Indigo 'n dye Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 I have great respect for Ms Houston's voice and acting abilities but find myself stumbling over having flags lowered to half-mast in honour of her death. Ms Houston was a know drug addict, whether or not that played a part in her untimely death, and yet the governor of New Jersey order the flag of the United States of America to be flown at half-staff---a sign of personal sacrifice, honorary actions, and protection of our so-called democracy. Ms Huston provided many hours of entertainment for many of us. Yet does that entitle her to be honoured via the flag lowered? I am less than sure that Ms Houston, in spite of her enormous vocal range, is deserving of the honour of our flag being lowered to half-mast. Is she, an entertainer, more worthy of a salute than our troops who are wounded and killed in foreign battlefields? Is Ms Houston, and her remarkable voice, more worthy of a national honour than the many firemen, policeman, and first responders who give their lives acting in their various roles and being killed in those roles? Or the service men and women who face life and death each day while carrying out the orders of their commanders and chief? A quick look at the internet and it seems I am not the only one that questions this decision... http://www.njlawman.com/Editorials/008-flag-half-mast.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tryp Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 I don't think that her being a drug addict has anything to do with it either way, but I'll admit that I find the decision a little questionable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koa Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 No, I completely agree with you on this. It is sad that she died, but it is ridiculous that even the state of New Jersey is playing into the whole celebrity worship thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo 'n dye Posted February 18, 2012 Author Share Posted February 18, 2012 I don't think that her being a drug addict has anything to do with it either way, but I'll admit that I find the decision a little questionable. Not to be quarrelsome, but I think her addictions are wholly relevant. We, as a nation, preach "Just say no!" and then provide the ultimate honour to a celebrity whose celebrity was tarnished by drugs. I have to wonder what kind of message that sends to our youngsters. OK, OK, I admit that in many ways I am a dinosaur. However, I am still entitled to my opinion that her drug addition and downfall is at least as important as her voice and bearing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koa Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 My main issue is that Whitney Houston fulfilled no important role (that I'm aware of) beyond being an entertainer. You would expect half mast flags to be reserved for national heroes and that sort of thing. Whitney was great and all, but wasn't exactly a national hero. Not sure if I agree either about the drug thing having any bearing. We all have our problems, and it seems like with fame it can be even harder to avoid the temptation of things like drugs, so I don't really judge her for it. Most of the time people that talented don't escape having their share of problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninetynine Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Come what may, the half-mast flag should be reserved for extraordinary circumstances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Always Love Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 That crossed my mind as i was watching her funeral service. She may have been just an entertainer to some, but music to the majority isn't just entertainment. It helps and heals people. She very well could have been a hero to a large amount of people, if she wasn't there wouldn't have been a half-mast flag, or a widely televised ceremony, or anything like that. Just because the definition of a "hero" or an "extraordinary circumstance" is deviating from one person to the next, it doesn't mean she and that situation was anything less than those things. In my opinion, she isn't more worthy than anyone in the military, she's equally worthy and for different reasons; she didn't get a military memorial service- which is strictly for service members, she got a half-mast flag- if she wasn't a noble american, why wouldn't she be deserving of that? As for her drug abuse and struggles in life- everyone struggles and battles their own demons and because she was famous that was magnified, but she overcame that. As a whole we say no to drugs, but there a TONS of individuals struggling with addiction; maybe her and her music helped those people, give motivation and inspiration to stay strong and recover. Maybe, she saved people's lives in that respect, you just never know. If you watched her service, the minister was trying to say something similar- everyone struggles, but Whitney did a lot more good than bad in her life, and that's what should be focused on. Not only that, but she got 'the whole world' to go to church today. I wasn't ever a huge Whitney Houston fan and I'm not a self-righteous church goer. Here's the thing; what she got is what she got, why question it? It is sort of disrespectful to those who are in mourning, it shows bitterness, and creates conflict that just shouldn't exist. Just let it be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaashii Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 My opinion on this whole issue is a bit different, and probably a bit controversial. (I guess a little background is in order on this: I'm a Jersey Girl, born and raised, although not living there currently, and I grew up during the height of her popularity. So take my opinion with however many grains of salt necessary.) I don't think there was anything wrong with flags being lowered to half-mast in New Jersey for Whitney Houston. Personally, I think half-mast flags are an honor for someone who made a significant contribution to their society in some way. While she definitely had her issues with her personal demons, she was still an inspiration to many. She was born and raised in the state of New Jersey, and she went on to become one of the most awarded female recording artists of all time. That's no small feat, and for a lot of us who grew up around that time, she was an inspiration of sorts. If she could have the courage and determination to do what she loved and be a success, why couldn't we? She definitely struggled, but she kept on trying. And her music did touch millions of lives. It may not be the same definition of hero we'd use for a fallen soldier or a policeman killed in the line of duty, but there's no denying she did leave an impression on the world and make a significant contribution to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazycatlover Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Governer Christie's decision to lower the flag to half mast for Whitney Houston was totally disrespectful. In my opinion it reflects a major issue in this country with celebrity obsession. Governer Christie could have found another way to Honnor " New Jersey's daughter." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo 'n dye Posted February 19, 2012 Author Share Posted February 19, 2012 Governer Christie's decision to lower the flag to half mast for Whitney Houston was totally disrespectful. In my opinion it reflects a major issue in this country with celebrity obsession. Many have that same difficulty with the decision made by the governor: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rabbi-shmuley-boteach/whitney-houston-new-jersey-flags_b_1284161.html?ref=celebrity#comments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furious George Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 I wonder if having been married to Bobby Brown has anything to do with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vapourware Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 I'm another with a great deal of respect for Whitney Houston's artistry, and I acknowledge that she has donated a lot for charity so she has contributed in many ways to society...but lowering the flags to half-mast doesn't sit well for me. Ultimately, she was a person who was a precautionary tale regarding drug use, IMO, more so than a person who should be elevated to the same pedestal as those who selflessly gave their lives for others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
