"You should protest about the views of people you disagree with over major moral issues, and argue them down, 

but you should not try to silence them, 

however repugnant you find them. 

That is the bitter pill free speech requires us to swallow."

-Julian Baggini

I want to make VERY CLEAR that even though this blog refers to the country singer Leann Rimes numerous times, what you’re about to read has absolutely nothing to do with my personal opinion of her. This is NOT about whether she's guilty or innocent of inciting certain behaviors, nor does it have anything to do with her personal life, conduct, talent, or twitter habits. I’m well aware that people will try to make it about that, but that subject has already been addressed,  relentlessly, by others. I'm not interested.

Instead, I wanted to talk about the behavior I’ve witnessed on twitter that seems to surround Ms. Rimes.  There is an all out, kill-or-be-killed war that’s been brewing for years between Ms. Rimes’ fans and those who...well, aren’t. 

Writing this, I tried to be as objective as humanly possible. Some of my twitter followers adore her. Many of my followers hate her. I honestly don’t give a shit either way. I’m cool with anyone interacting with me as long as they’re respectful of my beliefs. If they are, I’m respectful of theirs.

Frankly, I don’t comprehend the depth of these feelings either way about any celebrity, but recently it's erupted into something much bigger than her.  When it comes to Ms. Rimes...people seem to have forgotten that NOT EVERYONE MUST LIKE THE SAME THING. And, conversely...NOT EVERYONE MUST HATE THE SAME THING.

Last I heard, people have different taste, whether it's music or morality.

I'm the first to admit I'm no twitter angel. I’ve said stupid crap I've deeply regretted, and been drawn into toxic interactions myself, more times than I'm comfortable with. I'm an opinionated gal, and I've often desperately wished I'd been blessed with more grace and tact. All of this combined with the absolutely mortifying choices I’ve made in my past leave me in no position to judge anyone else. Which is why when I've witnessed certain things on twitter that have deeply troubled me, I’ve kept my yap shut."It's none of my business. I don't want the drama."

Until an incident happened last week that made it my business.

Before I get to that, if you’d like to get a small taste of what I’m referring to, and you’re on twitter, search Leann Rimes and see what comes up. I did this recently as I was writing this post, and I was honestly sickened and appalled. 

First, I must warn you: there are thousands of shocking tweets full of absolute, insane cruelty, mixed with many fan/positive tweets. Here’s a tiny sampling of the troubling things people have tweeted Ms. Rimes directly, just in the past few days:

“Fucking clowncunt” “Everyone hates you” “You fucking suck, why don’t you die?” “You’re lazy & fat hubby is unemployable” “Leann is sick cus she looked in the mirror & realized her life sucks” “Ugly whore” “Horse Face” “your stepsons hate you” “You’re a horrible vile cunt” “Cowardly cunt” “barren, childless Leann” "PigWhore""Liar""Laxanne""You make me sick""You disgusting cunt" and on and on and on.

*Since this blog came out many have decided to stop this behavior. Partially due to the blog itself, but also due to other reasons. So to see what I'm referring to, scroll back a few days.

Regardless, as disturbing as those comments are, being attacked is a sadly a cruel reality of being famous today. (Especially being famous and on social media.) Even though I think the comments above are just awful, I'm sad to say some of my followers  engage in this behavior all day long, every day. Despite privately wishing they’d stop already, or at least switch topics occasionally, many are people I truly like, many I feel personally connected to regarding their addictions, after they read GUTS. 

But they are far from the only ones at fault here. Just as disturbing are tweets from Ms. Rimes fans towards her haters. From what I can see, both sides are equally guilty. Jobs are constantly threatened, employers called, peoples children are threatened (in one awful case, a man actually wished death upon someone's  GRANDCHILDREN, simply because she wasn't a  fan. She was utterly devastated.) Accounts are being hacked daily, private information is tweeted,  Social Security #’s  and home addresses are shared, private photographs are tweeted, accounts are spammed until twitter shuts them down, and on and on and on and on and on.

The bullying is relentless.

If someone tweets a compliment to Ms. Rimes, they are immediately attacked for having this opinion.  If someone is critical/mean toward her, they are attacked. If Ms. Rimes tweets a celebrity and they tweet back, the celebrity is attacked. There are lists of “the enemy,” a group of “haters” who must be taken down at all costs. There are false accounts made to torment someone JUST BECAUSE THEY LIKE/HATE A COUNTRY SINGER.

This behavior has forced hundreds to close their twitter accounts, and almost all involved are now “private” due to the harassment. Yet it continues.

I got a small taste of it last week. Ms. Rimes had prevented a blogger & a paparazzi (both of whom have expressed very negative opinions of her) from attending her concert. She had them both escorted out by law enforcement. Both women had tweeted about the concert for weeks, purchased tickets well in advance, and both are gals in their 40's or 50's. Hardly what I would consider a threat. Yes, it’s terrible when someone writes mean shit about you. And yes, paparazzi can be extremely invasive. But, in my opinion, what were they gonna do, photograph her to death?

I’ve been a theater actress all my life, so when my twitter suddenly blew up with the information that police escorted them out, I tweeted my instinctive opinion (and one I still stand behind 100%):  “I'm sorry, but kicking anyone out of a performance you're in simply because they write mean shit about you is the very height of idiocy.”

Immediately after I tweeted “As entertainers, we can’t always chose who our audience is.”

Holy shit. It was like I dropped a fucking bomb on a pre-school. People went apeshit. As you can see, I didn’t name names and it’s 100% my truthful opinion, which I have every right to have. I would have said the same thing regardless of the performer.  My opinion on this was formed by my long theater career and the adage "The show must go on." I’ve been absolutely eviscerated by a major NY critic, and a few months later had to perform my next play knowing he was there to judge me again. I've also had certain people attack me and write terrible blogs about me. It honestly wouldn't occur to me to ban them from a play or taping I was in. 

Once, this crazy guy tweeted he couldn't wait to "teach me a lesson" when I spoke at a recovery event near him in Texas. For days he threatened me with constant physical harm. He wanted to "karate chop my throat"& "take a shit in my mouth," among thousands of other threats.

I simply hired extra security and went about my day. 

Ask any performer what they think of this, and I'm certain they'd completely agree with me. As professionals, we perform. I don't believe Madonna or Kathy Griffin or Taylor Swift or Wynonna Judd would refuse entry to someone who's voiced very negative views on them.

My statement was taken as a personal attack on Ms. Rimes (which it truly wasn't) and a wall of rage and fury slammed into me. I won’t repeat what people said, mostly because it was all kind of a blur,  but there were hundreds of cruel attacks on my career (or, in their opinion, lack thereof), my talent (or lack thereof), my age (can't help that one), my sobriety, my face, my intelligence, my ego, my weight, and in a few cases,  accusations that I was just trying to ride Ms. Rimes coattails (Where to, I have no idea.)

I had to block over 50 people in a 40 minute time frame.  I don't really care,  I'm a big girl, I can handle some shit thrown my way.

But this is just stupid, you guys. It really is. 

It’s become insane, and I've seen it start to really harm people. 

It’s just not okay anymore. 

I want to say this to each of you: 
You can change. Right now. You can stop engaging in toxicity and hurtful behavior right this second. 

If someone wants to chat with their followers about liking/disliking someone, THAT’S THEIR RIGHT. If you don't agree, just block the fuckers and move the fuck on.

If someone wants to state an opinion about someone’s behavior, THAT’S THEIR RIGHT.  If you don't like it, just block the fucker and move the fuck on.

Starting today, I’ll begin unfollowing or blocking any of those who engage in this behavior, which makes me sad. I really like a bunch of you crazy twatters.

I've also disabled the comments section of this post, not because I don't want your feedback. I do.  Sadly, I believe it will become just another forum to trash each other, or Leann Rimes. 

And frankly, I've read enough of that to last me a lifetime.

I hope you understand the spirit with which this was intended. I just want to go back to having fun on twitter, and this nonsense is soul-crushing. For those who read it, and those who write it.

And THAT, my smartass beyatches, is my kumbaya moment of the week.

