Anna Nicole Smith has died according to ABC News

Absolutely! Bremmer is clueless. Sean is befuddled.

Of course I had to check out the Bahama Newspapers before hitting the bed... I thought this one was worthy of being posted.

http://freeport.nassauguardian.net/national_local/288250392367223.php

Grand Bahama residents sound-off on the resignation of Shane Gibson
By K. NANCOO-RUSSELL

Freeport News Reporter

The announcement of the resignation of Immigration and Labour Minister Shane Gibson, announced Sunday night in a nationally televised broadcast, was the topic of conversation on everyone's lips yesterday.

The international press coverage of the ongoing Anna-Nicole Smith saga has been relentless and the media has been reporting each development as it unfolds in much detail and with great rapidity. Within hours after Gibson's address, the story was splashed across television screens and newspaper pages around the world.

Here in Grand Bahama, residents have their own opinions about this latest development. The Freeport News interviewed several persons about how they felt about Gibson's resignation and what it meant for the nation.

Attorney Frederick Smith sounded off on the matter, saying that he thought it was the respectable thing to do in the circumstances.

"I think that Shane Gibson has done the honourable thing. I think that there was too much odium and contempt being visited upon The Bahamas by the perceived inappropriate or impropriety of what he may or may not have done. Politics is really a matter of perception, and immigration is a very very sensitive issue in The Bahamas," said Smith.

Calling for the establishment of an independent immigration board, Smith said that he believes that the immigration act should be "de-politicized." If this happens, Smith said, then "situations like this that Mr. Gibson is accused of, and the criticism that is then visited on The Bahamas would not arise, because Ministers in Cabinet would not be in a position where they can be giving fast-tracked approvals for a favourite or be accused of corruption or favouritism."

Smith said that he saw this situation as an opportunity for The Bahamas to consider the future of its immigration laws.

"The sooner we take it out of the hands of the politicians who can be accused of corruption in the way they manage immigration, the better," said Smith.

"We could develop an immigration process that has objectivity, that is accountable, that is efficient and that is transparent and we can take the bogeyman out of immigration. In that way we avoid future criticism of our nation as being a nation for sale."

Stephen Plakaris, Deputy Director of Government School Security, also felt that resigning was the honourable thing for Gibson to do.

"It does take away unnecessary arguments about politics in the upcoming election about that affair. It gets people to think and may even fire up some of his supporters and others on the other side to get more involved and do the right thing," said Plakaris.

Plakaris noted that while the situation on the whole is unfortunate, people should look at the situation again once investigations have been conducted and all the facts are revealed. In the meantime, he feels that people should focus instead on real issues that pertain to the nation's advancement.

"Let's look at the real issues involved regarding the nation and conducting an election in the proper way, and not just mud-slinging and scandal. It detracts people from the real issues of the country," said Plakaris.

"Look at Mr. Clinton, the Teflon president, even his indiscretion did not take away his ability to run the country and his ability to gain the respect of foreign nations, as well as his own nation. And it didn't take away from the fact that he did what he had to do in the circumstances."

Another attorney weighed in on the issue, citing Parliamentary rules to support the reason for the resignation.

Kevin Russell, attorney-at-law, felt that Gibson's resignation was timely.

"We must realize that there are rules and conventions that dictate and govern a Member of Parliament's behaviour. We are from the Westminister system and this system has what is known as conventions. While they are not binding on the MPs, these MPs, once they're elected to parliament and take the parliamentary oath, they agree to be bound by those laws and conventions."

Russell also referred to the resignation as the honourable thing to do, calling to mind the use of that very word in the title bestowed on MPs.

"What we need to realize is that sometimes you call a Parliamentarian an honourable member and in this case I think he did the honorable thing and he stepped down because the perception wasn't good," said Russell. "I'm not faulting what happened, I'm faulting the way that it happened and the perception that was conveyed to the public."

Russell spoke about the English system where persons are often asked to resign for far-less scandalous offences.

This happens, Russell says, mainly because as a Cabinet Minister you are supposed to be an honorable person and honourable persons do the honourable thing.

