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The death hadn't even been confirmed, the body not yet cold, before the comparisons were being made. The passing of Michael Jackson reignited the occasional debate about the King of Pop and Elvis Presley, "The King" of rock 'n' roll. In the hours after Jackson's passing, Canadian songbird Celine Dion claimed it felt "like when (President John) Kennedy died, when Elvis Presley died. We are not only talking about a talented person dying, it's an amazing loss." The articles analyzing the similarities between Jackson and Presley have been ubiquitous and inevitable. Even Billboard magazine editorial director Bill Werde declared, "The...

The world's greatest entertainer died -- 19 years ago. His name is Sammy Davis Jr. At Michael Jackson's memorial, Motown founder Berry Gordy called the late, incredibly talented Jackson "the greatest entertainer that ever lived." Someone once said that Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire's famous dance partner, did everything he did -- except backward and wearing high heels. Well, Sammy Davis Jr. did everything Michael Jackson did -- and more, much more -- except during Jim Crow and with one eye. Davis sang. He danced. He acted. He played piano, drums and trumpet. He did impressions of the popular celebrities of...

"When Montreal-born author Ian Halperin first set out to write the definitive Michael Jackson biography, his intention was to nail the pop icon to the wall. It was 2005 and Jackson had just been acquitted of a second charge of child molestation. By the time Halperin, 44, finished the book, and long before Jackson died two weeks ago, his opinion of the troubled artist had undergone a 180-degree shift."....

"The phone rang at Neverland – and it was crunch time for Michael Jackson as he was told the jury had reached their verdicts in his child molestation trial. Calmly, the entire Jackson clan climbed into cars for the 30-minute drive to Santa Maria. Jackson was in a black Cadillac Escalade SUV, accompanied by mum Katherine and dad Joe. Not long into the journey, he leaned over and whispered in Katherine’s ear. “If this doesn’t go right, take care of my kids,” he pleaded. “Make sure my kids are fine.” It was the first time the King of Pop had...

Here is video from 1984 when Michael Jackson's hair caught on fire during the sixth take of a Pepsi commercial he was filming with his brothers. The clip shows one take where pyrotechnics in the commercial exploded as planned after Jackson goes down the stairs and begins performing with his brothers. But on the sixth take, things go wrong. The pyrotechnics go off too quickly and you can see Jackson's hair on fire. At first he is unaware of it and eventually you see his brothers and others help him to get the fire out. The video says he suffered...

Multiple law enforcement sources tell TMZ the LAPD is already treating Michael Jackson's death as a homicide, and they are focusing on Dr. Conrad Murray. Law enforcement sources tell us the evidence points to the anesthesia Propofol as the primary cause of Jackson's death. As we first reported, vials of Propofol were found in Jackson's home after he died. Law enforcement sources say there is already "plenty of powerful evidence" linking Dr. Murray as the person who administered the drug to Jackson. The evidence includes various items found in Jackson's house, including the Propofol, an IV stand and oxygen tank....

Michael Jackson fatigue has set in among Americans inundated with titillating media coverage of the pop star's celebrated life and unexpected death almost three weeks ago.

LOS ANGELES - A maker of the potent anesthetic propofol found in Michael Jackson's home has been contacted by federal officials investigating the pop star's death and has recalled tens of thousands of vials of the drug after two tainted lots sickened dozens of patients. There is no apparent connection between the bacterial contamination that prompted the recall and Jackson's death on June 25, Teva Pharmaceuticals spokeswoman Denise Bradley told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The tracking number on the tainted lots was different from the number on a vial that Drug Enforcement Administration investigators told the company was found...

Public mourning for Michael Jackson crowded out other news last week, including the long-awaited papal encyclical on economics. Somehow that seems appropriate. Since 1985, this pontiff has argued that markets can be no better than the moral character of their participants. What we call "youth culture" for lack of a better word ... The public's grief was unfeigned and profound, for Jackson embodied the desire of a generation, that is, never to grow up. Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray had a portrait that revealed his inner decay, and Michael Jackson had a nose. If one image captures the spirit of the...

