Michael Jackson Dead

[Pam]

Not sure about Elvis - but there were no cable channels back then.

But remember when Princess Diana died. Another case of the world coming to a stop. Didn't understand it then; still don't understand.

Me either. I remember when Kennedy died and felt that the days of coverage were very much needed because we were a country who was suffering so under that tremendous loss. This is something else though.

[RICHARD]

I have had the TV on in the background.


THe congresswonan and Al Sharptongue are exactly what the service needed.
Morons.


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Pam,

Weird vibe in the air out here.....not too many people/cars in the streets and the neighborhood is very quiet! Spooky.

[Hellow]

I just finished watching his funeral. The only really sad part of it, for me, was at the end, when his little girl came on the stage.

I really, really hope those kids go to his mom and not his dad.

[pomtzu]

I saw bits and pieces of it, and from what I saw, it was rather solemn, somber, and depressing. From all the hype that had been circulating, I heard it was supposed to be a happy and joyful celebration of his life. Guess my interpretation of happy and joyful is different from those who put this event together.
Hopefully now, the media coverage will die down and we can watch t.v. without constant coverage. Enough is enough and life goes on.

[Pam]

As I watched a little of the coverage after it was over I wondered about the cost. They said that 1/3 of the police force of LA was covering this event. I was scratching my head about who was going to pay for this. Just heard that the fans are being asked to help foot the bill (along with the city/state I presume.) Didn't the fans already pay enough by buying his music? Aren't the fans also taxpayers? Why can't his estate pay for it? I know I sound grumpy, but I just can't help but think it is wrong for a family to put on something of this magnitude and not foot the bill themselves.

[pomtzu]

As I watched a little of the coverage after it was over I wondered about the cost. They said that 1/3 of the police force of LA was covering this event. I was scratching my head about who was going to pay for this. Just heard that the fans are being asked to help foot the bill (along with the city/state I presume.) Didn't the fans already pay enough by buying his music? Aren't the fans also taxpayers? Why can't his estate pay for it? I know I sound grumpy, but I just can't help but think it is wrong for a family to put on something of this magnitude and not foot the bill themselves.

Good point Pam. With all the talk about the millions he will bring in for many years to come, in revenue after his death, you'd think the family would at least pay back the cost of the whole extravaganza. Why should the fans, and especially the taxpayers, be expected to foot the bill??

[KYS]

The memorial service in my opinion was tastefully done and putting all "controversy aside" about Michael Jackson, he was extremely talented and made a mark on the music industry.
I did watch part of the memorial yesturday and listening to Brook shields, Jermaine Jackson and than his daughter Paris, my heart went out to them.
I could not stomach Rev. Sharpton though.
Michael's name will continue to live on and also make $.

Now for the heated debate who should have to pay.
I think AIG and the Jackson estate should foot the bill for the city expense for the memorial service . AIG CEO? was on the news bashing Councilman Zine, for in my opinion being brave enough to stand up and say the tax payers should not have to foot the bill.
Why was the permit issued in the 1st place to the Staple Center with-out
them agreeing to pay for the expense for security etc?
JMHO as a tax payer
who got a pay cut because of the State being broke. (not to mention IOU's and workers being laid off.)

[RICHARD]

As I watched a little of the coverage after it was over I wondered about the cost. They said that 1/3 of the police force of LA was covering this event. I was scratching my head about who was going to pay for this. Just heard that the fans are being asked to help foot the bill (along with the city/state I presume.) Didn't the fans already pay enough by buying his music? Aren't the fans also taxpayers? Why can't his estate pay for it? I know I sound grumpy, but I just can't help but think it is wrong for a family to put on something of this magnitude and not foot the bill themselves.

THere are about 9k cops on the El Lay force. The report was that there were 1k at the Staple's center and probably more on 'call'.

THere has been a 24/7 presence at the Encino house here in the Valley. The mayor has kept a low profile and the chief of police has shown up on numerous TV stations to tell everyone that they are ready for 'anything'.

Bratton, the chief is an idiot of unequaled measure.

His plan for the Laker's basketball championship was to protect the arena, he then allowed fans to take over the streets around the Staple's Center and when he gave the order to send everyone home, the cops chased the idiots into the surrounding areas, where they busted up the place.

Bratton then goes on TV after and calls them knuckleheads.

The effing knucklehead was the person who let them dance and carry on in the streets.


I see a 4.5 million dollar pricetag- And later on in the year the chief will start complaining about the costs of the funeral-that will be why we can't have more cops on the street!

[Edwina's Secretary]

Didn't the fans already pay enough by buying his music? Aren't the fans also taxpayers? Why can't his estate pay for it? I know I sound grumpy, but I just can't help but think it is wrong for a family to put on something of this magnitude and not foot the bill themselves.

The record/music companies - who are among those making big money off Jackson's music right now, as well as his family - have been asked to contribute to the cost of the security for the Big Event.

Interesting side note - I commute to LA County on Mondays and Wednesday and listen to the all news radio during the painful drive - merchants and business owners in the area of the Big Event were mixed. Some were happy about it as the crowds would need to buy food and water, etc. during and others unhappy because their clients would not be able to park.

One man's ceiling is always another man's floor.

p.s. AEG - the company that owns the Staple Center and is making money off the Big Event has also been asked to contibute. I'll find out more during my looonnngg drive tomorrow.

[carole]

I only watched a small amount of it, but i found it rather sad especially when his daughter Paris spoke of how wonderful her daddy was,let us all remember it is the children who are suffering the most, imagine grieving for your dad, the only dad you know and love and all this hype going on,not to mention all the horrible things that have been said about him, it must be extremely painful for them, it really did make me cry to hear and see her.

One thing i found very distasteful though was Joe Jackson,and the two boys of michael's chewing gum, i mean to say gosh surely that is not the time or place to casually chew gum.

Some people i talk to are horrified that MJ is being glorified so much considering the controversy surrounding him and his drug taking, i guess they have a point, but in my mind he was cleared of all charges,but i guess people are just annoyed that so much has been made of his death.

I know seeing constant coverage is annoying to a lot of people ,but i have really found it interesting to watch, and yes it will eventually end, but to me i like it better that way, then when they are just simply forgotten so quickly as is often the case, he was a huge part of many people's live's,not just his family.