"What should have happened, what I thought would have happened was that he resign his position until such time as the matter has been resolved, and if, after investigation, if he is found to be innocent then he can be reinstated. That's what would have happened in England," said Russell.

Some residents were of the opinion that Gibson should have been fired instead of being given the option to resign. One such person is Thomas Brooks, who expressed his view that Gibson's actions were improper and should not be forgiven.

"He had no business being friends with that woman at all because that's a business. He's trying to get all comfortable and taking pictures. He probably wasn't sleeping with her but he didn't have any business taking those pictures with her. It's inappropriate and he should have been fired, not allowed to resign," said Brooks.

"They treat people too bad. If that were two Haitian parents who had a baby in this country it would have been something else. He should be taking pictures with these Haitian people who trying to get straight. It's terrible, because they're Americans they want to treat them differently."

Dwayne Sturrup feels that the Minister's resignation gives the impression to the public perhaps he may have been guilty of some of the things he was accused of.

"Maybe the pressure caused him to decide to resign. Maybe he was guilty of something. I guess if he was guilty that would be the real reason to make him do it," said Sturrup.

"It's sad because he was doing a good job though," added Sturrup.

Some residents interviewed felt that Gibson's resignation was appropriate and should have been tendered a long time ago. Geo Symonette was one of those persons.

"He should have been gone long time, from since the very first allegations of him fast-tracking her paperwork," said Symonette.

"I think there's much more to the story, I think there's more to come out of this."

While Paytrilee Pinder felt that Gibson's resignation was in the best interest of the nation, she believed that members of the public were too glib in their discussions about the Minister's fate.

"It's bringing so much negative light on the country so I think it's unfortunate that the media and just Bahamians in general are just sort of cashing in or just grabbing at him, at his misfortune," said Pinder.

"All the alleged talk about whatever's been going on, whether it's true or not, it's just sad that everybody is just pulling on him like that, trying to bring him down, taking such joy in his misery."

Another resident, Lawrence Curtis felt that any official caught in a questionable situation should resign and that Gibson did the honourable thing.

"Whether or not people may agree with it, that is the honourable thing to do. Let the people decide, if they want him back, they'll put him back in," noted Curtis.

HONOURABLE THING — Noted Attorney Fred Smith shares his opinion on the resignation of Shane Gibson yesterday. He said it was the honourable thing for him to do. Gibson made the announcement Sunday evening during a televised broadcast on ZNS.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,252979,00.html

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST: Ford and Gina Shelly were very close to Anna Nicole. We spoke with the Shelly's a short time ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VAN SUSTEREN: Had you ever come to learn that maybe the day was not a particularly normal one?

FORD SHELLY, FRIEND OF ANNA NICOLE SMITH: We've later found out and we didn't know it, that Anna wasn't up (INAUDIBLE) herself that day. Anna was — Anna had — must have taken something to calm her down, but Anna wasn't herself that day.

VAN SUSTEREN: That day was taped, do we have some clips of it? Who taped it?

F. SHELLY: Howard.

VAN SUSTEREN: What do those tapes tell you? I mean, what do you notice about — I mean, you know Anna Nicole, I mean, what do those tapes tell you? What was going on?

And Anna wasn't herself. Anna was acting like a child. She thought she'd already had the baby and my little girl was scared and Howard had to calm her down. And tell her, say, "Anna, you're scaring Reilly. You're scaring her. You're scaring her."

And she didn't understand. Anna didn't mean it. But, Howard is a grown man, and he's sitting there videotaping this and watching Anna. She needed help. She didn't need that.

VAN SUSTEREN: And your little girl said, "Howard."

GINA SHELLY, FRIEND OF ANNA NICOLE SMITH: "Please call the doctor, Howard. Let's call the doctor, Howard, please. Something's wrong with ‘Bunny.'" She called her "Bunny." And Howard's like — Reilly's like, "I'm going to call my dad." And Howard's like, "That phone doesn't work, honey, the one in the kitchen does." And when Reilly ran out to call, Howard tells Anna, "You're scaring Reilly. You're scaring Reilly, Anna. You really need to straighten up. You're scaring her." You know, so.