For the second in week a row, the fallout from the death of pop singer Michael Jackson was the week's top story. It filled 17% of the newshole from July 6-12, the result in large part of the star-studded July 7 memorial service viewed on TV by an estimated 31 million Americans. Meanwhile, the No. 3 story last week (7%) was the continuing chatter over the July 3 resignation of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who may now be a cultural figure as well as a political one.

Michael Jackson is dead, the world mourns and our loss is heaven's gain...so sez Al Sharpton.

My column below memorializes some true American heroes whose funerals won’t get wall-to-wall cable coverage. But first I wanted to share an e-mail from reader Noelle, who wrote me yesterday: We spent a nailbiting Sunday wondering if one of the men killed at [Combat Outpost] Zerok in Afghanistan on July 4th was our son. God bless the Casillas and Fairbairn families in this hour of grief over futures that now will never come to pass. The privates who died were mortarmen, the guys who go outside and return fire. I’m sorry about Michael Jackson’s totally wasted life, but he’s not...

Villaraigosa Criticizes Staff For Seeking Donations LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa criticized his staff for setting up a Web site seeking donations to cover the city's cost from the Michael Jackson memorial. Villaraigosa said the city is responsible for protecting public safety and should pick up the $1.4 million tab for police overtime and other services from the event last week at Staples Center. The mayor, who was on vacation in South Africa during the memorial, called the city's donation Web site "ridiculous."

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July 11, 2009 Jackson death may have been 'homicide', says police chief (Rusty Kennedy/AP) MIchael Jackson is reported to have been taking a cocktail of drugs James Bone in New York The Los Angeles police chief has raised the prospect of a homicide charge over the death of Michael Jackson. Homicide does not necessarily mean murder — it could mean a manslaughter charge against a doctor. Jackson, 50, died last month in mysterious circumstances but is reported to have been taking a cocktail of drugs including the potent anaesthetic Diprivan, also known as propofol. Los Angeles police are investigating Jackson’s...

<p>Where are the defenders of "the cause" when you need them? When an actual social tragedy occurs, where are the self-titled leaders of the black movement? I'll answer my own question: They're busy fighting for an interview or a microphone during all of the Michael Jackson festivities.</p>

Let the dead bury Michael Jackson "… And let the dead bury the dead." –Matthew 8:22 Michael Joseph Jackson won 13 Grammies and sold more than 750 million records worldwide over the span of four decades. This same person also exhibited bizarre behavior and faced child sexual abuse allegations. Yet, Rev. Al Sharpton, Michael's entertainer friends, and the major TV networks covered up this dark side at Michael's memorial and elevated him to hero status. The so-called memorial was about unrealistically lifting up a black Michael as the "king" in order to lift up blacks, and, in so doing, lowering...

While his role as the driving force in the Jackson family success has never been in question, father Joe Jackson's parenting - especially with Michael - has long been a subject of scrutiny and controversy. So it's all the more surprising that the driven patriarch is now working to forge a larger role for himself in the lives of Michael's three children. In a partial interview released on ABC on Friday, taken from a longer interview to be aired July 14, Joe says that both he and estranged wife Katherine should take on permanent guardianship duties now that Michael has...

Is anybody else out there not buying the Mother Teresa comparison crap the MSM is attempting to pawn off on us regarding Michael Jackson? This would be the same media that routinely—and righteously, I might add—exposed, ridiculed and condemned Wacko Jacko while he was alive for all of his out-of-this-world, can’t-get-more-jacked-up-than-that asininities he shoved up our culture’s collective tailpipe. Let me see if I get this straight. If I live by Jacko’s rules: • I can, as a 50-year-old man, sleep with a stack of little boys in my bedroom—a room, mind you, that is protected with advanced Maxwell Smart...

Here is video of Louis Farakhan talking about the late Michael Jackson with CNN's Don Lemon. Farrakhan says "it was obvious" that Jackson did not like his outward appearance and set out to change it so that he would look more white. He also said Jackson had a "beautiful spirit," and that he was a gentle person. (Watch Video)

MICHAEL Jackson's heartbroken sister La Toya last night sensationally insisted the King of Pop was MURDERED for his £1 billion ($1.62 billion)fortune. And the former Playboy model told the News of the World: "I KNOW who did it." In an astonishing exclusive interview, La Toya, 53, reveals secret new facts about the 50-year-old superstar's sudden death, drugs found in his body and a $2 million stash of cash and jewels that has gone missing. .... In a moving exclusive four-hour interview with the News of the World, grieving La Toya - the closest person to Michael from the whole tight-knit...

