Fly the flag at half staff for a junkie ? ? Going to fly the flag ay half staff do it for all the guy's that are coming home to N.J. from Dover Delaware that have died in combat ! !

I picked # 3, for military, police and firemen in the poll. But I would not include legislators. What do they do that's so life threatening?

Absolutely not. I'm with Ron D. She is an entertainer who gave us many gifts of song, but could not control her drug habit. Altho I don't she died of an OD, but fell asleep and slipped under the water and drowned on prescription meds.

We have a entire group of young men who gave their lives for this country. She is not on that list.

Forget the drugs the flag represents us, the US and to lower the flag for no one singer or not is a disgrace to the Flag, US and is no different that those that burn it.

No. That's an honor that should not be given lightly. A more appropriate honor would be induction into the NJ Hall of Fame, by public vote only.

#3 is the way for Me ! I loved Whitney's music and she is a star no doubt, but these honors need to be for the rights of heroes !

I agree with all those who voted for #3...this honor should be reserved for true 'Heros'

i picked #3 this is another way for christy to try to be popular stick with destroying the union working middle class

Are you serious? That is an honor for military, police, and fireman! She may have had a great talent but that us not deserving of the flag at half staff.

I could understand some here oppose the flag at half staff for Whitney as an entertainer not military, but the same
Was done for Frank Sinatra who some say didn't have a perfect life either. That started the precedence and I think gov Christie is taking the high road on this.

Although I truly enjoyed Whitney's singing and acting, I still selected #3 and feel it is wrong to lower the flags for her.

I just retired from a 20 year career in the military that included over 100 combat sorties in Iraq and Afghanistan. I'm am glad to know that my teenage daughter can grow up, sing, become famous, get catered to, do drugs, avoid paying taxes, break the law, make millions and spend it all on crack and the state will honor her with a flag at half-staff when she dies. But what I have accomplished won't be important enough for the state to lower the flag for me. Shame.

As a veteran who lost friends and colleuges in our nations recent conflicts, I can not condone Govornor Christies decision to honor an entertainers death by ordering the flags lowered. While I appreciate Ms. Houstons contribution to the arts and her philanthropy, I feel that certain honors should be reserved for our fallen military members, firefighters, police, and other public servants. While I can only speak for myself, I feel that actions like this by our elected officials cheapen the service that our uniformed men and women provide at great sacrifice. There are more appropriate ways to honor entertainers. The Grammys, Emmys, and Oscars serve this purpose well. Lowering the flag does not.

Amen to Jamie & Greggs comments......well said and thank you for your service to this great country.

What kind of message is this sending out??
Why won't they fly the flag for OUR FALLEN SOLIDERS?????
Yes she had a beautiful voice, but what is the first thing everyone thought of when we all heard she died??? DRUGS...........................
I love Chris Cristy, but for him to chose to do this is just flat out wrong

NO

She was great....no hero....she is no example I want my kids to follow. I think it was wrong to do it in the past....and it needs to stop. Too many have died and are still dying defending our rights n freedom and its a disgrace to their honor to fly our beautiful flag at half mass for anyone else but the men and women who put their own life on the line for others.

Gov. does NOT HAVE the authority to fly the flag half-staff for WHOMEVER HE chooses... http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/faq.htm (This is a DISGRACE) Can the governor order the US flag half-staffed for anyone he or she chooses?

No. Section 7m of the Flag Code authorizes a governor to half-staff the US flag upon the death of a present or former official of the government of the state, or the death of a member of the Armed Forces from that state who dies while serving on active duty. ...A recent change allows governors to order the flag to half-staff to honor fallen soldiers from their state (see Public Law 110-41). The change was the result of governor proclamations, like this one from Governor Granholm of Michigan.

"What do you think? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts in the comment section below." The poll is not available in mobile edition view. Why?

No I don't think you should because where does it end have they do the flag at half -staff for all the acters they lived in New Jersey I don't think so. I am a Fire men in NJ and it should just be don't for Fire, Police,Armed Forces and government officials state , county and local. I can't beleave Gov Christie even thought to do something like that with the type of person he is unless someone else in higher places told him to do it.I voted # 3 Stanley Shamong NJ

Half-staff or half mast is the term describing flying a flag below the summit of the flagpole (mast). This is done in many countries as a symbol of respect, mourning, or distress.

Every year, the government flags are flown at half mast for September 11, Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. So for everyone who is commenting on not having a flag flown for them for serving in the military, you are wrong. It does fly for you.

Whitney Houston had an extreme talent and brought smiles to literally millions of people. That is worthy of our respect.

I believe that people have forgotten that she was also an abused spouse and survived. That is also worthy of our respect.

It is sad to see someone with that kind of talent cut down, by whatever reason, so young.

Have a little compassion. Suffering from a drug addiction does not make someone less of a person.

And if you have a problem with Christie, let's focus on the life threatening things he does to us, in government.

