| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| melody |
Posted - Feb 17 2012 : 07:04:44 AM
I am so disgusted with the Governor of New Jersey for even considering lowering "our" flag at half mast for a celebrity drug addict-Shame on Christie....
Correct me if I am wrong but I grew up in the service, my father put in over 20-years and my brother is a vet so how come protocol is being cast to the wind allowing such an honor to be bestowed upon a civilian? I thought it could only be lowered for PATRIOTS? Am I misinformed?
Melody
Farmgirl #525 |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Beverly Gill |
Posted - Feb 20 2012 : 05:36:07 AM
getting a little off the subject---but kind of on it----isn't it sad how we human (Humane?) beings talk about, gossip about, bring up the "dirt" of someone who has died???? Maybe write a book about that person many years later,make a profit off of their side of the STORY.
I just shake my head and wonder where our society is going.
Beverly Gill  
There's no place like home |
| rough start farmgirl |
Posted - Feb 20 2012 : 03:09:31 AM
Mara, I agree and I think that is exactly what Governor Christie had in mind. I think we sometimes confuse "flag" to always mean the stars and stripes. This is reference to the State flag. The governor has more lenience to ordering that flow at half staff.
Marianne |
| Rosemary |
Posted - Feb 20 2012 : 02:35:53 AM
The governors of many states routinely order their state flag to be lowered when a "favorite son" (or daughter) has died, in addition to the more customary government officials. It is more a matter of community cohesiveness and pride than of patriotism. It also shows some respect for the grief of citizens who were related to, or were friends with, the deceased. I think it's a nice tradition. |
| melody |
Posted - Feb 19 2012 : 9:22:33 PM
Thank you Jessie Mae for taking the time to track down flag protocol, I appreciate it!
Melody
Farmgirl #525 |
| JessieMae |
Posted - Feb 19 2012 : 7:50:58 PM
A few years ago, then-Governor Jennifer Granholm signed Proclamation 2003-4, requiring US flags to be lowered to half-staff throughout the state of Michigan and half-mast on Michigan waters whenever a resident of Michigan is killed in the line of duty. I don't know if any other states have this requirement.
This is from the US Flag Code (Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7): "By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. 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. The flag shall be flown at half-staff 30 days from the death of the President or a former President; 10 days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress."
In any event, neither of these apply to Whitney Houston. I think the Governor of New Jersey might've bowed to (uninformed) public pressure.
Jessie Mae
Farmgirl Sisterhood #134 |
| Dorinda |
Posted - Feb 19 2012 : 06:44:40 AM
Nini you put it together so much better than I did. I am in total agreement.
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Feb 19 2012 : 12:22:36 AM
Hi girls -
I had posted last night, but when going in to edit my post, I deleted it instead (a regular occurence when I'm too tired and shouldn't be at the computer) - sorry.
Here is an informative site concerning flag protocol: http://www.gettysburgflag.com/flyflaghalfmast.php
I think that the Governor was well-meaning but misguided to say the least. I believe his decision was made to honor of Ms. Houston for her incredibly moving and inspirational singing of the National Anthem at Superbowl XXV. National pride welled in the breasts of all who watched as she brought down the house. I'll never forget it - ever. She was simply amazing.
Having said that, I don't know whether flying a state flag falls under the same protocols as that of flying a national flag, but I do feel that there are so many other appropriate ways that the Governor could have chosen to honor Ms. Houston. Flying a flag at half-mast is usually reserved for the military or a statesman or a fallen police officer or fireman or a community leader, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. Although Ms. Houston did inspire through her music and contribute through her philanthropic endeavors, she did not give her life for this country or her community, nor did she dedicate her life to the service of others. I do understand why the Governor's decision has upset and offended so many. Flying the flag at half-mast is definitely an honor that should be reserved for those who serve and who have made enormous personal sacrifices for their community and country. Governor Christie really should have better served by choosing an alternate way of honoring Ms. Houston for her contributions.
