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Back in the 1980’s there was no one in the world that influenced the budding Generation ‘X’ like that of Michael Jackson. Yes, there was President Ronald Regan, Bo Jackson, MTV, Boy George, Madonna and those funky heavy metal hair bands. But no one topped the power of Michael Jackson.

He was not just a star; he was phenomenon.  He commanded your attention, weather you were a music fan or not. Where he went, legions of fans followed, screaming for a glimpse. The world had not seen that since the Beatles and Elvis.

Now deceased, Michael Jackson is more powerful than ever before. This story has made frontline news in all the world’s paper for 3 days straight now. No other news is seemingly is so captivating; not Jon and Kate, not US economic woes, not even the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Michaels’ death has suddenly revived his career. Yes, revived. In all likelihood, he may generate more money then he ever did alive. Already record stores, iTunes, and Amazon have experience enormous demands.   Elvis, John Lennon, Jim Morrison all experienced the same.

Michael’s legacy will most likely focus on the days he produced Off the Wall and Thriller. Those two albums alone produced more hits then most musicians have in their entire careers. His music videos ‘Beat It’, ‘Billie Jean’, and ‘Thriller’ transformed music videos from a mere promotional tool to an art. It helped ignite MTV. His career in a nutshell: 2 time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a solo artist and member of the Jackson 5), 13 Grammy Awards, 13 Number one singles, over 750 million albums sold worldwide, and billions of dollars generated.

The Lost Childhood
As the world learned, however, was that Michael Jackson had a dark side that involved child abuse, neglect, and accusations of child molestation. You find can an entire populace of people with similar history in prison.

It wasn’t enough that Michael suffered a lost childhood. He was never allowed to be own person. His spirit was never free. Instead, his life became a tool for others to make profit of his enormous talent. His father, Joe Jackson, was not a successful man on his own by any means. He was a steel worker during the day, hardly carrying enough change in his pockets for lunch.

To his credit, however, Joe Jackson was a driven man. He played in a band and was a talented guitarist. Perhaps he had dreams playing for record label, but fell victim to the circumstances in his day: poverty, racism, and missed opportunities.

To some, growing old and not fulfilling your lifelong dream is intolerable. Joe Jackson may not have wanted any of that. So, his kids became the pawns for his success. According the Michael and his sister LaToya, Joe Jackson was a tyrant with an iron fist. He ran the household with fear, intimidation, and complete lack of concern about his children’s feelings. 

In addition, Michael had to endure the challenge of being in a one-income household with ten kids.  Normally with large families siblings would play and fight with each other. In the Jackson household, it seemed that band practice took precedence to growing up and living a normal childhood. 

Despite the hardship, Michael was born to be an entertainer. For years the Jackson 5 played in local venues and won numerous competitions. It was not till Michael joined the band did MoTown Records take notice.

The Baton is Passed
Smokey Robinson said, “Michael had the talent of someone years his age.” Which Michael at the realm, the Jackson 5 attracted television and record deals. Like many child stars, however, Michael was forced into world that God never meant for children.  Michael never experienced a childhood. He was busy making money for his family and for the record labels. He was a moneymaker. Despite the claims from those who say they loved him and showed genuine concern, he was a music moneymaking machine. The self-worth was solely based on that. If he stopped producing, they stopped caring.

In 1979, the record ‘Off the Wall’ was a solo act without Michael’s tyrant father or his brothers. Quincy Jones was the man behind the project. Together, Jones and the 20 year old Jackson produced the first ever album to generate US top 10 hits including blockbuster songs like “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and “Rock with You”.

The man was only 20!

At 20 years old most people are in college, partying, studying for college exams, or thinking of their careers. Michael remained what he was since he was 10, a money making machine. Not a man with feelings, not a man with a spirit, and a human being. He was money making machine, the darling of the media, a man with billions of dollars, yet no life.

At 24, Thriller was released.  It’s the greatest album I have ever purchased. For Michael, the arrow had reached its peak and is now failing.

