"Lies run sprints, but the truth runs marathons." -Michael Jackson
Is it any wonder why TMZ is still struggling to catch up?
In a previous post entitled: We've Had Enough, TMZ, I pointed out various things that TMZ has failed to realize or even acknowledge in their reporting of Wade Robson's sexual abuse claims.
Among those points was the following:
"For instance, they have yet to note that Wade's repressed memory claim could(if allowed) conveniently get Wade passed the red tape of the statute of limitations for filing a creditor's claim. Without his repressed memory claim, he truly has no other means to get passed the statute of limitations."
Well, thanks to yet another fellow MJ fan, the following article has been discovered that reiterates the exact point made above.
Last Wednesday, the Minnesota Supreme Court flatly rejected the psychological theory of "repressed memory" as bogus. The Court declared that scientific studies that have tried to prove the bogus theory have "lacked foundational reliability."
Church-suing lawyers and accusers of abuse have attempted to use "repressed memory" as a way to circumvent statutes of limitations in order to file big-money lawsuits against the Catholic Church.
Not only did I point this out in my blog, but I also called TMZ's "TMZ Live" line and spoke to TMZ and pointed it out over the phone as well. When I said this, the gentleman(using this term VERY LOOSELY) seemed astonished and gave the impression that this point hadn't been noted yet and it really hasn't been in any of their articles. That was over 3 days ago and before I wrote the blog. However, I was told that it was already too late for them to include my call in their first segment of TMZ Live, but that they'd call me back for "Viewer's Choice" to have me restate my point again for viewers to hear.
Is it any big surprise I was never called back? After you read what I'm about to post from the above mentioned article...probably not!
The author of the article goes on to claim just how unreliable and 'bogus' the theory of repressed memory is and cites sources who are said to be the world's leading experts in memory.
The theory of "repressed memory" is bizarre, indeed. The world's leading experts in memory have roundly debunked the wild theory.
Dr. Richard J. McNally, Professor and Director of Clinical Training, Department of Psychology, Harvard University: "The notion that traumatic events can be repressed and later recovered is the most pernicious bit of folklore ever to infect psychology and psychiatry. It has provided the theoretical basis for 'recovered memory therapy' – the worst catastrophe to befall the mental health field since the lobotomy era."
Dr. James McGaugh, University of California, Irvine:"I go on science, not fads. And there's absolutely no proof that it can happen. Zero. None. Niente. Nada. All my research says that strong emotional experiences leave emotionally strong memories. Being sexually molested would certainly qualify."
Dr. Elizabeth Loftus, Professor of Psychology, University of California, Irvine:"You can't be raped for 10 years and not remember it. Yet, according to the repression aficionados, anything's possible."
Dr. Paul McHugh, Chairman of the Psychiatry Department, Johns Hopkins University:"If penis envy made us look dumb, this will make us look totally gullible."
I could go into further detail with sources and studies that all support the comments made by these experts to illustrate the sentiments these experts expressed are shared by MANY in the field of psychology, psychiatry, and science. However, unlike TMZ, I want to present arguments both for and against repressed memories and their legitimacy, but that is another post for another day(soon actually).
Instead, I want to share what fascinated me the most in this article.
Yet one would hardly know from the media coverage over the past several years that "repressed memory" has been completely debunked and discredited. Journalists are reluctant to inform readers of any facts which would detract from the sensationalism of charges of sex abuse in the Catholic Church. When reporting on "repressed memory" cases against Catholic priests, journalists almost universally neglect to convey that the theory is scientific nonsense.
Sound like anybody you know, TMZ?
If it wasn't before, then it should be even more obvious now. If TMZ reported any facts about how much repressed memories are debunked and found to be bogus they wouldn't be able to carry on with their sensationalized follow up stories on this entire Wade Robson fiasco.
Harvey Levin specifically stated on camera that he believes in repressed memories. His prerogative but if he's going to give his opinion the least he could do is present FACTS to support how he arrived at his conclusion or do as I intend to do and provide arguments for BOTH sides of the debate. Its just too convenient for Harvey to believe in repressed memories, that's what it boils down to. It gives him an excuse to entertain what most people have found completely and utterly ridiculous and absurd.
Even TMZ's own readers/viewers seem to realize more than Harvey how bogus repressed memory claims can be.
So you lose, TMZ, but we ain't even mad at ya because we already know...
TMZ has been enjoying the increased volume of traffic to their site as of late and a good portion of that traffic is undoubtedly due to the fact that they broke the story that Wade Robson, a once vehement defender of Michael Jackson, has now done a 180 and is accusing Michael of being a 'sexual monster.' Poll on TMZ indicated at one point that over 70% of people(number of people who voted was well above 4,000 at the time) who voted do not believe Wade Robson's claims and TMZ's staff, more-so Harvey Levin, seem surprised as to why people DON'T believe Wade's claims are true. Any analytically OBJECTIVE thinker can easily break this down, but I'm in a generous mood, so I'm going to do the work for TMZ and make their job easier for a day.
