Whitney Houston passed away

[GwynnInTheHall]

I am just so damn sick and tired of the cult of celebrity in this country. Creating gods out of people because they happen to sing is ridiculous. Oh wait I forgot, it's also because they make millions of dollars, so they are promoted to the pantheon of citizens.

Let Whitney and all the other celebs be buried like the rest of us with her family and friends.

Celebrating people who can do something most can't isn't anything new. Heroes, Champions, Philosophers, Generals, artists and on and on have been celebrated since time began. It the way we express our appreciation for those who do what we can't or do it at a level we cannot achieve. Sure some people go overboard and create semi deities, but again--that's nothing new. Look at us in here, fans of grown men who play a game for a living.

Houston and her kind have touched people with their music. Maybe it was the song the met their spouse to or that their parents played around the house when they were young. Music is a powerful medium--hell it turned Mick Jagger into a sex god. Talent is as attractive to some as good looks and like good looks, it's not possessed by everyone.

Whitney will be buried like the rest of us, with friends and family and she had problems like the rest of us and hers killed her. So allow those who found her gift inspiring, who had a place in their heart for her because of her music mourn her as they'd like. If you choose to skip it, that's cool too.

[Roto Rooter]

Yeah leave the crackhead alone meanies

[GwynnInTheHall]

Yeah leave the crackhead alone meanies

are you always such a d*ck?

Rhetorical as you'd guess.

[Mithrandir]

Celebrating people who can do something most can't isn't anything new. Heroes, Champions, Philosophers, Generals, artists and on and on have been celebrated since time began. It the way we express our appreciation for those who do what we can't or do it at a level we cannot achieve. Sure some people go overboard and create semi deities, but again--that's nothing new. Look at us in here, fans of grown men who play a game for a living.

Houston and her kind have touched people with their music. Maybe it was the song the met their spouse to or that their parents played around the house when they were young. Music is a powerful medium--hell it turned Mick Jagger into a sex god. Talent is as attractive to some as good looks and like good looks, it's not possessed by everyone.

Whitney will be buried like the rest of us, with friends and family and she had problems like the rest of us and hers killed her. So allow those who found her gift inspiring, who had a place in their heart for her because of her music mourn her as they'd like. If you choose to skip it, that's cool too.

What you say is true, but i'm just not like that. I create no deities or gods out of people who do something that others cannot. I while i can appreciate the craft of those that excel, i cannot understand the lengths that people go to try and "honor" those people.

Flying a state flag at half mast for Houston or Paterno or any other "celebrity" just does not suit me.

I am a fan of grown men playing a game, but i don't worship them.

[GwynnInTheHall]

What you say is true, but i'm just not like that. I create no deities or gods out of people who do something that others cannot. I while i can appreciate the craft of those that excel, i cannot understand the lengths that people go to try and "honor" those people.

Flying a state flag at half mast for Houston or Paterno or any other "celebrity" just does not suit me.

I am a fan of grown men playing a game, but i don't worship them.

I understand and agree to an extent. Some "celebrities" have contributed immensely to society. Others, not so much.

I know you wouldn't worship your favorite player, but if you were honest--you'd mourn his passing more than they guy down the block, who just may have accomplished more with his life than your player.

[Bob Kohm]

What you say is true, but i'm just not like that. I create no deities or gods out of people who do something that others cannot. I while i can appreciate the craft of those that excel, i cannot understand the lengths that people go to try and "honor" those people.

Flying a state flag at half mast for Houston or Paterno or any other "celebrity" just does not suit me.

I am a fan of grown men playing a game, but i don't worship them.

Quick, someone whack Geddy Lee or Robert Plant and watch this post change

[hombre]

Celebrating people who can do something most can't isn't anything new. Heroes, Champions, Philosophers, Generals, artists and on and on have been celebrated since time began. It the way we express our appreciation for those who do what we can't or do it at a level we cannot achieve. Sure some people go overboard and create semi deities, but again--that's nothing new. Look at us in here, fans of grown men who play a game for a living.

Houston and her kind have touched people with their music. Maybe it was the song the met their spouse to or that their parents played around the house when they were young. Music is a powerful medium--hell it turned Mick Jagger into a sex god. Talent is as attractive to some as good looks and like good looks, it's not possessed by everyone.

Whitney will be buried like the rest of us, with friends and family and she had problems like the rest of us and hers killed her. So allow those who found her gift inspiring, who had a place in their heart for her because of her music mourn her as they'd like. If you choose to skip it, that's cool too.

GITH- we often don't see eye-to-eye politically; but boy, this post is spot-on. Very well said.

[Mithrandir]

Quick, someone whack Geddy Lee or Robert Plant and watch this post change

Surprisingly not, my main man Bob. As I've mentioned many times i do not really feel loss for people i have never met.

[Mithrandir]

I understand and agree to an extent. Some "celebrities" have contributed immensely to society. Others, not so much.

I know you wouldn't worship your favorite player, but if you were honest--you'd mourn his passing more than they guy down the block, who just may have accomplished more with his life than your player.

I don't mourn the passing of people i don't know.

[Gregg]

Surprisingly not, my main man Bob. As I've mentioned many times i do not really feel loss for people i have never met.

To express sympathy is to make it known that you are aware of another’s distress and that you have compassion for them.


To express empathy takes things a step further by not only expressing compassion but also showing a deeper level of understanding by entering into the other person’s experience.

[johnnya24]

So I guess Whitney Houston Day is out.

[Gregg]

Crackheads die everyday. This one could sing 20 years ago. Big deal. Police escorting the casket? Flying flags at half staff? LOL

``Are there no prisons?'' asked Scrooge.

``Plenty of prisons,'' said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.

``And the Union workhouses?'' demanded Scrooge. ``Are they still in operation?''

``They are. Still,'' returned the gentleman, `` I wish I could say they were not.''

``The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?'' said Scrooge.

``Both very busy, sir.''

``Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,'' said Scrooge. ``I'm very glad to hear it.''

``Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude,'' returned the gentleman, ``a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?''

``Nothing!'' Scrooge replied.

``You wish to be anonymous?''

``I wish to be left alone,'' said Scrooge. ``Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned: they cost enough: and those who are badly off must go there.''

``Many can't go there; and many would rather die.''

``If they would rather die,'' said Scrooge, ``they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides -- excuse me -- I don't know that.''

``But you might know it,'' observed the gentleman.

``It's not my business,'' Scrooge returned. ``It's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's. Mine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen!''

[johnnya24]

Saturday funeral ... clever ... no-one has to take a day off work.

[Don Quixote]

Saturday funeral ... clever ... no-one has to take a day off work.

And more news coverage.

[Judge Jude]

Bobby Brown storms out before funeral; reportedly unhappy that his nine-member posse wouldn't get preferred seating:

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/02/visibly_upset_bobby_brown_leav.html

On a brighter note, Kevin Costner gave a very nice speech, drew some tears and some chuckles as well as he recalled "The Bodyguard" and how Houston got the role.