Love ya

KJo

Update: 

I was truly touched at the amount of incredibly positive reactions this blog received. So many were sick of it themselves, and wanted to move on.
Many said they would really try to change their part in this madness, which I found incredibly brave of them.
A 16 year-old girl I interact with on twitter DM'ed me this reaction: "Oh my God, people are so fucking cruel...It's so high school."
(Yay! Something fun for her to look forward to when she's all growed up!)

Sadly, there were still a small faction of people who missed the point entirely, and instead of  receiving the positive message I tried to impart, decided to once again point out to me how wrong I was to have made the statement about Ms. Rimes's decision to have those two ladies escorted out "before I had all the facts."

My belief is, we perform for anyone, unless we're in fear for our physical safety, or the physical safety of others. Not one person has been able to share any information with me that anyone's physical safety was compromised. 

I think it's rather interesting that of all the people who've insisted how wrong I was, how   "off-base"& "completely uninformed" I was,  that "she had every right to do that"...not one of these people actually makes their living as an entertainer.  So while I may be considered  "z-list" to some of them, the truth is, I've performed in almost 75 plays in NYC for the last 3 decades. I've shot hundreds of episodes of sitcoms in front of live audiences. I've spoken at countless benefits and in front of thousands of people regarding addiction and other issues. 
It's what I do. It's my job.

Which means that I'm actually completely qualified to voice an opinion regarding this matter. 

And to prove my point, I'd like to extend an invitation to those who've ever written cruel comments or blogs to/about me: ANY of you would be welcome to come to a taping of 'The Exes' when we start back up in January. I'm serious.

Finally, I wanted to thank you guys who opened your hearts & minds. I don't expect it to change overnight. A good rule of thumb (for me too!) is to remember that what we tweet says more about us than anyone else.

Thanks for reading.

I'll see you soon!

Love
KJo

"Dear Amy
It must suck to know you peaked at twelve
Love
Kristen"

"As I sat there on that cement bench, next to a plastic fern, it struck me that maybe I had triumphed, after all. Not because of dumb stuff like looks or fame or success. Or even lack of body odor. 

Maybe I'd triumphed because instead of crushing me, this person had unwittingly forced me to become someone interesting. A person who knows that the greatest curse in life is when it’s handed to you on a silver platter. Someone who knows it’s so much better to have to fight for what you want. Someone who understands that the more people tell you you’re going to fail, the more you’re driven to prove them wrong. 

Someone who shows you that, at the end of the day, funny and interesting will always kick pretty and perfect’s ass. 

I mean, think about it- if there weren’t people like her to torture people like me, would people like me even exist? 

Now, what I really wish I’d written was this: 

"Dearest Amy,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Love,

The Freak""

Pinky Johnston died at 7:07 pm tonight, on Saturday November 29th, 2014.

          "Judge me all you want but keep the verdict to yourself"                                                

-author unknown 

Our eyes met in the mirror.
I've never seen her look more beautiful in her entire life than she did at that moment. We both knew this dress was "the one".  I was shocked and mortified to realize I was sobbing with loud abandon, drawing stares from the other customers in the store. I knew I was doing the ugly cry, which is completly out of character for me, but how could I not? 

I wanted to explain that my hysteria wasn't simply because shopping for your child's wedding dress is one of the most important, powerful, joyous, and special experiences a mother could ever share with her daughter. 

I wanted to let these impossibly lucky women understand how blessed they were. That my tears were the result of being slammed out of no where by a brick wall of sorrow, grief, terror and deep, bone-chilling regret. 

Because I now know I'll never see her wear this dress again. (And not just due to the fact that she's yet to even meet her groom.)
You see, I'm dying. 

A few weeks ago, I was told that I have less than nine months to live. At best. At worst, I'll be gone within the month. 

I've battled different medical horrors for over 2 decades. Way back in 1996, I was diagnosed with lupus. Little did I know that that was just the beginning.  Over the years, and so many Doctors and specialists I lost count years ago, I've relentlessly battled so many issues, ranging from stage 4 kidney failure to Ulcerative  Colitis. I'd list the rest of the diseases I've grappled with every day for the past 20 years, but it would take too much time. Time I no longer have left.    

The hilarious irony is, none of the above are why I'm dying. The cause of my imminent demise is due to a disease with a disappointingly  benign and relatively innocent sounding moniker: "Shrinking Lung Disease."
I prefer to call it what it is: My Death Sentence. 

This disease is so rare, there are only 59 known cases in the world. Well, now there are 60. That's me, ole lucky number 60.
 I have two choices: I could do a new chemotherapy, which even if it was "successful" chances are astronomically high that I'd die within 1   to 9 months of treatment, anyway. My other choice? Death by suffocation. By my own lungs.  

Yeah, those are my choices. (Or what my doctors refer to as my "options.") I'm filled with rage. I keep thinking about how for years I kept telling all these doctors and specialists, the people I trusted to help me get better, that I couldn't breathe. 

But as any auto-immune patient will tell you.....most of us are used to being treated either like hysterical hypochondriacs, drug-seekers or drama queens. By the time all these Doctors with their fancy degrees finally saw that I was telling the truth, it was too late.  

So I'll die, and they'll think "Darnit, that's too bad" as they cheer their son on at his little league game or giggle at a sitcom in bed with their mate or try to decide which luxury SUV to buy this year.    

What they don't get is that I'm a fighter. I've been kicking lupus's butt for most of my life. And my extraordinary daughter has been by my side for every hideous, painful, boring, funny, heartbreaking and devastating moment. 

She is why I've fought so hard. 

But how on earth do I begin to tell her I've finally lost? How can I fight when no Doctor has any hope? It's as if I'm Mohammed Ali without arms. Or Dale Ernhardt, Jr. in a car with no brakes. Or Greg Louganis performing the dive of his life off the edge of the Grand Canyon. Or Baryshnikov discovering mid-dance that his legs have disappeared.      

I'm scared of death. I wish I wasn't, but I can't seem to help it. 

I keep wondering what I did to piss God off so much. I have so many regrets. I should have finished school. I should have stayed married. I grew up in a tiny town and didn't kiss peoples butts like the rest of the crowd did. I've always been honest and spoken the truth. I spent the last fifteen years of my life hidden from the world so I didn't get sick and make lupus worse than it was. I was told that I need to stay away from germs or I could die. (Yeah, that didn't work out so good.) 

Is my isolation why I've been chosen? My smart mouth? My brutal honesty? My many mistakes? Why? Why? Why? WHY ME? 

I've always had such simple dreams. I've never drempt of wealth or fame....I just wanted to be loved. To be a good wife.  A loving mom. To raise a good human being. To watch my daughter fall in love and marry a man who truly sees her spirit.  

I can't look her in the eyes and tell her I'll never get to see her wear that beautiful dress on her wedding day. I'll never be able to hold her children in my arms, or hear their soft breath as I rock them to sleep. I'll never feel their hand holding mine as they attempt their first steps. 

Who will she confide in, tell her dreams to, trust with her fears?
       
What about my mom who just had a massive stroke? How do I tell her that I may not be there when she comes home? How do I tell my brother goodbye? I talk every day on the phone for hours with him. What about my Daddy, who works to this day to support my mom and me? He tries to tell me that God is good And I won't have to
 suffer any more. My daddy is my biggest hero, yet I only realized this a few years ago. 

I need more time. Time to love. Time to apologize to anyone that I may have been rude to, because I was hurting or suffering. I need time to make sure someone will be there to listen to my daughter and give her the best advice. I need to know who she is dating and make sure he knows she is a princess and deserves respect and to be spoiled.  

I pray there is a man worthy of her love. And I pray he has a mother who will love her like I do.  

I can't stop wondering....
How can I cram a lifetime into a millisecond?       
Is there really this beautiful place called Heaven?
Is God really going to take care of me as my father tells me?
       
And, above all....how do you die gracefully?
I hope I can do it. I cry every day, thinking of  my daughter in that beautiful wedding dress. 

And suddenly I know that I will be with her on her wedding day. I'll be there when she is rocking my grand babies to sleep. I will be there. I am in her heart, that heart that is so full of love.  