Such Confusions...Don't It Make You Wanna Scream
First and foremost there is the issue of Wade Robson's prior claims, particularly the ones he made under oath at Michael's 2005 criminal trial. Tom Mesereau can attest to the fact that Wade defended Michael without falter in the 2005 trial and held his ground when cross examined by prosecution. Wade Robson, with regards to sexual abuse, under oath in 2005: "I'm telling you that nothing ever happened."--2005 Court Transcripts For over 20 years, including the majority of the four years after Michael's passing, Wade continued his defense and praise of Michael. It is hard to believe that a trigger of the repressed memories that have allegedly been uncovered wouldn't have been set off prior to Michael's death, let alone take almost 3 years AFTER Michael's death to finally surface. One of TMZ's staff members had the audacity to liken Michael to Catholic Priests who are accused by their victims in their adult years saying its BECAUSE victims speak up that others(likely adults as well by that time too)discover the repressed memories and finally find the courage to do the same. That's a very valid point with regards to actual victims of sexual abuse. I've witnessed victims gain strength and courage to speak out against their abusers once they've seen others lead the way. However, there was an accuser in 1993 and the last accuser prior to Wade came out in 2005...both accusations highly publicized. By that TMZ staffer's logic, the Chandler's CIVIL case and the Arvizos' CRIMINAL case should've triggered Wade's repressed memories...particularly since Wade was already an adult in 2005.
Timing
Another element in the reluctance to believe Wade Robson's claims, is timing. According to family sources(and Wade's attorney's statements somewhat confirm this), Wade suffered a nervous breakdown in March 2012 that triggered his repressed memories of sexual abuse at Michael's hands. If this is true...why did he wait until May 1, 2013, just TWO days after opening statements for the Katherine Jackson vs AEG Live trial began?
Threatened
Another claim made by Wade's attorney is that Michael threatened and brainwashed Wade. Gradstein says Michael would tell Wade, "If anyone ever finds out about what we did we will go to jail for the rest of our lives" and “our lives will be ruined forever.”-statement by Wade's attorney to TMZ. This makes absolutely no sense. Wade's silence would only prevent Michael from going to jail...as the under-aged victim, Wade Robson would not be subject to ANY criminal charges that would land him in jail.
Contradictions
TMZ claims sources close to Wade's family say Wade was sexually abused by Michael from age 7 to age 14. Now, as mentioned above Wade's excuse for defending Michael as an adult during the 2005 trial was because he had repressed the memories of the abuse he suffered as a child.
However, exactly how does TMZ or Wade, or whoever the hell wants to get cheeky with me explain Wade defending Michael AS the abuse was allegedly happening? You cannot repress a memory as its happening. IT doesn't work like that.
1993 Interview of Wade Robson and His Family Defending Michael
Wade Robson was 10yrs old(going on 11) in this interview. This falls within the time frame of when the alleged abuse occurred. So he defended Michael AS the alleged sexual abuse was happening. The repressed memory defense doesn't fly this time....back to the drawing board TMZ, er I mean Wade.
You Tell Me I'm Wrong...Then You Better Prove You're Right
As stated before, Wade's alleged nervous breakdown happened in March 2012, but you'll have to forgive us skeptics if we find it hard to believe any such breakdown occurred, let alone there being any validity to a genuine repressed memory being triggered.
In a video interview with Wade Robson and Chris Judd on the Pulse Tour's stop in Toronto published to YouTube on December 6, 2012, Wade was praising Michael.
Upon researching the actual date of the interview, its discovered that this interview took place in Toronto(pointed out in description of youtube video) either on February 11th or February 12th of 2012.
Then there's yet ANOTHER video that would be in the month prior range of the nervous breakdown of Wade joined by Tyce Diorio and Gil Duldulao dancing to Michael Jackson's Unbreakable during their Pulse Tour stop in Santa Clara on either February 4th or February 5th 2012. (see schedule above)
I reiterate both events would roughly be one month before the alleged breakdown...and Wade Robson does not show any signs of being a man on the verge of a breakdown.
The ultimate contradiction comes from a video, published on July 13, 2012...approximately 3-4 months AFTER Wade's alleged breakdown.
And just WHO is Wade happily talking about? Rhetorical question, but I'll answer anyways...MICHAEL JACKSON.
Update: Many have been asking the same question..."Was the July 2012 video a live interview or pre-recorded?
