Flags to fly at half-staff for Whitney Houston in New Jersey

The golden hearse carrying Houston's body in Newark yesterday

Controversial New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has ordered all US and state flags to fly at half-staff at all state government building on Saturday, in honor of late singer Whitney Houston.  Houston’s funeral will be begin at noon on Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church, where she sang as a child, in Newark, New Jersey, with 1,500 mourners attending by “invitation-only”.  Aretha Franklin, Houston’s godmother, will be singing during the service.

Governor Christie’s order has already drawn criticism with some claiming that due to the singer’s drug problems, flying flags at half-staff is not deserved.  Christie defended his decision, citing the singer as a “cultural icon” of the state, on the same level at New Jersey musicians Frank Sinatra and Count Basie.  He announced in a statement: ”Whitney Houston was an important part of the cultural fabric of this state … Her accomplishments in her life were a source of great pride for many people in this state and for this state as a whole. On that basis, I think she’s entitled to have that recognition made for her.”

Governors of American states are given permission to honor state officials or residents at their own discretion as per federal law, and nothing requires that the honored person must be a politician.

Twitter, as well as many news outlets, have been slamming the governor’s decision all day.  His office’s phone number was posted across numerous websites with a call-to-action, urging those who did not agree with the decision to voice their opinion.

The argument goes both ways though.  Those in favor of flying flags at half-mast lauded her 1991 Super Bowl national anthem performance as an example of her patriotism, while those against say the drug-addicted star has done nothing more than entertain the country, which does not warrant the honor.

About Thomas Bistritz

Thomas currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of GaySocialites.com. He is author of the memoir "Don't Piss in My Martini, please!", regularly contributes pieces to the the Journal of the Leslie Lohman Gay Art Foundation, and lives in New York City. He welcomes your comments, concerns, suggestions and sexy photos at thomas@gaysocialites.com.

Tags: Chris Christie, Funeral, golden hearse, Half-staff, New Jersey, Whitney Houston, Whitney Houston Death, Whitney Houston funeral