Michael Jackson Resolution Faces GOP Opposition

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has joined the opposition in rejecting a resolution honoring Michael Jackson.

"It's not necessary," said Pelosi, who thinks bringing the measure to a vote would "open up contentious views" that the House doesn't need to deal with "at this time."

In sotto voce, she acknowledged Jackson as a "great entertainer" -- but scoffed when a reporter asked about the resolution.

"We're into the popular culture questions," she said.

* * * *

WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee may have trouble keeping the promise she made at Michael Jackson's public memorial for a House resolution that "forever" honors the late pop star.

Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat, took the stage Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and hoisted a framed copy of the resolution, embossed with a gold seal. The measure will be debated on the House floor, she said.

For that framed, embossed resolution to be completely legit, it must first get past some opposition.

Rep. Peter King, a New York Republican who called Jackson a "pervert, child molester, pedophile" in a video he posted on YouTube this week, vowed Tuesday to do "whatever I have to do" to oppose honoring Jackson.

Without mentioning King by name, Jackson Lee noted at the memorial that Michael Jackson was acquitted of child molestation charges. She blasted critics who "don't understand the hearts of entertainers" and "don't know how they heal the world on behalf of America."

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"We understand the Constitution. We understand laws and we know people are innocent until proven otherwise. That is what the Constitution stands for," Jackson Lee said, clutching the framed resolution in front of her shiny white suit.

Her legislation, House Resolution 600, lists several charitable acts by Michael Jackson over his long career and proclaims him as an American legend, musical icon and world humanitarian. He is, Jackson Lee said, "someone who will be honored forever and forever and forever and forever and forever."

In the House, non-controversial resolutions honoring a person who has died or carried out a noteworthy accomplishment normally move quickly from committee to the House floor and then pass on a voice vote. The Michael Jackson resolution, introduced June 26, is awaiting action in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, of which Jackson Lee is a member and King is not.

An opponent could ask for a recorded vote, which then requires a two-thirds majority for passage. So far, Jackson Lee's resolution has just one co-sponsor, Rep. Diane Watson, D-Calif.

Jackson Lee hosted a 2004 meeting in her Capitol Hill office that brought Michael Jackson together with ambassadors to the U.S. from African countries. At the time, Jackson was considering a tour to raise money to fight AIDS. However, he was also facing child molestation charges and was unable to leave the country without court permission.

Even so, Jackson was greeted by screams, applause and flashing cameras.

Jackson also visited Iraq veterans at Walter Reed Hospital while in Washington.

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Comments

[Cherubim]

Michael Jackson is the "Greatest Entertainer of All Times".
His fans all over the world know this.
That's why we don't care whether corporate law makers pay tribute to Michael Jackson or not.
Michael Jackson's best tributes always come from his fans.
Here's one of my favorite tributes from Stockholm, Sweden
Click on and Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVJVRywgmYM

[octopi]

This article is a laugh now that the Democrats killed the resolution. Then again, there isn't much difference between the parties these days.

[Ernie6274]

Nancy Pelosi is not speaking for most Americans and people around the World! Michael Jackson SHOULD have a Resolution in his name...it would promote love, charity and humanitarianism! Plus, he has given more to charitable organizations than any other entertainer! I am writing to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson to continue to present this Resolution! Paul Newman was given one...he gave millions to charities BUT MiCHAEL JACKSON HAS BEEN RECORDED TO HAVE GIVEN MORE THAN ANY OTHER ENTERTAINER! I have already written on Congress.org a letter to Pres. Obama entitled..."From Emmett Till to Michael Jackson, children who changed America! On Dream Day, August 28, wear Black and White to promote Love and Peace." We are actively pushing this in Chicago!

I definitely consider myself an AFRICAN-Am­erican...e­specially after the Apology for Salvery but a Disclaimer in re Reparations! The next week...abolishing Affirmative Action! Definitely SPREAD the Word about Dream Day! Let's wear the colors Black and White and STOP the racial hatred here in America. IT IS 2009! Love N Peace, Ernestine Standberry a/k/a "Ms.E", Dir. of the International Prolife Federation Affiliate of CFABC and Member of the Englewood Mennonite Church of Mennonite Church USA

[t iessa]

I don't really see the need or the point in such a resolution. That being said, they passed one for Paul Newman in February so why would they not pass one for a creative genius like Michael Jackson? Since they've done it for others less talented and less influential in their fields, they should do it for Michael.

[bison4me]

He'll get them in other countries. But I don't see the harm in doing one in the country he was from.

[Bluejay00234]

You know I don't think it's so much about his talent, or that he was a pop icon, but that man raised millions for charities long before live aid. He's donated some over 300 million to children, orphanage's, and other charities, so to just say he did nothing in this world is without merit.

[athenasword]

I'm not that big a fan, but really.... what would it have hurt?

[me again]

You don't want Pete King and cronies taking up the Houses' time arguing against it in public and they would.

