U.S. Flag lowered for Whitney Houston? (Page 4)

OCD_OCD: I'm not listening! I have my hands over my ears and my thumbs up my nose.

Wild__: Thumbs up your nose? Well thats better than carrots I suppose.

StuckInTheSixties:

On page 1:

I said:
"If Betty Ford had died while the First Lady, would it have been "wrong" to fly flags at half-staff in her honor?"

OCD answered (my emphasis added in CAPS) :
"YES IT IS WRONG. I would not equate flying our flag at half staff for men and women who gave their lives for our freedom the same as a celebrity. the fact that she was talented but messed up doesn't change my opinion.

Then later OCD said:
"I never said that Betty Ford would not qualify.
She was a First Lady. Whitney Houston was not."



Since I asked if it would have been "wrong" ...

... and you directly answered "Yes it is wrong" ...

... I took those words as being a direct answer to my question. You wouldn't hypothetically fly the flag at half-staff for Betty Ford the addict for the same reason that you wouldn't for Whitney the addict - because their addictions somehow disqualify them from receiving that honor.

But you've explained that somehow, that's not what you meant. So it comes back to an inconsistency when it comes to the addiction issue. Tell me if I understand it correctly now. According to your personal ethical outlook on the "half-staff issue:

If you're an addict, and you've given "national sacrifice," you qualify.

If you're an addict, and you're the First Lady (or, I suppose, in some other way, some sort of political or government figure or something) you qualify.

If you're an addict, but haven't given "national sacrifice," (or you're not some sort of political or government figure or something), you DON'T qualify.

Is that it?

lavendar_star: I think it does seem bit over the top to lower the flag for a pop star but obviously that governor was a big super-fan of Whitney. lol I personally think people need to wake up and resolve the issue of legal and illegal drug taking in Hollywood and America in general, Whitney is like the fifth, sixth person to die in association with prescription drugs; MJ, Anna Nicola and Heath Ledger that now seems to be the major cause of death even taking over illegal drugs.

Obviously with Amy Winehouse it was the drink that got her not the Crack or Heroin I think her family started up a fund to help others which is what celebrities families should do when their loved one dies from drugs.

edit for spelling. grrrrrrrrrrrr

lavendar_star: lol what are you on about GTG, apparently Amy Winehouse found a decent man and she had kicked the hard drugs. As for Whitney not to be surprised crack had killed her voice, unlike rock stars who dont need a clear voice I think for proper singer Crack is the drugs that's going to take out your throat.

I feel more sorry when young stars die as Amy was 27 where as Whitney had 20 years extra to live, the same goes for MJ compared to Kurt Cobain (OD from Heroin) who also (conspiracy lol) who also died at 27, its far more tragic for me.

What is this lets watch a celebrity's funeral its so morbid and unnecessary the "Princess Diana syndrome" has spread.

OCD_OCD: I see where the confusion comes from. I did not mean that the flag should not be lowered had Betty Ford died. I meant that it is wrong to consider media celebrities as being worthy of lowering our flag for.

Wild__: And on a lighter note:

Aerosmith made awesome music when they were high!

Imagine if Jimi Hendrix had made music without the influence of drugs. Purple Haze would not exist.

And without the influence of drugs on musicians, I wouldn't have SLAYER. When the time comes, don't cremate those guys. They will burn for a week!

OCD_OCD: Amy's demise was hard to watch. I really did enjoy her music, but she looked prettier before she became a bag of bones and boobs.

lavendar_star: Amy Winehouse was born to be the singing legend her music really showed the best of British she was a proper typical London girl ( her attitude not the lifestyle), her transformation was a billboard about the damages of hard drugs. sad

However, Wildman does have a point about how drugs has influence musicians, I know with Amy she need heart break , drama and a muse to write her music even though the guy was a druggie.

Im interesting on your theory GTG about Amy's heart died a year ago lol

OCD_OCD: She was a walking addiction. The singer died long before her body did for sure.

lavendar_star: Well yes your right, I think the same happened to Whitney and Im guessing poor druggie or rich one you dont eat much smoking crack or heroin hence why they are always skinny, I dont think Ive ever seen a fat junkie on the streets before lol. but I gather rich junkies have the money and get free drugs to smoke or shot up so much that even a young person will eventually die from the constant use. It was sad with Amy as she did kick the drugs but not the booze.

Wild__: The members of Motley Crue have abused heavy drugs for decades and still survive. Don't cremate those guys either. They will burn for a month!

lavendar_star: Well drugs is pot luck, I watched a documentary about Kurt Cobain and the guitarist from Guns and Roses ( who I loved ) was saying he was taking as much drugs as Kurt did in the 90s but he survived, its Russian. roulette.

I did read a article that Paul McCartney only recent stopped smoking weed lol and he seems to have his sense still with him, its strange drugs for some it will kill you whilst others will survive.

mmm so back to the original question of this thread should someone who had not battle their demons gather so much respect, maybe not but celebrities seems to be forgiven for many a sin unlike your average folk.

Wild__: As the comedian Dennis Leary pionted out: Its always the talented musician that pass away, like Jimi Hendrix or Janis Joplin and we are left Motley Crue. So true, so true.

Chad_: What a joke......to fly flags at half-staff for her.......she was a known CRACK HEAD....Just because you sell 140 million records doesnt give you that kinda of status does it?
We lose men and women each day fighting for the freedoms our country has. but this known crack head....sells millions of records and we hold her to a high standard to put a American Flag at Half-Staff.......Please I gonna throw up...
I feel for her family and daughter.....but she is no american hero.......not even close

lavendar_star: lol@ wildman at the ones left behind and they were so young its morbid but when musicians die young they have extra legend of what could been on top of the great music they have already made l.

@GTG that videos of Back to Black creeps me out now when I watch it now and well crack would mess up your voice and unlike Amy, Whitney got into drugs at a later stage in life and she had high notes to hit compared to a low voice. I bet she was on drugs when she got on stage just like Amy their last concerts were shambles its such a shame but my pity only goes so far as rich people have luxurious rehab and so much going for them unlike your poor drug addict living on the streets and selling their body.