By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

July 3, 2009 – The first family will celebrate the Fourth of July on the South Lawn of the White House with a barbecue, fireworks and 1,200 military families.

The White House event will honor military heroes and their families and the invited guests will enjoy a barbecue on the South Lawn and an evening concluding with fireworks.

Entertainment will be provided by the Marine Band and the president will deliver brief remarks. 
 
This week the president delivered some tough talk to keep his agenda on track.   He kicked off the week pressing for health care reform with a town hall meeting, tried to ease fears over the 26-year high unemployment numbers, and wrapped up the week prepping for his trip to Russia, Italy and Ghana.

The president also made his first public statement regarding Michael Jackson to The Associated Press.  Obama said he has Jackson songs on his iPod and is glad to see that the entertainer is being remembered for “the great joy” that he brought to people with his extraordinary gifts. But he said that brilliance was paired with a tragic and sad personal life.

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

June 29, 2009 – President Barack Obama sent a handwritten, private letter to the family of Michael Jackson over the weekend, expressing his condolences. 

Following the announcement Thursday of Jackson’s unexpected death, reporters pressed for a reaction from the commander-in-chief.  During Friday’s briefing,  White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters:  “I talked to him about it this morning.  Look, he said to me that obviously, Michael Jackson was a spectacular performer, a music icon.  I think everybody remembers hearing his songs, watching him moonwalk on television during Motown’s 25th anniversary.”

“But the President also said, look, he had — aspects of his life were sad and tragic.  And his condolences went out to the Jackson family and to fans that mourned his loss,” Gibbs added.

On Sunday, David Axelrod, senior adviser to the president told NBC’s Meet the Press; “the president has written the family and has shared his feelings with the family.”  

“The president obviously believes that he was an important and magnificent performer,” Axelrod said.  “Obviously, he led a sad life in many ways as well, but his impact is undeniable,” he said.

There are no plans for the president’s “private” letter of condolences to be released to the public.

While the investigation into the “King of Pop’s” death continues, Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson’s personal physician and the last man to see him alive, was interviewed by homicide detectives over the weekend.  While he has hired a high-powered attorney to represent him, investigators said he has been helpful filling in the last  hours of the singer’s life. 

Murray, a cardiologist, was living at Jackson’s home in Los Angeles when he suffered cardiac arrest.  The family has requested a second autopsy and is awaiting those results.   

The Jackson family has gathered at the family home in Encino, Calif., to start plans for MJ’s memorial and decide if it will be public or private.   The Jackson family patriarch Joseph released a statement saying, “In one of the darkest moments of our lives we find it hard to find the words appropriate to this sudden tragedy we all had to encounter.

“Our beloved son, brother and father of three children has gone so unexpectedly, in such a tragic way and much too soon. It leaves us, his family, speechless and devastated to a point where communication with the outside world seems almost impossible at times.”

Tribute celebrations are already planned in Detroit and New York and more are expected around the world in addition to the family’s memorial in Los Angeles.

By Pamela Gentry, BET News

June 26, 2009 – The sudden death of Michael Jackson sadden me more than I expected.  As a native of Detroit, the pop star always reminded me of the early days in the music business and the tradition of great music from my hometown, the place where Motown began. 

Like everyone who ever saw Jackson perform live, the first experience is often the most memorable.  For me, it was in the late 1970s when he was still touring with his brothers.  Through the concert MJ broke away from the pack for several solo numbers and it was evident he was becoming a solo act right before our eyes. 

Jackson’s last performance in Detroit was in October of 1988, white glove and all, in The Palace of Auburn Hills, an arena just north of Detroit. During the  three-night stand on the singer’s “Bad” World Tour,  the sold out crowds were treated with a great concert and given a night to remember. 

As a native of the city that created the  Motown sound, I know Jackson was always a favorite there.  He had friends from the early Motown days like Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy who were his mentors.  The Jackson Five recorded at Hitsville USA on Detroit’s west side.   

With word of Jackson’s death on Thursday, mourners gathered outside of the Motown Museum to pay their respects at the passing of the pop legend.

I know the City of Detroit is mourning deeply because Jackson’s music was such a big part of the Motor City’s spirit and heart.  Founder of Motown, Gordy released the following statement:

“I am shocked beyond words. It’s like a dream – a bad dream. This cannot be! How can Michael Jackson not be here? As a kid, Michael was always beyond his years. He had a knowingness about him that was incredible.

When I first heard him sing Smokey’s song, “Who’s Lovin’ You” at 10 years old, it felt like he had lived the song for 50 years. Somehow, even at that first meeting with him, he had a hunger to learn, a hunger to be the best and was willing to work as hard and as long as it took.

I had no concern about his ability to go to the top. He was like my son. He had warmth, sensitivity and two personalities.

When he was not on stage, he was loving, respectful and shy. When he WAS on stage, he was so in charge you would not believe he was the same person.

Michael was and will remain one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived.

He was exceptional, artistic and original. He gave the world his heart and soul through his music.

I extend my sympathies to Joe, Katherine and the entire Jackson family. My prayers are with them.

Berry Gordy “