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By GLYN MACLEAN
Staff Writer

There has been much ado about the late Michael Jackson, with the media quick to either cast judgement on the deceased, or to pay tributes in lament when they had previously scorned him.

Perhaps, then, it's time to put some perspective on all these opinions.

Jesus said "... let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

An irony of this life is that all of us have, in one way or another, sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But there are those of us, who despite weaknesses of mind or health, have at least tried to overcome the circumstances we were given in life.

That Michael Jackson tried, with all his heart, to overcome psychological and physical ailments, could be an example to each and all of us.

As a composer and artist myself, I know this one thing to be true; that the songs of a songwriter will reflect their inner workings.

If we are to judge Michael Jackson, then lets look to the heart of the man through his songs. It is my belief that therein we find the man.

If we were each to take stock of the lives of those around us, we would find faults in abundance. Can we not look to the good in each of us? Should we not encourage the positive potential?

Perspective gives us the broad wisdom to understand that it is the weakest of us who will try to pull down the strongest of us for the appearance of their own greatness.