I had only one fling with disco, and it lasted maybe half a day. It was the late ’70s and all the girls were into it. My life was dedicated to the pursuit of pretty classmates and, hey … I did what I had to do.

I researched the latest disco tunes. I feathered back my hair. I think I might have bought a mini-disco ball and a Mr. Microphone. God help me, I may have worn bell bottoms to a school dance.

It almost cost me my life.

I come from a rock ‘n’ roll family. We had Elvis and Roy Orbison records stacked in closets. My first albums were Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath and The Doors. My older brother pushed Springsteen, Uriah Heap and Deep Purple. When he learned of my dalliance with disco, he threatened to break my limbs and then kick me out of the family. For starters.

This was a guy who owned a “Disco sucks” T-shirt, which he wore every day. I took him at his word. I was out of the disco scene before I could do my first hustle, and I thank him for it.

This is my roundabout way of apologizing to my family for the embarrassment. It’s also an explanation for why I never had much use for Michael Jackson.

If you’re a huge Jackson fan with posters on every wall, please don’t become enraged just yet. The guy is gloriously talented, and I’ll quickly admit it. An amazing performer who’s done nothing but entertain all his life.

No Jackson fans

But in my crowd, anyone who didn’t immediately squash the radio button at the first note of a Jackson tune was branded an outsider and denied any more beer. And this was back when Jacko wore his own face and made girls squeal.

Now, accusations are flying that the gloved one has been involved in something far more heinous than offending the ears of rock-and-rollers. The media hounds are flitting around like bats, and pundits appear on every channel to opine about the matter.

Supporters hotly defend Jackson, and detractors have branded him a career deviant. Psychiatric experts are spouting off, and entertainment hawks are frothing at the mouth.

The ugliness of child abuse on a grand stage.

I won’t speculate on Jackson’s guilt or innocence. I know nothing about the case and wouldn’t pretend to. And there are enough cases right here to worry about. Never mind Neverland.

What struck me were the words of some of Jackson’s supporters. There are those who fiercely insist Jackson never harmed a child, and you’d expect nothing less.

If a person is accused of something vile, you want to hear from those who know him best. If dubious accusations are flung at a person, his friends should stand with him in the search for truth. That’s simple loyalty, and it’s commendable.

An odd defense

But I’ve heard alarming comments from others who don’t necessarily believe Jackson is innocent of the charges. These folks suspect he might have done some of the things he is accused of and yet they staunchly defend him. Why? Because he is childlike himself. Because he never enjoyed a traditional childhood. Because he is misguided or confused.

What’s disturbing about this mentaility is that the same arguments can be applied to cases of sex abuse not handled on a global stage. A man locally convicted of raping children is coddled by friends because he had a drinking problem and couldn’t control himself. Another offender was deeply depressed and couldn’t control his urges. An aging child molester should be forgiven because of his own horrendous childhood.

Simple, unwavering loyalty becomes denial and minimizing. Excuses are made and the stomach turning facts of the case are diminished. It’s got to reopen the wound when a young victim hears that his or her abuser is less than 100 percent responsible, because of this mitigating factor or that one.

Everyone I know screams aloud when a convicted child molester draws a light sentence. They don’t care about the fiend’s background or what drove him to the deed, they want him shut away in some dark place. And for a long time.

Most of my friends don’t know squat about Michael Jackson. They couldn’t name his last hit single or even tell you where Neverland is.

While this national case throws celebrity light on the issue of child molestation, most people already have strong opinions on the matter. Any adult who can tie their own shoes should surely know what is acceptable and what is not when it comes to children.

A person who chooses to knowingly offend a child should not be allowed to dance their way out of fitting punishment.

Mark LaFlamme is the Sun Journal crime reporter.

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