A day after posting a YouTube video blasting Michael Jackson as a “lowlife,” Congressman Peter King said he opposes any move to honor the King of Pop’s legacy on a postage stamp.
King, a New York Republican, criticized calls by the Rev. Al Sharpton to have the U.S. Postal Service issue a Michael Jackson stamp in an interview Tuesday with WPIX News. Sharpton is also pushing for a national day of mourning to honor the pop star.
“It’s almost as if he were Mother Theresa,” King told the station. “Our priorities have been skewed. They’ve become really, I think, totally out of whack.”
“I tapped into something that many people have been thinking about but were afraid to say,” King said in explaining his decision to make his views known in a YouTube video. “I think that those of us in public life have an obligation to try and stop something when we have something that is going so far in the wrong direction.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-Texas, has ignited a fierce debate by calling on Congress to recognize Jackson as a “global humanitarian and a noted leader in the fight against worldwide hunger and medical crises” and celebrate the King of Pop as “an accomplished contributor to the worlds of arts and entertainment, scientific advances in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, and global food security.”
The resolution, which was referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the day after Jackson’s death June 25, lists the singer’s accomplishments as a musical icon in detail, including his record-breaking album sales and two-time induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The resolution also cites Jackson’s “humanitarian” work, including his 1984 visit to a burn unit at a Los Angeles hospital and his decision to grant a dying 14-year-old’s request to visit his home.
Jackson Lee took the stage Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and hoisted a framed copy of the resolution, embossed with a gold seal.
Without mentioning King by name, Jackson Lee noted that Jackson was acquitted of child molestation charges. She blasted critics who “don’t understand the hearts of entertainers” and “don’t know how they heal the world on behalf of America.”
“We understand the Constitution. We understand laws and we know people are innocent until proven otherwise. That is what the Constitution stands for,” she said, clutching the framed resolution in front of her shiny white suit.
But Jackson Lee has herself been the subject of controversy regarding her speaking engagements at funerals.
The Texas Democrat reportedly asked aides to “cull the obituaries” for funerals at which the Texas Democrat could speak, according to a 2008 report in the Houston Chronicle.
“One told friends of taking her to five funerals in one day, and of hating to have to ask the families if they would allow her to speak,” Houston Chronicle reporter Rick Casey wrote. ”The request pleased some, he said, but angered others.”
Jackson Lee said she paid tribute to Jackson on behalf of Congress, and said she was asked by Jackson’s brother Jermaine to speak at the memorial service, according to Roll Call.
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I as a young child growing up in this cold white world in the 60’s and to this day. I still see the hatred that white people have for us as a people of dark hue and any one that is not white. In the past white slave owners prospered and were rewarded through the blood sweat and tears of people of color, this was accepted with pride and open arms, clear up and into the 60’s, where our songs and dance were stolen my white arists, entertainers and producers. In 1958 God blessed us with a child that would break down barriers. Though his love for people, music and dance he showed us that a poor black child from the inner city could soar to heights unbeknownst to any human being ever. Not only was he able to open doors for people of dark hue but he reach across oceans, shores and continent’s. He was called to stand before Ambassadors, Sentors and Presidents, he was the voice of the less fortunate, it didn’t matter if you were Black or White. He was and will always be the greastest humanitarian that has ever live. He was pure at heart he looked at people thru his heart not is eyes he saw no color. He made cultures stand up and take notice of what was really going on in the world ,with songs like Man in the Mirror and We our the World. The Amercia of 2009 has a judicial system in place that you are presume inocent until proven guilty, he stood be God, Judge and Jury and was found innocent of all charges. Has a congressman that is suppose to up hold the law of the land created by the people for the people I feel your comments were unjust and not needed. You are voted in by the people and for the people I would like to know is this your opinion or the people’s opinion, because from what I can see On June 25th 2009 the world mourns the loss of a gentle generous and talented man, he had grace professionalism and dedication. He was a consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. My final question to you is “ARE YOU THAT MAN IN THE MIRRIOR”.
July 8th, 2009