MJ Memorial Motorcade

[99Roadster]

[KER]

no offense to MJ or the dead.......but what a waste of tax payer money! For some reason I don't think the family picked up the tab for all those officers' overtime.

[Reddog900]

Word on the news says that it's costing us Los Angeles taxpayers 2-4 million dollars. This can't end soon enough for me!

[gmarktbone]

I can't stand the whole MJ thing, but it sure is cool to see all those RTs. I thought CHP went with HD last year? Wasn't there a lot of discussion about that on this forum a year or so ago?

[Effjay]

Now that's a lovely sight and a perspective I did not see! It was a slow day for real news today with all media focused on the MJ tribute. I watched a bit live on TV and was appalled by closure of 134 fwy to Forest Lawn and adjacent roads to Staples Center for the hearse motorcade. True, part of Hwy 101 was similarly closed when President Ronald Reagan's procession passed a few miles from here enroute to the Reagan Library but that was far more merited IMHO.

[EffBee]

I can't stand the whole MJ thing, but it sure is cool to see all those RTs. I thought CHP went with HD last year? Wasn't there a lot of discussion about that on this forum a year or so ago?

 

Nope, not CHP. LAPD went with Harley. They've changed their mind already, but the contract hasn't run out yet.

[Haynes]

Perhaps they were rehearsing for a modern adaption of the old show "Texas Rangers" where they will all ride off to each side one by one.

Most of us would be old enough to remember that.

[s3steve]

I just noticed some of the RTP's have running lights and some don't. What's the deal?

[beemerman2k]

I just noticed some of the RTP's have running lights and some don't. What's the deal?

 

 

I think the deal is that they are flashing, and the picture just happened to catch some of them on and some of them off, but I would imagine they are all flashing on and off.

 

Tis a nice sight.

 

I am rather disappointed that the family hasn't stepped up to the plate and honored MJ by relieving the tax payers of the funeral costs -- many of whom already parted with some cash to make the Jackson family wealthy enough as it is! Even the music industry, or those who have greatly increased their wealth because of MJ, could step up to the plate. Homeowners in LA in particular are getting taxed to death these days!

[MadDuck]

The Jackson family does not have that kind of cash and MJ's will hasn't gone thru probate and creditor satisfaction yet. There is a very good chance that all he has is future earnings at this point. I'm hoping they can all stay in their homes till some cash comes in. Thats a big family to hit welfare at one time.

[David]

...are getting taxed to death these days!

 

Good one.

[SWB]

no offense to MJ or the dead.......but what a waste of tax payer money! For some reason I don't think the family picked up the tab for all those officers' overtime.

 

I definitely agree with you. Sorry to all of his fans, but I don't think a pedophile deserves this kind of honor. I appreciate MJ's own psych struggles (his Dad was an exploitative a**hole), but sorry, kids come first.

 

That said, I have a bit of a different take: if a very large number of citizens want honors and a CHP caravan for a citizen's funeral, then $2 million may be an appropriate expenditure for it, even he's not my hero.

 

Then again, it'd be awfully nice if California would give it's real hero's this kind of honor.

 

Final journey home (Staff Sargent Beale, of McDonough, GA; his final journey home (KIA June 4, 2009 in Operation Enduring Freedom)

Click on the link, and PRESS THE ARROW in the middle of the screen to start the video clip

 

Jackson's life is a sad tale, but compare the adulation of Jackson against ignorance of (or even hostility towards) the sacrifices of our many young hero's.

 

The contrast makes clear that something is just twisted in America.

 

Scott

[Ken H.]

It was a slow day for real news today with all media focused on the MJ tribute.

 

How could you possibly expect anything less than wall-to-wall coverage?

 

How you can call the death and funeral of one of largest stars of the time not "real news" is beyond me, but okay...

 

Those of you sick of the coverage, not to worry - in today’s AADD news world, a week from now this will truly be long gone from the radar screen.

 

 

[onmyrt]

Sorry to all of his fans, but I don't think a pedophile deserves this kind of honor. I appreciate MJ's own psych struggles (his Dad was an exploitative a**hole), but sorry, kids come first.

 

As I understand these parts of the 'USER AGREEMENT':

Our goal has always been to foster a community that is informative, helpful, kind, humorous and ultimately human.

and

To support this environment, we don't allow personal attacks.

I'm surprised that the moderators are allowing these damning remarks to continue.......