Energy Released – His deal with Children
It’s little wonder why Michael had that special relationship with children. He wanted to be around them, especially young male boys. Why? Because he was never allowed to experience having a ‘best friend’, or play outside with friends after school, like normal kids do. 

It’s just human nature to make up for lost experience. It not unusual for teenage moms, as soon as their children are grown, to dress up in sexy garbs, hang out at bars, and date younger men.

Michael’s inner demons were not demons. They were yearnings. Yearnings to have the God given right to a normal childhood.

Did he molest young boys? I’m not sure, but then I wonder why an innocent man would pay the family of one of his so-called victims $20 million to keep their mouth shut. I don’t know the details, nor will I speculate.

His Career Revived in Death
In years to come there will be speculations if Michael did actually die?  The same theories floated around about Elvis and Jim Morrison. Elvis and Jim Morrison made more money in death then they did alive.

Will that happen to Michael? Most likely yes.

The greatest gifts Michael left us his music. He is the ‘King of Pop’ and the greatest entertainer since Elvis and the Beatles. More important, for those who wish to live their successful through their children, look at Michael’s life and where it went.

He became a lost soul with billions of dollars. As it was mentioned in the Bible,

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? – Matthew 16:26

Rest in Peace Michael and thanks for the music and the lessons learned.

Jim Hague is an author, lecturer, owner of Crystal Digital Images LLC, has no party affiliation and is a moderate. He is the author of ‘Abandoned Son: Roe vs. Wade is overturned.’

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/men’s-issues-articles/michael-jackson-the-lost-childhood-1289240.html

Cuba is well-known as the land of the best tobacco all over the world. Historians affirm that the first plantations arose in the 18th century, by the East of the Island, and progressively extended to the West. For many years, tobacco was the second exportable production of the nation, after sugar.

The country’s higher and most recognized tobacco production is located in Pinar del Río province. The tobacco plant comes from South America, although the moment of its arrival to Antilles is not accurately established yet. It certainly was between 3000 or 2000 years B.C.

For Cuban natives ‘who named it Cohiba’ tobacco was a miraculous medicine, the essential element in religious, politic and social ceremonies; it was also an important factor in their agriculture. The tobacco plant was usually grown in small conucos in the middle of cassava sown fields, a tubercle very used by natives. The encounter between both cultures during the conquest discovered this plant to the world. Cuban Tobacco Very quickly, a true passion for tobacco was aroused in Europe, mainly in Spain, where the smoking habit gained a lot of followers. The fury soon extended to Persia, Japan, Turkey and Russia, where the cruellest punishments were established. Peculiarly, together with this prohibition the use of tobacco with medicinal aims grew. In April 11th, 1717, King Felipe V arranged the royal monopoly of Cuban tobacco. This decision got into history as ‘Tobacco Monopoly’, and was the death cause of honest planters who were against such onerous law. This restrictive period lasted up to June 23rd, 1817, when the monopoly was countermanded by Royal Decree, which allowed the free trade between the Island and the known world, always through Spanish ports.

Its farming was exclusive occupation of free men. While the roughness of sugar production allowed the use of working slaves, the tobacco plant requires the treatment for a delicate lady, as the Apostle Jose Martí said. So, thousands of Canary Islands’ immigrants, who arrived to Cuba by the end of 19th century, worked in the growing of tobacco.

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Article by Rachana Agarwal

No doubt, cigar smoking is a pleasure. Over the period, it is considered as the symbol of status of wealth and class. But, do you wonder from where this fashion of cigar smoking came into limelight and who started this? According to research, cigars have been around for over 1,000 years. It was started by the original native population of the islands in the Caribbean as well as the rest of Mesoamerica in as early as 900 AD. In fact, a ceramic vessel at a Mayan dig site in Uaxactun, Guatemala have been found, which was painted with the likeness of a man smoking a cigar that’s says the glowing past of cigars.

Later Genoese explorer Christopher Columbus had introduced the smoking to Europe. With two of his colleagues Rodrigo de Jerez and Luis de Torres, Columbus had taken puffs of tobacco wrapped in maize husks, thus becoming the first European cigar smokers.

