House Debates Honor For Jackson

Politico: Not Everyone Is Behind Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee's Resolution Praising Michael Jackson

(The Politico)  This story was written by Glenn Thrush

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At about 3 p.m. Tuesday, civil rights hero John Lewis (D-Ga.) rose in a nearly-empty House chamber to express his support for a resolution recognizing the slaves who toiled and died while building the Capitol.

At almost the same moment, Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas) took the stage at the sold-out Staples Center in Los Angeles, where she vowed to bestow a similar honor on the King of Pop.

Jackson-Lee's 1,500 word resolution honoring Michael Jackson as a "global humanitarian" may be symbolic and heartfelt, but it's causing some nonsymbolic heartburn for the Democratic House leadership.

Between high-stakes fights over climate change and health care reform, Democrats will now have to moonwalk through the minefield of Jackson's oddball behavior, drug abuse and relationships with young children - all in the politically perilous geography of race relations in America.

"There's no appetite for this," one House Democrat told POLITICO. "We have too many other things to deal with right now."

But it's not as easy as that.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) needs to stay in the good graces of the Congressional Black Caucus. And while CBC members were reportedly lukewarm on Jackson-Lee's resolution initially, they now may have little choice but to rally around it.

Staffers say CBC members don't want to be seen as caving into Rep. Peter King, the New York Republican who called Jackson a "lowlife" and a "pervert" in a widely viewed YouTube video. And it will be hard for caucus members not to back Jackson-Lee's resolution after she held a framed copy aloft during the late pop star's nationally televised memorial service.

Still, Democrats from conservative districts are almost visibly queasy about the prospect of honoring Jackson further. When CBC members called for a moment of silence for Jackson on the House floor last month, Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) walked out. He said he was "nauseated" by the tribute - and that he was hardly the only Democratic member who felt that way.

"The cloakroom was pretty well packed," Yarmuth told a Los Angeles radio station. "I think there were a lot of people who were disgusted by it."

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Complete coverage of Jackson's death

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Democratic aides said privately Tuesday that it's unlikely the House will pass Jackson-Lee's resolution, which includes a recitation of nearly every charitable contribution Jackson made in the last quarter-century. And King vows to make the process as painful as possible by demanding a roll call vote.

"I'm telling you, the Democrats won't get the two-thirds they'll need to pass it," King told POLITICO. "My sense is that this is the last thing the House Democratic leadership wants to deal with."

King seems to be relishing his role as the anti-Jackson, but his YouTube video has brought a backlash, uniting African-American politicians and activists who may not have regarded Jackson as a major black figure before he came under attack.

Joni Reynolds, a columnist with The Daily Voice, an African-American website that focuses on current events called King's remarks a "hateful tirade" and stood up for the King of Pop.

"Michael Jackson settled out of court in the early nineties when he was accused of child abuse. In 2005 he was acquitted of all charges," Reynolds wrote.

"How dare Rep. King utter such scandalous and outlandish comments about Michael Jackson, when he has never opened his mouth to criticize his own colleagues who have been were accused of morally reprehensible, criminal or indecent acts and were forced to resign from public office," Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) said in a statement sent to reporters. "Michael Jackson was found innocent of the allegation against him and has never been classified in any court as being a pedophile."

King said Tuesday that he stands by his statement about Jackson.

King watched enough of Tuesday's memorial service to see Jackson-Lee speak. Others on the Hill apparently watched much more; House Internet servers nearly crashed during the service for the singer, and tech officials dispatched an e-mail warning offices that the crush of staffers watching on computers was causing major Internet slowness.

Jackson-Lee's office said that she hadn't planned to attend the ceremony but decided to go after Jackson's brother Jermaine - touched by her resolution - called to offer a personal invitation.

Jackson-Lee first met Michael Jackson in 2004, when she escorted him on a tour of Walter Reed, where he met with wounded soldiers from Iraq. At the memorial service Tuesday, she raised her hand in a military-style salute to the late singer.

"America appreciates and thanks you for Michael Jackson's life," she said as she clutched her resolution. "We have introduced into the House of Representatives this Resolution 600 that will be debated on the floor of the House that claims Michael Jackson as an American legend and musical icon, a world humanitarian - someone who will be honored forever and forever and forever and forever."

[ayatoldya]

Wacko Jacko doesn't need congressional recognition. The kid who morphed himself into a scarier face than The Joker was an over rated child molesting eunuch that happened to sing other people's songs and dance other people's dances well, kinda of like Madonna, or Britney Spears.
His early death is a blessing because now his money driven hype and misdeeds are OVER!

[swin5]

It seems like our congressmen have a choice - either spend time debating the merits of a resolution honoring Michael Jackson or spend the time actually reading from cover to cover the legislation that they will be voting on in the future.

