Tennessee House Passes Michael Measure

The Tennessee House of Representatives narrowly passed a measure to honor Michael Jackson on Wednesday, February 3, 2010. The resolution, sponsored by Democratic Rep. G. A. Hardaway of Memphis, squeaked by Wednesday on a vote of 51-22 with 16 lawmakers present and abstaining. Measures need at least 50 votes to pass the 99-member chamber.

The measure has drawn considerable heat amongst the conservative constituency of the Southern state. This general disdain is echoed by the lawmakers who opposed the measure. Democratic Rep. Henry Fincher of Cookeville said he voted against it because Jackson was "credibly accused of child molestation." House Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada said he objected to money being spent to honor entertainer, however he tendered an "aye" vote. Nevertheless, the state Congress regularly considers such measures; two years ago a measure to honor Tennessee native Justin Timberlake failed to pass.

If you would like to read the full text of the bill, click here.

Here is how the vote split:

HJR0773 by Hardaway - FLOOR VOTE: MOTION TO ADOPT 2/3/2010 Passed Ayes...............................................51

Noes...............................................22

Present and not voting......................16

Representatives voting aye were: Armstrong, Bone, Borchert, Brown, Camper, Casada, Coleman, Cooper, DeBerry L, Eldridge, Favors, Ferguson, Fitzhugh, Gilmore, Hackworth, Hardaway, Harmon, Harrison, Johnson P, Jones S, Jones U, Kernell, Litz, Lynn, Maddox, Marsh, Matheny, McCord, McCormick, McDaniel, Miller, Montgomery, Moore, Mumpower, Naifeh, Odom, Pitts, Pruitt, Richardson, Sargent, Shaw, Shepard, Sontany, Swafford, Tidwell, Tindell, Towns, Turner J, Turner M, West, Yokley -- 51.

Representatives voting no were: Bell, Carr, Cobb J, Dunn, Faulkner, Fincher, Floyd, Ford, Haynes, Hensley, Johnson C, Lollar, Lundberg, Matlock, McDonald, McManus, Niceley, Roach, Rowland, Shipley, Stewart, Weaver -- 22.

Representatives present and not voting were: Barker, Bass, Brooks H, Campfield, Coley, Dennis, Evans, Fraley, Harwell, Maggart, Ramsey, Rich, Todd, Watson, White, Mr. Speaker Williams -- 16.

We ask that you take the time to call or e-mail at least five legislators from this list who voted yes and five who voted against the bill. Contact information on all the congresspersons can be found here on the House Member Website. Please make sure you include Rep. Fincher in all your communications. He needs to know his statements are not only incorrect, they are unacceptable.

Cut and paste:

AYE (YES) VOTES: rep.joe.armstrong@capitol.tn.gov, rep.stratton.bone@capitol.tn.gov, rep.willie.borchert@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tommie.brown@capitol.tn.gov, rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov, rep.glen.casada@capitol.tn.gov, rep.kent.coleman@capitol.tn.gov, rep.barbara.cooper@capitol.tn.gov, rep.lois.deberry@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jimmy.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov, rep.joanne.favors@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dennis.ferguson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.craig.fitzhugh@capitol.tn.gov, rep.brenda.gilmore@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jim.hackworth@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov, rep.bill.harmon@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mike.harrison@capitol.tn.gov, rep.phillip.johnson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.sherry.jones@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ulysses.jones@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mike.kernell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.john.litz@capitol.tn.gov, rep.susan.lynn@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mark.maddox@capitol.tn.gov, rep.pat.marsh@capitol.tn.gov, rep.judd.matheny@capitol.tn.gov, rep.joe.mccord@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gerald.mccormick@capitol.tn.gov, rep.steve.mcdaniel@capitol.tn.gov, rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov, rep.richard.montgomery@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gary.moore@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jason.mumpower@capitol.tn.gov, spk.eme.jimmy.naifeh@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gary.odom@capitol.tn.gov, rep.joe.pitts@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mary.pruitt@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jeanne.richardson@capitol.tn.gov, mailto:charles.sargent@capitol.tn.gov, rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov, rep.david.shepard@capitol.tn.gov, rep.janis.sontany@capitol.tn.gov, rep.eric.swafford@capitol.tn.gov, rep.john.tidwell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.harry.tindell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov, rep.johnnie.turner@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mike.turner@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ben.west@capitol.tn.gov, rep.eddie.yokley@capitol.tn.gov

NAY (NO) Votes: rep.mike.bell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.joe.carr@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jim.cobb@capitol.tn.gov, rep.bill.dunn@capitol.tn.gov, rep.chad.faulkner@capitol.tn.gov, rep.henry.fincher@capitol.tn.gov, rep.richard.floyd@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dale.ford@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ryan.haynes@capitol.tn.gov, rep.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov, rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ron.lollar@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jimmy.matlock@capitol.tn.gov, rep.michael.mcdonald@capitol.tn.gov, rep.steve.mcmanus@capitol.tn.gov, rep.frank.niceley@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dennis.roach@capitol.tn.gov, rep.donna.rowland@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tony.shipley@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mike.stewart@capitol.tn.gov, rep.terri.lynn.weaver@capitol.tn.gov

Michael Jackson's Memorial nominated

Michael Jackson's memorial tribute broadcast from the Staples Center in Los Angeles has been nominated for an Outstanding Variety NAACP Image Award.

BET, CNN, NBC, MTV, and ABC all broadcast Michael's memorial service from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, July 7, 2009, almost two weeks after died of cardiac arrest while left unattended by his physician, Dr. Conrad Murray. The star-studded memorial was attended by thousands of fans lasted 90 minutes and monopolized live broadcasts as well as news rebroadcasts later that day. The memorial featured personal anecdotes and tributes by Magic Johnson, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Al Sharpton, Jennifer Hudson, Brooke Shields, Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie, Usher, and John Mayer, as well as Jackson's family members.

The NAACP Image Awards air live on Fox Feb. 26 at 8PM EST.

CNN Remembers the King of Pop

CNN's Don Riddell looks back on the legacy and impact of Michael Jackson.

Michael is taking over FUSE TV

Tune in to FUSE TV today at 11am to see Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, do what he does best. FUSE is having an all-day marathon to celebrate Michael. They also have a photo and video gallery on their site www.fuse.tv and a channel finder to see what station FUSE is in your area.

TV One is honoring Michael all week long starting tonight at 8pm Eastern time with the 30th Anniversary special. The special airs again at 11pm Eastern. Visit TV One for the rest of this week's schedule.

Johnny Depp says he didn't base Willy Wonka on MJ

“I was inspired by him because I think he was a great artist but he was not the inspiration for Willy Wonka contrary to what most people say.”  Depp, 46, also denied he was playing Jackson in a film.

“No no no, I never ever thought of playing Michael Jackson in a film, I think if anyone should play Michael Jackson in a film it should’ve been Michael Jackson,” he said.

“A mother and a father have lost a son, siblings have lost a brother and millions of people around the world have lost someone they love,” Depp said of Jackson’s recent passing. “Children have lost a father so it’s obviously a very sad, sad moment.”

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Re-post: Spike Lee's tribute to Michael Jackson "This Is It"

Iconic filmmaker, Spike Lee, will world premiere his tribute video to Michael Jackson entitled "This Is It" tonight at 7pm on his website www.40acres.com, but you don't have to wait! We have it right here on PJWN in its entirety. The short film is a fantastic look at Michael's roots and the town that loves him.

World Premiere: Spike Lee's tribute to Michael Jackson "This Is It"

Iconic filmmaker, Spike Lee, will world premiere his tribute video to Michael Jackson entitled "This Is It" tonight at 7pm on his website www.40acres.com but you don't have to wait! We have it right here on PJWN in its entirety. (Pass your cursor over the area where the video should be and click to play.) The short film is a fantastic look at Michael's roots and the town that loves him.

I went to see This Is It for the last time on Thursday

I went to see This Is It during the mid afternoon Thursday. There were not that many of us in the theater so I had my pick of seats. I was able to sing and do a little dancing without worrying about bothering anyone else. I was excited all day long thinking about going to the movies for one last time. I was on the edge of my seat anticipating each part as it came. The movie flew by this time, probably because I knew it would be my last time seeing it on the large screen. I felt myself becoming more and more emotional the closer we got to the finale. Tears started streaming down my face at the beginning of Man In The Mirror, then I started sobbing when Michael spread his arms at the end. I wanted to watch all the extras at the end (and I needed a minute to pull myself together), so I stayed until the house lights came on. I really couldn't even look at anyone else on my way out of the theater. Honestly, my grief felt fresh all over again. It was a bittersweet farewell on the three month anniversary of Michael's interment.