VAN SUSTEREN: But, what does the tape show? What does the tape show?

G. SHELLY: It shows them having a party and Reilly painted her face like a clown and they had face painting and they started playing baby dolls. And then Anna's believing that this baby is her baby. And Reilly's trying to say, "This is not your baby, Anna. Your baby's still in your tummy." And Anna is convinced that that baby is her baby.

VAN SUSTEREN: The doll?

G. SHELLY: The doll baby. And then Reilly keeps going up to Howard saying, you know, "Howard, tell her it's got a battery. Let's go get a screwdriver and take it out and show Anna this is not a real baby." So, I mean, this went on for probably about an hour. Until...

F. SHELLY: Well, that's all we know.

G. SHELLY: That's all we know. Until finally Howard convinced Anna, you know, you're freaking Reilly out, you need to stop this.

VAN SUSTEREN: How about Anna, how does she look to you in that tape, Ford?

F. SHELLY: Just distorted. It wasn't Anna. At one moment there on the tape, when my little girl was out of the room, Howard asked her what — three times was she on mushrooms and then finally she asked him "what?" And then he said "never mind, just kidding." And I've looked at that tape, and I have regretted ever letting my child go to that house.

VAN SUSTEREN: Why do you think the videotape? I mean, this whole party there's videotaping, it might have started out to look a little fun, but it didn't portray — I mean, Anna doesn't look like these pictures. I mean.

G. SHELLY: Right. This is the normal Anna.

VAN SUSTEREN: This one is very fresh, very alert. this picture. And likewise this picture too, with your daughter. Very alert. This is taken two months earlier. The one on the video, frankly, she looks like she's on something to me.

G. SHELLY: Right. And it's.

VAN SUSTEREN: See and this is three weeks before her baby is being born or two weeks.

G. SHELLY: Right.

F. SHELLY: But we can't say — we don't know. I mean, we didn't — we're seeing this for the first time. We've seen her act different and we've witnessed mood swings with Anna. Anna was a good person, she had a good heart.

VAN SUSTEREN: Howard ever say anything to either one of you?

G. SHELLY: No.

F. SHELLY: No. He don't need to, now. I don't want to ever lay eyes on him again. I don't want to, you know, we got to — I don't want to lay eyes on him. And we got Anna's funeral. Anna ain't here, she is gone. She knows we loved her and I'm sorry that I ever took her there.

G. SHELLY: But Greta, I mean, we did what she wanted — she wanted to go. She felt like she would be protected in the Bahamas having the baby. And, I mean, we did what Anna wanted us to do. Anna wanted to go to the Bahamas and have the baby.

VAN SUSTEREN: So, what's the role of Howard in all of this?

F. SHELLY: We don't — I'm not going to be the judge of that.

VAN SUSTEREN: Did you ever socialize with Howard? Or get to know him?

G. SHELLY: Well, when he was at our house last Christmas, I mean, you know, he came with Anna. It was Daniel, Anna, Howard, and Nate, who was her personal assistant at the time. And we got to know Howard a little bit.

F. SHELLY: I don't think we ever knew Howard.

G. SHELLY: But, yeah, I mean, I don't think.

F. SHELLY: I don't think we ever knew him. I don't even know him today. The man I thought he was.

G. SHELLY: So many things have transpired over the course of us being with Anna, that I don't think I knew the person that I met, you know. The person that stayed at my house, I don't know him.

F. SHELLY: Howard needs to know that what Anna wanted was to be normal. She wanted to be loved. She didn't want to be laughed at. She didn't want to be the tail end of someone's joke. She just wanted to be loved and to be normal, but that didn't sell. What sold is her crazy antics and the way she was. And I understand that, but she needed down time. She needed some down time and that's what she wanted from us.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

Oops, I'm just starting to read from where I left off and I think that's the same link I just posted. Oh,well. Go ahead and yell at me.

No yelling from me!

How are you? Hope everything is ok...

