Michael Jackson’s Memorial Exploited Emotions And Wasted Taxpayer Dollars

tattooed_redhead
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 12:12 pm: [report]

Wait wait wait - the *state* paid for his funeral???? WTF????

LiciMama
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 12:12 pm: [report]

Maybe the family could have raised the funds themselves by selling off some of Jackson’s belongings. It is what many people are forced to do to pay for a funeral.

Hop2it
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 12:21 pm: [report]

Using his daughter as a prop is the Jackson family way; hell, they did it to her dad, so why not her? 

As for the budget cuts and how many public resources went to what was basically a concert—amen, sister.  They could’ve used the $4 million to fund a food bank or instisted those in attendance donate.  Jackson would’ve liked that.

B1ll
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 12:28 pm: [report]

@Tatooed_Redhead - The state paid 4 million for his “Wake”.  They haven’t scheduled the burial yet, which will require more police coverage.  But it will garner more moedia coverage.

Jessica Wakeman
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 12:30 pm: [report]

Paris is old enough to have said “no” if she actually didn’t want to speak. And if it was her idea, I don’t think the Jacksons should have *not* allowed her to talk.

I personally think he’s an awful, creepy guy. But he’s her father. And her father’s image has been trashed and tarnished for longer than she’s been alive. If it made her feel better to say something loving about him publicly, there is nothing wrong with that.

GreenAura
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 12:36 pm: [report]

I think the Jackson family - in their infinite wealth - could have easily funded the funeral themselves. Shame on California. And regarding Paris, while Marlon was talking Janet looked at Paris and it seemed that she asked if she still wanted to speak to which Paris nodded.  Then they gathered in a family hug, and after that, Marlon said “I think Janet wants to say something” to which Janet said “No, Paris wants to”.  I do not think Paris was coaxed into this or used as a prop by the family.  I think that Paris realized the scrutiny that her dad was under and wanted to say to the world that he was a great dad.

avalari
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 12:38 pm: [report]

I’d be interested to see if all of those multimillionare “friends” of MJ contributed a dime toward those costs.

AgentBeryllium
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 12:43 pm: [report]

@tattooed_redhead I KNOW! Making us, the residents of California pay for his 4 million dollar funeral is BS!
Personally I think we should bill the Jacksons. I wasn’t even invited to the wake and you want me help cover the cost of an elaborate butt kissing contest? As for the Jackson family. Shame on them for exploiting Paris like that! Family pressure is the worst and they probably put her up to it. Plus out off all of them doesn’t the family have money? They should have footed the bill.  He died with at least 5 Million to his name. He could have covered his own funeral.
This is a joke and as a Californian I refuse to pay for this.

TOO_DOPE
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 01:03 pm: [report]

Totally, yall. I live in L.A. Born and raised. If you think this is insane and totally F’ed up, you don’t even want to know how much “private funding” went into the stupid ass Laker parade last month after the L.A. Lakers won the Championship. Mad $$ was spent for a bunch of criminals to party it up and cause even more $$ to be spent in cleaning up the mess a lot of them made while “celebrating”—as in breaking windows, looting, and turning over buses and cars. GO L.A.! gross.

snap
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 01:12 pm: [report]

i disagree.  he was an icon in history, and his family has a right to hold whatever funeral they desire.  if you wanted your funeral to be at the staples center, and your family could make that happen, that’s fine too.  people forget that the police MUST keep the peace in their cities.  people are going to come to the memorial, and chaos might break out.  it’s just the way things happen.  should the superbowl be canceled for the same reason?  when the president visits somewhere?  this is what taxpayer dollars are for—to handle big events.

as for paris, i think it was honorable that she spoke.  this was her father’s funeral.  her uncles spoke about him.  she was moved to speak on behalf of her father.  why should her family have robbed her of that just because it was public?  no one forced her to say anything.  she genuinely wanted to say, “i love you, daddy,” so she did.  it would have been cruel to deny her that.

CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 01:16 pm: [report]

@um no: The city makes money by hosting the super bowl.

libbylovespink
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 01:17 pm: [report]

Paris isn’t and never will be a “normal” child…and therefore granting her the opportunity to speak at the memorial I believe was entirely warranted.  The death of her father has been an incredibly public affair, why should she have to hide her emotions?  There is nothing wrong with seeing a child cry about the death of her father, nor is anyone making any gains from her 10 second speech. 

Lay off. 

As for the memorial, the city is expected to gain around $8 million in consumer revenue from holding the event, due to the influx of people into the city.  MJ was a hugely public figure, and for the memorial to either have not happened or to have happened somewhere else wouldn’t have been right.

snap
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 01:39 pm: [report]

@cheese:  the city makes money by hosting MJ’s funeral.  duh.

carmend19
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 01:40 pm: [report]

lillbylovespink I couldn’t agree more.

It would have been beyond disrespectful to not allow the public an opportunity to pay their respects to MJ. The costs may have been great, but necessary for a great entertainer.

As a long time MJ fan, and I think as a understanding person in general, I am struggling with the constant critisicm of the media’s coverage of his death. People are somehow blaming MJ when in fact any issues with “over-coverage” (which I completely disagree with, this man was pretty much the finest entertainer we had and his death was tragic) individuals need to blame the media. To say you stopped crying for a father, son, brother etc. based solely on the actions of a city is unkind and disrespectful.

lindseylee21
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 01:42 pm: [report]

It seemed like Paris’s comments were unplanned - like she said at the last minute “Hey, I want to say something.” Either way, I think that was the one part of the memorial service that REALLY humanized him. He wasn’t a weirdo to her - he was her daddy, plain and simple. She’s 11 years old; if she didn’t want to speak she could have said no. I think it was her choice to do it and I’m fine with that. I’m glad she did it. I thought it was the most touching moment of the whole thing.

CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 01:53 pm: [report]

Where are you people getting numbers from…and what the frack is “Consumer Revenue”? Me being the consumer is getting cash from selling something? Money please!

AgentBeryllium
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 01:55 pm: [report]

@ um no: Ha ha I don’t think so! The Jackson family is trying to stick the bill to the city of LA. I don’t see anyone making $million dollars anywhere in this gig.

Humble Bee
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 02:08 pm: [report]

I hope the Jackson Family steps up to cover those costs, all those celebrities that got major media attention should help “grieve” by helping pick up the tab. I still don’t understand why the hell they’d let John Mayer play, they might as well had Gene Simmons.

LayD
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 02:55 pm: [report]

Actually the city of LA and surrounding cities such as Pasadena and Long Beach are making money from all the tourists that came to the memorial.  Perhaps not enough to cover the $4 million Los Angles spent regarding the funeral, but restaurants and hotels had an inlux of business which certainly helps during this time. 

I think it was good for Paris to speak, if that was what she wnated to do.  She wasn’t being exploited.  Her whole family was there for her and they didn’t seem like they were forcing or expecting her to do anything, especially since Prince didn’t say anything.  She only said a couple sentences, she wan’t pouring out her heart.  I think this is something she wanted to do and it is the kind of thing she would have regretted her whole life if she had not done it.  Funerals/Memorials are very emotional and it is important for those involved to do what they feel is appropriate in order to grieve.

Isabela Laval
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 03:00 pm: [report]

I just had this talk with a few friends over the weekend.  It doesn’t seem that a lot of people were aware that the cash-strapped city of LA incurred the $2-4 million cost of providing security, etc. for MJ’s wake.  After finding this out, some friends justified the cost by saying that it *is* MJ and that he gave so much to charities during his life.  While I commend him for being so charitable, I think the mere fact that the city used funds that could have gone to more appropriate groups and individuals (ie. teachers, state programs, health care, etc.) to pay for a singer’s wake, is effin’ ridiculous!  What about all these celebrity friends?!  I’m sure they can forgo some chump change and chip in.  Absolutely ridiculous.

The same goes for the Lakers.

AgentBeryllium
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 03:09 pm: [report]

Welcome to California: land of reckless spending.

