U.S. Supreme Court...Unconscionable ruling favors anti-gay protesters! 1st Amendment rights!



One headline said it all:

“Unconscionable but Constitutional”

Of course, I am referring to the high court’s ruling in favor of a hateful posse of protesters who were sued for picketing a soldier’s funeral because he was an “out” practicing homosexual.

While the actions of the rag-tag gang of Church-goers (!) from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka (Kansas) was considered deplorable (un-Christian-like, if you ask me) the Supreme Court was forced to recognize that the protesters (headed up by Fred Phelps) had a Constitutional right to voice their opinion that the “U.S.” was “overly tolerant of sin” and that God allegedly “Kills soldiers as punishment” for their “gay” lifestyle.

To many, though, the Church group’s anti-gay protests at funerals – where shameful parishioners waved signs that read – “God hates fags” and “Thank God for dead soldiers” – were “sick” and in bad taste.

Although their message may have been lacking in any resemblance to the loving God portrayed in the scriptures – or his message of compassion and understanding and forgiveness – Chief Justice John Roberts noted that Phelps and his bible thumpers observed the laws of the land because they maintained a thousand-foot buffer zone and protested without “physical” violence .

What about the mental and emotional anguish they wrought on innocent mourners?

With an 8-1 ruling to back his decision, the bench-warmer wrote in his opinion that “even hurtful speech on public issues” merits 1st Amendment protection.

In sum, the hypocritical religious zealots won this round – rightly so – for the aforementioned reasons.

However, in the eyes of God, their reprehensible conduct was not only unconscionable – but, sinful - as well.

The scriptures are quite specific in that regard in at least two passage as follows:

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

John 8:7

“Judge not that ye be judged”

Mathew 7:1

Amen!

http://www.thetattler.biz




Chief Justice John Roberts votes for 1st Amendment rights!
(no matter how hateful in nature)

Michael Jackson...Elizabeth Taylor arrives early at Funeral! Diana Ross a no-show! Entourage tardy...

Old habits die hard, but Liz shows for funeral early out of respect!

If you channel-surfed last night, the pickings were slim - especially when it came to coverage of the funeral service for Michael Jackson - who was finally laid to rest in a sumptuous Forest Lawn setting fit for an Egyptian Pharaoh in Glendale (CA).

Only a handful of media outlets were permitted near the outer  perimeter of the gravesite  - in what one guest referred to as a "serene" service - so there was a lot of straining going on on the frenzied sidelines as the paparazzi scrambled to capture coveted images expected to zip around the globe at the close of the solemn occasion.

Elizabeth Taylor - famously-known for arriving fashionably-late for high-profile events over the years - surprised the media when her limo purred up an hour-and-a-half  before the proceedings were to commence.

In fact, all the key players - Jackson's parents, Michael's children - showed up on schedule.

In contrast, the hangers-on (who cruised through the gates in expensive limos sporting ubiquitous black suits and spritely-colored red ties) were late - thus stalling the ceremony - about  ninety minutes or so.

The lucky persistent few - who scanned the airwaves like moi Thursday eve in search of a poignant moment or two - undoubtedly caught the intimate close-up shots of the family seated on white folding-chairs just prior to the commencement of the pricey service.

The humble seating arrangement was in stark contrast to the opulence all around.

Guests included child star Macaulay Culkin, athlete Barry Bonds, Director Kenny Ortega, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and Marlon Brando's son Niko.

A no-show by Diana Ross allegedly caused a few tongues to wag.

A memorable Gladys Knight performance also inspired a heartfelt message on twitter.

"She sang her little heart out", Reverend Sharp enthused in a tweet later on after the guests paid their last respects and headed homeward bound (unless they attended the swank after-party, of course, where a close-knit inner circle of friends and family were expected to celebrate Michael's life).

At the gates, meanwile, die-hard fans chanted:

"Michael! Michae! Michael!".

Earlier in the day, Police reported that a handful of overjealous music-lovers attempted to jump the fence to get an up-close gander at the King of Pop's burial site.

According to a representative of a Glendale Law Enforcement Agency, the individuals were ejected without incident.

A blimp-like inflated light affixed alongside a boom camera (strategically-placed in front of the expensive marble mausoleum) caused a bit of speculation amoung the mourners and media alike.

Some hinted that the footage was being captured for inclusion in the upcoming Michael Jackson documentary "This is it".

Jackson now rests in peace amidst the likes of such luminaries as Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, and funnyman W.C. Fields.

But, Forest Lawn Officials were quick to point out that after the burial, Jackson's vault will remain off-limits.

A portion of a mausoleum that displays "The Last Supper Window" is the closest they'll ever get to the Pop Icon's last resting place apparently.

Interested parties may  attend one of several ten-minute presentations held at that site regularly every day of the year.

Good night, sweet Prince!

Entourage in sleek black limos arrives late!\

http://www.julianayrs.com/

Michael Jackson...funeral at Forest Lawn for King of Pop! August 29th...

Pearly Gates at Forest Lawn

On August 29th, Michael Jackson will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn in the "Great Mausoleum", in the Holly Terrace where Hollywood's legendary greats have gone before him - Carole Lombarde, Jean Harlowe, and Clark Gable - to name a few.