My greatest accomplishment in life is named Brianna Alycen and I will cherish every second I have with her and my brother and my parents. I am blessed with the biggest hearts in the world and they all love me. My parents. My brother. My daughter.  I'm not ready.

I may not be lucky,
But I am blessed.. I love deeply, and I'm deeply loved in return.

How many can say that?

Lena Zeller
@Lenaonme68 

                  

                                                 Brianna, Lena & a friend.

       

I hope you found this as powerful & truthful as I did. And I sincerely hope reading this has put into proper perspective all our daily dramas or annoyances or money problems or paper cuts.

Lena has one last wish...She wants to come to LA to see my Lupus Doctor.
If you can spare a few dollars, I believe hers to be a worthy cause. I've gotten to know Lena & her daughter, and they're truly beautiful souls.

But what's most important is, I hope Lena feels good about this tribute to her incredible spirit. I'm so proud I'm able to give her a voice.

Love, 

@kjothesmartass

Www.gofundme.com/ekb7qk 

         

Listen, I wanna talk to you abt Jenny. You of course are TOTALLY welcome to your beliefs, and who knows? Maybe someday I'll say "you were right!"
But the one thing I wanted to say is: she says she was struggling with addiction stuff when all this was going on yrs ago. Yes, she did wrong shit, she went to jail, and decided to change. She's worked hard to stay drama free with all the blogging stuff.
I guess what I'm saying is, if people judged me on who I was 7 years ago, I'd have no friends.
If you don't like her for what she does today, well, then that's your biz. .
But it seems most of your anti-Jenny stuff is abt her past.
She has never mentioned you or any of this to me, in a tweet or DM, ok?  But just as I would try to defend you, I'm trying to defend her.
If you don't care about any of this, and just don't like her, cool. That's your deal. I respect that.
But if I saw someone I liked saying something about you, I'd do the same.  I'm just sensitive to someone being hated for behavior they regret deeply. I'm a big believer that people can change...after all, I did.

Belly of the Beast (definition) - To be in a dangerous place.

I see the finest specialists in Manhattan and then Los Angeles. Neurologists, Hematologists, Infectious Disease Specialists, Allergists, Endocrynologists, Epidemiologists, Immunologists, Rhuematologists. Some many times. 
I'm tested for every disease known to man.
I even go to the Mayo Clinic for 2 weeks, where I'm subjected to endless and agonizingly painful tests.
Yet still no diagnosis.

The lowest point is when I'm back home and a kindly Neurologist looks at my Mayo file and says "Kristen, I'm sorry. You might need to begin accepting that this is what the rest of your life will be like."
46 years old. Bedridden. Unable to feed my own dog or shampoo my own hair.
I consider killing myself but lack the energy.

Finally, begrudgingly, I see Dr number 18, Daniel Wallace. He looks at my recent blood work and instantly diagnoses me with a rare form of Lupus, Lupus Myelitis. Only 1-2% of all Lupus patients have this form, which is where your immune system begins attacking your spinal cord.
I find out much later that if I'd waited even a few more weeks, odds are I'd have been a paraplegic. 
After a week in the hospital, and infusions of steroids, chemo and IVIG, I begin to be able to hold my own head up. Within a few weeks I'm back at work, and by our shows hiatus in February I was slowly starting to feel like me again.
It doesn't even cross my mind until my mother says something, much later....that not once, in all those Dr's offices, through all that despair and terror--Never once did it occur to me to ask any of them for painkillers.

I had looked into the Belly of the Beast and survived, sober.
Phew! Dodged another bullet. Miracle! Who dodges two medical should-be-dead disasters?

 If only I'd known that Bad Health had simply fired the first salvo. A warning shot. He was far from done with me.

In late May, a few weeks before work began again, and just as I was beginning to feel as though I was truly over the terrible hump, I fell while hiking.
I had no idea that due to the incredible amount of steroids I'd been infused with to help treat my Lupus, my bones had become very porous & brittle. Someone may have mentioned this to me, but with all the reams of information I'd been given about my disease, I clearly didn't retain this little tidbit. Oh, how I wish I had.

Instead, I walked with Pinky near the Hollywood sign, enjoying my newfound gift of wellness and energy. It was magic hour, so we finally sat on a mound not far from my car, and enjoyed the sunset. I thought about work, and how I couldn't wait to arrive on set feeling great, my old energy back. I was so happy to be alive.
Before I knew it, it was dark, but I wasn't worried. I'd wisely left my hazards on, and Pinky and I confidently strolled the final 50 feet or so back to the car. That's when I stepped into nothingness.
I fell at least 3 stories on to a flat grassy knoll that might as well have been cement. After I caught my breath, I knew I was hurt, badly. My left arm jostled about, clearly badly broken. I could barely breathe. Everything hurt. I knew I was in terrible trouble, but didn't yet know that in addition to shattering my upper arm bone, I had broken my collarbone, shoulder blade, pelvis, foot, and nine of my ribs. I had also punctured my lungs.

 All other hikers had long since wisely departed, and were likely enjoying a spaghetti dinner surrounded by loved ones.
No one knew I was here. My roommate David didn't know, I'd told no one.
Despite an enormous cell tower mocking me from the nearest hilltop, my phone had no reception. I had a brief, hopeful fantasy of Pinky finding the nearest house and pawing madly on the door, barking until the owners followed  her into the pitch black night. But that hope was soon dashed. Pinky is many things, sadly she's no Lassie. 
I screamed for help, over and over and over until I passed out. I came to and screamed some more. I did this for three hours. Finally, out of mad desperation I began scooping twigs with my right arm into a small pile next to me. I shakily took out my lighter, intent to set the mound  ablaze. I never considered that I would likely go up in flames as well. A huge, idiotic funeral pyre. Shock, pain and the will to survive seemed to drain all common sense.

Thankfully, before I set fire to the Hollywood sign, the Hollywood Hills, and myself, I heard a far away "HELLOOOO?"
"Yes!!!!" I screamed, hoarse and desperate "Helloooo!!!! I'm hurt, call 911!!!"
The voice came closer.
"My friend has already gone home to call 911. We found Blinky wandering the neighborhood looking lost! He's so sweet!"

And for reasons I'm still baffled by, this is the moment I decide to be a snotty twat. 
"It's Pinky"I corrected him "And she's a girl!"
silence.
Oh no. I blew it. Dammit. Now my incredibly slender corpse would be found by hikers in a month. 

Twenty minutes later, I heard the familiar whoosh of helicopter blades, followed by the sirens of two fire tucks and an ambulance. The helicopter hovered just above me, shining it's impossibly bright light on me and blowing my funeral pyre pile all over me. I'd still be picking twigs and grass and brambles out of my hair a week later.
The next while is a blur, mostly due to the extreme agony I was in. I know I was loaded into a stretcher, which jostled my arm and caused me to  pass out. I wasn't sure if I was taken to the hospital by the helicopter or the ambulance, but I told people I was flown. It sounds cooler. Sadly, I recently learned it was ambulance, only after receiving an extraordinarily hefty bill from the ambulance company.

The next things I remember are brief moments of horrible lucidity, followed by darkness, with no comprehension of the passage of time.
I woke up in the ER, to a nurse screaming my name.
I soon found out all ER personnel scream at you, even if it's something like "Can you wiggle your toes?"
Because of the extreme volume of their voices, and the nature of their questions, instead of "MISS JOHNSTON WHO CAN WE CALL FOR YOU?" It sounds like they're saying "YOU ARE A STUPID, IDIOTIC ASSHOLE. WE HATE YOU."
I begin blubbering, passing out, blubbering again. Like a four year old.
"MISS JOHNSTON WE'RE TRYING TO SAVE YOUR LIFE" Is their favorite refrain.
Blubber.
Agony.
As they coldly slice my clothes off me, I manage to gasp "My dog...Pinky" and they tell me she's being taken care of at the firehouse. The shock is wearing off, and now I'm overwhelmed with pain, everywere. Somehow, knowing Pinky's okay combined with unbearable pain inspires me to turn to a nurse and with absolute sincerity, beg her to kill me.
Big mistake.
A horrible, mean Dr. suddenly demands "MISS JOHNSTON, WERE YOU TRYING TO KILL YOURSELF?"
Fury overrides everything else, and I recall looking at him with such disgust and coldness I'm fairly certain his penis didn't work properly for weeks. "Doctor" I gasp  "If I wanted to kill myself, trust me,  I'd be on a very different table right now. I certainly wouldn't have jumped 40 feet with my dog wandering lost and my fucking hazards on."

