George Michael In Trouble … Again

September 25, 2008 · 42 comments

I hate this because I have always thought him to be very talented. More thoughts after the jump.GeorgeMichael.jpg

The patience of George Michael fans is wearing thin after the singer was arrested near Hampstead Heath for the possession of a Class A drug, thought to be crack.

Michael, 45, was cautioned by the Metropolitan Police for possession of Class A and Class C drugs after being arrested in public lavatories near the heath, in northwest London, on Friday afternoon. An attendant telephoned the police after becoming concerned at the singer’s behaviour.

In a statement last night Michael said: “I want to apologise to my fans for screwing up again, and to promise them I’ll sort myself out. And to say sorry to everybody else, just for boring them.”

[From George Michael apologises to fans over arrest for possession of Class A drug - Times Online]

This is just the latest in a series of very embarrassing run-ins with the law. And while his attitude is much more mellow with his fans … his drugs aren't. Over the years he was known for smoking pot, then busted with liquid ecstasy and now apparently crack.

Also, in 2006, he is quoted as saying (edit mine) …

""Are you gay? No? Then (beep) off! This is my culture!" -George Michael, screaming at News Of The World photographers"

I thought that was interesting at the time and was glad he didn't repeat it this go around. I do think there is a strong undercurrent of public anonymous sex among males who have same sex attractions but I don't think a majority of George's "culture" does that. Back in the day, I did a lot of drugs but thought this type of sex to be desperate and sad. I never participated in that type of behavior and a vast majority of my friends at the time didn't either.

… but … we did know how to "party" and my substance abuse was probably just as bad. Thank God, literally, I am still alive.

As a George Michael fan in my early adulthood, not a fanatic fan but a fan, I genuinely grieve. Regardless of the "gay" angle, so much talent could have been cultivated over the years but hasn't. Addiction short circuits the full expression of creativity and to see someone I used to idolize spiral down this way is genuinely saddening. I have and will pray that he will find freedom from these addictions and in Christ. I pray he will fully capture his desire to sing and create as a method of dealing with whatever he is dealing with … to use his talents for Good in brand new ways that will encourage him and bring true joy to others.

So, do you remember George when he was the most popular entertainer in the world? What did you think then and what do you see now? And all you youngin's … just play along as you see fit :) .

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{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }

1 B.T.Carolus September 24, 2008 at 9:16 pm

Um, right. So, I at least know who George Michael is (English singer, yes?)…but have I ever heard any of his music? Of course, I have trouble recognizing anything that doesn' involve violins…

Reply

2 Olivia September 25, 2008 at 4:08 am

I was never a huge fan of his music, not really my style although I did like a song here and there (Too Funky was pretty good)…but I do think he is a talented singer and his actions are very saddening. His fans seem to be hugely blinkered though, blaming the British tabloid press and almost everyone and everything else when it is obviously George Michael that gets himself into these situations in the first place. He is incredibly lucky that he has gotten away with so much – driving under the influence could have killed himself or another person, so let's just hope he doesn't succeed in killing himself with crack cocaine.

Reply

3 Paula September 25, 2008 at 4:24 am

So sad to see all that talent and creativity going to waste. I can still remember going to one of his concerts; it was at the height of his career just before rumors started circulating that he was gay. He was so great on stage and I loved his music – still do. I will join you in praying for him. Thanks for the great article.

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4 editorgal September 25, 2008 at 6:33 am

Heartbreaking. What kind of pain must he be in to need to mask it with substances? Pray God sends ministers to him, so he can meet the Best Friend ever, and begin to heal. I'm too old to have been a member of his fan base, but I remember his popularity.

Reply

5 Randy September 25, 2008 at 6:37 am

Thanks for playing along youngin' !

Reply

6 Randy September 25, 2008 at 6:39 am

Seriously … that's the truth. I think it is also an issue of justice that he hasn't (and probably isn't) going to do any jail time for any of the drug possessions and driving under the influence.

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7 Randy September 25, 2008 at 6:42 am

You are welcome, thank you for chiming in. When I lived on Long Island (very briefly) George came to New York. My friend saw him in an East Hampton gay club (that wasn't exclusively gay but gay nonetheless.) That was around the time that he had just started being truly open about his sexuality.

Oh and I met a drummer (not same sex attracted) at a Pub who was on call to be a back up in case George's drummer wasn't able to play for some reason. He might have just been talking smack though. :)

Reply

8 Randy September 25, 2008 at 6:45 am

too old? I don't believe it. Srsly, I don't believe it.

Reply

9 editorgal September 25, 2008 at 6:59 am

Ha! Thanks, but Haha! My dr. won't let me say I'm middle-aged anymore because srsly, do I expect to live to be 106?!

