CBS reports, “The White House hasn’t yet decided whether President Obama should issue a statement on the death of Michael Jackson.”

A 1984 letter from Ronald Reagan to the singer makes a strong case for executive restraint. After Jackson’s hair caught fire while filming a Pepsi commercial, Reagan wrote, “All over America, millions of people look up to you as an example. Your deep faith in God and adherence to traditional values are an inspiration to all of us, especially young people searching for something real to believe in.”

Surprisingly, “traditional values” and “real” aren’t words the obituary writers seem to be reaching for.