Congress Locks Horns Over Michael Jackson Resolution
From the looks of things yesterday in Los Angeles, deceased King of Pop Michael Jackson was a universally revered musical icon.
But on the other side of the country, in Washington, D.C., opinions are not so unified.
The Associated Press reports that a battle is brewing in Congress over a proposed House resolution that would “forever” honor the singer. While Texas Democrat Sheila Jackson Lee promised the resolution during yesterday’s memorial service, it must first be passed in Congress—and it’s running into some fierce competition from New York Republican Peter King.
King, who posted a YouTube video this week calling Jackson a “pervert, child molester, pedophile,” vowed on Tuesday to do “whatever I have to do” to block the resolution.
During the memorial on Tuesday, Lee, holding the framed resolution, took an indirect shot at King, noting that Jackson had been acquitted of all child molestation charges brought against him and adding, “We understand the Constitution. We understand laws and we know people are innocent until proven otherwise. That is what the Constitution stands for.”
Lee notes that the resolution—which highlights Jackson’s charitable and humanitarian efforts—will be debated on the House floor. So far, the resolution’s only co-sponsor is California Democrat Diane Watson—and a two-thirds majority is required for the resolution to pass.
Let us know in the comments section: Do you think Congress should officially honor Michael Jackson?
umh, no…I can not believe that our tax money should be paying our senators for this….I can think of mush more pressing issues
And HOW does he know better then the majority of the world, and even more so, the jury, that Michael was all those names he called him? Why is he giving credibility to the accusers, with known(not suspected!) history of fraud? And what does this say about his judgement?? He is the one who needs to answer for defamation –
I am a republican, but I am ashamed of Peter Kings bigotry, who likely is using the occasion and MJ’s brilliant star, to put his name out there. If there is any respect for the truth and the facts, then Michael’s universal, known, proven humanity will prevail, and the resolution will pass!
I’m praying that he gets in death, the respect he deserves, but was denied to him in life! Sheila Jackson Lee and Diane Watson, please don’t give up. Those who disagree, please look at facts, not just accusations. Maybe if someone in your family or you would be as rich and as kind and vulnerable as MJ, you would be also treated like prey-and how would you then, prove the wolfs wrong?…
No, he was a celebrity; the idea is ridiculous.
I am sick of hearing about Michael Jackson. Come on folks he was a child molester and a drug addict! I want to hear more about the budget crisis in California, I want to know of thousand of innocent children will feel the brunt of the Governor’s budget, I want to know if the sick and dying will still get benefits, I want to know if I will still have a job after the Governor’s budget cuts. Lets focus on the living, lets put our energy into something that means something. Okay, MJ was a good entertainer, now he’s dead, he’s buried and life goes on. Why doesn’t the family use some of his money to help the budget of California? OH YA… I FORGOT WE PAID FOR THE FIRE AND POLICE AND HELICOPTER WHY BECAUSE HE WAS A CELEBRITY!
This is stupid. With all the problems facing the country right now, why would these women get side tracked by this.
I personally do not believe that Michael molested anyone. I do think he was wierd and I don’t think it’s appropriate for Congress to get bogged down in this irrelevant fight.
As a loyal Democrat, let me say that I am steadfastly against a resolution honoring Michael Jackson. First, this country is in the midst of multiple crises, and the Congress should focus on that, not a pop star. Second, it would not be politically expedient to pass such a resolution. Perhaps most important, people should realize that “not guilty” does NOT mean innocent. Even if MJ never molested anyone, it is completely inappropriate for a grown man to share his bed with children to whom he was not related. It would well serve the Congress to not walk into this firestorm.
No, No , No. enough money has been spent on MJ already!!! enough is enough!!!! Taxpayers monies can be put to better use than debating a MJ bill !!!!
Can this entire issue just be shelved until the economic crisis shows signs of being resolved? Regardless of the merits of the arguments of either or both sides, this just is not as important as the socio-economic issues the US is currently facing. This is just the wrong time for this to even be on the table.