Pelosi shuts down resolution on Michael Jackson - Yahoo! News

News Type: Event — Seeded on Thu Jul 9, 2009 2:54 PM EDT

Article Source: Yahoo! News

politics, congress, michael-jackson, nancy-pelosi, pop-music, resolutions

WASHINGTON – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shut the door Thursday to a resolution honoring Michael Jackson because debate on the symbolic measure could raise "contrary views" about the pop star's life.
Lawmakers are free to use House speeches "to express their sympathy or their praise any time that they wish," said Pelosi, D-Calif. "I don't think it's necessary for us to have a resolution."

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3.4

{"commentId":8122973,"authorDomain":"velmadinkley"}

velma dinkley

Micahael Jackson has now become a political figure.

{"commentId":8122973,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"velmadinkley"}

5 votes

#1 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 2:55 PM EDT

{"commentId":8123700,"authorDomain":"donstahoe"}

I am American

did HELL freeze over, Pelosi got it right?

crap I need to get a coat

{"commentId":8123700,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"donstahoe"}

19 votes

#1.1 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 3:28 PM EDT

{"commentId":8123928,"authorDomain":"wharrison55"}

Bill Harrison

Yes, I believe the temps outside here in DC are approaching absolute zero but Jack Gillis is hotter than ever for "his Nan".

{"commentId":8123928,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"wharrison55"}

10 votes

#1.2 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 3:39 PM EDT

{"commentId":8124331,"authorDomain":"jfxgillis"}

jfxgillis

Bill:

Hey, she's right on two other things in which she's clashing with Obama. Call me a sap for my Nan but don't call me an Obamabot.

On the substance of the item, with Sheila Jackson-Lee making a fool of herself today and Stephen King making an ass of himself yesterday, maybe the inmates aren't as in charge as they used to be.

{"commentId":8124331,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"jfxgillis"}

9 votes

#1.3 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 3:56 PM EDT

{"commentId":8124369,"authorDomain":"jdl-28"}

jdl-28

Pelosi after all the year got a back bone and did the right thing, this should go down in history for it might never happen again.

{"commentId":8124369,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"jdl-28"}

9 votes

#1.4 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 3:58 PM EDT

{"commentId":8124849,"authorDomain":"eric24"}

Simplistic Reality

said Pelosi, D-Calif. "I don't think it's necessary for us to have a resolution."

That's the first intelligent think I've heard her say. Damn I guess even a broken clock can get the time right twice a day.

{"commentId":8124849,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"eric24"}

16 votes

#1.5 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 4:20 PM EDT

{"commentId":8126898,"authorDomain":"arsine3463"}

Buckeye Voter

did HELL freeze over, Pelosi got it right?

Yep. And I'll be goddamned, but I find myself agreeing with those whom I rarely agree with concerning politics.

{"commentId":8126898,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"arsine3463"}

4 votes

#1.6 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 5:57 PM EDT

{"commentId":8128639,"authorDomain":"sperrys"}

Lisa Schneider

Hallelujah...what a thrill...er....oh, that was BAD...argh, make it stop!

{"commentId":8128639,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"sperrys"}

6 votes

#1.7 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 7:45 PM EDT

{"commentId":8129584,"authorDomain":"susibv"}

GoldenGateMami_Susi

I'm starting a pool.

How long will it take Al Sharpton to stage a fist pounding news conference on the steps of the Capitol Building complete with "We Shall Overcome" and diatribes laced with dry-on-the-sides-of-the-mouth spittle baths?

Any takers?

{"commentId":8129584,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"susibv"}

1 vote

#1.8 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 8:52 PM EDT

{"commentId":8130186,"authorDomain":"wharrison55"}

Bill Harrison

Monday? Can't launch such a deal on Friday as the news cycle goes into slumber.

{"commentId":8130186,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"wharrison55"}

4 votes

#1.9 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 9:34 PM EDT

{"commentId":8131906,"authorDomain":"Dems-4-Fairness"}

Dems-4-Fairness

Wow Pelosi. Way to slam the door on this colossal waste of government resources.

{"commentId":8131906,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"Dems-4-Fairness"}

#1.10 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 11:19 PM EDT

{"commentId":8133032,"authorDomain":"mdodson42"}

PanhandleMike

As AC/DC put it "Shot Down In Flames."

