Conrad Murray is Guilty!

More justice at last! Dr. Conrad Murray has just been convicted of involuntary manslaughter. It is about time that one of these doctors to the stars takes responsibility for their actions. It's shameful that the doctors of Elvis Presley and Anna Nicole Smith, just to name two notables, got away with their greedy roles in giving them medications.

Regardless, physicians need to put their greed second to the welfare of their patients. Murray didn't do that. As a result, his actions contributed to the death of Michael Jackson.

Justice, in some measure, has been done.

What a Week

This has been a crazy week. I don't think I've been so tuned in to the news, online and on-air, in a very long time.

There was the death of Senator Ted Kennedy, ending an era that won't ever be repeated. I watched the wake last night, and I just laughed and laughed at the stories. Then today was the funeral, and again, there were wonderful stories. The only thing that bothers me are the CNN reporters practically chastising President Obama for not making his eulogy a rallying cry for health reform. It's a funeral, people, get a grip.

I loved that Joan Kennedy was in attendance, as were several past Presidents -- Clinton, Bush, and Carter. All of them seated right there with the Obamas.

The one thing I really came away with from the wake and funeral is that the belief that you can do anything is the strongest ally you can have in achieving your goals. Story after story was told of Ted telling his children, nephews, and nieces about how they needed to believe in themselves and then just try their best. That's a legacy passed on from Joseph Kennedy to his children, and now the next generation has to take hold of it and move forward.

I've spent the last two days watching so much of the Jaycee Lee Dugard story. It's so hard to think that this 11 year old kidnapped girl was brought to a backyard and kept there for 18 years, where she was raped and mothered two children. From what her stepfather has said, Jaycee is a victim of Stockholm Syndrome, meaning she feels a bond with her captors. Now she has guilt about that. Jaycee and her children, who have no clue what a normal life is, will need a lot of therapy, love, and understanding for a very long time. Their transition will no doubt be difficult, but I hope Jaycee realizes how many people have never forgotten her.

As for the police, I applaud Sheriff Rupf who has admitted and apologized that his team dropped the ball back in November 2006. They responded to a 911 phone call but didn't do a background check. He has stepped forward to say they made a mistake, and I appreciate him owning up to their faux pas. However, the man in charge of the Corrections Department, the ones who have had the kidnappers as their parolee was full of excuses. He accepted no blame, no fault, no remorse, no nothing that his parole officers had failed to unearth Jaycee's presence at the home. He needs to be fired. He's just trying to cover his tail, and if he doesn't think he should at least acknowledge their lack of depth, then he's the wrong man for the job.

Then finally last night the Discovery lifted off after several delays during the week. It was a perfect blastoff with no problems whatsoever. It was at night, and it was beautiful. The shuttle program is approaching its end, but I really hope that the next phase does happen and that we return to the moon. There's so much more to be done.

Space exploration is intriguing and fascinating. I felt a strange extra connection to it last night, since I was so in Kennedy mode. After all, it was President John F. Kennedy who issued the mandate for the United States to reach unheard of heights in the space program.

Lastly, yesterday the Los Angeles coroner proclaimed the death of pop icon Michael Jackson a homicide, further clearing the way for charges to be filed against the doctor who gave him the drugs the day he died. I'm all for it. These doctors need to be stopped. This so-called physician gave the last drug to Jackson simply because Jackson kept demanding it. In other words, instead of following his medical common sense, the man was only concerned for his financial well being. He didn't want to be canned, so he gave Jackson a drug he knew he shouldn't have. This man needs to go to jail. He committed a murder, and he knew it.

What a week. So much news and so many emotions.

Vegas Memories and Fun

Las Vegas, Nevada has changed by leaps and bounds since the Strip took America by gambling storm. Whereas it was once a mecca of nothing more than slot machines and poker games, it's now a family environment, with theme parks for the kids to enjoy with or without their parents.

When I go back to Las Vegas, I want to stay at the same place I stayed at before, The Luxor. There's a number of reasons for that. First, I love the Egyptian design and the light beam that shines up into the sky. There's a great sideways elevator that takes a second to get used to, but is a real hoot. I adore that it looks like a sphinx and a pyramid, stirring up my archaeological juices. It just takes me back in time. Since it's summertime, their outdoor swimming pool would work for me big time.

I've read that the Titanic exhibit is coming to the Luxor soon, too. As someone who has studied and researched this legendary vessel, that really appeals to me. I'd spend hours taking that in.

While playing the slot machines, or some keno or Blackjack, can be fun, I'm sure I'd take some time to reflect back on my last trip to The Luxor. This seems very timely right now, too, with the passing of Michael Jackson. Several years ago, my sister and I were waiting to go on the boat ride that was part of first floor. All of a sudden, the line stopped moving. People were getting off the boats, but no one was getting on.

Finally, the reason for the odd behavior became apparent. There he was, Michael Jackson, complete with entourage. Everyone was stunned. It was an unannounced trip, at least to the Vegas tourists. He smiled and waved and then got on the boat ride. After several more empty boats followed, the line began moving again.

We took pictures, as did others. We also knew someone would call the media, and they did. I'm sure they sold their photo for a lot of money as it was on the news that evening, but for us, it was the thrill of seeing him that was the prize.

It was an incredible experience, one that paled only to seeing Barbra Streisand singing over at the MGM. For me, that's what Las Vegas is -- the unexpected and entertainment. I'm not sure I can ever top seeing both Michael Jackson and Barbra Streisand within twenty-four hours of each other, but with Vegas, you just never know. As a fan of Donny Osmond, I'd love to see his show with his sister, Marie. If Celine Dion were still there, I'd go see her. If Wayne Newton were performing, I'd definitely go see him. I saw him perform on another trip to Las Vegas one time, and that man knows how to put on a show. In addition, The Luxor is currently featuring the amazing Cirque du Soleil. Whatever your pleasure, be sure to order those Vegas show tickets.

So, whether you take in one of the theme areas, spend hours on end in the casino playing all of the various games, going to show after show, or doing a combination of all, Las Vegas makes for a winning trip, especially when you stay at an exciting and different hotel like The Luxor.

Paris Changed the Perception

"There was nothing strange about your daddy, it was strange what your daddy had to deal with."

That's what Al Sharpton said today at the Michael Jackson memorial. There's a lot of truth in that statement. The memorial was well done, respectful and upbeat at times. There were lots of tears.

As for what I didn't like:

1. Bernice King and her lime 'look at me' outfit;
2. Mariah Carey and her totally inappropriate exposed outfit (she didn't know where she was going?);
3. Smokey Robinson just standing like a statue during the Heal the World number at the end.
   

As for what I did like:

1. Jermaine Jackson's rendition of Smile for his brother;
2. Jennifer Hudson's wow-ful and soaring vocals;
3. Stevie Wonder's touching tribute;
4. The We Are the World/Heal the World number at the end, featuring Judith Hill, who was going to be a backup singer on the This is It tour.

That said, there were two standouts. Brooke Shields' comments leading into Jermaine's number were the most real and touching. I remember all the stuff in the tabloids about Brooke and Michael, so it was easy for me to understand all that she talked about.

The most important point was made at the very end, in an unscripted moment, by Paris Jackson, age 11. What she did was humanize her father. She called him 'Daddy' and said, "Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine; and I just wanted to say I love him ... so much." In tears, she turned into her Aunt Janet and she wrote history. In one minute, Michael Jackson gained a new face, that of fatherhood that everyone can understand. He was that little girl's father, and she was in pain over his passing. Who didn't shed a tear at that moment.

Paris Jackson will carry on the legacy in one way or another.

What a Day

I'm almost afraid to see what else is going to happen today. First, we learn of Farrah Fawcett's death this morning, and now comes word that Michael Jackson has died of cardiac arrest. I was never a fan of the Jackson 5 or Michael Jackson, but I respect the talent that was there and the musical legacy that has been left for generations.

Jackson was surrounded by controversy for much of his life, and my hope now is that he just finds some peace. Everyone deserves that. His life took many strange turns, but I don't feel we're justified in judging him. Unless you're there, it's impossible to walk in shoes of another person.

What a day!