It was with a heavy heart that we said goodbye to Whitney Houston this weekend, a talented woman whose drug addiction ultimately overcame her and ended a promising life and career too soon. But of course, no one really wanted to admit that Whitney died tragically early for any other reason than the most obvious one, so just in case you’ve been refusing to answer the door to reality, let me open that door as wide as I possibly can: Whitney died of a drug overdose. TMZ reports:

Whitney Houston’s family was told by L.A. County Coroner officials … the singer did not die from drowning, but rather from what appears to be a combination of Xanax and other prescription drugs mixed with alcohol … this according to family sources. We’re told Coroner’s officials informed the family there was not enough water in Whitney’s lungs to lead to the conclusion that she drowned. Our sources say the family was told Whitney may well have died before her head became submerged.

Look, I know you’re not supposed to speak ill of the dead, but you’re also not supposed to enable people with serious drug problems by sweeping them under the rug because you find the truth to be uncomfortable. Be real here: there’s no way a lovely, talented 48-year-old woman would just drop dead one day without something seriously wrong happening. And in this case, “something seriously wrong” means “a fatal cocktail of drugs and alcohol”. Once again, I know it’s in poor taste to speak ill of the dead, but do you know what’s even worse? Coddling the living until they accidentally kill themselves because you were afraid of hurting their precious feelings.

Oh Whitney Houston, what are we gonna do with you? Everyone’s favorite crusader against crack (which, by the way, is whack) boarded a Delta flight in Atlanta when she decided that then was the best moment to play the diva card and refused to put her seat belt on. To which I say: Really? This is the hill you want to die on? TMZ reports:

We’re told Whitney refused and “got diva” on the crew member … until another crew member came over and warned Houston that if she didn’t buckle up, she would have to get off the plane. Whitney eventually allowed one of the crew members to grab the buckle and fasten it for the singer — and the plane was then cleared for takeoff. Sources close to the singer tell us … Whitney “overreacted a little bit after missing an earlier flight but she’s still 100% sober and was on the way to Detroit for her first day of shooting a new movie.”

Look, I know air travel is an absolute pill and all, but … seriously? Buckling a seat belt? That’s what got to you? This was the major indignity that set you off? Come on, it’s a tiny strap of fabric that runs over your crotch. If you’re gonna go all diva in the middle of a flight, at least make it about something important, like those tiny bottles of booze they give. It’s like bitch, for reals? How am I supposed to get mid-air shitty when you’re giving me baby’s first 40? (I’m a nervous flyer. I NEED ALL THE BOOZE.)