Tuesday 14 June 2005

Jackson Cleared; Ponders Future

Considers Children's Album and Moving Neverland To Vegas

Michael Jackson was acquitted yesterday on all charges, ten in total, that he sexually molested a young boy by a jury in Santa Maria, California. The jury in the case, which lasted nearly two-years from arrest-to-verdict, rejected the claims, citing the witnesses as uncredible.

The verdict was a stunning defeat for Santa Barbara County District Attorney, Thomas Sneddon Jr., who has pursued Jackson for over 12-years, since the first time allegations were made against the entertainer. In that case, Jackson dodged the criminal investigation when he made a reported $20-Million settlement with the witness and family

What's next for the King of Pop?

Insiders, and those close to Jackson, say that he has been working on an album of children's music

"He really loves children and wants to do as much as he can for them", said brother Tito.

"I heard, just the other day, a wonderful version of 'Little Boy Blue' … He really has a nice touch with it".

There has also been reports that Jackson will reunite with his brothers for a 'Jackson 5' tour and that it may sign for an extended engagement in Las Vegas.

It has also been rumored that Jackson has plans to move his entire Neverland estate - all animals and amusement rides included - to Las Vegas.

"With Vegas going to being "family-friendly", with other properties there offering amusement qualities, Neverland would fit right in", offered another Jackson family spokesperson.

Reports have circulated, now that Harrah's closed its merger with Caesars, talks have begun with Jackson.

"He would reinvent Vegas", said one longtime observer. "They move Neverland here and they pull in the Europeans and the Asians … It would be like printing money"

What about Jackson and his eccentricities?

"Hey, like it says, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas"



Schwarzenegger Calls for Special Elections

New Republican Strategy as Cue Taken From Frist To End-Run Rules;

Signaling what may be a new Republican strategy, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has called for a special election in November, to have voters decided on his proposed changes to the state's government.

Schwarzenegger's call for special elections comes on the heels of the state's legislator refusing to pass measures to enact the proposed changes.

Critics have charged that the elections will be costly, running anywhere from $45-Million, to $70-or-$80-Million and, as not being part of a regularly-scheduled election, low voter turn-out is expected.

Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, a Democrat from Los Angeles, said that "once again our airwaves will be crowded with negative, deceptive political ads".

The top Democrat in that chamber, president pro tem of the state Senate, Don Perata of Oakland, said that the governor was using the Legislature as an excuse "to star in another war movie."

Republicans charge that the Democrat-controlled legislature is not leading and merely attacking the Governor as he goes about making needed changes. The three measures that will be on the ballot of the special election were among several "Year of Reform" proposals Mr. Schwarzenegger made during his state of the state speech in January and are backed by Republicans and the state's business community

Some Democrats and critics cite the special elections as a new Republican strategy.

"Hey, if you can't get want you want through normal channels, you pull an end-run", said one state senator. "You come up with a catchy title - Year of Reform, Contract For America, etc. and you hoodwink the voters"

Others see this move by Schwarzenegger as a "trial balloon" for a new Republican strategy.

"All you have to do is look at the top Republican in the Senate, Bill Frist", offered a consultant to the Democrats. "He's ready to pull the 'Nuclear Option', changing rules over 200-years-old, to get what the Republicans want. Arnold's doing the same thing. If he gets away with it, why have a legislature? Just have special elections every other month to run your state government"

A spokesperson in the Governor's office indicated the Governor was ignoring the criticism.

"Governor Schwarzenegger, as a naturalized citizen, thinks it's a gas that he can call a special election"