{"commentId":8133032,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"mdodson42"}

#1.11 - Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:50 AM EDT

{"commentId":8123146,"authorDomain":"skylark246"}

Skye-768303

I think this was a smart move on Pelosi's part. It would open the door for a resolution when any celebrity dies. MJ was very special to some and not so much to others.

{"commentId":8123146,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"skylark246"}

13 votes

#2 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 3:03 PM EDT

{"commentId":8123541,"authorDomain":"keggerlord-1"}

Jay Keggerlord

I concur. Normally, everything from Pelosi's mouth is anathema to my own feelings, but this time, she got it right. I concur to ask for a brief moment of silence on the floor to honor MJ, but certainly not a resolution.

{"commentId":8123541,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"keggerlord-1"}

4 votes

#2.1 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 3:21 PM EDT

{"commentId":8123760,"authorDomain":"donstahoe"}

I am American

Yeah, NO silence for IT, It's dead, lets move on. Who is going to pay for the funeral? taxpayers, can my family get in on that when I die???

{"commentId":8123760,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"donstahoe"}

6 votes

#2.2 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 3:31 PM EDT

{"commentId":8123794,"authorDomain":"pchacker"}

Shawn-299392

I am in agreement with Pelosi (a statement I NEVER thought I'd type), but only in part:

Lawmakers are free to use House speeches "to express their sympathy or their praise any time that they wish," said Pelosi, D-Calif.

I think if they want to have a quiet 20 seconds for a celebrities death, then do it on their own time - they do so little and work so few hours as it is, the notion that each person is going to possibly stand up and bellow about what MJ meant to them, give me a break...not to mention this then sets the precedent for every celebrity that dies.

I mean...so far as I know they have a lot of things to address and if I'm wrong, then lets start paying these people that work part time hours part time pay.

http://www.prwatch.org/node/5107

So far as I recall...there are roughly 200+ days in a working year, and these people work less than half that (for roughly $175-$225k / year).

Time to start taking out the trash and asking these do nothing elitists to work like the rest of us...heck, it's July 9th which means MOST OF US worked more SO FAR this year than our Congress will work in all of 2k9.

Stop with the "this is what he meant to me crap" on our dime and just get to work.

{"commentId":8123794,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"pchacker"}

4 votes

#2.3 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 3:33 PM EDT

{"commentId":8131959,"authorDomain":"danapointdaddy"}

danapointdaddy

wow, michael jackson died?

bwaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahaha!

{"commentId":8131959,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"danapointdaddy"}

#2.4 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 11:23 PM EDT

{"commentId":8123949,"authorDomain":"schnoo"}

schnoo

Where do you stop with this stuff? Next someone will be wanting to pass a resolution about this clown.

{"commentId":8123949,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"schnoo"}

5 votes

#3 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 3:40 PM EDT

{"commentId":8124232,"authorDomain":"wharrison55"}

Bill Harrison

You got something against Yakov Smirnoff, schnoo?

He once told Johnny Carson, "You have such nice things in the U.S.—like warning shots!"

{"commentId":8124232,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"wharrison55"}

6 votes

#3.1 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 3:52 PM EDT

{"commentId":8124978,"authorDomain":"schnoo"}

schnoo

Had to photog him years ago in Branson of all places. Let me tell you, he is not funny in person.

{"commentId":8124978,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"schnoo"}

5 votes

#3.2 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 4:26 PM EDT

{"commentId":8126918,"authorDomain":"arsine3463"}

Buckeye Voter

In Russia, resolution passes you.

{"commentId":8126918,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"arsine3463"}

4 votes

#3.3 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 5:59 PM EDT

{"commentId":8126952,"authorDomain":"schnoo"}

schnoo

What a country! What a hack.

{"commentId":8126952,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"schnoo"}

3 votes

#3.4 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 6:00 PM EDT

{"commentId":8123953,"authorDomain":"st-theresa"}

Ellen-for-Obama

I can't believe someone would even propose such a thing. MJ's legacy does not suffer from a lack of hysterical, adoring and devoted fans. He needs no Congressional action to "honor" him, and I don't need my government forcing such an honor on the American people as a whole.

