Listening Post

I love this song as much now as when I first heard it. More, actually.

Here's Joe Jackson -- It's Different for Girls.

Grandfather Claws

Proof that you can't keep a good pimp down, Joe Jackson -- abusive father to Michael Jackson and all around swell guy -- is reportedly toying with the idea of trying to form a "Jackson Family Next Generation" using his late son's three children as singers in a new band he'd put together.

According to Britain's The Sun and a few other semi-reputable publications, Shameless Joe approached Prince Michael, Paris, and of course "Blanket" (who's obviously still traumatized from being dangled over a balcony as an infant), suggesting that the kids go on tour next year as "The Jackson 3." The Sun says that the rest of the Jackson clan -- or at least those not busy claiming to anyone who will listen that Michael Jackson was, in fact, murdered -- is livid at the thought of Joe Jackson essentially abusing and exploiting his grandchildren the way he did all of them.

Is this story true? Honestly, who knows -- but does it really sound all that far-fetched being that it concerns a guy who used his son's death a couple of weeks ago to pitch a new record label?

I think just to be on the safe side, an angry mob needs to corner Joe in an alley somewhere and take a dozen or so 2X4s to him before he screws up those poor kids even more than they already are.

Picture of the Week

Shameless Joe Jackson and partner-in-pimpin' Al Sharpton at yesterday's combination press conference/sales pitch for Jackson's record company and other assorted crap, in Los Angeles.

Note the large, stuffed purple gorilla in the background.

Because when I think classy, tasteful and dignified reaction to tragedy, I think Jackson and Sharpton.

Jesus, anybody really wonder why Michael was so fucked up?