Imagine if all of the money and attention that we spent on this nonsense were instead spent to give Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, U.S. commander in Afghanistan, the troops and resources he needs to get the job over there done right. I’ve seen stories claiming that this Michael Jackson tribute cost the cash strapped state of California between $2.5 and $5 million. If you’re wondering why it would cost them anything read what Leslie Gornstein on E Online says,
And just what kind of city effort are we talking here?
At least 1,400 police officers to keep the peace Workers from the Department of Transportation to arrange and enforce street closures Still more workers from the Department of Public Works to keep the area clean and operating
Fire and rescue specialists, just in case too many rabid fans moonwalk into one another out in the streets
As a parent with a son in Afghanistan, I couldn’t agree more that our intelligence could definitely be spent better elsewhere. While Michael Jackson’s death is tragic and untimely, people are dying everyday, here and abroad, that do not receive that kind of coverage or attention. Unfortunately, our society drives this sensationalized coverage by wanting more and more of that type of reporting. If we turn it off…they will, too.