The months of February and March of 2007 celebrity deaths due to depression scarred the news. Comedian Richard Jeni, Richard Delp of the rock group Boston and the most noted Anna Nicole Smith depression related deaths scored front page headlines. Their deaths expose many questions surrounding the events. Most of them left to the wind as open-ended quandaries. If you are like most people, you question the role of those that were supposed to care for them. The answer many times is not as you imagined. The reason behind this is the lack of true depression awareness and understanding in our society.

Fame, fortune and depression

There are sites devoted to pigeonholing the famous as either having a depression disorder or possibly having a depression disorder. The fascination does not come from knowledge or respect of the disease. It comes from the inbred disbelief that someone who has obtained a "privileged status" like this in our society would have such a problem. It is as if the public feels "you are rich and famous and that makes you immune."

A possible exception

Of the aforementioned group, Anna Nicole Smith is the one who people will generally rate an emotional bye. After all, her son died shortly after the birth of her daughter. Child bearing and the after birth especially in older woman like Anna are known to cause hormonal havoc to the body. Pile on the death of your only son on top and you have a basic overload on the person's physical, mental and emotional well being. Still, the questions return all return to the roles of the friends, family and lovers.

The question of "Where were they for them?"

First of all, it is bad enough a suicide impacts family and friends with guilt. When it comes to the famous public perceptions adds to the emotional disarray. Anna Nicole Smith's companion, Howard K. Stern, received tepid reactions when he deferred that nobody told Anna what to do. The fact is Stern's words echoes the sentiments of frustration most people who live with a loved one suffering from depression experience. This comes from the fact that society as a whole is not prepared to handle people who suffer depression. Most rely on the myths surrounding the disease and have no real awareness on the subject.

What is the right thing?

There are no real answers because depression is a case by case issue. Richard Jeni was a comedian highly respected by his peers and fans. His family knew he suffered from major depression and were the first to admit, he committed suicide. Richard Delp was preparing for marriage and the band, Boston had a new album, which for most people meant he should have been in an up mode. Yet, his fiancée who knew he suffered depression is left wondering what went wrong? The source for this grief is society's perception depression is a weakness not a disease. In society, we are taught that we have to protect the weak. Therefore, in Jeni's, Smith's and Delp's situation, we view their immediate support family and lover's failed them. The fact is most of this people did not have the knowledge or awareness and if they did it was out of their hands. You have to actually live through such a situation to truly understand.

The last line of defense in depression

It is not the family, the friends, the doctor's, or the support group that is the core to helping a depressed person. It is the person themselves. If the person who is suffering from depression does not turn to him or herself for steps needed for self care then all is lost. Depression causes a person to retreat within. Some describe depression as a form of narcissism because of this retreat. What people who don't have to deal with someone suffering from depression can not understand is in a way the sufferer is in control. Yet, society views depression sufferers as victims. Here lies the contradiction. A victim as we know it is not in control. It is no different from a person who hides in a cave and blocks the opening. No one can reach them until they are ready to remove the blocks.

Don't feel sorry for Richard Jeni, Anna Nicole and Richard Delp

Save your grief for those who tried and were left behind. Hiding behind the grief will not solve anything either. Learning to understand will give you a step in a positive direction. Depression is best dealt with in the early stages. Think of it as an open wound left untreated. The wound becomes infected which then turns gangrene. Gaining knowledge of depression will aid you into developing awareness. Awareness can help you to suspect depression in the early stages.

Knowing the stages of depression by default

In my life, I experienced many people who suffered from depression. A childhood friend whom others and I watched undergo the change, and finally gave himself a shotgun salute. A former girlfriend supposedly living life on the upswing, took her life with common over the counter pills in a moment of weakness. A casual friend who worked hard to achieve his life goals took his life in a backyard shed. The irony being the man known as a doting protective father would be found by his youngest child. I watched up close as a person I really cared for fell into a depression, resisted treatment and turned on me. Part of the problem was the person initially withheld the fact they were a chronic depression sufferer. The reason for nondisclosure was rooted in the fear of loss. That fear cost us both the relationship.

The time step toward awareness

I began the process of developing awareness in mid crisis. That was not the best way to learn anything. In high school, you get a general psychology course that can only gloss over the subject. It makes no sense given the fact that teen depression in our country is on the fast track to record numbers. Depression should be a mandatory high school class. I do not mean like the sex education health class that the kids blow off.

