Flags Lowered for Whitney: Gov Defends Choice

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is standing behind and defending his decision to have the state's flags flown at half-staff for singer Whitney Houston, Politico reports.

He was criticized for ordering flags at state government buildings to be lowered on Saturday — the day that Houston's funeral services will be held — by those who thought the honor should be reserved for deceased soldiers, first responders and elected officials. In response to critics who thought it was wrong to honor an alleged drug addict, he had this to say:

"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. I just reject that on a human level."

"What I would say to everybody is, 'There but for the grace of God go I,' " he added.

That's a sentiment we could use more of in politics and popular culture alike. 

Read more at Politico.

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