I seriously think this should be our new state motto.

CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 03:13 pm: [report]

@msPriss: I saw a commercial on NY television promoting the cheese (Pun) industry of California. Why the hell are they promoting that here? Corporate shilling, engage!

AgentBeryllium
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 03:41 pm: [report]

@CheeeEEEEse Not too sure? Because happy cows come from California?

AnonyMISS
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 04:11 pm: [report]

I think saying that the city is “paying for Michael Jackson’s funeral” is a bit misleading.  The city of Los Angeles is not paying for his funeral.  The city did not rent out the Staples Center.  The city did not pay for his coffin, flowers and etc.  It is not paying for his burial plot.  The costs to the taxpayers arise from the costs of officers for public safety issues, riot control, traffic and etc. 

I’m on the fence on this issue.  Taxpayers do not typically pay for the police officers used during a funeral motorcade.  However, the memorial service was a public event.  In that sense it was similar to a parade, a festival or some other public event which the city has to foot the bill for public safety. 

Also, its already been determined that the $4 mil was an exaggeration.

robertsmithshairspray
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 04:28 pm: [report]

Okay, I don’t really know much about what we’re arguing about, I’ll admit that now: but, wouldn’t all of those police officers have been working that day anyways? Just because they’re called to the wake instead of their usual settings, wouldn’t California be paying their wages regardless? Or am I missing something?

Rainia29
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 06:36 pm: [report]

For all the people complaining and about stuff they can not control, this just in from CNN news…......

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN)—The memorial service for

singer Michael Jackson cost the city of Los Angeles $1.4 million, the mayor’s office said Wednesday.

A donation page on the City of Los Angeles’ Web site has crashed several times since its launch yesterday.

Costs included putting extra police on the streets, trash pickup, sanitation, traffic control and more for the Tuesday event, spokeswoman Sarah Hamilton said.

Three thousand police officers—almost one-third of the Los Angeles police force—were on hand to ensure the Jackson events proceeded smoothly, Los Angeles Assistant Police Chief Jim McDonnell, said Tuesday.

The city, which is $530 million in debt, set up a Web page asking Jackson fans to donate money to help with the expenses.

On Tuesday morning, hundreds of donors contributed more than $17,000 through the Web site. But then, the high volume of traffic caused it to crash frequently and for long periods of time, the mayor’s office said.

The city, therefore, was unable to collect contributions for several hours on Tuesday.

The site also crashed for 12 hours, beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday—and again, periodically throughout Wednesday morning, the office said.

Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich does not want taxpayers to pay a penny for the service, his spokesman said Wednesday.

My Word: Leave it alone move on with your lives because you will accomplish one thing by bashing a dead man or his family no one on here myself included are in no position to to judge and before you take a step a back and remember you are in that person’s shoes.

retro chic
wrote on July 8 2009 @ 08:56 pm: [report]

@Anonymiss, @Rainia29: Roger that, and there’s more. I live here in LA, like others here, (3 gen’s) and there’s some weird stuff floating up there in the article. Whoa.
 
Fiction: – The State is not picking up the tab nor is part of this equation; A memorial is not a funeral; and an old San Diego, CA residency and 5-yo child remembrances of MJ (from another post) doesn’t give someone rights, credentials or a round of “immunity” from being flamed for opining on matters of The State or LA, or its people – the focus here. 

Facts: – The City’s Councilwoman Jan Perry of that district, is pushing to have the family pitch in, but hasn’t responded, yet.

– Another Coucilmember is investigating to pursue the promoters AEG and the owners of Staples to pitch in.

– The City sales tax from the influx of tourists and locals will help defray; the recent tax hike now at 9.75%, as someone noted.

– The fiscal year starts 7/1, and the police OT fund is flush, however wasted since there were few and peaceable crowds, overestimated due to the fallout of the Laker party there earlier (and the 2007 May Day mêlée), and that the request for public donations is to defray *their* miscalculation—is their own PD/City’s fault.

