Pt. 8 - Activism on the Internet
Jun 10th, 2007 by Jane Devin
They came from all walks of life to help support a man they never met and most likely never will. Law school graduates, homemakers, teachers, artists, young, old, and middle-aged. Some were battling their own major life and health problems, yet felt compelled to help the bereaved fiance of an American icon. Others weren’t fans of Anna Nicole Smith, or familiar with Howard K. Stern, but were so outraged by the accusatory media coverage following Smith’s death, that they wanted to lend their support and skills in the name of fairness.
At the time, there was only one website where “pro-Stern” people could gather for a common cause, and that was QV’s tribute site annanicoleandhowardkstern.com. Soon, a small group of supporters turned into a determined legion of activists, engaged in widespread letter writing campaigns to the media, and extensive research of all the parties and issues involved, which they forwarded to Stern through emails to other online volunteers, his attorneys, and sister, Bonnie Stern.
Many had never been part of an internet community before, and were drawn to the web solely because of Smith’s tragic death and the type of media coverage that followed.
Linda, from Pennsylvania, says she couldn’t believe what the media was doing to Stern, so she started to surf the net to see what she could find out about him. She soon became a member of QV’s site. Daisy, from Canada, was bothered that Harvey Levin of TMZ.com and David Kaplan of Star Magazine were invited on television news programs and being treated as reliable, factual sources.
Mary, a Realtor from Atlanta, says she was drawn to the web’s activism by compassion. “You know, I never watched the Anna Nicole show, but after she died and I saw the media attacking Stern, I was upset. I felt compassion for him, and wanted to help.” Another supporter from Georgia, who goes by the screen name “Logical” says she was drawn to the internet in response to “the media’s attempts to crucify and condemn a man through conspiracy theories and false accusations.” Frustration over the media’s coverage of the case was a common denominator among Stern’s active internet supporters. But did it help?
“Logical” believes it did. “I know many people have changed their opinion of Howard, and I think our conversations about the case may have influenced their opinion.” Jennifer, from Mississippi, felt the effects of change most among her friends, saying, “They all support Howard now and are just as angry with the media as I am for the way he has been treated.” Tiatze, a supporter from Washington, who at one time was spending 5-6 hours a day on research — mostly digging up info on G. Ben Thompson –isn’t convinced that all that much has changed for Stern in the media since Smith’s death, and Linda agrees. QV, however, says she is convinced that if the moral support wasn’t helpful, the research provided was, because Stern’s attorneys and sister frequently requested more.
“Everybody wanted to do something to help Howard,” QV says, “including, obviously, myself. I spent probably 60-70 hours a week on the website and everything that went with it, but some people probably spent that much time just doing research, writing letters to the media, posting support, and chatting with others who had the same goals.” Was it worth it?
QV lets out a long sigh. “I really don’t know. I neglected my personal life during this, and personally I’ve been hurt by a lot of really unfair criticism. . .like being lambasted for having Google ads on my site. I hardly make any money from them — in April it was $58, in May it was $34.14, and so far in June it’s $1.82. Still, some people took it as me trying to profit from Howard’s tragedy, or being “greedy.” I was only trying to have the website pay for itself. There’s just been a lot of really stupid accusations like that. Then, as you know, there’s been internet drama, mostly caused by former members of my site and that was really hard on me, especially since when the most recent attack occurred, my mom had just died. So I don’t know. I guess I’d say that, for me, I’ve stayed in it because there’s just been such a wonderful community built on my site, and everyone has come to mean something to me.” What about lessons learned from this experience?
For QV, the lesson was not to let a volunteer effort consume so much of her personal time. For Kimmie, who moderates chat on QV’s site, and who says she has “done nothing but eat, sleep and breathe this case” since it began, the lesson was “not to be quick to judge other people. . .to make sure you have the facts first.” Jennifer says her lesson was to “always search for the truth. Don’t believe something just because it’s in the news.” For Carol Anne, who’s been fighting a long battle with cancer, the lesson is about compassion as well as knowledge.
“I heard a proverb,” she says, “that a wise man searches out a situation before he gets involved in it. I jumped in hook, line, and sinker without any knowledge. I saw a man being crucified without facts. . .I didn’t see a murderer. I saw a passive man who loved Anna and Dannielynn with all his heart. I still believe that. . .but there are a lot of unanswered questions.” So, have her feelings changed since this began?
“Yes. My world of ethics, morals and values are different. But because of the abuse Anna suffered, I felt like I wanted to rescue her. After she died, it was Howard.” Others also had changed feelings.