China has taken jobs and even the Hummer from the United States. Tom Qian of Shanghai Daily reports that Qiu Xuefan, vice director of Wenzhou Chamber of Commerce, has announced plans to construct a smaller version of Neverland at Xianghua Town of Chongming County, which is about an hour drive from downtown Shanghai. The project which will cover 667,000 square meters is expected to cost 100 million yuan (US$14.6 million) and be completed in a year. Meanwhile Gerald Posner of the Daily Beast reports that a senior executive of Colony Capital which controls the original Neverland states that it will...

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shut the door Thursday to a resolution by a Houston lawmaker honoring Michael Jackson because debate on the symbolic measure could raise "contrary views" about the pop star's life.

Joe Jackson wants to teach his grandkids the ABCs of showbiz. The notoriously hard-driving stage dad said he sees star power in Michael Jackson's two youngest children. "I keep watching Paris. She maybe wants to do something," Joe Jackson, 80, said on Friday in an interview with "Good Morning America." "And Blanket, he can really dance." The comments by Jackson's father - who said Thursday he suspects foul play in his son's untimely death - came as British tabloid The Sun reported today that Jackson had lethal levels of painkiller Demerol and heroin substitute methadone in his body when he...

Here is video of Michael Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, talking with ABC News last night, July 10, 2009, and saying he believes that his son was the victim of "foul play." He also said he thinks Michael Jackson's children should be raised by he and his wife, Katherine. . . . . . (Watch Video)

It'll be on the dopey MSNBC channel. They apparently don't even list it on their website, but I know it will be on at 1PM ET today and again tomorrow (Sunday) at 12 noon ET. In any case, you have got to see it to believe it. "Weird" doesn't begin to describe it.

Michael Jackson's sudden death may give his three beloved children something he could never provide — a chance to be themselves. The King of Pop devoted his life to creating a fairy-tale Never Neverland for his three young heirs, a world where the reality around them was hidden behind masks or the burly frames of professional bodyguards. Prince Michael Joseph, 12, Paris Michael, 11, and Prince Michael II, a.k.a "Blanket," 7, have never attended a day of school. They've never known a neighborhood friend. They sleep together in the same room. And the only outsiders they know are strangers their...

How to remember Michael Jackson? If it ever would turn out M.J. was a pedophile, I would regret having lived on the same planet. If the opposite ever was proven, I'm prepared to admit he was a great entertainer. However, I fail to see that Michael Jackson ever possessed a true rock'n'roll spirit. Chuck Berry does. A sincere American patriot like Jimi Hendrix did (- by the way, remember he was a 101st Airborne Division parachuter). Michael Jackson indeed was a very successful composer. But honestly speaking, he didn't know what true rock'n'roll was all about and he lacked attitude....

Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan recently replied to a fan letter on the band's website and seemed to throw a barb at the late Michael Jackson in the process. In a post on Thursday, Corgan responded to a fan article entitled "Pumpkins by Any Other Name" that addressed the recent changes in personnel the band underwent, as well as the music created from the changes. "In the center of any of it has been for me, personally speaking, my music," Corgan wrote. "Yes, MY music. The music that came out of this being and body. I've called the umbrella the...

On a recent radio show hosted by the Rev. Al Sharpton, a caller phoned in with a theory about Michael Jackson's death. He blamed Sarah Palin. Yes, according to the caller, "maybe she did something to Michael Jackson," and "maybe she's stepping down because something's about to come out." Now, crazy people calling into radio shows isn't news — I used to call "Loveline" 20 times a night, just to complain about the pixies living in my teeth. But I love Sharpton's response. He said, "All right.... that's interesting. I'll put it out, we'll see. I don't know."

Michael Jackson's family is locked in a stubborn battle over what to do with the King of Pop's remains — a dispute that highlights decades of feuding. In 2002, Jackson completed a will leaving his estate to his children and granting custody of the kids — Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and “Blanket,” 7 — to his mother. But it appears Jackson did not stipulate his wishes for the disposition of his remains. In accordance with California law, if Jackson did not provide clear, specific directions for burial, control over his remains would go to his next of kin...

must go to site to read.