Thanks to a fellow MJ fan, Lamont, known as @ithl123 on twitter, we've discovered a tweet by the person(Galen Hooks) who interviewed Wade for this interview dated 3/14/12, which could mean Wade was interviewed for this video during the same month he had his alleged breakdown.
The tweet is addressed to two dancers who appeared in instructional videos with Wade that were published on the same day of his MasterClass interview.
There is also another instructional video by Wade for MasterClass that was published on July 31, 2012. Which could either mean it was also recorded the same day as the prior instructional videos and interview with Galen Hooks...or that it was recorded later, within the same month of the others, still during the month of his alleged nervous breakdown.
I'd like to add that Lamont was also a part of the effort by various fans that led to the discovery to these videos for them to be forwarded to the Michael Jackson Estate and media.
Tired of the Schemes
If anything I've mentioned already, so far, in this blog hasn't answered TMZ's inquiry as to why so many are having a hard time believing Wade's shocking claims, let me bring the root of all evil into the schemes.
Money
Money
Lie for it
Spy for it
Kill for it
Die for it
So you call it trust
But I say it's just
In the devil's game
Of greed and lust
They don't care
They'd do me for the money
They don't care
They use me for the money
According to Jermaine Jackson's book, Wade's own mother, Joy Robson, has made claims that she had been approached by a tabloid to say her son had been molested in exchange for money. A screen shot shows this claim highlighted from Jermaine's book below:
If TMZ's source is telling the truth about Wade falling on hard times and being out of work...then who is to say that he wouldn't cave into pressure to slander and defame Michael's name and legacy for monetary gain?
The Blueprint
Not even that, but who is to say that Wade isn't trying to swim thru the flood gates that the 1993 settlement opened?
After all, Wade is following a blueprint similar to the prior accusers Chandler and Arvizo.
Jordy and Gavin had to either be drugged and/or told by either a parent or psychiatrist that they had been abused....and 'coincidentally'(haha "coincidentally")Wade is being told he repressed memories of sexual by HIS psychiatrist.
Furthermore, the Chandlers and the Arvizos sought monetary gain overall. As soon as the Chandlers received a paycheck, they dropped the criminal charges even though they still could have pursued them. During the 2005 trial, it was discovered that instead of reporting the alleged sexual abuse to authorities FIRST...the Arvizos contacted the SAME civil litigation attorney the Chandlers used in their civil suit against Michael to inquire about their options to file a civil lawsuit for sexual abuse. That attorney recommended criminal charges be pressed first and thanks to TMez we know that the attorney advised such because it would make civil litigation easier.
And now here we have Wade...filing a creditor's claim against Michael's estate...monetary gain being sought FIRST AND FOREMOST YET AGAIN instead of actual justice.
Peek in the Shadow...Come into the Light
I'll give TMZ credit(albeit very little) they're trying(but failing) to act as if they're being objective in this matter. Meanwhile, certain details seem to escape their attention.
For instance, they have yet to note that Wade's repressed memory claim could(if allowed) conveniently get Wade passed the red tape of the statute of limitations for filing a creditor's claim. Without his repressed memory claim, he truly has no other means to get passed the statute of limitations. Update: Please read the following article that points out how much the tactic of repressed memories is used to get passed the statute of limitations to file 'big money lawsuits'!
"Church-suing lawyers and accusers of abuse have attempted to use "repressed memory" as a way to circumvent statutes of limitations in order to file big-money lawsuits against the Catholic Church."
Not only that, but even tho most are saying the statute of limitations for perjury has passed, one can actually be charged with perjury for up to four years after DISCOVERY of the act of perjury. Conveniently, however, the repressed memory would come to Wade's rescue and protect him from any prosecution for perjury.
Finally, I'd like to point out the fact that in the following video from August 2011, Wade claims he'd be working on Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour.
Except, Wade didn't end up working on it after all and instead the job went to Jamie King, who "coincidentally" also replaced Wade on the Britney Spears' Circus Tour. Jamie King also ended up working on the Michael Jackson One's residency(Oops he did it again *wink wink Wizeguy*) in Vegas, which just so happened to be having a huge press release the same day TMZ broke the story about Wade's sexual abuse claims.
So, please TMZ, keep trying your hardest and damnedest to make it look like only 'crazed' and rabid MJ stans don't believe this story just because its about our idol.
And you know what? This may truly just be coincidence, but I'm going to include this detail anyways just because I fucking can. Jordy Chandler: 1993 Gavin Arvizo: 2003 Wade Robson: 2013 Y'all do the math...I'm done making shit easy for you, TMZ. Now, go look at the detailed facts we've based our opinions on and get back to us when you've caught up...that is, if you ever do.