Where to begin?

I asked that question of myself many time. Questions are answers waiting to be found. Many times the answers are found inside yourself. I began by taking up the mantle of teaching Depression Awareness seminars. Teaching awareness is not to be confused with teaching diagnosis. It is about learning the signs and becoming aware of the possibilities early. Developing awareness is not only taking in of information but also discussing it and sharing its different aspects. That is the initiative behind the Rich Naran's Depression Awareness website and accompanying RNC Share To Become Aware forum. People can learn, share and develop a better base of knowledge in order to cope with depression. You can give into adversity or grow from it. I made my choice and this website is one place you can help make yours.

The Jeni's, the Delps and the Smiths

They are not only celebrities. They are everyday people with everyday friends and family. They are you and I. Give their friends and families what you would what for your own. For me, it would be empathy and compassion.

Annie Flaplips (Ann Coulter) is a person known for her principles, no matter how low they may be. The John Edwards comment showed the intelligence of a field mouse in cheese trap. To add to her display of mental genius the woman follows up with an explanation that has me thinking this might be the other woman in the Newt Gingrich hypocrisy affair. Simply for no other reason than they both stand there and contradict themselves pretending to sound authentic. And they do, if proving yourself to a genuine idiot is being authentic.

Palefaces speak with forked everything

How much fun can we have in one week? First Flaplips says she was addressing John Edwards Presidential Wannabe in the terms of "that word" (Refer to Ann Coulter Offends Gays with John Edwards Slur) as a schoolyard taunt meaning "wimp," Then goes on to explain how using that word sent Isaiah Washington in rehab. After hearing that verbal epiphany, I expected a Reverend Jim (Whoa!) follow through. Seriously, Annie we really need to know more about you, Bobby Guccione Jr, and the possibility of drugs. Is it possible you suffered the rush of a sudden flashback?

I am only going to touch on (Eye Of) Newt Gingrich for a brief moment. I may want skew him over the hot flames (I hope that word won't get me into trouble) another day. Newt confesses while publicly criticizing then President Clinton for doing the Monica thing, had his own Lewinsky going on the side. He now explains the difference was Clinton broke the law. "Eye Of" hails from the state of Georgia as his political base. Since when did adultery become either mandatory or a religious sacrament in Georgia and a crime in the rest of the country? If it has, I have a "no longer friend" who may just move there.

At any rate back at the ranch.

I understand Annie Flaplips is admired throughout this nation. Apparently, as was Anna Nicole Smith. (I know, I know at least that wasn't a low blow.) People pay big bucks to hear Annie speak. I don't think they wanted Anna to speak so much, but she got the bucks anyway. I think if Annie is going to speak and say off the cuff idiocies, she should stand behind them. After all people paid to hear from you what you mean. You said what you said for the effect and tying in the Grey's Anatomy Isaiah Washington rehab reference clarified what you meant. This type of contradiction goes back to your roots. I don't mean the ones on your head you pay several hundred a sitting to touch up. No matter what you say and how you say it, I will never believe you mean it. Not that I really did before because I will never ever, ever believe anyone who hung with the Gucciones can look me in the eye and say they are the voice of the conservatives. I would imagine it would be immediately followed by a who can laugh louder contest.

The hypocrisy does stop at Ann Coulter's door

That "no longer friend" I referred to before will swear "The Fidelity" is a sperm bank. There are those of you who have an idea of what the word fidelity means. To others fidelity joins faithful on the George Carlin Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television list. (Okay that would make the list nine now.) Annie Flaplips childish backtracking is an example of the latter. John Edwards capitalizing on the moment to accumulate over $100 thousand dollars in contributions to sling mud back is another example of being unfaithful to principles. "The Fidelity" in the Edwards case would have been to take the high road. At best, just point out the how low brow the statement was by Ann Coulter and move on. I don't think he could referred to it as being beneath her. I cannot see how that would be possible.