Reply

10 Susan H September 25, 2008 at 8:10 am

George Michael fan here. 'Faith' and 'Without Prejudice' are my fav CD's. Missed him when he disappeared from the music scene which I'm foggy on why. Thought it was something about record label, producer dispute of some sort (?). Recall him saying he wouldn't be making music for many years and in fact seemed to be the case. I saw him on television recently . He seemed to be older than his chronological age. I thought to myself that his situation likely hadn't changed. This most recent news saddens me even more. He appears to still be in the clutches of a life that will never bring fulfillment for him. I pray that changes. I'm still a fan of his and probably will always care what happens to George Michael as a person and also as a talented, gifted musician.

Reply

11 Ellie September 25, 2008 at 6:16 am

Um, right. So, I at least know who George Michael is (English singer, yes?)…but have I ever heard any of his music? Of course, I have trouble recognizing anything that doesn' involve violins…

Reply

12 Randy September 25, 2008 at 8:40 am

You better blog about living that long.

Reply

13 Randy September 25, 2008 at 8:41 am

very well put and totally agree.

Reply

14 Oceanskater September 25, 2008 at 8:46 am

I loved George. I wanted him to be my father figure.

Just kidding!!! I couldn't resist ;)

Reply

15 Randy September 25, 2008 at 10:56 am

I loved George. I wanted him to be my father figure.

Me too. … What? It was 20 something years ago … things were different.

Just kidding!!! I couldn't resist ;)

same here ;)

Reply

16 B.T.Carolus September 25, 2008 at 11:01 am

Why is it that I think I could find a lot of George Michael Real Person Slash if I just googled for it?

Reply

17 Olivia September 25, 2008 at 1:08 pm

I was never a huge fan of his music, not really my style although I did like a song here and there (Too Funky was pretty good)…but I do think he is a talented singer and his actions are very saddening. His fans seem to be hugely blinkered though, blaming the British tabloid press and almost everyone and everything else when it is obviously George Michael that gets himself into these situations in the first place. He is incredibly lucky that he has gotten away with so much – driving under the influence could have killed himself or another person, so let's just hope he doesn't succeed in killing himself with crack cocaine.

Reply

18 Paula September 25, 2008 at 1:24 pm

So sad to see all that talent and creativity going to waste. I can still remember going to one of his concerts; it was at the height of his career just before rumors started circulating that he was gay. He was so great on stage and I loved his music – still do. I will join you in praying for him. Thanks for the great article.

Reply

19 Randy September 25, 2008 at 5:27 pm

Huh?

Reply

20 editorgal September 25, 2008 at 3:33 pm

Heartbreaking. What kind of pain must he be in to need to mask it with substances? Pray God sends ministers to him, so he can meet the Best Friend ever, and begin to heal. I'm too old to have been a member of his fan base, but I remember his popularity.

Reply

21 Randy September 25, 2008 at 3:37 pm

Thanks for playing along youngin' !

Reply

22 Randy September 25, 2008 at 3:39 pm

Seriously … that's the truth. I think it is also an issue of justice that he hasn't (and probably isn't) going to do any jail time for any of the drug possessions and driving under the influence.

Reply

23 Randy September 25, 2008 at 3:42 pm

You are welcome, thank you for chiming in. When I lived on Long Island (very briefly) George came to New York. My friend saw him in an East Hampton gay club (that wasn't exclusively gay but gay nonetheless.) That was around the time that he had just started being truly open about his sexuality.

Oh and I met a drummer (not same sex attracted) at a Pub who was on call to be a back up in case George's drummer wasn't able to play for some reason. He might have just been talking smack though. :)

Reply

24 Randy September 25, 2008 at 3:45 pm

too old? I don't believe it. Srsly, I don't believe it.

Reply

25 editorgal September 25, 2008 at 3:59 pm

Ha! Thanks, but Haha! My dr. won't let me say I'm middle-aged anymore because srsly, do I expect to live to be 106?!

Reply

26 Susan H September 25, 2008 at 5:10 pm

George Michael fan here. 'Faith' and 'Without Prejudice' are my fav CD's. Missed him when he disappeared from the music scene which I'm foggy on why. Thought it was something about record label, producer dispute of some sort (?). Recall him saying he wouldn't be making music for many years and in fact seemed to be the case. I saw him on television recently . He seemed to be older than his chronological age. I thought to myself that his situation likely hadn't changed. This most recent news saddens me even more. He appears to still be in the clutches of a life that will never bring fulfillment for him. I pray that changes. I'm still a fan of his and probably will always care what happens to George Michael as a person and also as a talented, gifted musician.

Reply

27 Randy September 25, 2008 at 5:40 pm

You better blog about living that long.

Reply

28 Randy September 25, 2008 at 5:41 pm

very well put and totally agree.

Reply

29 Brenna Kater, the Oceanskater September 25, 2008 at 5:46 pm

I loved George. I wanted him to be my father figure.

Just kidding!!! I couldn't resist ;)

Reply

30 B.T.Carolus September 25, 2008 at 8:22 pm

You don't want to know. Although, having now googled it, seems like maybe he's not as popular among women as men… Although RPS is very controversial, so it could just be hiding.

