By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

The U.S. House won't honor Michael Jackson with a special resolution if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi can help it. Thank goodness for some common sense on this matter.

Jackson certainly deserved -- and got -- plenty of attention while he was alive, most for his extraordinary entertainment career and for his positive impact on race relations.

And his death last week (you might have noticed) has been amply covered by the media.

But the House resolution -- promoted by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat -- threatened to stir up plenty of negative feelings about Jackson, mostly centering on charges that he molested children.

For example: Rep. Peter King, a New York Republican, went overboard in a YouTube video over the weekend, calling Jackson a "pervert" and a "pedophile."

While never proven in court, the molestation charges dogged Jackson for years. They undermined some of his previous accomplishments.

Pelosi said Thursday:

A resolution, I think, would open up to contrary views to — that are not necessary at this time to be expressed in association with a resolution whose purpose is quite different.

The U.S. House has far more important matters to discuss and try to get along on -- such as the overhaul of health care.

Pelosi's decision makes ample sense. Jackson will be remembered fondly by millions no matter what politicians do with a symbolic resolution.