This crap is OUT OF HAND!

1. 61

   onthewritesideposted 15 years ago

   1.5 million people signed up for a ticket giveaway to Michael Jackson's memorial service.  8750 received an email stating they were one of the lucky winners.  Now these tickets are being sold on EBay for HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of dollars.  What the f**k!  Let the man rest in peace already...

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      ledefensetechposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Who is worse, the people selling the tickets or the people who are willing to buy them?

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      my-success-guruposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Hmmmmmm

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      TrinaLynneposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      While I know Michael would have loved the ticket giveaway because he loved his fans. I don't agree with everyone profitting off of his death. He was a great entertainer and will be missed but all these opportunists need to stop

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         SweetiePieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         If people want to buy a ticket to his memorial service that is their choice.  No one can make anyone buy a ticket to anything.

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      robertsloan2posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Sounds like typical celebrity merchandising. Many people followed Michael Jackson so thoroughly in the news for decades that they know him better than some of their family members, music fans are overwrought, and this goes on for anything to do with a big celebrity. The memorial service isn't a personal event, it's a public one.
      
      But the way I look at it, Michael doesn't have to show up or do anything for this one so it's not as if it's a problem for him. I hope his heirs do earn something from it though.

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      apekshaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Oh very bad..many a times they makes people fool..so u all should take harsh action..
      If he gone in hell or haven then jackson must be watching this all ,a and will say"People sold me out..."

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2. 63

   Lisa HWposted 15 years ago

   I'm under the impression he would have liked all the hoop-la.  It has been said he loved his fans, and it appeared he was pretty much in his element when around them.  I, personally, think a dignified, private, burial is nicest; but I don't the Jacksons are about "private and dignified".

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   1. 61

      onthewritesideposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      You may be right on that one...but there is something not quite right about selling tickets to view a dead guy.  I mean if these "winners" were truly fans, I would think they would use the tickets to go to the memorial service, not scalp them on EBay.

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         Lisa HWposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Oh - I agree with you.  It's about as tacky as it gets.   

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3. 77

   Uninvited Writerposted 15 years ago

   If I was a real fan I would be very upset that scalpers are selling tickets for ridiculous prices.

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      onthewritesideposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Guess we crossed post there!  I agree...

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4. 61

   HealthCare Basicsposted 15 years ago

   I thought the Staples Center made it clear that the tickets were assigned to the winners and no substitutes were allowed. How can they get around that obstacle?

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5. 67

   Mishaposted 15 years ago

   Umm, not sure what is that bad about this particular group of people making some money out of it. Why don't you object to funeral services, etc. profiting from it? What is the difference?

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      Mrvoodooposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Or the hundreds of Hubbers who churned out MJ hubs within an hour of his death covered in eBay/Amazon widgets for CDs, etc.

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      girly_girl09posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I was hoping that they'd sell the tickets for $25 a piece or something and donate it all to a few good charities. It's too bad that the the Staples Center did not do this!!
      
      That being said, I don't object to people making money from their tickets (if they can figure out how - I heard they have taken anti-scalping measures), but  even still $25 a ticket could've raised a lot of money for charity! Even the scalpers would've had to donate.

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      1. 60

         Pete Maidaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         The difference is the funeral people a providing a service they are not just making a cold profit on someone's death.  I do believe they overprice their service to take advantage of the emotional state of their customers.

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6. 67

   Mishaposted 15 years ago

   LOL This is even better

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7. 0

   fierycjposted 15 years ago

   You know you're really hot when people pay their damn money to come watch you get buried.

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8. 0

   annvansposted 15 years ago

   Why didn't I think of that?

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9. 62

   nicompposted 15 years ago

   Free enterprise rocks.

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      Uninvited Writerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, I'm sure some people would sell tickets to their own mother's funeral if they could make a profit...

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10. 0

    girly_girl09posted 15 years ago

    I thought I heard on the radio that they were preventing scalping by using a ticketing system AND a wristband PLUS checking IDs at will call. So, if you won a ticket, you get a special code that corresponds with your name (you have to show ID) then you get a wrist band at one place and then go over to another place to get a ticket? I dunno, sounds complicated but how the guy explained it on the radio made it seem like scalping would be downright impossible.

