Los Angeles Broke and Paying Over $2 Mil For MJ's Memorial

[traveller]

I;m not sure where all the expense came in except for added security. I think Staples volunteered the center. Surely all those celebrities donated their time since they were friends.

The MJ Estate should have to fund the funeral. However, I know that when a regular citizen dies here in town, though the family pays for the services, the city provides the police escorts and whatever highway routing is needed.

LA closed the freeway, to my understanding.

[Believer1997]

It's my understanding that the Staples Center was not offered freely - it was the largest place that was available that could accommodate the crowd. The cost to LA is the enormous police presence, paramedics, re-routing of traffic, streets and public works, etc. In our area - funeral escorts by police are charged with the funeral expenses. All this, and I still don't think he's actually ... buried or interred or cremated, etc.... wow.

[Believer1997]

I wondered if the costs would be lower. I'm glad it is lower than what was anticipated, but still am stunned at the cost to the taxpayer. I believe that LA City Council stated the City had a budget shortfall in excess of $550 million... in lieu of the fact that the entire state is broke and public services throughout are being suspended and employees forceably furloughed - even the lower cost to deal with this memorial service is not sustainable.

[AmandaJean]

gee, i wonder if the state of california will pay for MY memorial service if i were to die? WHAT ARE THEY THINKING? why doesn't the family pay for the expenses like in every other family? and no offense, but it seems that if the family accepts this, then it's a pretty unpatriotic, un-american, and very shameful set of values.

I tottally agree. I was on yahoo the other day and and read a post where a man believed that Micheal Jackson is an embarrasment to our counrty, and basiclly he believed dissed america in evertything he did and ((in more uh nicer terms)) Used the morals of america for toilet paper. Now i dont know bout this but i kinda agree. FOR ALL STARS and FAMOUS PEOPLE they get away with EVERYTHING. And its so not fair.

As for me, i totally belive Oprah should run for president. Or a REAL christian, someone who is smart but never been with politics, actually lives like us normal non famous people, should run for president.

And start the nation each morning with a prayer.

[Guest LadyC]

oprah for president???????

i agree a real christian should run, and i hope sarah palin does.

i could do without oprah and her new age, "all roads lead to heaven" philosophy. i would be happy enough to never even hear about her or see her on newsstands or television again, much less in our white house.

[Matthitjah]

Oprah ought to be exiled to Costa Rica with Barack Obama.

[AmandaJean]

oprah for president???????

i agree a real christian should run, and i hope sarah palin does.

i could do without oprah and her new age, "all roads lead to heaven" philosophy. i would be happy enough to never even hear about her or see her on newsstands or television again, much less in our white house.

wow really? it sucks cause i dont have enough money for tv well channels so i ahve missed a,ot i didnt know she was into that now well then no more oprah for poresident.

But Palin would be good, though she just resigned as Mayor. Michelle Backman too. My bro actually went to school with her daughter at this christian school.

[Guest LadyC]

yeah, the more popular oprah has become, the more she has turned away from God. or perhaps the more she felt comfortable admitting that she just isn't that into God. or perhaps the more she felt she needed to be the voice of political correctness. i don't know what the deal is with her, actually. i can't judge her relationship (or lack of, whichever may be the case) with Christ, but i sure don't hesitate to judge what comes out of her mouth.

what palin did, resigning, was an act of integrity IMO. she did what she had to do because she knew it was the only way her state government would be able to get anything done. i don't know who michelle beckman is though.

[Believer1997]

It actually would not be a bad thing to be exiled to a beach in Costa Rica ... well, for awhile anyhow!!

[Guest lovinghim4ever]

Please let's just bury the poor man and get it over with. I want to watch something else on the news.

Amen to that Fez!

Amen!

Amen!

Amen!