Whitney Houston was a beautiful lady. An amazing talent. Her death at such a young age, regardless of the circumstances, was and is tragic. The governor of New Jersey
But Whitney does not rate having our national colors flown at half-staff in her honor.
Section 7M of the Flag Code clearly states:
"In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States or the death of a member of the Armed Forces from any State, territory, or possession who dies while serving on active duty, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff, and the same authority is provided to the Mayor of the District of Columbia with respect to present or former officials of the District of Columbia and members of the Armed Forces from the District of Columbia. When the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, or the Mayor of the District of Columbia, issues a proclamation under the preceding sentence that the National flag be flown at half-staff in that State, territory, or possession or in the District of Columbia because of the death of a member of the Armed Forces, the National flag flown at any Federal installation or facility in the area covered by that proclamation shall be flown at half-staff consistent with that proclamation."
Whitney Houston was an icon of the entertainment industry. She was not a present or formal official of the State of New Jersey
And yes, I know that the flag has been flown at half-staff in honor of others who don't meet the minimum standards of this honor. That still doesn't make it right. Every time we honor someone by doing this, it cheapens the sacrifices that millions have made in service to this country, and they are the ones who earned the right to have the flag flown at half-staff in their honor.
Carry on. --MasterGuns
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The flag code isn't the Bible or Constitution. Whitney Houston meant a lot to a lot of people, and it will make them happy to see her honored. What is wrong with that?
ReplyDeleteIf we where truly interested in honoring people who served their country, we would stop shitting on the document that they swore an oath to defend, the Constitution of the United States. The government of New Jersey, as well as the U.S. Federal Government, has made a mockery of the sacrifice our veterans have made, by its constant disregard and contempt of our constitution. That is where our real outrage should be... Whitney Houston is the last thing anyone should find offensive.
AMEN, Master Guns! I learned the same code as a Boy Scout in the early 70s. It is shameful that we dishonor those who truly deserved the tribute by displaying it for those who have merely entertained. I am saddened that we are displaying what should be a great honor for a drug addicted pathetic lady. She was certainly a wonderful singer and entertainer, but absolutely not in the same league as the men and women who served in the armed forces.
ReplyDeleteDavid R. Fry
It's really sad, I meant she has this great voice that I yearned for yet she choose to go down a spiral path. They said, we shouldn't speak ill of the dead, but sometimes the truth must be told. Whitney was a drug addict who refuse to stay sober and that is the facts. She will be remembered by her music and her drug addiction that cost her death, anyway R.I.P
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