What Chris Christie did was nothing more than a PR publicity stunt at the cost of slapping every service member in the face. "Yes you served your and put your life on the line for our country but you're no better than the person who sings real good and lives on cocaine, pills and alcohol. Eff you Christie, you wouldn't last a minute in the sandbox. I should've burned that flag as well.

My heart goes out to this man also; however, a tribute for anyone's contributions does in no way diminish his son's tribute - nor any soldier's. Does he somehow feel that there is nothing in life which is valuable enough for a public tribute except serving in the military? This is deficiency thinking and could be applied the other way around by those who disapprove of war. Comparisons like this are duality - fallacious.

Gov. Crispy Creme is a travesty.

JS---you're absolutely correct. Without a doubt, being pretty with a beautiful voice don't make you a HERO. Flags at half staff are for HEROES only, in my humble opinion.

Unfortunately Christie didn't start this buffoonery of over-honoring entertainers.

Just ask Sir Elton John.

Yes, and we also shouldn't forget that Houston died allegedly from drug-induced problems. Christie must have been watching too much TV programs like Idol, America Has Talent. I always liked Houston and thought she was the most beautiful woman in the news, but I don't believe lowing the NJ flag was the necessary thing to do.

Ronster,

Except for one thing. As a soldier you don't get to choose where to go. You are told, and expected to do your job and if necessary sacrifice. Obviously, you have never served. I consider anyone with your opinion of soliders of little mind and a slap to all that serve. I don't care if his some served in the motor pool, he served you criticize from the cheap seats. Pathetic!

Presidents also serve, not as a soldier, but they do serve. Self Service- there is a term you should look into.

I was taken back about the flag being lowered for her, but after reading that it was done for other important recording artist in the state of NJ, then I was like ok. Now as for as the this hero designation go. I do understand that our soldiers fight for us and die for us. I choose not to go into the military, but I do pay taxes as well as other Americans. I donate to a particular military charity, because I like the work they do for our vets. The notion that one cannot contribute or be a hero, because they are not military is just silly. No, I am not saying that Whitney was a hero (she is clearly not - in my eyes anyway and she is/was one of my favorite female artist), but giving automatic hero status to military members, fire fighters and police also water down the term hero. They (Arm forces and law enforcement) are brave to under take that type of job and are in line to be in situations that gives them a greater chance to do something heroic vs a run of the mill paper pusher, etc. I had a family member hurtin the events of 9/11, family member that served in the first gulf war and couple family members who served in the recent war with Iraq as well as four close childhood friends that were deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. We had this very same discussion (We are all from the Tri-State area NY, NJ & CT) and all came to the conclusion that, while we weren't too keen on the idea, but a precedent was set and this up roar now has more to do about who and how she pasted away. I am no fan of GovernorChristie and his action could be a publicity stunt, but this has been done before, so I will take him at this word that it was a gesture for someone that was important to the State of NJ. This is just my honest assessment of the situation and if I have offended anyone, I do apologize in advance, because this post was not meant to do that, just me speaking freely on something that was actually discussed with friends and family. I am too sorry for this gentleman's lost. May his son rest in peace.

Feel very much for the father of the solder, I can't imagine anything worse than losing a child. However, Christy was completely within his rights as a gov. to make such a decision. He apparently must have thought many New Jersey people felt proud that Ms. Houston was from their state and was one of thier own. If some think that Christy's action was so terribly wrong, they can certainly express it at the voting booth next time around. I really wonder if they think it was that bad of a thing to do, to not vote for the man.

I think people are missing the point. No one said you can't do a tribute to her, and if you look at what they did at the Grammys, her high profile funeral and all the news articles, she's had plenty of tribute. The point is that the AMERICAN FLAG should only be lowered for those who died while serving it. If she made a big impact on NJ, then lower the NJ state flag for her but not our nation's.

About a week ago that was the exact comment I made...If we lower the flag for a drug addict we should be lowering it for all the service members that have lost their lives in the recent conflicts. I'm so glad there are other like minded people as myself.

I'm not a republican, but a lot of politicians of all stripes talk without knowing shi* about serving. Like Ron Paul wanting to indict the Navy seals who killed Ben Laden and al-Awlaki for murder..... there's a lot of a-holes running for President, but he takes the top knucklehead slot in my opinion.

I salute the father and the fallen son. I grieve for the comrades I lost. Lowering the flag is to honor fallen heros and political dignitaries- so I would not have made the same call as Gov. Christie, but I can understand his decision. Hope he does the same for Frankie Valli when his time comes!

The struggles of our servicemen should be front page news every day. Every man killed, every man injured should be reported on. Instead you have stories like this.

I shouldn't be having to hear that some family in Wyoming(?) lost a son in the war, based on a news story about Whitney Houston and Gov Christie. That's what is the real shame here.

plus, gotta agree with some about the "hero" designation. I too do not feel that everyone overseas fighting is a hero, not in today's mercenary-filled military. There was no draft, no one was forced to fight. Everyone involved (on our side) joined. A good majority of soldiers are only doing this for a paycheck.

Although Whitney may have been stained by her problems with drugs, her musical career was a success that may have compelled NJ to pay her such tribute. I honestly don't think that only military heroes should deserve this honor, scientists, civil rights activists or anyone of high merits for his state or country could deserve it.

I wouldn't have given her such honor, but that's my opinion.

Suzanne Lea

“Does he somehow feel that there is nothing in life which is valuable enough for a public tribute except serving in the military?”

You DAMN right when it comes to a pitiful washed up addict that accomplished NOTHING in life except exemplifying that wasting your life is okay if you’re an entertainer and you’re famous enough. Other than she had a good voice name one single thing that makes her worthy of any honor, only pity and shame.

You can really tell who here spends too much time reading US magazine.

Ronster, you can only be some middle eastern cave dweller. You really don't get it at all.

I wholeheartedly agree, lowering the flag for Houston was a travesty. Lowering of the US flag should be reserved for those who have done a great service to this nation, not because someone happened to be popular. Gov. Christie was out of line. I think he may even have realized he made a mistake but was too much of a political chicken to admit it and reverse himself. Instead he made a mockery of the entire tribute and greatly diminished it's meaning, at least in NJ. I feel that the lowering of the American flag is something that should be decided by Federal authorities. This is our nations flag, not NJ's, and their governor, or any other governor for that matter, should not be the one making the decision. Lower of the American flag is a tribute from the nation. If they want to lower the state flag to honor someone, go ahead. Leave lowering the American flag as something to be done as a tribute by the nation to someone who has done the nation a great service.

so do you feel that, as a military contractor, you are taking money from terrorists? this is a serious question.

I stand by the governor's decision and i disagree with the father's comments. It should honor great americans regardless of their service..people who stood out and made great accomplishments and in so doing contributed greatly to the public through their industry.

I feel for him, but recognizing somebody with a tribute doesn't have to be a zero sum game - recognizing her accomplishments doesn't diminish his son's sacrifice.

We are not a military or militarized society - which is a good thing. So no surprise that we go out and recognize outstanding civilian accomplishments even more so than military sacrifices. Perhaps the unstated premise is that any young man can put on a uniform and get killed half a world away, but it takes a special gift and talent to be a great singer. Unfair, but it is what it is.

Besides, he's not even from New Jersey. They seem OK with it for the most part - other than her and Bruce Springsteen, there's not a whole lot of greatness coming out of there that a lot of people outside of NJ know of or care about it, so let them make the most of it.

