The Lakers? Why would the Lakers contribute toward Jackson's Funeral Theatrical Special?

The answer is, they wouldn't. The article was pointing out that, under similar circumstances, the Lakers and AEG (which owns the Staples Center) pledged a million to cover roughly HALF of the Lakers' festivities, while 1700 teachers lost their jobs because of the budget shortfall.

This time, for the MJ Hoopla, estimated by the article to cost far more, the very same AEG has pledged to contribute zero ... while 3622 more teachers lose their jobs as a result.



Is he dead yet? Because at this rate, our state can't take any more Michael Jackson.





I'm being facetious about the teachers. It's the City of L.A. that pays for both the Lakers and MJ debacles. The city is facing a shortfall of over half a billion dollars. Thousands of city workers are being laid off. It just doesn't sound as heart-rending as teachers. Although I suppose I could have blamed the Staples Center for taking life-saving medicine from AIDS victims.

Perhaps this is a way to raise some $$ for the City of LA? That was listed on ebay in record time.

I'd expect a pretty penny could be made from video of the memorial itself: Downloads, Blu-Ray, DVD's etc....

The listing has already been removed by eBay.

Also, cnn.com is rebroadcasting the memorial service now for anyone who missed it.

Why in the heck would they remove that?

The tickets I can see but a book about MJ? That's overreacting.


EDITED TO ADD: Ahh! I don't think Ebay removed it. There are plenty of others.

There are more listings on ebay. FYI, I doubt it's illegal to post now that the event is over.

Thanks for the new links, Moonliner.

Hahahaha! ... Some overly optimistic seller is hoping to get $10,000 for his/her eBay listing of the Michael Jackson memorial service program.

Did anyone else think that the casket looked like a chafing dish?

Made to order omelet? Potatoes, bacon, and MJ are to your right.

Watched the memorial with like-minded company today, and it was just awesome.

After the service, in MJ's honor (and taking note from Magic Johnson's story), we ran over to pick up a bucket of KFC, returned, and sat on the floor to eat it while reminiscing about MJ's influence in our lives. I was especially moved by the note that Michael "raised the bar and then broke it", and how he "studied the best and made it better". It reminded me once again that I can achieve whatever I set my mind to. It added more fuel to my fire, and that I can soar instead of just fly.

I laughed at Brooke's story about them attempting to sneak a peek at Liz Taylor's wedding dress. From hearing about the more human aspect of his life, I wish I had known him personally. He was the type of person that I prefer to keep close to me - innovative, child-like, dreamer, playful, compassionate, giving, loving, inspirational, successful, talented, and strong. (With emphasis on that last part with all the crap he had to endure that would have caused most people to blow their brains out early on in the game, yet he didn't quit - he kept giving and loving people.)

I was considered "weird" when growing up, because I didn't follow mainstream or popular trends. And, I still walk to the beat of my own drum. Today, I was reminded that I should always keep my own beat, and not give a damn what anyone else thinks - to keep moving forward, always do my best, and love unconditionally. Those are the traits of a wealthy, fulfilling, and happy life.