Ron
While I am not attacking you personally, I need you to understand something of the principle of bias here:
These two, AFTER ALL, have been the ones accused of a crime that is almost unimaginable, so I don't think it's out of line to - God forbid - point a speculative finger or two, given that the crime scene was their home, MJ's body was bound and gagged and thrown in the trunk (to be disposed of like trash) in the trunk of Kelly's car...they fled...there was an affair...Craig's history, etc...
Is it possible they aren't guilty? Ummmm... no. SORRY. But that's my opinion... this is an opinion-based board, isn't it? Is it possible they might skate free? Sure. That's much more likely than the answer to "did they do it?" being negative! Hell, OJ did it, and we can all safely say after watching the damning evidence that wasn't admissable, the DNA technology that wasn't yet evolved, the overall poor prosecution of the case, and the strategically poor jury selection, that it's highly likely OJ actually DID slice his wife's neck nearly clean through, despite the verdict.
Verdicts are NO PROOF of innocence, btw, just as you say allegations are NO PROOF of guilt.
As for the interviewing opportunities, and your ability to supposedly just "get one" ... Well, good luck with that. These aren't bb's, they are real people, and they aren't looking for sensational handling or publicity. Typically, people who have suffered hardship need to trust someone. But that's my opinion. And no, I want no part of an interview with them... just to help them create opportunities whereby travel expenses and all of the crap they're going to have to deal with is taken care of.
And no, I don't know you. But objectively speaking and interestingly enough, as this was the first time I HAD talked to you, and really spent any time on your board, my first impression was that you were interested in how this has helped your board, and whether someone had beat you to the punch in the interview. So, look at it from my perspective, or from the perspective of anyone who reads this stuff and comments: You do appear bias 9 times out of 10 and often appear to have some kind of agenda. I'm not alone in saying it. I just know you are not open to having yourself "read back to you" about it - no way, no how. If you were, you would have replied differently. Be who you are, by all means, but be honest about it.
And for the record... Just as I don't know you, you don't know me either, Ron. And maybe this is harsh, but frankly, I don't "live where you do" in terms of using a relationship with someone to garner an interview. I've interviewed hundreds of people in 17 years - even Titus from his last jail cell - and it's really not a big deal for me. It's fun at the time when it's someone as colorful as Titus, and the offense is drug related and not murder, I'll admit. But in this case, I don't want any part of it. If you want to know the truth, I wouldn't want to have to feel all of the feelings that this has brought up for ME in this situation, all over again. It's been difficult enough.
This just seems to be so out of perspective for you, and possibly others... There are no Pulitzer prizes given for bodybuilding journalism, nor mention in TIME or NEWSWEEK for a probing back and forth - not for me, for you, for LT, or for anyone -ever. And you're forgetting that no one in the mainstream gives a crap about C&K or anyone else in bodybuilding, other than maybe Arnold (and even he's a joke these days), so it isn't as though it's some big COUP to actually secure an interview...just a way to feel important in a microcosmic industry. I've been guilty of feeling that in the first years, but haven't for a long, long time. In fact, in my last 7 or 8 month journalistic exchange with Titus, I felt my life was in danger, so it really ceased to be fun, to be honest with you.
Bottom line, I actually happen to really want to help Maura and Christopher, and despite my strained relations with C&K since 2000, I am also not doing it out of some misguided vendetta or to slam them. That's why I know my motives are pure. I feel no hatred, nor do I feel any need to be someone's savior. I just want to do what I can...however small or large that may become.
I believe by my posts you can see that I once really cared a great deal about Kelly, and to some extent, even Craig at times. Don't you think it's hard for someone to consider that someone who was once a great friend actually did this? I don't know if this stuff is just news to you or not, since I am not going to assign you a verdict. But just so you know, to me, this is actually having to reflect upon the fact that I knew someone who was once a vivacious, fun person, who has degenerated into something unfortunate, sad, grim, and heinous, and has lost what was once a beautiful life. Maybe that's how I see MJ and wanting to help, too.
I actually wanted to help the family because I know that I can. I raise funds for a living and run a large non-profit. Since doing less in bodybuilding mags, I actually have grown to care a little bit more about my fellow man, too, which is nice - since it's easy to get caught up in this world. (Ask Shawn about that, given that he has also done a great deal for charity and is a good fundraiser in his own right).
So, all I can do is speak for myself, and the truth is: I thought long and hard about my motives, FYI, before ever making contact with MJ's family. I know my own motives are pure. Ron, all that matters in this life is that you know that yours are pure at any given juncture.
I just know that I asked you for a small amount of your help because it would have been easy to give me what I asked for, and would have saved me time... Yet, you still haven't helped. I even said, "Hey, I understand if you don't want to help, for whatever reason, just let me know." and you said, "No, I want to." but yet haven't. Sorry, but this also contributes to the overall illusion that your interests fall more along the lines of the sensational. I could be wrong and hope I am.
I have no beef with you personally, because as you say, I don't know you.. But I am entitled to my impressions, and I'm not alone in how these things were perceived - others said they wanted to barf seeing some of the things you've allowed to be in print, too, whether you have said them yourself or not. And, not a day goes by that you are not accused by someone of being biased toward those two. So, it's not just my insights.
I will renew that I just happen to find it UTTERLY REPUGNANT that someone would discuss Kelly's hair, her prison attire, or the amount of make-up she does or does not have on her face, or the grey in CT's beard, or anything else pertaining to vanity when this is just inane, insensitive fodder. It smacks of the whole PEDICURE INCIDENT... I think that said it all...along with someone "teaching dance moves" at a lube joint, within hours of probably extinguishing a life! You posted it without editing, so I just commented on it.
The fact that I have a history with both C&K doesn't make me feel more important, any more than it does in your case. So believe me when I tell you, I don't feel any kind of leg up here. It doesn't seem to be something to really boast about these days - not that it has been for years....
HOWEVER, because of history and time, I do possess a LOT of knowledge of who each of them are - both in good ways and bad. I could still list both positive and negative, despite the charges. Your allegiances with them are yours to keep and cherish. But I just would put it out there that it seems that you still live in DIRE fear that Craig would kick your ass if you didn't bow down and support him on the board. In some ways, I don't blame you.. CT can be intimidating and you wouldn't be the first to feel that way. I, myself, have felt that way.
I guess I just ask you to look at what you're saying if you are trying to say you aren't biased for any reason. All I see is you constantly "policing" the comments of others for their objectivity, in terms of validity of info and police reports.
You asked.