I would have to agree completely. Lowering the flag for a celebrity whose demise was long in coming because of her poor choices is an insult to all true hero's out there. She was an amazing singer and a descent actor but THAT'S it. She did nothing for this nation, she died a drug addict, and never sacrificed her life for this country. The Gov should be utterly ashamed of his actions and issue an apology to all the families of those men and women slain in combat.

Why burn the NJ flag in protest? Its not the people from NJ who approved this, blame the fat guy there who the GOP was thinking to become our next president at one time.

My sentiment exactly, ronster! The Iraq war was a terrorist action, but you don't seem to mind at all making money off those terrorists for 25 years! Must be situational ethics at work.

The entire BS was a publicity stunt by this mouthy Governor for votes more than likely in the future. He says what he feels and cares less about what anyone says or does. Right, a President or Gov can order the flag at half mast for what ever they like. I don't or can't see honoring breaking the law....you heard it on TV "crack is whack" .... I doubt that people against this are terrorist as someone writes here, must be a real idiot. Maybe as someone else says that man's son wasn't a hero per se but he risked his life there and not with drugs. Screw CC......

@Ronster - You sound like a person who needs to move to another country. I too think the war in Iraq was a sham, but calling our military terrorists is ridiculous. These men & women sign up to protect our country, and do not have the power of hindsight in the moment. They receive orders and follow them, that is the way any successful military works. They may not always agree, but they stand and fight for their country.

As for Whitney & Christie, I do not agree with lowering the flag. Sometimes there are precedence's and sometimes people have to break precedence. Especially in a time of war, it is just not right to honor celebrities who die with lowering the flag. Why are they any different from some accountant in NJ.

So it is disrespectful to lower the flag for a superstar's death, but it is not disrespectful to burn the state flag?? Sorry, that is very confusing for me. I completely understand where his anger is coming from, but I also think there could have been a much more respectful way for him to get his point across. I sincerely doubt any soldiers from NJ - slain or not - would appreciate having their flag burnt. Calling the gov's actions as a publicity stunt, what do you think burning a $12 flag and telling the world about it is? It just seems way over the top and I can't believe more people aren't upset by his actions, but feel he was justified! So does that mean flag burning is now condoned as a justifiable action, and if I feel the USA does something I, as a Canadian, don't agree with I can burn your flag??? Please. This dad had the opportunity to show more grace than the governor, and instead I think he showed way less.

Ronster, you have every right to your opinion, even if it doesn't count for much. just the 666 in your name pretty much spells out where your head is at. Working for the military. Surprised you even admit it. What's the word for that? oh, yea, hypocrite.

Like naming a ship after Gabby Giffords- she wasn't a hero, she was in the wrong place at the wrong time and got far better care than the heros that fight for our country get. Tired of her husband soaking up the spotlight too, any bets one or the other will run for Prez and the dems will fall down on their knees again!

Sometimes I just can't understand why our public officials fall way short in the 'good judgement' department not to mention the 'common sense' arena. I am not personally offended by Gov. Christie's command to lower the flag to half-staff for Whitney Houston, but I sure as hell can understand that some people would be greatly offended.

I don't know the laws of NJ, but in our state, the Gov can make the decision. We have lowered flags for heros, famous people, civil rights leaders, etc. It is NOT reserved strictly for honoring someone killed in action. I don't know this guy or the service his son performed. I'm not really of the belief that just because you were killed in action, that you are a hero. I DO respect the fact someone died fighting for our country however. I see the flag lowering as a way to honor someone who had made huge contributions to their state, country, etc. This can be by being in the service, being someone mega-famous (doesn't always mean an entertainer), etc.

I support the man who lost his child. I felt very insulted when NJ did the half staff for her.

I too am a parent you lost a child in the miltary.

WOW! It appears that MOST of you really don't know or have NO idea when it is appropriate to lower the flag, so let me educate you. The death of a President, the flag is lowered for 30 days, the death of the Vice President is lowered for 10 days. The death of any Senate member, the flag is lowered for a day. There are others like holidays, but I'm just not going to get into all of them. Obviously, the President has the right to lower the flag for military members, but the Governor of any State can direct that the United States Flag be flown at half-staff in respect any citizen to their memory. In other words, Governor Christie had the right to do it and that's that! I agree with him 100%. I didn't see anybody crying about it when they did it for Elvis (drug overdose) or even Frank Sinatra and he dodged the draft by paying $40,000 to keep from going into the mililitary. Oh, that might be one of those skeletons in the closet that not too many people know about, but you all know about the dirt with Whitney, so she doesn't deserve to have that honor. Get over it, because they did it and will do it again for anyone they deemed fit. Now that you are a little smarter now, I can't wait to hear the closet racist respond to my comment.

Personally - I am appalled not only at Gov. Christie's unfitting display (in violation of US code might I add - link: tinyurl . com /76u43xa ), but the acceptance of the legislative & judicial branches of NJ's government to act to stop this violation and dishonor.

I do however feel that this grieving parent's action was disproportionate. Rather than a single act of defiance - there should be mass-burnings and boycotts of NJ tourism.

My heart goes out to this Wyoming man. God Bless him and I thank him for serving! But I think the New Jersey governer had gone to far! Lowering the flag at half mast is for fallen presidents, police, fire fighters and miltary personale. Whitney was a great singer. But I'am sorry this funeral was way over rated!!! I think a lot of us has already had enough of Whitney already!

Wives fan - I agree the flag lowering can be done for others than just service men/women. Even a celbrity, if they did a great deal for that state/country, other than singing/dancing etc. Like actually doing tons of charity work or other important things for the state. I do not claim to know what Whitney has done over the years, and she was definitely one of the best singers ever, but I never heard much about her going above and beyond to give back.

Thank God Snookie didn't die, Ole Governor Crisco would declare a national holiday as I am sure he considers her a superstar too!

Us Flag Code pertaining to Lowering flag to half mast: 36 U.S.C. 173-178 - In particular: #175 (M)

I have no problem with the flag being lowered. I am a Veteran. I also know Whitney Houston donated her share of the proceeds of the Star Spangled Banner single the first release to Gulf War veterans and the second release to the 9/11 fire and police charities. She performed for active duty personnel on bases. Odds are she did a lot more for the military, fire and police than MOST of the members of congress who also have flags lowered when they die.

This has been totally blown out of proportion. I could see this guy protesting if flags were not lowered for his son but were for her. By the same token I've really appreciated celebrities performing and remembering the active duty and if not free, many of them provide deeply discounted tickets to active duty.

Everyone mentions the heros in the military.. but please remember our police/fire/EMS who proctect at home!!! I happen to agree that the lowering of the Flag should be for those who protect the flag. If you want to honor a celeb for being "from" your state so be it.. but please find a different way. While I might contribute cash to vetrans I surely do not put my life on the line in protection of this country and our freedoms, but I thank God everyday that there are men/women who choose too!

I also realize that Christie was well within his legal right to lower the flags.. doesn't mean it was the proper thing to do!

JasonFinPhilly24, you can google and find several articles on Whitney Houston's giving back. This is an excerpt from an article on Whitney Houston's charitable giving:

On that subject, one of the things you never really saw in the sensationalist headlines was Ms. Houston’s charity work. When I saw all the list of all charity work she had done in her lifetime on a Whitney Houston fan site, I was flabbergasted. From the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children to St. Jude Children’s Hospital to the United Negro College Fund to the Children’s Diabetes Foundation to countless other charities, she did an amazing amount of good in her all-too-short life.

