War Erupts over MJ's Memorial Cost

61. LOS ANGELES -- PAY UP!!!!

YOU made this a bigger deal than it was, assuming the fans would rip the place to shreds.

YOU told the world NOT to come (and they would have more than paid the costs with tourist dollars).

YOU told the world that there is a fund set aside for this.

YOU have been panhandling since last Friday for money from ANYONE. First the Jacksons, then AEG, then MJ's fans.

YOU have yet to account for the taxes that were brought by the tourists that did come to your city.

YOU have a website up without live accounting of current contributions by MJ's fans.

Just how much effin money do you want?

And if, the donations and taxes go over the cost, tell me, are YOU going to donate the money to a children's charity?

I'm SICK of listening to LA whine. For heavens sakes. You should have asked the Queen how much their fair city made in taxes from WELCOMING people who loved Princess Di... and you should have taken notes.

Posted at 8:33PM on Jul 9th 2009 by Cali MJ Fan

62. The Jackson family should be paying for it. If they didn't want to pay for it then they shouldn't of had it!!

Posted at 8:34PM on Jul 9th 2009 by cherryblossom

63. AEG doesn't owe that money. LA has a responsibility to its citizens to keep order no matter the circumstances. The city made money with all the people that were in town for MJ's funeral. More than enough to cover expenses. Besides, I am sure the Jacksons have paid more in taxes to the state of California than any one there that's complaining about the cost. It's the least the city can do for a family thats given so much. AEG should stand firm. No one owes LA money for the cost of MJ's funeral.

Posted at 8:35PM on Jul 9th 2009 by lumpletter

64. OK.... why can't everyone at the Memorial chip in??? I am sure Mariah has a least $100,000 she could donate, so could Magic J., Koby, Berry Gordy, Usher, Queen Latifah...and on...and on..... THEN Have his great friends like Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Manelli, Diana Ross, Quincy Jones all pitch in $250,000. They all loved him and wanted him to have a proper memorial, so let them help !!! IT'S SO OBVIOUS!!!!!

Posted at 8:45PM on Jul 9th 2009 by julie

65. the fans were TRYING to pay and the raggedy site broke down...who's fault is THAT?

Posted at 8:42PM on Jul 9th 2009 by vonnie

66. Ok people are saying that the family had a pvt. service and they paid for it....ok I can agree with that. Now here comes the butt.......Who the hell said it was ok for the taxpayers to foot the bill???? Did we vote to do this????? Are is this world just to PC that maybe they would burn the city down if a black man didn't get what they wanted for him?????

In order for the TAXPAYERS TO PAY FOR THIS.....DO WE HAVE TO VOTE TO RAISE OUR TAXES TO PAY FOR HIS SERVICE AND while were at it......balance the budget for a broke ass state who can't pay workers who can't pay their morgt. payment which put's Cailf. further in the hole.

WHAT TAX PAYER PUT THE SHOW ON????? THEY CAN PAY IF NOT AEG PUT THE SHOW ON SO LET THEM PAY!!!!!!

Posted at 8:40PM on Jul 9th 2009 by You have got to be kiding!

67. Why should LA pay for a pop star's funeral??!?!?!? We're in debt because everyone wants celebrations, but noone wants to pay. The taxpayers are going to get stuck paying for this! Not all us taxpayers went to the memorial, and not all us taxpayers cared if there was a public memorial! AEG and the family planned planned the big event, they should pay for it. The family always has to pay for funerals-even when they have to use their last cent to pay for it. The Jackson's and their famous friends who attended the memorial have planty of money-why don't they pay!?!?!?!

Posted at 8:46PM on Jul 9th 2009 by Sal

68. It was AEG idea, however the CITY OF LOS ANGELES thought another riot would happen like after the Lakers won. So the ended up having to many officers they were on horses, motorcycles, cars, fire fighters, Paramedics and Parking Enforcement. They shut down the freeway and too many streets.


OVER REACTING IS THE FAULT OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES ESPECIALLY VILLAREGOSA. WHO LEFT TOWN BECAUSE HE WAS NOT INVITED? LMAO! I'M SURE HE ALSO WANTED TO SPEAK AND HE WAS DELINED...STILL LMAO!

Posted at 8:43PM on Jul 9th 2009 by Ms Rita

69. You know any ordinary Joe out there would have to pay PER cop for any funeral services. There is always that additional fee, and the more people you have attending the more cops you have to pay for ( I think 300 each).

Wackson's must pay.

Posted at 8:44PM on Jul 9th 2009 by NancyD

70. Regarding comment #61- Since when does a city pay for a citezen's funeral? The family pays for the funeral, so get your facts right! Where do you think the city's money comes from? The citezens' taxes! We didn't have a choice about the event being put on. AEG and the family made that choice!

Posted at 8:45PM on Jul 9th 2009 by Sal

71. Are you kidding, Michael Jackson paid huge taxes to this city, no only from his income but also property taxes on the land he owned. Oh and lets not forget the amount of tourists that can to the city to see him throughout the mant years of his life.

Posted at 8:52PM on Jul 9th 2009 by GET REAL

72. For those who say the Jackson family should pay, remember, the FAMILY is the one who paid for the live feed to go to the world.

For heavens sake, hasn't California benefited ENOUGH from their most popular resident or do they need to bleed them dry too?

Los Angeles - PAY UP and shut up! You didn't ask for any money from any of the other celebrity ceremonies before Michael, so either you are going to ask for EVERY single event in the future... or you're going to shush and count the taxes you got over the weekend.

What about the $80,000 lunch that LOS ANGELES bought on behalf of this dead man... when it could have been about $17,500? The employees were getting overtime-- so why couldn't they afford to buy their own lunches?

ENOUGH you greedy hypocrites!

Posted at 8:53PM on Jul 9th 2009 by Cali MJ Fan

73. LA is responsible to keep order for its citizens no matter the circumstances. I'm sure the Jacksons have paid a great deal more in taxes to the state of California than any one complaining about the cost. I'm sure LA made more than enough money by hosting so many people that wanted to be a part of MJ's funeral service. What do they expect? They are home to some of the biggest and most popular names in the world. Will everyone buried in LA be responsible for any cost the city incurrs? Isn't that something the taxpayers are already paying for? AEG does't owe a dime and they should stand firm.

Posted at 8:54PM on Jul 9th 2009 by lumpletter

74. Why is it always about money.
After a death of a family member or a world Icon there is always a family feud, or a feud of some sort over money.
Let MJ rest in peace, and leave his family and fans grieve in their own way.
Considering MJ was a Icon all over the world, and it was said many times through his memorial of what wonders he did to try and change and heal the world. Why don't authority figures shut up, get over themselves and do something about it instead of complaining to public. If anything they should be making a severe request to USA government, as the president should foot the bill out of respect for all of what MJ done for the world.
Rest In Peace MJ, you are sadly missed by many.
I love who you were and what you stood for...I believe you were innocent. And you will continue to live in our hearts.
xxxxxxxxxxx

Posted at 5:44AM on Jul 10th 2009 by Kassie Gold Coast, Australia

75. The record companies should be paying with Mr jacksons death all of his recordings are selling again. The staple center management should not have to pay. The jackson family should volunteer to pay some of it. Zine is just trying to be fiscally prudent, not knowing what the future holds. The city should have secured the funds PRIOR to the memorial. Now they eat the costs. The residents cant complain come next May when the funds are gone and the officers of LAPD are limited on overtime, but at least Michael got a very expensive send off at our expense...

Posted at 6:12PM on Jul 12th 2009 by danjoe