 

[SWB]

I'm surprised that the moderators are allowing these damning remarks to continue.......

 

Crap, you're correct.

 

Moderators: Please withdraw both previous posts, in case I offend pedophiles, or MJ fans.

 

And please withdraw the video I placed regarding alternative, more deserving hero's, in case I offend ..

.. well, those offended by legitmate military heros.

 

I just can't stay out of trouble. I'll never be politically correct enough to "monitor" my free speech so that I don't offend anyone, particularly those who stridently advocate free speech for "some". There's just no place in polite society for people like me - right?

[beemerman2k]

I'm surprised that the moderators are allowing these damning remarks to continue.......

 

I think the mods on this site are the best you'll find anywhere. Sometimes they find it best to let adults police themselves, and I fully support their judgment call in this thread.

 

I just keep wondering to myself, "what if MJ is actually innocent of any sexual perversions and is only guilty of being stupid enough to not forsee how the public would take advantage of his concern for the unfortunate and use it against him?" If that is the case, then all those who are so ready to throw stones when they 1) do not know the fact surrounding the charges or the case 2) do not know MJ 3) do not know his accusers -- I wonder how they would deal with being treated in a similar fashion?

 

To me, wouldn't it be more accurate and more truthful to at least preface such accusations with the words "accused" or "alleged" before sticking the label "pedophile" on him? He was, after all, tried and found not to be guilty. And while I realize that such a judgment does not mean he's innocent, neither you nor I know anything about the case -- other than what we have heard from the media, that great bastion of truth and unbiased reporting (yeah right).

 

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Is that so difficult a policy for us to honor? Yes? Then who are you to judge another?!

[SWB]

To me, wouldn't it be more accurate and more truthful to at least preface such accusations with the words "accused" or "alleged" before sticking the label "pedophile" on him? He was, after all, tried and found not to be guilty. And while I realize that such a judgment does not mean he's innocent, neither you nor I know anything about the case -- other than what we have heard from the media, that great bastion of truth and unbiased reporting (yeah right).

 

True, and I am legitimately sorry about any inference that offended some. However, the verdict was based on very narrow grounds, and didn't repudiate facts about what he did with kids in his bed. Folks with money and power and influence can get away with quite a bit.

 

I do see MJ as a tragic figure, but not one that deserves the adulation now attributed to him.

 

Regards,

 

Scott

[beemerman2k]

True, and I am legitimately sorry about any inference that offended some. However, the verdict was based on very narrow grounds, and didn't repudiate facts about what he did with kids in his bed. Folks with money and power and influence can get away with quite a bit.

 

I do see MJ as a tragic figure, but not one that deserves the adulation now attributed to him.

 

Regards,

 

Scott

 

First of all, you did not offend me, and I doubt you offended anyone else. I do stand in amazement at how quick you are to condemn another. To me, it's perfectly fine to be of the opinion that he is guilty of what he was charged with, just like I think it's perfectly OK to be of the opinion that he is innocent of those charges. I just find it amazing when someone stands up, who does not know the facts, and declares to all that MJ is innocent or MJ is guilty! Such behavior does not reflect anything on MJ and instead tells me a lot about the one who is making such declarations.

 

It is the policy of the very country you honor that a person is "innocent until proven guilty". Sorry, I did not make that up, it is the very real policy of our criminal justice system, being derived from the 5th, 6th, and 14th amendments of the Bill of Rights. So honor your country not just by waving flags and posting videos, honor your country by honoring what your country ultimately honors -- the dignity and respect of its citizens!

[Boone60]

Looks like the MJ death got a lot of people into the city and spending money over several days, shouldn't this be a gain for the city the same as an NFL football game but on a much larger scale?

[bmwk100]

 

Scott

 

First of all, you did not offend me, and I doubt you offended anyone else. I do stand in amazement at how quick you are to condemn another. To me, it's perfectly fine to be of the opinion that he is guilty of what he was charged with, just like I think it's perfectly OK to be of the opinion that he is innocent of those charges. I just find it amazing when someone stands up, who does not know the facts, and declares to all that MJ is innocent or MJ is guilty! Such behavior does not reflect anything on MJ and instead tells me a lot about the one who is making such declarations.

 

It is the policy of the very country you honor that a person is "innocent until proven guilty". Sorry, I did not make that up, it is the very real policy of our criminal justice system, being derived from the 5th, 6th, and 14th amendments of the Bill of Rights. So honor your country not just by waving flags and posting videos, honor your country by honoring what your country ultimately honors -- the dignity and respect of its citizens!

