In The Blogs

John Roberts Is Not Michael Jackson's Lover

| Mon Jun. 29, 2009 7:29 AM PDT

Chief Justice John Roberts did not like Michael Jackson. The New York Times' Caucus blog dug up some old memos Roberts wrote while he was working for the White House Counsel's office during the Reagan administration. In a memo criticizing a proposal to invite Michael and his brothers to the White House, Roberts wrote:

I hate to sound like one of Mr. Jackson’s records, constantly repeating the same refrain, but I recommend that we not approve this letter.... In today’s Post there were already reports that some youngsters were turning away from Mr. Jackson in favor of a newcomer who goes by the name "Prince," and is apparently planning a Washington concert. Will he receive a Presidential letter? How will we decide which performers do and which do not?

There's some evidence that Justice Roberts may have been pulling for a different performer. Consider this, from another memo:

Why, for example, was no letter sent to Mr. Bruce Springsteen, whose patriotic tour recently visited the area?

Why, indeed? The music of the future governor of New Jersey was famously embraced by Reagan during the 1984 presidential election campaign. On a related note, President Obama regularly invites musicians to the White House: Stevie Wonder, for example, has already performed there.

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Nick Baumann covers national politics for Mother Jones' DC Bureau. For more of his stories, click here. He can also be found on twitter.

Comments

Was Justice Robert's

Submitted by Rick Wade (not verified) on Mon Jun. 29, 2009 11:27 AM PDT.

Was Justice Robert's reference to Bruce Springsteen's "patriotic" tour Born in the USA? Reagan didn't know it was a protest song; I guess Roberts didn't either.

John Roberts and Micheal Jackson

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon Jun. 29, 2009 1:26 PM PDT.

Obviously, John Roberts has no soul. He wouldn't know hip if it bit him on the behind. No matter what you think of Michael Jackson's personal life you have to give him his props as a consummate entertainer,dancer, and pop star. And Elvis couldn't moonwalk neither can Bruce.

and?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon Jun. 29, 2009 2:16 PM PDT.

What exactly was the point of this article? I was expecting it to go somewhere or be newsworthy. It's like you stopped off right in the middle. It would be like an article that simply said Farrah Fawcett liked wearing jeans sometimes. You'd say... Okay, and what of it?

ts;dr

reagan and springsteen

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue Jun. 30, 2009 5:50 AM PDT.

This post did not include full information about the reagan-springsteen story. Reagan used "Born in the USA" without Bruce's permission. Springsteen called him on it and asked that it not be used, adding that he did not support Reagan. Reagan and his cronies (and possibly MOJO?) did not get it that the song was NOT in favor of the VietNam War.

YAWN Glad that was short

Submitted by bizona (not verified) on Tue Jun. 30, 2009 8:57 AM PDT.

*YAWN*

Glad that was short and I only wasted a minute!

25 year-old Omer Bhatti,

Submitted by CampbellP on Wed Jul. 29, 2009 2:58 AM PDT.

25 year-old Omer Bhatti, sparked interest when he was spotted sitting with the singer’s immediate family at Jackson’s public memorial earlier this month and it started to lead rumors and questions if he is Michael Jackson's 25 year old son. He might be Michael Jackson's 25 year old son, and he is currently undergoing DNA testing to confirm. It's been a rumor since the late 80s, as Bhatti and Michael have been photographed together numerous times, in similar costumes seemingly highlighting the resemblance, which is photographically strong. Some say he might just need fast cash, but time will tell if he is Michael Jackson's 25 year old son.

Indeed, rumors abound the

Submitted by SarahX (not verified) on Tue Aug. 4, 2009 2:33 AM PDT.

Indeed, rumors abound the Omer Bhatti is Michael Jackson's love child, from a one night stand while Jackson was on tour in Norway. Joe Jackson has said that Michael knew about another child somewhere, but no DNA testing has come up positive that Omer Bhatti is Michael's child. Whether DNA testing is being done is unknown, and Omer, thus far, doesn't seem to be confirming it, but he has submitted to a DNA test to confirm – and he did look the part as a child, and has a knack for dancing. It doesn't seem like a cash grab with Omer Bhatti– unlike Nina "Jackson", a British woman claiming to be Michael's wife who could have just gotten payday loans UK.