Michael Jackson-- fan or too freaky?

[Rachel Galvin]

As M.J. turned the big 5-0 this week, joining his counterpart Madonna in the half-century club, the response has been muted. Perhaps this lack of celebration is because of his antics of recent years, from his kids wearing veils over their heads and hanging one out the window to his nose or lack thereof and skin color to his odd bed time behavior with young boys.

I have always been a fan of M.J.'s music. I think he is brilliant, albeit a copy cat in some sense, stealing a lot of his moves from Soul Man James Brown.

I met M.J.'s bodyguard -- one of them, who evidently could tell a few tales about Michael and the boy situation. This bodyguard helped me look for a car to buy on a weekly basis in L.A. -- another story. But I just don't believe it.

I don't believe that Michael was doing anything lacivious with those boys. I could be wrong. I think he is stinted. Whatever circumstances befell him -- growing up too early, having an agressive father or whatever -- I think he just never grew up. I also think he has some severe issues with self-confidence and probably body dysmorphic disorder. He may also have dealt with some gender issues. Of course, I don't know Michael, it is just a sense I have. When he was acquitted, I was so happy. I really felt like he may be an outsider but he doesn't mean any harm. He may sleep with boys but I think it is because he thinks he is one. Again, I could be wrong. There are certainly enough crazy people out there that have taken advantage of young boys to definitely keep an eye out. But I think Michael is simply very misunderstood -- a bit like a Howard Hughes.

I would love to meet Michael some day and maybe I would have a better sense of the man/ boy. Overall, he certainyl has contibuted a lot to our culture form moonwalks and other breakdancing moves to some kick ass tunes.

WATCH "THRILLER" AT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtyJbIOZjS8