While the death of Ms. Houston is terribly sad, there should be a limit to which the media and the public wallows in their grief. She was indeed a great vocal talent who lead a very troubled life and as such is certainly not a public icon nor an example for others to follows. One always questions whether the good outweighs the bad in an individual's life but to elevate Ms Houston, as was done with the even more disturbing Michale Jackson, to the status of national heroine; is a disservice to the singer and all of those who strive for success and at the same time retain their character and decency. Let us bury Whitney Houston with tears and regrets and consciously remember all of those good souls who have gone on unnoticed.

Gene Dalton

St. Louis