Taking A Pass On The Jackson Case

Face The Nation Won't Cover Whacko Jacko Story

(CBS)  Weekly commentary by Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer.

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So they have arrested Michael Jackson. Fine. Give him a fair trial and let me know how it comes out.

Spare me the details between now and then.

I guess I'm going to have to admit it up front. I'm biased. I think Michael Jackson is a creep. I don't want to know anything else about him, about his plastic surgery, about his unhappy childhood, or his friends. I don't want to know. I don't need to know anything else about him.

Just tell me when the jury finds him innocent or guilty.

This in no way is meant as criticism of the news broadcasts and cable shows that have given his arrest such heavy coverage.

When a guy as rich as Michael Jackson goes on trial, you have to keep the pressure on by keeping it in the public eye. When such things don't get public attention, it's too easy for somebody to buy off somebody.

But the heavy coverage brings an added advantage for us. We don't have to cover it here. So when and if you feel the need to find out more about the case, use the clicker. I guarantee that on some channel at any hour of the night or day, you can get the latest. In the meantime, Face the Nation is going to stick to Iraq and the coming election and even some duller stuff.

We're going to pass on the Jackson story. Sorry, but it just makes me sick at my stomach.