Whitney’s story. Only in America

The relentless media coverage of dysfunctional songster Whitney Houston would only occur in America. On the same day she overdosed on a cocktail of booze, prescription drugs and who knows what else, thousands of other drug addicts also died in the U.S. — they just weren’t famous, but would have been in the same recovery programs with Houston, had she wanted to recover.

CNN pundit Anderson Cooper romanticized her addiction as a “lifestyle choice.” Since when do addicts retain the power of choice? Step 1 in any recovery program is that you admit loss of choice and control of your life and require “your higher power” to get you through one more day.

Tony Bennett blamed Houston’s suicide on illegal drugs. His delusional logic stated that were grass legal, there would less usage, suggesting that he should keep his day job.

Overall, an addict destroying herself alone in a hotel room as the conclusion of chemically committing suicide more is characteristic of those who make it big in the U.S. Where are the current heroes and heroines who lead productive, functional lives as role models for our young people? Whitney could have been.

“And here’s to you Joe DiMaggio ...”

Paul O. Bischoff

Wheaton