Isn't this the craziest courtroom you've ever seen? There were times today that I couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing!

Only saw clips this evening ... followed it on 4 live threads, 4 different forums. One took a while to read because I had to run it through the Babel Fish Moonbat Translator. (Good guy=Stern to those CTV people.)

A few transcript links - not a complete list:

Greta Van Susteren
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,252979,00.html
Anna Nicole's Friends Comment On Disturbing Tape
February 20, 2007

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,252399,00.html
Did Pregnant Anna Nicole Get Methadone?
February 16, 2007

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,252138,00.html
Explosive Anna Nicole Legal Document
February 15, 2007

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,251702,00.html
New Photos From Anna Nicole Smith's Home [Ford & Gina Shelley Interview]
February 13, 2007

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,251094,00.html
Stern's Attorney: 'Howard Is the Father'
February 09, 2007

~~~~~
Nancy Grace and Larry King Live

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0702/20/ng.01.html
NANCY GRACE
Anna Nicole`s Mother and Lover Testify in Burial Rights Hearing
Aired February 20, 2007

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0702/20/lkl.01.html
CNN LARRY KING LIVE
The Latest On Anna Nicole Smith
Aired February 20, 2007

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0702/19/ng.01.html
NANCY GRACE
Legal Showdown Looms Over Anna Nicole`s Burial
Aired February 19, 2007

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0702/18/lkl.01.html
CNN LARRY KING LIVE
Anna Nicole Smith: In Her Own Words
Aired February 18, 2007

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0702/17/lkl.01.html
CNN LARRY KING LIVE
Encore Presentation: 'ET' Talks Anna Nicole
Aired February 17, 2007

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0702/16/ng.01.html
NANCY GRACE
Anna Nicole`s Will Released
Aired February 16, 2007

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0702/16/lkl.01.html
CNN LARRY KING LIVE
More On The Legal Battles Over Anna Nicole Smith
Aired February 16, 2007

Just getting to my pings now, sorry so late answering - Neavitt was on Nancy Grace's show, hosted by Pat Lalama, last night - some snippets to help us sort out the CA proceedings from today and forward:

[Nancy Grace - 2/20]
LALAMA: Well, while we`re on the subject, because you were in the California court...

NEAVITT: Yes.

LALAMA: ... explain to us -- now, I understand the California judge said, I`m not going to give up the paternity issue. And at the same time, I understand that Larry Birkhead, the former lover, has got a -- served Mr. Stern today in Florida. Explain all that for us today.

NEAVITT: Well, first of all, we were in court today on several issues. One was whether or not the California court would assert jurisdiction over the custody of Dannielynn. And the court for, like, the third or fourth time said, No, it`s not a California issue, it should be dealt with in the Bahamas. And that`s how he ruled on that issue.

The other issue was whether or not there would be any kind of change in the order for paternity testing, and he did not change his order. He basically requested the Florida jurisdiction to allow Larry Birkhead`s expert to go and obtain the DNA that they need to do the testing -- for the DNA testing.

And the third issue that was before the court today was whether or not the court would grant their request that there be contempt against my client for allegedly lying in a declaration, and the court dismissed that contempt.

LALAMA: All right. So basically, where we stand now is that the court said, No, you`re not going to go after Mr. Stern for claiming he`s the father, that just doesn`t hold water, good-bye. Number two, it is Larry Birkhead`s attorney who wants the paternity issues heard in Florida, and that`s sort of still hanging now?

NEAVITT: No.

LALAMA: That`s not been resolved?

NEAVITT: No, the court didn`t get into my client`s involvement in terms of having jurisdiction over...

LALAMA: Well, not in California, but she tried to have him served today in Florida on that matter, in terms of the testing.

NEAVITT: Actually, they sent me the paperwork.

LALAMA: OK.

NEAVITT: I had the paperwork as of Friday, and so I know what it is. They`re attempting to join Howard to the California proceeding.

LALAMA: OK.

NEAVITT: There`s a process to do that, and that process starts, and there`s a hearing on that in, I believe, the first part of March of this year.

.....

I want to go back to James Neavitt who represents Howard K. Stern in the California paternity matter. Just to clarify -- I don`t know if I asked you this clearly enough -- I want the viewers to understand that tomorrow was to be a deadline for DNA sampling, correct me if I`m wrong, from Anna and from the baby. Now that Anna has passed, where do we stand now?

JAMES NEAVITT, HOWARD K. STERN`S ATTORNEY: Well, that`s an interesting question. The court did not change that order; that order still exists. But the question is, you know, who is the order directed to? And the court specifically said that he wasn`t going to answer that question.

LALAMA: So what happens now? So what do we do?

NEAVITT: I mean, somebody has to take the order and enforce it. I assume that Mr. Birkhead`s attorney`s going to go and get the sample of DNA from the coroner which, under this order, they have a right to.

LALAMA: But what about the baby?

NEAVITT: The baby? You know, the baby has to be presented. Howard`s going to follow any court order made. And right now, there`s been no court order made to have him do anything. And that`s one of the issues of why California even -- we can question why California even has jurisdiction of this issue. This matter should be in the Bahamas so that a proper order could be made.
~~~~~~~

