No bad publicity

The only attention Michael Jackson should get is from child welfare authorities.

It’s been said that, for celebrities, there’s no such thing as bad publicity. Pop singer Michael Jackson seems to be putting that theory to the test.

It’s been almost impossible to turn on a television this week without seeing something about the creepy entertainer. The amount of air time devoted to Jackson and his questionable exploits doesn’t speak well for the televised “news” magazine shows that have seen fit to accommodate Jackson’s sudden urge to justify his existence to his public.

There have been tours of Jackson’s private amusement park and interviews with experts in plastic surgery willing to debunk the singer’s contention that his appearance hasn’t been significantly altered. And, of course, there have been multiple opportunities for Jackson to “explain” his innocent interest in children who visit his compound and proclaim there is nothing untoward about his behavior.

During interviews, Jackson denies mistreating the children and says the youngsters in his care always ask to sleep in his bed and that he simply tucks them in, provides them with “story time” and shows them love. He says he always gets parental permission. He defiantly admits he has shared his bed with “many children.”

In other exploits, Jackson startled the world recently by dangling a child over a balcony and wrapping a hospital newborn in a towel and taking her home before nurses had a chance to clean her. Who is this guy and why should we endure hours of television exposure to his antics? Is his sudden willingness to drop his reclusive habits and appear on national television an effort to restore his celebrity status? Is it a sick way to promote a resurgence in his career?

The main question, however, is where are the California social workers who should be looking into Jackson’s exploits and making sure the children who visit him — as well as his own children — aren’t being abused or mistreated? With all the attention Jackson is getting, it seems there may not be enough attention from authorities who could make sure the innocent children in this scenario are protected.

The media attention being focused on Jackson only rewards his deviant behavior. If society has its priorities straight, it should care not at all about Jackson’s amusement park or his many plastic surgeries. The only matter worthy of public concern is Jackson’s treatment of children. And that issue should be the focus not of celebrity publicity but of investigation by the appropriate California authorities.