Chief Justice wrote of limits to Jackson acclaim

[tj2001]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Presidents named Reagan, Bush and Clinton applauded Michael Jackson in his lifetime. John Roberts, now the nation's chief justice, said there were limits to adulation of a pop star.

As a young lawyer in the Reagan administration, Roberts was dismissive of White House aides who suggested the president send a letter congratulating Jackson on giving underprivileged children free tickets to Washington-area concerts in the 1980s.

"I hate sounding like one of Mr. Jackson's records, constantly repeating the same refrain, but I recommend we not approve this letter," Roberts wrote. "Frankly I find the obsequious attitude of some members of the White House staff toward Mr. Jackson's attendants, and the fawning posture they would have the president of the United States adopt, more than a little embarrassing."

Then, the lawyer's word of caution. Roberts noted that another star, "a newcomer who goes by the name of Prince," was planning a concert in Washington. "Will he receive a presidential letter? How will we decide which performers do and which do not?"



Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ifTbBUlXmjn0X6VV6-74kDVUiLhQD992K4A03

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"How will we decide which performers do and which do not": Are they white or black? Are they conservative or liberal?

[depakid]

1. Do we really need any more of this on LBN?

[jobycom]

3. I don't even know why we need LBN.

Half of what gets posted her gets moves somewhere else, and the other half is usually under full discussion elsewhere when it's posted here. The damned rules in this forum are so tight it's completely useless.

[merwin]

23. LBN is my primary news source some days,

mostly the days when I have limited net access... like right now, at 2am after doing a second full day of backbreaking (and long overdue) flood relief work with my church. I only have a cell phone with me, have just a few minutes to check what happened today, and don't want to scour GD or another news site when LBN has every major news story in it.

As a former LBN moderator, I feel i can safely say the rules are not that strict and usually only get moved if it is too old, a dupe, or is too much of a fluff piece.

[msongs]

5. dont you know MJ videos are now political videos as well? :-) nt

[Mike Daniels]

7. How much of the public saw MJ as political?

The man was someone that the world knew as an entertainer. Any influence that he had on the political front was minimal and I'd like to see someone show that MJ's POV influenced any significant voting patterns.

[depakid]

22. One thing that might be interesting would be for someone to add some evidence

as to what if anything, the man ever stood for.

It might be especially interesting if- with all that money, it was something controversial that required some heart.

[lindisfarne]

13. No. n/t

[jobycom]

2. Fuck. Who knew Roberts was a DUer?

[dionysus]

4. roffle

(tm)redqueen

[Gman]

6. LOL!

[jobycom]

8. With Reagan's racism, that may not be far fetched.

He might have worried how it would look to his "southern strategy" if he were saying nice things about a black man.

Those who scoffed at the claim yesterday that MJ helped pave the way for Obama have forgotten just how sickening Reagan was, and just how he came to power. He rode a wave of white supremacy, and barely stopped short of donning a sheet.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

9. This news shakes me

to the very core of my LaBambaness.

On so many levels.

Was it Roberts who quoted Dylan in an opinion, or was I have another one of those damn sixties flashbacks?

I'm going to have rest and compose myself over this ..

[mackerel]

10. I agree with Roberts. We've saturated our culture with

celebrities and it's like they've become robots. I honestly don't get the impression Roberts took issue with the race of either artist.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

12. THAT is why I'm so shaken.....

I found myself agreeing with John FUCKING Roberts!

What's next for me? An apron, a beehive hairdo, pearls, and heels while I vacuum the house?

Shaken, I tell you..........................................

[MadMaddie]

14. There is a 10 step excorcism program for you.....

It may not be too late!!:silly:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

16. You're very kind,

but a few days ago - excuse me, but I'm weeping, and it's hard to see the screen - I found myself saying that Chimpy Fucknuts wasn't the worst President we ever had.

How am I supposed to go on now, knowing that I'm capable of that kind of thinking?

[EFerrari]

11. Another authoritarian @sshole who needs to decide what is important.

Christ. Is it the water or :wtf:

[downindixie]

15. Any news of Jacksons death

keeps me from watching the news. Jackson was a pedophile and we are better off as parents that he is gone!

[rwheeler31]

18. Why do you post such crap? Were you there ?

Do you have a clue about what really happened?

[downindixie]

19. Do you?

read his trial transcript and then come back to this thread.

[DWilliamsamh]

17. So Roberts wasn't a MJ fan? Who cares? Talk about pointless.

And I LOVED MJ. He was a huge part of my HS and college years. But it does not matter in the least that John Roberts wasn't a fan.

[CreekDog]

20. He was carrying the torch

...for the dude who wouldn't let the Beach Boys perform at the National Mall.

:eyes:

[EFerrari]

21. We should have a Hall of Fame for all the folks who were banned

from the National Mall.