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11. 75

    Mighty Momposted 15 years ago

    Hypothetically, say I was one of the lucky winners. Who would want my ticket and how much would you be willing to pay:-)?

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12. 60

    Pete Maidaposted 15 years ago

    It is sad when people will put in for a ticket to pay tribute to another human being just to profit from it.  It takes a certain level of greed or a terrible need for money to get it that way.  I did not feel the need to go and I wouldn't pay to get there so I would never consider putting in for tickets.

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13. 62

    nicompposted 15 years ago

    A ticket scalper is also providing a service.

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       Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Yep, exactly.

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       Uninvited Writerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I consider scalpers the scum of the earth Try lining up for 8 hours for tickets for a concert only to find out scalpers bought up all the tickets.

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       Writer Riderposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       May the scalpers perish in hell.

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14. 79

    N. Ramiusposted 15 years ago

    I'd laugh at someone if they paid a fortune for the ticket and can't get inside for the funeral due to the security measures in place.
    
    Edit: Top of Page 2. Hooray.

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15. 67

    Mishaposted 15 years ago

    Not sure why Susan, they work hard for their bread, and rarely butter.

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       Uninvited Writerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I guess I'm still bitter...

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          Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Surely makes sense. I probably would too at least to some extent

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16. 69

    darksideposted 15 years ago

    In some countries, ticket scalping is illegal.
    
    And to scalp tickets for a funeral... well that's about as morbid as it comes.
    
    I'm no fan of Michael Jackson, but these so called fans seem to have lost sight of their soul.
    
    Like the Jackson impersonator I read about here in Australia, apparently the death of Michael Jackson crushed him. But he may as well be dancing on MJ's grave because he's so excited of the prospects of making LOTS of money.
    
    As far as "providing a service" is concerned, I'm sure drug traffickers could use the same argument.

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       Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       And they would be absolutely correct

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          Eric Graudinsposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          @ Misha and Nicomp; Are you arguing that "I'm just providing a service" is sufficient justification to do anything?

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             ledefensetechposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             Eric, who is worse here?  The people who are selling these tickets or the ghouls who are buying them just so they can say they were there?

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             pgrundyposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             Hey Eric I'll answer that question for two dollars! (Do I hear one dollar? Anyone? Anyone?)

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          3. 67

             Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             Yes, I pretty much do. When there is a demand, there is a supply. I personally may dislike some services provided, but since they are there - there is a demand for them. I dislike rain, too

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             1. 61

                onthewritesideposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                OK...Then I'm going to start marketing my own brand of Michael Jackson crack cocaine.  I'm going to call it Crack-fer-Jax, and every $20 baggy will come with a secret prize!  It should hit the streets in a couple of weeks...

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                1. 67

                   Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                   I have no problem with that.
                   
                   But it would be a wise move on your side to check applicable local laws, and make sure local drug lords do not object to your innovation

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                      onthewritesideposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                      AWWW heck...the laws don't matter.  We can just buy cops, judges, etc. like everyone else does.  But the DRUG LORDS...now that could be a problem...hehe

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17. 60

    Colebabieposted 15 years ago

    It's a memorial service, not a funeral, the news said his body wouldn't be there. I tried to look on ebay to see if there were any tickets there, I saw one, but two seconds later it said ebay deleted it. Scalping tickets to a concert is different than scalping tickets to a memorial service. Hopefully the security will make this impossible. The memorial is for the fans, it's pretty cool that 17,500 fans will be able to attend, if someone isn't one of them... suck it up. Put on his record and chill.

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    1. 67

       Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Did you try both?

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          Colebabieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Concert, yes. Memorial service, hell no. I meant it's morally different , sillypants!

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18. 0

    pgrundyposted 15 years ago

    There was a report on cable news about the city being upset about being stuck with providing security. Since it's CA they don't have the money--not the city or the state either--and the concern is, this is a great place for a terrorist group to 'make a point' by blowing up a bunch of people all in one place.
    
    Geez, it just gets weirder and weirder.
    
    I don't blame the city for being pissed though.

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       ledefensetechposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Well when you raise several generations of kids to believe that they state provides all, what do you expect?

