In watching the opening statements of the Republicans in the Sotomayor confirmation hearings, I am amazed at either their selective understanding or complete ignorance of the intent of the framers in writing the United States Constitution. As a high school teacher of United States History and Government for over 20 years and a person who as read extensively about the Constitution, it is clear that the framers intended for the Constitution to be a malleable and evolving document.
This is evident not only in the fact that they provided a formal process for changing the document by amendment. It is also evident in the comments made by the framers after they completed their efforts. Even Thomas Jefferson, perhaps the ultimate strict constructionist in our History, wrote in 1789 "no society can make a perpetual constitution or perpetual law. The earth belongs always to the living generation. They may manage it then, and what proceeds from it, as they please." The Federalist papers authored by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison are a tour de force in arguing that the Constitution gave the national government broad descretionary powers. Clearly, then the Republican Senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee are either ignorant of History or are selectively ignoring it for crass political purposes.

Jeffery Toobin...along with every other "reporter" in the world...just confirmed for me that they are all out to get Michael Jackson. No Joke!!

***He just made a commen to Copper that ...he doesn't want to ASSUME any wrong doing on the doctors' part & the fact that they might have done something to actually contribute to Michael Jackson's death....BUT ITS OK to assume that Michael Jackson was just a pill poppin dope head of sorts!!!?

SOOOO one sided....SOOOO unfair.....and SOOOO sickening if you ask me! The media is one big blob of CRAP. All of them!

**Facts.....?... Mr. Dr. Murray was the LAST person to "help" Mr. Jackson. He also waited almost 30 mins to call 911. He then claimed his reasoning for not calling 911 'sooner' was because he didn't know the address, yet had driven there numerous times! Then, the guy disapears for three days, only to re-apear with a lawyer. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out!

**And Jackson's suppose 'molesting' accusers. Read the book MICHAEL JACKSON CONSPIRACY...after you read that, you will know the truth! And truth is, the Gavin family lied for money and had a history of it as well as government fruad. The Chandlers tried extorting Jackson first, but then when he didn't go for that, they sued him. Jackson had money hungry lawyers who wanted paid, so they 'advised' him to settle out of civil court. Which he later wished he had not have done. **The media FAILED to mention all the PROOF that should MJ was innocent....and aquited...but I guess thats what to expect from the pile-of-craps reports that they are most of the time.

Personally, I was taken aback at comments by the anchors re: "Sotomayor didn't melt" at the hearings. A Supreme Court bench nominee should surely be well over and above any intimidation by a panel of Senators, and the journalists should be keenly aware of this.

So what if she think that a wise Latino woman is as wise or wiser than those white guys. Those white guys think they are wiser than any Latino, and everybody else on the whole earth.
Its nice to know that people can see them selves as wise, and not exspect wisdom to come only from wise white guys.

I am watching the conformation hearing for Judge SotoMayor, the Republicans are non sensecal..If they are in charge they do what they want and justify it with their backwards reasoning. Sen Jon Kyl is talking and talking and not asking questions. She is a Latino, and should she deny her heritage? They apply "white" to their decisions and people of public have to accept it. She should celebrate her heritage.....crazy, crazy..

The Minister is always honest and passionate. All Praise to God!

The Spirituality of a King

With the passing of Michael Jackson, I gained a greater understanding of spirituality, namely my own spirituality.

I believe nothing happens by chance and the. grand design was responsible for bringing Michael Jackson to this world. I believe that Michael was sent here to do exactly what he did, namely spread love through music.

Michael Jackson had a calling and most of his music reflected this calling. MJ had a very deep spirituality, his songs Man In the Mirror, We are The World and Heal the World among others were a testament to his deep spirituality. He also had a deeper than recognized understanding of social issues, this was reflected in songs like They Really Don’t Care about Us and a host of others. Michael highlighted things the world as a whole should be concerned with.

Michael put apart of himself in all the music he composed and performed. He came at the right time; he was able to bring people together, because he understood that one person could make a difference.

Michael was really in touch with himself and knew what others thought of him. He always did the research and homework on the many issues he sang about.

Michael loved his family enough to be apart from them while forever being apart of them.

Michael was honest regardless of what he was going through.

Michael was an individual, called to a unique purpose through the power and gift of the Creator and the Powers of The Universe.

M. Raymond Sheppard

The King of Pop Spirituality

With the passing of Michael Jackson, I gained a greater understanding of spirituality, namely my own spirituality.