[Epiphany2b]

They had time yesterday to pass H.Con.Res. 142 Supporting National Men's Health Week, which
passed 417-3, 12 not voting, with Bipartisan support. If they have time to do that, they ought to have a few minutes to vote on MJ resolution. (http://www.govtrack.us/users/events.xpd?monitors=misc:activebills)

The thing they don't want to take the time for is a protracted debate on the merits, one side screaming "Pervert" (because they don't investigate or believe the vindication, and need desperately to make a political/moral statement to their base) and the other side screaming "humanitar­ian/icon".

[Lucille]

Black people, write to the Black Caucasus, address bellow, and give them encouragement to fight for the Resolution honoring Michael Jackson. There would be no Democratic party without Black voters, and we ask for very little for our loyalty, but we demand this. We don't care that White America doesn't understand, we desire it and that is all that matters, it’s a matter of our honor. Pelosi better recognize because Obama or no, we can and will sit out the mid-term elections. What difference does it make when we can't even get someone who meant so much to us honored, especially when Michael was found Not Guilty of all accusations in a court of law?

'congressi­onalblackc­aucus@mail­.house.gov­'

[Bluejay00234]

It begins with wiser election choices. Not just believing that because someone had a (D) next to their name automatically means that they are a champion of African American causes.

[Chernynkaya]

The comments on this story are a real revelation to me. I have scanned all 1390 so far, and I am surprised at how Africa Americans are so outraged about this issue. I never would have thought the vast majority would see any disagreement, no matter how mild, about the proposed Michael Jackson resolution as racist. I was accused of being in the K lan because I live in LA and thought the promoter at the memorial- not the family- the people charging for the tickets- should help the debt-ridden city with the costs of the event.

So, I guess I am admitting that this is just not my issue, in that I am not impassioned by it either way. I am just bewildered and kind of sad by the African American reaction.

[KaPi]

Wow, interesting seeing that ethnicity is not posted with the comments and most comments here support Pelosi. So tell me, where exactly do you get such supposed information? Cuz it isn't here.

[Chernynkaya]

Have you read them? Really? Look at he avatars too, although, as your avatar and mine prove, one can't tell.

Do you agree that people who feel that there should NOT be a resolution honoring Michael are fairly accused of being "haters?' So you feel that most of the people impassioned about this issue are white?

[Bluejay00234]

So all the avatars from those who posted r.acist comments are AA images of themselves?

[tlgeiger62]

I'm sorry but how did you determine a person's ethnicity when you read all 1,390 comments?

[Bluejay00234]

Surely you jest? You cannot honestly believe that it is only African Americans who are upset about this? I understand many of their outrages especially when you look at the other receivers of the resolution's over the years. Their were people with extremely shady past for whom the congress approved them for, so it's difficult to just dismissed Pelosi's claim that oh we have more important things to do right now. I have to ask what about the resolutions approved to oh the actors, and comedian's during the very same economic crisis that we are facing now?

[Chernynkaya]

"I understand many of their outrages especially when you look at the other receivers of the resolution's over the years."

Whose outrages? How can you tell who is outraged?

[Disuberence]

You get called rac.ist for misspelling things around here. I think, a lot of the time, the people that cry rac.ism with every other post are just kidding around.

[JohnOfAllTrades]

I agree. I am a big MJ fan. I know what he meant to me. I do not need a declaration from congress to remind me of his greatness. Leave it alone. It will just give Peter King more facetime from the media. The Jackson family should be the one to ask Cong. Lee to withdraw her resolution so she can save face.

[jglass54]

No special resolutions for ANY celebrity in Congress. Period.

[Bluejay00234]

But what will you do with the other celebs who have received them?

[TheBaffler]

It shouldn't been done before. Arguing that because a mistake has been made before we should keep perpetuating it is a poor rationale.

[me again]

The resolution was a waste of Congresses' time at present. They have far more important things to do than this.

[Abby1]

I am a Michael Jackson fan.....however, I agree with Nancy Pelosi, it is not necessary to have a resolution honoring him. He has fans across the world and he will continue to be a legend. Our government does not need to waste time on this resolution. Our government has more important things to do concerning our economy, foreign policy, etc.

[WinterParkMom]

I agree with Pelosi, I have no idea why folks are making this big a deal about Jackson. Our ineffective congress has alot more important work to do for the people, like health care, climate change than to debate about michael freakin jackson.

All the people cryin and carryin on when he passed was so absolutely ridiculous. Look I grew up with his music as well, my name's diane and while a teen, I worked at JFK int'l when Dirty Diana was released, nuff said. While I appreciate his music and anything he has done in a humanitarian context, he's no Nelson Mandela and does not warrant our congress debating about him.

[Cyclone]

Sorry honey, Michael Jackson is a very big deal! Who the hell are you? Having said that , I don't think congressional recognition is necessary but I also don't think crappy remarks about him are necessary either.

[keerod76]

Yeah, I'm a fan of Wacko Jacko's music but I agree with Pelosi and her Botox.

This is simply not necessary.

Now, Universal Health care on the hand . . .

http://balmer.typepad.com/keithsmooth/
A Funny Writer, A Funny Blog

[petridish]

I do not know if I should be happy or mad.......

Happy because our representatives wasting time instead of squandering our tax dollars or mad because they are wasting precious resources over a singer.