Caught up in the spirit of remembering Michael Jackson for good things like his physics-defying dance skillz, Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) proposed a resolution to honor MJ with a congressional resolution at his memorial Tuesday.
Everyone seemed to think that was pretty awesome at the time, but when the idea was actually kicked around by people in congress, they decided MJ's double-edged legacy is still a little too controversial to go passing resolutions in his honor. Nancy Pelosi played the part of the killjoy Thursday morning when she was asked about the resolution while talking about things like healthcare, the economy, and whether or not the CIA lied about torture.
"Michael Jackson was a great great performer, and lot's of sadness there for many reasons," she said. "What I had said to my colleagues over the years, and certainly as leader and speaker, there's opportunity on the floor of the House to express their sympathy or their praise any time that they wish. I don't think it's necessary for us to have a resolution."
Why not?
"A resolution I think would open up two contrary views that are not necessary at this time, to be expressed, in association with the resolution whose purpose is quite different."
The resolution seems simple enough, but the crazy thing is that it's actually a political minefield in disguise. In fact, I guarantee there was at one point a room full of advisors crapping their pants over what to do with this thing.
On one hand, you have Michael Jackson: Greatest Performer Ever. On the other you have Michael who spoke openly in a 60 Minutes interview about having sleepovers with children.
The general view expressed at MJ's Tuesday memorial was that the press treated him unfairly and that the allegations of pedophilia were trumped up. After all, he was never proven guilty in a court of law. That doesn't matter to the many who think Jackson was let off the hook. When the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) stood to honor Jackson's memory the day he died, several members of congress walked out of the room!
Fortunately for Pelosi, the CBC did not take up the resolution as a group cause. If they had, she would have had to weigh the loyalty (votes) of CBC members with the possibility that many voters would find it inappropriate to honor Jackson with a congressional resolution. Not only that, but Pelosi would have had to worry about appearing racist for not supporting the resolution.
Phew. Politics is hard. Pelosi can only hope Jackson-Lee drops the whole resolution idea or else fails to build any real support for it. The ball appears to be in her court.
Source: Zimbio
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