december_brigette Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 I am banging my head trying to think of another recent big celebrity death (and unwilling to research it at this time). I can't think of one celebrity in the entertainment business who got a flag at half-mast. And I live in CA!!! Sure, Whitney could sing. But she also did drugs. I've watched enough episodes of "Intervention" to know that there are other people who can sing wonderfully and do drugs/alcohol. *Please note Im talking about singers. I personally know people that have done drugs and can't sing. That's not my point. Anyway, completely disagree with the flag at half-mast. And Im glad that I wasn't the only one who had this thought. db Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 I wasn't into Whitney Houston particularly, but I find this no worse than when Tennessee flew flags at half mast for Elvis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gearhead Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Totally cheapens the sentiment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llama44 Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Ugh. I completely disagree with the lowering of the flag to half mast for Whitney. What besides entertainment and charity has she given to this world? She was a hard core drug addict. Addiction is a disease but a lot of people do not agree with this sentiment. It is part disease and part willpower it seems? I could be wrong. But a lot of people do believe this. Anyways, what kind of message are we sending to our nation's youth? That drug addicted, yet once famous, celebrities are on par with deaths of presidents or others giving their lives to our country? That a celebrity deserves the same honor as a president of our country? What have we come to? This is just absolutely disgusting IMO. Celebrities are not on the same plane as presidents or others who have served and given their lives for this country. The people who have given their lives to this country did so selflessly. Whitney died selfishly by taking drug after drug. I feel bad that Whitney had to die in the grips of addiction, but she most certainly did not deserve a flag at half mast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunTotingAsshole Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 She doesn't deserve to have the flag at half-mast, nor does she deserve all the attention she is getting. There is more important things going on in the world. IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breezy Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 She doesn't deserve to have the flag at half-mast, nor does she deserve all the attention she is getting. There is more important things going on in the world. IMO. Tell that to her daughter. Just because there are more important things in the world doesn't mean she doesn't deserve respect. I would also like to mention that the National Enquirer's front-page posting of the picture of her in her casket was disrespectful to Whitney, her family and friends, and her fans. This happened with Elvis and River Phoenix and they still do it. It's shameful and disgusting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunTotingAsshole Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 She doesn't deserve to have the flag at half-mast, nor does she deserve all the attention she is getting. There is more important things going on in the world. IMO. Tell that to her daughter. Just because there are more important things in the world doesn't mean she doesn't deserve respect. I would also like to mention that the National Enquirer's front-page posting of the picture of her in her casket was disrespectful to Whitney, her family and friends, and her fans. This happened with Elvis and River Phoenix and they still do it. It's shameful and disgusting. I'll give my respect to the family of the 3 Veterans that died in my county alone today before I ever say anything to the daughter of a drug addicted celebrity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breezy Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 She doesn't deserve to have the flag at half-mast, nor does she deserve all the attention she is getting. There is more important things going on in the world. IMO. Tell that to her daughter. Just because there are more important things in the world doesn't mean she doesn't deserve respect. I would also like to mention that the National Enquirer's front-page posting of the picture of her in her casket was disrespectful to Whitney, her family and friends, and her fans. This happened with Elvis and River Phoenix and they still do it. It's shameful and disgusting. I'll give my respect to the family of the 3 Veterans that died in my county alone today before I ever say anything to the daughter of a drug addicted celebrity. She was a human being. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vapourware Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Being a human being doesn't necessarily mean flying flags at half-mast. Those are two different issues. I can respect Whitney, but it doesn't mean I believe she should have the flags flying at half-mast. I think all the attention given to Whitney [and other celebrities who have passed away before their time] means that tabloids will show pictures like the open casket. Perhaps all this attention is not a good thing, after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breezy Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Being a human being doesn't necessarily mean flying flags at half-mast. Those are two different issues. I can respect Whitney, but it doesn't mean I believe she should have the flags flying at half-mast. I think all the attention given to Whitney [and other celebrities who have passed away before their time] means that tabloids will show pictures like the open casket. Perhaps all this attention is not a good thing, after all. I didn't mean she deserved half mast for being human. I was responding to GTA's comments, which seemed demeaning. Plus, she's getting far less attention than, say, Princess Diana did. It's not like we're canceling the presidential campaigns to mourn for her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceman Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Whitney Houston was a great singer in her day but she hadn't even had a song released in 17 years and the only thing I ever heard about her after 1995 was her drug and alcohol problems. This is just another sad story of celebrity excess and untimely death. Lowering the flag to half mast is reserved for presidents national heroes and fallen soldiers who died in the service of their country. It is ridiculous that the Governor of New Jersey would do what he did for her and he deserves all of the criticisim he has gotten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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