Best Moments of Michael Jackson's Memorial July 7

I'll admit, I was swept up with Michael Jackson's memorial today. Barack Obama who? Kidding.

Brooke Shields, Magic Johnson, surprisingly Al Sharpton had the most touching stories. MJ's daughter Paris Katherine, who was the final speaker, broke everyone's heart in an instant:

MJ's kids were oddly normal and appeared well loved. Al Sharpton's best quote: "Wasn't nothing strange about your daddy; it was strange what your daddy had to deal with." Call me strange but I never bought the whole MJ is a child molester thing. I think MJ was eccentric and wildly misunderstood as many geniuses are. 

Another fine moment:

Brooke Shields humanized him:

Magic Johnson tells about MJ's love of KFC:

See the full video of the memorial here.

Obama Likes the White House Pie and Michael Jordan

Jennifer Loven talks about her interview with Obama.

Read the interview and watch video here:

In an interview with The Associated Press, Obama discussed a wide range of topics:

-The president said he could see abandoning his own proposal to indefinitely hold some terror detainees -"it gives me great pause" - and that he would not be comfortable ordering such a disposition for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, prisoners without congressional action.

-In light of recent Supreme Court cases dealing with highly charged questions about the nation's racial progress, Obama said the high court was "moving the ball" away from affirmative action. Yet he also noted that the justices had not foreclosed the continued use of racial preferences in hiring and college admissions, which he said he supports in some circumstances. In any case he said affirmative action is neither the panacea - nor the problem - that it's often made out to be.

-With most experts in agreement that there's a good chance Iran could have a usable nuclear bomb sometime during his presidency, Obama said, "I'm not reconciled with that."

-Asked about Michael Jackson's death, an event that has transfixed many, Obama said he didn't see any controversy in the fact that he did not issue a formal public statement about the pop star and knew of no dissatisfaction among blacks about that. He called Jackson a brilliant performer whose talents were paired with a tragic, sad personal life.

The 24-minute interview, with Obama nearly six months into his job and his approval ratings still high, ranged from the serious to the silly. Asked to let Americans in on a secret about White House life, the president chose the pastry chef and rued that "the best pie I have ever tasted" is a challenge to the first couple's self-discipline and waistlines.

Obama Has Michael Jackson's Music on His iPod

Filipino Prisoners Pay Tribute to Michael Jackson

We should have our prisoners dance or work or do something that's useful, instead of rotting in prison.

The original video:

Joe Jackson is a Creepy Guy

Joe Jackson is going to turn Michael Jackson's death into a circus so he can get more attention for himself. What an icky guy. Yuck:

Tribute at the Eiffel Tower:

White House Press Presses for Written Statement on Michael Jackson

A few times this morning, the press asked why Obama didn't release a written statement about Michael Jackson. Robert Gibbs offered a verbal statement. Obama essentially said: Michael Jackson was a spectacular performer, a music icon. He also had aspects of his life that were sad and tragic. He offered condolences to the family.
Okay. Perspective here. Michael Jackson was a wonderful, fabulous, well-loved entertainer, but Obama is President of the U.S., Commander in Chief.
There are soldiers who die daily without any recognition whatsoever. There are plenty of other worthy people who die everyday with zero recognition.

Iranians Pause to Remember Michael Jackson

In between the protests, they're mourning Michael Jackson. On Morning Joe, Reza Aslan says that shows just how much we have in common. He says the uprisings have expanded beyond Tehran, part of it because of the brutality of the crackdown. What's happened on the streets has pressured the Iranian regime, he said.

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