[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by blueash

I am not a fan of Gov. Christie, but he has clearly articulated his criteria for lowering the US Flag (not the state flag) at government buildings. He is not suggesting that individuals do so. His entire statement is found at :
Chris Christie on Whitney Houston flag-lowering controversy | Capitol Quickies

The highlight would be these sentences (edited for brevity)

"I don’t think anybody can argue with the fact that Whitney Houston made a significant cultural impact on the people of our state and the people of our country. And I believe that she deserves to be honored for that cultural impact and contribution that she made as a daughter of New Jersey. I understand there can be people who disagree with that. And I respect their disagreement. But I just want them to be accurate about it. Some of them have said, ‘You do this for her, you won’t do it for a fallen soldier.’ Well, every fallen soldier who has lost their life during this administration has had that honor. ‘You do it for her, but you won’t do it for a fallen police officer.’ Every fallen police officer in my administration has received that honor. So some people who are being critical are being critical without any knowledge of what the real facts are...I’m not saying that Whitney Houston is a role model. She’s not a role model in that respect, in every aspect of her life. But what she is is a cultural icon in the history of this state."

So for everyone who says "why not fallen soldiers".... He did it for soldiers, and police and firemen, and other musicians. He lowers the flag for the public contribution of the deceased, not the private troubles. He does not ask if the fallen cop was "crack addict" or an alcoholic, or made some poor life choices, they are honored for what they did for New Jersey. And I'm sorry to say that I suspect an element of racial animus in all these angry responses.

What exactly did she do for New Jersey?

[Serenoa]

If nothing else, perhaps she made them proud to call her one of their own. Would that be ok?
Do you fine folks just sit around all day thinking of things to complain about? Why all the negativity? I thought TV was supposed to be a happy place? Lighten up a little, please. Did the State of New Jersey lowering a flag to honor one of its natives really, directly affect you in any way? I don't think so.

[quirky3]

Originally Posted by Serenoa

If nothing else, perhaps she made them proud to call her one of their own. Would that be ok?
Do you fine folks just sit around all day thinking of things to complain about? Why all the negativity? I thought TV was supposed to be a happy place? Lighten up a little, please. Did the State of New Jersey lowering a flag to honor one of its natives really, directly affect you in any way? I don't think so.

I agree with Serenoa and BlueAsh. 49 entries and growing - why the animus? It is a striking contrast to other topics about breaking the law and advising people to "lighten up" and mind their own business. Nobody broke the law here. They did something nice for someone.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Serenoa

Do you fine folks just sit around all day thinking of things to complain about? Why all the negativity? I thought TV was supposed to be a happy place?

The Villages is a happy place, but that doesn't mean all residents are always happy about everything. It's not Stepford country.

[Oren L Miller]

Originally Posted by Serenoa

If nothing else, perhaps she made them proud to call her one of their own. Would that be ok?
Do you fine folks just sit around all day thinking of things to complain about? Why all the negativity? I thought TV was supposed to be a happy place? Lighten up a little, please. Did the State of New Jersey lowering a flag to honor one of its natives really, directly affect you in any way? I don't think so.

It just makes me question his ability to make a good decision. His entire legislature passes a bill to legalize gay marriage and he said No. Most people want to honor the young men and women who are dying for our country and he doesn't support the lowering of flags for them or a parade for the soldiers that were able to return. He says Whitney was not a good role model for our young kids but he sill wants to idolize her. I just makes me question the young man's ability to make good decisions and show good logic.

[angiefox10]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

The Villages is a happy place, but that doesn't mean all residents are always happy about everything. It's not Stepford country.

I agree.

The forums are for discussions. This topic is as good as any.

[billethkid]

lowering the flag for her is not just doing something nice!!! It disrespects the original intents that dictate when a flag is flown at half staff.


If Christie wanted to do something nice...lower the state flag. Leave old glory for what she was intended!!!

A role model she is not....waste of a young and fortunate life.

btk

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by Posh 08

What exactly did she do for New Jersey?

I wasn't going to post in this thread because IMHO it is a bit too much of an exercise in futility for me. However, your question did grab my attention.

I don't think it specifically does anything for Jersey itself except for emphasizing the pride it's residents should and probably do feel for one of their own who made good and achieved much in her chosen field. However, I think it does a world of good for the people of the City of Newark.

At the end of the 1970's, shortly after the infamous Newark riots, I offered to drive a member of the Drum Corps I belonged to a ride home, as he couldn't afford transportation nor had anyone else to drive him. When we reached the part of Newark where he wanted to be left off, I was loaded with anxiety and couldn't wait to get away. It was the scariest, spookiest place I can remember that I have ever been in. It was like about one or two in the morning and there were row buildings as far as the eye stretched, probably a typical inner city infrastructure. There was not a sole in the streets, quite opposite to what I've experienced at Harlem in the middle of the night, and there wasn't a single light in any of the buildings.