I feel, for the Edwards campaign to wean dollars out of the incident is an act of political prostitution. Annie turned the trick and he pimped it for profit. Maybe if anyone is interested in real personal redemption, they should come clean. We have already discussed the soap for Annie's long bath. I will toot on Newt another time. However, for John Edwards to come clean, he should donate the Coulter fund money. A good consideration would be to Isaiah Washington's Gay Slur Rehab Clinic. You would call that showing compassion with a slap in the face.

If anything she was a detriment to the world as a whole and we are all better off without her. And yet, it is five weeks later and whenever I turn on the TV or log onto CNN.com I am still bombarded by pointless news articles and features about the even more pointless life of Anna Nicole Smith. What does this say about our society that we are so enamored by a white trash drug addicted drama queen with not two brain cells to boast about?

People keep following this spectacle of the dregs of humanity for all they’re worth, but when someone dies who actually had an impact on the world we live in no one seems to care. Why just in the last two years alone Corretta Scott King, Steve Irwin, Ed Bradley, Zhao Ziyang (Chinese leader that brought democratic reforms to his country), Johnny Carson, Hunter S. Thomson, and Peter Jennings past away. These were people who made the world a far richer place for having shared it with us for a while and the world is now at a loss in their absence. Not even Gerald R. Ford the former president of the United States of America or the death of Pope John Paul II had as much media attention. These were men that shaped the course of world history and for some reason the masses care more about a drugged out, half-retarded, skank of TV fame. Now there is something very wrong with that.]]> Wed, 14 Mar 2007 05:31:23 PST http://www.newsflavor.com/Alternative/Anna-God-And-Real-News-From-The-Twilight-Zone.98048 Everyday I read news from around the world. Doing so gives me a sense of how I fit in. Since I am new to the township of Hamilton, New Jersey, I am like any other newcomer, just kind of finding my place. At times, I have to say there are some things that keep me feeling slightly out of tune. When I read the news from around the world, I find being out of place is more common that I thought

Now we know Ohio is flat.

For instance, this place Fostoria, Ohio must be a real interesting place to live. They have a police dog with a degree in criminal justice. Apparently, the canine went to the same school for his degree as the town's Police Chief John McGuire. Therefore, I would assume they share the same pet-degree which is why they are being taken to court for falsification of records. This has come about because someone noticed the school is located in the Virgin Islands. I would have thought a dog with a college diploma alone was enough to raise to few ears.

In Hoosier we trust?

In Hobart, Indiana, Kevin Russell sought to bring new meaning to the phrase "manna from heaven. Mr. Russell walked into a Chase bank and tried to cash a check for $150.000.00. My guess is if he succeeded, he would have received at least half after Chase finished levying their usual round of incidental bank fees. Unfortunately, for Kevin, someone noticed the issuing endorser, King Savior, King of Kings. Nowhere did I read if he had an account with the bank.

Machoism takes a shot to the head in Boston…

In Boston NBA Celtics game announcer Cedric Maxwell issued an on air apology about his comment toward a ref after what he thought was a bad call. The NBA is one of the first top-level professional leagues to use female referees in an all male game. During the game, he decreed she "go back into the kitchen." After the game referring to Violette Palmer he punctuated his opinion with, "Go in there and make me some bacon and eggs, would you?" I don't image Cedric will be invited to any women's right events anytime soon

…and Chicago

The Chicago Bears are supposed to the NFL franchise that embodied raw make testosterone and just plain mean. The players like Dick Butkus and Brian Urlacher epitomize macho fierceness blood and guts. At one time, they were nicknamed the "Monsters of the Midway." How is it that a team that embraces all of this macho hormonal branding awards a new multi year contract to their leader, a man called Lovie? I have to say the team owners did that right thing by showing Lovie the love. Doesn't that mean Urlacher has to meow is instead of growl.

She's gone but still headlines

Is it me or is it really since she died there hasn't be a day without her. Of course, I am talking about Anna Nicole Smith. This is a woman who idolized Marilyn Monroe, was a Playboy centerfold, worked in strip clubs, married a man sixty plus years her senior, starred in a movie with OJ Simpson and has five men and counting claiming paternity of her kid. Therefore, why am I not surprised the headline reads that her memorial will be over the top? One could only imagine what it would be if the woman had accomplished anything of significance outside of a bedroom.

I am at ease in Hamilton

Now, when I pass the sign on Klockner Rd that says left lane must turn left I feel more comfortable. I still look to the left and still see there still is not a place to turn in to unless you want to drive through the woods. After the reading some of these news stories, I come across, everything seems to fit right in.