During 19th century, the popularity of cigars was on its heights. In fact, all the states of United States had a cigar factory. Cigars were more popular than cigarettes making almost everyone a smoker, or lived with one. Later, in the early part of the 20th century, cigar sales were at its peak. According to a report, the weight of tobacco sold in the United States alone in one year would equal the weight of the entire population of 10 states combined. Found everywhere in the united states, cigars were priced as per the size of the pocket of the general population as earlier Americans were not allowed to buy the Cuban cigars.

Online Cigars MarketThe passion of smoking cigars increased with the time. There has been a tremendous rise in the number of cigar smokers now in comparison of past years. Order whether an oscuro cigar, the black one or choose the claro, light brown cigar, make sure you get the right cigar to enjoy that unforgettable experience that lasts forever. By buying cigars online, you can also protect yourself from the duplicate cigars that are common these days. In fact, it also gives you the facility to get cigars at your doorsteps too, no matters you are the resident of any corner of the world.

Cigars are the ultimate experience of smoking. From last 1000 years, the fashion of cigar smoking is in practice and still alluring many aficionados to carry on this great passion.

For more information on buy cigars online visit http://www.selective-cigars.com

If you are a cigar lover, or if you know someone who is, then you have probably heard plenty about the amazing allure of Cuban cigars. As a matter of fact, many people who have absolutely no interest in cigars still have heard about how great these cigars actually are. A big reason why these cigars get talked about so much is that they truly are the best cigars in the world. There is not one thing wrong about these cigars and everything about them is right. This means that they are perfectly rolled, they smell terrific, and they also have an amazing flavor.

Another reason why these cigars are so well known is because of the tumultuous history behind them. Even if you were not alive in the early sixties, you have probably heard plenty of the stories.

Here are the basics about the history of Cuban cigars. To begin with, the embargo on Cuba was instituted by President Kennedy in 1963, and it was done in order to protect the U.S.

at a very scary time. Even if you were not yet born, you have probably heard about the Cuban Missile Crisis. This was a time when Americans were scared that Communism was going to take over. While everyone is thankful that this never happened, many Americans back then took this as a real threat, and the possibility of another war seemed very likely. This is why Kennedy had to go ahead and stop all trade with Cuba. This is what an embargo is, by the way. It places a stop to all trade.

While everyone understands why Kennedy had to place the embargo on Cuba, many people got angry anyway. AT this point, you can probably guess why they were angry. These angry Americans were lovers of Cuban cigars, and they knew that this embargo meant that they could no longer legally have the cigars.

This doesn’t stop these people from finding ways to get the cigars anyway. As a matter of fact, there were whole black market businesses constructed simply to give cigar lovers their precious cigars from Cuba. Nowadays things have loosened up a little.

As a matter of fact, it is not actually illegal to have Cuban cigars. It’s important to note that if you privately have some cigars, you will probably not be fined. It’s only the large businesses that sell the cigars en masse who are fined. For the most part, however, you are risking very little if you happen to get your hands on a cigar from Cuba.

If you’re interested in reading more about the aficionado lifestyle associated with Cuban cigars and learn everything you ever wanted to know about cigars, then I highly recommend you visit the website below. It’s been a great source of information, advice and irresistible cigar specials to me for the past 10 years.

You can view this website now by clicking this link: http://www.cigarexport.com/

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) March 16, 2006

Al Remp, a 46-year veteran of the cigar industry and currently a product specialist and trainer at Thompson Cigar Co. of Tampa, has begun writing a series of historical pieces and advice columns for Cigar Blog 101.

Remp started his career as a cigar salesman in 1960 and has since worked with some of the world’s most renowned cigar makers. His educational focus for cigar lovers highlights the basic tenets of cigar smoking: Appearance; Taste; Aroma and Construction. Remp’s posts will blend history of the cigar industry with useful tips for everyday enjoyment.

