Pelosi: House won't take up Michael Jackson resolution
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/06/18/art.pelosihand0618.gi.jpg caption="Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that the House will not take up a resolution honoring Michael Jackson."]WASHINGTON (CNN) –The House of Representatives will not take up a resolution honoring the late entertainer Michael Jackson, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Thursday.
Pelosi called Jackson "a great, great performer" and acknowledged there is "lots of sadness." But the speaker said at a press conference that while members could express their sympathy on the House floor, she added "I don't think it's necessary" to pass a resolution.
"A resolution, I think, would open up (debate) to contrary views that are not necessary at this time to be expressed in association with a resolution whose purpose is quite different," Pelosi explained.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, who spoke at the memorial service for Jackson on Tuesday in Los Angeles, has introduced HR 600, "Honoring an American legend and musical icon."
The resolution states, "Whereas Michael Jackson was not only an accomplished recording and performing artist, he was a noted humanitarian."
Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., criticized the media's extensive coverage of Michael Jackson's death earlier this week, calling Jackson a "pervert," a "pedophile," and "child molester."
I agree with Rep. Pelosi. Trying to get this resolution passed will open up a huge can of worms that can further tarnish Michael Jackson's image. There are many other ways the King of Pop can be honored without causing major upheaval.
Probably a good idea on the Speaker's part. There's been too much ugly venom spewed by the hateful minds on the right. That's not what MJ was about. Better to end the issue now before it gets worse
I think in this instance Pelosi and others are wrong not to honor Michael Jackson for achieving and giving so much. If he was inducted into the Guinness Records for being as charitable and trying to "heal the world", than yes HR 600 should be debated on its merits as well as voted in. For someone who was persecuted and ridiculed as much as he was, it is amazing that he still found it in his heart to be as charitable.
MIchael was a great entertainer. Let's leave it at that. If Elvis doesn't get his own day, Michael sure shouldn't.
Amen! I agree. He was a great performer and humanitarian, but enough is enough. How about all our servicemen that are dying each day! His memorial was tastefully done, but enough with the media coverage.
Can we move on already!! You'd think Michael was God himself!!! He was an "entertainer" for petes sake! Big deal! I'm so sick of the way the media and everyone else glorifies entertainers. It's getting ridiculous! I mean, yes, it is sad for his family that he died and I know he had many, many fans but let's get real!
Thank goodness. Enough already. Wolf, can you please step in and give a big Jack Donaghy "Shut it down!"?
No more Michael Jackson news for a while and certainly no resolutions on the house floor.
Are you kidding, Rep. Jackson? MJ a noted humanitarian. He was lots of things–a disturbed individual, someone who put his children in physical danger, a prescription drug addict-but not a "noted humanitarian." Way to pander to your constituency, Sheila.
Wow! Pelosi finally has done something right! Amen
The good Michael Jackson did outweighed his negatives. He saved more people than he hurt. He was an extraordinary humanitarian, and highlight the best of what America had to offer. His was an American success story; a man could gain his level of success and popularity, is unmatched. It is extremely cowardly that Congress won't address this. I am aware that we have plenty of other issues and problems, however, I am extremely disappointed (yet again) in this Congress. They absolutely do not represent me at all,and again, I am embarrassed that they feel as if they do.
Thank You Ms. Pelosi. Enough is enough. There a bigger issues that need to be dealing with at the present time.
I am glad to see that Pelosi finally got something right!!
Thank goodness for some sanity on Pelosi's part. Sure, MJ was great, but enough is enough!
I can’t believe I agree with Pelosi on something.
I loved Michael Jackson and feel Speaker Pelosi is doing the right thing. Although he was a great entertainer and humanitarian his life was tinged with such sadness and tragedy,
Really? Congress has nothing better to do that introduce a "Michael Jackson" bill? Come on!
Ahh Rep King,
I think that at one time we all had our doubts about Michael but he was proven innocent in a court of law. One of the victims later stated that his father coached him on what to say. I now think that all the victims were after money. And you sir owe the Jackson family an apology! You obviously don't have any common decency.
I agree with Pelosi. If we did that will all the celebrities deaths lately nothing else would be done. Doesn't Shelia J-Lee have something to do with her time? How about concentrating on what she is getting paid to do.
As much as I dislike Pelosi, she is right on this one. Shelia Jackson was trying to ram this through like Nobama is raming his agenda through.
It's more than a little ridiculous that our elected representatives are wasting their time discussing an official resolution to honor Michael Jackson. Really? Don't they have anything better to debate? Health care? Education? Wars on two fronts? The economy? Millions out of work?
Congress focuses waaaay too much on things like this, or renaming Freedom Fries, etc. Embarrassing. Govern, please. JUST govern.
We shouldn't honor the greatest entertainer who ever lived/the most charitable entertainer of all time/someone who broke down all sorts of barriers for all cultures of people...why?
Oh yeah, because a few sleazy people succeeded in extorting him and he had a skin disease and that reflects poorly on him for some reason.
Shame on you, Nancy Pelosi.
Speaker Pelosi made the right decision. Bringing up the resolution would only give a venue for hate-filled statements by some Republicans. I send all my love and support to the wonderful Jackson family at this terrible time. Mostly all of them and especially Michael's children did nothing wrong, and we should remember that. However, all of us are souls on a journey of growth as we travel throughout our lives, and some of us learn our lessons and some of us don't. I think Michael was struggling with some of the lessons in his life. We certainly should pray for him. Judge not, that ye be not judged. Matthew 7:1.
Its time for Pelosi to go!
I have to agree with Pelosi. I've been a huge Michael Jackson fan for years & fondly remember the Jackson 5 along with the silly cartoon series back then but there are too many people (in Congress!) who would use this as another polarizing opportunity.
The man was never found guilty of anything but there are too many hate mongers who only believe the worst. They don't care about facts, they hate anyone different than themselves. Let Michael Jackson finally rest in peace, that he deserves.