Why Whitney Died

Why Whitney Died By Bill O'Reilly
2/15/2012
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.

New Bill will Eliminate "Social Hosting" Loophole, A Step to Deter Adults from Allowing or Hosting Underage Parties

This new bill will strengthen current legislation in Wisconsin by deterring underage drinking and social hosting parties. Winnebago County currently has a social hosting ordinance in place, but with this new bill, a large "social hosting" loophole will be eliminated. As Youth Coordinator for re:TH!NK, an organization that works to improve the health of Winnebago County residents, I believe this bill is good news! Peer pressure and misperceived beliefs that 'Everybody is doing it' continue to be factors that contribute to underage drinking among youth. This bill will be a great step forward for Wisconsin and its efforts to prevent adults from hosting underage drinking parties or allowing underage consumption to happen on their watch.

What the changes mean: The bill will prohibit an adult from knowingly permitting or failing to take action to prevent underage consumption of alcohol on property owned by the adult or in an area under the adult's control. This means that an adult can not knowingly allow alcohol to be consumed in an area under their control, for example, renting a hotel room for an underage birthday party where alcohol will be consumed.

You may have heard of the "Parents Who Host Lose the Most" slogan advertised and promoted throughout the state of Wisconsin. Past research has shown that social host legislation is effective in reducing drinking and driving and heavy drinking. Surveys and research have also shown that youth most commonly obtain alcohol from their home (parent or guardian) or from a friend or acquaintance who is 21 or older.

Thank you to Winnebago County Representatives Dick Spanbauer and Gordon Hintz for co-authoring this legislation!

Relaxing guidelines won't help

The current (2005) Dietary Guidelines explicitly discourage anyone from beginning to drink or drinking more frequently on the basis of health considerations. But the tone of this new report creates an impression that alcohol consumption is a viable therapeutic option to be considered and/or discussed with a physician. Read on to see how the culture is wearing down what responsible drinking actually is.

Beverage Companies Market Unhealthy, Sugary Drinks to Children and Teens

New study examines beverage industry marketing practices and nutritional content of nearly 600 products.

Young people are exposed to a substantial amount of marketing for sugary drinks, such as sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks and fruit drinks, according to a new report from the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity. The new report is the most comprehensive assessment of sugary drink nutrition and marketing ever conducted. It analyzed the marketing practices of 14 major companies and the nutritional content of nearly 600 products.

Despite industry pledges to market fewer unhealthy beverages to children, the report finds there is more—not less—advertising for sugary drinks overall. For example, youths’ exposure to TV ads for full-calorie sodas doubled from 2008 to 2010. Moreover, the report indicates that companies view Black and Hispanic youths as a source of future growth for sugary drink sales. In 2010, Black children and teens saw 80 percent to 90 percent more TV ads for sugary drinks compared with White youths. For Hispanic youths, marketing on Spanish-language TV is growing. From 2008 to 2010, Hispanic children saw 49 percent more ads for sugary drinks and energy drinks, and teens saw 99 percent more ads.

Read more about the study on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation website.

re:TH!NK Partners Participate in Fox Cities Marathon Events

re:TH!NK, Winnebago's Healthy Living Partnership, wants to walk the walk, not just talk the talk when it comes to promoting healthy lifestyle choices. That's why re:TH!NK sponsored the "Fox Cities Marathon Challenge" this year hoping to involve our partners in something that shows our community that we're practicing what we preach!

A well deserved "Congrats" and a heart-felt "Thank You" goes out to the nearly 20 re:TH!NK partners that participated in this weekend's Community First Fox Cities Marathon and Festival of Races events. (Check the race results links to see how everyone did.) Each participant representing re:TH!NK wore a very fashionable (and practical) headband with the re:TH!NK logo on the front. Thanks also to Sports Graphics in Menasha for getting us our headbands in time!

re:TH!NK boasted two relay teams (team "re:TH!NK" and team "re:TH!NK Winnebago Alcohol"), four participants in the half marathon, three participants in the 5k, and one in the full marathon. To those who might not know, that lone full marathoner, Fred Umland, recently retired from the Winnebago County Human Services Department. He is part of a group of about 20 that have ran in every Fox Cities Marathon (that 20+ years of marathons)! Way to go Fred!!! We are very inspired by you and hope others are too and look foward to the Marathon Challenge again next year.