Previous Headlines

News & Politricks >> more News & Politricks

Obama Sends Condolence Letter To Michael Jackson Fam

Posted by: Illmatic 6/26/2009 | 5,507 Views

See Original Story >>

COMMENTS

President Barack Obama, who was faulted in some quarters for his slow and informal acknowledgement of singer Michael Jackson's death, has sent written condolences to Jackson's family, an Obama adviser said Sunday. "The president has written the family and has shared his feelings with the family," Obama senior adviser David Axelrod said on NBC's "Meet the Press." Axelrod suggested Obama was prepared to recognize Jackson at a press availability Friday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, but the aide said no reporter raised Jackson's death. The White House rebuffed reporters' requests for comment from soon after Jackson's death Thursday through Friday afternoon, when White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs offered brief comments at a daily briefing. "The president obviously believes that he was an important and magnificent performer," Axelrod said on NBC. "Obviously, he led a sad life in many ways as well but his impact is undeniable." "Obviously Michael Jackson was a spectacular performer and a music icon. I think everybody remembers hearing his songs, watching him moonwalk on television during Motown's 25th anniversary". But the president also said, look,"He had aspects of his life that were sad and tragic. And my condolences go out to the Jackson family and to the fans that mourned his loss."

When asked why the White House didn't release a formal statement, Gibbs replied, "Because I just said it." Obama has yet to speak to any members of the Jackson family, and it is unclear if he will. Gibbs also joked that reporters had been to shy to ask the president about it directly during his press availability with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He added a dig at those pundits who were annoyed by the staged Huffington Post question on Tuesday saying, "I could have arranged it through a third party."

TAGS -

19 comments

These statement was appropriate and very much sensitive to MJ's untimely death, and those of you who are not happy with it, get over yourselves.

LOYALONE 7/22/2009 | reply
0
This statement was appropriate and very much sensitive to MJ's untimely death, and those of you who are not happy with it, get over yourselves.

LOYALONE 7/22/2009 | reply
1
Was Micheal Jackson self actualized?
Did he give all he could give as a human being?
And did he use wisely what he had?
mind, body, spirit, emotions

he gave heavily to charity and addressed social issues within his work, he rose to the top of his field, he innovated in his field, he obviously touched millions

but we can't say he came to grips with his personal pain?
He wasn't yet at peace with himself. He still had things to prove.

He got everything out of his body and mind he could given the torment of his spirit and emotions.

So I guess it boils down to fan or not.

Rest in peace Micheal Jackson.

Shemlock 6/28/2009 | reply
0
- ...but given the illusions of the images of wealth and social station, and the proxies of agents, managers, lawyers what can truly be known of a person's mental and physical health/stability.
  
  Celebrity by force of circumstance makes you actualized. Genius can absolve you of emotional and spiritual responsibility, so long as the appearance is one of growth--a certainty that with a few more moments he/she would have figured it out.
  
  Fans as fans always see growth even when the star fades or metastasizes.
  
  As an artist, actualized for sure. As a human being, can you separate... [could we even say he was mentally imbalanced] and thereby his credit was towards his artistic expressions of creative platform with his voice and body(dance) as his 'instrument.' Yet the creativity was his mind. In the dimensionality of the performance Mike was King.
  
  His problem was he tried to bring that being of transcendent light, his image or persona of his absolute self, he tried to bring into the real world. It seems he literally wanted to be his super-ego.
  
  But if the super-ego is no longer a vision then you are actualized. But in his case it hadn't become because he transited the spiritual obstacle course of life, but because of wealth/pride he forced it through plastic surgery. It was a perverse actualization allowed through so much talent and begun on a proper course, but lacking a reasonable emotional control he veered.
  
  So I can't say Mike was actualized as a human being.
  
  He was such a complex and amazing human being. He wasn't perfect. And ostensibly used his wealth to cover up some failings but that is a failure of our society that the wealthy need not account for their transgressions. But given all the things men have done to one another through the ages and his now fixed placed in the world, I am not embarrassed by Micheal Jackson.
  
  I need to let him rest in peace.
  
  Shemlock 6/28/2009 | reply
  0
- So as a celebrity are you only 'alive' while performing?
  
  Art is the vehicle of conveying your honest expression of your self. Thus if you are a performer you are only honestly being yourself whilst performing.
  
  So the world's best job is philosopher. Thought is your performance. And since thought coincides or commentates on being a philosopher is always performing. Ever expressing himself honestly.
  
  Celebs can act like such asses during their personal life because it bores them. They don't need to wash clothes, or cook meals anymore. A cocoon can breed irresponsibility, and being cut off from art/performance to some is a cocoon.
  
  Mike Jackson was somewhat like me. He couldn't handle the mundane aspects of life. If like was always a performance then he could have always been King, and he'd have taken us all to Never Never Land.
  
  The powerlessness to make real change despite a vast fortune must be humbling.
  
  All those times he had to leave the stage are what killed Micheal Jackson.
  
  Shemlock 6/28/2009 | reply
  0
- He was self actualized. He perfected and redefined what it was to be a performer. He touched that height of himself to a degree he thought he knew who he was whereby he thought he could 'make it appear' or conjure it as himself on earth. [He peaked between Thriller and Bad.][60s and 70s were a warm up, 80s were his time.]
  
  He wanted to keep the feeling of the exultation of being. [I wonder if the sting of cosmetic surgery emulated the flush of glory?]
  
  Mike was radiant. [but in an effeminate way to my taste so I was never a fan per se, thought at times I'll ask my brother for a Mike CD because I'm in the mood to listen to him do his thing. ]
  
  Shemlock 6/28/2009 | reply
  0
I am very disappointed in the Presidents statement . Michael we love you and will never forget you. It was all for the love of the music....