I never saw him again.
I passed out, only to be rudely awakened by a different Dr shouting "MISS JOHNSTON, WE HAVE TO FLIP YOU ON YOUR SIDE TO INSERT AN EPIDURAL."
Oh, no no no no. I begged them not to. No one yet knew 9 ribs were broken. All I knew was my body was not to be touched, and certainly not flipped!
Despite my pleas, they flip me.
Stars. A searing hurt ripped through me unlike any I'd ever felt, and I couldnt breathe.

After an endless few moments, they flipped me back.
I tried to catch my breath.
When a Dr leaned in to scream "NOW THAT WASN'T SO BAD WAS--" I punched him.
Immediately a nurse leans in "MISS JOHNSTON WE'RE TRYING TO SAVE YOUR--" and I slapped her.
Thankfully, for everyone's safety, I finally fully pass out.
I wake up 2 days later in a hospital bed.

When I recall my antics in the ER, I feel terrible.
But as awful as the bedside manner of the ER staff was (each of whom I'm eternally grateful to for SAVING MY LIFE), the nursing staff of Cedars Sinai are all extraordinary people. I'm not kidding. Every single nurse is smart, kind and sweet.
It turns out I'd had to have surgery to screw a plate to hold all the broken bits of my arm together. But quite honestly, I didn't give a shit about my arm.
Or my pelvis or my shoulderblade or my collarbone or my foot.
How could I? All I thought about were my 9 broken ribs.

The pain was so profound, they summoned a small, elite team of Anesthesiologists trained in the delicate art of blocking nerves. This is a relatively new practice, not yet available in every hospital. A few men who's names escaped me came in with a sonogram machine, and after finding the clusters of nerves between each broken rib, insert a needle and numb them.

The relief is instant, like jumping into a cool lake on the hottest day of the year. I loved these men as deeply as I've ever loved anyone else. They came every twelve hours to kill the pain, which helped me take far less pain medication. Every single Dr and Nurse knew of my history with addiction, I told them all. 

On the second day, my beloved Lupus Doctor, Dr. Daniel Wallace, came by. He excitedly told me that all my blood work indicates that my Lupus is in full remission!
I really didn't care about that at the moment, but his enthusiasm was so infectious I managed a smile and said "That's great!"
"Great? It's more than great! It's incredible, and it means your body will heal that much faster!"

It was a brutal few days, but I finally wobbled down the hallway (with a cane), and was deemed good enough to recover at home.
My assistant, Holly would live with me (my roommate was out of town) and dole out any pain medications.
I had two weeks before "The Exes" began again, and wanted to do everything humanly possible to be 100% by then. I'd put these people through enough with my Lupus bullshit. I worked with a physical therapist almost every day, and by the end of the first week home I'd triumphantly flushed the remaining painkillers down the toilet.

I'd done it. I'd looked into the belly of the beast & survived. 
Again.

But Bad Health had another trick up his sleeve, and like the overwrougt finale to a 4th of July Fireworks, it was the most majestically awful of all.
Just a week before work began, I noticed a very weird feeling in my arm. It wasn't pain, as much as it felt wrong. I mentioned it to the physical therapist, and she moved my arm around a bit. "It's probably just healing."
But the next day it was far worse. It felt like my arm was disintegrating. For three days I walked around in a mixture of terror, pain, and light-headedness.

Oh no. I called Holly to take me to the ER, and the X-ray revealed not only had my plate popped off, but I'd actually re-fractured my arm.
The Ortho intern was incredulous "You've been walking around like this for three days?"
All I was worried about was work. "I have to, have to be at work by Wednesday. Whatever you do, do it now."
Friday they rushed me back into surgery, where a rod was drilled in, from my shoulder to my elbow. 

No problem. A little pain, nothing I haven't dealt with before.

Except Saturday I woke up to the most screaming, evil agony I'd ever felt. They'd had to flay my arm entirely open, taking off the bicep, and screwing in a million screws. No painkiller touched this. I kept begging the nurses for "those nerve block guys" but they couldn't do it without permission of the pain management team.
And the pain team, for some reason, refused to call them. Instead, they loaded me, a known recovering Opiate addict, more and more painkillers. Oxycontin, Dilauded, Methadone, Ketamine. The most intense painkillers available.

All it did was create a wasted person in agony.

The worst hours of my life crawled by, minute by hellish minute, until at 3pm, Dr. Matthew Eng rushed in. I recognized him as one of the nerve block Doctors, and burst into tears.
"Oh I need your help so bad!"

He explained that one of the nurses called him. As he did this, he was jamming a needle into my neck, slowly blocking the nerve clusters that ran down my arm.
Sweet, sweet relief. 
The relief of being lost at sea for weeks and finally seeing a coast guard helicopter.
The relief of finding out your loved one hadn't been on the plane that crashed.
It just courses through you, and overjoys you. The pain is gone.

Dr. Eng wasn't on call that long weekend, but he gave me his cell phone & insisted I text whenever I needed him. I'm not proud to admit I texted him every six hours, as soon as I felt that terrible white hot agony building. And, like clockwork, within 10 minutes he'd be there.

I'll never forget what this kind man did for me. We forged a friendship, and he's become inspired to begin a program of teaching residents about addiction, and how nerve blockers can really help someone like me. I've been invited to speak at a huge conference Cedars holds every year, to educate the Drs and residents about the disease of addiction.

This time, leaving the hospital, I insisted they give me enough pain medicine for 5 days, no refills. It worked out perfectly.

Two days out of the hospital I showed up at work with a huge ugly scar & a sling, limping slightly. But I showed up, goddammit.

In the long run, I know that this most horrible of years has given me countless gifts, many of which I have yet to discover or understand.

But today, I know a few very important things I didn't know before. I know I need to learn how to take care of myself better, and stop trying to save the broken or lost. I need to show myself the same love I shower on others.
I know I can survive a shitload.
I know that there is nothing more beautiful than a nurse and Dr who actually care.

And I understand something about my addiction. Now that Im no longer in emotional pain, opiates worked on me just like they do on everyone else. Because they were taken for right reasons: to help with physical pain.

I'm not saying I'm cured. But I am saying it's possible to look into the belly of the beast not one, not two, but THREE times in one year, and stay sober.

UPDATE

I'm truly blown away by the overwhelming amount of positive responses I've gotten here, as well as on Face Book & Twitter.
I sincerely wish I could thank each of you personally, but that would be impossible. So please know I've read every response I could, and am so grateful for your lovely words. (Except for Fran, who tweeted that as soon as I'm well she's going to punch me in the face for hiking so late, like I don't already deeply regret my idiocy.)

I felt the need to let you guys know a few things...
Many of you have asked how I'm doing today, and I'm happy to report that, all things considered, I'm doing pretty damn good. I began work back at The Exes  2 days out of the hospital, which was challenging the first few weeks, but I think (hope) I've delivered. The scripts just get better & better, so even if I feel yucky, I damn well am gonna turn it ON for the cameras. It's my favorite non-theater job I've ever had, and I honestly think it's every bit as well-written and special as 3rd Rock was. The best part is, I've lived through enough to fully appreciate it... I'm well aware that, as a 46 year old non-facelifted woman, a great role in a brilliant show with people you adore doesn't come by every day. (Or pretty much ever.)

So, I'm healing well. I have a huge motherfucking scar on my left arm, which has been kind of amusing. I've found that when people stare at it in a store all I gotta say are these two words: "Bar fight" and they immediately scurry. Evil,  I know, but I have to amuse myself somehow.

Oh, alright...since you asked so nicely...here it is. (I'm holding a gorgeous crystal butterfly my spectacular friend Steph gave me last week after the taping of the show. Oh, and yes, I'm totally fucking crying, it was one of the loveliest gifts I've ever gotten.)