Jennifer, who originally felt that Howard was a “hanger on” saw a man who was devastated after her death. “I started watching his actions after her death, and at every turn he surprised me. Here was a man who I had thought was the bad guy and he was doing everything in his power to make sure Anna was buried with her son and that her daughter was taken care of. Who would do that if they didn’t truly love the other person? I still don’t believe he ever thought Dannielynn was his, and I believe Anna was wrong to keep her away from her biological father, but Howard. . .He was a man in total love and he did what she wanted him to do. It’s forgivable.” Logical says her compassion and empathy have only increased with every media broadcast. Tiatze shares that view.
The more she learned, Mary said, the more she began to question certain things, like what is a mother’s love? Was everything in Anna’ss household centered around Anna to the exclusion of others, like Daniel and Howard? Daisy says only time will tell if she was right in offering her support or not.
Would any of them become internet activists again, for another cause? Most say they would, but some with reservations. “I would really have to have strong feelings about those involved to get involved on this level again. Anna was broken and I believe that is what endeared her to so many. She had flaws and didn’t try to cover them up. She was a sad, broken little girl that got caught up in the bright lights of the big city. She was human and she wasn’t afraid to show it.” Jennifer’s answer resonates among those who supported Stern.
It was Howard K. Stern’s humanity, as well as Anna Nicole’s, that called upon the spirit of so many others to offer whatever help and support they could. I interviewed only a few, but there were dozens of researchers and countless supporters.
I once posted a quote by Schopenhauer on this site that said “Compassion is the basis of morality.” I believe that to be true, and after witnessing the groundswell of support lent to a man who appeared to need a particularly strong showing of goodwill and mercy after suffering two deaths and relentless public hostility, I can only say I believe that morality of the best and most noble kind can be found among strangers on the internet.
WOW! You guys ROCK! Nice piece Jane, glad to see all the names I recognize from the site!
Dear Jane,
Is it true that ‘Star Magazine’ was about to go bankrupt?
Just a guess from a passive activist.
Jane, the article is great, doing alright, not a tear in my eye until the last paragraph, what can I say…you leave me speechless once again.
Jane, I don’t know why I feel so sad about this, but I do. It feels like a goodbye from you. I know you’re planning on continuing the site, and you know how much I love your other stories and poems…but you leaving this story, while things are still going on feels a little like abandonment. You’ve been here from nearly the start, logical and compassionate, and really it’s almost as if you took some of the thoughts from my head and put them down in a way so they made even more sense to me. So, I dunno. I have this feeling of sadness. Maybe it’s my imagination but you ’sound’ kind of sad too. Anyway, I just wanted to share what I felt.
It’s a good post, as usual. No matter what you do in the future, I’ll be here to read it. I’m glad I found you, a ’stranger’ on the internet.
Jane a nice tribute to QV and others. I know that I happened upon the site because it was a support for Howard. I too seen a man shattered by the loss of love. I praise the way he has held strong. I hope he now can take time and grieve for Daniel and Anna. I have always been facinated ANS I caught her shows on E.
It wasnt until after I found the ANS/HKS site that I really began to understand the real Anna the true Anna and The real,true Howard. I too like so many others could not walk away from it. I wanted to do what I could.
Im going through some family issues with my Mom right now so I dont spend as much time. I do miss all the friends I have met. I know that Anna and Daniel will RIP. I pray Danilynne will grow up Beautiful,strong and a free spirit.
jane , i can imagine the hours you have put in on these articles . and qv has many times been up all night , to keep her site open for the posters who like to gather there. you and she have been through a lot , and even after the lies, inuendoes , and back-stabbing, you keep on going searching for the REAL truth. and when you find it , it isn’t very pretty. i was such a romantic , but now i know, that when you go searching for things, you had better be prepared fpr what ever you find. qv’s site was started just for anna and howard. and it did tremendous, good for them, with your help, i think it went way beyond what you all thought it would. then one day, it was over, as far as the stern’s were concerned. they moved their support to a site that has done a lot of damage to others (and also supports bdsm). they said they no longer needed qv’s help. and after qv no longer supported the stern’s, she still kept the site open, for the posters, who just could not and do not believe, she really meant it when she says she no longer supports howard. but they are still there. supporting howard. and she lets them, because unless it happens to you , they have to question if she really means that. but because she can be objective , as you certainly are. it may at times look like you both still support him. but it’s about TRUTH, and you both tell the TRUTH, no matter which path it takes. and i do have to commend you and qv for that. i have really enjoyed your site, and thank you for having me.