I believe nothing happens by chance and the. grand design was responsible for bringing Michael Jackson to this world. I believe that Michael was sent here to do exactly what he did, namely spread love through music.

Michael Jackson had a calling and most of his music reflected this calling. MJ had a very deep spirituality, his songs Man In the Mirror, We are The World and Heal the World among others were a testament to his deep spirituality. He also had a deeper than recognized understanding of social issues, this was reflected in songs like They Really Don’t Care about Us and a host of others. Michael highlighted things the world as a whole should be concerned with.

Michael put apart of himself in all the music he composed and performed. He came at the right time; he was able to bring people together, because he understood that one person could make a difference.

Michael was really in touch with himself and knew what others thought of him. He always did the research and homework on the many issues he sang about.

Michael loved his family enough to be apart from them while forever being apart of them.

Michael was honest regardless of what he was going through.

Michael was an individual, called to a unique purpose through the power and gift of the Creator and the Powers of The Universe.

M. Raymond Sheppard

I am thankful for this excerpt of this interview between Don Lemon and the Honorable Louis Farrakhan. I would like to see the rest of it as well. Will the FULL interview be televised on CNN? Will the FULL be shown on the web?

Michael Jackson abused drugs plain and simple. He partied like a rock star under the cover of vast amounts of money. He's probable not even dead. Him and Elvis are drinking margaritas on a hidden island for fake dead celebrities laughing at all of us. Meanwhile republicans and democrats continue to play out a century long political civil war that continues to drag our great nation down.

Mr. Lemon , Has anyone looked into the insurance policy if any that AEG may have taking out on Michael Jackson? Why won't the LAPD bring Dr. Conrad forward for more questioning, everyone's looking for answers, when they could be with Dr. Conrad, the last person that was with Michael before they called the EMS. Also what was Michael's weight, reports say he was emaciated, please look at his rehearsal video at the Staple Center, he looks very thin. I'm still heartbroken behind his death, Long Live Michael!

I would like to know when will the interview with Don Lemon and Farrakhan be shown on CNN.

CNN do not waste a wonderful interview let the whole world see a great interview with Don Lemon and Farrakhan.

Thats real good asking a none american citizen about american racism the fact is there is no racism there is only a cruch to lean on from the black comunity to make exscuses for the poverty that drug infested black people who cant cope with the reality of being a part of the work force of america it's time to pull your pants up and turn down the rap music and daddy the kids you made be a man not a bum get off the crack and get on the wagon and quit using the white man did it racism remarks and get a damed job .

Hi Don:
I am still heartbroken about Michael Jackson's untimely death. Have you been in contact with his mother, Katherine? Hope she is OK and hanging in there. I can't imagine losing my son and having to hear hurtful rumors and lies on a daily basis even after his death. My heart goes out to her and her wonderful Jackson family and especially Michael's beautiful children. Hang in there, guys......

Abbie.

Hey Don,

That was an awesome segment you did with Michael Jackson and the thriller video! Good to see some personality on CNN. Keep it up, don't let the other uptight reporters make you feel 'unprofessional' like the last guy with the glasses. Best anchor on CNN by far!

Steven

Good morning! Don i was watching extra yesterday 7/18/2009 and they were talking to a guy who stated that he was Michael driver for a period of ten years.He also stated that he believed that Michael had cloned himself,he stated that Michael had always talked about it for a long time because Michael wanted to live forever,Also he stated that he,Michael & friend went to cloning seminar and that Michael was very excited and said he was going to do this. It would be so amazing if that was the cloned that died &not Michael.What are your thoughts.

I'm wondering how Louis Farrakhan changed his opinion of Michael. Back in the Thriller days, he's admonished MJ's appearance and basically called him an embarrassment.

Minister Farrakhan defended Michael way before Michael passed. He was the only voice I heard telling people of the growth and beauty of Michael Jackson. Now after his death people are seeing what the Minister already saw – it's difficult to really know a person while they are living.

Angela,

You're kidding right? No offense, but you need to get back down to reality my dear.

farrakhan is truly an anointed man of God and a great example of a Leader...MJ was a victim of a wicky and demonic industry and community called hollywood...and he was murdered

i hope Larry listens to this, thank you Minister Farrakhan
longlive THE KING!!!

Amen, Amen and Amen.

The enemy is a liar. Out to conceal the truth.

Keep your faith and trust in God.

I did a lot of searching regarding MJ when he died; not sure so much why, but I think I now understand and know found what I was looking for.

God is not dead.