Let me start this off saying this is in no way, shape or form intended to be disrespectful to Michael Jackson or his family. His death is tragic and sad, much like the life he led. He has had a tremendous and lasting impact on the music industry, but, as usual, the media has embarrassed themselves with the amount of coverage they have given this story. The frenzy will only escalate once the actual funeral services are held at The Staples Center on Tuesday.

According to the Associated Press:
“More than 1.6 million fans registered for tickets to Michael Jackson's memorial service over the two-day registration period that ended Saturday.

Only 11,000 tickets will be given out for the Tuesday service at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. Another 6,500 tickets will be given away for the Nokia Theater overflow section next door.

Fans had to register for free at staplescenter.com between 10 a.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday for the random drawing of 8,750 names. Each person selected will receive two tickets and will be notified by email after 11 a.m. Sunday.”

CBS has announced that “The Early Show” will be broadcast live in its entirety from the Staples Center, as will The Nightly News with Katie Couric. Surely, ABC and NBC will follow.

Is it just me or does this seem like a full-fledged-Neverland-scale circus? Is it necessary for national broadcast networks to actually air their news live from the Staples Center? Does anyone find this to be disrespectful? This type of sensationalism is indicative of what journalism has become.

What seems particularly sad to me is the fact that the media can seem to only handle one story at a time. Once Michael Jackson died, the coverage on the freedom fighters in Iran basically ceased.

I would venture to say that most Americans could tell you more about Michael Jackson, Britney Spears or Paris Hilton than they can about the events taking place within our own government. I’m sure they know more about the status of Michael Jackson’s estate and children than they do about the “Cap and Tax” bill or the fact that North Korea fired seven missiles yesterday. But is the public really to blame? For real news, the ordinary American would have to be more like Sherlock Holmes and conduct their own private investigation for the truth instead of actually being able to turn on their television and get the news from “trusted journalists”.

It is hard to watch the demise of the mainstream media. It is even harder to watch the veil being placed over the majority of the Kool-aid-drinking American’s eyes, like sheep being led to the slaughter. The media’s demise is coming at our expense. What can we do? We can let them know they need to “beat it” and turn off the TV. Maybe once their ratings decrease, they’ll get the message that Americans care more about the truth than they do about the “PYT’s”.