Half Staff

Half Staff was Originally Posted on February 16, 2012 by lavarock

The Governor of the state of New Jersey authorized flags in the state to be flown at half-staff for the funeral of Whitney Houston.

All heck has broken out. People are upset that an entertainer is being recognized. They say she was a drug abuser and while that may be true, we do not know what she died from. They say she was a bad influence on youth. People are complaining that the Republican Governor is using this as a political plus.

Yet, in 1997 an obese entertainer died. He had abused drugs in his youth. The Governor, a Democrat, ordered the state flags to half-mast on July 10, 1997, the day of his funeral. His coffin lay in state in the state Capitol building. He was the third person in state history to be awarded this honor, and the only one who was not a government official. Approximately ten thousand people attended the funeral.

I heard no complaints at the time or since that this was inappropriate. It was a sad time for the state and its people and this was a tribute to an entertainer who did his best against odds to bring beautiful and healing music to all.

The state was Hawaii. The entertainer was Israel “IZ” KaÊ»anoÊ»i KamakawiwoÊ»ole.

His music has been featured in many movies, tv shows, radio and even commercials.

Yes there may be people more appropriate than Whitney Houston, who should be honored and will not be. Still, the state is honoring the life of famous resident and not necessarily how she died.

As a former resident of the state of New Jersey, I have no issues with this honor.

Frank Sinatra, allegedly tied to organized crime died and Las Vegas dimmed their lights for 10 minutes, President Clinton led a world tribute to him, he appeared on a US Postage stamp, and the flags in New Jersey flew at half-staff for him.

So why all of the controversy?