A Look Back At Peculiar Capitol Hill Appearances

While comedian Stephen Colbert’s appearance before a House Judiciary Subcommittee Friday has riled some feathers, it’s worth noting that he is not the first celebrity to raise eyebrows by coming to the Hill.

Dee Snider And Frank Zappa 

Heavy metal singer Dee Snider and Mothers of Invention frontman Frank Zappa both appeared before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation committee in 1985 to discuss the influence of rock lyrics.

Zappa described efforts from the Tipper Gore founded Parental Music Resource Center to place labels on records as “an ill-conceived piece of nonsense” and Snider accused the future second lady of misinterpreting lyrics he wrote to contain sadomasochistic messages.

“The only sadomasochism, bondage, and rape in this song is in the mind of Ms. Gore,” Snider said.

Michael Jackson

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) invited Michael Jackson to Washington, D.C. in 2004 to discuss Africa’s AIDS crisis with members of Congress.

While a celebrity showing up on the Hill to bring awareness to a disease is nothing shocking, the timing of Jackson’s trip certainly was.

As Jackson stalked the halls of power, reportedly wearing a silver jacket and pink lipstick, the pop star was under scrutiny from a grand jury in California over charges of child molestation.

Chris Farley

Saturday Night Live Star Chris Farley was invited to a House Republican Conference meeting in 1995 and the rotund comedian arrived dressed as Newt Gingrich. Farley then delivered a monologue impersonating the then-Speaker of the House.

Running through a satirical legislative agenda, Farley asked members to approve measures to make Atlanta, Georgia the new U.S. capital and pass a resolution to keep reporters away from Gingrich’s mother.

The Salahis

Michaele and Tareq Salahi, the socialite couple who garnered notoriety after crashing a state dinner at the White House, faced the House Homeland Security Committee this January after receiving a subpoena.

Although their appearance set off a media blitz, the testimony from gatecrashers was less than substantive.

“On advice of counsel, I respectfully assert my right to remain silent and not answer,” was Tareq Salahi’s sole response to a myriad of questions from the committee.

 Young Ronald Reagan 

The 1950’s era wave to root out Communists from the U.S. government and entertainment industry involved a whole slate of celebrities.

One noticeable occurrence during the Red Scare was actor-turned-politician Ronald Reagan’s testimony before the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

Reagan, the President of the Screen Actors Guild at the time, was asked by the committee if he had any inner knowledge on socialism within the film industry.

“I do not believe the communists have ever at any time been able to use the motion picture screen as a sounding board for their philosophy or ideology,” Reagan said.

Other celebrities roped into HUAC’s investigation included Lucille Ball, Orson Welles and folk singer Pete Seeger.

Pelosi: Congress Must Prioritize Or Risk Uncontainable Health Care Bill

By Laura Woodhead - Talk Radio News Service

Spending on the health care bill will be uncontrollable unless the House sets priorities, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said at her weekly press briefing Thursday.

"We have to establish priorities otherwise the bill is endless, so we have to contain it," she said. "I have told members as early as this morning, squeeze out what you can out of the system. Savings, savings, savings."

Contrary to opposition claims, Pelosi stressed that the bill would not be funded by new taxes on health benefits.

"This bill will be paid for," Pelosi said. "We will not be taxing health benefits on any legislation that comes from the House."

Pelosi questioned the integrity of House Minority Leader John Boehner's (R-Ohio) pledge that he would not vote for Health Care until he had read the entire bill. "Is this a pledge that is in keeping with his having read every bill he has ever voted for?"

The Speaker avoided questions concerning letters sent from Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee to the CIA director, in which the committee accused him of misleading members during a committee appearance.

"I know as much as you do," she said. "I have seen the letters and obviously [the committee members] have concern."

Pelosi did, however, respond to a question regarding a proposed resolution to honor Michael Jackson.

"I do not think it is necessary," she said. "A resolution would open up contrary views that are not necessary at this time."