Too often we never hear about the good a person does. Usually we only hear about the bad. Here is a list of Whitney Houston's charity work:

I can understand flying our flag at half-mask for someone other than a fallen military man or government official. However, I take issue with flying the flag lowered to half-staff for a person with admitted drug problems that they evidently could not overcome. It is questionable, to say the least and perhaps sends the wrong message to our youth about the misadventures concerning the abuse of drugs, including alcohol.

I agree that Gov. Christie made a poor decision to lower the US Flag for Whitney Houston. As a retired member of the armed forces and an active volunteer fire fighter the act has cheapened the time honored respect and dignity that was once held for citizens as a sign of respect for their contribution to the United States of America. But most of you have missed the mark on who is to blame for the New Jersey Govener to make that decision. The white house by execitive oder or memorandum, has allowed the goveners to decided when to lower the United States Flag. It is my opinion that the decision to lower the flag should rest with the President of The United States as he and not a state official represents the citizens of America! Let the White House know how you feel.

To all you arm chair quarterbacks that criticize without having served, you don't have a clue, Bob Hope once said that a vet is a man that at one time wrote a blank check payable to the U.S in an amount up to and including his own life. I don't think it could have been said any better. @RONSTAR you need to get a clue you hypocrite. you work for a defense contractor and you take their money which comes from contracts with the dept. of defense. No amount of explaining or double talk can explain that away. You are a member of the so called war machine. weather you admit it or not. but go ahead keep trying to explain away your role. However I think nobody believes a word you say

Lin Nil: Thank you for posting. I'm sure that there were many others than myself who weren't aware of what she did to help make the world a better place. I hereby rescind the last part of my comment at #24.13.

Regardless of all the charity work Whitney did, most of it was done pre-full on drug addict mode. The point of the story is that an honor such as a flag at half mast should be reserved for true heroes or those who died in service to our country or in bettering the world at large. These days the word hero gets tossed around so much it has lost much of its meaning. The NY Post claimed the NY Giants were heroes after their super bowl win, RIDICULOUS. Mother Theresa gets rejected for having the empire state building light up in honor of her death and yet we get lit up for Gary Carter. Gary carter is worthy of honor but not Mother Theresa. WTF is wrong with that picture. The guy played in NY for five of his 19 years and gets honored for what exactly... He won some ball games. Try healing and comforting thousands of souls a day before you toss hero around an athlete or a drug addled performer. No entertainer is worthy of this type of honor unless their charitable work dwarfed their normal professions, IE Danny Thomas for instance. Rank accordingly please.

Lin Nil - So the "newest" thing she did was contribute 1 million rubles (less than $34K today) in 2004. Everything else she did was back when she made money faster than she could spend it. However, once she became a drug sucker, and the audio and video contracts dried up because of her dependency, her donations/charity ceased. She needed the money to support her habit more than she needed to support other causes.

It is great to see that some politicians think it admirable to idolize a burned-out drug-sucker. If I had lived in NJ I would have refused to lower either the state or federal flag in her honour.

...burned a replica of New Jersey's flag...

So just what the hell is a "replica" of any state/federal flag? Is there only one flag and all the rest are replicas or are all flags that look like the approved design "flags" regardless of size? BSNBC news services at its finest written by "outsourced" journalists.

Crystal-numbers:

Do you have a problem with Gabrielle Giffords? Do you really take issue with a US naval vessel named in her honor?

Gabrielle Giffords was an elected member of the United States House of Representatives, meeting with her constituents in a public area. This action alone reflects her dedication to public service. None of the elected officials in my state give a rats butt about anyone but themselves.

As for her husband, the one you refer to as soaking up the spotlight, was a Captain in the US Navy and a veteran of the Gulf War before he became an astronaut.

When they die, they will not only be buried with honors, but with our nation paying its respects by lowering our flag to half mast, because they have both served this country!

How dare you?

Houston may have her NAME on a lot of charities but she isn't giving them a dime. she couldn't pay her own bills and her former home was at one time in foreclosure. Imus donates and still does more than they ever saw from her in the past.

I have no doubt that Mr. Burri didn't take burning the fklagg lightly. But I have to support his actions. Once again the govenor of New Jersey is worried more about the next photo-op thanh what he's doing. He is an embarresement to the state once again.

scooby:: RIGHT ON! That broad did NOTHING to desereve even a washrag lowered in tribute to her.

Hey Lin::: Name ONE honorable thing that the broad did. She deserved a dirty washrag lowered in her honor. The lowering of the Stars and Stripes-- or even the state flag-- should be reserved for persons of honor. Like for instance, veterans.

You don't think that veterans deserve having the flag lowered in their honor? How many true veterans do you know-- I mean KNOW and not just read about. Oh, you can count them on the fingers of one hand? Big deal!

That broad wasn't one for whom you lower a flag. Maybe in your eyes she was, but not in the eyes of rational people.

All Charity Work is tax deductable and that is usually the main reason anyone performs or donates time and or money, etc. From the wealthy to the poor - very few do it from their heart.

Plus Celbs do it to get exposure = and for greed = only those who do not brag about it or detail what charities they help and or a part of are the ones doing it from their heart.

NJ Gov wants deem votes from d hood. That is why he put flag at half staff for Houston. Absolutely horrible to honor crack heads or dopers of any kind, murders, etc.

Just proves NJ is the sewer that others say it is.

NJ Gov just dug his own grave in politics with this stupid stunt.

Just anothe GOP cry baby ......

I must have missed the autopsy results, as everyone seems to be sure of the cause of Whitney's death. I hope you are all proven wrong, Whitney may well have died of the flu or something else. I was around during the late eighties and watched Whitney stand against Apartheid, I took heart from the songs she sang like the Greatest Love of All. No one else posting had done so much I suspect. I'm sorry the man lost his son, but Whitney nor NJ had anything to do with that....

NC Open Heart - I agree with you; if it turns out to be something else, no one would believe it any way - people have died before the age of 50 before. I'm not naive; I along with everyone else have heard the stories of her using drugs, but while I sympathize with the father who lost his son, Whitney's mother Cissy lost a daughter - different circumstances - but a loss nonetheless.

I bet if she was WHITE no one would has Sh-t to say ...........

Gov Christie also pointed out that nearly all the crack Whitney bought was from New Jersey as well...

governor crispy creme was wrong in doing what ne did,and good job to the man in wisconsin for doin what he did

Susie--

Stop referring to the woman as a "broad." I find that offensive. You may have no respect for your own gender, but keep it to yourself.

Maybe we should have a special flag -- or something -- just for show-biz people who die of drug overdoses...

There seem to be so many of them these days.

I DID enjoy Whitney Houston's singing... Especially "I Will Always Love You." Too bad she left us.

Not taking anything away from the youngman who was killed in service. I am the mother of a retired CPO, my daughter was in every campaign from Desert Strom thru Iraqi Freedom retiring in 2001 after 20 yrs of service. She has no problem with the flag being flown at half staff. Ms. Houston has done alot of good things for alot of different organizations around this country and overseas. Did this father burn a flag when NJ flew the flag at half staff for Bruce Springsteen's Drummer? Or is it a...........? We all have our demons of some sort, or maybe this father is one of those PERFECT PEOPLE.

Whitney Houston was not an icon, she was a drug addict, that's it, that's all she was. Just because she had rich and famous parents who got her into THE BUSINESS doesn't mean she could actually SING. She, like most of today's so called "entertainers", SCREAMED she did not sing. And Screaming for money while living the life of an addict and a drunk does not make you anything but an addict and a drunk, who screams.

