On Nancy Pelosi and Michael Jackson

I'd like to thank Nancy Pelosi for nixing the resolution to honor Michael Jackson. It's not like Congress doesn't have anything to do. (Health care, anyone?) But it was a spectacularly bad idea from the start. And now with revelations about the late singer's drug problems, the coroner's office subpoenaing Jackson's medical records, and questions about Jackson being the biological father of his children, what if this had been brought to a vote? Can you imagine the nastiness that would have ensued?

Hopefully this means we'll be seeing less of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, the Texas Democrat who introduced the resolution. Jackson Lee attended the memorial at the Staples Center. And for reasons that are unclear, she chose the occasion not only to give a stump speech but to push her resolution. Classy!

For the millions of people around the world who wished they'd been in Los Angeles for the event, count yourself lucky. Traffic in the Valley and near Dodger Stadium was a mess. I had to leave early for work because the freeway was closed for Jackson's motorcade. Even our normally media-happy Mayor left town to vacation in South Africa.

I hope he's back because now we've got to pay the bill. Jackson's memorial cost L.A. $3 million, and some of us (okay, me) aren't happy about it. This includes more than $40,000 that was spent on police lunches from a deli 80 miles away. What's wrong with our local taco trucks? I enjoy eating in new neighborhoods, too, but I try not to on the taxpayer's dime.

Talk about priorities. This year summer school was canceled because city officials deemed it a great way to close LA's $26-billion budget gap. The last time I checked the high-school dropout rate in LAUSD was almost 50 percent. So now we have thousands of students sitting at home watching The Hills or roaming the streets. Terrifying.

Councilwoman Jan Perry told CBS she'd "love it" if the Jackson family helped pay for their loved one's memorial. But so far, Joe Jackson has been mum. He did, however, pull aside a reporter the day his dead son lay in a gold casket to talk about a record deal.

Maybe Kobe and Magic, who praised Jackson during the Staples celebration for helping them be better at basketball, can chip in?

Don't get me wrong. I loved Jackson's music. I'm actually old enough to remember when the Jackson Five appeared on Ed Sullivan. In my 20s, during a brief and unremarkable stint as a jazz dancer, I performed "Beat It" at a gospel church in Oakland. (Thank god for no YouTube then!) The other night my husband dug my old Thriller album out of the closet and we danced to it in the living room.

Michael Jackson was undeniably gifted. But he was also undeniably tragic. And contrary to that gratuitous remark Al Sharpton made to Jackson's children at the memorial, I think most of us can agree on this: the singer was a little "strange."

How many grown men wish they were Peter Pan? And then build a multimillion-dollar fantasy world called Neverland with zoo animals and carnival rides? Or name their child "Blanket"?

Jackson's friends have been appearing endlessly on the talk shows burnishing his legacy. That's not surprising. What is is how they profess to have been so close to him yet apparently didn't notice his devastating drug problem. The Hulk was training the emaciated singer for his "This Is It" tour. Yet when asked about Jackson's health by Larry King, it was all good!

Well, it's all coming out now. Just this morning, a senior law enforcement officer told ABC News that Jackson was "heavily addicted" to OxyContin and taking daily doses of the painkiller Demerol.

During the memorial CNN.com paired with Facebook so that fans could express their grief. For a while I watched the comments scrolling down the screen. Many of them simply said "MJ: RIP."

One can only hope.

Follow Mona Gable on Twitter: www.twitter.com/monalg

Comments

[jlgcox]

I am AA and live in TX. The Speaker of the House did the right thing by nixing the resolution; Sheila Jackson Lee was grand standing as usual. I disagree with most of your article. I love Michael Jackson music and I am sure he has done more for the state of CA than Reagan or any President passing through that require major traffic delays, so, he deserved that public memorial and his family SHOULD NOT have to pay for it.

Shame on you CA for evening suggesting it. I am sure his memorial probably pumped in revenue for the city by his fans arriving to be in the same city as MJ.

One thing Shelia Jackson Lee said that was true - MJ WAS NOT convicted of a crime. MJ was a tragic figure and maybe now he can get some rest!! Imagine, he was hounded all of his life!

