Worth the Silence?

Fellow Rhetoricians,

Let's start with a little quiz. Which of the following is out of place?

A) The People of Burma
B) Armenian Genocide
C) Hurricane Victims of the Gulf Coast
D) Michael Jackson

If you picked "D", then you are correct! Unfortunately, Michael Jackson is now eternally connected to the rest of these choices, in what would be the worst game of 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon on the planet. Yesterday, the United States House of Representatives held a moment of silence for the death of Jackson, during a sparsely populated session. Even though there were few Congresspeople there to take part in the event, I believe it deserves a spark of outrage.

Michael Jackson is simply not worthy of such an honor from our elected officials. Yes, Jacko made great music, I mean freaking awesome albums which have pleasured millions (innuendo intended). And the music video of Thriller will never be topped by anyone ever. BUT, this does not warrant honor from public officials. Jackson was an oddball, to say the least, when he wasn't making music. His legal troubles surrounding child molestation and sexual misconduct should be an instant disqualifier for such an honor.

Here's my tombstone for Jackson:

Here lies the King of Pop

Your Music was Great

Your Problems were Many

Thriller Kicked Ass

Now, I can see the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame or MTV or the NAACP or NAMBLA holding a moment of silence, because Jackson was among their primary purposes, but not of the Congress. All told, each Congress holds a few dozen moments of silence per two-year term; most of which remember former civil servants, war/disaster victims, and great people who have contributed to society. Today I hold my own moment of silence: for the thousands of amazing people who die every single day, most of whom go unrecognized. To the mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters who spend their days helping the less fortunate, educating youth, and cleaning up our cities all for little reward; I thank you.