Patricia, I do believe YOU must be on drugs. While many singers of today can't sing without auto-tune, Whitney DID have a beautiful voice. Yes, she could belt out some songs with great volumn, but she did not SCREAM everything. Obviouslyl you have hear maybe two of her songs... try being educated before you make a nonsense statement like this. You guys that are down on her because she got on drugs amaze me. Everyone has demons. She gave into hers. She paid a price as did her daughter and family. Doesn't mean she should be treated like a dog now by you guys. As for her charity work, some of you poo poo her work as being "deductible" or while she was on drugs. WHO CARES... she still gave money, she still brought her fame to a charity that benefited by others who donated because SHE was involved. Some of you guys are really pretty heartless people... need to say your prayers tonight cause you sure aren't being Chrisitan.

typical brainless politician. you lower the state flag, not the u.s. flag

What a total non-news story.

So some guy in Wyoming burns a flag on his grill to protest someone in and from another state being remembered which has absolutely nothing to do with his son or the military?

And someone bothered to report on this?

Even worse I read it.

Right on Soldier Dad. When we honor drug addicts and washed out celebrities we suck. N.J is off the wall anyways. Boo on them. It's a tabloid Government we are turning into.

To the absolute retards who spew on and on about how she didn't give much of anything after she had a drug problem :

"New York Firefighters and Police: Whitney Houston re-released "The
Star Spangled Banner" charity single to benefit the New York Firefighters
Disaster Relief Fund and the New York Fraternal Order of Police Fund following terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. She waived her royalty rights to the single, which went on to top the U.S. sales charts in October 2001 and raised more than $1 million."

Beyond that, seriously? Stop holding Soldiers up on pedastals like they're Jesus Christ or something. Honestly. Not every soldier is a hero. They are not infallible. There are plenty of drug addict soldiers. A bunch of marines from a near-by base got arrested for having sexual intercourse WITH A THIRTEEN YEAR OLD.

Half of you idiots rambling on don't even understand that lowering the flag to half-mast isn't something that has been historically reserved for soldiers. Jesus Christ, so Whitney did drugs. Big @!$%#ing deal. We've had druggy presidents, we've had druggy soldiers, we've had druggies in all goddamned aspects of life but the bad she did DOES NOT DIMINISH THE OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF GOOD SHE HAS DONE.

When was the last time any of you self-righteous twits donated anything to charity?

Australia:
On the death of a distinguished Australian citizen. Flags in any locality may be
flown at half-mast on the death of a notable local citizen or on the day, or
part of the day, of their funeral. Recent examples include the death of
naturalist Steve Irwin,
actor Heath Ledger and
esteemed international opera singer Dame Joan
Sutherland.

New Zealand:
In addition, it can also be flown at half-mast at the request of the Minister
for Arts, Culture and Heritage.

United States:
Governors of the
several U.S. states or territories are authorized by federal law to
order all U.S. and state flags in their jurisdiction flown at half-staff as a
mark of respect for a state official or resident who has died.

"Upon presidential proclamation, which has recently included: the interment of Frank Buckles,^[21] the death of
Senator Ted Kennedy;^[22] the remembrance of
the 9/11 attacks^[23]
the death of Pope
John Paul II,^[24] the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster
in 2003,^[25] the victims of Hurricane
Katrina,^[26] the Indian Ocean earthquake and
tsunami,^[27] the deaths of Coretta Scott
King^[28] and Rosa Parks,^[29]
Virginia
Tech massacre,^[30] and the Fort Hood massacre.^["

houston in my book;was nothing but a drug using,cocaine using addict! she was only a singer of good quality when she was sober enough too sing. the govenor needs to check his values of the american flag for this country,before lowering it for any an everybody.

she was a drug user and alcohlic and nothing more. that is not a good example for the american youth.

Although I greatly disagree with Suzanne Lea's post 1.7, I wanted to know why everyone decided to collapse her post. It is a different opinion than most of us, but she wasn't rude or antagonizing. I don't believe it should have been collapsed.

I am a soldier myself so my opinion is definitely biased. I think the flag should only be lowered as a tribute to a fallen soldier of any branch, and it should end there. Although I enjoy Ms. Houston's music, she does not deserve this honor, or any drug addict killed in the line of over-dosing.

How many times do they have to play it on TV!? "she didn't use crack, crackis wack and cheap and she has money"( from her interview with Diane Sawyer). She did admit that she used Cocaine, alcohol and other drugs.

@JS in SD it wasn't the U.S. flag it was the NJ flag, read the title and second sentence. After your post everyone starts posting about the U.S. flag...ROTFL Reading is Fundamental!

INGvER--you are correct. suzanne---you are wrong. get that straight.

Suzanne Lea - Christie represents ALL of New Jersey and as such should rethink his actions. If he had wanted to lower the State Flag so be it, but NOT lower the United States flag. She died of a drug overdose, or so the news media is pushing towards. Why lower the flag for that? yeah she was good but not that good. Yes this was a slap in the face to all parents and spouses of men and women who died in service to OUR country.

One might wonder if her race may have played a roll in the decision to have the flags at half staff. I suspect that it did.

Suzanne are you playing devils advocate or are you just dumb?

Suzanne, learn some flag etiquette! Oh, wait...that would involve actually learning how your government works! Sorry, forgot you were only a fair-weather patriot.

Suzanne, if it weren't for our soldiers fighting for our freedom you wouldn't have the freedom to do what it is you do such as post comments on this thread. It's not just today's soldiers it is our past and our future soldiers. As far as other countries go do you actually think that our young men and women join the military to go fight in a foreign country. It is not their choice to go it is our governments choice to send them there.

As far a Houston goes I think it is a disgrace to pay her that kind of tribute. There are so many unknowns that have since past that have done good for our country and that could also sing, no tribute for them. A drug addict is a drug addict rich or poor famous or not.

How do we know what his son was about. There are alot of soldiers that are alcoholics, drunkards, wife beaters and the list can go on. Just being in the military does not mean one lived an unblemished life. As of today there is no cause of death. No one can take away the fact that she had 'the voice' which was a gift she abused.

All of you so judgmental perfect people with perfect family members wishing to condemn her never walked in her shoes and are so quickly to judge. So John Burri is no better. He has the right to express himself but apparently he didn't think to much of the flag himself burning it.

Hopefully when some of you die you have to answer for your biased condemnations.

Houston was a CRACKHEAD. New Jersey now flies flags at half mast for CRACKHEADS.
Feeling proud yet, New Jersey?

stull sometimes our soldiers fight for our freedom, sometimes they fight for corporate greed, masked as freedom for the dumb masses.

All of you so judgmental perfect people with perfect family members wishing to condemn her never walked in her shoes and are so quickly to judge.

mysay500 - it doesn't matter what her problems were. Turning to drugs is the coward's way out. She had enough money to buy anything she wanted, fame, a career, family, etc., but she ended up just another drug-addled celebrity, no better than any bum on the street whom you cross the street to avoid. How does that justify the honor of flags flying at half mast?

IngVer

If this is the case, then EVERY celebrity who passed away from the state (which happens to be my home state, but I'm NOT proud of this story) should receive a flag at half-staff. If every celebrity, then every governor, senator, mayor, civilian...

Christie needs to get his priorities straight.

Wrong, not just anyone which by the way they seem to do for just about any service man regardless of the capacity in which they served. It should be only for those who have made some of the greatest accomplishments in their field. Not everyone would fit that mold.

Why don't states just make another flag that they can fly when they want to recognize a non military type death. Like maybe a happy face flag or something.