At this point, what she was into or how this happened is immaterial. I'm sure we all are well aware that none of us are beyond reproach in this life, and all of us would want to be remembered for the love that poured forth from our hearts. This incredibly talented woman is gone and the people who loved her are suffering. Each of us has lost someone important - someone who, to us, at least, is larger than life; so surely we can all imagine the unbearable pain her loved ones are experiencing. With deepest sympathy and heartfelt compassion my prayers truly go out to them.
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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| prayin granny |
Posted - Feb 18 2012 : 10:01:46 PM
Melody ,
Sent an email to you thru the forum
Country at Heart |
| melody |
Posted - Feb 18 2012 : 6:59:21 PM
Prayin Granny....I was not directly or indirectly implying any kind of judgement regarding drug addicts. And to clarify...I have had several very close people in my life deal with drug addiction and alcohol addiction. I am no stranger to what that does to people; both young and old... and what it also does to people who love them. As the bible says He who has not sinned cast the first stone...that's not the issue here. My question is based solely on PROTOCOL regarding flags at half mast.
Melody
Farmgirl #525 |
| Dorinda |
Posted - Feb 18 2012 : 6:51:54 PM
Okay question? Do you think they did that because she was the last person whom sang the national anthem and it was so good that it climbed all the way to number 20 on the charts. So she was the last person to ever put the song back out there for people to hear and buy? Hum did I explain that right? Anyways do you think that is why they lowered the flag?
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
| Annab |
Posted - Feb 18 2012 : 4:09:08 PM
She was also a Jersey native, so I can see this.
For the US flag? No way in !@#$! Reserve that one for those who fight and serve for our country for crying out loud!
I didn't hear which flag it was.
She had a golden voice and indeed did a world of respect for the National Anthem.. that's for sure!!!!
This is purely opinion here , but I rank her voice up there with the likes of Freddy Mercury, Barbera Strisand, (sp) and Judy Garland.
I agree though too, the likes of drug abusing celebrities shouldn't be elevated to such levels.
I am still in shock over the death of Michael Jackson. I grew up listening to all his stuff and the Jackson 5. Boy what I wouldn't give to instantly download all kinds of his music to my IPOD, but knowing his questionable ethics- be they true or not, ....I cannot knowing that someone else in that family will now squander his fortune. Same with Whitney's too. So based on that and crappy Bobby Brown trying to get his hands on her fortune. I won't download any more Witney. Pity for her daughter until she is 18 |
| junkjunkie |
Posted - Feb 18 2012 : 3:00:56 PM
quote:
Originally posted by oldbittyhen
just so you all know, my late husband fought in Nam, my youngest son did 2 tours in Iraq, and yes they and all military should be honored for their selfless acts, but, the flag at 1/2 mast is for policemen/fireman who have died in the line of duty, for Presidents, current and former, and all sorts of differant people for differant reasons. Here where I live, our flags have been at 1/2 mast more times than I want to remember for young men that lived here, and joined the military and died protecting our freedoms...it is a crying shame that a women who "had" a beautiful voice, got mixed up in the life she lived, and probaly died because of it, whether being high, or the damage that her body got due to the drugs, I don't know. I hope she was sober, as many said she has been since 2009, but either way, the "only" one who can judge her is God, not any of us. As far as the Govenor is concerned, I hope in his mind, he did what he did for the right reasons, even if it was wrong...I will not speak ill of the dead, I never walked in her shoes, and not many people have, may she rest in peace...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad"
Well said.
"To have life in focus, we must have death in our field of vision." Benedictine monk John Main |
| rough start farmgirl |
Posted - Feb 18 2012 : 1:30:20 PM
I can understand everyone's outrage. But, I think the Governor said it was the State flag that would be at half-mast. And I think he had the backing of a lot of New Jersey residents. I don't think the US flag was involved. Many people don't agree that even the State flag should be lowered. In this case, I think it's New Jersey's argument not mine, since I live in WA.
Marianne |
| prayin granny |
Posted - Feb 18 2012 : 06:11:05 AM
Thank you Tina and Cindy!!!!
Regardless of the views on the flag issue? Why is it always easy to judge others?
