NJ flags to fly at half-staff for Whitney Houston

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says he will order flags flown at half-staff at state government buildings Saturday in memory of Whitney Houston.

The governor says Houston was a "cultural icon" who belongs in the same category in New Jersey music history as Frank Sinatra, Count Basie and Bruce Springsteen.

He says her accomplishments were "a great source of pride for the people of the state."

Her funeral will be held the same day in her birthplace of Newark.

[DAVEIYAOYAS]

I refuse to put my American Flag at half staff for Whitney Houston. That is an honor for Fallen Soldiers... Not a star that made the choice to live a life of drugs and alcohol abuse. She was not a Veteran of war or a P.O.W. I am sure all veterans, enlisted military and the families of these men & women are as disgusted and/or appalled by this as I am... If this offends you, feel free to unfriend me A.S.A.P. for those who agree, please show your feelings and pass this on (I stole this cuz I couldn't agree more).

[sassyldb]

I feel as if flying the state flag of New Jersey at half staff for Whitney Houston is a huge slap in the face. Who is she, and what contributions did she make to America? Don't get me wrong... I LOVED her music, no doubt she had the voice of an angel. But what about the police force, the firefighters, the military and everyone else who really makes sacrifices EVERY day of their life for the United States of America? People that would die for their country, what do they get? Thrown into landfills, buried in the wrong graves, etc. She was by far not royalty, which is what flags flown at half staff are supposed to be meant for. Not Whitney Houston and drug abuse.

[navywife1]

what a slap in the face to all of the men and women who have DIED fighting for our country--as a wife of someone that is currently over in Afghanistan busting his ass for our country i find this absolutely offensive!!! i loved whitneys music too --and although her death is a tragedy--it does NOT constitute a flag flying at half staff!!! what is wrong with our country that all it takes is a super star's death to all of a sudden change the rules....

[plainjane824]

The rules were not changes....have you ever read the rules for flying the flag at half mast?? In fact all the men and women who have died for out freedom get the flag flown at half mast every year. It happens the last Monday in May, it's called Memorial Day. Your husband and all other people have Veterans Day. Flying the flag at half mast is not JUST a military/hero's honor. The President and state Governors have the right to do it for anyone (if they say they want it down for a serial killer they can) If the President or any congressman dies the whole country is suppose to fly their flag's at half mast....our President hates the military and out congress are far from heroes so why should they get the honor??? Did you know when you fly the flag that way that you are suppose to raise it all the way to the top before lowering it to half mast then again to the top before you take it down for the night?

[moblessed]

It's funny how he will fly the flag at half mast for a drug addict who did nothing for our country but will refuse to sign a bill to allow same sex couples to get married. I think that the flag should only be flown at half mast for people who have fought and died for our freedom.

Hope they get all the white powder off her upper lip before they bury her.... just sayin.

[devlish3horndmale69u]

As a prior military USN active duty....I DISAGREE with flying the flag 1/2 mast to other then people who was military...armed forced, special forces,law enforcement and fire fighters .I would even disagree with politics who never served in the military to have honors given to them.
These are the people who deserve the honors...........not artist , musicians,dramatic cry baby's that follow there idols.
when I was serving I have been to many funerals as a honor guard......this is a special requirement to those who in the life in past wars....and disserve there rights and the united states flag , given to there family's.


if you don't understand this mater then join the armed forces yourself........be under paid, work 7 days a week, away from your kids.....fight also in wars..and defend your country.

[Rebalove]

Where's the fairness. They did not do this for Reba when she took a fall from the Austrain Mountain. This is just not fair. Equality for country music legends!!! Love you and fancy you always Reba!

[Levi66]

Absolutely not! We should reserve the flags at half staff for our military and other men and women who have served our country. I understand that she was an artist,singer,etc., but she also was a known drug abuser. What kind of message would we be sending to our nation by doing such a dishonor.

[Keaaulady]

What about half staff to honor other citizens?
•Only the president of the United States or the governor of the state may order the flag to be at half-staff to honor the death of a national or state figure.
•In addition to the traditional half-staff salutes when proclaimed by the President, the Flag Code mentions the use of our Flag for honoring citizens who have died, especially government officials and prominent citizens. However, the Flag Code does not exclude any citizen, whether they belong to an organization or not, whether they are recognized very locally or regionally. Examples of deceased citizens that might be honored with by lowering the Flag to half-staff include local religious leaders, youth leaders, honored teachers or sports coaches, local politicians, or a local hero. There need be no authorization from the government for the private sector (non-government) to use the Flag to honor any citizen. It is important to note that the Flag Code is a code, it is intended to provide guidance and is not obligatory. It carries no civil or criminal penalties for "misuse" of the Flag. Individual are not acting illegally when using the Flag according to their own usage. Only on government / public building is the flag code required to be followed.


Read more: http://www.gettysburgflag.com/flyflaghalfmast.php#ixzz1mVjMQODd

[gregbir]

From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[www.gpoaccess.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 3, 2007]
[CITE: 4USC7]

[Page 6-8]




TITLE 4--FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES




CHAPTER 1--THE FLAG

Sec. 7. Position and manner of display

(m) The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to
the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. 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 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. 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. The flag shall be flown
at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also
Armed Forces Day. As used in this subsection--

(1) the term ``half-staff'' means the position of the flag when

it is one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff;

(2) the term ``executive or military department'' means any

agency listed under sections 101 and 102 of title 5, United States

Code; and

(3) the term ``Member of Congress'' means a Senator, a

Representative, a Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner from Puerto

Rico.



I understand the loss; but it doesn't constitute flying the Flag at half mast.

[88halo]

I am so sad for the people that had it all and felt like they had nothing. May they Rest in Peace. That being sad, our Flag represents our Country and the Heroes that allow us to be free to speak our minds. Remember the building owner that would not allow the Empire State Building to Honor Mother Theresa because she was a Religious Figure. We had to live with that decision. Now tell me what this world is coming too. The NJ Governor is Honoring an Entertainer - Come on our Founding Fathers are rolling over in their graves. You want to fly the Flag at Half Mast Governor, go to the Veteran Homes in New Jersey and lower it each time one of the Veteran's pass on. Lower the State Flag or the Municipal Flag even hang a purple bunting drape but leave the US Flag ALONE!!