I also believe that all of this could have been avoided. Basically he made his verdict in accordance to the Florida law. This could have been done in one day, and Anna Nicole Smith could have been buried by now and had a “real” viewing instead of a viewing at the Medical Examiners Office.

It is a truly tragic case that is being narrowed down to money. If a “Regular” person had died, that persons body is viewed and buried within 3 - 4 days. I use the term “Regular” because Anna had a life that most people will never have. I mean no disrespect to anyone with that comment.

I just hope now that the decision was made of who has control of Anna Nicole Smiths body, that the right thing will get done. This will be a continuing saga for many years to come. I just hope Anna can rest in peace.

I know many of you see me as just another miffed viewer complaining about the media's irresponsible behavior, but trust me after you read this you will join me.

Here is why I call this Anna Nicole circus “media madness”

• She did not contribute to the society. Except for glamorizing being drugged up and marrying a man fit to be her great grand father, what was her achievement? She does not deserve this round the clock attention.
• The way media is treating her death like “national disaster” is taking time away from important issues, like say Iraq war? Does anyone remember the war anymore?
• And finally, showing her at various stages of undress only promotes the culture of portraying women as sex objects. This is not good for our daughters, sisters and family.

You are with me, I am sure.

The hypocritic oath toward Britney

I can see the judgmental moms shaking their heads telling their daughter "this is not what you want to be." These are the same moms who either at one time worshipped the ground the golden girl walked on or fed into the Britney cravings of an older child. Some will even sit back and say "poor little Britney, what went wrong?" Which leaves me to wonder if there is truth in the expression "seeing with a blind eye?"

A contemplation for all mother's and Britney's mom.

The public uproar over Britney's childcare faux pas was huge. You all helped to fuel the headline news. You stayed up to catch the replay on the eleven o'clock news. You indulged in the tabloids and so-called regular newspapers that made the incidents front page news. Judging from the outpour of disdain garnered by the public, protecting young children is a major concern. Britney is someone's child. You let her live the life of a rising star. You fed into the "miss prefect to good too be true persona." Then after a short outrage, you went along with the "bad girl all grown and dirty" image. You bought the clothes, the records, the videos and the obscene number of mindless paraphernalia. When you did, you paid to help Britney, someone's child, live a life of dangerous instability. Britney's mom reaped the financial blessings along the way giving her child her own mark of approval.

Could we be in the era of the wake up call?

Anna Nicole Smith, Tupac, Hunter S. Thompson are famous names whose lifestyles we fed into led to their demise. The evangelic Princess Di is rumored to have been into cocaine. Let's not get into celebrities whose marriages were on a egg timer. As I wrote in " How We Created Inga Marchand Elmore Rual Torn Etc.," the public fuels their lifestyles. We live in awe. Britney by age 25 has had multiple career makeovers and comebacks. Think about it, at the age of 25 she has gone from being famous to being famous for being famous. A life seemingly devoid of the elements that fed the adrenaline this young woman grew up on. When everything went wrong, she took solace in her children. We fueled every more discord by ruining that final comfort in her life. We began applying the microscope on her handling of her own children.

Again with the blind eye

We consumed the news and the tabloids splashes that exploited the signs of self-destruction. The instability in personal relationships resulted in headlines. Many will pride themselves as clairvoyants that call the breakup with Justin Timberlake the beginning of the end. This is nothing more pathetic then people who sit on their living room sofas chanting I told you so or what did you expect. These are the same people who live their own empty lives passing judgment on what they cannot do. They never remember when this all started they too were guilty of having the blind eye.

Depression anyone?

Instable relationships, multiple relationships in a short time, self-destructive behavior, inability to cope, and self-inflicted injury the list goes on. I wish I had a penny for every idiot that sat back and said "What?" when the Britney head shaving story broke. With all the demeaning incidents in the last year, how could anyone miss the roadside billboard for depression? No instead, people looked on. Some did so for profit. For example, I cannot tell who is more pathetic, the hairstylist selling the hair sheared off Brit's head by her own hand or the idiots bidding for it on eBay. With such display of cold crassness all about her, can there be anyone question why the child-woman has an emotional problem?

