LONDON, Dec. 22, 2008

Michael Jackson Fighting For His Life?

Biographer Tells British Tabloid Michael Jackson Suffering From Rare Lung Ailment

    • Pop star Michael Jackson poses on the red carpet during the RainbowPUSH Coalition Los Angeles 10th annual awards Nov. 8, 2007, in Los Angeles.

      Pop star Michael Jackson poses on the red carpet during the RainbowPUSH Coalition Los Angeles 10th annual awards Nov. 8, 2007, in Los Angeles.  (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok, file)

    • Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa arrives at the High Court in London, Tuesday Nov. 18, 2008.

      Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa arrives at the High Court in London, Tuesday Nov. 18, 2008.  (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

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(CBS)  As one journalist recently put it, "rumors are all anyone hears about Michael Jackson these days," and the current claim comes from a writer working on a Jackson biography. CBS News correspondent Richard Roth has the report.

Quoted in Britain's Daily Express, the writer says Jackson may now be fighting for his life - ill with a rare lung condition, in need of a transplant, but too weak to undergo surgery.

There's no public comment from Jackson's official spokeswoman. The singer's brother has simply said it's not a good time, and that Jackson's not doing so well.

Twenty-six years after the release of "Thriller," it's still the best-selling record of all time. But Jackson long ago lost his stature as the King of Pop.

"He's the ultimate showman - or was," says show business commentator Neil Sean. "I think we're talking in the league of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley; he will go down as one of those people, but there's a sad sort of tinge because what people remember are the court cases, the ill-advised publicity deals."

...And the oddities. The facemask was always one hint he was worried about his health. The current claim is that his lung condition has left him so weak he can barely speak.

Acquitted at his trial three years ago of accusations of child abuse, Jackson's never shaken whispered charges of drug or alcohol abuse.

Money problems forced him out of his private "Neverland" theme park, where he used to play with a chimpanzee named Bubbles.

But ill health was said to be the reason he avoided a recent court date in a big money lawsuit. Now, the claim is that excuse was legitimate.

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by Billeno March 2, 2009 5:30 AM EST
No Musician is ever gonna leave the kind of mark Michael did. ATLEAST, not yet. But what puzzles me is how he could transform himself into a "white". I suppose if he were a proud black man, he won't be having these unfortold dermatological problems. So many are still to realise that no matter how good or successful a plastic surgery may be, sideeffects are always gonna be there and life is never gonna be the same.
I wish Him Good health.
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by qbeeluv December 25, 2008 1:40 AM EST
Michael Jackson Issues Statement Regarding
Recent Alleged Medical Condition Rumors


LOS ANGELES, Dec 22, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE)
Michael Jackson''s official and sole spokesperson, Dr. Tohme , in response to recent rumors regarding Michael''s alleged medical condition, has issued the following statement:

"Concerning this author''s allegations, we would hope in the future that legitimate media will not continue to be exploited by such an obvious attempt to promote this unauthorized ''biography.''

The writer''s wild allegations concerning Mr. Jackson''s health are a total fabrication.

Mr. Jackson is in fine health, and finalizing negotiations with a major entertainment company & television network for both a world tour and a series of specials and appearances."

SOURCE: Scoop Marketing
Scoop Marketing _ Larry Solters
solters@scoopmarketing.com
Reply to this comment
by inresponse1 December 24, 2008 11:19 AM EST
It is sad to see a human being driven to this sad end, he never got to be a kid, driven by his crazy father....With that came mental illness and bad decisions. The part I can''t forgive him for his kicking his pet chimpanzee in the stomache and telling his guest at the time that they (chimpanzees) have no feelings. This is anything but true. So, "Michael, I hope you suffer, you deserve to."
Reply to this comment
by petro49l December 24, 2008 10:32 AM EST
Mike should consider chest surgery. The procedure uses technical scanners and possibly lasers. A lung transplant is an option.
Reply to this comment
by boston1954 December 23, 2008 8:00 PM EST
Let the sicko go to his maker and TRY to explain some of his actions here on Earth.
Reply to this comment
by questionnews December 23, 2008 6:33 PM EST
I heard he has a problem with TB.

Touching Boys!
Reply to this comment
by runningralph December 23, 2008 5:06 PM EST
Poor Michael Jackson was raised in an environment so far removed from reality that he never developed into a normal human being. Add that to alopecia and whatever caused him to lose his nose and he turned into a real freak. Poor Michael. His best years were over before his teens.
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by hereticzero-2009 December 23, 2008 3:54 PM EST
BTW: Historically, Fox News is not the best source of unbiased information on someone.
Reply to this comment
by hereticzero-2009 December 23, 2008 3:53 PM EST
Rumors have a way of dogging someone for life, even the innocent. Jackson behaves strangely but being weird is not always unlawful.

No one has proven any crime against Michael Jackson and it is a shame to keep accusing him of something he has been acquitted of. If he is in bad health, I hope he recovers and gets back to producing music.
Reply to this comment
by majapahit-2009 December 23, 2008 3:40 PM EST
Pray for your quick recovery and may God Blessed with Forgiveness and place You amongst those who surrendered to the wills of God Almighty.. Happy New Year Micheal..
Reply to this comment
by maedean December 23, 2008 2:15 PM EST
Michael Jackson''s publicist wants you to know that, despite a tabloid report to the contrary, the 50-year-old singer "is in fine health. http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/12/23/jackson.illness.rumor/index.html
SO THE PEDIPHILE JACKSON IS LYING AGAIN.HE MUST BE GETTING READY TO BE CHARGED AGAIN FOR PLAYING WITH LITTLE BOYS. WHAT A LOOSER HE IS.MAYBE SOMEDAY HE WILL BE LIKE OJ AND HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE...
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by konabike December 23, 2008 1:51 PM EST
who cares! Look what he did to the kids in bed....
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by centerfall94 December 23, 2008 12:49 PM EST
Poor Michael. The world is a cruel place and his soul is too gentle. Best wishes!
Reply to this comment
by farremoved December 23, 2008 12:33 PM EST
Who cares?
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by noirviolette December 23, 2008 8:18 AM EST
I read on the Fox news site that there is nothing wrong with him,that he''s just fine.
Reply to this comment
by daisyjingles December 23, 2008 6:49 AM EST
In America ''acquitted'' means just that. Mr. Jackson is a wonderful entertainer, and a sweet, gentle human being. I wish him all the best.
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by bullwinkle66 December 23, 2008 6:24 AM EST
Michael Jackson saved my life. He never knew it, but it''s true. Thanks and good luck with your future endeavors.
Reply to this comment
by wtw9 December 23, 2008 5:37 AM EST
Let God judge the man. Pray for him. He''s sick, for sure, more ways than one. So is your world. Better pray for it too.
Reply to this comment
by rosestha December 23, 2008 4:40 AM EST
Noone knows what MJ did. People are always after money and everyone knows how much $$ he has. Or he may have done it noone really knows!! Those molested kids parents knew from the news MJ has been accused as a child molester for some time. Still why did they let their kids play with MJ? To get money from him ofcourse; one after another.
Reply to this comment
by dewbug2 December 23, 2008 2:58 AM EST
I HAVE HEARD OF THIS TERRIBLE DISEASE HE (or IT ) IS SUFFERING FROM....I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS FROM INGESTING TOO MUCH *** INTO THE BODY VIA THE LUNGS....THAT WOULD BE A PLAUSIBLE EXPANATION, CONSIDERING....
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