The real facts about flying the flag at half-mast.

Whitney

Chris Christie is taking all kinds of flack for directing government buildings to fly the flag at half-mast for Whitney Houston. Whether you agree or disagree, please have the facts and good sense to be able to back your position. These are some of the things I’ve seen people throwing around on the Internet.

We only fly the flag at half-mast for soldiers! This is disrespectful!
No, your ignorance is disrespectful. The President can order flags to be flown at half-mast for fallen soldiers, national crises, world events, deceased politicians, and other notable deaths. Examples of past Executive Orders: remembrance of 9/11, Indian Ocean tsunami, VA Tech massacre, victims of Hurricane Katrina, and the deaths of Ted Kennedy, Coretta Scott King, and Rosa Parks. Governors of states can order their flags lowered for the passing of any state official or resident.

Well, she was just a singer. All she did was sing. It’s not like she’s as important as a soldier.
Ok. So she was just a singer…a singer who changed the face of popular music forever. I won’t get into again, but you can read that reasoning Here. And if you think pop culture isn’t important, here’s something to chew on: America isn’t the most powerful country in the world because of our military—it’s our far-reaching culture. Michael Jackson, Coca-Cola, Levis, McDonald’s, Hollywood, Starbucks, NYC, and Madonna are far more powerful than our bombs. Kids in Turkey don’t care about our ammunition; they care about Lady Gaga.

Still, it’s not like we lower the flag for every pop star so whatever.
New Jersey last lowered their flag for Clarence Clemmons, who was a saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band. Where was the outrage then? Most people have never even heard of him.

At least he wasn’t a crackhead. I can’t believe we’re honoring a crackhead.
First, it’s just New Jersey. If New Jersey wants to honor a fallen sister in death, so be it. And who are we to judge someone because they have the disease of addiction? Besides, if Rosa Parks or Coretta Scott King had done drugs later in life, does it make their accomplishments any less valid? Would Lincoln be any less of a President if we discovered he died of an heroin overdose?

So.

That’s about all I have to say.

Except, anybody who can do this to our National Anthem should be remembered and revered forever.