The only celebrity who had deserved to have the Flag lowered would have been Bob Hope.

As much as I love Ms. Houston's voice and work, she did nothing that helped make this nation great, or keep it great. Christie's lowering of the U.S. flag was disrespectful of an honor reserved for great service/sacrifice. She had not earned the flag be draped over her coffin, therefor she didn't earn it being lowered. That honor is for those of us who sacrificed a chunk of our life, and indeed our very lives for the greater good of the nation. And yes, this includes fire fighters and police i.e. the people called on to save you when things go so wrong.

Elizabeth, There are many other celebs who served their country without accolades. But not crackheads, lol.

Toosano, everyone has issues that they deal with in life and some type of failing. People aren't perfect and neither are you. Some people turn to drugs, alcohol, gambling, pornography, food, cigarettes, shopping, hoarding, etc. It's called being human and making mistakes. I did not know Whitney Houston nor walk in her shoes and will not judge her. I knew from media reports and her interviews that she struggled with drugs and have compassion for her or anyone struggling with any type of addiction. She was someone's daughter, someone's mothers, someone's sister, and also a child of God just like you and I.

stull - You've got a point there. Soldiers are fighting for freedoms, such as FREEDOM OF SPEECH, so Suzanne can be censored on newsvine. Gotta love how those soldiers are able to selectively apply their services.

Changing the flight of our national flag should be reserved for very special circumstances. It been used for the passing of President's, in recognition of horrific disasters with loss of life, and in some cases for individuals having a significant impact on our country and world. Someone's fame, resulting from being overblown by the media, does not make them deserving of such an honor. States may do it for their state flags on an event deemed deserving by their governors. But, I still feel the level of significance needs to still be extremely high. In the case of Whitney Houston, she had a very good singing career with significant overshadowing by her personal issues and poor lifestyle choices. I do not understand the reasoning behind her deserving a half mass flag status. If not for the media over amplifying and sensationalizing her life problems the past 10 years or more, she would have died with little fan fare and certainly not had consideration for lower a flag for crying out loud! It just shows how much our society is influenced by media hype building huge stories out of celebrities misguided choices in life as if we really care. To bad we don't get as passionate about real problems facing our country and the people hurt by the stupid things government does and the even stupider things they do to fix things.

romilio

stull sometimes our soldiers fight for our freedom, sometimes they fight for corporate greed, masked as freedom for the dumb masses.

How many soldiers do you know that joined the military to fight for corporate greed? Do you think they have a choice once they've enlisted in the military? I don't think so, I do believe they are given orders.

for those of you who think that soldiers and servicemen are innocent of all drug use, YOU ARE TOTALLY WRONG. I know of many service men and women who will tell you that overseasis one of the EASIEST places to get drugs AND alcohol. Dont get me wrong.............I never served in the US Armed Forces, however my whole family did, and I am VERY PROUD of them.

As for Whitney Houston, I FULLY agree with lowering the flag to half mast. She did alot for the people of the United States and was one AWESOME LADY. Just like you and me, yes she did make some wrong choices. But so be it. I think she was a LADY with one of the MOST AWESOME voices I have EVER in my life heard. She donated to many many charities and funds. She cut albums and re-produced albums and DONATED ALL the money to charity. Now tell me what official would do that........NONE. Whitney, if you are looking down upon us from heavens, please rest assured that your life was well spent. You brought much laughter, love, tears, and MANY MANY good memories to all of us.

As for the gal who said all Whitney did was SCREAM, then she didnt know the TRUE feeling of Whitneys music . You could feel the love, the laughter and the tesrs in her music. Her death was TRUELY a GREAT LOSS to us all. GOD BLESS YOU Whitney. "I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU "

AS FOR THE FLASG BEING AT HALF MAST FOR HER............you bettcha. SHE GAVE US ALOT.... Her trust, her laughter her tears, but mostly HER LOVE.... My love and prayers go out to her daughter and her family......

Lin, all true. Doesn't mean she should have a flag flow at half mast because she got drunk and died.
People who do themselves in shouldn't be rewarded for it in any way.

Jesus Christ are we still talking about the Whitney Houston flag debate? Wasn't she buried last week, but we are still here debating this thing! As I told one of my friends, stop with the soldiers are fighting for our freedoms. Sorry, but they aren't! The only military who has fought for my and your freedoms are the ones from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the WWII. Every other conflict that the US military has engaged didn't have an aggressor. Korean War, who was threating our freedom? Vietnam, who was threating our freedom? Gulf War 1 and 2, who? Afghanistan, who? No one is invading American soil and taking you prisoner! The soldiers are not over there preventing that either. Let's be real! NO ONE IS GOING TO STRAIGHT UP ATTACK THIS COUNTRY! When I was in the military, I wasn't fighting for your freedoms. It was a JOB! I was told where to go and when to go! When I signed up, the only thing I was guaranteed was that my funeral would be special. I could get the gun salute, be buried in Arlington, or have my ashes spread out at sea! That is the ultimate honor! In the end, I'm recognized on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veteran's Day! Don't get me wrong, I do feel for the gentleman! But I would feel the same way if a window washer fell from a skyscraper!

Wow, what a patriot, not.

Conrad C:

'Let's be real! NO ONE IS GOING TO STRAIGHT UP ATTACK THIS COUNTRY!'

So, 9/11 wasn't an attack?

Lets dump this flag debate already. Every point has been covered in one way or another. The new Houston debate should be...

Where was Whitney Houston buried and how long will it be before someone digs her up for the half million dollars worth of jewelry she was reportedly buried with?

My guess is that someone will dig her up within a month to get those jewels. However, they'll be disappointed because the funeral director snagged anything shiny before he sealed her coffin. It is also possible the jewels report is pure hype for the news. How long do you all give it before someone digs her up?

(yes, it is a morbid question, but it is also quite reasonable)

Lol, merlin.

Merlin-- Are you suggesting the funeral director stole her jewelry? If the family asked for it to be buried with her, it was buried with her. If the family asked for it back, then the family has it.

Almost all cemeteries require some sort of burial container, and I can safely assume she did not have the cheap concrete liner. I am sure she has an expensive burial vault that seals, as well as the casket being sealed.

@FXSTC, One might also wonder whether your IQ played a role in your misspelling of the 2nd-grade word "role". Way to make it into a racial issue though, when it clearly isn't.

Toosano, don't ever question my patriotism. I am being real! I have family members and friends who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their families understood the risk they were taking, and I promise, none of them believes that illusion that most are sipping! I love this country, but for you and anyone else who actually believes that the majority of the people fighting in Afghanistan right now are doing it for YOUR freedom is ludicrious! Freedom from what or whom? Most are in the military for job security or college endeavors. Some might have joined after 9/11, but I promise you that the recruits that are joining now and prior to 9/11 aren't and wasn't! To me, an attack on this country is a military one like Japan did at Pearl Harbor! I hate 9/11 happened, but if those guys/gals/whomever would have only killed 169 people, would you call it an attack then? I bring that up because when Timothy McVeigh murdered 168 people in Oklahoma, it wasn't an attack. He was called some crazied individual that had ridiculous beliefs in the government even though the "attack" was masterminded just like 9/11! So let me clarify my definition of attacking America, NO ONE is going to fly planes, sail ships, or fight a land battle in the USA! If so, then the military would be defending YOUR AND MY FREEDOM!

Clueless....

This isn't just about the service members who went to Iraq or overseas, although they are very much heroes. There are millions more on the police and fire department around the country who risk their lives daily in service of our country. They too are of a different ilk of a performing artist. Lowering the US flag or any state flag should be reserved ONLY for service members and non service members.