Beyonce did a tribute to Michael Jackson

I don't mean to bring negativity, but you all should know Beyonce has said several negative things about the Jackson family in the past. One of them is:
"I grew up upper-class. Private school. My dad had a Jaguar. We’re African-American, and we work together as a family, so people assume we’re like the Jacksons... I didn’t have parents using me to get out of a bad situation"
Beyonce said this during an interview with Elle magazine. I think the statement was incredibly disrespectful and caused a lot of fallout for her. Rightfully so. The statement was directly aimed at Janet. Janet is said to have responded with, 'Beyonce has a lot of growing up to do.'
Because of the fallout, Beyonce has been careful to smile and pretend like she is a huge Jackson fan and even wanted to do a tribute a the BET awards this year. (Supposedly the Jackson family nixed that idea because of her previous statements.)
If you have a hard time believing Bey would say something mean one minute then nice the next or vice versa, remember the Taylor Swift incident? People were hailing her as a saint for giving Taylor her time to speak at the VMA's. Beyonce later came out several weeks later and admitted she knew Kanye was going to do it ahead of time and that 'he was just standing up for true art' or something to that effect. When this started to generate a tiny buzz on the blogs, the story was buried. Just like the Taylor incident, I'm sure she did this to generate good press for herself more than to honor Michael.
My point in all this is to say, I think it is perfectly fine to appreciate her performance of the tribute, but please consider the source. It may or may not be sincere, so be careful who you praise and venerate. I am not a Beyonce hater. I enjoy a lot of her songs and loved her last tour before Sasha Fierce. I just don't like a lot of the things she says and does. She was one of the people responsible for putting down Michael so she gets the side eye.

Chris Brown pays homage to Michael Jackson

Since BET (allegedly) blocked him from performing a tribute to his idol at his awards show, Chris Brown made his own tribute to the legend that is Michael Jackson. Chris is really gunning hard to get his career back.

Stevie Wonder can't handle TII

When asked, “Do you think he [Michael Jackson] would have wanted the movie to be released even though it’s all rehearsal footage?” Longtime friend Stevie Wonder emotionally replied, “I don’t know. I really don’t know...I haven’t seen the movie yet. I’m sure I will go see it but, emotionally, I can’t really handle going to see it now...“I will say that I hope the film, the movie is very successful and I hope that his children, his mother and the family get what they're supposed to receive.”

Translation: I hope Joe don't get shyt because Michael left him out of the will on purpose.

I can do Michael Jackson all by my damn self....

Michael Jackson remix @ Yahoo! Video

Meet Sam Tsui and Sam Tsui and Sam Tsui...

This Is It tops the box office

Michael Jackson's concert rehearsal documentary "This Is It" topped the box office pulling in $101 million worldwide. Domestically, the film has made $32.5 million; it pulled in $68.5 million overseas, including $10.4 million in Japan, $7.6 million in Great Britain$6.3 million in Germany, $5.8 million in France and $3.2 million in China. As predicted, Sony decided to extend the two week limited engagement to at least Thanksgiving in the United States and varying dates in other markets.

This is Tit

T-Pain showed up on the Australian red carpet premier for Michael Jackson's "This Is It:" wearing a t-shirt featuring Cassie's accidentally on purpose released nude pictures. Why in the hell was he in Australia???

Michael Jackson tribute medley--worth it!

"This Is It": This Is Mine

Songwriter/producer "Paul Anka" has reached an agreement with Michael Jackson's estate over the newly released single "This Is It." Anka claims he and Michael co-wrote the song in the 1980's and Michael recorded it in 1991 during his sessions for his Dangerous album. According to Anka, the song was also recorded by a singer named Safire in 1991 and released as "I Never Heard." Producers have arranged at least three versions of the song, the original, a version with Michael's brothers singing backup, and an orchestral arrangement. The latter two will be included on the two-disc companion set for the film This Is It.

Under the terms of the agreement, Anka received an official apology for his omission from the writing credits for the song and he will share in 50% of the publishing rights; Anka, himself, called the omission "an honest mistake" shortly after claiming estate special administrator John McClain told him, "Now we know why the song was so good ... it wasn't the type of Michael Jackson song that he could write." Excuse me?

Working Stiffs-the MJ Blueprint.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Celebrities are very much alive when it comes to earning money for their estates, but 84,000 Elvis tribute artists? Marilyn Merlot anyone? Check out the 60 Minutes clip...

Michael Jackson's "This Is It" single comes out next month

The executors of Michael Jackson's trust in conjunction with Epic/Columbia, AEG, (and God knows who else) will release a new single called "This Is It." The single is the teaser for a new two-disc album also titled "This Is It" made to accompany the concert documentary of the same name. The double album will debut October 27th, a day before the general audience premiere fo the movie. The first album will have Michael's best-loved hits arranged in the order they appear in the movie in addition to two different versions of the new single. Remixes of some of his classics will be on the second album.

Oprah dedicated her entire show yesterday to Michael Jackson

Oprah feels guilty she did not reach out to Michael while he was alive. On a lighter note, Oprah looks great in that archival footage, colored contacts aside. Neverland looks like a child's paradise and Michael looks so happy...

Janet Jackson and Madonna pay tribute to Michael Jackson at the 2009 MTV VMA Awards

Janet Jackson's tribute to her brother Michael was the highlight of the show.

Michael Jackson brought the house down with his performance at the MTV VMA's in 1995.