PRETTY, right? The butterfly, of course. My arm, not so much.

I shared the blog with Dr. Eng, who has decided not only to work on a narcotic reduction program at the Hospital, but also just reported to me that they have recently doubled the number of fellows training to do nerve blocks.
(He was also very flattered, as he damn well should be.)

Many of you have written how strong I am to have made it through all this, and without relapsing. However, I beg to differ. As anyone faced with medical challenges will tell you- you simply do what you fucking have to.

In terms of not relapsing? I believe it has everything to do with the length of time I've spent in recovery, combined with the fact that everyone in my life and at the hospital were well aware that my sobriety matters more to me than almost anything else. 
I literally couldn't bear the thought of disappointing my family, my friends, my co-workers, all of you guys, but especially myself.
It's not strength. I'm simply a woman who, despite having a shitty year health-wise, loves her life. Since I'm no longer self-medicating my depression and I'm simply no longer interested in being "Other," Opiates hold no appeal for me. 
FOR NOW. I'm WELL aware that could change tomorrow, but that's where it stands at the moment.

 A few of you were disappointed that I didn't give the finger from my hospital bed.  Silly people...did you really think I wouldn't?

FINALLY....

I know this isn't some goddamn award show,  and I encourage you to read only if on the tiolet or bored. (Or both.)

I just really wanted to say a public thank you to every single person involved with the Exes, from TVLand, to the compassionate crew (led by the amazing Rusty), to the truly generous and patient cast...what an extraordinary group you are.  I love you all.

But a few deserve some special props:

Mindy Shultheis, one of the executive producers of The Exes. She was astonishing, tirelessly calling the finest specialists in Los Angeles, even coming with me to several appointments.  She basically "produced" my diagnosis. But I'm most grateful to her because when I was truly at my Lupus bottom, she convinced me to see one last Doctor, Dr. Daniel Wallace. They both saved my life.

Mark Reisman and all the writers of The Exes. These geniuses, led by the head writer & show's creator, Mark, did the impossible. Their lead actress got ill two weeks before production started, and they had to basically scrap an entire season's worth of storylines and write around my illness. They never knew, from one week to the next, if I'd be well enough to shoot or not. NOT ONCE did they blame me, or make me feel bad or guilty. (Even though I managed to do that to myself.) I'm dazzled at the incredible comedy they managed to come up with on the fly.

Sheryl and Paula, the two extraordinary souls from The Exes wardrobe department. Sheryl had to dress me lying down more than once, and put up with lots of weeping and feeling sorry for myself.  Paula's small acts of kindness stun me. (The other day, she knew I was having a rough day, so she placed a white rose in a water bottle in my car.) Shit like that. Plus Paula might actually love Pinky more than I do, and lets Pinky fart up her office while I'm rehearsing.

Holly Atkins, an actress & makeup artist who moonlights as my assistant. She went above & beyond the call of duty for me, and has done so many lovely things for me I tear up just thinking about it. One example? She and her boyfriend sat for HOURS with me in the ER. She's someone who forever has my respect & friendship & gratitude.

Last, but far from least, I need to try to put into words what my dear friend and housemate David Dieguez did for me. We thought it would be "fun" to live together in LA... little did he know what he was in for. Month after month, he has been there as a very independant woman suddenly became completely dependent. He did thousands of things for me, bringing me water, taking care of Pinky, cooking me food, all without complaint or even a secret eye-roll. He's also the one who came to the hospital and told me I needed to stop trying to save everyone else, start reflecting that goodness back into myself for a while.
I've never met a better person in my life, and I honestly don't know how I could have survived this year without his friendship.
The fact that he also does BRILLIANT hair is just icing on the cake. Want proof?

Thank you all. I love you.

KJo

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

UPDATE: GUTLESS by Kristen Johnston

Warning: Materials included NOT for the faint of heart or those in possesion of any kind of soul.

This is not a story I want to tell, at ALL. In fact, I’d rather be doing something fun, like getting my arms chopped off.

It’s about a cyberbully.

More specifically, my experience with a cyberbully.

I’m a busy gal, I’ve been in this business a long time, and trust me, the last thing I care about is what people (especially those I don’t respect) think or say about me.

And when they’re hiding behind a fake name on twitter, I care even less.

However, after years of blocking and ignoring and reporting and blocking and ignoring this one particular situation, I’ve decided to finally address it,  for one reason only:

Because there’s one thing that’s even worse than when someone terrorizes you for no reason, completely determined to destroy anything that matters to you.  And that would be if a kid or someone with low self-esteem went through what I have… yet it happens every day.

No wonder people are killing themselves.

That’s why I decided to share my story. To say you’re not alone.

To be clear, this isn’t about mean comments. This isn’t something that you can block, ignore & it’ll go away. This is day after day, multiple accounts all created with the sole purpose of ruining your life.  This is about creating hate & porn-filled websites using a version of your name. This is multiple blogs filled with lies absolute lies about your reputation printed on a blog, as if they’re facts.

All of this, simply because I refused to block someone this woman hated.

The fact that this type of slander and disgusting terrible lies were allowed to continue while Twitter sat by, barely lifting a finger to help…it blows my mind. 

I dunno, but if someone is consistently proven to be a terrible scourge who tries to destroy people and twitter suspends them…how on earth are they allowed to create dozens of different accounts that same day, and continue on with their behavior?

I never wanted anything bad to happen to this woman. 

I JUST WANTED HER TO STOP.

Now, I certainly don’t blame bullies or terrible people on Twitter. I’m well aware there are shitty people everywhere. But when Twitter doesn’t enforce it’s own TOS, or take real, true, proven cyberbullies seriously..most people feel Twitter doesn’t give a shit about them, as long as the promoted ads are running, who cares about anything else.

Which is why pretty soon it’ll just be the loons left, after they’ve forced everyone else to leave. 

Unless Twitter changes how they navigate the sickening behavior I describe below…

For Many years I've advised others to block cyberbullies & trolls. I still believe this is wisest & most effective, and I’ve done the same. However, in this one particular case I learned the hard way that it served to only exacerbate the issue, because for the past 2 1/2 years, I’ve been trashed and bullied by a disbarred lawyer/housewives blogger named Vincenza Spina and more recently, her cohorts-especially a gentleman named Brandon King, a self-proclaimed hacker who has multiple arrests and a long documentation of criminal behavior.

These two and a few of their pals have spread terrible lies about me and many others with abandon and zero regard to the truth. There are countless victims in their wake. 

Ms. Spina alone has caused many innocent people to leave Twitter. As far as I’m aware, she’s tried (and in a few cases succeeded) to destroy people’s careers & hurt their families. She’s called their bosses, made outrageous claims of illegal and immoral behavior they’ve supposedly done, accused them of harassing her, reported many to the IRS, released old, sealed arrest records (which she’s not above doctoring), posted peoples names and addresses, and in many cases (including mine) accused people of pedophilia or supporting it. She and Mr. King adore that one.

Until yesterday, I've never said one word about them publicly on twitter. I've only mentioned them in DM's in support of some victims of theirs who've reached out to me.

Before I go any further, I think it’s important to give you just a small taste if what I’ve been navigating for the past few years. Here's a twitter conversation that took place just a few days ago between Ms. Spina (she is currently @Buk_WheatMedia @BuckWheet) & Mr. King (currently @PirateLabCorp, @Psycho_Loyler)

A few helpful tidbits: 

*I’m “KJo”

*The 'LOLyer' they refer to is my own lawyer, a gentleman I was finally forced to hire in November after Ms. Spina crossed the line by posting my private emails to another party that she altered to suit her purposes on her "entertainment" blog trashing me. 

*The “Uniballer” is my friend Ed, a victim of testicular cancer. 
*Queenz Of Media is my friend Grace, a brilliant transgendered woman they accuse of being Michael Johnson, an alleged black prostitute with AIDS. She is white, doesn’t have aides, and her birth name was not Michael Johnson.
*Both Ed & Grace are among the very few who are unafraid of these people.

