American Morning
We Listen – Your comments 7/7/09
Editor's Note: With the all day Michael Jackson Memorial coverage, Some were very pleased to see the coverage and asked that CNN stay away from the “negativity” during the day. Others offered memories of the singer and what he meant to them.
- Linda T: We as fans do not want to hear all the negativity today. Pay some RESPECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In one minute you say something good about him, the next 20 minutes you degrade him. Shame on you CNN. Al Sharpton is so right!
- Joshua: Through out the years of time the world has lost many great talented artistes. It is sad to say Michael Jackson is now a part of that group. Michael's spirit will live on for ever in the hearts and minds of his loyal fans across the world. We must always remember the example Michael set by starting with the man in the mirror; and that's just what he did. We to need to take a look in our mirrors and do every day the best we can to make this ever changing world a better place for the people of today and to marrow. With Gods Help and the example Michael has left we all can help to make this world a better place...THANK YOU MICHAEL!
- Earnestine: Thank you CNN for broadcasting good things about the Late Michael Jackson. I know that his family knows that many around the world is praying for them right now. I just wish Michael could have felt the love for him and his work by his fans. If I could just get one message to the family, I would like to say "God sees all and knows all.” Let not your hearts be troubled. Everything will be alright now. Michael is at home, at peace, and resting. We loved him but God loved him best. He did so much for humanity, his reward is in heaven now. I will miss him – the man and I'll always keep the family in my prayers. My tears are just temporary, but the love will be remembered though all times.
- Linda R : With all due respect to Michael Jackson, he was a genuine gift to the arts. Talented, philanthropic, kind and gentle, terribly misunderstood and abused by hangers-on, and even by some of those he trusted. Rep. Peter King, the Republican congressman from N.Y., is an ignorant, crude individual, the personification of the "base", that tiny portion (thank God it's "tiny) of the population that still admires Bush and Palin. I read that Michael's fans are now trying to raise lots if money to defeat this moron in the next election, and I hope they succeed. His horrid insults and slanderous remarks against Michael are being largely ignored. However, having said that, I hope that after today, The 24/7 coverage will finally end, and we can get back to reporting the "real news", the stuff that concerns our survival. Also, I must add that I will really feel sorry for Larry King, who it appears has been adopted by the Jackson family. He may have to resort to "retro" stuff, like covering Elvis and John Lennon again. Seriously though, please, go back to the news.
- David: I graduated from the Boston Conservatory of Music in 1969. I appreciate the quality of music that Michael Jackson brought into this world. I am a band, strings, and guitar teacher in public school. I am also studying to be a pastor. It is a real pity that Michael and so many other gifted people have fallen pray to drugs in our society. He was brilliant to say the least! But only one thing can give you that peace that Michael was lacking, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Peace be with you all!
- Yvonne: Michael Jackson will live on in my memories, I have not gone to bed one night since, without having dreams of his death. I watched him in concert in Florida 1985, he left a lasting impression on me. He is such a talent. I mourn his loss and wish his family all the best. For those who has nothing good to say about Michael Jackson, I suggest you search your selves, something is radically wrong with your mind and the way you think about people, you obviously have racial issues.
Share your memories of Michael Jackson
Governor Palin was less a focus, while some still believed she was a “quitter.”
- Richard: Maybe it's just me, Gov Palin. Abdicating your DUTIES to the folks that elected you sure sounds like a quitter, not a fighter. Shame, shame.
After seeing the interview of Governor Palin with Drew Griffin, has your opinion of her changed? What do you think her next step will be? Would you like to see her in political office at the presidential level?
The latest on the Jackson investigation
The investigation into the death of the pop icon is ongoing. There are still many unanswered questions. CNN's Ted Rowlands has the latest.
Palin: 'I am not a quitter; I am a fighter'
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNN) - Sarah Palin's not a quitter, she wants the public to know.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/07/07/art.palin.interview.cnn.jpg caption="Sarah Palin's attorney said there is no legal reason that compelled her to resign as governor."]
"I am not a quitter. I am a fighter," Palin told CNN on Monday while on a family fishing trip, on the heels of her Friday bombshell announcement that she was resigning as Alaska's governor.
