It Begins

The literal deification of Michael Jackson has begun.

A Stockton family says the image of Michael Jackson appeared on his tree stump the day the King of Pop died. Like the "Virgin Grilled Mary" or "Cheesus," the family thinks they've got an unusual spiritual image staring right at them from their own front yard. Felix Garcia has lived in the house for 22 years, and has never noticed the apparent image in his birch tree stump. "I was standing by that bush, and I looked up and saw that image here," Felix said. Many people in the crowd who gathered to look at the stump Sunday afternoon saw the resemblance, but why would Michael Jackson appear instead of a religious figure -- or even any of the other celebrities who recently passed away? "Because Michael Jackson was an icon to us," said one neighbor. "To Stockton, Michael Jackson meant more to us than Jesus, to some people. I think they're both about even."

In their defense, Jackson and Jesus are equally meaningful to me as well.