Michael Jackson was raised by Jehovah’s Witnesses and flirted with Scientology and Islam. Now many Christian groups wonder if the King of Pop is residing with the King of Kings. In the days since Michael Jackson’s death, much has been made of his ability to build bridges. His popularity spread across cultures and demographics. Jackson’s religion—at least what we know of it—followed suit. His parents raised him in the Jehovah’s Witness tradition, a semi-Christian sect. He was briefly married to Lisa Marie Presley, a Scientologist, and though he reportedly did some fundraising for Scientology, it’s not clear whether he ever...

First on TVNewser: Yesterday afternoon, ABC News correspondent Chris Connelly sat down with Michael Jackson's father Joe Jackson -- Jackson's first one-on-one interview since his son's death. A small portion was used on "Nightline" last night, more of it today on "Good Morning America" and insiders tell us the interview may be used in an hour-long "Family Secrets" special Tuesday night. But it didn't come free. TVNewser has learned ABC News paid upwards of $200,000 for rights to video featuring Joe and Katherine Jackson - and with it, the interview with Joe Jackson. A source close to the situation tells...

LA police chief: Jackson investigation might turn criminalBy Deutsche Presse Agentur His statements Thursday to CNN were the clearest indication yet that some of the many doctors who treated Jackson over the years could have helped him illegally get the prescription drugs that were suspected of being a factor in his death. Bratton's comments came as the Jackson family was waiting for the results of the pop star's official autopsy and the independent autopsy that were conducted shortly after his June 25 death. "We are still awaiting corroboration from the coroner's office as to cause of death," Bratton told CNN....

WASHINGTON, DC – After shutting down a resolution to honor Michael Jackson this week, Nancy Pelosi was voted House Party Pooper. Pelosi put an end to a possible resolution that would have paid tribute to the recently deceased musician this week. She claimed that Congress could express their condolences individually but such a measure would waste valuable government time. The House then passed a nearly unanimous vote naming Pelosi the House Party Pooper. The Party Pooper Resolution is merely the culmination of a long string of events in Congress. Nancy Pelosi voted down Congressional Casual Fridays last spring, and moving...

The passing of pop music star Michael Jackson has been the hot topic and may have even seemed like the only topic covered in recent days by the national media. And for the most part, having that impression was accurate. From Jackson's death on June 25 through the day of his highly publicized memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7, the broadcast primetime news programs - ABC's "World News with Charles Gibson," "CBS Evening News" and "NBC Nightly News" allocated one third of their broadcast time excluding commercials (34 percent). (See results here) That's 270...

Michael Jackson took more than 10 Xanax pills a night, "asking his employees to get the prescription sleep medicine under their names and also personally traveling to doctor's offices in other states to obtain them," according to CNN. The bombshell reports comes from a 2004 Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department document that contains confidential interviews with two of Jackson's former security guards. The interviews were conducted as officials prepared for the singer's 2005 child molestation trial.

Some have labeled the summer of 2009, the Summer of the Celebrity Death Watch, and one could successfully argue the point. Ed McMahon, Karl Malden, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays, David Carradine, Koko Taylor, Fred Travalena and, most notably, Michael Jackson – to name but a few off the top of my head – have all passed away over the course of June and July. While the mortality of a generation is always catalyst for priority re-evaluation and reflection, it is the caliber of “the catalyst” – those we have elevated to iconic status – that exposes just how superficial our...

The Washington Post called it an "orgy of praise" and an "exercise in excess." They were referring to the star-studded, mega-televised Michael Jackson memorial service in Los Angeles. It just as accurately described the supposedly serious national media’s weeks of outsized hyperbole concerning the life and death of a man who was a pop sensation, to be sure, but also highly controversial, even scandalous. There certainly was the exercise in excess on the "news" programs. On the night of July 6, ABC, CBS, and NBC, paid twenty times more attention to Jackson (more than a week after his death)...