Depression a celeb in thing

Zach Braff of the TV show "Scrubs" and singer actress Mandy Moore dated and broke up. In the aftermath, both claimed to suffer from depression. After international star, Ashley Judd gave the disease a gracious face it would seem that more stars are coming out of the depression closet. The trend appears to be slowly picking up as the in thing to do. Excluding Ashley Judd, I feel the slow tide of admittance for most is another cop out for the actions and demeanors of the famous. I also feel it will shroud the serious reality around of the Britney's in this world. Right now, she is the cover girl, but many others are peering out from behind her hiding what they think is their shame.

Some facts about depression

Depression is a disease. Last year 21 million people suffered some from of the disease. Only 8% of those received and maintained a treatment program. Many who sought treatment would only received the pills to mask the problems and symptoms and never dealt with the causes. Maybe it's here Britney Spears can come out a real star by following through with a complete program and showing the world what a real star she can be. It would be nice for her children to finally have their mother to themselves. Good luck, Brit.

The difference between pathos and pathetic

Anna Nicole Smith posed nude for Playboy, worked as a stripper, and had a camera follow her around 24 hours a day taping her "true life" reality show, yet we find out we hardly knew her. What we did know is the woman's life was strange and the public mania fed into it. A Marilyn Monroe wannabe Anna would out live her idol's life span by four years and her own son by less than five months. Something had to be said about her strange predilection of naming her son Daniel and twenty years later her daughter Dannielynn. Judging by the media and the fan outpour this pathetic woman who wasted a fortune along with her life was truly idolized.

Herein lays Anna's contribution to the confusion.

At this writing, the woman has at least four different men claiming to the father of her child. One of which is the husband of Zsa Zsa Gabor who may be 62 years old. When Anna wed her previous husband he was 89 years old which lends some credence to the latest claimant. Obviously, the woman had led an unstable life as did her own idol, Marilyn Monroe. There is still a fortune being fought over. She leaves behind a daughter who will never know her and has a choice of men lining up and calling out "Who's your daddy." At the time of her death, Anna Nicole was named in a lawsuit against the fraudulent Trimspa diet pills she shrilled for. How is it Anna Nicole Smith is worshipped? Instead, she should be the modern poster child for everything wrong about people being famous for being famous. The death of Anna Nicole Smith should be the "Hello!" for the Paris Hilton's, Nicole Ritchie's and the idolizing no life wannabe's that worship them.

The new frontier of politics.

In 1984, Geraldine Ferraro became the first woman in history to run for vice president. At the time, the incumbent vice president was one George H. W. Bush. Twenty-three years later, we have Hillary Clinton declaring candidacy for President and the incumbent is George W. Bush son of George H.W. Also into the fray is one Barack Hussein Obama a magnetic African American Christian with a Muslim name. Included in the election hodge podge is old school Senator Joe Biden and the John F. Kennedy charismatic John Edwards. Truly, this is one of the most diverse fields of candidates to ever run.

The political stew of confusion.

Despite the fact that we have such a varied assortment of choices to look over, we will have the usual sorting out of proposed promises. What it boils down to, is will they say what they think we want to hear or what they really intend. On top of that we have to address each proposed platform with "but can they really do that?" attitude. Politicians do not lie. They kind of say what they think will work. When they are elected, the outcome is always like that car rental commercial where the theme is "not exactly." The confusion is not based on trust, but realism.

A season of turmoil and change.

The NFL this last year addressed drugs, steroids and character. By the end of the season, we found all were consumed by big picture. Money. The players and teams made lots of it. Meanwhile a new commissioner came into office, a player who violated the substance abuse policy got elected to the Pro Bowl and the Cincinnati Bengals are thought be trading their tiger stripes for prison stripes.

The confusion of character.

It seems that every time the NFL releases a statement of holding the players and the league to a higher standard, someone is linked crime and or drugs. Obviously, there is a communication gap that exists in the defining of higher. What's more are the teams seem to address themselves as family. Every family has its bad seeds, but when a supposed wholesome player like Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons is linked to water bottle with a hidden compartment, we have to pause. Of course, there is the old, but there was nothing to it outcome. I believe we learned to question that response long ago. The question of character extends not only to the players but also to the coaches (i.e.: Nick Saban) and the owners. With the advent of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid having extreme family character issues, the whole system has to be in disarray. Can you hold your players up to your standards, if you can't do the same for your children? While he is a nice man in a bad situation, he bring to light that the reality of the character for the league looms in the same confusion as our homes.

