Should New Jersey Fly Flags at Half-Staff for Whitney Houston?

by SodaHead Celebs Posted 2012/02/17 00:21:19

Related Topics: Whitney Houston, Flags, New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie, Funeral, Half-staff, Half Mast, Jersey Shore, Addiction, Saturday, Bill O'Reilly, God, Government, Chris Christie, Alcohol

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	Yes	329 votes	27%
	No	898 votes	73%

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie scored brownie points when he publicly sided against "Jersey Shore," but his decision to pay respects to Whitney Houston isn't going so well. He has reportedly announced that flags at the government building will fly at half mast on Saturday during Houston's funeral in Newark, the hometown of the late recording artist. Critics are claiming she "forfeited the good things that she did" when her problems with substance abuse got out of control.

Bill O'Reilly agrees with Christie's decision. He explained on the "Today" show, "I think we should respect the life and talent of Whitney Houston. I said a prayer when I heard she died. This isn't a personal thing. This is a preventive thing. I want society and media to tell the truth about drug and alcohol addiction. Let's stop exploiting it and start explaining it." Christie, for his part, said, "What I would say to everybody is there but for the grace of God go I." Do you think Chris Christie's decision to raise the flags half-mast for Whitney is a good one?

+53

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Kigan 2012/02/17 00:33:49

No

+37
When soldiers die, the flags are not flown at half mast.

Whitney Houston dies, and suddenly that's cause for it? Plenty of iconic singers (among other celebs) have died with no such recognition. What makes her more important than them and the soldiers dying to ensure she had the right to live as she wished?
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Jean to Lady Ju... 2012/02/23 23:42:39

SERVE HER COUNTRY YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING. THAT DRUG HEAD GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

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Sam DePecan 2012/02/19 23:51:45

No

Who is she, btw? . . . Does ANYONE REALLY know?

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Andy 2012/02/19 23:36:47
rand 2012/02/19 23:16:56

No

+1
Odd how "we the people" on SodaHead think NOT but political pundits like O'Reilly and Dobbs say "yes". This honor should be reserved for soldiers and statesmen and persons whose contributions to our society are beyond entertainment. And, yes, I realize she once sung the national anthem.

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Shigyrl... to rand 2012/02/20 22:34:43

+2
Do a little research. You will find that her contributions go beyond entertainment.

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rand to Shigyrl... 2012/02/21 00:17:15

+1
Feel free to enlighten me with sources or facts. I wonder if her contributions will in my mind offset her modeling of drug abuse.

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Shigyrl... to rand 2012/02/21 01:33:26

+2
I believe I told you to do your own research. The fact you couldn't even attempt to google anything on your own. Says that you neither believe she was anything other then an entertainer. Nor that this woman could possibly show love to another individual without broadcasting it. Here is one instance for you. A little girl who only appeared in one of her videos got cancer. Whitney had maintained a relationship with her. When the money needed for her treatment and recovery was not available. Whitney took care of it. Thats just one instance. As stated before do your own research if there is even a shred of common decency.

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rand to Shigyrl... 2012/02/21 14:05:48

Thousands have done what you've described Whitney doing. Should we fly the flag at half mast when each and every one of them dies? And I have no interest in following your demands.

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Shigyrl... to rand 2012/02/21 17:17:05
Detria ... to Shigyrl... 2012/02/24 15:26:25

+1
Well said!! People are going to be who they are and have harsh opinions no matter how much proof is provided about Whitney and what she did for others.

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RhinoRT 2012/02/19 22:56:02

Yes

+1
That was supposed to be NO!
There are clear rules for the U.S. flag on how it should be treated and respected.
Having a flag flown half mast is CLEARLY reserved for people that served this country ie government officials, military, police or firemen. Lowering to half mast for a "celebrity" who was a poor roll model is deplorable.
I liked Whitney Hustons music but her death in no way deserved that honor.

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Keryn Taylor-Rhys 2012/02/19 22:52:13

No

+1
No comment required. Dumb idea.

