We recently heard about Congressman Peter King referring to Michael Jackson as a "pedophile and a low-life." It's a bit odd that this Republican congressman would opportunistically attack a man after his death, when he could have challenged Jackon's behavior in life. What's also ironic is that the Republican "family values" politicians are notorious for having their own dirt, as their self-righteous platforms tend to be overrun by sex scandals and behavior so egregious that most of us can't even relate to them. But since when has Republican hypocrisy surprised any of us?
Beyond this, there are other developments in the complicated estate situation of Michael Jackson:
The major development has been that Jackson's mother Katherine, has been removed from having control over the Jackson estate. That control has been given to attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain. This was against the mother's wishes, but the judge has determined that the will is indeed valid.
Jacksons Memorial Photos
A new waxwork of U.S singer Michael Jackson, is unveiled at Madame Tussauds in London, Thursday, June 9, 2009. Los Angeles spent US$1.4 million to provide security, traffic control and other services for Michael Jackson's memorial service, city officials said as they looked for ways to have others help the financially troubled city pick up the bill. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
AP
A new waxwork of U.S singer Michael Jackson, is unveiled at Madame Tussauds in London, Thursday, June 9, 2009. Los Angeles spent US$1.4 million to provide security, traffic control and other services for Michael Jackson's memorial service, city officials said as they looked for ways to have others help the financially troubled city pick up the bill. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
AP
A new waxwork of U.S singer Michael Jackson, is photographed as it is flanked by the members of the public at Madame Tussauds in London, Thursday, June 9, 2009.. Los Angeles spent US$1.4 million to provide security, traffic control and other services for Michael Jackson's memorial service, city officials said as they looked for ways to have others help the financially troubled city pick up the bill. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
AP
A new waxwork of U.S singer Michael Jackson, is unveiled at Madame Tussauds in London, Thursday, June 9, 2009. Los Angeles spent US$1.4 million to provide security, traffic control and other services for Michael Jackson's memorial service, city officials said as they looked for ways to have others help the financially troubled city pick up the bill. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
AP
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 7: A police car patrols outside of a memorial service for pop star Michael Jackson at Forest Lawn Mortuary July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Thousands of supporters attended the service for Jackson around the world who died at the age of 50 at the UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest on June 25 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 7: A funeral procession carrying the body of Michael Jackson heads towards the Staples Center from Forest Lawn cemetery after a memorial service for family and friends July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Thousands of supporters attended the service for Jackson around the world who died at the age of 50 at the UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest on June 25 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 7: A police motorcade escorts a funeral procession carrying the body of Michael Jackson during a memorial service for family and friends at Forest Lawn Mortuary July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Thousands of supporters attended the service for Jackson around the world who died at the age of 50 at the UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest on June 25 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 7: A funeral procession carrying the body of Michael Jackson heads towards the Staples Center from Forest Lawn cemetery after a memorial service for family and friends July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Thousands of supporters attended the service for Jackson around the world who died at the age of 50 at the UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest on June 25 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: General view of atmosphere outside the Staples Center prior to the start of the Michael Jackson public memorial service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Jackson, 50, the iconic pop star, died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bob Covington/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: General view of atmosphere outside the Staples Center prior to the start of the Michael Jackson public memorial service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Jackson, 50, the iconic pop star, died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bob Covington/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The family initially thought that Jackson had died without a will, but Branca surfaced with a five-page document stating that he and McClain would be named executors.
I have brought back our legal analyst, Elliot Millner, to break some of the Jackson case down for us. Click below to listen!
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, plpease click here.
Comments: (19)
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By: Ant on 7/06/2009 8:44PM
I wish that MJ mother get the control of everything because that is her son not your's,if MJ did'nt have no money then debbie would'nt go after the kids seen to she is only about the money.and the jackson love those kids so what if she 79 year old grandmother is the best thing in kids life.and there other people in that family like janet she should be able to get them as well. and if debbie had wanted her kids she should had never give them up for the money. a real mother would'nt had done that no matter what it costed she would have kept her kids,and not give them up.
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By: tricia on 7/08/2009 7:08PM
HOW DID THEY DRESS MJ FOR HIS FUNERAL?
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By: NICOLESAUNDERS on 7/07/2009 6:25AM
i think the kids of jackson should get most every thing because he bring they in'to this world and if he wasing going to take of them he shoulding had thes kids come first for the money hungery people.
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By: jill on 7/07/2009 10:21AM
I am very disappointed in the media coverage of this man, son, brother, father. First it was all condolences then here comes the crucificiton.
