Those poor Iranians, all atwitter with hopes for democracy; world news of their suppression will end now that Michael Jackson has died.

We can expect in the coming weeks to be deluged with analysis of his finances, the custody battles for his children, the creditors suing against his royalties, and speculations of the cause of his death.

Tens of thousands of Iranians might be massacred but there will be scant coverage aside from bloggers who now carry most of the news of Muslim atrocities throughout the world.