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Barbara Gardner 2012/02/19 19:57:16

No

+2
Governor Christie is wrong in lowering the flag to half staff for Whitney Houston. Furthermore, I believe he is pandering to the blacks on this, and hoping to gain votes for the next elections. Politicians want only two things: To get elected, and to get re-elected. Further, Governor Christie quote scripture is, to me, sacrilegious! He should save his scripture quoting for our soldiers that have died, or when he passes by a soldier he should reach out his hand and thank him/her for their service. Let's all get a reality check here: Who are the real heroes in today's world? If you answered, our troops, you are correct. If you answered Whitney Houston, you need a big attitude adjustment. Lowering the flag should be reserved for two things: Our soldiers, and people who have made a difference or a significant contribution to society. If Whitney Houston never sang a song in her life, society would be unchanged. We should not be glorifying drug or alcohol abusers, and I am not judging Whitney Houston or anybody else plagued with addiction problems. This is a serious problem in our society, the addicts suffer, and some just can't kick their addiction. It is sad, but this is the life they ended up with -- nobody held them down and forced them to "try it". On the other ...

Governor Christie is wrong in lowering the flag to half staff for Whitney Houston. Furthermore, I believe he is pandering to the blacks on this, and hoping to gain votes for the next elections. Politicians want only two things: To get elected, and to get re-elected. Further, Governor Christie quote scripture is, to me, sacrilegious! He should save his scripture quoting for our soldiers that have died, or when he passes by a soldier he should reach out his hand and thank him/her for their service. Let's all get a reality check here: Who are the real heroes in today's world? If you answered, our troops, you are correct. If you answered Whitney Houston, you need a big attitude adjustment. Lowering the flag should be reserved for two things: Our soldiers, and people who have made a difference or a significant contribution to society. If Whitney Houston never sang a song in her life, society would be unchanged. We should not be glorifying drug or alcohol abusers, and I am not judging Whitney Houston or anybody else plagued with addiction problems. This is a serious problem in our society, the addicts suffer, and some just can't kick their addiction. It is sad, but this is the life they ended up with -- nobody held them down and forced them to "try it". On the other hand, plenty of actors, actresses and singers have made great contributions to society by helping those less fortunate -- Paul Newman, to name one. Other people have changed the world with their contributions -- does the name Steve Jobs mean anything to anyone? And, of course, our soldiers are contributing to the good of society every day. Governor Christie needs a reality check.
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DTJ 2012/02/19 19:33:27

No

+2
Let the recording industry honor her musical contributions and achievements. She was an extremely talented and beautiful woman. She did nothing heroic. She did not serve and sacrifice as our soldiers and policemen and firemen do. A flag at half staff is a little too much in my opinion. But this is the USA and the governor of a state can direct flags to be flown and half staff at his or her discretion. I would not have done so but he has the right to do it if he wants. Perhaps it was a political decision to get votes. On the other hand perhaps he is a fan and felt that he just wanted to do "something" in light of this terrible event.

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jacktown kid 2012/02/19 19:03:28

No

+2
Stupid

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bodaishinboy 2012/02/19 18:59:36

No

+2
What sacrifice did she make for others? Did she fight for her country? Did she run into a burning building to save someone's life? Did she provide first aide to someone in a car crash? Did she in any way risk her life for the sake of others?

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Dogzebra 2012/02/19 18:59:20

No

+4
I don't see the self sacrifice or cause that made Whitney Houston a great enough American to have such an honor bestowed upon her. Being a pretty woman with a fine voice and spoiled by terminal drug addiction doesn't seem like proper qualifications to me.

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Cindy64~AFCL 2012/02/19 16:55:27

No

+7
HELL NO!! Our TROOPS who have died should have the Half-Staff NOT Whitney Houston!! It was a disgrace to our men and women who have died for our country !! New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is a JERK for doing this!! I am sure we will fine out in the weeks ahead about how she died that DRUGS played a big roll in her death and then our Flag to be Half-Staff for Whitney Houston... that is a disgrace to our fallen Troops!!

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Barbara... to Cindy64... 2012/03/02 20:02:32

+1
Dear Cindy, thank you for this post, and most wonderful poster! I run a charity, Blankets for Heroes. It is a certified 501(c)(3) charity recognized by the IRS, and ALL donations go towards the charity. Neither the Board of Directors nor any volunteers take a salary; therefore 100% of the money donated goes to the charity. Please check out http://blanketsforheros.com on the web, or in the search bar on FB, enter Blankets for Heroes to see what we are all about. I am a retired paralegal and started this charity by myself, and it is growing. Our fallen soldiers are the ones who deserve the ultimate recognition and flags flown at half staff, not a talented person who threw everything away for illegal drugs. If you don't mind, I am going to share this wonderful picture on my FB Blankets for Heroes site. Should you visit the site, please press "like" and pass the site on to your other FB friends. And, as I tell everyone, you don't have to be Pro-War to Support our Troops, however, these men and women made a choice and a great sacrifice, and it is a small thing to ask all Americans to be supportive of them. Thanks again Cindy.

