The Conservative Edge

It is simply amazing, this obsession with Michael Jackson. He was, at one time, a great singer and dancer. In fact, if I had the choice of listening to Michael’s Off the Wall album or anything of today’s thuggish rap or hip-hop “artists”, I’d take Michael every time.

But he hasn’t accomplished much over the past few years. The rap/hip-hop junk smothered him out, just like others who have talent, but aren’t aggressively marketed by organizations like Def Jam or Rush Communications. Michael has only gotten the occasional headline, usually for an unfortunate incident or an ailment. How many entertainers were sitting around a month ago thinking about how great Michael Jackson is? It’s funny how they suddenly have come out of the woodwork to appear on a televised event.

But now, we see Michael being used for publicity. Not just by the media, but by the Jackson family, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and others. How undignified, unprofessional, and childish it was for Jesse and Al to argue over who would get the most airtime at Michael’s funeral. How ridiculous it is for the public to be asked for donations to cover the cost of extra security measures needed for the ceremony. Enough is enough. Michael Jackson may have given many people a reason to sing and dance, but he wasn’t a President or a King. He was a talented artist who should be given a honorable, decent memorial for his accomplishments. Instead, we see a circus for a funeral.

If the city of Los Angeles needs money for the extra costs of the public ceremony, it should petition the Rainbow Coalition. Jesse Jackson should have to pay for the publicity he’s getting at this overdone media extravaganza. I sure hope nobody is stupid enough to actually donate their hard-earned money.