.jpg)
Posted on 02/15/2012 4:02:32 AM PST by Kaslin
The media have no bleepin' clue how to cover the death of Whitney Houston. That's because she was slowly dying for years and many in the press simply averted their eyes.
It was ultra-disturbing that a beautiful woman blessed with an extraordinary singing voice chose a self-destructive path in full view of the world. I mean, here is a person who signed a $100 million recording contract, actually sold 170 million albums and commanded high six figures to deliver a 90-minute concert. Houston was a genuine international star, and yet she often was seen in public disheveled and confused, her substance addiction apparent. The media simply did not know what to say.
We live in a time in which addiction is categorized as a disease, and to do what Nancy Reagan once did and urge people to reject narcotics is considered uncool. How many young performers do we see doing public service announcements warning children to avoid intoxication? Right now, I can't think of one.
The national media pride themselves on being non-judgmental unless you are against abortion. Then you are dismissed as "anti-woman" or as a religious zealot. But in the arena of personal behavior, there's an excuse for just about every nonviolent activity and bad decision.
There is no question that some of us have a history of addiction in our families. There are folks who can use drugs casually and avoid dependence, but they are the exception. Once a person decides to dabble in cocaine, or opiates such as heroin and OxyContin, they are putting themselves at grave risk. And they know it. There are legions of famous people who wound up dead just like Houston. From Elvis Presley to Michael Jackson, the signposts are impossible to miss. No matter how rich and powerful you are, drugs can and will destroy you.
The current medical marijuana ruse is a great example of a society walking away from a responsible position. Ask any drug rehab counselor, and he or she will tell you that pot often leads a person to harder drug use and is mentally addictive itself. Yes, most people can function while stoned. But the more you alter your mind the more your perspective on life changes. Believe me, I know people who get stoned or drunk every day. They become incredibly desensitized to those around them.
On the kid front, the situation is dire. Once a child enters the world of intoxication, their childhood is gone. Presto, they are jaded. That's how dangerous drugs and alcohol are to immature minds. Society has an obligation to protect its children, not to tacitly accept or embrace mind-altering agents such as marijuana.
Houston, however, was an adult who made a decision to embrace the drug life. Reports say she tried to rehabilitate herself a few times, but you know how that goes. Once a person enters the hell of addiction, there is no easy way out.
And that's how the Whitney Houston story should be covered. As a cautionary tale. Another life vanquished by substance abuse.
Don’t feel alone, I have heard name Lady Gaga, that Beaver guy but couldn’t tell you a thing about them. And then that MIA person at Superbowl no clue who she is.
But I can tell you about Bach Mozart Beethoven
you can find some of her videos on youtube. not only is her voice perhaps the best female of modern times, but her subject matter is, shall we say non-standard? I am fortunate to have one of her paintings over my fireplace in honor of my late wife.
My, my, my ... finally someone with the courage to tell the truth. A very large part of Whitney’s problem was that the dominant black culture refuses to eschew deplorable behavior and embrace moral standards. As you correctly point out, they yammer that being “goody-goody” means you’re trying to pass for white (though much of white culture is now on the same slippery slide towards decadence).
There is likely not a white person in the world to whom Whitney would have listened. And far, far too many of the black “leaders” adamantly refuse to condemn black malfeasance. (When was the last time you heard Barack Obama condemn the 70% illegitimacy, the rampant crime, and the generational welfarism in the black community? Ain’t going to happen.)
Tragically, Whitney made her own choices and took her own chances. But, it might have helped if the dominant black culture did not make a habit of excusing — or worse yet, embracing — such stupid choices.
Great article...
She apparently also passed it on to her daughter.
Bump to read later
The daughter was caught on video doing cocaine!
cause of death... bobby brown
Good for O’Reilly. Somebody needed to write this and he got it right.
That probably says more about you than it does her.
You’re right. So what? It wasn’t meant to be about her...
That is why I think there may be something genetic that predisposes them to be substance abusers. I used to smoke pot until I had a paranoid experience and quit! Given the catastrophic repercussions of drug abuse why do they continue.
More importantly, as I have previously posted, Whitney Houston did not become a drug user after she achieved fame and fortune. She was at best a casual drug user back from her teenage years.
To wit, I used to work with a gentleman who knew Whitney Houston intimately from her time as a child, through her teenage years, until she became a “star”. His son was very good friends with her until she achieved stardom. I recall very vividly back in 1999 when I was “shocked” about her drug addiction, and asked him what he thought about it. He looked me straight in the eyes and told me that he wasn't surprised at all, because she was never the sweetheart the media made her out to be. Rather, she was using drugs and alcohol long before she was famous (not saying there is anything wrong with alcohol, as long as it is used in moderation. Been known to take a several swigs of scotch every evening myself). But I digress. He further stated that it was no surprise to him that she married “bad boy” Bobby Brown. He ended the conversation by saying: “Whitney was always garbage. She just had the best PR machine available promoting her as the perfect angel. Hell, my son used to date her until he realized she was trash.”
Not my words. Not my opinion. Just the opinion of a dear friend and coworker (RIP Joe) who knew her from the neighborhood he lived in and where she grew up.
For what it's worth...Let's all stop canonizing her. Great voice, terrific talent, but still just a human being.
EK
Dear TexasFreeper2009,
I call BS on your part.
See post #53.
Know what you’re talking about before you piss on a fellow FReeper, Buckwheat.
She was a big star....20 years....musically, she was an afterthought, it was only her drugged-out antics that kept her in the news.....her last album was a huge flop.....but as they say, “Death is a great career move.”
Outstanding observation, FRiend.
See post #53 and you’ll understand why I agree whole heartedly with you.
Eileanright, first allow me to offer my heartfelt sympathy — and more than that my prayers. I am an alcoholic who, thanks to the grace of God and the rooms of AA, has now been sober for ten full years. So, I think I might be able to give you some insights into your son’s behavior.
At the outset, addiction produces a high that carries we addicts to a state of euphoria most others likely cannot imagine. All around us, the colors are brighter, the music is prettier, the world is more festive, and (at least in our minds), our personalities are more vibrant and winsome. That’s at the outset.
Then, inevitably, invariably, comes the crash. It becomes harder and harder to reach the euphoric state. We have to take more and more of our chosen drug to even get a hint of what we once had. And the lows become deeper and deeper; more and more depressing. So, we indulge even more deeply in the addiction that once was our salvation.
We are now in a downward spiral. We know we are trapped in a deadly descent. And, yet, our minds and bodies now spur us on to try to find that once-sustaining, now-elusive euphoric escape.
At this point, as we learn in AA, we have four choices: death, institutionalization, incarceration — or sobriety. And when I say “sobriety,” I mean absolute abstinence. As in “Change I must, or die I will.”
The problem your son — and yo — face is that all of we addicts must reach our own bottom. For some of us, thank God, the bottom is fairly high: we get in before we lose all. For many, the bottom is low: they end up indigent before they seriously seek help. And for a few unfortunates (like Ms Houston), the bottom is six feet deep.
Were I you (and I am hesitant to give advice; I simply hope it helps), I would tell my son that the truth that I have just told you. I would encourage him to get into AA. And I would seek out people in AA to talk with him.
Then, in the final analysis, it’s up to him. And you must move on with your life. I’m sorry, but that’s just the way it is.
joe, actually, the cause of death is always shock.
Any evidence of any "gateway" drug used by Houston BOR? Didn't think so. But please don't waste the opportunity to get on your anti-medical marijuana soapbox.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.