Vivian - I’ll cover the issue of support in my next article — there’s only two more to go — and lay these issues to a final rest, at least from my perspective. I don’t wish to discuss it yet, and hope this thread will be a positive one about the wonderful volunteers. Thank you, and you know I enjoy having you on the site, and hope you’ll stick around when I conclude my HKS/ANS stories. - Jane
Hi Jane,
Very nice tribute to all of those who have worked so hard to find the truth in this saga, including yourself.
I was so relieved to have found QV’s, your’s and Art Harris’s sites on the internet, that was actually supporting Howard K. Stern.
As most know, I had never even heard of him or Anna before this tragedy started to appear on TV. It was when I saw how the media was crucifying Howard without ANY evidence of any crime having taken place, that I had to try to do something about it, however little.
My heart went out to Howard, even though I didn’t know anything about him, but as I watched, I could see that he seemed like a very nice, quiet and gentle man who loved Anna and was only trying to do what she wanted. That is pure devotion. He is to be commended, in my opinion, not ridiculed, as so many hateful people sought to do.
I’ve enjoyed reading all your wonderful articles Jane, and will continue to do so. I, too, hope that you will still write more on this saga as things continue to unfold.
Joan S.
To Jane and QV, after reading Vivian’s post I would also like to add I support you both, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for all your work and Compassion. I have concluded it is about our compassion not theirs.
Mary
Hi Mary! This post is dedicated to all the great people who really worked on behalf of a noble cause — you included! Thanks! - Jane
Ok, I posted prior to the note, thanks
Thank you Jane. I found your site a couple weeks ago and stop by everyday. I thoroughly enjoy your writing. You are gifted and I hope you continue to use that gift.
Jane, the thread is so wonderful. many people envied you in which God says don’t but sometimes it is so hard when a woman like you can sit and speak words with such meaning. before this i was a mystery reader, never really cared about reading long articles, i awalys seen to lose interest, but for you my dear friend YOU HAVE CAPTURED ME. GOD BLESS GAGI
Great job Jane and QV and all the supporters…..I hope everyone is starting to understand what we all went through. Great posts guys, I ditto what has been said.
Jane:
What a great article about internet activism. As you know, I have spent a great deal of time in QV’s chat room with her many researchers and I am so pleased that QV, ad, Kim and the many other researchers are getting the credit they are due for their countless hours of research. Many have literally put their lives on hold to help out. Kudos to all of them.
I am looking forward to your next article and will continue to read once you have concluded your Anna Nicole Smith/Howard K. Stern thread.
Thank you for all your hard work over the past months and for providing us with the truth.
Dear Jane and QV:
Thanks so much for the opportunity to express our thoughts and opinions on the support work and research we did here on your site and on QV’s. You gals have been wonderful to us and gone why beyond what could be expected. The physical, mental and emotional time you have given to these sites is phenomenal. Jane again your writing is superior. You gals have given so much of yourselves and been through so much yet you both continue on in such an impressive way. We as the helpers and supporters are so proud of you and love you both for your compassion, devotion and dedication to the sites and all of us. You have created a home for a lot of us who needed a place to go to be loved and to serve others, for that we are truly greatful. We look forward to many more articles, chats and blogs. God bless you both.
Hi, everyone.
Am recuperating from a med. procedure and cannot sit up long, so will try to be very very brief.
Please forgive any typos.
Both Q.V and J.D. are engaged in a very complex, controversial and incredibly time-consuming task. Moderating a website such as these takes work 24/7. You cannot place a dollar sign on their effort.
When Q.V’s site was on a fritz for a while, I figured I could help out by opening a board in my own blog over at bravenet. Alas, I could handle it for only 2-3 days!
The junk that came in was incredible, deliberate junk, that is, not only by HKS or ANS or VA haters, but by spammers, and as I’ve said, I gave it up. Not because I lost faith in Howard K Stern’s innocence, but because I simply could not keep up –every hour — with reading the posts and clearing spam and hateful comments. In the end, not only did I give up, but took down all the related pages. Of course, due to spam. Just the names of ANS and HKS in my blog site was enough to generate this.
OK, I said I will be brief, but am not, so you can understand how I feel …
Having a website costs money. A lot of money for an average person. Google ads pay very very little, in nickels and dimes. Neither QV nor JD run an operation similar to TMZ and Court TV, where each time someone surfs in, not even to post but just to read …. cash registers go singing and dancing katchiiiing! katchiiiiing! in cyberspace.
Thank you J.D and Q.V for all the hard work you’ve done on behalf of fairness and truth.
Kristina
Just a post, wishing you get better soon. take care of you.
Jane keep up the great work. Rock on.