Before anyone mentions that Elvis had the flag lowered at his funeral, ( I've already been hearing this), he happened to have also been a Korean war veteran and earned that honor.

Lowering the US flag or any state flag should be reserved ONLY for service members and non service members.

That was supposed to have read, FORMER service members, not, NON service members. Sorry for typo.

Tyler Durden: What??? "Clueless" is right. Do you even live in this country? Unbelievable, just unbelievable.

Sorry Carolyn but Elvis was not in the Korean war. He reported for service on March 24, 1958 and spent his tour in Germany.

Yeah, I'm clueless.

How did you feel when there were no wmd in Iraq?

His son is dead because of the WMD lie.

BTW why are we still in Afghanistan?

Sorry Durden:

WMDs were never found in the quantities intelligence suggested existed, but WMDs, the means and expertise to produce them were found:

WikiLeaks Show WMD Hunt Continued in Iraq – With Surprising Results

By Noah Shachtman - October 23, 2010

(http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/10/wikileaks-show-wmd-hunt-continued-in-iraq-with-surprising-results/)

“But WikiLeaks’ newly-released Iraq war documents reveal that for years afterward, U.S. troops continued to find chemical weapons labs, encounter insurgent specialists in toxins and uncover weapons of mass destruction.”

Also here: US did find Iraq WMD

By DON KAPLAN - Last Updated: 8:57 AM, October 25, 2010

(Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/us_did_find_iraq_wmd_AYiLgNbw7pDf7AZ3RO9qnM)

There are many ways to be a hero and outstanding member of American society who positively affects a great number of people, reserving a lowered flag for nothing but military people is a really narrow and unnecessary view of who we are as a people.

culheath, I hardly consider a junkie to be a hero and outstanding member of American society. If that defines us as a people, then I don't want to live on this planet anymore.

Sorry Carolyn but Elvis was not in the Korean war. He reported for service on March 24, 1958 and spent his tour in Germany.

You're right, I stand corrected. The point is, he served his country and earned the honor of having the flag at half staff when he died. MC Hammer served in the Navy and would earn that honor, Whitney Houston did not serve.

Carolyn, I am in agreement with you...

Yeah but she was a crack-head train wreck.....it destroyed her voice and her life and eventually it killed her....the life lesson she hopefully leaves behind is "Don't be like me". I do not think showing reverence with the flag should be limited to just soldiers but seriously...the person honored should at least be someone deserving of the honor.

I had no problem with lowering it for Bob Hope. That man entertained the troops from WWII through Vietnam..in the war zones. I do believe you won't find a serviceman who would disagree with me on this one...

I would first like to say that Whitney Houston was a great individual ill regardless of her human frailities. I am a former navy Avaiation electrian's mate and know for a fact that she performed in concert several times for military personnal and their families. She provided support and aid to several people through her charitable foundation much of which people never heard about. She was a caring individual and loved her country and thus deserves to be distinguished in this manner. I am ashamed that so many people are aso quick to bash and try to humiliate people with their frailities and shortcomings.But for the grace of God we all could be messed up and jacked up. I am glad she lived and made her wonderful gift available to us all. RIP Whitney Houston.

victoryval...my younger brother, along with many other entertainers, performed for the troops in Germany, Saudi Arabia and Korea. He is also a caring individual that loves his country. He would not approve of the flag being lowered for him because he entertained the troops. He has a measuring stick to go by, our father, who fought as a Marine in the Pacific during WWII.

I agree with Culheath's 3.8 comment, but do not feel Houston did anything to deserve lowering the flag. JMO.

I hope this will come back and haunt governer Chris Christie!

Why the flag worship? It is a symbol of gov't power. Isn't the gov't the problem whether it's subjugating Iraqis or Americans?

For argument's sake, let's say that we knew about every soldier who was killed. Our response to each one would be "Wow. That is sad. Wasn't another one killed earlier this week?" Compare that to OUR response to Houston's death. WE'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT IT!!! The world stopped for three hours Saturday to see the funeral. It is not the Governor's fault that no one noticed the death of the soldier. He is just representing his constituents, who collectively LOST IT when they hear of Houston's passing.

You Klansmen sure do stick together...

Thanks for playing the race card. Now that we have that out of the way, we can move on to intelligent conversation.

hs321, is that your response to every accusation of racism?

Please allow me to begin the "Intelligent conversation" by asking where all this vitriol was when they lowered the flag for Frank Sinatra. Several entertainers have received this honor without any flags being burned.

Stevie I guess it is OK for them to lower it for Mobster beneficiaries and mob supporters....which is what Frank Sinatra was.

Will they scram when flags are lowered for Bush 2? He did coke and is an alcoholic (Once an alcoholic, always one, you can be in recovery and not using but as AA will clearly teach you, you still have the disease)

A lot of people have battled drugs and liquor, some beat it and some do not. I have at least 10 people I know who lost that battle including my father. I have pity for them, not condemnation. I have tried to help some, rarely have I seen any success, they have to do that on their own.

I have no dislike for Governor Christie, but, on this issue, he stepped in it, badly. Miss Houston was a deeply troubled, immensely talented person, who, basically, took her own life by choosing drugs over sanity. I can think of no reason to fly flags at half-staff for any entertainer. Well, Bob Hope is one, but that is based on his wartime/peacetime support of our fighting men in dangerous areas. Not to mention, this is politically a bad move or Christie.

why do you lift your leg when you pee? are you a dog?

Oh yes, Zombie. Brainless is involved but I think you are leading the pack.

Couldn't have said it better. We've all turned into mindless sycophants in burning idols and becoming hopelessly besides ourselves with any mindset that isn't an absolute mirror-image of our own. I weep for our country.

With that said, I do not agree with putting the flag at half-mast for Whitney Houston. Sets a precedent in which mediocrity is to be celebrated. See: Current American Society as a Whole.

Mike, will the next half-staff flag fly for Homer Simpson?

yeah, cause you'll one day be more world famous than she was...

she was definitely an icon, no one is contesting that, except for you.

Doyourhomework:

"yeah, cause you'll one day be more world famous than she was...

she was definitely an icon, no one is contesting that, except for you."

What? What does being more famous than her have to do with anything? That's like criticizing an athlete and then someone saying the old stupid standby: "well he's better than you!"

Yeah and you're so right that "she was definitely an icon"--she was an icon for pitiful, self-destructive and abusive behavior. I don't care that she had a great voice and sold a sh-tload of records, she was a pathetically horrible public figure and role model. No flag lowering for such people, clearly. Christie is an absolute idiot for sticking his neck out this way!

There are 10's of 1,000's of veterans who get addicted to alcohol and drugs (including crack and cocaine) after their service and destroy their families and end up killing themselves. Why? Many because of the stress of their service and the heavy burdens some of them carry. Yet I don't see anyone here calling them losers and drug addicts. For some it's diagnosed as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Some can handle it and some succumb to it.

Maybe some people should consider the kind of stresses and burdens a skinny insecure girl from NJ had to deal with after becoming one of the most famous people in the world whose every move was reported and followed by millions of people. I would diagnose it as OTSD (Ongoing Traumatic Stress Disorder). Some very famous people can handle it and some succumb to it. Have a little understanding and compassion for your fellow brothers and sisters. WE don't have to succumb to the rabid attacks and "holier than thou attitudes" that our corrupt and worthless polititians use to demonize anyone that disagrees with them. Talk about a bad example for young people.