Palin did her interview standing on the shores of Dillingham, Alaska, wearing hip waders. She granted 10-minute interviews to CNN and three other news networks Monday.
She resigned because of the tremendous pressure, time and financial burden of a litany of ethics complaints in the past several months, she said. The complaints were without merit and took away from the job she wanted to do for Alaskans, Palin said.
LAPD chief: "You're better off staying home"
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/07/07/intv.bratton.art.jpg caption="Chief William Bratton says non-ticket holders won't get within several blocks of the area."]
Later this morning, members of Michael Jackson’s family and their closest friends will be saying their final good-byes at a private service at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles. Then they will be heading to the Staples Center for the public farewell. Thousands are expected to show up with or without a ticket. Crowd control is a concern for the LAPD.
Chief of the Los Angeles police department, William Bratton spoke with CNN’s Kiran Chetry Tuesday
Kiran Chetry: You've been chief here since 2002. You guys have had to prepare for many huge events. How does this rate today as you guys prepare for what could be hundreds of thousands coming out to try to get close to this memorial service?
Chief William Bratton: This is probably the largest event we've planned for since the 1984 Olympics in terms for a planned event. We have no idea how many people are going to show up here other than those who have the tickets inside the event inside of Staples. So we've ramped up pretty significantly and we'll ramp down significantly if we don't get the crowds anticipated.
Chetry: The interesting thing is this was put together meticulously given the short time frame. If you don't have one of these bracelets that we’re all talking about you can't get here. In this situation, you have to close off the areas around here to make sure but it’s up in the air as to whether or not people will decide to come out here anyway. What are the biggest concerns if indeed huge crowds do congregate outside of this area?
Chief Bratton: We have a number of exits off the freeway that run adjacent to the Staples Center that were closed down by the California highway patrol. We have closed a multi-block perimeter around this area that you cannot get in without credentials of some sort. We have no idea how many people might plan to come down here just to be in the area. They're better off staying at home. Then you'll be able to see the event itself. If you're down here, there’s not going to be much to see. You won't get within several blocks of the area.
Chetry: You are the police chief of the second largest city so I imagine not much surprises you in terms of what you've seen. Was the huge outpouring of adoration and people who want to come out here for Michael Jackson surprising?
Jackson remembered: 1958-2009
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/07/07/mj.performing.singing.art.jpg caption="(Getty Images/AFP/Thierry Salliou )Michael Jackson performs during his first date in Great Britain at Wembley Stadium on July 30, 1992."]
He was lauded and ridiculed. He broke down barriers and built them around himself. He soared to heights unimaginable with his music, and he made the ignominious front page of gutter tabloids worldwide.
For Michael Jackson, the spotlight was always present, and the rest of the world followed.
Even his passing has played out in the spotlight: Thousands are expected to swamp Los Angeles, California, to mourn him today at the Staples Center.
Jackson fans flock to L.A. for memorial
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/07/07/staples.long.line.art.jpg caption="(Getty Images) Fans wait to sign a large banner in memory of pop star Michael Jackson at Staples Center on July 5, 2009 in Los Angeles, California."]
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) - They poured in to Los Angeles from places far-flung, an army of Michael Jackson fans hoping to collectively mourn their idol in a massive ceremony at the Staples Center downtown Tuesday.
Police put up concrete barriers around the center, allowing only fans with tickets to the star-studded event to enter - beginning at 6 a.m. (9 a.m. ET).
Parking lots in the area raised their prices, some as high as $30. Airports in Southern California saw a spike in bookings. And several movie theaters in the area announced special screenings of the event, which will also be carried live by some television networks and Web sites.
"I guess the crowd estimate is the $64,000 question that everybody is wondering about, and we are as well," Jim McDonnell, assistant police chief for Los Angeles, said Monday.
"I anticipate the crowd here will be well-behaved. It will be a crowd that gathers for the right reasons and keeps the reason they're there in mind."
Police would not say what kind of security measures they have put in place. The cash-strapped city has said it will foot the bill for law enforcement.
Until the last minute, the Jackson family remained tight-lipped about where the singer will be buried, but signs pointed to Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn cemetery.
Several carloads of people, Michael Jackson's sister La Toya among them, came and went from the heavily secured cemetery after sunset Monday. But it was not immediately clear whether they were there for a private viewing.
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