Michael Jackson's memorial -- what would LA taxpayers get for their money?
No. Nonononononononononono. Ab. So. Lute. Ly. No.
The city of Los Angeles is a half-billion dollars in the hole. Layoffs. Furloughs. Potholes unfilled, trees untrimmed. Animal services, the ethics commission, whack whack whack.
So why, why, in any rational universe, should the city of L.A. pick up the policing tab for Michael Jackson's obsequies at Staples Center?
For the Lakers' victory parade -- certainly a more civically significant event than the excesses that follow Jackson in death as they did in life -- the city found private donors because of the pushback of public opinion over subsidizing the athletic triumph of, as they say, millionaires working for billionaires.
.
So why is there now any thought at all of dipping into a city fund for ''extraordinary events'' to subsidize this one -- which, if a ''public viewing'' becomes part of the memorial, will turn the whole thing into a Michael Jackson corpse carnival?
An earthquake is an extraordinary event. But Michael Jackson's family deciding, gee, let's invite the world (or at least something above 17,000 members of the world) to mourn our relative -- extraordinary to them, and to Jackson fans, certainly, but hardly enough to stick it to the taxpayers of LA.
Council member Jan Perry said the city would ''deeply appreciate'' any private citizen coming forward to pick up the tab. ``Any company, entity, individual who would have such great love, the city would welcome the support,” she told the New York Times.
I nominate the Jackson family to pay the bill, perhaps going halfsies with AEG, which owns Staples (and was the promoter on Jackson's planned comeback concerts). The Jackson estate stands to benefit enormously from this. The undoubted live, free, worldwide news coverage of the memorial, the frenzy of 10, 20, 30 times more fans clamoring outside than can possibly cram into Staples, will generate mind-boggling sales of MJ music. The Staples name will figure into every video clip.
So why should the Jacksons' private arrangement with Staples to commemorate the passing of a man who was almost pathologically averse in life to the public's gaze become, in the end, a public burden?
Hint: that's a rhetorical question.
Photo: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images
With all of the people coming to LA, they will make plenty of money from tourists.
Posted by: J Weed | July 04, 2009 at 08:50 AM
Why should the city pick up the tab for the police? Because of all the money the city as a whole will receive as a result of the memorial service. I find it hard to believe that every single person going to the memorial are citizens of L.A. Well, these tourists visiting MJ's corpse will undoubtedly be spending their money at all the local vendors, restaurants, shops, hotels, etc. Not only is that tax money, but it's also money the city wouldn't have already seen.
Somehow I have a feeling that whatever the cops are going to cost, the city L.A. and its people are going to make back tenfold from the MJ looneys visiting the Staples Center.
Posted by: James | July 04, 2009 at 08:59 AM
The staggering amount of tax revenue generated by the event from sales tax, hotel tax, car rental tax, plus the boon to small and large business from restaurants, taxi's, and NEWSPAPERS for WEEKS, far eclipses any cost for the clean up. You obviously do not know how the city fills those "coffers" that you are say are empty. It is by travel and tourism, the number 1 industry in the world.
Posted by: Brad | July 04, 2009 at 09:02 AM
After 40 years of constant sexist misandrist feminist hate propaganda, men are seen as evil and people are suspicious when men are near young children. Poor Michael was the VICTIM of massive hysteria and Misandrist FEAR that is promoted by the sexist feminists on a daily basis in the media. Poor Michael did not get to raise the VICTIM card because it is exclusive to girls and only girls who exploit it frequently. The gender-biased sexist laws do not recognize that men can be victims. Poor Michael.
Posted by: sarah | July 04, 2009 at 09:02 AM
Well, said. And yes - let's revisit the "celebration" after the Lakers WON. What's going to happen to all the people who don't get in to the memorial that think they have, Hey! That's unfair! Let's turn over cars and set things on fire - "in his honor". Forget paying for the police for the event itself. I predict lots and lots of cleanup. Riot style behavior seems to have become the standard in cases like this. I seriously don't know what they are thinking. This event should definitely take place outside - maybe in a stadium. Some place that can handle a ton more people and LOTS and LOTS of overflow, because the "overflow" can get ugly quick.
Secondly, excellent point about MJ's extreme need for privacy and solace. Even in death his family and the music business exploit him for their own gain. It's sad.
Posted by: SV | July 04, 2009 at 09:03 AM
It is disgusting and even sickening that the family would sell tickets to something so private. It is equally sickening that people would buy them. He was just an entertainer with severe mental health issues (child fetish, monkey fetish, and spending beyond his means fetish) and a severe drug addiction. Why are people treating him like God, and why would anyone want to be like him?
Posted by: Tom Gordon | July 04, 2009 at 09:03 AM
Perhaps June Chandler could contribute something. Remember her? She's the mom of Jody Chandler, who received an $18 million payout so as not to press child molestation charges against Michael Jackson back in 1993. I bet she still has a little of the money left.
Posted by: rmarkus | July 04, 2009 at 09:06 AM
The city of Los Angeles sould not even consider this for Jacksons concerdering their burdon on the taxpayers of LA. that in itself would be a worse tragedy more so than Michaels death
Posted by: TONY COLLINS` | July 04, 2009 at 09:08 AM
In our neighborhood we don't celebrate the life of alleged pedophiles
Posted by: Dixieskid | July 04, 2009 at 09:09 AM
What could be more normal or fitting than the city of Los Angeles PAYING homage to a pedofile? Isn't this the way things are done in California?