Photos from VIP area of Michael Jackson Memorial

Heart of roses at Michael Jackson Memorial



Wall of signatures at Michael Jackson Memorial



Crowd at Michael Jackson Memorial

Charm Of Michael Jackson And Gov. Sanford

You can't turn on the television or talk radio without hearing about Michael Jackson's life and death. Speculation abounds about how many drugs he took, who prescribed them for him, and how long he was on them. The reported ingredients of the drug cocktail increase daily. The Michael Jackson story is also shared with another front-page grabber, Gov. Sanford's public admission of adultery. We have learned about his escape to South America and the lurid e-mails of his affair.

As a journalist I am just amazed at the ink and airwaves that these two stories have consumed. With the impact on our lives that health care and cap and trade will have, it is quite amazing that even the most down-to-business nerd is captivated by these two stories.

Is it because we lead such pathetic lives that we have to glom onto the life stories of others? Or is it because the lives of these two public figures resonate so much with our own? My view is that we can't get enough of the Jackson and Sanford stories because they mirror the experience we all have as human beings.

Michael Jackson had great talent. He was able to accomplish what few human beings on this planet could do: He united people with his music. The notes were heard 'round the world.

When the Taliban was ousted from Afghanistan, it was Michael Jackson's music that was played. Diverse cultures all over the world knew his music and his face. People knew his life as well as his music, and it was his life that captivated all of us.

However, stories abound of the abusive father pushing his children and not giving Michael an opportunity to have a childhood. Instead, he was told his nose was too big and he did not measure up. He had ambivalent relationships with his siblings. Many Americans can relate to a parent who is pushy or demeaning or both. Others can identify with sibling relationships that are not warm and fuzzy. When you add the need to take drugs to get by because of physical or mental pain, you have story that many Americans take on as their own.

Drama two of the week is the Gov. Sanford story. Having fallen in love with a woman from Argentina, his wife asks him to leave the house, and he spends Father's Day with his mistress, not his children. How many men (and women) have had affairs and find themselves exiled?

The Sanford story captures us because he was so pious and such a clear family man. A smart, rich wife who is a devoted mother to their four sons is a lot to give up. Only someone who is as emotionally and mentally compartmentalized as Gov. Sanford could make the reckless choices that he has made.

It is not just that Gov. Sanford cheated on his wife; it was how spectacularly poorly he handled the situation. He left the state without keeping his cell phone on (a few extra bucks can keep the calls coming anywhere in the world). He did not tell his staff how to reach him in an emergency, and he was too self-involved to call in once or twice a day.

How many of us have not done something radically stupid or self-destructive? How many of us have had someone we love do something radically stupid or self-destructive? I suspect most of us.

Both Michael Jackson and Gov. Sanford walk right into the psyche of the American public. We have seen their behavior in ourselves, in the people we work with, and in the people we love. We watch every nuance of these two men's lives because their lives are familiar, if not scary. We see our wishes, hopes and dreams dashed in the same way that these two men experienced. We know their self-hate, their self-deception and the pain and hurt they brought on themselves and others. We watch and listen for hours because it is that piece of ourselves that we see and hear – the piece we ache to know more about.

Political World Responds To Michael Jackson's Death

Following Thursday's announcement of legendary pop-star Michael Jackson's death, the typically straight-laced political community offered an uncharacteristic response to the loss of the flamboyant, often troubled, performer.

On Friday, at the behest of Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, the House Of Representatives observed a moment of silence for Michael Jackson.

"I come to the floor today on behalf of a generation to thank God for letting all of us live in [Michael Jackson's] generation and in his era," stated a somber Rep. Jackson.

In addition, Rep. Sheila Lee (D-Texas), who hosted Jackson when he came to Capitol Hill in 2004, followed the heated Waxman-Markey vote by announcing her intention to introduce legislation honoring the singer.

While President Barack Obama did not issue a formal statement in response to the pop star's death, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs did note that the President had offered condolences for both Jackson's family and fans. Gibbs also noted that Obama viewed Jackson as a "spectacular", albeit "troubled", performer.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) made the memorialization of Jackson a bipartisan affair. On Friday, the Governor issued a written statement praising the so-called King of Pop as "one of the most influential and iconic figures in the music industry".

Michael Jackson, who recorded hit songs such as "Beat It" and "Thriller", was 50 years old.