“Your introduction to cigars – regardless of the fact that you are either a long-time cigar connoisseur or are still seeking that perfect pleasure, rests with when you enjoy them,” Remp said recently on Cigar Blog 101.

This new site for cigar aficionados and beginners will also include lifestyle tips and timely cigar news. Cigar Blog 101 has a variety of RSS subscriber buttons for users and a growing number of links to well-established cigar sites that promote the industry.

Cigar Blog 101 is sponsored by Thompson Cigar Company, the oldest mail order cigar company and leading online retailer of cigars in the United States. Thompson Cigar Company, founded in 1915, offers exclusive and national brands of cigars, as well as humidors and cigar accessories.

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For many cigar smokers, the small paper band encircling their stogy is just a piece of trash, to be discarded along with the shrinkwrap around the box. But for others that cigar band is a bit of history – a collectible that adds immeasurably to the romance and mystique of smoking.

What is the cigar band, and how did it become so important? As is so often true when it comes to cigars, the story begins in Cuba – early-19th-century Cuba, to be exact, when that island nation had already come to be recognize as the cigar capital of the world. At that time cigar packaging was minimal – often no more than a wooden barrel or box, with the manufacturer’s name inscribed. The cigars themselves were generally left blank. This situation, not surprisingly, created a cheat’s paradise, in which cheap European cigars were bundled in boxes with “Cuban” markings on them and sold, domestically, to unsuspecting customers who thought they were getting fine imported Cubans.

Gustave Bock, a Dutch immigrant who owned a cigar factory in Cuba in the 1830s, is credited with being the first to place a paper band around his cigars. (Bock’s “cigar band” was just a paper ring with his signature on it.)

Many other makers adopted this practice, to the point where, by 1855, most Cuban cigar exporters were using them. These bands cut down on instances of counterfeiting while giving cigar manufacturers a way to increase name recognition and loyalty.

The practice spread from Cuba to cigar makers everywhere, and its popularity was encouraged by breakthroughs in printing technology, which developed alongside changes in the economy of Europe and the Americas that favored cigar smoking. Specifically, cheap color printing (through chromolithographic processes developed in Germany) was made widely available during the latter part of the century, and paper-embossing followed in the 1880s.

Between the expansion of the cigar industry and the new possibilities developed by the printing industry, a “Golden Age” of cigar advertising was almost guaranteed, and that’s what followed. Cigar makers began working not only to manufacture their cigars, but to differentiate their products from others. The late 19th and early 20th centuries featured elaborate, distinctive cigar box and cigar band artwork, often produced by highly-regarded commercial artists. These well-wrought bands featured images of famous figures of the day, historical figures, nationalistic imagery, nature scenes and animals. As with today’s postage stamps, special bands would be made to commemorate special events.

And, also like stamps, the bands had that combination of ephemerality and workmanship that so often draws collectors. While they were often well-made, they weren’t intended to last – so they gave collectors a challenge, as baseball cards, comic books and cheap children’s toys would later in the 20th century. And they always gave off a whiff of nostalgia, reminding dedicated smokers of good times shared with a cigar and a friend.

Children also found these bands attractive, since they were often left discarded on streets during the height of cigar-smoking’s popularity. Manufacturers even made “albums” with blank pages in which a person’s cigar band collection could be displayed – the forerunner of those plastic display sheets that every sports-card collector knows so well.

Adding to the boom in band collecting, some cigar makers gave premiums to customers who turned in a certain number of bands – everything from a set of children’s silverware (50 bands) to a Scientific American subscription (600 bands) to a baby grand piano (180,000), according to the American Cigar Co. catalog of 1904. (Those of you who used to collect Marlboro Miles during the 1990s should be feeling deja vu right about now.)

After World War I, cigars fell in popularity relative to cigarettes. Cigar makers stopped putting as much energy into the production of attractive cigar bands, as it became more necessary to cut costs. Cigar bands – at least in the US – grew generic, boring. The cost cut wasn’t enough – many thousands of cigar companies closed up shop for good in the US during the ’20s and ’30s.