RIP in MJ

[Karl Jonas]

hounded all the way to being one of the richest people on the planet, with a huge estate and buying anything his heart desired, even the beatle's catalogue. i feel so sorry for him.

[citizensrus]

The thing is Michael Jackson deserves that honor. But it is a diversion that the GOP would just love to have. Sheila Jackson Lee needs to wait for this. Years later, it still can be done. Now is not the time.

[freder421]

Mrs. Gable, I am more concerned that we honor Ronald Reagan, can you say Iran Contra? Did you ever write anything about Ronnie?

[Pleneras]

Why did you remind me? Argh! The thought that a ship or an airport was name after this man who thought he was playing a movie role half the time, was involved in the Contra Scandal, helped Bin Laden & Taliban, paved the way for the Conservative corruptions & scandals we are paying with pain today is outrageous.

[lilguy]

Well, MJ died and we finally seem to be having that talk about race. Having been a black woman in this country for 58 ys, I can tell you that this .is a necessary but painful subject. Every time this subject comes up, its like having to fight for my freedom all over again. A freedom I never really had. The media convicted MJ of child molestation. Racism has kept him convicted. Rep Jackson Lee was fighting for my freedom, when she spoke up that a man has the right to be judged, INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY, even a black man. Sorry America, he died before, you could find something else to charge him with. In the eyes of the law, he died NOT GUILTY OF ANY CRIME. If that doesn't apply for every one,in this country, it applys to NO ONE!

[Karl Jonas]

oh the race card again. for a man who did everything in his power to be white.

[awomaninthemirror]

Karl, Mike had vitiligo as a complication of systemic lupus. If you don't understand what that illness comprises of, I suggest you do a thorough investigation.I, too , have major vitiligo as a complication of lupus. My skin is splotchy over most of my body and looks very peculiar when not covered.I could not fathom having to put on tons of makeup to look " normal" by society's standards and then get up on a stage under hot lights, wearing up to 100 pounds of costumery and performing.... all the while battling the very exhaustive symptoms of lupus.Most of us ( with lupus) lose our breath just THINKING about taking a walk or dancing to a song. I am a caucasian woman who has to wear makeup for women of color just to even out the lily whiteness of my depigmentation. This does NOT mean I am unhappy being white or wish to be a woman of color. Michael had to make a choice when the vitiligo became seriously uncoverable.He chose to even out his skin with the vitiligo. I don't blame him. Less hassle... When I have to cover up my 'boo boos" as I call them, it takes me nearly 3 hours and I am not even in the public eye ! So please, be kind. Michael Jackson had no issues with his race; he had a condition and chose the solution that would give him the least problem.

[awomaninthemirror]

What a shame that it took his death for all of this to now come to light.Perhaps his outcome would have been different if the eyes and ears of celebrities had known and treated his health condition with curiosity and respect. We don't make fun of cancer kids losing their hair.Why would we make fun of a man who lost his skin pigment? And before you rebut me, let me add... I understand that Michael wasn't always forthcoming with his personal info, even enjoyed some of the mystique that he, himself, undoubtedly created. Nonetheless, I can't help but wonder what would have been the result if he had shared his lupus with the world as he shared the more curious aspects and interests that he held.

[citizensrus]

White, Black its just a skin color. Michael Jackson always saw himself as African American. Whites don't understand any of this. They think its about skin color.

[StillAmused]

Apart from the fact that Michael Jackson probably contributed more in California taxes than you'll earn in a lifetime, what's REALLY eating at you? Ever work yourself into a sweat when George The Lesser visited your fine state and shut the joint down at taxpayers' expense?

I'd much rather rely on Lou Ferrigno for an appraisal of Jackson's overall condition than a representative of the L.A.P.D. which, after all, has such a blinding record of competence in celebrity-related investigations. If you really listened to his King interview, Ferrigno was both concise and detailed in his explanation of Jackson's training regimen (and noted his empathy, given his own experience with a "difficult" father).

To those with the gift of sight, Jackson looked as fit and engaged, in that rehearsal video, as ever... hardly "emaciated" (although perhaps so, compared to middle-aged men of your acquaintance). If it's true that an abusive combination of medications took his life, that will prove as rare in Hollywood as smog... and hardly the basis for an assault on Jackson as a worthwhile human being.

