From "The Trentonian" Friday, February 17:

"Flag Flap
A governor would be smart upon taking office to policy parameters establishing when the flag should be lowered to half staff. Which is to say, also, when it should not be.

This would spare a governor the agony of making discomforting denials of requests on sad occasions which don't quite merit the honor. Not to mention that this also might spare the governor needless controversy on top of that which unavoidably comes with the office.

If the honor of lowering the flag is to have any meaning at all, it obviously must be limited.

Offhand we can think of several worthy candidates for the honor. The death of a Congressional Medal of Honor winner from the state. The passing of a top public figure, a governor, for example, maybe certain others such as a Supreme Court justice. Perhaps the victims of a major tragedy with significant implications such as 9/11. A saintly humanitarian, a philanthropist, a scientist whose discovery relieved suffering on a great scale. There are no doubt other candidates worthy of consideration we haven't thought of.

But with all due respect to Gov. Christie, Whitney Houston doesn't make our cut. Neither would other entertainers, excepting perhaps ones who put their fame and fortune to work in extraordinary uplifting altruistic efforts - disaster relief, education for the poor, and such.

This is not in any way intended to slight Whitney Houston, an amazing talent who came out of modest circumstances to live the American dream, before succumbing in the end to the all too familiar American tragedy of performers who find themselves unable to cope with the pressures of spectacular success, who fall prey to the demons of addiction.

The decision has been rendered in her case. Let the lowered flag this time serve as a sad, cautionary tale. And may this lady of phenominal voice finally rest in peace."


Donna, Krispy Kreme is one of the "nicer" names we have around here for that arrogant bully in our state house.