Blessings,
Linda
www.scatteredlittleblessings.blogspot.com
Country at Heart |
| Lessie Louise |
Posted - Feb 18 2012 : 05:37:46 AM
Even if one does not have family in the military, just look around at all your freedom and rights because someone's husband, son, daughter, wife, brother, sister died so we can have these rights. Not because someone died who could sing. Every American benefits from the military, and certain privileges should be reserved for the military men and women. Not for some one who can sing. Shame on you Govenor
....it's what's inside a women, when she's up against the land.
Farmgirl #680!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lessielouise22 |
| Fiddlehead Farm |
Posted - Feb 18 2012 : 05:31:25 AM
I don't think it is right to lower the flags for celebrities. I think our media and the younger generations idolize celebrities way too much. I think the flag should be lowered for fallen military who died defending our freedoms. My DH and SIL are both active duty and have served 5 tours between them in combat. If either of them had made the ultimate sacrifice, I sure hope the flags in our State or local community would be at half mast.
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922
I am trying to be the person my dogs think I am.
I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.
- E. B. White |
| edlund33 |
Posted - Feb 17 2012 : 6:45:36 PM
Well stated, tangledthreads!
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
http://blueskyanddaisies.blogspot.com
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
| tangledthreads |
Posted - Feb 17 2012 : 5:37:24 PM
I can't see this from a military stand point as I don't have any family in the service right now but I think Whitney certainly was an amazing talent that leaves a beautiful legacy of music. I know there are many brides who have precious memories of dancing their first dance to her music. I think maybe he wanted to honor what her music has meant to many of us.
*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´Michelle Farmgirl #85
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangledthreadstn My Altered Art
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangled-threads My Garden, etc.
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
Mahatma Ghandi
Well behaved women rarely make history.
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| DollyDoodles |
Posted - Feb 17 2012 : 5:25:06 PM
That is sure a slap in the face to our military and others that serve our country.
The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.
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| oldbittyhen |
Posted - Feb 17 2012 : 5:08:32 PM
just so you all know, my late husband fought in Nam, my youngest son did 2 tours in Iraq, and yes they and all military should be honored for their selfless acts, but, the flag at 1/2 mast is for policemen/fireman who have died in the line of duty, for Presidents, current and former, and all sorts of differant people for differant reasons. Here where I live, our flags have been at 1/2 mast more times than I want to remember for young men that lived here, and joined the military and died protecting our freedoms...it is a crying shame that a women who "had" a beautiful voice, got mixed up in the life she lived, and probaly died because of it, whether being high, or the damage that her body got due to the drugs, I don't know. I hope she was sober, as many said she has been since 2009, but either way, the "only" one who can judge her is God, not any of us. As far as the Govenor is concerned, I hope in his mind, he did what he did for the right reasons, even if it was wrong...I will not speak ill of the dead, I never walked in her shoes, and not many people have, may she rest in peace...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
| prariehawk |
Posted - Feb 17 2012 : 5:02:26 PM
I think it's inappropriate to lower the flag for a celebrity, but as for her being drug-addicted, "judge not lest ye be judged". I believe Jesus said that.
Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| jan49829 |
Posted - Feb 17 2012 : 4:43:18 PM
It is disrespectful to our soldiers that served out country. Seems celebrities get more publicity than our own presidents do!!!
Janet
Farmgirl Sister #3340
http://hardatworkcrafts.blogspot.com
http://Jan49829.etsy.com
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| fille de ferme |
Posted - Feb 17 2012 : 3:32:45 PM
Hi :) I am glad to see I am not the only one to think that lowering the flag for a celebrity is so wrong. Especially a drug addicted one at that. Will there be protesters, spitting on her casket as well, or is that just reserved for our soldiers ? All I can say is shame on those who are breaking protocol !!!!!
Blessings |
| Prairie Gypsy |
Posted - Feb 17 2012 : 3:06:07 PM
It's rare that a flag is lowered for a soldier that has died fighting for our country. There was no dignity in her death. That he is lowering our country's flag for an alcoholic drug addict makes me furious!
Farmgirl Sister # 2363
http://twilightburrough.blogspot.com/
Warren, MI
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| heritagehunter |
Posted - Feb 17 2012 : 12:05:40 PM
Boo, hiss! Very disrespectful to those that serve! |
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