 

I hear you and MJ had his freedom after being found not guilty in court. BUT- There is a court of public opinion and his acts were available for all of us to see and make our opinions. Like Scott, I call MJ a child molester.

 

Now, that was a nice picture of the BMW police bikes.

[SWB]

Now, that was a nice picture of the BMW police bikes.

 

Now THAT's a great post we can all agree on. I don't know why, but the RT-P's in formation still look pretty cool to me.

[onmyrt]

I think the mods on this site are the best you'll find anywhere. Sometimes they find it best to let adults police themselves, and I fully support their judgment call in this thread.

James, I couldn't agree with you more.

We'll just leave this one up to them.

[Ken H.]

...but compare the adulation of Jackson against ignorance of (or even hostility towards) the sacrifices of our many young hero's.

I don’t agree that there is significant hostility toward our young heroes. (Today, not the 1960-70’s.) There is disagreement with, even at times hostility toward the causes for which they are forced to sacrifice, but that’s a big difference than being ignorant of, hostile toward the men and women themselves who sacrifice greatly, and sometimes ultimately. One does not automatically imply the other. The bumper sticker, “Support the Troops Not the War” is quite possible and not at all diametrically opposing.

[Pigdog7]

no offense to MJ or the dead.......but what a waste of tax payer money! For some reason I don't think the family picked up the tab for all those officers' overtime.

 

It was a waste of tax payer money until your little johnny could not make it to soccer on time because of the big bad funeral that the police should have done something about.

[rob1100r]

quote

I'm surprised that the moderators are allowing these damning remarks to continue.......

 

 

you'll get over it, don't worry!

[Dave_C]

I can't stand the whole MJ thing, but it sure is cool to see all those RTs. I thought CHP went with HD last year? Wasn't there a lot of discussion about that on this forum a year or so ago?

CHP's been usin BMW's for a long time. LAPD went to HD, but seems to be going back to BMW after the Harleys turned out to be crap.

[fourteenfour]

so are those crash bars available through dealers for any RT?

[upflying]

I just noticed some of the RTP's have running lights and some don't. What's the deal?

Police bikes have an on and off switch for the headlights. I am willing to bet the officers with headlights off is their way of showing disrespect for being assigned to the MJ motorcade.

[upflying]

so are those crash bars available through dealers for any RT?

Not sure about the 1200's but the 1100/1150 RT-P have extensive brackets and extra bracing under the Tuperware to mount the bars. I am sure you could retro-fit the RT-P bars to a RT but be prepared for a four figure bill.

[upflying]

Another "only in California" observation. The last "police car" in the photo is a Prius. Now I've seen everything.

[Pigdog7]

There is no indicator light on the RTP when the headlight is turned off, therefore I'm willing to bet he just forgot to turn it back on. The officers I know would not chose the actual funeral to express disatisfaction about working it. Most of them just love to ride, and think it is even better when assigned to an escort detail, regardless of who it is for.

[motorman587]

I just noticed some of the RTP's have running lights and some don't. What's the deal?

Police bikes have an on and off switch for the headlights. I am willing to bet the officers with headlights off is their way of showing disrespect for being assigned to the MJ motorcade.

 

Respectfully disagree that an officer would turn his lights off so show disrespect and give up his safety to be seen. I would say that he accidently hit the off switch, which is easly to do, on the RTPs..........

 

 

[upflying]

I just noticed some of the RTP's have running lights and some don't. What's the deal?

Police bikes have an on and off switch for the headlights. I am willing to bet the officers with headlights off is their way of showing disrespect for being assigned to the MJ motorcade.

 

Respectfully disagree that an officer would turn his lights off so show disrespect and give up his safety to be seen. I would say that he accidently hit the off switch, which is easly to do, on the RTPs..........

 

Maybe you are right but we will never know, will we?

[motorman587]

Will never know, however knowing LEOs they are about money....... If it is just work and riding great........plus you make the evenings news.........two thumbs up......If it is overtime the LEO are all over it.. So your thinking of disrespect, naaaa do not think so.......accident.

[BailyD]

I hit mine by accident last week during a car stop. A few days later my partner did the same thing when he sat his helmet on the bars prior to leaving a funeral home for an escort.

 

+1 John on your thoughts about the $ and special detail. Beats doing crashes all day ; )