Michael Jackson – A Death from Medical Malpractice

Like so many of entertainment’s royal pantheon, Michael Jackson died well before his time. So many of the music world’s elite and talented members succumbed to a tragic end because of drugs however unlike artistic sensations Jimi Hendricks, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Russel Jones (aka Ole Dirty Bastard), Keith Moon, Sid Vicious and Ike Turner – who all died as a result of recreational drug abuse, Jackson’s death was a result of prescription medication.

Still, and in as much as MJ liked to have emulate Elvis, who died pitifully on the toilet after suffering from a heart attack induced by the enormous amounts of pharmaceutical drugs in his system, the King of Pop was snatched by the icy hand of death because of two very classic and ultimately disturbing elements.

1. Michael Jackson died while infusing his body with an especially dangerous prescription drug given to him by his “doctor”.

2. Michael Jackson died because no one in his circle of friends, family or medical care givers had the balls to tell him to stop and/or discontinue their participation in his dangerous practices.

It is a sad situation that many of today’s medical practitioner’s still think of themselves as demi-gods whose supreme command of medical knowledge gives them the false sense that they have control over their patent’s health and can even prevent accidental death. A view apparently shared by Doctor Murray

When will the medical community in this country wake up and come to realization that they are really no better that body mechanics. That is not a put down of auto repair workers because mechanics can do wonders with your car but as everyone knows, finding a good mechanic is priceless. And like a good mechanic, one that won’t screw you, will listen to your problem and find a solution that will truly work and not cost a fortune, a good doctor will have their patients health as the main and only concern. Unfortunately, and particularly in Michael Jackson’s case, many doctors place their egos ahead of their patients health often making diagnosis without investigating the situation far enough or prescribing drugs as an easy way to make money and get the sicko out of their office so they can medicate the next sucker.

Dr. Conrad Murray may have thought he had MJ’s health as his major concern but if he really did then he would have never sanctioned the use of an anesthetic as a sleeping aid. There are thousands of people in the world who have sleeping problems, pain management issues and are generally in far worse shape than Michael Jackson was, which begs the question -  why would a trained physician, sworn to protect the health of those he served even consider administering such a dangerous medication just so the King of Pop can get some sleep? Ego. Ego that he could control the situation and a weak will that prevented him from putting his foot down and telling his meal ticket he would no longer be a part of contributing to, at the least, poor medical practices.

Law enforcement will investigate not so much why the good doctor was giving Jackson the drugs as much as  what happened that caused the situation to get out of control and the ultimate death of one of America’s most talented and misunderstood performers.  The shame of it is that this investigation will wind up doing nothing to prevent the next super star from succumbing to their own vices, assisted by their friendly family physician.

Michael Jackson went to sleep believing his would wake and reestablish himself once again as the King of Pop and a valid, vibrant and vindicated entertainer who still had much to share with his fans and the world.
The pity is the world was robbed by the very type of person who is supposed to protect them from the ills of bad medicine.