And for this, the world comes to a halt?

Michael Jackson, a performer as strange as he was talented, died on Thursday. I'm sorry. I feel for his family. But for God's sake, does he merit nonstop coverage by Fox News, all the broadcast networks and every web news outlet? Hell, no!

What a sad commentary on us that coverage of perhaps the most destructive legislation of our time, "cap and tax", was relegated to the "Politics"section of the Fox News website so more space - even more space - could be given to every conceivable angle of the Death Of Michael Jackson. A subject of tremendous importance to every man, woman and child in the United States was crowded out by multiple homages to a guy who beat the child sexual abuse rap, pissed away jillions of dollars on his freaky habits and hated himself so much that he spent his entire adult life trying to literally blot out his genetic past. Pathetic, pitiable, creepy, and THIS news is what took precedence over actions of elected officials that could very likely result in the end of our nation as we know it. And no, that's not hyperbole.

Let's get over this obsession with freaky talented people, shall we? I mean, at least Farah Faucett had class - and she had the bad fortune to die a few hours before Jackson and be completely ignored. Mark Sanford got more press than the debate in the House of Representatives, and doesn't have the presence of mind to realize that by engaging in adultery and abusing state funds to arrange a trip so he could visit her in Argentina, he's lost the moral authority to lead, doesn't have the good sense and humility to just resign.

I can only hope Sarah Palin stays as head-up, squeaky clean and classily outspoken as she has been so far. We've got to have someone to look up to.