ProConPundit Softens Stand on--
King of Pop, and...
The ProConPundit watched the entire funeral of Michael Jackson. And, incidentally, it was a Funeral Service, not a Memorial Service. The media seems to lack the distinction but a funeral service one in which the body is present and a memorial service is one in which it is not. In all fairness, it was unknown until 8:30 a.m. Chicago time today as to whether the body would be present for the service. When it was announced to the assembled masses at the Staples Center that the casketed remains of Michael Jackson would be present, people were euphoric. I experienced it something of a teachable moment in that his body being present mattered to people. It was, naturally, a continual focal point during the service. Particularly in a case where people didn’t get the chance to say good bye, the presence of the body, even in a closed casket, is helpful.
I was never a fan of MJ. It was a great funeral. I was particularly moved by Stevie Wonder, Brooke Shields, my dear friend, the Rev. Al Sharpton, and the words by Jackson’s daughter, Katherine Paris Jackson. I also learned a lot about Jackson. I had not realized the depth of his financial generosity and humanitarian efforts. I still stand with Congressman Peter King (R-NY) on Jackson, in general, but I cannot dismiss the impact he has had on music, history, and the African American community.
Queen of Conservatives
When Sarah Palin was plucked from relative obscurity to be John McCain’s running mate last year, she was already a remarkable success story, an effective governor, and someone who fought her way to the top. Some people blame him for the defeat, some blame her. Definitively: It was his fault–it was his race to lose. I don’t think she helped. She solidified conservatives who were already holding their noses and voting for McCain. She alienated moderates and independents, as did he. For all of his talk of being a maverick and for as much as conservatives shunned him, he chose to dance to the right, instead of the center in the general election, the opposite of the Nixonian recipe for GOP victory.
As much as I don’t personally care for Palin, I do think the media has absolutely been relentless in their ridicule of her and her family. When Saturday Night Live made jokes about the child Chelsea Clinton being homely, they were forced to apologize. When MSNBC’s David Shuster, an unabashed liberal, referred to Chelsea Clinton’s role in her mother’s campaign last year as being “pimped” by her parents, he was suspended for over a month. Don’t let anyone tell you Palin was treated fairly. She wasn’t.
Palin’s resignation as Governor of Alaska is inconsequential, one way or the other. Personally, I don’t support it and don’t think it is equivalent to people vacating an office for higher office. She isn’t. Whatever her reasons, it doesn’t really matter. She accomplished what she was going to accomplish, which was much, prior to McCain tapping her as his running mate. That was at a time when the Democrats in the state legislature played ball with her to get things done. The Republicans in Alaska were always look warm to her given her defeat of her GOP predecessor. The one thing she has handled badly in this is her assertion that lame duck office holders take advantage of their constituents by taking trade trips and just letting the clock run out. Bullshit. She is vacating her office with 17 months remaining in a 48 month term. If that suits her, and she feels her agenda will be continued more effectively by the current Lt. Governor, her ally, good for her. To do so ridiculing others who finish the commitment they were elected to is poor.
I don’t like her and I don’t think she’ll ever be elected to national office.. So what? According to a USA Gallup poll, 43% of Americans would vote for her today over 54% for Obama. 43% doesn’t win, but its pretty impressive for such a controversial figure. She is the Queen of Conservatives. She will have the time now to spend in the lower 48 to give speeches, raise money and be a formidable presence in the GOP for years to come.
King of Pop, and...
The ProConPundit watched the entire funeral of Michael Jackson. And, incidentally, it was a Funeral Service, not a Memorial Service. The media seems to lack the distinction but a funeral service one in which the body is present and a memorial service is one in which it is not. In all fairness, it was unknown until 8:30 a.m. Chicago time today as to whether the body would be present for the service. When it was announced to the assembled masses at the Staples Center that the casketed remains of Michael Jackson would be present, people were euphoric. I experienced it something of a teachable moment in that his body being present mattered to people. It was, naturally, a continual focal point during the service. Particularly in a case where people didn’t get the chance to say good bye, the presence of the body, even in a closed casket, is helpful.
I was never a fan of MJ. It was a great funeral. I was particularly moved by Stevie Wonder, Brooke Shields, my dear friend, the Rev. Al Sharpton, and the words by Jackson’s daughter, Katherine Paris Jackson. I also learned a lot about Jackson. I had not realized the depth of his financial generosity and humanitarian efforts. I still stand with Congressman Peter King (R-NY) on Jackson, in general, but I cannot dismiss the impact he has had on music, history, and the African American community.
Queen of Conservatives
When Sarah Palin was plucked from relative obscurity to be John McCain’s running mate last year, she was already a remarkable success story, an effective governor, and someone who fought her way to the top. Some people blame him for the defeat, some blame her. Definitively: It was his fault–it was his race to lose. I don’t think she helped. She solidified conservatives who were already holding their noses and voting for McCain. She alienated moderates and independents, as did he. For all of his talk of being a maverick and for as much as conservatives shunned him, he chose to dance to the right, instead of the center in the general election, the opposite of the Nixonian recipe for GOP victory.
As much as I don’t personally care for Palin, I do think the media has absolutely been relentless in their ridicule of her and her family. When Saturday Night Live made jokes about the child Chelsea Clinton being homely, they were forced to apologize. When MSNBC’s David Shuster, an unabashed liberal, referred to Chelsea Clinton’s role in her mother’s campaign last year as being “pimped” by her parents, he was suspended for over a month. Don’t let anyone tell you Palin was treated fairly. She wasn’t.
Palin’s resignation as Governor of Alaska is inconsequential, one way or the other. Personally, I don’t support it and don’t think it is equivalent to people vacating an office for higher office. She isn’t. Whatever her reasons, it doesn’t really matter. She accomplished what she was going to accomplish, which was much, prior to McCain tapping her as his running mate. That was at a time when the Democrats in the state legislature played ball with her to get things done. The Republicans in Alaska were always look warm to her given her defeat of her GOP predecessor. The one thing she has handled badly in this is her assertion that lame duck office holders take advantage of their constituents by taking trade trips and just letting the clock run out. Bullshit. She is vacating her office with 17 months remaining in a 48 month term. If that suits her, and she feels her agenda will be continued more effectively by the current Lt. Governor, her ally, good for her. To do so ridiculing others who finish the commitment they were elected to is poor.
I don’t like her and I don’t think she’ll ever be elected to national office.. So what? According to a USA Gallup poll, 43% of Americans would vote for her today over 54% for Obama. 43% doesn’t win, but its pretty impressive for such a controversial figure. She is the Queen of Conservatives. She will have the time now to spend in the lower 48 to give speeches, raise money and be a formidable presence in the GOP for years to come.
1 comments:
I still find it sad that such a beautiful child's life evolved the way that it did. He was almost perfect, "other-worldly." I guess I'm speaking musically--the maturity of his phrasing, the coming together of all aspects of performing--voice, dance, presentation--were more than exceptional. How he could mutilate his beauty so is haunting. His family did it, and so did our society. Did he have a chance? Not to excuse or diminish some of his choices as an adult, but I still find it terribly sad.
Post a Comment