She had the money to check into the Betty Ford Clinic for help like others have. Why didn't she???? When that idiot Bobby Brown brought drugs home she should have thrown his dumb A-- out. Why didn't she?? Any G-d fearing parent who really cares and loves their children don't want that kind of environment around them. One other thing, gov. if you or any of your love ones are held capitive in sound third world cesspool, call some drug induced entertainer to come and save your A-- not the Navy Seals. After the flag deal for Whitney they owe you.

Oh, poor little rich famous girl. How in the world can you compare her drug issues to those suffered by veterans? Are the horrors they've witnessed equal in your mind to the stresses of becoming rich and famous? Are you for real? Hoops, McCann, I hereby nominate you for receiving the award for the most ludicrous comment of the day. OTSD, my a$$.

Kay-1745504

I do hope you do not have teen aged relatives or friends The drug cartels south of the border werenot only selling their product to Ms Houston, I am sure you know some person with the same problems.

I knew a many of soldier, that was on drugs. The enemy knew how to make Americans feel important, Above his teammates...like you are doing.

Kay-1745504

I do hope you do not have teen aged relatives or friends The drug cartels south of the border werenot only selling their product to Ms Houston, I am sure you know some person with the same problems.

I knew a many of soldier, that was on drugs. The enemy knew how to make Americans feel important, Above his teammates...like you are doing.

I agree with you and John. There are no words to express my gratitude for what you and all veterans did for me but let me thank you for your service to our country.

what does john mayer have to do with this?

Well, digtman1, she certainly didn't participate in the war on drugs.

so if everyone in this chatroom ever moves to jersey, christie is gonna be screwed...

lets hope that when the gov passes they don't lower the flag for him..

They'll have a hard enough time just lowering him!!!

That's true, but a little out of place here, don't you think?

mary you are right

Christie goes ion eating, his weight is way over healthy limits....

If he dies he should be pilloried for his failure to eat healthier.

Ridiculous?

Yep, than that is my point.

(I am no fan at all of Christies, I consider him filth but he chose to recognize a person from his state in deference to her fans and I have no problem with that, he did not do it as a slight to anyone)

To the idiot who asked why she did not leave Brown,,,uh you are totally ignorant...they were divorced 5 years ago.

Did this idiot burn a Tennessee Flag when Elvis got a stamp? Being on a stamp is a huge honor and ELvis drug use was rampant and was what killed him. I note none of you attacking Whitney for her personal failures has bought that up

Chris Christie has been a good governor and has made the hard choices to get NJ out of the financial hole we found ourselves in thanks to Corzine and McGreevey, public service double pension dipping and pay to play- so let's call a spade a spade.

HOWEVER- I do agree that this was a VERY poor decision. And I think Christie was wrong on this one. Whitney Houston was a drug addict who wasted her gifts - she should NOT have the flag lowered in her honor-even if it is the State flag. It dilutes that honor of it-keep it to those that serve our country. Thank you servicemen and women!

Did you howl when Nixon (no longer President at the time) asked Americans to fly a half mast for Elvis who died of a drug overdose?

When Tupelo had an official day of mourning for Elvis?

When the states of Miss & Tenn lowered their flags for Elvis death?

When the US honored Elvis with a stamp?

Why no outrage then?

Hmmmm

We know

Are you really saying that there should be no military heroes unless they were drafted? If that is really your position, then please cross I-95 on foot without looking either way.

Her contributions to music, and society have been enormous. Probably far greater than that of any one military person who has died in the line of duty.

My best friend died in Vietnam in 1967. Are you saying that his contribution was far less that Whitney Houston's?

You apparently have never served in the military. So what or who constitutes a veteran to you? They go through as much if not more training and wartime as the veterans of Korea, Vietnam, Iran or peacetime? Actually peacetime is tougher. Ask a veteran!

You don't have to die to be a veteran - just to have served in one of the five military units.

To receive an education (of which by the way we STILL have to pay for) is just one of the 'perks' veterans get for serving. About the only one really.

Mikey, you are a troll and not a very good one. Return to 9gag from whence you came.

Well said, Mikey - ! Why don't we just have our opinions and try not to hammer anyone else with them? If we are charged with making a decision to lower a flag, then we can exercise our judgments as to that. Otherwise, why attempt to control the actions/ideas of other people and make it a moral issue? There are many subjective moral issues which we all ignore, every single moment of our lives. And - burning a flag is illegal, isn't it? Has anyone thought of this?

Mikey:

What were her "enormous" contributions to society?

If you have to ask, there's likely no explaining it to you.

Do you underestand the word art?

Mikey,

I had 2 Master's degrees before I joined and made over $100K a year. After 9-11 it was time for me to pay back this country, and to help as many scumbags as I could achieve martyrdom. I helped a few and was pleased to do it.

Most men and women that join do so out of a feeling of pride, a feeling of a debt to this country, and some even joined out of a desire for vengeance. Yes, there are some that join for a job and the benefits- less than 10% in my opinion. You don't walk into firefights for the G.I. Bill- you don't freeze your ass off in the mountains of Afghanistan because you want medical insurance.

You need to join up and see for yourself- right now you are a clueless SOB.

If it paid nothing at all, how many people (perhaps other than yourself) would be rushing to join the military right now? I believe you'd be missing a lot more than 10% of your "co-workers"...

a good percentage of you are potential heroes, just as a good percentage are opportunists...

mikey2181,you don't have a clue what the military does for your freedom.whitney went a long way based on her voice.she set a bad example after she stayed with a abuser,she was racist.her comments about blacks in the 90's were aimed at chauvenism of her race.she was a crack head and virtually has been raised to some high place because she could sing.if she had joined the military i would have had more respect for her.

you have managed in one comment to demean the armed forces and outline what the motivations of the people who served.they deserve high praise and should be treated as the real celebrities they are.the sacrifices they make to do the dirty work for this country are magnanimous.your comments remind me of the welcome home the Vietnam vets got.

ONE military HERO who lost their life in service to this country contributed a THOUSAND TIMES more then Whitney Houston did for "society!" Mikey you are a pathetic human being if you truly think this way. Whitney Houston had a good voice and THAT'S IT! What else did she "contribute to society?"....Oh ya, she kept the drug dealers in business, i forgot. Way to go Whitney...you're a HERO!

mikey, you are an idiot!

culheath:

I guess I should bow to your superior intellect on all things musical and humbly beg mikey's (and your's as well) forgiveness for my incredible ignorance of the world changing; nay, world saving; effect of her music and the outstanding role model she provided not only for the poor unfortunates of New Jersey but for the world as a whole. I should, but I won't. I agree about her contributions to music. She was a very good singer and I hope was able to inspire others in a positive manner through her music. And I also agree that if her music brought joy to the people that heard it then she did leave the world a little better than it was before her. Any good artist (and I include actors, dancers, painters, sculptors, etc. in that group as well) can do that and we would be all the poorer without them. However, as to her "enormous" contributions to society I don't see any evidence. Did she build hospitals? Did she work to improve the educational outlook of those less fortunate? Did she come back to her hometown and help others who were struggling? Hell, did she take in stray puppies? Show me evidence of any of these (or others) and I will feel that lowering the flag to half-mast was justified.

