Grrrrrrl!

According to ETonline.com the time and date for Michael Jackson’s public memorial have been set.

The service will be held on Tuesday, July 7th, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The program will also be shown at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre.

The DEA, Drug Enforcement Administration asked to help police take a look at Michael Jackson’s doctors and possible drug use.

Following Jackson’s death, allegations have emerged that he was consuming painkillers, sedatives, and antidepressants. The DEA was asked to help the probe by the Los Angeles Police Department, a law enforcement official in Washington told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the investigation.

A spokesman for the Jackson family said Wednesday, a public memorial for Michael Jackson is in the works but won’t be at the Neverland Ranch.

Authorities in Santa Barbara County have been preparing to thousands of fans to descent at Neverland Ranch after media report about a public viewing. However, the person, who is not authorized to speak for the family and requested anonymity, said nothing was planned for Neverland, at least through this Friday.

A presumed private memorial service for family and friends might take place at Neverland.

Members of the Jackson family met yesterday with official from the LA police and California HIghway Patrol about Michael Jackson’s funeral services. But of course, we don’t know any of those details.

The family is aware a Neverland burial for Michael Jackson is not possible. The state’s health and safety code makes interring any uncremated remains outside a cemetery a misdemeanor. According to the AP is is not possible to rule out that Jackson’s body might return to the ranch, either for the private service or a burial sometimes in the future, if the family can get appropriate permits and state regulations to agree on it.

MORE GOOD STUFF...

Jackson

WASHINGTON — Conservative Christian leaders are fighting a bill that would provide federal hate-crimes coverage to gays and lesbians, prompting questions of who, if anyone, should be protected by such laws.

"The entire notion of hate-crimes legislation is extraneous and obsolete," said Matt Barber, director of cultural affairs with the conservative nonprofit Liberty Counsel, adding that he believes hate-crimes laws are unconstitutional.

Many religious groups publicly support the Matthew Shepard Act, even if their denominations view homosexuality as sinful. A 2007 Gallup poll showed a majority of Americans (68%) favor expanding hate-crimes protections. Majorities of frequent churchgoers (62%), conservatives (57%), and Republicans (60%) also were in favor of the legislation.

The bill's supporters doubt the sincerity of the Christian right's constitutional arguments.

"These groups have long opposed any rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered Americans," said Stacy. "One certainly has to question whether they believe this about hate-crimes laws in general or rather that this is really about their own bias against the LGBT community."

If, as opponents of the bill say, gays and lesbians do not deserve hate crime protections, then who does?

Focus on the Family does not favor repealing hate-crime laws, but sees sexual orientation and gender identity as changeable, unlike race, for instance, said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for the Colorado-based group.

Read the rest of the story....