This man clearly had a difficult time dealing with some issues in his life, but I believe, behind it all he had a heart and soul. God chose this time to take him (I firmly believe there is a time for death) we all should back up and look at the tragedy of what we had and what we have lost.
Please allow this human being to rest in peace
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By: Jenny on 7/16/2009 6:16AM
So right!Michael was tired and the Lord needed him
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By: NIMROD on 7/07/2009 2:09PM
Passion and Peace:
There were three primary biblical verses that Michael lived his spiritual life by and was a reason for his building Neverland.
In Matthew 18:3-5 Jesus, the Overcomer states: … Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. (5) And whoso shall receive one such little child in My Name receiveth Me.
Michael Jackson got the essence of the message, and he lived by that truth. Michael’s only spiritual dilemma was that he got the color of Jesus wrong. Michael was born the true color of Jesus which is black. He became the color of the pagan image of the white Jesus that false, religious idolatrous Christianity presents to the deceived world. To prove the truth of that awesome statement, very carefully read Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1:1-16. Hint: Righteous and lovely Tamar is a descendant of honorable Ham as are the courageous proactive Hamitic women Rahab and Bathsehba. Doesn’t this world say one drop of Hamitic (so-called “black” ) blood makes you Hamitic (or a so-called “Black” person)? Yes. Jesus therefore is a Hamitic man! To be a true Jew, you must have a complete Jewish genealogy. Go to Israel and see their laws. Jesus did not have a complete Jewish genealogy. Jesus is not Jewish! This truth has tremendous enlightening biblical ramifications.
The good Jewish people were originally black-skinned people called Hebrews (Gen. 14:13). Those Hebrews (Jews) who lived and intermarried for thousands of years in Europe and who now control Israel currently resemble the good Caucasian people.
Many people condemn Michael for the supposed crimes against children he was “alleged” to have committed. But not one high profile dignitary, politician, preacher or celebrity around the free world condemns the so-called “infallible” pope’s pedophile priests who “actually did” rape many thousands of defenseless little boys and little girls all around the world for decades and probably for centuries up to this very day. The entire “free” world praises the pope and kisses his dirty hand. But if the popes are “infallible,” then the popes knew about their criminal pedophile priests all the time and did nothing to stop them!
After the above verses (Matt. 18:3-5) that Michael lived by, there is a verse six (6) that all you Catholics and other “religious” people should remember before you cast stones at Michael. In Matthew 18:6 Jesus, the Champion says: “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
Jesus’ strong words are aimed openly at Catholic pedophile priests and their chain of command. There are and will be a lot of Catholics, religious and non-religious people “sleeping with the fishes.” And remember that your Godfather helped His Son, the true Jesus Christ the Lover, “conquer” and defeat death for all of you and your children. Jesus Lives, and He is the true example of a Winner, a Businessman, an Overcomer (Rev. 3:21).
Sincerely, your friend, Nimrod (Gen. 10:8-10)
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By: B. on 7/10/2009 10:56AM
He had Vitiligo. That is a skin disorder, not a desire to become white.
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By: IKE on 7/08/2009 12:14AM
Congressman King's remarks are his own and not necessarily those of the Republican party and to imply that they are so is pure ignorance on your part. This is not a "Republican thing". It is not even a political thing. But you, being a true Left-Winged nutcase, has made it so ..... deal with it!!
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By: Deborah on 7/08/2009 8:02PM
If his inflammatory remarks are his own, then we can see what a true meanspirited, bonefide racist, bigot he truly is! One who does not believe in the constitution where it states that a man is innocent until proven guilty??? MJ was acquitted in a court of law of all charges. The fact that Peter King is a member of a sanctimonous, political party who espouses "family values" and "religious values" every chance that they get, only points to his hypocritical, pompous ignorant attitude of the self righteous right wing! There he was on his self righteous high horse, calling MJ a "lowlife" and a "pedophile." Is Elvis Presley a pedophile? Prisicilla was 14 years of age when she was living in his home???? Speak on that Rep. Peter King!
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By: debra on 7/10/2009 9:32PM
Those dirty low life republicans can talk about no one. Daily they are leaving their wives for men and having sex boys. MJ was innocent. He never did anything to harm a kid in no shape, form or fashion. The sad thing about it, is that the people that MJ admired and wanted so much to look like(white people), those are the people that crusified him and help send him to an early grave. They are the people that cannot stand to see successful black people. They knew he was innocent, that trial and mess was their way of reminding MJ that he was still black no matter what.
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