SWAG gleaned from current facts:
– Watch for legal wrangling between the family’s interests in MJ’s Estate and his named Executors of his Trust (biz assoc, not his family) who are sorting out his Funeral/Memorial provisions in his Will in the coming days/weeks, some will most likely be added to his debt. 

– The proceeds of the Memorial DVD will be investigated or pursued.

Dear Frisky, I’m saying this with my best intentions. It’s very disheartening when people make sh*t up, inciting more irresponsible sensationalism at such a sad time. At least rise to the level of rumor or hire an LA correspondent. I wish the Frisky could use a little more discretion in the “reporting” of such death-related matters, now a growing pattern, preceding MJ. *Compassion is not stupidity or blindness – just humanity.* So, next time you call the National Inquirer a bottom-feeder rag, it’ll be your phone ringing. It’s my *only* complaint on this site. I’m sorry to have to say it even now.

ps: Who pays for the ticker-tape parades in NYC?
pps: it is very common to have the coffin (urn, personal effects, etc) present at a memorial. It is visual reinforcement to aid in the process of closure (whether or not it was empty). I was too young to appreciate when Elvis died about the amount of sightings and gen’l disbelief that he was gone, esp in *his* home state. I laughed, but it was real and it lingered for years. People need to see the symbols.

Let’s all keep it clean and respectful, no matter the position. Those that make short-sighted or condescending remarks are gently reminded that unfortunately it is only when the death of a primary family member in your own lives, ie a mother, spouse, brother, grandparent, child, etc, (and I certainly hope it doesn’t happen to others) does the full import of the value of life – anyone’s life – become exquisitely real. Until then, step back and allow others their peace.

Agree with Libby, Carmen, LayD about the issues of sensitivity and Paris’ statements. Even if she was used, Paris spoke from her heart.
Humble, I don’t get the John Mayer thing either. Ugh.

AnonyMISS
wrote on July 9 2009 @ 08:47 am: [report]

@ retrochic

co-sign!  a little research goes a LONG way.  it only took me like two minutes of googling reputable new sources to learn that $4 mil was a gross exaggeration and that the city (or the state of california-as stated in the article) did not “pay for MJ’s funeral.” 

i also thought it was normal for a casket, urn, or whatever to be present at a memorial service. *shrugs*

retro chic
wrote on July 9 2009 @ 10:17 am: [report]

@ Anonymiss. Exactly. We’ll be seeing a lot more rumor-quashing answers coming out over the next several weeks, as evidenced these past 1 or 2 days with the cost estimates going down, and, as you say, a little research. But, hey, going tabloid is much more fun and lucrative. cheers

MJ Fan4lyfe
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 09:53 pm: [report]

The author of this article obviously does not understand an African American funeral or memorial.  This is what “we” do.  Paris should have spoke of her father.  This is part of the healing and grieving process for her.  Some of you say this seemed to be exploitation.  I disagree.  Allowing Paris to speak in public is natural.  Let’s face it…her father was a famous person around the world.  This is a fact, so why would his memorial service be any different?  When a person decides or finds celebrity as a way of life, their life is no longer normal as you and I know it.  It is obvious that if Michael was not a celebrity, chances are great that he would not have had a public memorial.  Instead of seeing the negative in a situation, look for the positive.  This child had enough tenacity to stand before the world and confess her love for her father.  That speaks volumes on the way she was raised, and the joy Micheal brought to her life.  For that, Paris and Micheal deserve our respect.

nurse09
wrote on November 16 2009 @ 06:49 pm: [report]

I think it would have been very sad to deny Paris a chance to express her way of tell the world how much she loved her father . He may have been a freak or any other crazy thing that people called him but he was daddy to her and a good one.  Maybe we can take what she said and learn a lesson from it and not be so judgemental of people .We can only see the outside of Micheal’s life. He spent a lot of time making people happy . The one person he could not make happy was himself.I hope that he has found peace in his death . Because   people like you still won’t give it to him . As the song says Start with the person in the mirror. Get a life you are not so perfect!