Michael Jackson Dead

[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??

[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.

[RICHARD]

I was surprised at how many local and national media people got tickets.

[CountryWolf07]

I was surprised at how many local and national media people got tickets.

So am I.

[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.)

[Grace]

I did see Brooke Shield's eulogy on CNN last evening. Thought she was wonderful, and showed a side of MJ that most never see.

[RICHARD]

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.

Zine is a FW of the supremest kind.

Zine is a former cop, turned politician and his 'view' of the world is pretty skewed.

I agree that the city/taxpayers should not have to foot the bill, but this news-seeker has a rep of not being the most sensitive person on the council.
In the past he has made some of the dumbest statements on record and he bends in whatever direction the wind blows up his backside -read that as the one phone call/complaint someone makes to his office -he then puts that at the top of his list and forgets the rest.

He's the pit bull that goes chasing after birds and leaves the hen house unguarded.

I think that his showboating should have been done before the actual funeral.

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This is off topic but.....


THe city was trying to cut costs and found out that many people were using/ordering bottled water for their offices. a few years ago the costs were
around 89,000 bucks for two years.

Zine, at one time was complaining about the cost of bottled water -$4 for 12 ounces- at a gathering at the convention center.

When the costs were figured out and the Police dept was using almost 20k
worth of water, he was no where to be seen-

When asked about the costs, the chief said the water was ordered for the cops who were called out for standoffs, hostage situations and ????

Why not send a gomer with petty cash to pick up some water at a store?

So, he's complaining about what a funeral costs the city?

Please, this AH is another politician, he only knows what is right when the camera is on.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Today's news report. Yes, the city is trying to get AEG to pitch in.

More interesting - at least to me - is one economist is saying that city might have made money on the Big Event.

City income from hotel and restaurant revenues (taxed of course) may exceed the cost of the extra police.


Every little bit helps...

[Medusa]

I watched the memorial service off and on. I became irritated w/the Jackson clan and their dark sunglasses. Always a show, even the mother. MJ was a superstar w/a talent to match, no doubt about it. If his family hadn't had a public service for him, I can only imagine how the public would've reacted.

IMO he was a tortured soul and whether or not he was a pedophile, only he and the children who accused him know for sure. He was acquitted of all charges but his admission to sleeping w/boys clearly crossed the line. And if the reports of his father's abuse towards him and his siblings are true, then it's no wonder that he became weird as he grew older. Also, according to the movie that I watched about the Jacksons, his mother really didn't do anything to protect them. I would've taken a shovel to his head if he had abused my son, not just hugged the other kids and cried while he was in the other room beating the snot out of one of them.

I prefer to remember MJ in his early days. I do wish him peace.

[carole]

you know Mary i watched the part with little paris over and over again, as it was played so much,i thought Janet and Latoya just did not seem that genuine in their grief, there were no tears running down her cheeks, it just seemed a bit showy for my liking, but that is just my opinion, it was obvious Paris was in much emotional pain,poor wee girl, but as for the others except one brother i really did not see it,seemed a bit staged to me.

[Medusa]

you know Mary i watched the part with little paris over and over again, as it was played so much,i thought Janet and Latoya just did not seem that genuine in their grief, there were no tears running down her cheeks, it just seemed a bit showy for my liking, but that is just my opinion, it was obvious Paris was in much emotional pain,poor wee girl, but as for the others except one brother i really did not see it,seemed a bit staged to me.

Yes, my heart ached for little Paris. I haven't heard whether or not she actually wanted to speak at her dad's memorial service but it all seemed contrived to me. That little girl is w/out her daddy now as are her brothers and sisters. The Jackson family just did not appear to be grieving to me, which is why I feel that they wore the sunglasses because it would hide their eyes which would reveal their true feelings. Joe Jackson wearing his hat also annoyed me. No respect for his son even in death. And LaToya shamelessly told the world that her brother was a pedophile years ago on Geraldo's TV show; she had nothing good to say about her brother. She didn't make a spectacle of herself yesterday, though.

[RICHARD]

The family thing?

Me thinks that they are closing ranks for the public image.

There is quite a bit of money to be had - there are some 'hadders' out there.

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This is going to be a fight the like we have not seen in a while.

Weep for the kids.