Michael Jackson rebuilt his nose before his death because extensive plastic surgery had left him with breathing problems, his doctor has disclosed. Arnold Klein, Jackson’s dermatologist, said that he stopped him from going to a plastic surgeon and began rebuilding his nose and cheeks using fillers last year. “I thought he had a nice-looking nose . . . but it got to the point where it was far too thin. It didn’t look natural to me,” Dr Klein told the CNN programme Larry King Live. “I rebuilt it, using fillers. He was beginning to look like the nose was normal...

Even though the world has said goodbye to Michael Jackson, the lingering suspicion is now linking his longtime friend Elizabeth Taylor to his alleged prescription-drug overdose. Sources told The Daily Beast that Taylor influenced Jackson to take multiple prescription drugs introducing him to doctor Arnold Klein -- the same doctor whom she's since revealed prescribed her multiple medications including Dilaudid and Ativan, the first a powerful opiate that street users dub "the Bentley of heroin" and the latter a tranquilizer. According to a source familiar with Taylor's medical history, she sought help from at least two doctors to counter her...

(CNN) Celebrity News Network - Now with More Holograms! - August 13, 2038 He was the first black President of the United States, and he also became its last President when in 2019, after his term in office had been extended indefinitely by HR:0666 or “The Hope and Faith in Obama’s Everlasting Presidency Act” (Holo-Link), he was forced to leave office because the government had run out of money to pay for itself. Though he lived a very public life, few could agree on even the basic facts of his life, such as where he was born, who his father...

Michael Jackson's memorial service the latest stop for Houston Democrat known as 'The Funeral Lady' for the stars Shocked to see Texas U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee join the star-studded memorial tribute to Michael Jackson earlier this week? Probably not if you’re from Houston. The congresswoman, who represents the 18th District, has a reputation in her hometown for, let’s say, making herself available to speak at events, occasions, funerals — particularly when cameras are nearby. Just a few days earlier, in her signature braid, Jackson Lee stood alongside Beyoncé at her pre-concert press-conference to address hunger —both women grinning for...

Here is video of New York Congressman Peter King who continues to stand by his strong comments about Michael Jackson. King called Jackson a "pervert" several days ago prior to Jackson's funeral. He tells Bill O'Reilly he stands behind every word he said. He refutes charges of racism that has been leveled against him that his comments were racially motivated. . . . . (Watch Video)

WASHINGTON – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shut the door Thursday to a resolution honoring Michael Jackson because debate on the symbolic measure could raise "contrary views" about the pop star's life. Lawmakers are free to use House speeches "to express their sympathy or their praise any time that they wish," said Pelosi, D-Calif. "I don't think it's necessary for us to have a resolution."

OK! Magazine’s cover story features Debbie Rowe vs. The Jackson Family in a huge custody battle over MJ’s kids. Just as the world says farewell to the King of Pop, it looks like Debbie Rowe is gearing up to get a huge payday. CLICK HERE to see all Michael Jackson Magazine covers! Plus, OK! features never-seen-before photos of Michael Jackson and the kids at Neverland, including MJ & the kids celebrating birthdays, weddings and even a visit from Bill Clinton. Who should get MJ's kids? Debbie Rowe The Jackson Family

In regard to the Memorial service today in LA for Michael Jackson, as I watched the service I was overwhelmed with grief over the hopelessness, the false comfort, all the lies and deceit, the illusions and delusions, and all of the wishful thinking and erroneous expectations in the light of the awesome realities of Time and Eternity. Great achievements and worldly success bring absolutely no merit or redemptive qualities in light of our fallen humanity (Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:8-9). The absolute bankruptcy of humanity dictates its greatest need for the righteous perfection demanded by our Divine Creator - Almighty God....

Michael Jackson, famously known as the ‘Moonwalker´ for his legendary dance moves, now has a crater of the moon named after himself. In an out-of-the-world tribute to the ‘King of Pop´ the Lunar Republic Society named the moon crater after Jackson’s name, Contactmusic reported. The crater, previously named Posidonius J, is located in the Moon’s Lake of Dreams and is close to a 1,200-acre parcel, which was purchased by the pop star. Jackson, died last month at the age of 50 after a suspected cardiac arrest. His fans and family members bid their final farewell to the pop legend in...

I very troubling photo of the troubled "King of Pop"