Flag At Half Staff For WHO?

[Pacman]

I don't have any "outrage" over this one.

Well then, I guess that wasn't directed at you.

 

[MatticusMania]

Will say I owned Whitney's debut. A great piece of '80s R&B/Pop. Great studio meisters on that album. IIRC, Nathan East was all over it.

You know who else owns some Whitney Houston? The guy in my avatar!

 

[sevdog]

All of you that are posting negative things saying we shouldn't celebrate a drug addict should go read some history books about America's past elected officials, or shoot just watch the news. You'll quickly realize what a ridiculous argument that is.

I personally would rather pay homage to an individual who shared art and inspiration with the world than some slick-haired politician that spent their life coercing people.

Yeah, I said it.

 

[electracoyote]

All of you that are posting negative things saying we shouldn't celebrate a drug addict should go read some history books about America's past elected officials, or shoot just watch the news. You'll quickly realize what a ridiculous argument that is.

I personally would rather pay homage to an individual who shared art and inspiration with the world than some slick-haired politician that spent their life coercing people.

Yeah, I said it.

I don't think anyone could realistically suggest you have to lead a perfect, trouble-free life to be a candidate for state or country recognition and honor upon your death. If that were the case, almost no one would qualify.

I think the criteria (whether written or implied) for the symbol of the nation being lowered at your passing, or draped over your casket, is some kind of lasting special service, impact on, or importance to your country and culture, and perhaps a predominately positive lifestyle.

I'm not saying everyone who has had the flag lowered upon their death has been deserving. That's a big part of this whole thread.

Perhaps Governor Chirstie should have lowered only the New Jersey flag to half staff. That would have satisfied his constituants without the presumption that Whitney Houston is a national treasure.

When you go out the way she did, a long ugly downhill tumble spanning decades, it's a big jagged scar on your legacy. And I can only hope that it heightens awareness of the issues of drug addiction and self-destructive behavior.

We usually spend far too much time with the grief, mourning, and fond rememberances, and not enough time recognizing what went wrong and helping others prevent it.

 

[ZanaZulu807]

When you go out the way she did, a long ugly downhill tumble spanning decades, it's a big jagged scar on your legacy.

However, she did that to herself, all she ever did to you and the greater public was have you all buy some of her records for her talent. IMO, she did do the country a great service. She represented what everyone in this country can be when they work hard, to the world as well. Why would you focus purely on her negative personal struggles and outweigh them for the positive and lasting impact she made in countless other's lives? IMO, she deserves the recognition.

 

[electracoyote]

However, she did that to herself, all she ever did to you and the greater public was have you all buy some of her records for her talent. IMO, she did do the country a great service. She represented what everyone in this country can be when they work hard, to the world as well. Why would you focus purely on her personal struggles and outweigh them for the real and lasting impact she made in countless other's lives? IMO, she deserves the recognition.

I see your point, but for the record, I'm not focused solely on her personal struggles. See my earlier posts for more on that.

 

[Rush-2112]

These guys took it a few steps too far :scowl:

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[Dr. Cheese]

These guys took it a few steps too far :scowl:

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I'd be tempted to ask those guys if they found their wives in a crack house since they know so much about them.

 

[nickbass79]

Maybe they watched the Drugs Inc. episode on crack

 

[sevdog]

I don't think anyone could realistically suggest you have to lead a perfect, trouble-free life to be a candidate for state or country recognition and honor upon your death. If that were the case, almost no one would qualify.

I think the criteria (whether written or implied) for the symbol of the nation being lowered at your passing, or draped over your casket, is some kind of lasting special service, impact on, or importance to your country and culture, and perhaps a predominately positive lifestyle.

I'm not saying everyone who has had the flag lowered upon their death has been deserving. That's a big part of this whole thread.

Perhaps Governor Chirstie should have lowered only the New Jersey flag to half staff. That would have satisfied his constituants without the presumption that Whitney Houston is a national treasure.

When you go out the way she did, a long ugly downhill tumble spanning decades, it's a big jagged scar on your legacy. And I can only hope that it heightens awareness of the issues of drug addiction and self-destructive behavior.

We usually spend far too much time with the grief, mourning, and fond rememberances, and not enough time recognizing what went wrong and helping others prevent it.