{"commentId":8123953,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"st-theresa"}

4 votes

#4 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 3:40 PM EDT

{"commentId":8126943,"authorDomain":"arsine3463"}

Buckeye Voter

I don't know if it's "forcing ... honor" but it's certainly tangent to the function of government.

{"commentId":8126943,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"arsine3463"}

3 votes

#4.1 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 6:00 PM EDT

{"commentId":8129048,"authorDomain":"st-theresa"}

Ellen-for-Obama

Well, it's certainly a matter of our government condoning a person who was not necessarily the greatest role model. Even without those child molestation charges, MJ wasn't exactly a beacon of sanity, healthy living and fiscal restraint. The Rep. who introduced this is just trying to score points using a dead pop star's name. It has no value, no relevance and no purpose to the people.

{"commentId":8129048,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"st-theresa"}

4 votes

#4.2 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 8:13 PM EDT

{"commentId":8124162,"authorDomain":"velmadinkley"}

velma dinkley

The Jackson family has enough to live with without Michael becoming a political football for
Washington to kick around. There are some in DC who will try to make something out of this however.

{"commentId":8124162,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"velmadinkley"}

4 votes

#5 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 3:49 PM EDT

{"commentId":8124613,"authorDomain":"donstahoe"}

I am American

yeah, like who is going to pay the taxes owed

{"commentId":8124613,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"donstahoe"}

4 votes

#5.1 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 4:08 PM EDT

{"commentId":8128287,"authorDomain":"dalejwendt"}

MotherKnowsBest-719453

I agree with you, Velma. One politician is already committing political suicide with this statement:

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., who posted a video on YouTube calling Michael Jackson a "pervert" and a "pedophile," has pledged to do all he could to block the resolution.

Good luck with your re-election campaign, Mr. King. Not!

{"commentId":8128287,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"dalejwendt"}

4 votes

#5.2 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 7:19 PM EDT

{"commentId":8124216,"authorDomain":"darren-mart"}

DarrenM

Chalk one up for Nancy Pelosi, and I echo Shawn's sentiments that Congress gets taxpayer dollars to tackle more pressing issues. Government doesn't need to weigh in on the issue, regardless of whether history solidifies Jackson as a cultural icon.

I appreciated Jackson's work and thought the memorial service on Tuesday was tastefully done overall, but two segments had me rolling my eyes: 1) Al Sharpton (what a shameless publicity leech), and 2) Sheila Jackson-Lee. She might've meant well, but here again, we don't need government's stamp of approval before we love, hate, acknowledge, praise, condemn, or ignore someone.

{"commentId":8124216,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"darren-mart"}

1 vote

#6 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 3:51 PM EDT

{"commentId":8124442,"authorDomain":"edld55"}

Edward-453134

Smart decision on Nancy Pelosi side. Why have a resolution for Michael Jackson? What was done to honor the memory of those who have already past away: Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. George Burns, Bob Hope, Farrah Fawcett, Ed Mc Mahon, and the list can go on.

Michael Jackson in my opinion was a freak show.

{"commentId":8124442,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"edld55"}

4 votes

#7 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 4:01 PM EDT

{"commentId":8124715,"authorDomain":"treemanyo"}

Hugh G. ReckshenDeleted

{"commentId":8125681,"authorDomain":"beckylonneman"}

Beckyal

Finally Nancy has done the right thing!!!! One time out of a billion!!!

{"commentId":8125681,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"beckylonneman"}

2 votes

#9 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 4:57 PM EDT

{"commentId":8144903,"authorDomain":"onedaylong"}

Archaeopteryx of Hyrule

I suppose the law of averages had to be on her side at some point.

{"commentId":8144903,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"onedaylong"}

#9.1 - Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":8130204,"authorDomain":"rdonaldsnyder"}

R. Donald Snyder

Good. I agree with her on many issues already, so this is just another one.

{"commentId":8130204,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"rdonaldsnyder"}

3 votes

#10 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 9:35 PM EDT

{"commentId":8130262,"authorDomain":"velmadinkley"}

velma dinkley

She may no longer be the most hated woman in America. :)

{"commentId":8130262,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"velmadinkley"}

4 votes

#10.1 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 9:40 PM EDT

{"commentId":8130368,"authorDomain":"wharrison55"}

Bill Harrison

I wouldn't get carried away now Velma. The Lord watches over idiots like her, thank god.