Since some of the following don’t seem to be posting, I also wrote them here…(joy)

These are from Brandon King to Faux:

*Kristen Johnson (sic) is friends with Michael Johnson aka QueenzOf Media a convicted  
  Pedophile, prostitute & admitted drug user.

*She uses a transgendered prostitue @QueenzOf Media to target people including children.

*She's too stupid to realize all her dms are avail through subpoena, when that gets out she'll 
  prolly end up in jail.

*She can't even get a bit part on TV. She's washed up. The End.

*She fails at everything apparently

*That washed-up D-list actress is a whack job.

*I bet Michael & his buddies have gang bangs on KJo.

*You gotta know KJo loves slobbing on Michaels Knob. EWW! That is one rank human being.

*That washed up D-list actress needs to get back on drugs, might help her personality cus she's    
  digusting sober. LOL.

*20 years later no one cares about her except trannies, trolls and the dregs of society, she's a 
  winner, derp.

*If it wasn't for John Lithgow no 1 would even know who she is or care she sucked on that  
 show anyway, every1 hated her character.

*Mostly cus her character was actually just her cus she can't act, she rode Lithgow dick to
  minor celebrity.

*Meh she's not a fraud she's a scumbag, she should have done the world a favor an OD'ed. She 
  sucks as an actress and a human being.

Here are a few of Vincenza Spina aka Faux aka @Buk_WheatMedia’s tweets:

*She surrounds herself with addictive personalities, easily influenced & tells them who to 
  follow, what to think & who to attack. 

*She's the ring leader. Her emails & DM's will be #Gold

*She keeps it under wraps by sending Cyst & Desease letters (Faux's adorable lawyer-speak for 
  Cease & Desist letters) to try to quiet legit stories mainstream picks it up. #BAAAAAM

                           

Now, while I may suck as an actress, as an addict in recovery who celebrated my 8th year of sobriety in March,  someone wishing I’d overdosed is truly the lowest form of humanity there is. Especially coming from a gentleman with a well-documented  history of drug issues himself.

Regardless of the terrible things he’s said about me, I would never wish death upon him.

It’s also worth noting that I’ve done nothing to incite this rage.

Also, as many can attest, I’ve often DMed their other victims who were angrily tweeting about them & asked them to stop. 

That it's WHAT THEY WANT, and I don't want good people turning into hideous venomous hateful creatures. 
Let's leave that to them. 

In fact, these people would be quite surprised to know that I'm far from the "leader" of this "movement" against them. I certainly hope my DM's are "subpoenaed." Though the idea that either of these creatures would take me to court is laughable…for what? 

"Your honor, this woman has dared to defend herself against the multitude of lies & years of harrassment we've spread against her. HOW DARE SHE???!!"

Now, I admit I'm deeply flawed.
I don't know much, but I am positive about these things:
I'm loyal to a fault, 
I would never intentionally harm anyone, 
I try never to lie and I can't stand it when other people do.

THE BEGINNING

About four years ago, I was new to social media and was being  harassed by someone who couldn’t understand why I couldn't cure him of his addiction. I had no clue how best to handle it, so I mentioned it to an actress friend of mine who had more social media knowledge than I. She instantly said she said she had the perfect person,  a woman who was an expert and ran a wonderful anti-cyberbullying site in her spare time.

That's how I met Kitty.
I liked her immediately, and eventually became email friends. Kitty had fantastic advice as to how to navigate this sort of thing...the best way to report to twitter, law enforcement, etc. Because this gentleman was somewhat of an ongoing issue, and I ended up having a few other undesirables over the years,  I happily compensated her for her time, wisdom and effort. 
I also donated to her anti-cyber bullying site, providing her interviews, allowing her to use my name & photo to promote her work....and, I tweeted about her & her site quite often.

That's when the lovely Vincenza Spina entered. 

VINCENZA LEONELLI SPINA

She went by the handle @FauxRealityEnt then (she’s had many name changes since), who wrote a housewives blog (which at the time, was fairly popular). From now on, I'll refer to her as Faux.

Here’s why Faux began focusing on me. We interacted a few times right after I was on WWHL when GUTS 1st came out. She seemed okay, if a bit nasty, and I tried reading her blog but I don’t watch the Housewives and had no clue who anyone was. Plus, it was poorly written and seemed incredibly mean-spirited. 

Shortly after a tweet where I once again mentioned Kitty’s site, Faux began demanding I denounce Kitty and her husband as pedophiles. She had PROOF. 
I told Faux that I could’t do that. Kitty had done a great job for me, and that's all I knew of her. 

Faux kept insisting this woman raped kids, blah blah blah….

Kitty would write me daily in hysterics, so deeply traumatized by what Faux was doing to her. I felt just awful for her.

So I blocked Faux.  I guess she didn’t appreciate that so much.

Thus began her campaign of lies & hate against me. I kept hearing from people that she was constantly tweeting me cruel shit & writing derogatory blogs abt me on her website, accusing me of “SUPPORTING A KNOWN PEDOPHILE,” of being bi-polar, a bully, a psycho, that I’ve relapsed, that my charity is just a front to swindle $$, that I trash everyone, I’m a hypocrite & she can prove it (she never has) and that I have no career (which, coming from a disbarred attorney to a working actress is pretty amusing.) Nothing was off limits: my sobriety, the truthfulness of my book, my intentions behind helping other addicts.

I never read them, I’d just hear about them.

I never once responded.

I never said one word about her on Twitter until yesterday.

In fact, I never even reported Faux to twitter until a few months ago, in November. 

And that was only because I had to.

Soon, I began to learn that I was far from her first victim. In fact, I soon discovered that over the years this woman’s been on social media, people of ALL ages have been forced to suffer an ungodly nightmare brought upon them by Ms. Spina, a woman they’d never met. Careers destroyed. Children used as pawns of retribution & put in harms way. People’s names & home addresses posted.  Terrible lies. Pathetic accusations. So much terrible suffering.

All caused by this one person on twitter, and the few others who support her. 

Now, I'm a big girl.  People have every right to have whatever opinion they want about me.

But lying? Defaming?  Trying to get me fired? That’s another story. 

I'm sick to death of sitting silently by as these losers spend every minute of their unhappy lives spewing their noxious venom all over me & everything I've worked so hard for.

Which  is why, after careful consideration, I  decided to finally share my story of cyberbullying. This is my truth. No one else's.

Yesterday, I asked my lawyer if what's been happening to me all these years could be considered cyber-bullying. He replied:

"Cyber bullying is defined as harrassing or posting mean messages about or to a person online.  In your case, there have not only been malicious messages placed online about you via Twitter, there have been lengthy, untruthful and slanderous blogs defaming your person, character, employment and cruelly questioning your general concern to help others without any merit whatsoever.

To clarify, these online blogs and articles claim the exact opposite of what you do which is help people.

The online postings, blogs and articles paint you in and untruthful negative light solely for these losers to make themselves feel better and disparage someone for no reason whatsoever.

Therefore, I would certainly say that you are a victim of cyber bullying. In the process of cyber bullying you they have defamed you as well."

So, there you have it. I'm being cyber-bullied. 
Sadly, I'm far from alone.

I'm not talking about the guy who wished death on you because you tweeted you hate country music. Or the woman who says really mean stuff about you. Or that high school classmate who can't seem to stop subtweeting about you.

Not that they aren't charmers, those li'l bully-wannabes. These are people you block and never look back.
I’m referring to someone from Facebook or Twitter who is absolutely determined to do everything they can to destroy your REAL life, your family, your career, your children and anything else you care about.

For more information, take a gander at fauxproblems Vincenza-leonelli-spina or https://thequeenzofmedia.wordpress.com/2013/07/13/fauxrealityentertainment-com-the-story-of-vincenza- 

Back to Kitty. I tried to help her, (mostly just supporting her emotionally, and I did think what Faux was doing to her was unbelievably malicious) and when she claimed to be flat broke & begged me to help pay the retainer for an attorney who “said she had a slam dunk case of defamation against Faux,” I decided to send her the 2 grand. I even made an email appeal to others to help if they could. (Quite a few did.) More on this in a second.