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Cindy64... to Barbara... 2012/03/03 14:50:49

I just now saw your post I will ck . out your site and thank you for your kind comment. You are a blessing to our TROOPS . I feel very deeply for our Troops. God bless you and take care. I just tryed to get on your site could not get it will try again.

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kmay 2012/02/19 16:50:37

No

+5
I believe th flag should be used to honor those who served our country and fought for the principles that the flag represents.

Yet....

There's no law governing flag lowering -- the flag code is not a law -- and flags are lowered to half staff for all sorts of reasons, including in some cases natural disasters. I'm sure some of the deceased politicians we honored were of questionable character.

More@
http://www.rrstar.com/blogs/c...

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Cindy64... to kmay 2012/02/19 16:57:00

+2
I agree with you..... the flag should be used to honor those who served our country and fought for the principles that the flag represents.

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Zephenia Dean 2012/02/19 15:16:29
pinkqueen 2012/02/19 15:10:37

Yes

+2
honor comes from the heart...and she deserve that honor

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jabo to pinkqueen 2012/02/20 06:39:29

Why?

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DavidK to pinkqueen 2012/02/21 01:35:03

and half mast for Jimmie Hendricks too? Their is NO honor in the taking of ones own life.

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zcberry 2012/02/19 13:10:43

No

+2
NO!!!! WHY??????

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Dave 007 2012/02/19 12:38:34

No

+3
If this is done, then the America I now is gone. Hey China "Come on in".

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sunniday to Dave 007 2012/02/20 08:35:56

Sad part is CHINA IS ALREADY IN.

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Fisher 2012/02/19 12:32:57

No

+3
Definitely NO.

I do like Whitney and her music and definitely felt very sad over her death...such a beautiful and talented person die so young. If this type of decision given to Whitney, than the governemnt of NJ have no repsect to all the soliders die for USA....or any great individuals that gave all their life served in public, humanity services....or excellent doctors that saved so many life every day....etc..etc..

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nothingbutthetruth 2012/02/19 08:31:09

Yes

+2
Whitney will remains a great inspiration to millions. Thanks Governor Christie for showing that special respect to her. Those who criticize must understand that everybody has weaknesses and must show some compassion to those who didn't get that chance to correct those mistakes. God is her judge and may he has mercy on her soul! God Bless You Whitney; you have done your part and you have finished your task. Heaven will be full of surprises! Many might be shock to see Whitney in Heaven, and many who they expect in Heaven, in hell.

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DavidK to nothing... 2012/02/21 01:33:01

+1
Does this stupidity of choosing drugs constitute a free pass to heaven? I don't believe the taking of ones own life is your gateway to heaven.........

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Detria ... to DavidK 2012/02/24 15:32:12

+1
Judging is not a good thing. You don't know if Whitney took her own life. You don't know if Whitney had a conversation with God before she passed. You don't know what happened. Stop judging!! You don't have a Heaven or Hell to send anyone to. God is the ultimate judge. We have have to die one day. Let's just worry about where we are headed when we die!

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DavidK to Detria ... 2012/02/24 16:32:07

+1
I'm not judging. She drowned due to her drug and alcohol abuse. That was HER choice. No one forced those down her throat. Sad, but true.....

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aazeen 2012/02/19 08:10:00

Yes

+2
yea

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mazes 2012/02/19 08:01:12

No

+2
No.

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Somkey the Hores 2012/02/19 07:03:53

No

+3
NO.

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Kozman 2012/02/19 06:05:51

No

+6
NO. I liked Whitney in the 80's. But flying the flag at Half-Staff is for or Men and Women
who died for our country. Period. Since the day she hooked up with Bobby Brown she was a Disgrace. Remember Crack is Whack... Half-Staff No way...

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Cindy64... to Kozman 2012/02/19 16:57:59

+2
I agree with you!!!

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DavidK 2012/02/19 05:18:33

No

+4
respect for those that die overdosing?!?!?!?!? Christie will regret this one.....

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