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News & ArtsFriday, June 26, 2009
Politics / Music Obama Silent on MJ!
Posted by Eli Sanders on Fri, Jun 26, 2009 at 2:08 PM
What? No statement from the Commander in Chief on the passing of the King?! Even when, as Michael Shear reminds, it took Obama no time at all a few weeks ago to "express his sadness to the people of Gabon on the sudden death of notorious dictator President El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba of Gabon."
Spokesman Robert Gibbs explained at today's White House briefing:
I talked to him about it this morning. Look, [the president] said to me that obviously Michael Jackson was a spectacular performer and a music icon. I think everybody remembers hearing his songs, watching him moonwalk on television during Motown's 25th anniversary. But the president also said, look, he had aspects of his life that were sad and tragic. And his condolences went out to the Jackson family and to the fans that mourned his loss.
The White House press corps was not satisfied.
"Why not a written statement?" a reporter asked.
“Because I just said it," Gibbs replied.
"Did he call the family?"
“Not that I know of,” said Gibbs.
Cold.
Imelda Marcos cried! Hugo Chavez lamented! But Barack Obama can't even pick up the phone?
Probably he wants to avoid anything even close to this. Which is smart. The last thing No-drama Obama needs is to get himself tangled up in a Demerol-connected celebrity death mess that's only just beginning.
1
Eli,
I think he's a tad more worried about the crashing economy, two wars, unrest in Iran and North Korea shooting missiles at Hawaii.
Perspective, please.
I think he's a tad more worried about the crashing economy, two wars, unrest in Iran and North Korea shooting missiles at Hawaii.
Perspective, please.
2
And where was the statement about the passing of Farrah Fawcett? Sky Saxon? The gall!
WTF dude... we elected a President of the United States, not a fucking Hallmark-condolence-card-giver-in-chief.
WTF dude... we elected a President of the United States, not a fucking Hallmark-condolence-card-giver-in-chief.
5
Getting tangled up in the life and death of that evil fucker is the last thing any of us needs. He's lucky he didn't die in prison, that's all.
"But he was a talented child fucker!" you say?
"But he was a talented child fucker!" you say?
6
As much as I hate the "but he's got more important things to do than spend 5 second signing an executive order to end enforcement of DADT" argument... I think "he's got more important things to do" may apply here. I could not care less what Obama has to say about MJ.
7
I don't see why he would need to make a public statement, he probably sent his own personal condolences to the family.
8
hahah... what a disappointing article.
I read the headline and got all excited that this was going to be another article about what the president has to say about marijuana.
I read the headline and got all excited that this was going to be another article about what the president has to say about marijuana.
11
Obama should issue a statement saying he's sorry for MJ's death but will always have a place in his heart for his early work in The Beatles.
14
Remember that letter from Reagan to MJ expressing condolences over MJ's hair catching on fire? Surely I'm not the only one who thought that made Reagan look like a joke.
16
>@14: WHAT?! HIS HAIR CAUGHT ON FIRE?!
>
>Is he okay?
>
>Has President Reagan issued a statement yet? Please keep the BBS updated,
>thanks.
>
>/sendmsg
>
>Is he okay?
>
>Has President Reagan issued a statement yet? Please keep the BBS updated,
>thanks.
>
>/sendmsg
19
I really really hope that you and the white house press core are fucking joking. Why would Obama waste his time calling the Jacksons? He may have some better things to do, like fix the economy, finish the wars, fix health care, take a dump, anything is more important for the president to do than even acknowledge MJ much less provide a written statement.
20
If you're gonna be a junkie, Demerol would be my drug of choice. That's some mighty fine stuff there. No weird side-effects like lots of other drugs, either. Well, except for the one where it kills you.
23
In a way I'm kind of glad the president has been quiet on this event. It's enough that he invites Labron James to the White House to shoot hoops, and hob nobs with other various celebrities. He doesn't need to declare a day of mourning for us to mourn.
24
Woah! People! I was kidding. See all those exclamation points and whatnot?
For the record: Yes, I am sure Barack Obama has more important things to do than comment on the death of Michael Jackson, and no, I am not demanding a written presidential statement of condolence to the extended Jackson family.
Obama's silence is smart. As I wrote above.
Carry on.
For the record: Yes, I am sure Barack Obama has more important things to do than comment on the death of Michael Jackson, and no, I am not demanding a written presidential statement of condolence to the extended Jackson family.
Obama's silence is smart. As I wrote above.
Carry on.
25
Obama was what...20 when Thriller came out?
Can't you just see him wearing a hip jacket with epaulets at the club?
Can't you just see him wearing a hip jacket with epaulets at the club?
27
I thought you were joking in accepting Jackson to be the equivalent of a head of state. Though I'm sure he has privately called the family.
On a more lighter note, now, Mr Savage has something in common with our President (being silent about Jacko's death), ain't that somethin.
On a more lighter note, now, Mr Savage has something in common with our President (being silent about Jacko's death), ain't that somethin.
28
Eli or David, find that letter floating around by Reagan White House Counsel John Roberts (now Supreme Court Chief Justice) about allowing MJ to visit. He was very worried about some singer called Prince showing up next.
30
Nixon lauded Elvis for his stand against drugs. Elvis dies of drug overdose. Reagan lauded MJ for his stand against drugs. MJ dies of drug overdose. Obama keeps his mouth shut for good reason.
32
I hated his music when it was popular. All of this press overload on his dying is a little crazy.
33
Uhm, I dunno. Michael Jackson is largely a vapid entertainer. I think it's rather beneath our President to elevate celebutards, no matter how well they dance and sing, to the level of State importance. I think our division of Media Circus and State is a good one. Well, for what of it there is.
@2 .. ha ha! nice one.
oh, right, just read Eli's "hey I was only kidding already!" comment. The dryness of your kiddingness Eli was, well, pretty damn dry. Cheers! Make me another one!
@2 .. ha ha! nice one.
oh, right, just read Eli's "hey I was only kidding already!" comment. The dryness of your kiddingness Eli was, well, pretty damn dry. Cheers! Make me another one!
35
I was actually more sad about Farrah Fawcett. Anyone who was a straight teenage guy in the late 70s has a special fondness for her.
36
Whoa; some of these comments are obtrusive,obnoxious and straight from the mind of an idiot. Michael Jackson died let him rest in peace, let the President be the President; why is it necessary to make more negative bantering for the benefit of being a asshole (does it make you feel proud?).
38
I'm surprised no one's posted this yet:
"Demerol
Demerol
Oh God he's taking demerol
Demerol
Demerol
Oh God he's taking demerol"
- "Morphine" from Blood on the Dance Floor (1997). Written by M.J.
"Demerol
Demerol
Oh God he's taking demerol
Demerol
Demerol
Oh God he's taking demerol"
- "Morphine" from Blood on the Dance Floor (1997). Written by M.J.
39
Um, actually, Omar Bongo was not a "notorious dictator". By tropical African standards he was a positively excellent ruler- look at a map of per capita income, or life expectancy, or whatever measure of development, and Gabon will stand out as an island of relatively decent outcomes in the sea of awfulness that is tropical Africa.
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