Jane and QV
Because I couldn’t watch TV without hearing something about ANS and HKS,and everything being said was so deliberately done to stir controversy, I for some reason took it as a personal attack. To think people could do this was beyond my comprehension, and who would it happen to next. When I found your sites, and read all the postings it was like I had found the compassion and the integrity, that was lacking. I don’t how you did it. It made me realize in this world of technology the Internet can be away for people to gather and stand for their own belief in fair justice.
Jane: It doesn’t matter which one of your articles I read, I feel a sense of quiet in my soul. I know everyone who reads your work has the same feeling. It is like you read our minds and put It to paper. You give us the guidance to keep in the right direction.
God bless you both, thank you for keeping your compassion.
Jane and QV
The funny thing for me, telling people to believe and trust in the justice system.
I’m Canadian !
DEAR JANE, HONESTLY, IT’S NOT OVER YET… I REALLY APPRECIATE THE EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF TIME AND EFFORT YOU PUT INTO THESE ARTICLES. YOU AND ART HARRIS ARE THE BEST! I CAME HERE AFTER A FREAKY EXPERIENCCE AT TMZ. THE PIT BULLS WERE OUT THE DAY I WENT CALLING… I AM NEW TO THIS AND DECIDED QUICKLY I WANTED NO PART OF THAT SITE. THE BLESSING? I LEARNED ABOUT YOUR SITE FROM TMZ. I WILL TELL YOU AGAIN JANE, GOD BROUGHT YOU TO US , AND WITH ALL OF YOUR GIFTS…YOU ARE GOING PLACES. YOUR SITE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT. GOD BLESS FRIEND. J
Jimi, I’m a zygotic flea compared to Art, but I appreciate the thought. TMZ seems like a scary place, but I’m glad it got you here. Bless you, too, and in a big way. - Jane
Wow! Great job again Jane. Keep up the good work!
wow great job jane. you rock.
Jane-You’re quite welcome. I really enjoyed this last article. it had me in tears of lots of different emotions but mostly good ones. I’ve really enjoy your articles, QV’S site and her threads and all the people that contibute their opinions and links and news. After you are done with your articles on this case, I will definitely will be here sticking around to everything you write. There are very few people tha can hold my nterest and you are one of them. wow, another great written article.
Jane, thanks for creating a place where Howard fans can ‘hang out’. I don’t often post but I am always lurking
Jane, Thank You for this article, and tribute to QV and the wonderful people I have come to know on her site. God placed Howard on our hearts, because he knew he needed our prayers and support; I am so glad he did.
Linda
PA
#24, Ditto
the work of all the posters and web detectives, have gone far beyond just howard. what QV started, and with lots of help from Jane, it has gone to all the medias in the u.s. and the bahamas. and this was happening berore the lin wood, and the mytruerose bdsm site started. the la cross young men were crusified by the same media who did the same to howard. but the la cross thing was far far more serious. some medias :stars were fired. some demoted. and the rest is cleaning up their act, and if i was HOWARD K. STERN, i would out of my own mouth thank all the posters, who worked so hard or him. and to this day have not lost faith in him. abut for QV who has lost her mother during this time, and Jane who had a daughter in irac?? but is now home safely, are working with out any thank you’s from him, but i am saying to them thank you, for all the others who are going to the courts, innocent or guilty, because ther defense will be mad easier without all the abuse from the media. I value both of you, and will do ant thing to help you in any way.
You people are biased. . .Anna should have been in a hospital! Why?????????
Peggy, she didn’t want to go. She was an adult. Why people do not understand that you can’t force a grown woman to go to the hospital against her will is beyond me.
My bias is for understanding. Yours (and your post is edited for this reason) appears to be for the condemnation of others, regardless of facts or warrant. If that is the case, please refrain from condemning them here. Thank you. - Jane
happy father’s day jane. i so admire your site, and i think your daughter is sooo lucky to have a mom-dad like you
Peggy………….I hope you or someone with the same thoughts, comes back on this site and reads more than one article. You say this site is biased, if you mean that Jane was appalled by the treatment a man was receiving in the media, maybe it is. To me the site is about just that, the unfair accusations, the vicious name calling, the rumors. The person could be anyone. There are three young men,they were accused of a terrible offense. The charges have been dropped, the prosecutor has been disbarred did he jump the gun, because of media pressure, and people making assumptions, before there was a proper investigation. Even with the clearing of their names, how many people are going to believe that something did happen, hopefully there are enough people like Jane that don’t believe every thing the media and others say before they know the facts. Hopefully this has not ruined the lives of these young men. they could be anyone, a son, a brother, a husband. If that is being biased then as far as I am concerned bring it on. This is my opinion,and I can express it.