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          pgrundyposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Oh ltd that's beneath even you. Is that a chicken I hear? (Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!)
          
          Seriously, I give you a viable business idea (and a way to get around the microlending thing for your finance problems) and you go for the cheap dogma schtick.
          
          I'd be hurt but I know you really love me.

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             ledefensetechposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             I doubt people would pay to come to my funeral.  Well maybe a few people.    Seriously though, CA is one of the only areas where their governor told them unless the cut back on pork spending, they'd go broke and the people told him to shut up.  They're getting everything the deserve.

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                pgrundyposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                Well, yeah. I thought it was kind of immature when they threw Gray Davis out and replaced him with the Governator. That referendum thingie they got going there has to go. But wouldn't that actually fit your philosophy? The referendums, I mean? You know, minimal government, just let the public decide directly by referendum?

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                   ledefensetechposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                   The problem isn't government or even how people elect or depose governors.  The problem is that government appoints itself overseer of all and generally speaking, screws things up.  As for mass democracy, I'm not a fan.  Mass democracy will always devolve into the majority sticking it to the minority.  That's why we were conceived as a republic, not a democracy.
                   
                   I think you just don't like the Governator and that's why you think it was immature they threw him out.  It had nothing to do with the corruption in Davis' tenure did it?

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                      pgrundyposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                      No actually I've grown to like Arnold more than I expected I would. I think he's done a few good things in spite of himself, and I really do think the constant referendums are what sunk the state.
                      
                      You may shocked to learn I have voted both Republican and Independent in past elections.
                      
                      

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                         ledefensetechposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                         It's the welfare state that sunk CA.  We'd do well to heed that warning.

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                            Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                            Could it be both?

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                            pgrundyposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                            It's like a religion for you, isn't it? Certain mantras. Over and over.
                            
                            Libertarians always sound like that to me. It's always about finding facts to fit the theory instead of dealing with actual issues. Like, if you just repeat the main dogmatic points often enough and passionately enough it will make it all true. I really hate that kind of politics.
                            
                            No one looks at what is happening anymore and crafts a solution. All we get is this politics as religion nonsense. People start with their dogmas and mantras and just start piling them on, repeating them over and over whether they fit or not.
                            
                            California was a boom state for decades until they decided they didn't want their property taxed and installed a system of endless public referendums. The problem isn't their 'welfare state', the problem is you can't run a government without funding the government. You can't have public programs and no taxes.
                            
                            I should think you'd applaud the desire of Californians to pay for nothing. Soon they will have no government. That's what you want, isn't it?

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                               ledefensetechposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                               And I could certainly say the same thing for the idea that the state knows what it is doing.  There really is no middle ground.  You'll either end up with a totally free society or one in which the government rules all.
                               
                               Let's face it, you think that government is the answer and that is religion to you.  You vehemently disagree with me and use religion as slander to detract from my points.  That's not debate. 
                               
                               As for CA being a boom state, why do you think people cut their property taxes?  Especially during the housing boom.  They couldn't afford it.  Inflation started taking off and consequently people had less money for everything, including taxes.  So yeah, people wanted to cut spending wherever they could and that includes property taxes.  Inflation makes it inevitable that people  will cut spending once the boom phase is over.  As for fixing it, abolish the Fed.  Take away the governments ability to force the interest market and you won't see booms and busts on the scale we see them today.
                               
                               But that's anathema to you vision of government providing all.  Ask yourself this, if government was so all-seeing and all-knowing, how did they not see this coming and correct for it?

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       girly_girl09posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Ugh, that sucks. That's gonna cost a lot! I was wondering about that, I sort of assumed the Staples Center was comping everything (they or concert promoters are typically responsible for hiring police for every other event they host...whatever's in the contract). Here, no one's making any profit so there is no contract.
       
       
       (I still say they should've charged a few bucks for each ticket for charity!)

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19. 0

    pgrundyposted 15 years ago

    I wonder if someone could set up an online business where people could sell advance tickets to their own funerals.
    
    I mean, it's hard to get a loan these days. Maybe that could work better.
    
    

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    Mighty Momposted 15 years ago

    Oh sure, Pam. Way to tip off the terrorists:-).