She does not deserve the honor Chrisite is giving her. But he is not honoring her, he is cultivating votes

I just rode past the West Deptford and National Park town hall buildings, plus two VFW's and none of these buildings had "any" flags at half-staff, whether it be the American Flag, State Flags, or MIA Flag. So much for Christie's order for flags to be lowered.

Perhaps just newark and state buildings

That would be great if he didn't.idiot

Perhaps you may be right , NJ needs Governor Chris Christie thru 2017.

http://www.usflag.org/nffhalfstaff.html

pretty sure this explains why we should not fly our flag at half staff today

Seriously? Clarence Clemmons and Whitney Houston, but not Frank? If Frank didn't receive this honor, then NO entertainer should (or should have gotten) get this honor!

The Gov. has violated the law concerning flags at half staff and should have been so so advised BEFORE the dumb announcement. This comment has nothing to do with Ms Houston.

No, she was a druggie.

I think we should stop the hate. The Gov made a great call. Let's show honor to the Icon. She deserved it.

To late it's been done and guess what were all still alive. Lol stop being so serious over something like this I am a 20 year Armed Forces veteran and through the lives that I've taken I feel ashamed for taking there lives every night but I've been forced to see it as an honor yes Ive fought for my country but was it always for the right cause I don't feel like it was. All Whitney Houston did was made beautiful music and brought smiles and joy to lives all over the world. I feel like I put smiles on Americans face but what did I do for the mother of the person that I killed in cold blood in other countries? Not everyone killed by the US is connected to Bin Laden our a Terrorist sometimes they are just citizens caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. We are all humans and no one human should be more or less honorable when we die because we all have to stand before the gates at some point or another and to tell u the truth I hope Whitney would vouch for me when I'm there because she may have used drugs but when u look in the bible one thing that stands out is THEE SHALT NOT KILL and though my services are honored how is god gonna fill about my situation even though they were in a different country they were still all children of god.

Whitney was a beautiful and so, so talented entertainer....that is what she should be remembered for; not her troubles as I am sure we all know someone suffering from the same demons. With that said, I believe the govenor made a political move and did not have Whitney at the forefront of his thoughts when making this decision. What deserves more for the right to have a flag flown at half-mast then the loss of NJ's sons and daughters returning to our country for burial. These are the hero's of NJ and the country as a whole.

The US Code is quite specific what the Governor can do and celebrity doesn't make the cut:

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, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff.

Stop hating people! Although I wouln't believe the governor if he called me by my proper name, I feel he came through positively on this one. I do thank all of the military for their service, but we do have Veterans Day and Memorial Day for service people. And while we're at it, no one knows the exact cause of death yet, so stop speculating. Previous drug use does not necessarily mean this was her COD. And I believe many of these haters are probably the same folks that flock to Graceland. I believe Elvis had his problems too. Let Whitney rest in peace and go about the business of living your own lives.

Brava - Northjerseygirl - I doubt these haters would have objected to similar honors re Elvis' death. Houston's cause of death was likely the same. What's the difference? They were both absolute masters of their craft and the craft has immense influence on our popular culture. The distinguishing feature is race. The same one that precluded haters from sticking their fingers in Bill Clinton's face, yelling "you lie" at the State of the Union, etc...but enabled them to do that to the current president. They disliked Clinton too, but did not utterly hate him and have not one iota of respect for him like they do for this democratic president. What's the difference? Same difference. Racism.

Christie needs to get his head out of his ass.Wake yp man.

@Doclaw and @northjerseygirl

Your comments are counter-productive. It is dishonest to turn a discussion of the merits of Governor Christie's decision on displaying the flag into screaming emotional accusation of racism. The intent of this forum was to discuss a political decision to honor a pop-star with a history of substance abuse. I am not sure what the intent of your inappropriate and off topic comments are. However, I do encourage you exercise restraint when you have the desire to fling mud at your opponent in a philosophical argument.

Gregg B. I have to disagree with you calling out Doc and nJgirl on their perceptions of racism: it's real hard to ignore the appearance racial pandering on the part of our governor. After all, the (unarguably) greatest entertainer to ever come from NJ was white and when he died the requests to lower the flag were denied (by our last republican governor). Then, a decade later, two lesser entertainers (both black; one of the two barely known by name outside of our state!) are honored this way. Sorry dude, it may not be what it looks like, but it still looks like racial pandering. Shame on Christie.

Now that the precedent has been established, I guess it would be appropriate to fly the flag at half mast for every crackhead that dies on the streets of Newark and Camden!

I hope someone who matters read this post. Why would Whitney deserve a half mast? Did she spend her time travelling and doing shows for our troops? She had a pretty voice, and. Battled drugs for years. She was a drug addict. Whether she died of an overdose, or from years of abusing her body, her singing career was in itself special. It is great that she is from NJ. OK, but she did not serve our state or act with honor. The flag represents service and honor and the lowering the flag should be for those who serve!,

If drug abuse and spousal abuse are grounds for a dishonorable discharge from the military why would anyone especially a governor of a state honor anyone whom would have been dishonorably discharged (over her addictions) had she had the courage to serve the country (which she did not). This is one of the most revered honors our country has to offer. This honor should be saved for people of lived with honor and dignity, Houston died with neither. Overcoming addiction is certainly not an honor. Abusing your husband and allowing him to abuse you just to get a fix of drugs is no heroic life event, it’s disgraceful. Anyone who believes drug addiction is heroic obviously never dealt with it in their family it’s not a sickness and calling it one is only an excuse to accept it.

