Michael Jordan, aka MJ, spent his illustrious NBA career proving to the basketball world that he could fly higher and score better than any player in history. In 2007 he showed that even in the contest of divorce he was heads and shoulders above his competitors.

The terms of MJ's 2007 divorce from Jaunita Jordan, his wife of 17 years, called for a settlement of $168 million, giving her a huge leg up on the $60 million that Heather Mills received in her breakup with Paul McCartney. In fact, according to Forbes magazine, the Jordan's breakup was the most expensive entertainment industry divorce in history.

Jordan, whose net worth was thought to heretofore exceed $400 million, has been embroiled in an ugly paternity suit with a former lover, and an even uglier effort to bring competent basketball to the NBA team of which he is part ownership, the Charlotte Wizards Bobcats.

The huge hit to his wallet may convince Jordan to give up double-dribbling.

Be sure to check out other Money Losers of 2007.

Vice-President Dick Cheney, he of the fourth branch of government, may be getting a new neighbor at his St. Michaels, MD estate -- he of the second branch of homo sapiens, Michael Jackson.

The Washington Post confirmed yesterday that that Thriller has been shopping the tony East Coast for a possible holiday home, a place to get away from the stress of Dubai. The St. Michaels area is already home to another public pariah, Donald Rumsfeld, who owns the all-too-appropriately named estate Mt. Misery (aka Guantanamo North).

I expect the local residents would open up their arms to Jackson and his entourage, if only to hold him securely while they apply New Jersey boots (the cement kind) to his feet. (And his little monkey, too). If that doesn't work, look for the Vice-President to invite him out for a little hunting.

Probably not coincidently, Jackson is due to release a new album later this year, his first in many years, under his own label.

Perhaps Jackson would be better advised to build his own gated community so he can hand-select his neighbors. I'd think O.J., Robert Blake, and Gary Glitter would be up for a time-share.