A quick search of Anna Nicole Smith on CNN.com results in 52 articles, 36 on MSNBC.com and a whopping 55 on People.com. Possibly more shocking is that all of these pieces where written in less than a month.

This actress-turned-model-turned-reality star-turned-widow-turned-drug-addicted mothers death was covered on the front pages of The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today.

From pieces on her over-the-top funeral, to the 911 tape from her bodyguard, Smith continues to cause controversy even after her death.

While Americans anxiously check every newspaper, magazine, news and entertainment channel and Internet site awaiting the outcome of paternity suits surrounding Smiths five-month-old daughter and results of her autopsy, one has to stop and wonder, has the Iraq War ended?

Was the 2008 presidential election cancelled?

Does the end of Anna Nicole Smiths life mean the end of the world as well? Since her death on Feb. 8, new developments surrounding Smith occur every day.

Whether it is her mother shoveling dirt on her grave, or the state of her mansion in the Bahamas, every detail is made monumental to the public.

With story upon story about Smith in every possible publication, her death appears to be the biggest news story since Watergate.

But is her death really that newsworthy? Surely it was anticipated.

Her obvious drug and alcohol experimenting were leading her on a downward spiral, not to mention the mysterious death of her son last year which left her depressed and practically bedridden.

Smiths life can be defined as just another pop icons excessive lifestyle ending tragically.

To add to the medias obsession with Anna Nicole Smith, another Hollywood celebrity is fighting for front pages with her antics.

A recent mother of two, soon to be divorcee, shaved-head, rehab patient Britney Spears is quickly captivating the public once more.

In one of my recent communications classes, it was shocking to hear a fellow student gasp when the professor mentioned Cheneys attempted assassination. However, the mention of Spears new haircut was old news to the same student.

Isnt it a bit disturbing when college-aged students know more about a has-been model/actress than their own government?

When did the media become more interested in providing the public with enormous amounts of useless information on the same subject rather than the current state of our nation or the world at large?

Right below an article on Anna Nicole Smith is one about the deadliest day in Iraq for American troops. How is this

possible?

Our nation is waging a tragically unsuccessful war and now sending more troops to fight and we are too busy gossiping about the sale of Britney Spears hair to notice.

Dont blame the media. Yes they are responsible for newspapers and TV stations; however, they would not produce so much information on these two stars if the public were not welcoming it with open arms.

To produce a generation is interested in much more than another stars visit to rehab, the public must set an agenda for the media.

So next time one sees an article about another paternity suit surrounding Anna Nicole Smiths baby, or Britney Spears fifth visit to rehab, resist the urge to read the same thing we heard five minutes ago.

Demand a return to news which actually affects American lives and impacts the future.

The world can go on without another shapely, blonde millionaire. Journalists should focus on the news, rather than running articles from the gossip column on the front page as news.

Society must reevaluate itself in order to avoid making stars at of those who are obviously unprepared for it. It is sad that Anna Nicole Smith died, but does it really warrant the is amount of converage.

Columnist: Kourtney Cloak - 03/15/07