Such a shame... She was so beautiful and talented. Rest in Peace Whitney.

WHITNEY HOUSTON HAD A BEAUTIFUL VOICE.......SO WHAT.........SHE CHOSE TO LIVE HER LIVE THE WAY SHE WANTED AND IT COST HER HER LIFE.........ALTHOUGH, I do like CHRISTIE .....I think its not right to ask anyone to fly the AMERICAN FLAG at half staf..........'DID THEY DO THIS FOR Frank Sinatra...........'NO'''''''' OUR MEN IN WOMAN WHO LOST THEIR LIVES FIGHTING FOR OUR COUNTRY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THIS HONOR..............THIS IS NOT RIGHT !!!!! ARE WE TO CELEBRATE ALL DRUG USERS.....ELVIS , MICHAEL JACKSON, WHO WERE THE GREATEST IN LIFE DID NOT GET THIS KIND OF HONOR........DID THEY ???

Sadly, there are lots of people who die the same way that she did. New Jersey does not lower the flag for them. She wasted her great ability and left a devasted daughter, mother and friends. She does not deserve the honor Chrisite is giving her. But he is not honoring her, he is cultivating votes.

Ultimately Hollywood couldn’t wish for a more thrilling goodbye and resurrection, anointed and redeemed by a stellar support Hollywood cast who have rushed to lend their name to Whitney’s pathos and of course vice versa. The tears that will stream down our collective cheeks will be an ode not so much to the troubled diva Whitney but more to the disenfranchised image of what fallen heroes have come to mean to us and how perhaps one day we will have to move on and attempt to become our own hero and let Whitney and her demons rest and to silently wonder to ourselves if one day we can dies for our sins….

http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2012/02/whitney-houstons-funeral-likely-to-be-a-cluster-fxck-for-hollywood/

who cares......enough already. She was just a singer, not some dignitary, not a goddess or anyone special. Good grief.

geez no shortage of nitwits on this article from " keeping mine" who thinks one less funeral will lower gas prices to "getinvolved" who thinks houston was the reason cocaine has been a problem since the 50s before she was born. what about the wall st types who serve cocaine as an appetizer for parties in their million dollar mansions? if you want to lower gas skidmark i mean skizma write a letter to christie. his raising the tolls 50% will raise the price of everything including the gas those trucks who are now paying 50 % more to get it here. never ceases to amaze those holier than thou christians who go to church and then go home and with their greasy sausage like fingers trash the memory of someone who inspired many to enjoy music. she gave generously to children's programs and her community but of course negative slugs like you people who have accomplished so little are of course convinced you have the right to cast judgement on anyone who achieved what she did.everyone has faults . i suggest you look in the mirror to find a multitude of your own.

john smith you sound like another wacko who lost his spell check while using a john doe type name congrats. yes john because lowering gas prices has everything to do with this article you dolt.

johnny dont you have anything better to do than stalk my comments? oh thats right i forgot you are simply another turd who has no life so he spends it all day on every patch from here to north jersey.just check out any patch from lacey to toms river and far beyond to see thats true

On the bright side whitney is now one week sober..Congrats

I didn't know we had so many perfect people in the world and we are soo lucky that we now know how they feel or should I say judge. How does that go? Let he who is without sin....

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Laura:I think your thinking of "For those who have sinned against us shall be sinned upon"

Wow the pastor as Whitney Houston's funeral thanked Governor Christie for flying te flags at half staff. All in the congregation gave a thankful standing ovation.

michael p you deleted a comment saying no one loved her as much as you and now you write bad taste joke about her. you sound as confused as john (doe) smith. and michael you even have scripture screwed up its" let those without sin cast the first stone." . speaking of stones check out the dumber than a rock comment by john smith "as i was saying" . the thing is he has always some pearl of wisdom to bestow upon everyone on every patch thread for a 100 mile radius so he always "saying " every vacant thought that comes across his mind.

The scriptures wrong because its not a scripture genus.I made it up..As far as the deleted post goes that was a joke,like you

@seaside mussel with another soliloquy. Be nice if the dozens of alter pseudonyms were to clam up and not destroy every discussion that appears here.

I think you need to update this story. Aretha Franklin was not in attendance. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57380821-10391698/aretha-franklin-will-no-longer-sing-at-whitney-houstons-funeral/

Shame on Christie. Why honor a druggie? Now the biggest question....Who paid for all the security for this gala event? I'd say the taxpayers...DISGUSTING!!