Band collecting continues in the US among a hardy group mostly consisting of old-timers and nostalgia buffs, but in Europe it remains a thriving hobby, and cigar makers there continue to print colorful but cheap bands, some of which come as part of a series (again like stamps), others of which are created specifically for collectors.

Since the 19th century, Key West has been one of the historical centers of cigar tradition. At one time boasting more cigar factories per capita than anyplace else in the world, Key West had always played a major role in the cigar industry. Just after the American Civil War, this city became a Mecca for Cuban citizens fleeing their countries long running revolution against Spain. By the late 1870′s there were over 100 factories making cigars.

Cuban influence in Key West first began on a massive scale in 1868 when the first war against Spanish authority created a mass exodus. When Cubans faced forced conscription into the Spanish army to fight against their countrymen, thousands of skilled cigar artisans and their families fled their homeland.

On a single September day in 1869, over 2,000 Cubans lined the docks of Havana to flee their mother country. While some left for New York City or New Orleans, a majority boarded steamers for the 12-hour trip to a destination ninety miles to the north, a city Cubans called Cayo Hueso, today’s Key West.

The civil war against Spain failed by 1878, however it created a social upheaval in Key West as Cuban immigrants continued arriving intermittently for decades, virtually revolutionizing Key West’s social fabric and economy.

Prior to 1868, Key West had less than 500 residents, noted primarily for acquiring wealth from shipwrecks, but a new form of wealth was about to arrive when Cuban immigrants, with talented cigar making skills, arrived by the thousands in the matter of a year or two.

At the peak of the industry, Key West embodied the largest cigar-producing city in the nation. It featured 57 major makers of cigars–many of whom relocated from Havana–and each made use of between five and 500 workers. In 1883 alone, 42 million hand-rolled cigars were created.

To house their cigar laborers, factory owners frequently constructed little cottages–bungalow-style structures principally of frame construction–and rented them out for low sums. To assure an ample supply of laborers, these homes were adjacent to manufacturing plants. These structures still comprise the biggest category of frame vernacular (simple structures, made of wood with few or no ornamental details) in Key West proper.

They were built from termite-proof Dade County pine with high ceilings for ventilation. They were elevated off the ground, allowing air to flow under the houses where roosters and hens lived and were part of the family, raised for eggs or meat or were trained for cock fights.

Although little by today’s criteria, these cottages were far better than living circumstances in Havana they were surely far superior to condemnable tenement houses in Northern cities. Many times a cigar artisan would change jobs to another factory simply to have a newer house to live in. These homes were offered for inexpensive rent or with the option to purchase at a reasonable price to maintain a stable work force.

With good homes, good wages and the freedom to affirm the revolution, the cigar artisans existed well. Their clever unions assured substantial strength, and while many union laborers in the North were cowered in deplorable tenement housing, Key West cigarworkers were reveling in Shangri-la. Even their many strikes, which finally helped bring about the decline of the cigar industry, reflected the luxury of their position. In the strike of 1918, work stopped, as was normal, until the union requirements were met. The petitions: no sweeping before 6 a.m., ice in the drinking water, and coal, not wood, fuel for winter heating.

The little cigar bungalows have endured the test of time. Many of these Key West structures are diminutive, only 300 or 400 square feet. They frequently have porches, minuscule yards with picket fences and little or no grass to mow. The bungalows were made from Dade County pine by ship’s carpenters, who constructed with a tongue-and-groove technique which lasts.

Property values are high, crime is low and the climate is about perfect. The bungalows are adequate for one or two friendly persons to live in–when you can be outside 350 days of the year. Key West has become such a desirable paradise for artists, the affluent and retirees that these pastoral cottages now cost at least $125,000–if you can get hold of one.

For many years, smoking product experts have agreed that the best tobacco has been and is still grown in Cuba. This small country has been home to tobacco plantations since the early 18th century, when farmers first began planting the valuable crop on the east end of the island.

