Singer Whitney Houston dies at 48

CBS News ^ | Feb 11, 2012

[rdl6989]

LOS ANGELES - Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.

[potlatch]

Well, we all have our failings and foibles. Some families are more prone to addictions, doesn’t mean everyone will fall prey to it.

The bad addictions can be innocent to begin with, but since they are very habit forming they can take over your life.

And - there are many forms of addiction

[Raebie]

I can’t imagine going through the disease of addiction, and then trying to gain control of it, in the public spotlight. The scrutiny would be unbearable for most.

[RegulatorCountry]

Former sots can make fine Christians, Laz. I should know. Struggling ones, too. You'll never be perfect in this fallen world, but forgiveness is yours for the asking.

[Lazamataz]

Respect back to you sir. Remember, if you were an alcoholic and not just a heavy drinker, that you completely lost the power of choice. You no longer could 'not drink'. To me, that's when the "I did it" stopped and the "tragedy", or as the professionals put it, the disease, started.

Now, please don't think I am absolving a person of all responsibility. I'm not! But read this next line closely, and if you are in AA you will have heard it a million times:

We may not be responsible for our disease, but we ARE responsible for our recovery.

[Revolting cat!]

You know, Laz, I got devastating news this evening in the snail-mail that sent me back to the bottle. I too have an “amazing voice”, but no one will start a half dozen threads on FR in my memory filled with prayers and cliches about how great and amazing I was, I ain’t no semi-literate ghetto celebrity, promoted by the politically correct media and accepted by the public guilt ridden over race, eating up tabloid magazine reports about that celebrity’s private life. Sorry, I know much better, or in any event, more interesting singers who are not dead.

The bottle is the only thing that has not let me down.

[Lazamataz]

In short, the part where she fails to take the Third Step, and turn her will and her life over to the care of God as she understood Him, was the part where she screwed up. There’s no tragedy there — there is only self-will run riot. She was certainly exposed to the steps. She turned her back on them.

[sand88]

I think this is such a shame on so many levels after years of loving her voice. And that National Anthem at the start of the Gulf War at the Super Bowl (1991?)ranks the best ever sang by anyone.

I just viewed the youtube of her performance. OMG, I have never heard anyone sing it so well. She was perfect.

[Lazamataz]

You know, Laz, I got devastating news this evening in the snail-mail that sent me back to the bottle. I too have an “amazing voice”, but no one will start a half dozen threads on FR in my memory filled with prayers and cliches about how great and amazing I was, I ain’t no semi-literate ghetto celebrity, promoted by the politically correct media and accepted by the public guilt ridden over race, eating up tabloid magazine reports about that celebrity’s private life. Sorry, I know much better, or in any event, more interesting singers who are not dead. The bottle is the only thing that has not let me down.

Dude, I've always loved ya. Why don't you call me tomorrow morning, if you wish to get back into recovery. If you died, I would personally start a half dozen threads filled with prayers and cliches. I will send you my phone number by freepmail. Not until tomorrow when you aren't drinking, though, okay?

[Norm Lenhart]

Absolutely. And that responsibility is the very reason for my original comment. You and I...and a million like us, took that responsibility. When we had finally hit bottom, we did something about it. We may have had friends, divine intervention or both, but we ultimately in some way took responsibility.

That WH did not ever take that responsibility, after years at ‘rock bottom’ is why I don’t see it as a tragedy. Bad, unfortunate etc. yes. I don’t hate her, or want to mock her or anything like that. I feel bad for her family, real friends etc. I even feel bad for her and the life she could have had.

I just do not see it as ‘tragic’ when so many unknown die every day through accident, abuse, terror, etc. I really believe that word has lost it’s true meaning since every bad thing that happens in the world, someone calls it a tragedy.

[Lazamataz]

I can’t imagine going through the disease of addiction, and then trying to gain control of it, in the public spotlight.

Many MANY have done it. That's an excuse on the part of the person who wishes to continue to use.

[Revolting cat!]

OK, Laz, I’ve always loved ya, too. You were the very first one to respond to my my very first post here, something about being jealous about my screen nick! I value that to this day.

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[devolve]

.

One of them is getting stuck on threads

I am tired and bailing out for the night

There is no joy reminiscing about former talented junkies.....

.

[Lazamataz]

Very touching posts, Laz. God bless.

Thank you patriot. I hope they benefit someone.

[Lazamataz]

I expect to hear from you tomorrow!

[SatinDoll]

MSNBC says Whitney is alive and well and answering the family phone in New Jersey. She has been shocked by people sobbing into the phone when she answers it.

[Revolting cat!]

You will, I promise.

[Lazamataz]

Yeah I see what you are saying. It’s a definition thing, I suppose. God bless ya sir, hope you stay clean and sober all day tomorrow! :)

[rdl6989]

Consider the source, but if true there’s gonna be hell to pay.

[Lazamataz]

MSNBC says Whitney is alive and well and answering the family phone in New Jersey. She has been shocked by people sobbing into the phone when she answers it.

Either someone is being irresponsible at MSNBC, or someone is very irresponsible with the initial report.