Pelosi was wise to sideline the proclamation debate, only because -- as a victim, herself, of their toxic attacks -- she knows something about the hyenas masquerading as Republicans in the Congress and the depths to which they'd readily descend, led by Long Island's successor to Joey Buttafuoco, Peter King.

Unfortunately, you eventually made it to your office to write this screed, after all.

[Pleneras]

Could have written it from her pc and emailed it with no travel involved. That's what everyone does. Going to work for a writer is just like paying a visit just to exercise your legs.

[Phife Shaheed]

And i am sure the author who's shouting heath care like a slogan, doesn't have a clue about what's going on in the healthcare debate right now... but to make a great sensational article she could not resist the stupid comparison

[Phife Shaheed]

The author is actually mixing stuff that aren't related, i completely agree on her position on the mijac resolution but the whole issue of how did it cost for the city of LA is not of Jackson's family and friends responsability, they city of Los Angeles had to endure some costs just because this event could cause real security issue that's why... The Jackson Family did not ask the city of LA to pay for the casquette or the limos or the children's ceremony clothes... The City of LA had to pay for the security of the entire city... Michal Jackson has lived in that place for a while and had the right to be buried there but it happens that he is a great celebrity and that his funeral private or public could cause major security issues so the city had to chip in to make sure there was no problem with that...

I can't believe you even have the right stupid stuff like this in the huffingtonpost!

[RButler]

What was with all the sunglasses on the people on stage fighting for face-time on the TV? Jackson's young daughter managed to deliver a short, emotional speech without wearing them but I guess the grownups couldn't handle it. They looked like bodyguards. I guess showmanship doesn't stop even at a memorial service.

I always liked Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee but this stunt gave me pause. Jackson was to start his concert tour in London. Let Parliament do what Jackson-Lee wanted.

[Pleneras]

The family wore them so you and the press would not whine by commenting whether they did or did not have enough tears. Since it worked and they and you couldn't see, your complaining about the glasses. I guess you never noticed people in other funerals including the recent one of Farrah Fawcett where you would find many people with SUNGLASSES.

That last comment of yours did not make one ounce of sense.

[atcrossroads]

Can't comment on what people wore at FF's funeral, this brave woman who lost her battle against cancer was mostly ignored while the world paid homage to someone who lost the battle to drug addictions. I am not glued to the TV, and never saw anything about Farah Fawcett's funeral on TV.

[RButler]

People wearing sunglasses to funerals is pretty common when outdoors. I just don't recall seeing it indoors at any funerals I've been to. Of course, the funerals I've been to for family and friends, they didn't seem concerned with looking 'cool'. Geez, what if most of the attendees at the memorial wore sunglasses,as they were also teary eyed at times? It would look weird. But, then 'weird' is totally in keeping with the whole Jackson extravaganza.

Of course, it is your job to make excuses for anything Jackson.

[Ohioan730]

Bill O'Really asked why are blacks so obsessed with MJ. Everyone dismisses that obviously r ace baiting statement and continues to snarkily imply that you cant criticize MJ or you're a racist even though ALL races of people are clearly obsessed with MJ. This whole thing is not about MJ. This is an opportunity for unsavory people to layer on their criticism of blacks under the disguise of something else. I know the difference. (Peter King)

To the people this is intended for, you know who you are. I know who you are, too. You are the people who's products I dont buy and who's candidate I will NEVER vote for. This time, the majority has MY back. Snark away at black people using MJ as a proxy all you want. You will be the one affected by it in the end.

[citizensrus]

Let's wait until this is finished. There will be much to come to light in the days ahead. Michael will be dead eternally. There will be time to spit on his grave as some of you are in a hurry to do..and he isn't even buried yet. There will be time to honor him for his humanitarian endeavors and his artistic gifts and fame. He was the most famous megastar in the world and he was our megastar.

[BalancedEgg]

It's all about you, Mona. Thanks for reminding us.

[kf40]

Love the ironic tone, babe! You're magic; dont' ever change

[Barbara Saunders]

I'm still not understanding the hoopla over this money. If there's a large political protest in a city, the city pays the associated costs of policing and public safety. If a stadium such as the Staples Center is built in a city, the city should anticipate that it will occasionally have to deal with extra traffic and people in the area. If the police officers were fed expensive catered lunches, that is surely not the fault of the Jacksons; that is mismanagement by the parties who decided where to get the lunches.

What makes the MJ thing different - and so much more offensive to people - than Critical Mass rides (in SF, cyclist who interrupt car traffic once a month as a statement) or anti-war protests or people marching after the killing of Harvey Milk, etc., etc.? The issue is not whether you or I like, condone, or approve of MJ vs. Harvey vs. protesting cyclists vs. anti-war activists vs. whatever other free public assembly happens. In fact, the purpose of an event such as the memorial service is to channel all of that energy so that you have a peaceful event for a few hours, and then people go home without causing disruption or damage.

People rioted in the streets when Rudolph Valentino died - and we can't blame that one on Twitter and TMZ. By contrast, here, we had a smooth event with no major problems that I've heard about.

[Promise]

Mona's right. It is, indeed, troubling, as another person commented, that any realistic assessment of MJ is labelled as being racist. I think that glorifying a man who slept with little boys, and who paid out millions to keep that quiet is racist. Would you be so generous to MJ if he had been white?

[citizensrus]

Personally, I think he will be a saint. As far as I'm concerned he's a saint in heaven.

[superlive]

I believe there used to be a Caucasian version of Michael Jackson. His name was ELVIS AARON PRESLEY and he used to share his bed with a 15 year-old -- and it wasn't just for storytime with milk and cookies!

Jackson was ACQUITTED of ALL CHARGES in the criminal trial. The stress of the lawsuit from the previous decade actually cost him over $100 million because the brouhaha erupted in the middle of the DANGEROUS WORLD TOUR and he had to cancel the entire AMERICAN LEG of the tour. Pepsi Cola had been sponsoring the tour and in retaliation dropped him as their commercial spokesman. That was a shame, because Michael's entire share of the tour's profits had been pre-designated for his new HEAL THE WORLD FOUNDATION (Michael never held a concert in the continental US the final 20 years of his life). Had the lawsuit gone to trial, Michael would have had to delay production of his next album which would have cost him at least another $40 million. Settling was his least expensive option.

[Pleneras]

Exactly! A 15 year old girl. No one believe she was a virgin while living in that house until he married her. You believe that your in complete denial or a complete fool.

I hear his investors/promoters helped pay for the settlement to get on with the show. We live in a quick rich suing society with parents at times using their children.

[awomaninthemirror]

And don't forget that rabid Rabbi Schmuley who also managed to abscond with millions from the Foundation while Michael was defending his innocence.

[PresidentRobertBooth]

***I'd like to thank Nancy Pelosi for nixing the resolution to honor Michael Jackson. It's not like Congress doesn't have anything to do. (Health care, anyone?)***

1- Don't expect anything useful to come from Congressional "debate" on health care.

2- Congress often passes encyclopedia-sized laws without reading them, so a quick resolution regarding MJ would not have taken up too much time.

***I had to leave early for work because the freeway was closed for Jackson's motorcade***

LA is an important city. Big things sometimes happen. Accept it

***Jackson's memorial cost L.A. $3 million***

How much did LA waste on the witch-hunts they inflicted twice on Michael Jackson?

***Talk about priorities. This year summer school was canceled because city officials deemed it a great way to close LA's $26-billion budget gap***

Nothing to do with MJ, everything to do with poor government and a population that don't want to pay taxes.

***Councilwoman Jan Perry told CBS she'd "love it" if the Jackson family helped pay for their loved one's memorial***

Yes, that's called "scapegoating"

***How many grown men wish they were Peter Pan? And then build a multimillion-dollar fantasy world called Neverland with zoo animals and carnival rides? Or name their child "Blanket"***

Ad hominem attacks.

[LeonBNJ]

The main reason Pelosi pulled this proposed proclamation as to MJ was that the Republicans and 'blue dog' Democrats would have made it culture war battle. The congress already has enough division, it certently didn't need any more thie proclamation would have done.