Posted by: Jimbo | July 04, 2009 at 09:11 AM
Now, why would you expect a reasonable, prudent decision out of any government agency or entity? Everything they do is just crazy and shows no forethought.Madea
Posted by: madea | July 04, 2009 at 09:13 AM
I screamed when I heard about this yesterday. It's absolutely unconscionable that the City would pay for this when they wouldn't pony up for the Lakers Victory Parade. Are these people stupid?
The Jackson family and AEG should be ashamed of themselves, too. They should have gotten the permits and paid for the privilege of blocking the streets just as I would have if I wanted to hold a "For Profit" program in Los Angeles.
Posted by: amsron | July 04, 2009 at 09:14 AM
Do the LA people have brains? The place is such a big city and they can't figure out how to make money from tourists. They way you make money is people from outside of LA to bring in money. If you only have LA people spending money in LA then the money is just circulating in LA. You need money from tourists, the outsiders. I am sure parking at the venue is NOT free. That's some income there. Install toilets outside the venue where people have to insert a dime or quarter to get in. Place donation tables all around the center for people to donate to the police, etc. That is the day to have an MJ tribute specials for all the businesses in LA.
Just advertise - MJ tribute special - today only - 10% off. Come on the LA people are not stupid. This free memorial is a blessing not a CURSE to the LA city. That is the time to sell a couple hundred memorabilia of MJ that these tourists will bring home to their countries and state. The city can set this up and sell some cheap memorabilia. For one day in you life in the city, take advantage of this even and have some brains to make money.
Posted by: tij | July 04, 2009 at 09:14 AM
Tom Gordon, the tickets are not being sold, they are free, and are being distributed through a lottery.....get ur facts right, and he was the biggest superstar in the HISTORY of the world, u name someone half as famous as he across numerous generations, countries and differences.
Posted by: Tyree | July 04, 2009 at 09:17 AM
The city should pay because enough of its citizens (masses actually) care enough to more than pack the Staples center to pay respect to the largest icon in the history of music.. If it were you on the other hand, then that would be a completely different story. You are such a loser.
Posted by: rlanier | July 04, 2009 at 09:20 AM
I am really amazed at the ignorance of pinny pinchers who apparently have forgotten about all the millions that Michael paid into the various treasuries in the state of California while living and performing here. Very short memories on the part of haters. Only in America. How about giving those funds back to the estate and then allow them to pay for the services that taxpayers of his statute give for all the politicians welfare programs in this state?
Posted by: bill jenkins | July 04, 2009 at 09:26 AM
All they have to do is collect money from the advertising if they show the coverage on TV. They can even rebroadcast it for people who can't see it live.
Posted by: Gabe | July 04, 2009 at 09:26 AM
Should the tax payers be responsable for the cost of MJ service? No, I am convinced Michael Jackson's marketing and investor teams are behind the media blitz and have already had many meetings with the family, in the long run, their cofferes will be overfilled so let them figure out the financing
Posted by: Mickie Sitter | July 04, 2009 at 09:27 AM
TYREE..........for your info MJ is not the biggest superstar in the HISTORY of the world JC was is and still is GET a LIFE!!!!
Posted by: mojosurfer | July 04, 2009 at 09:28 AM
Also, I doubt that the outsiders will trash LA. Only LA people trash their own city. So if anything, if there is a lottery, the winners of the TICKET lottery should all come from outside of LA so the police and the city would not have to do a LOT of cleanup.
And the LA people should just focus on selling stuff to all those people from outside of LA. Make this an opportunity to make money. It is a mourning of MJs death and celebration of Michael Jackson's music talent on earth.
Posted by: tij | July 04, 2009 at 09:30 AM
>So why, why, in any rational universe, should the >city of L.A. pick up the policing tab for Michael >Jackson's obsequies at Staples Center? \\
Maybe b/c over his life, MJ has paid god knows how many millions in property taxes on neverland, employed scores of people, and donated millions to charities...
I guess it really burns government worshipers like Patt over here when one of the cities biggest cash cows gets a little "honor gratis".
PS, LA is broke b/c of thieves channeling taxpayer dollars on their friends and cronies... 1/2 of the students in LA government school don't graduate, and 1/2 of the ones who do are functionally illiterate.
Posted by: Reality Check | July 04, 2009 at 09:33 AM
Let Joe Jackson pay for the police support. He is already hyping "his" record company. Great father figure there!
Posted by: jjackson | July 04, 2009 at 09:34 AM
" u name someone half as famous as he."
How about four people at least as famous as he ... John, George, Paul & Ringo
Posted by: Lettuce GetReal | July 04, 2009 at 09:35 AM
You must be crazy! Let Michael rest in peace isn't that what he was searching for with all the drugs he was taking. If you really care about him as you all claim, then pray for him and stop trying to turn his unfortunate death into a circus act. He was a superstar but one with lots of problems. We should stop acting as if all of his mental issues are OK because he was a great performer. Would you want your child to have lived such a tormented life. No! Let him rest in peace and pray for him!
Posted by: Janet | July 04, 2009 at 09:41 AM
has this country collectively lost it's mind?a man as guilty as OJ of child molestation is being held up as saint michael instead of chester the molester.He was only found not guilty because the main accusers were paid off.No wonder this country is in so much trouble,we deserve what we get.
Posted by: johnp | July 04, 2009 at 09:47 AM