Reply

31 Randy September 25, 2008 at 7:55 pm

I loved George. I wanted him to be my father figure.

Me too. … What? It was 20 something years ago … things were different.

Just kidding!!! I couldn't resist ;)

same here ;)

Reply

32 Randy September 25, 2008 at 7:56 pm

I loved George. I wanted him to be my father figure.

Me too. … What? It was 20 something years ago … things were different.

Just kidding!!! I couldn't resist ;)

same here ;)

Reply

33 Ellie September 25, 2008 at 8:01 pm

Why is it that I think I could find a lot of George Michael Real Person Slash if I just googled for it?

Reply

34 Randy September 26, 2008 at 2:27 am

Huh?

Reply

35 Ellie September 26, 2008 at 5:22 am

You don't want to know. Although, having now googled it, seems like maybe he's not as popular among women as men…

Reply

36 ChaplianChas. September 26, 2008 at 11:38 am

Sorry, don't know who he is. Just agree w/most of the posts that say he needs relationship w/GOD. Most of us have to come to the end of ourselves and the end of our rope so we can finally let go and fall into the arms of Christ Jesus!

Reply

37 ChaplianChas. September 26, 2008 at 8:38 pm

Sorry, don't know who he is. Just agree w/most of the posts that say he needs relationship w/GOD. Most of us have to come to the end of ourselves and the end of our rope so we can finally let go and fall into the arms of Christ Jesus!

Reply

38 Jamie October 3, 2008 at 12:19 am

I am truly upset that George is in this bind, but God willing he will overcome. This brings up a question about sex and celibacy, which he could probably use a serious dose of. I have come across people who say they are celibate but they masturbate and use pornography, saying they are gay yet celibate via church teachings. How do you view this? I've always considered celibacy meant no sex, at all including self sex. With your celibacy, do you engage in self sex, porn etc? And if so, how does it fit in with your celibacy and beliefs?

Reply

39 Randy October 3, 2008 at 8:03 am

Hi Jamie… I don't ever talk about masturbation on my blog because people get really weird and out there or legalistic and ungracious. Not saying you are either of those responses but you will see why I usually stay away from this subject.

I personally do not use porn. It was never a big issue with me for some reason and I think that is because I have always seen it as demeaning and sexually objectifying real people.

I also believe that masturbation falls along the lines of the scripture that says “all things are possible but not all things are beneficial.” I believe that the sexual fantasy that usually accompanies masturbation is what Jesus referred to as adultery of the heart. It also reinforces the neurological imprinting of those images into your brain … not a great thing to do if you are attempting to renew your mind along these lines.

Some people claim to be able to do that without fantasy … ok. Some people will make all kind of cases where masturbation is ok, I say that since the scripture is really silent on the direct topic of masturbation people need to evaluate for themselves if it is helping them to lead a godly life or not. Long time ago I was all for it … then I was ALLL legalistic about it. Now I simply don't see it as helpful or beneficial but still leave it up to a “personal conviction” thing.

Reply

40 Jamie October 3, 2008 at 9:19 am

I am truly upset that George is in this bind, but God willing he will overcome. This brings up a question about sex and celibacy, which he could probably use a serious dose of. I have come across people who say they are celibate but they masturbate and use pornography, saying they are gay yet celibate via church teachings. How do you view this? I've always considered celibacy meant no sex, at all including self sex. With your celibacy, do you engage in self sex, porn etc? And if so, how does it fit in with your celibacy and beliefs?

Reply

41 Randy October 3, 2008 at 5:03 pm

Hi Jamie… I don't ever talk about masturbation on my blog because people get really weird and out there or legalistic and ungracious. Not saying you are either of those responses but you will see why I usually stay away from this subject.

I personally do not use porn. It was never a big issue with me for some reason and I think that is because I have always seen it as demeaning and sexually objectifying real people.

I also believe that masturbation falls along the lines of the scripture that says “all things are possible but not all things are beneficial.” I believe that the sexual fantasy that usually accompanies masturbation is what Jesus referred to as adultery of the heart and reinforces the neurological imprinting of those images into your brain … not a great thing to do if you are attempting to renew your mind along these lines.

Some people claim to be able to do that without fantasy … ok. Some people will make all kind of cases where masturbation is ok, I say that since the scripture is really silent on the direct topic of masturbation I just tell people to evaluate for themselves if it is helping them to lead a godly life or not. Long time ago I was all for it … then I was ALLL legalistic about it. Now I simply don't see it as helpful or beneficial but still leave it up to a “personal conviction” thing.

Reply

42 Boy George Jail - They Owned the World and It Ruined Them December 5, 2008 at 7:24 pm

[...] now Boy George is probably going to jail, George Michael should have been in jail several times (drug possession and public lewdness) and Pete Burns … well … there aren’t any [...]

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