{"commentId":8130368,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"wharrison55"}

2 votes

#10.2 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 9:47 PM EDT

{"commentId":8139735,"authorDomain":"kmdoggies"}

JECD

Most hated woman in America?

THAT would be Sarah Palin!!! OR.... Ann Coulter !!! :)

{"commentId":8139735,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"kmdoggies"}

3 votes

#10.3 - Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:33 PM EDT

{"commentId":8131241,"authorDomain":"Husker88Fan"}

Husker88Fan

I am not a fan of Nancy Pelosi by any stretch of the imagination but on this one she got it right! Michael Jackson's fans, family and friends have had their day(s) of remembrance and can continue to do so in any way (and on any day) they choose without needing government intervention to do so...while, at the same time, it allows us to remember that there are those who choose not to embrace his life as a role model or hero.

{"commentId":8131241,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"Husker88Fan"}

2 votes

#11 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 10:40 PM EDT

{"commentId":8132022,"authorDomain":"danapointdaddy"}

danapointdaddy

soldiers, teachers, policemen and firefighters desere the huge salaries currently going to performers and atheletes...

they deserve our praise... they deserve the adulation currently heaped on people like michael jackson and kobi bryant...

performers produce a product, I enjoy the work product, but could care less about all the hoohaw around these folks and their lives... this includes pro athelets.

teachers, policemen, firefighters and soldiers all provide an incaculably valuable service to our society, and totally deserve high praise!!!

the entertainers are all overpaid... teachers, firemen, soldiers and policemen deserve a LOT more then these entertainers do.

{"commentId":8132022,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"danapointdaddy"}

3 votes

#12 - Thu Jul 9, 2009 11:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":8132646,"authorDomain":"mjvst"}

mike-330799

Well ya know, Michael had his chops, but he was no honorary DEA agent.

{"commentId":8132646,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"mjvst"}

1 vote

#13 - Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:19 AM EDT

{"commentId":8132936,"authorDomain":"futures"}

FutureS

For once, I agree with Pelosi, I think Michael Jackson has already been given all the attention he ever gotten. He might have been a great singer, but he shouldn't be made into a political figure, especially with his personal life and all.

{"commentId":8132936,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"futures"}

2 votes

#14 - Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:42 AM EDT

{"commentId":8133437,"authorDomain":"themick90068"}

Randy McMurphy

It should be a moment of reflection...He was an American tragedy, the kid who never had a childhood and sought it all his life.

Fame kills . Why the frak did we break away from royalty when we glom onto this adulation to wealth and Fame?

When I saw that slow motion train wreck that was Brittany Spears' breakdown, I felt bad for her. Yeah she was stupid and making the obviously glaringly wrong decisions on everything. But I saw in the detractors a peverse sense of taking pleasure in her pain, perhaps as a way to make their own sad existences more tolerable, better her than them... whatever.

It will be a great day when we could see a superstar walking down the street, unattended by security, without being harassed, because smart Americans, though impressed, are not fawning.

Education.

{"commentId":8133437,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"themick90068"}

#15 - Fri Jul 10, 2009 1:31 AM EDT

{"commentId":8137651,"authorDomain":"thom-black"}

proud2bconservative

Amazing. I never thought I would approve of ANYTHING Pelosi did.

I'm wondering, did she blame it on Bush?

{"commentId":8137651,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"thom-black"}

1 vote

#16 - Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:54 AM EDT

{"commentId":8139129,"authorDomain":"jeremyfive"}

JJ-317453

Pelosi did not refuse to acknowledge Jackson's talent.

The "Party of No" did.

{"commentId":8139129,"threadId":"623096","contentId":"3011750","authorDomain":"jeremyfive"}

1 vote

#17 - Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:05 PM EDT

{"commentId":8140079,"authorDomain":"white-power"}

WHITE_POWERDeleted

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"623096","isPrivate":false}

VELMA DINKLEY

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Pelosi shuts down resolution on Michael Jackson - Yahoo! News

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House Dems look at taxing the rich for health care - Yahoo! News on Yahoo! News	Yahoo! News	Thu Jul 9	0
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