Sorry, just getting to my pings - hope you have figured out by now that "Texas" is our very own John O'Quinn, the Mighty Quinn - tobacco "winner" among other things. *We're so proud.*

Glad he's on Virgie's side!

There seems to be some anti-Texas sentiment in the courtroom and not just the one in FL, but the one in CA, too. We'll see how they all fare in The Bahamas.

I'm kind of worried that Stern is going to try to convince Milstein that Dannielynn is half-Jewish and it might affect some of his thinking - UNTIL a DNA test for her paternity is returned, anyway.

"Shall we give up folowing this for Lent?"

Now that's funny!

That's very interesting. I've seen the video and had wondered who the (nine year old) child is. Are you saying that the Shelleys were not aware of the video until it was aired on TV? When/where does their narration take place?

Good article. I'm glad to hear that the Bahamas are investigating Daniel's death. I hadn't heard anything about it.

"ANNA NICOLE WILL BE GOING TO THE GRAVE IN STYLE"

New York Post...2/21/07...By LORENA MONGELLI, JANON FISHER & DAVID K. LI

"If a Florida judge hands over Smith's remains to boyfriend-lawyer Howard K. Stern, the model will wear a
number created by Beverly Hills designer Pol' Atteu in her open casket."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02202007/news/nationalnews/anna_nicole_will_be_going_in_style_nationalnews_lorena_mongelli__janon_fisher__david_k__li.htm

"THE RITE STUFF: Anna Nicole Smith prances about in an outfit by celeb designer POL' ATTEU
of Beverly Hills, who will create the gown in which she'll be BURIED."

Ewwwww. Even heard on the radio (just a few minutes ago) that Broward ME, Dr. Perper, is suggesting the viewing be done by Saturday (at the very latest). Even with embalming, ANS's remains 'deteriorating' much faster than expected.

Just when you think this can't get creepier, it gets ramped up. As an aside, I wonder if tanning, hair bleaching, lip injections; breast implants contribute to the rapid detrioration? Anyone know? Just odd....

"Balding Legal Eagle Judge Larry Seidlin Pining for Own TV Show?"

New York Daily News...2/21/07...Michelle Caruso

"Bronx-born Judge Larry Seidlin even made his own court "demo tape" to show he's got the makings of a tough-talking judicial star, according to the celebrity Web site TMZ.com."

http://www.nydailynews.com/02-21-2007/news/story/499405p-421089c.html

I know, I know...and will they get my hair 'right'? More stress...

"Sitting on the stand, Howard K. Stern started to sob loudly when he heard the news that the body of Anna Nicole Smith is deteriorating faster than normal."
***from TMZ***

Did anyone notice that the crowd APPLAUDED Larry Burkhead when he left the courthouse yesterday?

Actually, most insurance companies have a 2 year clause on suicide. If you commit suicide after the 2 years are up from the start of the policy, they pay off. This was to prevent people from buying insurance solely with the intention of then killing themselves immediately.