Chris Christie Defends Decision to Honor Whitney Houston with Low-Flying Flags
Whitney Houston will officially rest in peace this Saturday afternoon in New Jersey, as her loved ones gather for a funeral in Newark and millions gather around their computer to watch a live stream.
But the circumstances surrounding this ceremony have been anything but peaceful.
As Houston's family continues to battle with Bobby Brown over whether or not the singer will attend, Governor Chris Christie has been forced to address his state's decision to honor the artist by flying all government flags at half-staff.
“What I would say to everybody is there but for the grace of God go I,” Christie said in response to complaints that New Jersey is turning a drug addict into a role model.
Other objections to the move emanate from those who believe this sort of memorial should be reserved for members of the military, first responders and elected officials.
“I am disturbed by people who believe that because her ultimate demise - and we don’t know what is the cause of her death yet - but because of her history of substance abuse that somehow she’s forfeited the good things that she did in her life,” said the governor during a briefing in northern New Jersey. “I just reject that on a human level.”
The funeral raises two questions, both of which we ask of readers below:
SHOULD FLAGS BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF?
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SHOULD THE FUNERAL BE STREAMED ONLINE?
View Poll »
Sarah Palin Says Chris Christie Has "Panties in a Wad" Over Newt Gingrich Surge
Sarah Palin has a way with words.
The 2008 V.P. nominee, who hasn't formally endorsed Newt Gingrich but still told people to vote for Newt in South Carolina and is clearly glad he won Saturday's primary, had some fun with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's reaction to Gingrich's win.
After Christie, a Romney supporter and surrogate, bashed Gingrich as an embarrassment to the Republican party, Palin stated, eloquently, that Chris just has his panties in a wad over his guy losing. Sarah's words, not ours. Watch:
Chris Christie Responds to Heckler With Oral Sex Joke
If nothing else, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie always livens things up.
Campaigning in Iowa last week on behalf of Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, he threatened to return "Jersey style" if the state's caucus-goers let him down.
Yesterday in New Hampshire, he handled some hecklers in typical fashion. While he didn't threaten to have them whacked, he did smack them down, Jersey style.
After a chant broke out involving Christie killinh jobs, he turned it right back around ... with a reference to oral sex. Romney could not have looked more uncomfortable.
Listen to the exchange between Christie and his hecklers below:
