Posted on 07/07/2009 7:58:55 AM PDT by kristinn
The Jackson family has decided to bring Michael's body to the memorial service being held today at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, putting off the announced plans for a private internment at Forest Lawn cemetery from 8 a.m. PDT to after the service.
The 10 a.m. PDT service is being broadcast on all the major American broadcast and cable news networks, as well as in theaters across the country, the Times Square jumbotron in New York City and on TV screens around the world.
From Entertainment Weekly, performers and friends expected at the service include: Kobe Bryant, Mariah Carey, Berry Gordy, Jennifer Hudson, Shaheen Jafargholi, Magic Johnson, Martin Luther King III, Bernice A. King, John Mayer, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Brooke Shields, Usher and Stevie Wonder.
Michael's Jackson's close friend Elizabeth Taylor declined an invitation to speak at the service, writing in part on Twitter: "I cannot be part of the public whoopla."
In a strange but fitting twist of fate, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus elephant parade through the streets of Los Angeles is set to take place this morning with the elephants arriving at the Staples Center just hours before the service for the circus' scheduled run at the arena.
FILE - In this July 15, 2008 file photo originally supplied by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, elephants from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, take an early morning stroll en route to the Staples Center in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Stefano Paltera, file) (Stefano Paltera - AP)
The Congressional Skin Color Caucus actually stopped blaming the world and stood silent for a moment because MJ died.
They’ll try to pass a resolution then resume their work blaming the world again.
what was going on with USHER?
There is only 1 KING OF KINGS
The First and the LAST
The Alpha and the OMEGA....
Jesus the Christ.....
Usher singing ‘Gone too Soon’
DOW is down...even the stock market is crying....
What is it with all these activists and a so called politician speaking at this memorial? I thought there would be people the public associates with Michael, such as Liz Taylor, Brooke Shields, Quincy Jones, etc. I know Liz backed out and saw Brooke, but so far this memorial is more about grandstanding then remembering MJ.
Just think.....people all over the world are watching this and wondering about the parade of kooks and hasbeens clogging up the airwaves....thinking....no wonder the US is so f-ed up..... Way to go America!!!!
it is like the Kennedy clan...even a funeral is a photo op
❋❤Happy 7 year FReeper anniversary to me!❤❋
I’m waiting for Bobby Sherman and Butch Patrick to make an appearance. This could go on forever.
Smokey Robinson up next...
So I’m guessing you don’t like it when I call Obama the Messiah? :-) (Because he believes he is)
I like Smokey
❋❤Happy 7 year FReeper anniversary to me!❤❋
Smokey is rockin’.
Well considering that we (as a nation) hired a racist to be our leader this doesn't surprise me in the least.
LMAO!! Smokey wanted to see MJ’s BC. Is he an MJ birther?
They just showed Michael as a little black boy...before he turned white.
sw
Smokey is great!
he is a devout Christian.....
I feel bad for his parents..You are not suppose to out live your kids....
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