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Massive Michael Jackson Tribute Set for Staples Center Tuesday

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 01:44:38 PM EST
Tags: Michael Jackson (all tags)
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Fox News says it's official. The LA Times says it's under discussion.

There will be a massive public tribute to Michael Jackson at the Staples Center Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.

People are grumbling about the security costs. How about if everyone who ever enjoyed a Michael Jackson song kicks in $1.00. Wouldn't that cover it?

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    Massive Michael Jackson Tribute Set for Staples Center Tuesday | 17 comments (17 topical)

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    Well (5.00 / 3) (#2)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 02:55:16 PM EST
    I sort of see both sides of the security issue.

    We pay for all kinds of security and safety that we shouldn't have to pay for...mountain rescues come to mind.  People climb mountains and when they fall, loads of taxpayer money is required to rescue them, even though doing something stupid like climbing a mountain, traversing crevasses, etc. is completely unnecessary to the public good (and I say this even though my husband climbed Mt. Rainier (but no he didn't fall)).  IMHO.

    So, why should this be different?

    However, on the other hand California is broke.  The city should provide a permit for this only if admission fees are charged and go straight to the city or state to pay for security.

    Oh (none / 0) (#17)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 05:20:18 PM EST
    and the other thing that people who protest security forget -- it's not the celebrity that creates the need for security, it's the raging crazy fans (or non-fans in the case of a politician like the president).

    If they have a tribute to Michael Jackson and people want the opportunity to attend, they should be allowed it (but I still think since the state is broke, the participant/audience members should contribute a little each toward security)

    Parent

    MJ, the original Barack Obama (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by vicndabx on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 04:57:17 PM EST
    I grew up listening to his music and loved it just as much as anyone.  IMO however Michael's greater contribution is what he did for race relations world-wide, but especially here in the US.  Through his music in the late 70's and 80's he allowed us all to relax just a little bit around each other and help many begin to look past skin color.  Black folk weren't the only folks who benefitted from this change in the atmosphere - I would hope people remember that.  I'm glad there are those who want to honor his contributions - for some it wasn't just the singing and dancing.

    How about... (none / 0) (#1)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 02:41:05 PM EST
    ...instead of the proles paying for it, have all those who profited off him all these years pay for it?  

    Anyway, this is of much more interest to me.  Butter Jacko!  Too funny.

    It's not (none / 0) (#12)
    by eric on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 04:31:47 PM EST
    meant to be funny, it is a tribute.  People in Iowa take their butter seriously.  Being the subject of a butter sculpture isn't meant to be anything but a sign of respect.

    Similarly, in Minnesota, the winner of the Princess Kay of the Milky Way gets her own butter sculpture at the State Fair.

    Parent

    Exactly why... (none / 0) (#13)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 04:53:33 PM EST
    ...there was an uproar about the MJ sculpture displacing the Butter Cow and how the State Fair officials had to spend a lot of time combating that perception--we're pretty serious about our butter sculptures!  That's what amuses me as an Iowan.

    The linked article makes it pretty clear that it is a tribure to his place in State Fair history.  

    Besides, the Iowa State Fair is nothing if not extremely tacky and tasteless--expect for the wide variety of fried/fatty foods.  Yummy!

    Parent

    Have you not seen... (none / 0) (#19)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 07:53:55 PM EST
    ...the American cinematic classic State Fair?  

    Director Henry King and crew were invited to the 1932 State Fair and Exposition in Des Moines, Iowa to film background material, including the racing scenes and midway. After the fair, they purchased three hogs, including the grand champion, Dike of Rosedale, who was cast as Blue Boy.

    Dike was the brother of Floyd of Rosedale, who's bronze likeness is the trophy awarded to the winner of the Iowa v. Minnesota football game.  Floyd has also been a immortalized in butter.  It is a very high honor.


    Parent

    Har (none / 0) (#20)
    by eric on Sun Jul 05, 2009 at 12:03:58 AM EST
    just saw this comment.  Very good.

    Parent
    OMG - this means the non-stop, (none / 0) (#5)
    by Anne on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 03:22:05 PM EST
    never-ending, plumbing-the-depths-to-ridiculous-levels coverage of this man-who-hasn't-added-anything-to-music-in-at-least-10-years-and-wasn't-God will go on through the weekend and well into next week.

    I hear CNN is changing its name to JNN, given they are among the worst in never-ending coverage.

    Turn Off and Tune Out (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by squeaky on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 03:43:28 PM EST
    What else do you expect from a corporate news station whose only reason for staying in business is to sell you soap?

    And besides why would you want deny the millions of MJ fans their memorial week or two just because you don't think much od his music?

    And better yet why watch TV, or CNN in the first place?

    Parent

    It isn't that I don't have an appreciation (5.00 / 2) (#8)
    by Anne on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 04:18:13 PM EST
    for Jackson's music; he made a large mark on music and the music business, in his time, but his time ended a long time ago.  I also have no problems with a tribute, per se, but the media seems to have been more focused on Michael Jackson: Freak of Nature and Tabloid Fodder, and that's just sad. And it's the media coverage that is sandwiching the tribute that I have a problem with.

    I have stayed away from the coverage as much as possible.  When I'm getting ready for work in the morning and have the TV on to get weather and traffic, and sometimes sports, there's always a lead-in to the Today Show, and for the last week, their promo has been story after story after story about some aspect of Jackson's life and/or death.  

    I am not a regular CNN viewer - gave that up a long time ago - but when I walk past the big screen TV in my firm's reception area, and the brief glimpse I get no matter what time I walk past, is CNN doing all-MJ, all-the-time, I get a sense that this is just being flogged to death.

    I mean, there's nothing else going on in this country or around the world now, is there?

    Parent

    Lots Of Soap To Sell (none / 0) (#9)
    by squeaky on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 04:21:24 PM EST
    What is going on in the world is not the Teevee's concern. Don't worry they will get back to something that grabs your attention soon enough..

    Parent
    Thank god they've switched it to downtown (none / 0) (#7)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 04:17:21 PM EST
    instead of Neverland Ranch.

    Los Olivos and the surrounding areas have zero capacity to deal with an onslaught of fans of this magnitude.

    Not so happy LA has to pick up the tab, though...

    Well (none / 0) (#10)
    by lilburro on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 04:24:30 PM EST
    tourism should provide some revenue no?

    Well, there you go, probably so. (none / 0) (#11)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 04:30:43 PM EST


    Parent
    750 million records sold (none / 0) (#15)
    by SOS on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 05:01:29 PM EST
    Figure at 12 to 18 dollars each that's a lot of money.

    You would think the music business, L.A. being the epicenter of it wouldn't worry about security costs for the funeral of one of their biggest stars ever and flip the bill.

    Asking money from fans is despicable. It's like charging admission to his viewing.

    Tuesday will be (none / 0) (#16)
    by Radiowalla on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 05:06:58 PM EST
    a no TV day in my house.  I am not interested in Michael Jackson.

    Not to rain on anyone else's parade, mind you.  Those who admired him and/or his music will have their day and I will have mine.

    Massive Michael Jackson Tribute Set for Staples Center Tuesday | 17 comments (17 topical)

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