The Washington Independent » michael jackson

John Roberts vs. Michael Jackson

David Weigel — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:09:31 +0000

Charlie Savage digs into the history of a well-remembered visit that Michael Jackson paid to the White House in 1984, and how a 29-year-old associate White House counsel named John Roberts — yes, that John Roberts — tried to stop the president from signing a letter congratulating the pop star. The whole thing’s a scream, but I lost it at this part:

In today’s Post there were already reports that some youngsters were turning away from Mr. Jackson in favor of a newcomer who goes by the name “Prince,” and is apparently planning a Washington concert. Will he receive a Presidential letter? How will we decide which performers do and which do not?

This was 1984, when that “newcomer” was releasing his sixth album, “Purple Rain.” It’s safe to say John Roberts never partied like it was 1999.

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A Grand Unified Theory of Iran and Michael Jackson

Spencer Ackerman — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:03:24 +0000

Far, far more informative than this post. (Video after the jump.)

But There’s No Evidence That Ahmadinejad Didn’t Kill MJ, Either, So Think About It

Spencer Ackerman — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:55:06 +0000

Sometimes grafs from New York Times obituaries can’t help but undermine the points they seek to make. To wit:

A spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department said the department assigned its robbery and homicide division to investigate the death, but the spokesman said that was because of Mr. Jackson’s celebrity.

“Don’t read into anything,” the spokesman told reporters gathered outside the Bel-Air house. He said the coroner had taken possession of the body and would conduct an investigation.

I think we can agree that the Iranian regime benefits from the media rush to memorialize, explore and reflect upon Michael Jackson and his legacy. Cui bono and all that … (Here’s where human rights liberalism really does collapse its differences with conspiracy-theory-prone neoconservatism. I’m Spencer and I’ll be your host this morning.)