I'm retired, 22 years of service. Been to Afghanistan, Iraq, and in the invasion of Panama. So you mean to tell me you believe it is more noble to be forced to go to war through a draft, go fight for something you don't really believe in, or care about, instead of men and women making a free decision, to give their life for something greater than their self? I am not saying that the men who was drafted didn't give their alland give the ultimate sacrifice when they had to, I hae great passion for any person that has ever served in any capacity, 3 years to 30 i don't care. I put my whole life into service so you can continue to have an opinion without someone telling you what your opinion has to be, or maybe cutting off your head if you disagree. I get sick when I see people who have no idea, and believe they are simply entitled to the rights they have. You are only entitled because someone else sacrificed their life for you to have the rights. Someone asked me what i thought about Houston dying, I simply replied, the wold is just a better place with out another drug adict poluting it, you want me to be sad talk on the news about all the kids in the U.S. that didnt eat last night or slept outside, screw houston!

Dan-1274561

culheath:

I guess I should bow to your superior intellect on all things musical and humbly beg mikey's (and your's as well) forgiveness for my incredible ignorance of the world changing; nay, world saving; effect of her music and the outstanding role model she provided not only for the poor unfortunates of New Jersey but for the world as a whole. I should, but I won't.

Nor should you.

However, as to her "enormous" contributions to society I don't see any evidence. Did she build hospitals? Did she work to improve the educational outlook of those less fortunate? Did she come back to her hometown and help others who were struggling? Hell, did she take in stray puppies? Show me evidence of any of these (or others) and I will feel that lowering the flag to half-mast was justified.

You could start here by following this link:

Whitney Houston Charitable works

There are many other sites offering more detailed descriptions of Houston's social activities which benefited many many people.

So let me ask you, ever give a buck to a bum? who do you think thougt more high of the act you or the bum. If i had multi-millions,I would give many selfserving dollars. It was reflective in how she treated everyday people. Charity my ass- charity is what is done in secret not looking for public fame for it.

Completely irrelevant and a poor attempt to dismiss what good she did for others. Did you know her? If not, why do you assume her motives were other than selfless?

One also has to question, if taking your point of view, about why you bother to make public your sacrifices during your service. I find your position both self-serving and obnoxious in that regard.

Okay, all the charity work lets take a look at her tax returns from the years she donated, and see if she absorbed the loss or wrote it off. Its a tax write off. If you don't believe it, your sipping koolaid.

Did you know her, culheath?

Not personally, no.

I did follow her through the years and saw that she was a dynamic, gifted, fragile and a sometimes desperately insecure individual from outward appearances. The whole "crackhead" mantra being spewed here is absurd. The drug use and domestic abuse was definitely a huge problem in her life but definitely not the majority of it and certainly not a fair description of who she was. I see drug abuse as an illness, not a moral failing, unlike so many posters here who seem so eager to vilify Houston on very little knowledge based on a single aspect of her life they actually know nothing about except whatever they picked up from sensational reportage.

The code of ethics has gone out the window. Priorities and importance are taken very lightly in this time and era. I don't think it should have been lowered for W. Houston....she WAS a very good singer, but honoring her and entertainers just takes away from the seriousness of lowering the flag for those who died serving our country. The true meaning of lowering the flag is sacrificed. I think the NJ flag was lowered out of pity, and who knows how the governor of NJ came to that decision.

Of all the $hit going on in this world, WTF? Did it hurt anyone? When my dog or cat leave me, I'm going to fly a flag at half staff. You dun like it? Fagettabattit!

I simply stated that I served and where, this article is about a slain SOLDIERS dad burning a state flag how could a soldier posting about how he feels be irrelevant? Someone does not need to know someone personally to have knowledge on what kind of person they are,especially a public figure...I think you should maybe rethink the people you worship in your life if she is your shinning star. She could sing songs, what a princes, I want your kids to grow up just like the ones you praise as being your idol, because they are the ones that loose from something like this, kids that listen to dumb ass people like you. Hell of a lot of Germans though Hitler was great. Good thing we had American Soldiers.

P.S CHARITY should be done in secret

Military = public service dumb ass, kinda hard to keep that one a secret

Dan-1274561

Mikey:

What were her "enormous" contributions to society?

OK Dan....you asked

She raised Millions for numerous charities with concerts these include the Red Cross (you know they do a lot for soldiers) and her own foundation which works with pediatric cancer and AIDs...Millions and Millions raised

I think you should maybe rethink the people you worship in your life if she is your shinning star. She could sing songs, what a princes, I want your kids to grow up just like the ones you praise as being your idol, because they are the ones that loose from something like this, kids that listen to dumb ass people like you.

1) Houston was a great performer and humanitarian, but in no way did I idolize her or consider her a hero.

2) My arguments here are against the judgmental disparagement and over the top dissing of a person based on one aspect of their life, which given the degree of activity, achievements, productivity and awards indicates the relative minority of that aspect.

3) Ulysses S. Grant was a complete alcoholic.

Ulysses S. Grant: The Myth of His Drinking

Famous people frequently go down in history fixed in people's minds as one dimensional caricatures consisting of a handful of traits or qualities. Frozen in time and the public's imagination, these stereotypes are nearly impossible to dislodge from our nation's collective consciousness. Robert E. Lee and his fine manners and gallant bearing; President Abraham Lincoln and his kindly, but homely appearance and his love of crude humor; William Tecumseh Sherman, the devil himself, who destroyed the South in his infamous March to the Sea; and Ulysses S. Grant, "butcher," cigar smoker and alcoholic.

Like most myths, these are easy stories to tell and allow the teller to encapsulate a person's life in a few sentences. Little or no concern is given to the core and the essence of these people who, by their greatness, changed the course of American history. Grant, like the others named, was a real person with human strengths and weaknesses. He made an incalculable contribution to the fate of the American Union and deserves better than to be described and remembered in such a limited context as "a person who consumed too much alcohol."

Get it?

Thanks Culheath.

Dan,

You're more than welcome.

Apples and oranges, I agree she changed the course of US history and should be admired for that...Perfect Tragic hero

This ought to be interesting. The next New Jersey service-member killed in those overseas sh/tholes gets brought home for burial and what is his state going to do? They're going to honor him like he was a doped up celebrity who committed suicide either on purpose or due to idiocy. His/her family is really going to like that "honor".

New Jersey is doing for the honor of lowering the flag to half mast what George Bush did for the American Freedom Medal, America's highest civilian honor. Georgie boy awarded that medal to every incompetent idiot he hired and who failed. " Good job, Brownie!"! Remember that one? He covered Brownie's shame and incomptence(Georgie's too!) by awarding him the American Freedom Medal for successfully screwing up the relief effort to New Orleans. There were several others but that is the one that stands out in my memory offhand. The awarding of the AFM by him was an almost sure indication of a massive failure getting some good spin to protect the reputation of both the recipient and himself.

It isn't exactly the same thing, but what distinct honors can now be given only to those who die serving this Nation or at the end of a life of service? I'm betting the NJ governor never did military service. Otherwise he might have thought of having her casket draped in a flag and then folded by a military funeral team and tossed in a 21 gun salute on top of it. New Jersey doesn't get a lot of respect when it comes to state to state comparisons. This incident is a good example of the reason why that is so. Simply pathetic. I hope that in his next election challenge New Jersicans put their collective boot up his a$$ and propel him all the way out the door.

I might add here that Houston's family might have done the right thing and refused an undeserved and improper honor such as the flag lowering

agreed!!!

double and triple agreed!!!!!!!

Couldn't have said it better myself... she did nothing with all her rehab, money, and fame except sniff or smoke it... she had everything and did nothing with it.... and here NJ goes and honors that?? WTF...

doczilla - Well said.

Quadruple agreed!

I bet you would not be saying that if they had lowered the flag for that crack head Janis Joplin. Could it be you do not like Houston because she was so tall???