What I'm trying to say here is that Newark was and probably still is a highly depressed area with little or no reason to give their resident's any pride... at least that I've ever heard of. By the lowering of the flag for one of their own, it provided a little bit of pride, if only briefly, for the residents of Newark and just maybe a tiny bit of hope for their future.

So for ever it's worth, that's my answer to your question.

[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by skyguy79

I wasn't going to post in this thread because IMHO it is a bit too much of an exercise in futility for me. However, your question did grab my attention.

I don't think it specifically does anything for Jersey itself except for emphasizing the pride it's residents should and probably do feel for one of their own who made good and achieved much in her chosen field. However, I think it does a world of good for the people of the City of Newark.

At the end of the 1970's, shortly after the infamous Newark riots, I offered to drive a member of the Drum Corps I belonged to a ride home, as he couldn't afford transportation nor had anyone else to drive him. When we reached the part of Newark where he wanted to be left off, I was loaded with anxiety and couldn't wait to get away. It was the scariest, spookiest place I can remember that I have ever been in. It was like about one or two in the morning and there were row buildings as far as the eye stretched, probably a typical inner city infrastructure. There was not a sole in the streets, quite opposite to what I've experienced at Harlem in the middle of the night, and there wasn't a single light in any of the buildings.

What I'm trying to say here is that Newark was and probably still is a highly depressed area with little or no reason to give their resident's any pride... at least that I've ever heard of. By the lowering of the flag for one of their own, it provided a little bit of pride, if only briefly, for the residents of Newark and just maybe a tiny bit of hope for their future.

So for ever it's worth, that's my answer to your question.

OK I accept that, but I think the State Flag may have been more appropriate. It looks like our National Flag was used as a political move. That's my opinion. I'm an American and have a right to speak it.

[paulandjean]

Not sure where I have missed this, NY will not honor vets with a parade. When? Where? Why? Who?

[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by paulandjean

Not sure where I have missed this, NY will not honor vets with a parade. When? Where? Why? Who?

My take on it was that NYC didn't want to have a parade for returning service personnel from Iraq. One source said not with Afghanistan still going on. Can't find that source. St. Louis did a parade.

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by Posh 08

OK I accept that, but I think the State Flag may have been more appropriate. It looks like our National Flag was used as a political move. That's my opinion. I'm an American and have a right to speak it.

I agree with you that the State Flag would have been more appropriate, but I feel that if his actions were political, I don't feel that they're as political as the mass effort to crucify Christie over it. I also have to say... where were the nay-sayers, if this is such a big deal lack of judgment, when Christie ordered flags lowered for the famous saxophonist Clarence Clemons when he died last year? Nary a word was heard about that was there? Sounds to me like the issue is more about a moment of political opportunity to demonize than a laps of judgment in bestowing an honor!

[angiefox10]

Originally Posted by skyguy79

I agree with you that the State Flag would have been more appropriate, but I feel that if his actions were political, I don't feel that they're as political as the mass effort to crucify Christie over it. I also have to say... where were the nay-sayers, if this is such a big deal lack of judgment, when Christie ordered flags lowered for the famous saxophonist Clarence Clemons when he died last year? Nary a word was heard about that was there? Sounds to me like the issue is more about a moment of political opportunity to demonize than a laps of judgment in bestowing an honor!

Interesting... I wasn't aware of that and to that... You make a good point!!!!


Huh??? Did I just agree with Skyguy? NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by skyguy79

I agree with you that the State Flag would have been more appropriate, but I feel that if his actions were political, I don't feel that they're as political as the mass effort to crucify Christie over it. I also have to say... where were the nay-sayers, if this is such a big deal lack of judgment, when Christie ordered flags lowered for the famous saxophonist Clarence Clemons when he died last year? Nary a word was heard about that was there? Sounds to me like the issue is more about a moment of political opportunity to demonize than a laps of judgment in bestowing an honor!

I had read that Mr. Clemons had passed away. Only after it was said he was with that band did I realize who he was. Didn't see any stories about flags lowered for him. The Governor of NJ wants to lower flags for entertainers, have at it. He and I have different views of who should receive such an honor. He opened the door with Mr. Clemons. Kind of hard to close it for Ms. Houston.

[graciegirl]

I always agree with Skyguy and Angie Fox. Y'all please keep agreeing or I am gonna be in trouble.

I was always so impressed with her wonderful musical ability and absolutely magnicent style in clothing and costuming. I don't recall one outfit that was "over the top" or inappropriate and she never resorted to anything on stage but just wonderful sound and she was always just breathtakingly beautiful!

She came from a fine family who loved her and sang to a nation that appreciated her and now she is one more damn statistic to addiction.

Keep telling your grandchildren that drugs will kill you is the only thing I can take from this as I think about her life that ended way too soon.