[cm5605]

It has been said that MJ was a pedophile and a drug addict and I believe that he was. No stamp. Elvis was a drug addict but they gave him a stamp anyway, and that's a shame. Both of them could sing and dance, so what? What did they really do to improve or protect, or enhance society? Nothing. Let's save the Congressional honors for people that do something worthwhile like our military, law enforcement officers, firefighters, nurses and medical researchers.

[drthvader]

If we buy the liberty stamps or "forever stamps" the price isn't constantly changing, saving big bucks over a time period depending on how much postage we use.
Anyway, I have no problem with weird celebrities appearing on stamps. Buy some if you want them, could become collector's items someday I suppose. The world is a marketplace, if people want to buy all this, it will be available as long as it sells. And don't admire other people's wealth, it probably won't be willed to you anyway. Look after yourselves, boycott what You don't want. Somebody else might want it.

[antoniof123]

While Michael Jackson is not one of my favorites he was a great in fact maybe one of the greatest of all times.

We should honor what he did not what he became but for that matter if it were what he became then Elivs should not be honored either. If you don't want a stamp of MJ don't buy one what is the problem.

I mean much ado over nothing just political hacks making noise as usual.

[cyberus-2009]

With all the problems we have in this country right now this is how the house is going to spend its time?

[toldyouso29]

Let's see...we have 2 wars we are in, a failing economy...businesses collapsing left and right...world wide economic downturn, N. Korea threatening us, the usual turmoil in the ME, Russia willing to bust our chops, China in turmoil...yep--that leaves NO ROOM for inane proposals to honor anyone in entertainment. that is not pressing, not to the benefit of this nation and definitely NOT the business or purview of Congress.

I move that Jackson not only be censured for bringing up irrelevant business, but that those who actually care about the state of our country, sideline this idiot and do not reelect her next term. Our Congress does not need busy work--it is sad that MJ died. Really, really sad...but it is NOT Government business of any sort to recognize or criticize the man--be about governing Ms. Idiot NOT about emotionally masturbating part of the country's constituents.

[mimihardin]

I couldn't agree with you more.

Sheila Jackazz Lee only shows up where cameras are and always has a resolution of some such depending on the current situation. We are sick of her in Houston!

I've already contacted the Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep Peter King, as well as my local Congressman who happens to be a member of the Committee.

I would encourage everyone else to do the same. It's time this woman is stopped!!!

[HGOODGUY]

I WISH THAT CONGRESS WOULD STOP WASTING TIME ON NON-ISSUE RESOLUTIONS LIKE HONORING SLAVE DESCEDENTS OR HONORING ANTHING ELSE FOR THAT MATTER.

WHILE THE CAUSES MAY HAVE MERIT, CONGRESS HAS A HELL OF A LOT MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO THAN WASTE TIME ON THIS NONSENSE!!!!

[gravyboat4000]

It really disgusted me to see Rep. Jackson-Lee AND Rev. Al on that stage. Both are clearly users, latching on for publicity.

On the same level as Joe Jackson, looking out for themselves only.

That said, this thing Jackson-Lee wants to do for Michael would be a good thing, if they did it for EVERY celebrity who gave as much to charity as Michael has.

Unless this is just about pandering, Rep. Jackson-Lee?

[gravyboat4000]

"Is there a Congressional White Caucas?"

No, there is a MOSTLY White Congress.

Minority groups, including women in Congress, have always worked together, and sought each other out. It's not as,"black and white", as you'd make it out to be.

hehehe

[Rubeem]

and that is all you got out of the debate ???? By the way - - I am not white, either.

[mtcolquitt]

fo-get-about-it.
You are oh so right Rubeem.
Is this lady Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton's triplet sister?

[Rubeem]

Where there is a TV camera and anything to do with "color" - - it is no surprise that Ms. Jackson-Lee is up-front and center ! ! But to glorify MJ the way the black community is, is perplexing to say the least. MJ had his skin bleached, had every trace of afro-American trait removed from his appearance, had surrogate WHITE children and refrained from ANYTHING that symbolized his 'blackness'. So what's the deal - - why is there a 'color' element in the great floo-flaw?? My guess is that because we have a black (well, part) president, empathy, special treatment and consideration is expected. Jackson-Lee is sooooo racist and takes every opportunity to expound her views -- and take up valuable Congress time with a request for special honor for MJ. Not to mention the Congressional Black Caucus seem compelled to rally around her obnoxious proposal for honor. Is there a Congressionls WHITE Caucus ??? NO - of course not - -but if there was, do you think someone would have requested a special moment of silence in the House or a special honor for Elvis when he died??? NO - - nor would it have been allowed.

[antoniof123]

Dude yes they did have a special hone when Elvis died in fact you can buy Elvis stamps. You really need to get out more often it would do you a world of good.

Bye the way my other quote if you don't want an MJ or Elvis stamp don't buy one. I always buy Liberty stamps they can be used all the time becuase you only pay once and never need an upgrade even when the price changes.

That said much ado about nothing just a polictal hack spounting nonsense both sides.