Then, due to Lupus, I left twitter. I told Kitty I'd done all I possibly could for her, but that I had to deal with my dire health issues. She seemed to understand.

But 3 months later I learned she still hadn’t hired an attorney. I asked for a grand back, telling her she could keep the other half. She said something about having spent it all on her husband’s medical bills. Ok. Whatever. 

I wrote her back, saying that I understood. Could she at least email me a tax-deductible receipt, and I’d consider it a donation to her anti-bullying site?
“ABSOLUTELY”
I never got it.

I came back on on twitter briefly, long enough for another woman to DM me (private message) saying Kitty was trashing me behind my back & she went into details. I was astonished. I replied something like "I can't believe it! After all I've done for her...I've supported her with this Faux thing, plugged her site. I've even given her like 8 grand over the years!"

(I pulled this amount out of my ass. It could be more, could be less. I paid her many times in many different increments. Plus, the 2 grand for the “lawyer fees")

I soon left twitter again to treat my Lupus and to get away from all the toxicity.
That’s when, unbeknownst to me, Faux somehow got her hands on these DM exchanges, tweeted them & started writing blogs saying I accused Kitty of conned me out of 8 grand, etc. I had NO clue about any of this. I was off twitter, in the hospital at time.

Kitty (who never emailed me about this) apparently took the fact that I didn’t defend her publicly as….I don’t know…..as some sort of permission to betray me? I don’t know.

All I do know is Kitty ended up sending Faux many of our email exchanges. She’s publicly admitted this. The most ironic part is they were all written trying to support her.

I guess she did this to get Faux’s attention off of her & on to me?  Good for her, she was successful. Hope that feels good.

Someone would always send me the links to Faux’s blogs and (like all of her tweets) I never read them. 

However, I would immediately forward the link to a dear friend of mine, ex-FBI agent who’s now a cyber bully expert.

Every single time, year after year, month after month, he’d say the same thing to me: “It’s not against the law to write mean stuff.  Just ignore.”

Cool. I did so, happily.

I have better things to do than pay attention to some squawking asshole trashing me.

Then, for some reason, in November, Faux decided to kick it up about 300 notches. (I think she was reported by someone & assumed it was me?) She apparently wrote yet another lengthy, scathing & full of bullshit blog on her website about me, which I dutifully sent to my friend, expecting the same old response. Therefore I was shocked when he immediately wrote me back saying “Kristen, you need to get a lawyer. Now.”

To this day I still haven’t read this blog, but know a lot about it. In it, Faux decided to not only eviscerate me & my charity, but also accused me of being Bipolar, the most despised bully on Twitter (seriously, you gotta laugh at that one), a liar, a drunk, among many other things. She cced my bosses at TV Land & The Exes (Who have been well aware of her lunacy for a some time.)

So I hired a wonderful lawyer, a decent, kind, & tenacious man who had dealt with Faux before. He's been AMAZING.  He’s written a C & D letter to Ms Spina & her attorney hubby demanding they take the offending blog down, which she rejected in a ridiculous & truly hilarious manner. (Don’t worry, you’ll see for yourself soon enough.)

But oopsies. She made a very dumb move (especially for a former lawyer) and chose not only to post in her blog some of the private emails between myself & Kitty, but she posted them completely RE-WRITTEN.

This was obvious, as quite a few others had been sent the same exact email a year previous & had the original email. It was also proven by some computer expert on one of the many anti-Faux blogs that exist now.
Plus, I can spell, she can’t.

Here's mine, followed by what Faux altered & posted on her blog:

http://fauxproblems.wordpress.com/2014/10/23/vincenza-leonelli-spina/

What Faux & Mr. King don't know is that my "LOLyer" has nothing to do with getting their many twitter accounts shut down. This is due to their many other victims, as well a wonderful friend of mine who happens to work at twitter, and he’s shown twitter legal department the years of torment they’ve spewn on me, and mostly dozens of others. He refers to it as “Whack a troll." 

Day after day, more of the same people create dozens of accounts with the same evil objective, are shut down, and instantly create yet more accounts  the whole thing begins again. They also took my twitter handle & made a disgusting porn site. I’m beyond over it.  

I JUST WANTED THE BLOG WITH THE ALTERED EMAILS REMOVED.

Here are a few from Faux & Brandon last week.

Here's where they try to embezzle me out of 10 grand to "buy back" the hate blog kjothesmartass.com

Faux claims she has “tons” of dirt on me, many emails & texts & DMs proving what an insane bipolar narcissist I am, and they will be enough to put the final nail in my ruined    career. (which, coming from a gal who doesn’t have one herself to someone who actually works is kinda ironic, no?) 

Regardless, they never appear.

She’s tried desperately to get any news outlet to pay attention to her, has giddily bragged about all her “contacts” at this or that entertainment outlet, and often tweets about how me, or this or that celeb will freak out when her story on them runs in the very near future. 

They never appear.

The reality is, I happen to know that many of these editors & writers do whatever they can to avoid her, ignoring her many pleas to contact her about her “dirt” on people.

So many lies. So many empty threats. 

She has also threatened many times to post my attorneys’ Ceast & Desist letter.
Let me save her the trouble. 

I've included the C & D letter below, as well as her response. I am sure Faux and her cohort will do everything they can to try and discredit it or spin it to their benefit.

However rest assure this is the God’s honest truth and whatever lies or stories they write in response to this blog are exactly that, lies, a spinning of the truth and just another act of online bullying and harassment to achieve their goal to defame and hurt me.   

I hope they do...every single disgusting lie they tweet & blog is being closely watched, and all they do is dig themselves in deeper & deeper. The most interesting part? All of this has been out of my control for a while now. It is all in the hands of people far wiser & more powerful than I.

There's more. Much more. But I don't have the stomach to repeat it.
As God is my witness, every single word above is 100% the goddamn truth.
Thank you for reading.

Sincerely,

Kristen Johnston
aka @kjothesmartass

Here is the Cease & Desist letter sent to Vincenza Spina aka Faux Reality Entertainment:

December 3, 2014

VIA EMAIL: 

FAUXREALITYENTERTAINMENT.COM@DOMAINSBYPROXY.COM and

FAUX.REALITY@YAHOO.COM

Fr Entertainment, LLC d/b/a FauxRealityEntertainment.com and 

Patrick Spina (Registered Agent) and

Vicenza Leonelli Spina (Owner and Operator)

2186 Linwood Ave

Fort Lee, NJ 07024

Re:​CEASE AND DESIST of the posting of false and defamatory articles and blogs pertaining to Actress and Writer Kristen Johnston

​​

Patrick and Vicenza Leonelli Spina:

​We are litigation counsel to Kristen Johnston. I am writing with regard to your blatantly false and defamatory blog written and posted on your website, fauxrealityentertainment.com, Twitter and other social media by you and your company. In addition, you intentionally, willfully and maliciously have taken my client’s private emails which you have no right or authority to possess and which you knew were altered by your online cohort named Kitty McCaffery (hereinafter referred to as “Kitty”) and subsequently published it so as to bolster your non-existent “proof” of Ms. Johnston’s non-existent negative behavior. All of your actions described herein violate Federal and State Laws and subject you to civil liability and potential criminal liability.

Ms. Spina:  THE ARTICLES YOU HAVE WRITTEN AND POSTED ABOUT MS. JOHNSTON ARE HIGHLY DEFAMATORY, COMPLETELY FALSE AND VIOLATE FEDERAL AND STATE LAW

​ On November 15, 2014, you wrote and posted an article on your website, fauxrealityentertainment.com alleging that my client has a bipolar personality on social media”, “inserts herself into controversy, promotes and encourages her followers to engage in Twitter warfare in an effort to commit bullying online” (insinuating she engages in cyber-bullying). Your article then attempts to include examples of this alleged behavior; however, it clearly includes incomplete and misleading information.

​In February 2014, you wrote and posted several articles on your blog as well as Twitter stating Kristen Johnston knowingly supported and funded a website (RiseandStand.org. an anti-bullying website run by Kitty McCaffery), which you accuse instead profits off of victimsand commits cyber-bullying. This article further insinuates that my client was well aware that this was the purpose of the website, yet still participated in funding and supporting same. These articles and the statements contained therein are false, incomplete and misleading. They were made willfully and maliciously and knowingly solely to fuel your irrational desire to defame, cause harm to my client financially and in terms of her reputation.