Flying the flag at half mast should not be done to tally votes as Governor Christie just attempted to do, it should be to honor heroes who died for our country not for a crack pipe. Every military, Police, firefighter and elected official and their families should remind Christie of his disingenuous use of the flag next November.

How long before the Democrats in Trenton draft legislation condemning the Gov for flying the flag at half staff?

Schu- I didn't think it was a democrat -republican issue but you make a good point. I just wonder why it's only the Democrats that care about having honor for the flag and what half mast stands for? Seriously because if what you say is true, why would anyone vote for a republican to serve as an elected official who blatantly disregards our military by flying the flag at half mast for a crack head, spousal abuser like Houston? It is an obvious blatant attempt to garner the black population vote (first Clemmons now Houston) we all see that, but why does he refuse to honor fallen soldiers? Oh no votes there I suppose. As a black man and a military veteran I find it disingenuous to try to by my vote this way.

All Christie did was lose my vote and many others in the black community by exploiting one of the most sacred rituals we hold dear (the honor of death and the US Flag) just to by votes.

If the democrats put a bill together enforcing the honor of the flag so these such abuses never happen again and Republicans refuse to sign it they should be held accountable by the voters and I’d bet they probably will be.

Andre, I so respect your post and how you cut right thru the BS and your brutal honesty.

How do you feel about the following information I received this morning?

Obama Launches African Americans For Obama

http://youtu.be/BdjoHA5ocwU

I can see this is going to stir the pot too.

she was a dope smokin' hooligan, no flag for her!

This should not even be up for debate, i feel disgusted to live in a state and country where it is deemed fit to show the same respect to a dead, burnt out, junkie pop star as we show to a fallen service member, you should all be ashamed of yourselves. Life is all about choices.

Good Job Governor Christie you have sunk to a new low in your attempts to gain the black vote you decide to immortalize a crack head child abuser while snubbing your nose at the military police and firefighters whom are truly deserving of our honor and patriotism.

This is just one instance in a long laundry list of reasons this crack head doesn’t even deserve our tears let alone the prestigious honor Christie bestowed on the drug addict.

'I couldn’t believe my eyes, here was Whitney Houston in the back of my limo smoking crack with her six or seven-year-old daughter sat next to her playing with a doll, it was heart-breaking, out of control.
'I’ve driven some big stars over the years – Michael and Janet Jackson, Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue – but Whitney was by far the worst behaved.

'It was tragic to see. Here was this glamorous superstar adored around the world, but in the back of my car she was a rambling drug addict, a complete train wreck.

'It was so sad, I wanted to help her but she was just too out of control and wouldn’t listen to anyone.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2102944/Whitney-Houston-smoked-crack-limo-daughter-sat-playing-doll.html

Terrance first let me say thankyou for serving our country...but u chose to join knowing you would have to go and fight and possibly kill. It is not like there was a draft....but it now sounds like you are almost looking for attention and sympathy for something you chose to do. What you wrote has nothing to do with the discusion of whitney and the flag...you started talking about how u killed people...the bible and all this other stuff. Again you chose to fight and kill that kid who has a mom...dont make youself to out to be a victim like vietnam vets when u chose to join....again thankyou for serving but lookong for aytention is not what real soldiers should do...just my opinion

I'm disappointed, but not surprised, at how many people are focusing on Whitney's drug use. It is irrelevant! If she was the Mother Theresa of pop stars she still wouldn't be deserving of this honor! This honor is supposed to be reserved for people who've served our country in one capacity or another. . . NOT entertainers! C'mon people, FOCUS!

That's pretty much where I'm at - to me it's a strange and curious decision. There's no need to attack Whitney to make the point.

What interests me is that Christie clearly has compassion for those struggling with drug addiction. His call to address the issue with counseling as opposed to jail time for non-violent drug offenders is one his most admirable stances. Let's hope he doesn't lose that on his way to 2016.

Ron - you can tell that to Christie next time you vote, I'm just telling what I see from the guy. I don't disagree with you on lowering the flag, it should only be done for military and political figures...not entertainers (I bet this nonsense started with Bob Hope).

And I'd feel that way if it was Bruce, Bon Jovi, or an entertainer who didn't struggle with addiction.

That's a great story.

That's the only entertainer I can imagine having been afforded he honor, but I didn't get to check.

Now, would you fly the flag at half staff for guys like Jimmy Stewart or Clarke Gable? Guys who flew B-17 missions over occupied Europe? If they flew it for that draft-dodging John Wayne I'm going to puke.