Our flag flies at half staff for a true New Jersey Hero....
http://www.njrunforthefallen.org/lance-cpl-osbrany-montes-de-oca.html

The " show " is over , what are you guys going to
Complain about next?

Who will be the next celebrity drug-addict to kick the bucket and start a media frenzy?

Love her...hate her, drug addict or sober. The show is now over for a once truly gifted performer. Let her at least Rest in Peace.

Honestly, I think she was one talent among many, but was Whitney Houston really that big of a star? Seems like a lot of hoopla for a washed up, drug addicted diva who couldn't get it together. Always sad when someone succumbs to drugs and alcohol but I hardly consider her that big of a contribution to NJ. Rest in peace.

Will Christie attend the funeral on Tuesday of the North Arlington NJ United States Marine that was killed in Afghanistan? He's turned out to be the lowest form of life, a self important pandering politician. Won't vote for him again. Let the dems take over the state house again. A republican governor can't "fix" what's wrong with NJ anyway, not with a democrat controlled legislature. Let NJ continue the spiral to bankruptcy as more "producers" exit NJ and leave it to the "takers". Eventually the $$$ will run out and the pensions & benefits won't be sustained. This state is a corrupt cesspool with mind numbed unions & special interest groups that continue to elect corrupt representative in exchange for promises that taxpayers cannot fund. Done with Christie. RIP US Marine.

I feel that Christie is like a mother...can't be everywhere to watch her children. I am sorry about the Marine killed in Afghanistan. This war is hell. It is just another reason to bash Christie, thats all. As I had said before, if you like him you will defend him...if you don't you will find every reason to bash him. The reason there is so much press is because she is local. Let it go. It's over.

You are right paul...we can blame the media for that. It's just another story that all the networks what first hand at airing. Personally, It is sad, but I have had enough too.

She WAS a great singer who grew up in Newark but that's it! I don't get the big hoopla over her all week. When was the last time anyone even mentioned Whitney Houston before this? Instead of celebrating her talent, the media has made it a circus. ENOUGH!

Wow, how angry are we people. I didn't see this many complaints and bickering when they did this for Michael Jackson. She grew up in the lime light and she died in the lime light. Who she was when she died is between her and God. She had many famous friends and lots of money so I'm sure her family paid above and beyond because they loved her. I hope your head stones don't have to reflect who you are, because the memory of you should do the job. My head stone will read, "led a life under construction, died a completed work". Thank God she doesn't need any of your forgiveness to move on! Hope you all find your peace with this.

I feel bad and I am truly sorry that her daughter has to now grow up without her mother..What many people are saying is there are so many people in this world who have done many wonderful things for many people and they are never recognized. Why do we make Entertainers so much more important than everyday people who do good for others. I have empathy for the lose of a mother, daughter,aunt,cousin,siste​r....But I have a hard time making someone who is paid to entertain us any better than someone else. If we are going to recognize people then we should recognize all good people, not just people who are paid big bucks to entertain us

RIP wintiney

Just the most amazing voice I have ever heard. God gave her to us for a moment to give us a hint how the angels sing. Any song she sang, she made hers...and if you dared to sing it , you'd better sing it in another way. Her artistry was incredible. Her choice of men fatal. Don't know what these other nitwits are talking about, her artistry should be the topic. Leave it to right wing dimwits to expose their own venimous ignorance and detachment from reality.

Helen what a ridiculous statement:" What is right is attending the funeral of EVERY US soldier that is killed in the battle for freedom." The POTUS has business to attend to. And if you would give me an alternative for whom to vote who is not a total whacko on the Republican ticket, I would gladly do so. The present crew would throw women's rights down the drain and keep you barefoot and pregnant. Santorum, barefoot and pregnant. Romney, anti union, likes to fire people. Newt and Paul? Just plain nutty.

what is actually sadder than her death is the amount of those on this thread who spew hatred and a belief they know everything. @ steve dumbasski her daughter has always been with her and was with her in los angeles and on the day she died . all those on here who bash her are just jealous they could never reach that level of success so they crap on the memory of a woman while her body is still in the church going through the funeral ceremony. in a perfect world that should happen to all of you while you or a member of your family has passed and others can make ignorant statements about you or yours. she was beyond talented but flawed unlike all you perfect people. helen of course blames obama as usual . where were all of you bitching last year when clarence clemmons who had drug issues and infidelity had the flag lowered for him?here was an artist who actually won an emmy for her appearence on the grammys . which means she received an award for just how good she received an award. the rest of you could never dream of that height of talent so instead you spend all day on an online blog writing cruel stuff instead. most of you are the same rubes who have elvis posters all over your house and if you think the way he went out was dignified i think youre as much of hypocrites as you sound. and yes christie is the worst thing that ever happened to nj . flag lowering should be for military also but her family didnt ask him to do it

and helen "do some research on obama" like what helen birth certificates? . imagine how many republicans were shocked to learn hawaii wasnt a foreign country.