Not unlike an Egyptian King of yesterdyear, the Prince of  Pop's tomb will be a sumptuous one decorated with bronzes of American Icons, pricey one-of-a-kind sculptures, and even a stained-glass window  etched with an image of the Last Supper.

If we're to believe the scriptures, it is doubtful that God will be impressed.

But, what a send off!

Forest Lawn itself is not your typical "graveyard".

When the "great park" was designed, manager Hubert Eaton made a sacred pledge that Forest Lawn would be devoid of misshapen monuments and the customary trinkets symbolizing earthly departures - and in their place instead - towering trees would tickle the sky, tastefully-decorated water fountains wax poetic in the gentle wind , and noble memorials whisper about the dawning of man.

You got it!

There aren't any maps to shed precious light for the harried souvenir hunter or two who may have lost their way.

Indeed!

Unlike other ceremonious dumping grounds (Forever Hollywood, for instance, where lookie-loo's are allowed on the grounds to track down the plots of contented residents such as Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. & Tyrone Power)  boisterous thrill-seekers in search of elusive Jackson will be sooshed away.

And perish the thought of surreptiously snatching up a nugget of stone from the headstone, to round-out a collecton of morbid memorablia which may include a Jim Morrison souvenir spirited away from the rock star's Paris digs.

According to a tour guide, it's iffy, in view of the fact management protects the celebrities there as if they were as sacred and rare as the Dead Sea Scrolls.

"The Great Mausoleum is the Holy Grail of grave hunters," the soft-spoken independent businessan whispered for fear he may be heard.

"The rooms are like mazes, almost like Escher drawings. There are cameras throughout it, and if you are just wandering about, they (?) will find you and kick you out," he warned.

Gosh, the Jackson "legend"  is turning out to be just as intriguing (and mysterious) in death as it was when he opulently strode the face of the Earth.


As to "D"-day, cemetery officials are cool, calm, and collected.


After all, they aren't anticipating any crushing crowds, or expecting any delirious fans to throw themselves onto the Jackson casket  (as a few of the broken-hearted were inclined to do at Rudolph Valentino's high-profile send off decades ago (we have the same birthday, by the way, May 6th).

Because the funeral is on private property, Sgt. Tom Lorenz  (Glendale Police Department) underscored that the service would not be open to the public.

I expect a handful may sneak in the night before in a last-ditch effort to get a wee peak at the proceedings, before they're scouted down and tossed out on their sorry a**es.

Alas, fame is not fleeting at all, is it?

Finally, in closing, I thought I would share this lovely quote I stumbled on today because it is appropriate under the circumstances.

“We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.”

Michael's legacy of music says it all.

Jackson companion beckons from beyond the grave!

http://www.julianayrs.com/

Michael Jackson...how to get tickets for Memorial Service!

Today, when I logged into Twitter, Ryan Seacrest (DJ) was thoughtful enough to post a tweet with instructions on how to take a shot at scooping up (free) tickets to the Memorial Service planned for Michael Jackson to be held here on the West Coast early next week.

Jackson family spokesperson Ken Sunshine (& CEO Tim Leiweke) appeared at a news conference Friday and unveiled the well-thought-out detailed arrangements to commemorate Jackson's recent passing into spirit.

Fans, tourists, friends, plain old folks, paparazzi - even members of the media - are invited to pay their last respects to MJ - and may do so - by entering a draw at staples.com web site.

Info: staplescenter.com.

The Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, July 7th, at the Staples Center (live) in the Nokia theater.

There will be simulcasts on three screens.

The broadcasts will commence at 10 am.

Tickets

There are 17,500 tickets available in total.

11,000 tickets will be handed out to people to attend the service inside the Staples Center.

In addition, 6,500 tickets will be reserved for individuals who wish to view the service from a simulcast at the Nokia theater.

A balance of 9,000 tickets have been reserved for the Jackson family to use at their discretion.

Draw Instructions

Fans have trouble registering due to high traffic at the web-site are asked to be patient!

Once the winners are drawn, they will be notified on Sunday between 11 am and 8 pm, and provided with a Code for a Ticketmaster ticket.

Winners are asked to arrive early at the Staples Center on Monday morning to pick up their two tickets and two wristbands in person.

Winners must pick up their tickets in the manner instructed because there will not be any future distribution of tickets at either the Staples Center or Nokia theatre.

Organizers are also recommending that individuals without tickets wishing to attend watch the Memorial Service from home since no spectators will be allowed to accumulate outside of the downtown Staples Center during the Memorial Service.

Registration

Once an entrant's registration has been received, accepted and processed at the staples site, the following online notice will appear on-screen with these final instructions:

"Your registration for your chance to attend the Michael Jackson Public Memorial Service has been received."

"If your application is successful, you will receive an e-mail on Sunday, July 5, 2009 after 11:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) with your exclusive unique code and instructions on how to obtain your two free tickets to attend the Public Memorial Service. "

"A valid ticket will be required to enter STAPLES Center & L.A. LIVE area on Tuesday, July 6, 2009."

"Tickets will be distributed for either the public memorial service in the STAPLES Center or at the live television broadcast in the adjacent Nokia Theatre."

"Please add info@staplescenter.com to your address book to ensure successful email delivery."

From moi?

Good luck!

http://www.julianayrs.com/