Yeah, I also have to admit that I get pretty angsty pretty quick when I see people arguing over how to treat the flag. It seems that all too often people worry about treating that piece of cloth well more than how they treat the people and principles that it's supposed to represent.

 

[seventhson]

Don't we fly the flag at half staff and have national holidays for known adulterers? What's the diff? In the end we're all human with human flaws.

 

[lunarpollen]

To a New Yorker like you, a "hero" is some type of weird sandwich, not some nut who takes on three Tigers.

 

[nickbass79]

Yeah, I also have to admit that I get pretty angsty pretty quick when I see people arguing over how to treat the flag. It seems that all too often people worry about treating that piece of cloth well more than how they treat the people and principles that it's supposed to represent.

It is only a piece of cloth if a person allows it to become that, instead of the symbol it is supposed to be. When you see Olympians/pro athletes use it as a cape and drag it all over the ground, it isn't a flag, it is a piece of cloth. When it is flying over a Fire Base in hostile territory or flying over any military cemetery etc...it is the symbol of the freedom worth fighting for, dying for and what most Americans have forgotten what it stands for, the history behind it and what they now take for granted.

 

[Rush-2112]

To a New Yorker like you, a "hero" is some type of weird sandwich, not some nut who takes on three Tigers.

Hey hey hey! I take offense to that!

...heroes are delicious, not weird

 

[bassplayer1494]

it is a tragedy that she died but honestly i feel more bad for her loved ones. I really have no sympathy for someone who dies with alcohol and prescription drugs at the scene. It is their own wrong doing.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

I really have no sympathy for someone who dies with alcohol and prescription drugs at the scene. It is their own wrong doing.

Her death could have been an accident or she very well could have died from natural causes.

 

[Phalex]

Dead is dead. Whitney could care less. She certainly had her demons, but who doesn't?

I probably should be dead, but I'm not.

Flags no flags...... Meh

 

[bassplayer1494]

Her death could have been an accident or she very well could have died from natural causes.

well we will know once the autopsy results come back

 

[Dr_Funkdamental]

Where was the outrage when they did this same thing for Sinatra? For Ray Charles?

+1000000

The bottom line is that you guys have no obligation to respect what Whitney Houston did for the popular culture, and you certainly don't need to feel that she deserves state respect. Frankly, I would not have asked for it, but if Gov. Christie is willing to publicly recognize her, it's fine with me.


I think she was a heck of a lot more than a "crack head." I doubt if any of us would want to be judged solely by our biggest failure or weakness, especially if that weakness was not something that directly hurt other people like a DUI or an act of violence towards someone else.

Agreed. And actually for most of the ppl harping on her, you probably didnt even listen to her music or were a fan anyway (judging from the comments, yes I made that assumption). The things that made Whitney a great artist ppl will remember is she had a great voice and was one of the best in her time. People complain so much about autotune, she needed NONE. She had one of the best pop/R&B voices EVER. And Ive read that from many producer and other iconic singer's interviews and testimonials. Her music also was mainly positive, uplifting, and had SUBSTANCE. Pretty much every notable pop/R&B singer from the 90's up knows and respected her. She was also one of those artists whos fans stuck by her through it all. Many of them wanted and waited for her to come back, get better, do more. Not many artists get that support. I mean honestly I was never a big fan, but I dont deny her accolades and reach. Honestly I can understand the hate, partly because one thing TB has taught, if its not a genre or style you listen to or are familiar with, its alot easier to flame (aside from other things). She just had a very broad influence that many of you arent aware of. I mean MANY of us feel a sadness for Jaco because of what he gave to bass guitar and how he influenced and is still influencing bass players. Yet there are millions out there who've never heard of him and could care less because his music wasnt their thing, making them less apathetic.

My only issue with this (and I disagree with the half mast honors actually) is that instead of coming at the ppl making the decision, ppl begin to attack the artist and try to tear down their legacy and influence as an artist. Just because you hate the decision doesnt mean you have to bash her as a person. Oh well...

 

[JAUQO III-X]

actually for most of the ppl harping on her, you probably didnt even listen to her music or were a fan anyway (judging from the comments, yes I made that assumption).

I wouldn't be surprised if some of those who are harping on her might be alcohol and drug abusers themselves.