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.

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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

[SamKnause]

He was loved the world over. He doesn't need our corrupt government to honor him. He gave to more charities then any other entertainer, he bridged the gap between black and white, he always spoke of peace and love, he always tried to make and wanted the world to be a better place. he brought joy to millions with his songs and dances, and he was not found guilty of one single thing he was accused of. Who wants to be honored by our corrupt, two faced government. He was a world treasure that came from the United States and the United States government thinks very little of him. His memory will be kept alive and treasured, and we don't need our government to do this, the fans will do it. Keep the hate going, it makes you all seem so petty.

[symmetricol]

What hate are you talking about? To disagree with another's point of view does not equal hate. Your fanaticism makes you what....en­lightened?

Take deep breaths and soon you'll see everything will be ok.

[SamKnause]

You know very well what hate I am referring to by reading all of these posts. Don't act so innocent. Take your own advise and take some deep breaths.

[Darthwave]

I agree. Jackson will always be loved way more than any of them sumbags in congress.

[Bluejay00234]

Don't you find it interesting that Paul Newman received one? Heck i thought the economy was still failing then, no?

[Aesthete]

I loved and admired the talents of Michael Jackson and mourn his loss, but Pelosi is right. A resolution by Congress is not necessary. As I recall, there was no such action for Elvis and I objected to actress Maureen O'Hara's campaign for such a resolution for John Wayne. There are certainly a number of appropriate means of honoring the stars we love, but that is not the job of the U.S. Congress. I don't presume to speak for everyone, of course, but that's not why I helped send my congressman to Wasahington.

[Bluejay00234]

Why did they give Paul Newman one? I've always thought of him as oh just another old time actor.

[bascombe]

OK, I'll say it: PN was a WM.

[BMS]

Maybe because he gave millions and millions of dollars to charity - all the proceeds from Newman's Own - every cent it ever made.

[water57]

This was the first time in a very long time Pelosi is right. The big bonus for her was she express herself clearly and appropriately.

[NonLeftist]

Let's have a resolution honoring the brave soldiers who gave their lives in Afghanistan the same day Jackson died. Jackson was a pathetic figure who should be pitied. Why don't we honor Ed McMahon for his brave service to our country in WW2. Finally, we should honor Farrah Faucett. She shared with all of us, her painful battle with a horrible cancer. Let's honor my Father-in-Law who was a university professor of music. The lives he touched in his cancer shortened life will leave more of an impact than that of a sad entertainer.

[bascombe]

let's start with Tillman.

[atrivera15]

Why do right wingers always want to honor soldiers that joined because they had no where else to go? I know I was one of them. The whole middle east thing has destroyed the country and anybody with a brain can see that. Michael Jackson was a great entertainer no doubt, but a genius in need of congressional immortality. What is genius to one is just an entertainer to another. If someone could get us out of the mess Bush and the republicans created I would call that genius. As great as Michael was, I don't care what anybody says he had damn near lost his mind if you ask me.

[MovingtoNorway]

Time to move on to some serious issues facing the country

[denicci1977]

Of course not since MJ's money will be of no use to them.

[Bluejay00234]

Zing!

[thaggas]

The Iowa State Fair last week announced that they are going to have a Michael Jackson butter statue in his honor at the fair. (A big deal around here.) But some ignorant people have tried to kill the idea by protesting and the fair has decided to put it up to a vote. We need your help! Please vote to have Michael immortalized (for ten days) in butter. Not so much for the honor of having it done, but to make sure people cannot publicly prosecute someone after they have been acquitted.

http://www.iowastatefair.org/entertainment/butter-vote.php

[WinterParkMom]

Good grief Charlie Brown.....I'm sure your county/city has alot better things to spend it's money on than keeping a butter statue cold.

[thaggas]

They're do a couple every year, so it's going to happen either way. You can use 50309 as a zip code from Des Moines.

[woodcut]

thaggas - WOW! At first I thought you were funnin' us, but the link seems real. I'm in San Francisco CA & will spread the word = YES we want a lactose-filled Michael Jackson,

Being from SF, we'll have to ask that the butter be made from free-range, organic cows.

[bascombe]

I did it for you.

[Blufftonian]

That Pelosi, always keepin the man down.

[timetorevolt]

Shelia Jackson Lee is a opportunistic two faced fraud...And I know because I've lived in her congressional district before and lived in Houston when she was on the city council.

She sucks up to anyone who is in the spot light..And that included Bush when he was in office... And she supported Hillary because she thought Obama couln't win.

She is owned by Indian corporation lobbyist. She is still encouraging the outsourcing of jobs to India while Texas unemployment rate continue to rise.

[Avanti2]

Well, the first thing I have agreed with Pelosi on in many many months.

[proud2bemoderate]

I was thinking the exact same thing...

[AlabamianForObama]

Me too!

[force fed up]

ditto

[JaneQCitizen]

Good. It's Congress, not Hollywood. Get on with health care, will ya?

[AlabamianForObama]

Absolutely!

[bronceye]

The gal accomplished her mission, she will have a congressional seat forever. Done deal, do the Nation's work, now. I think that the revelations to come would make this "honor" a real blemish if not outright embarassment to Congress if it passed.

[Blufftonian]

She's just mad 'cause he flew in nicer jets than she does.

[Budokan]

Agreed. Now crawl out of your corner, stop whimpering like a typical Democraven, and stand up to the 'Pugs.

You've proven you can stand up to MJ fans. Let's see if you can stand up to mouth breathing RepubliKans who want our country to fail.

Let's see you do that.

http://kennethmarkhoover.com

[force fed up]

I want to see Dems stand up to Corporations. Eff the Pubs, their greed made them easy pawns for major corporations to control, now the Dems are falling for the same line and dance.

[NonLeftist]

Agreed! Corporations are horrible and they are what is wrong with this country! How dare they......­.uh......e­mploy people and give them healthcare and pensions and stock options and 401K accounts. You are right. They suck!

[helenwheels]

What a waste of effort and time. I agree 100% with PeIosi. How absurd.