Has Somebody Started To Smell A Bit????

Birthday burial set for Michael Jackson

Associated Press

Posted: August 18, 2009

LOS ANGELES -- The King of Pop will be buried on what would have been his 51st birthday, a spokesman for Michael Jackson's family said today.

Jackson will be buried at a private ceremony at Forest Lawn-Glendale on Aug. 29, spokesman Ken Sunshine said in a statement. Guests will be limited to family and close friends, Sunshine said.

"The Jackson family once again wishes to express its gratitude to Michael's fans around the world for their support during these difficult times," the statement said.

Details about the ceremony and the whereabouts of Jackson's body have been tightly guarded. The announcement came a day after the New York Daily News reported comments by Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, that his son would be buried on what would have been his birthday.

Sunshine said Jackson will be buried on the Holly Terrace at the cemetery's Great Mausoleum. The cemetery's Web site describes the mausoleum as featuring replicas of works by Michelangelo. It also features a stained glass recreation of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper."

The cemetery is in the city of Glendale, which is about 8 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. It is a different location from the Hollywood Hills cemetery where Jackson's family was seen gathering days after his death on June 25.

Think We Are Bad Off? Michigan Wants Our Prisoners!

California: No prisoners headed to Michigan

By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN
Associated Press Writer

Published: Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009 - 10:37 am

LANSING, Mich. -- California officials have sent a letter to Michigan's corrections director saying thanks but no thanks on using Michigan prisons to house its inmates.

Michigan still is asking for states that might be interested in using soon-to-be-closed prisons in Standish and Muskegon. Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm says housing other states' prisoners will let the state keep hundreds of jobs.

California officials evaluated both prisons. But they said in a letter sent Monday that the proposed per diem rate that Michigan would charge is "significantly higher" than the rates currently paid to contract for other out-of-state beds.

Pennsylvania also is considering using the Michigan prisons, and the administration of President Barack Obama is looking at housing Guantanamo detainees in Standish.