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       pgrundyposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       That's how we commie scum are, MM! Ruthless!

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21. 82

    Stacie Lposted 15 years ago

    well with this economy, people have to get creative and think of ways to make a buck; even if it's at MJ 's expense.
    I have a feeling he's enjoying all the attention...

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22. 0

    Writer Riderposted 15 years ago

    Greed kills money.

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23. 59

    lindagoffiganposted 15 years ago

    I hear that there were roughly 11,000 seats for about 500 million requests and that information was of first reporting. 
    
    Some of the viewers were to be seated at the Nokia Center and the Staples Center.  One local woman won tickets and proved to be a true fan with old Michael Jackson tickets and all.
    
      It is hoped that what SweetiePie said is right and there is a system in place out of respect to assure that ticket receivers do not try to profit from the small amount of tickets available. Also, it is true that Michael Jackson loved his fan and he loved his fans while he was alive.  Now that he is no longer with them, I think that the ticket-memorial was disrespectful and the public could have witnessed Michael Jackson's memorial service as a tribute other than with tickets that may have the propensity to get sold.
    
    But with the supply and demand feature of any economy, the organizers of the event should have expected that this sort of ridiculous attempt at selling probably bogus tickets would emerge from the dark places of capitalism.

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       Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Trust me, it has nothing to do with capitalism, it worked exactly the same back in the USSR.

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          maven101posted 15 years agoin reply to this

          But everything to do with greed....

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             Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             As much as with shooting for a higher salary or investing for retirement funds increase. It has to do with earning for a living

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24. 72

    maven101posted 15 years ago

    Earning for a living..? What honest labor is invested in this hypocrisy of hype...?  More like taking advantage of an immature group of grieving people, much like Madoff's using investors' ignorance to line his own pockets...

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25. 67

    Mishaposted 15 years ago

    The World gives us all kinds of opportunities to earn and lose. I tend to think it's up to us which ones we use, and which ones we allow to use us
    
    Oh, and what honest labor is invested in investment?

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26. 67

    Mishaposted 15 years ago

    And I was hoping you guys are finally getting along

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27. 0

    pgrundyposted 15 years ago

    Misha, I can only play nice for so long. It's an old lady thing I think. Hormone shortage.

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28. 67

    Mishaposted 15 years ago

    LOL Pam, you should know better.
    
    Actually, on your post, how is almost 10% sales tax is no tax?

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    Davinagirl3posted 15 years ago

    His whole life was a circus.  I can't believe that anyone is surprised by the lack of reverence.  I have my own karma to worry about.  I couldn't take part in that.  I am not a religious, or even very spiritual, person, but that is on them.

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30. 74

    SweetiePieposted 15 years ago

    With all of the more interesting current events going on in the world I really do not know why people are speculating about how Jackson would think and feel about people selling tickets at his funeral.  No one made anyone buy an overpriced ticket, and the people who did so much have a lot of free spending money in this economy.

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31. 60

    Pete Maidaposted 15 years ago

    It's just a comentary on the need to make a buck on anything.

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       ledefensetechposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Why do you begrudge people the need to make a living?

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32. 0

    Adam Bposted 15 years ago

    I am deeply, emotionally, financially and spiritually entrenched in music.  That being said...why do people get so emotional about a pop star / rock star or whomever else that is a celebiry when they die?  Seriously...you did not know that person in the slightest. 
    
    I love the Who, Jack Black and a few others and if they died suddenly, I would be like..."that sucks,"  but...I am not going to shed tears over it.

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       ledefensetechposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Heck look at all of those people who still shed tears over Kurt Cobain.  Or Elvis.  Or Gerry Garcia.  Or Jim Morrison.  Or Britney Spear....alright maybe not Britney. 

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33. 73

    Isabellasposted 15 years ago

    They were selling tickets for this? Why exactly would someone want to attend this? I am not a Michael Jackson fan, but I agree it is interesting to see that people are scalping these tickets!

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    Mishaposted 15 years ago

    I think they let you do anything as soon as you show them your new profile pic. So handsome nobody can resist

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       onthewritesideposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       LOL...I had to change it.  The other one was a quick snap taken by my very old, very cheap webcam and it was terrible!  Too many people were making fun of me....LOL!

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