I would like to point out this is an era of change and enlightenment. It is time to realize who the people we look up to really are. We have to make better judgments in embracing what we call a star. The political canvas is now the most colorful it has ever been. The upcoming election will tell if we as a nation are ready to welcome a major change and achieve true diversity as never before. As for the sport of football, Paul Simon may just have to change the song to fit our times, "Oh Paul Tagliabue ,Where the heck are you, oh oh oh, hey hey hey."

The fact is the public has become the true paparazzi's of the world. Think about the revelation. If the public did not fuel the frenzy, Princess Diana may be alive today. If the public did not buy into Anna Nicole Smith, she might have realized how pathetic she really was. Two lives would have been saved, Anna and her son. Instead, we fed into her problems by giving her fan worship. The woman first achieved fame for being a woman and by posing for Playboy. She made and squandered millions. Anna married a man in his eighties and it wasn't for the love and sex. He just happened to have millions of dollars. Anna's big front was a false front for fraudulent diet pills. She recently had another child where men seemed to be fighting to claim paternity. How bizarre is that? This larger than life image gave her story top billing over a real tragedy. We have truly gone insane.

This morning how many times the death of Anna Nicole Smith has been mentioned before 9 am versus the poor child who was murdered is at least a hundred to one. Why are we not there for this child's family? Why are televisions stations across the country jetting reporters down to the Florida hotel Anna died in and not organizing them to hunt down this child's killer? Even worse how many people reading this far stopped to wonder what the boy's name was. For the record, Eddy Heredia was three years old and lived in Brooklyn, New York. The eventual suspect in the hit and run claimed he didn't even see the child and did not know he had hit him by accident. The driver probably already heard about the death of Anna Nicole Smith by the time he was found. He never noticed the boy. The irony here is complete.

What would Eddy Heredia have been in this world? We will never know. So far, he is a footnote to the day Anna Nicole Smith died. We will hear via the news media more about Anna for the next few days. The autopsy will reveal what we already suspect. This woman will remain a top story for over a month. By next week, most will forget there was a woman named Jasmine Heredia, who had a son, Eddy. Magazines and news shows will continue to pay tribute to a woman who wasted life and not a young boy whose live will never be lived.

Sit back a moment and think. If people didn't live their lives through celebrities and the famous with rose colored glasses would Princess Diana and countless others be alive? The day the People section of Time magazine propelled an industry to mind boggling heights by offshooting as it's own magazine, we loss focus of who the real people were. They are our friends and neighbors. They are our families and us. They are not Anna Nicole Smith a Marilyn Monroe wannabe. The real people are the Jasmine and Eddy Heredia's of the world.

Eddy Heredia – July 2003-February 9, 2007 The true sorrow is that we never got to know you. Rest in Peace.

It seems shocking that one of the most infamous women in history has died. She seemed so young but everything as so wrong. Anna's life has been a horrendous open book. She idolized Marilyn Monroe, and could definitely relate to the popular model. It's horrible how this woman would die the seemingly same way her idol died: alone, depressed, and of unknown causes. In a world that is critiqued by everyone's eyes, it's odd to me to ind her death a complete mystery.

So, even though I feel everyone's grief and remorse (or lack thereof in some cases), I think this mystery could easily be solved with an opinion. Anna grew up in a redneck household, poor beyond belief, and made it big in the matter of a year. I could see how she could be so hollow. Even the day of her death, the pressure must have been overwhelming. She is still fighting over the will of her late husband, J. Howard Marshall II, while fighting over her baby's daddy. not to mention still mourning the death of her husband and the fighting within the family. The stress must have been outrageous. She's been known to be addicted to alcohol and pain killers and to have gone to therapy to help herself in 2001/2002. It could have been easy for her to fall into her old habits.

In my opinion, she killed herself. It's sad to know a woman of such popularity had to die, leaving her 5 month old baby girl to fend for herself in the midst of greedy men (and women) that want to raise her and live in the limelight of her death.

R.I.P. Anna Nichole Smith 1967-2007