and so much more. We KNOW about Paris' rampant "tweeting," where it seems likely that there is no supervision, at all, about that. Katherine seems to be following the pattern of how she raised her own children, and there is no confusion about the pain his lost childhood cost Michael. He NEVER would have wanted his children to be in the public eye at their young ages. We KNOW that.
Some fans say, "Michael LOVED his family, and to criticize them is like criticizing HIM." I'm sure he loved them -- mostly at a distance. He loved them SO much, he left them out of the will! That was a pretty eloquent statement by Michael?
You know what? Without fan intervention, I'm pretty sure those kids would be on the same stage as KISS! Every adult is responsible, if he/she is aware of a situation where children are being exploited. Given what we know of how Michael lived his life, I'm pretty sure he would AGREE with that.
Michael's priority, in his life, was CHILDREN.
(edit) I'll add that fans have had concerns about the well-being of those kids for AWHILE now, as evidenced by posts on the fan-boards, i.e. Howard Mann contract, HTW foundation, KISS, and a LOT of other things. None of this is exactly NEW news?
Autumn II My arms are going to get tired here. *standing ovation*