A.THOMAS LONG-HART 6/27/2009 | reply
0
i am furious with Barak Obama. His flimsy statement was rude and insensitive. " sad and tragic" No sir, it was a full and inspirational life that was tragicly cut short. No mother wants to be told their son lived a sad and tragic life. He didn't even call the parents to give his condolences. Maybe i detect a bit of jealously for being reminded that he isn't the most famous black man on the planet. God Bless you Micheal.

Rodney Barnes 6/27/2009 | reply
0
MJ truely inspired everyone............this is making me sad just thinking about it!

ANGELS.............

Mizz Raven 6/27/2009 | reply
0
You know what...the only people who know whether he actually molested any of those children are him and the Lord, so the people above me need to shut their mouths. You do NOT know, were you there? All you know is what you were told. Did you see him do it? You have no idea what people will do to get money, money is the root of all evil. So as I said before you don't know what is true, second before you go judging him...he who is without sin cast the first stone. Let the man rest, and show some damn respect. You don't know what he was going through nobody knows, yet people sit here and made accusations, lies, and scrutinized him. He was in obvious pain, mentally, and inside of his heart, he was damaged, and he was hurting. He was fifty years old and still trying to get his childhood back, how many years was he trying to do that? He spent his whole life trying to get something back that he could not. The man was hurt. I do not believe he molested any of those children, that is my opinion. Like I said people will go to great lengths to come into money, and money Michael Jackson most certainly had plenty of. Anyway like I said he has passed on, let him rest, let him have the peace he could not have here on this earth. Again you are a man, let the Lord do the judging. Show some respect, he has more than paved the way.

T'nesha 6/27/2009 | reply
0
Until everybody especially the media stop making all thses different speculations about my man Michael Jackson he is never gonna rest in peace. The man put in his work so im gonna just remember the good things about mike and what he did and the kind of positive effects he had on this whole world through his music. I really dont care who addresses what nop matter who you are whether you speak it out loud or keep it inside everybody was effected by this tragic loss so whether the president addresses it or not it still isnt gonna make a difference how any of us feel inside. I LOVE YOU MIKE R.I.P see you when i get there

mudbone 6/27/2009 | reply
0
My heart is deeply saddened for Katherine Jackson. I cannot stop thinking about her. I hate for any mother to have to bury a child.

During MJ’s career, she had to watch him experience the extremes of success - love and pain. She had to watch her son - the most talented man to ever grace the planet Earth – self destruct right before her eyes because even with all that talent he never took the opportunity to love himself or fully accept himself.

He spent his time wanting to go back to a place in his life that was never to be again – childhood. Once it is over, it is over. And no amount of money or plastic surgery can bring it back.

The stage is where he felt the most comfortable. However, you cannot live your life on stage at all times. He was off stage more than he was on stage. While off stage, it is hard for him to ignore his pain and self hatred. And Katherine had to stand in the wings and quietly (sometimes crying) watch her beautiful and gifted baby destroy himself.

Depression and mental illness should be taken more seriously within our society and the healthcare community. Medical professional have to do more than just write a prescription. The church, medical profession and holistic practitioners have to come together and create more holistic approaches to mental illness and depression and make it more assessable to the general public.

www.charactercorner.blogspot.com

"The Blog Where Hip Hop Meets Scripture!"

NoLongerAGrinder 6/27/2009 | reply
0
Your damned if you do and your damned if you don't. Michael Jackson died.He was an artist of some repute yes, but how much time should Obama spend on him when there are more important issues which affect all our lives that need to be addressed. The reduction of greenhouse gases and the present state of the economy I would think takes precedent over others. I think Obama was right in approaching the issue the way he did. In this new age of communication; where statements are beamed across television, computer screens and cell phones as soon as they are said, a little thought before speaking is just plain intelligent. Rest in Peace Michael Jackson, your doing a hell of a job Mr. President.

Joseph1227 6/26/2009 | reply
0
- Agreed!!!
  
  Illmatic 6/26/2009 | reply
  0
I think the President has more pressing issues at hand. I'm sure he will make a more intimate statement and not second hand. He likes to know all the facts before he makes a statement that's what smart people do.

Illmatic 6/26/2009 | reply
0
- I agree with both you & Joseph. As he is a man who thinks before he speaks, the President will surely address Michael's untimely departure thoroughly & thoughtfully.
  
  Also, we don't know whether the family has been contacted by President Obama up to this point.
  
  My prayers to the family & especially his 3 children.
  
  Apryl 6/27/2009 | reply
  0
hey john wayne gacy was a great artist, but he stil murdered people, do we celebrate his work or that he was a molester, and mr obama, shut the hell up, you are becomming a kiss a--, just like bill clinton. stop supporting the wrong people, support mother theresa or peopele who deserve it . noit becuase you want to appear to be hip and for the people

stephan 6/26/2009 | reply
0
Elvis abused himself with drugs. Nixon was immediately pardoned. Mike was probably a pedophile who's fame made him unconvictable. You can't throw the Scarecrow from the Wiz in jail. I don't think the response inconsiderate.

I mean you are acknowledging Jackson's faults. You're making molestation the equal of drug addiction and abuse of power. In our society the latter is white collar crime, and the former is 'victimless' but child molestation is neither.

It is strange how blind people will become to protect their idols. I have a friend who's dad molested a young girl, and his entire life has been tragically affected. He must live down the shame, but at the same time defend his father.

Give it time and I'm sure a formal statement will be announced anyway.

Shemlock 6/26/2009 | reply
0
This is the what they deem a satisfactory statement? This is what you expect from the first black president after a WORLD ICON dies? This is in bad taste, and a simple statement could have been made just like past presidents for Elvis, Nixon, or anyone else with a dark parts of their life.

Disgruntled Voter 6/26/2009 | reply
0