Since that time, the tobacco farms have spread progressively, until they now can be found in all regions of the country. The best tobacco is said to be grow in the higher and most recognized region, which is located in the Pinar del Río province. If you want to become a true lover of cigars, you should learn the basics of Cuban cigar history.

One of the most important things you can know about Cuban cigar history is not a native plant of Cuba. As far as scientists and anthropologists can tell, the tobacco plant originated in South America.

Although they are not exactly sure when it first arrived in Antilles many believe it to be between 3000 or 2000 years B.C. This makes tobacco one of the oldest crops actively cultivated by human beings. People have been smoking tobacco for its taste and relaxing effect for centuries.

Something else you should know about Cuban cigar history is that the natives of the island originally named it “Cohiba” tobacco. Early Cubans considered tobacco to have much more value than just a recreational substance.

They believed that tobacco had special spiritual and medicinal qualities and made it a regular part of their religious and political ceremonies, much like the Native Americans did. As it grew in popularity around the world, and European nations all wanted to insure that they would get the biggest share.

In 1717, King Felipe V arranged the “Tobacco Monopoly”, and destroyed the business of many independence tobacco farmers. This trade restriction lasted until June 23rd, 1817, when free trade was again restored.

Eventually, the world came to respect Cuban tobacco for its superiority to the crops that were grown in North America and elsewhere. As a result, Cuban cigar history has become the stuff of legend, and the cigars themselves have become coveted additions to people’s personal collections.

While some restriction on the trade of tobacco products still exists between the United States and Cuba, most people in other countries have no problem finding retailers that are selling the genuine article. England, Canada, and Spain are known for high quality cigar stores.

Davidoff is a byword for high quality and design through the planet. It involves men’s perfumes, ties, glasses, congac, humidors, and briefcases, but it is centered upon cigars and smokes. To build up a multi-million dollar company in the 20th century on a smoking product is a truthfully astounding success. Motivated by Zino Davidoff this organizations products have come to be a must have for well-off men around the society.
The life tale of Zino Davidoff reads like a heritage of the 20th Century. Zino was given birth to in Kiev in 1906, his family fled the pogroms to settle in Geneva and started out a tobacco shop where Lenin was a buyer. Zino traveled to the tobacco countries of Central and South America at a young age, eventually ending up in Cuba, for which he grew a life long passion. By 1947 he had made his Chateau Selection primarily based on Cuban Hoyo de Montgomery units. In 1969 Zino Davidoff was granted the accolade from the Cuban business of Havana brand.
In 1970, Ernst Schneider, a Swiss importer, turned out to be fascinated in Davidoff’s company. Looking at the prospective the brand had Schneider, with the help of Cubatabaco’s help, developed the company into a international success. There were three series of Davidoff Havanas, all with a distinguishing taste all to their own, the fullest being the Chateau, the lightest being the Dom Perignon No. 1, No. 2, and the Ambassadrice. They also provided a medium tasting cigar, the Thousand Series.
It is actually a shame that most of these cigars are no longer accessible. Mainly because of a dispute between Cubatobaco and Oettinger the manufacturing of Davidoffs in Havana ceased in March of 1990 and the manufacturer transferred it’s business to the Dominican Republic.
Instead than try to repeat the flavorsof their original cigars they rather set out to lift the bar when it came to what people expect of a Dominican Cigar. And not long time after that they made the same with the actual nowadays Davidoff cigarettes.

I just read an article by consumer reports correspondent Janice Liberman. She was doing a story on mattresses for consumers, specifically, how much you need to spend and the difference between high end and low end mattresses. Here is one of the things she said:

The difference in an dollar 800 dollar mattress and a dollar 2,000 one may not be that great, but salespeople will inundate you with facts about foam, coil count, and the quality of the mattress ticking. Who looks at your ticking anyway.

This is one of the grossest misrepresentations of the mattress industry I have ever seen.

Sure, a dollar 2000 mattress and an dollar 800 mattress do the same thing. They are a place to lay your head at night

Its the same with a Hyundai and a Corvette both get you from point A to point B, but one has much more benefits obviously.