I simply think (even though it will never happen) that people should readjust how success is measured and who should be looked up as role models. Success shouldn't be measured by how much fame or money they have...but who they are and how they live their lives. Having tons of fame and money and all that stuff, but live a rough or bad lifestyle and or die at a young age is by no means a success when if they were average people could have live longer, healthier, lives.

How did this get so far off topic?
It started out about Whitney's funeral & whether or the Governor should have ordered flags to be flown at half staff.
It isn't and shouldn't be about Obama, Republicans, Democrats, birth certificates and other things

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2012/02/the-5-minute-speech-which-got-judge-napolitano-fired-from-fox-news.html#comment-31710

If Governor Christie had any brains he would've honored Whitney Houston the way I did. In my PJ's, full belly, bottle of ginger ale and watching the movie Bodyguard. As for the flag....Wrong decision on his part. At least Ocean County and Toms River refused to lower the flag which the request from the governors office was so poorly written that most towns and counties though it was a demand from the governor. SNEAKY Chris!!!!!

It is an executive order. There is no way to enforce it.
http://nj.gov/infobank/circular/eocc87.pdf

Plus I hear Whitney donated all her proceeds she made from her star spangled banner song to the hero's and children of the war of 91... SO yes I think she deserves the flag half mast. She supported our troops by singing that , she even said it herself. Christie has made a good choice and im behind him 100 %.

I'm 100% against his decision. NO actor/singer or celebrity deserves the honor of having the flag flown at half staff no matter what they donated. They're no different then you or I and I don't expect the fly flown at half staff for you or I. Simple as that!

I agree with you Tom D. My Dad, who was a WWII vet...MIA and POW, thought she had a beautiful voice and bought tears to his eyes during the singing of the anthem, would of been happy Christie made the decision with the flag. She had donated monies to various charities. She was a big hearted person. Stop already people. It's over and done with...get on with your lives!

Any chance the comment sections can be closed on the Whitney Houston articles. Her funeral was two days ago and Cinnaminson has a lot more pertinent issues than Miss Houston's funeral that should be addressed on Patch. Thank you.

As everyone knows, many celebrities are very popular and wealthy. For that reasons, many politician seek their endorsements and financial contributions. It is doubtful Gov. Christy is immune from that reality. Reportedly, the governor will also be attending the funeral of North Arlington’s fallen Marine Lance Corporal Osbrany Montes De Oca. The Govenor’s executive order to fly flags at half-staff for Ms. Houston also included the fallen NJ Marine.

Throughout the history of this great nation, there have been celebrities who (outside of their fame as actors, entertainers, sports figures, etc.), have earned the status of heroes for their commitment to their this great nation. Bob Hope, Audie Murphy, Sen. Fred Thompson, Actress Marlene Dietrich, Pat Tillman are but a few of such notable celebrities.

Perhaps, the controversy over placing the N.J. State flags at half staff for Ms. Houston stems from what many see as the misapplication of ‘hero status’ to too many people who are just famous entertainers, in one field or another.

There are many ways in which to honor people who make contributions to society. However, certain honors should be reserved solely for those who have dedicated or given their lives for the greater good. Dedication and sacrifice should define hero's, not monetary contributions.

Forget the celebrities and politicians. Her old Gospel songs were some of the most awe-inspiring, heartfelt music I've ever heard, and I'm not religious.

@paula guarancino last i checked this was the lacey patch not the cinnaminson patch and just think today that the grade schools have off a day michael p hendrickson will have even more time to post tasteless and witless jokes all over every patch article about someone who had more talent in her pinky nail that he will ever have in his entire miserable life.thank God theres school tommorrow mikey and some of the others will be busy in school instead of mom's computer.i too am sickened by the hypocrisy of the "church going folk" on here who spend all day writing vulgar comments about a woman who until the end had a strong faith in the Lord. maybe you will all have a chance when your time comes but i have a feeling wear most of these people are heading its going to be hot. best to pack some shorts and a tank top

Paula,
"pack some shorts and a tank top"?
Florida?
Hawaii? I've always wanted to visit a foreign country like that