I would ask her what type of car she drives. I wonder if she drives an economy car or a luxury car. She probably has something nicer than an economy car because if you can afford luxury you should treat yourself to it. Consumers should buy the nicest mattress they can afford and not short change themselves because sleep is important as well as back support.

Janice you are not doing consumers a service, you are doing a disservice by making an already difficult purchase more confusing.

So, I am going to do consumers a service by explaining the point you refused to inform the customers on.

Who looks at your ticking anyway.

Who looks at your under garments, seriously, why do people buy 100 pertest underwear or silk underwear, I do not know anything about womens lingerie  but I know those items can get excessive too. What is the difference between buying a 100 pertest cotton shirt and polyester shirt. Or a super 180s wool suit and a polyester suit. Simple the polyester gets you HOT.

Mattresses that are made of mostly synthetic materials polyester rayon will make you sleep warmer too they do not breath as well as the higher quality ticking cotton and cashmeres. I read in a survey in sleep savvy magazine that this is one of the main concerns consumers have about their mattress is that it will keep them at a comfortable temperature.

Well I do not know anyone today who would buy a car without air conditioners and yeah it costs more and itll still get you from point A to point B but you will be more comfortable.

Salespeople will inundate you with facts about foam

Ok, yes mattress salesmen can be a bit boring when they go into foam specs Ill give you that its not the most exciting conversation. Especially since you cant really see on the inside what youre buying. But when you stop and think about it aside from the ticking and the thin fiber underneath the ticking the foam is the most important part of the mattress the foam not only creates the fell, but it is the closest part of the mattress to your body for the next 10,15 years. You might want to get quality foam. No its not cheap. Yes it costs more not only because believe it or not millions scientists invest millions of dollars and years of research to design the right foam that feels good and lasts a long time

Which brings me to the next point Ms. Liberman did not address

I am going to introduce such an important term to you that you should write it down and bring it into the mattress store with you. The term comfort life.

Whats that Most mattresses that are dollar 800 feel great in the store, and yes dollar 800 will get you a decent mattress.

But like most high use durable goods each year it will feel a bit less new obviously.

Comfort life is the mattresses ability to maintain that new feel luxury mattresses do this better than the mid grade mattresses. Luxury mattresses have a stronger innerspring and more resilient foams  that feel nice, like they do in the store for a much longer time.

Another reason why this article is just ridiculous is that it does not even address back support.

Scientists have finally acknowledged that sleeping on a bad mattress is bad for your back. Most Americans suffer from back pain a good mattress will aid in relieving that pain

What helps with back support in a mattress  Strong inner spring this can either mean a higher coil count or a lower coil count with thicker coils. In addition the premium and luxury mattresses have specific technologies for specific problems like some of the memory foam mattresses that fill in and support the hard to reach lower lumbar area.

Thinking about this one topic causes you to see the weakness is Ms. Libermans argument.

In conclusion Janice nice try but no cigar you kinda missed the boat on this one.

If consumers followed your advice we would all be getting cheap comfortable mattress that did not address the consumer needs. Youre biggest flaw is that you assume that all consumers shop just like you. Every consumer is unique and has unique needs. Some consumers needs mattresses that have a high motion separation index, some require mattresses with more support, some need edge support some are athletes, some are single, some are couples, some have allergies. And a good mattress expert will elicit and help appeal to these needs.

The point is our industry has something for every consumer whether dollar 500 dollars or dollar 5000 Some consumers have special needs and require special mattresses these sometimes cost a bit more and if you have ever had the experience of a great night sleep a really great nights sleep you know I am telling the truth.

I realize mattresses are not the most fun and glamorous purchase and are very complex and VERY subjective to your personal situation and even sometimes confusing so whether they are your mom, your best friend, or a NBC news reporter. It is rare to find an individual who is not actively part of this industry who really KNOWS what they are talking about. Make a decision based on your needs and your decision not what someone from television tells you to do.