​Publication of these incomplete, misleading and totally untrue statements andinformation gives rise to liability for defamation since your presentation may imply an actionable and false assertion of facts. Ringler Associates Inc. v. Maryland Cas. Co. 80 Cal. App. 4^th 1165, 1180, 96Cal Rptr. 2D 136, 149 (2002); see also, Milkovich v. Lorain Journal Co., 497 U.S. 1, 19, 110 S. Ct. 2695, 2706, 111 L. Ed. 2d 1, 18 (1990) (Incomplete facts may still imply false assertion of fact.) “Although the truth of an alleged libel may be proven as a complete defense, it is not a defense to show that a statement contained in a publication, if taken alone, is literally true, when other facts are omitted which plainly refute the false impression of the partial statement. A statement is not true or even substantially true if, by implication, an entirely untrue impression is made by the omission of part of the facts.”, Express Publishing Co. v. Gonzalez, 350 S.W. 2d 589, 592 (Tex. 1961); See also Toney v. WCCO Television, Midwest Cable and Satellite, 85 F. 3d 383, 392 (8^th Cir. 1996) (recognizing cause of action for implied defamation where defendant omits important facts). 

​Furthermore, it would be immaterial whether the story’s untrue assertions are made as statements of unequivocal fact or by innuendo and implication. In either case, substantial liability will arise since it is well established that “defamation by implication stems not from what is literally stated, but what is implied.” White v. fraternal Order of Police, 909 F.2d 512, 518 (D.C. Cir. 1990). A defendant in a libel case is accountable and liable “for what is insinuated as well as for what is stated explicitly.” Kapellas v. Kofman, 1 Cal. 3d 20, 33, 81 Cal.Rptr. 360 (1969). It is clear that you are writing and posting articles online via your website and other social media and blogs which clearly are false, misleading and are done with the specific intent of malice, willful reckless disregard for the truth and, most damaging, with the specific intent to cause harm to my client personally, as well as to her reputation, thus committing defamation with the intent to cause prospective economic damage to her career and reputation. 

​Mr. and Mrs. Spina, as a former and current attorney, I am sure you are aware that publishing a story predicated on obvious biases which omits or buries key facts and/or makes misleading assertions cannot qualify as a “fair and true report” under California Civil Code §47(d). A newspaper report is “fair and true” if it captures “the substance and gist, the sting of the libelous charge”, and while an article need not track verbatim the underlying proceeding [posting or information] the numerous articles you have posted have deviated so far from reality, are so substantially different from the truth, and are neither fair nor true.  

​Your companies have clearly crossed all legal, moral and ethical allowances established, therefore you have clearly overstepped all legal boundaries.  Colt Freedom Communications, Inc. 109 Cal. App. 4^th 1551, 1558, 1 Cal Rptr. 3d 245,250 (2003).

​Furthermore, to the extent you believe that simply by republishing another’s statements; you have no liability, you are mistaken. At common law, one who republishes a defamatory statement is deemed thereby to have adopted it and is therefore held liable. Khawar v. Globe International, Inc., 19 Cal. 4^th 254, 276, 79 Cal Rptr. 2d 178, 191-192 (1998). Moreover, the fact that you take another’s postings and report them does not provide any privilege or safety for you and your companies either. See above references to case lawdiscussing “insinuations.”  Your articles clearly take incomplete postings and statements and you piece them together to suit your goals of defaming and harming many others, including my client;  this is defamation.

​On your blog, @FauxReelMedia a/k/a Faux_Reality a/k/a @_Faux_Says, a/k/a you, Vincenza Spina have unlawfully possessed an email of my client which you knew your online cohort “Kitty” had altered. This heavily altered emailed contains false and misleading statements which you knowingly published to further defame my client, in violation of Federal and State law as explained more fully below.   

​Based upon the foregoing, I am demanding you immediately retract, remove from your website/blog, Twitter account and other social media the articles, any blogs or tweet’s referring to my client which you have posted over the past two (2) years.  Your inflammatory accusations are intentional, willful and malicious.  They are causing my client substantial emotional distress, financial damage, and a negative impact to her reputation and career. 

​

​My client has chosen to never engage publicly or cast aspersions toward you, despite years of your completely unwarranted attacks, hoping that you would simply stop your attacks; however, since it is clear you refuse to stop, Ms. Johnston, as well as her legal counsel and management team have finally decided she has no choice but to take action.

​Should you fail to comply with this cease and desist demand, my client will avail herself of any and all legal and equitable remedies available to her.

Ms. Spina and Faux Reality Entertainment, FR Entertainment LLC:  THE ARTICLES AND TWEETS YOU ARE WRITING AND POSTING, AS WELL AS THE THREATS MADE TO MY CLIENT TO CAUSE FUTURE DAMAGE TO HER EMPLOYMENT AND REPUTATION CONSTITUTE CYBER HARASSMENT AND STALKING UNDER 18 U.S. CODE §2261A AND CALIFORNIA PENAL CODE §646.9 

Federal Law, 18 U.S. CODE §2261A and California Penal Code  §646.9 specifically prohibits a person from engaging in a course of conduct specifically aimed at intimidating and harassing an individual which causes or is reasonably expected to cause emotional distress to  another.

It is clear that your several intentionally misleading, inaccurate and incomplete articles, written and published over a lengthy course of time (at least two (2) years between your website and twitter postings), constitute and establish a clear level of intent and your desire to stalk, harass and cause substantial emotional harm and financial damage to my client.  This violates Federal and State law and constitute criminal conduct as per the Statutes language and definitions contained therein.

In addition, you have gone so far so as to intentionally and willfully take possession of my client’s emails, which you knew were altered by “Kitty” and publish them to create false impressions, statements and characterizations of my client’s opinions, desires and actions to further pursue your goal of defaming and harming my client. This is clearly prohibited by Federal and State Law and is criminal. 

Once again, I am demanding on behalf of my client that you immediately retract, remove and take off of your website, Twitter account and other social media the articles, blogs and statements you have posted about her within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving this letter.Your failure to do so will result in my client seeking any and all civil and criminal remediesavailable to her. 

YOUR POSTING OF MY CLIENT’S PHOTOGRAPHS AND ALTERING AND POSTING OF EMAILS VIOLATE FEDERAL CODE 17 USC §106, §501 AND RELATED SUBPARTS AND STATE COPYRIGHT LAWS

CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE § 3344

​The articles and postings you write, publish, and reproduce violate Federal and State copyright laws.  Specifically, Federal Law prohibits the copying and displaying of photographs and written documents without authorization.  See 17 U.S. Code §106, §501 and related subparts.  In addition, California Civil Code §3344 and the common law right of publicity specifically prohibit the copying and publishing of photographs and written documents without authorization from the publisher.  

​In your articles and postings you are specifically using my client’s photographs and written documents without authorization which constitutes a violation of Federal and State copyright laws as noted above.  I am demanding that you immediately cease and desist from further publication of her photographs and email letters and remove same immediately from all your articles and online postings. My client is entitled to all damages associated with your use of the photographs and emails as well as all attorney’s fees and costs as per Federal and Statelaw. In addition, your unauthorized use of these photographs and emails may subject you to damages of $150,000 per violation. 

​Demand is hereby made that you contact me within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of this letter and confirm that (1) you will immediately cease and desist from further use of the photographs and emails; (2) remove all photographs and emails from your articles and postings on all social media; and (3) make a substantial payment to my client for her damages.

​Again, your failure to comply with this demand will result in my client availing herself of any and all legal and equitable remedies available to her.  

Ms. Spina and Faux Reality Entertainment, FR Entertainment, LLC:  THE PUBLISHING OF YOUR FALSE AND DEFAMATORY ARTICLES VIOLATE THE COMMUNICATIONS DECENCY ACT 47 U.S. CODE § 230 AND SHOULD YOU NOT COMPLY WITH THIS DEMAND ALL SOCIAL MEDIA, REGISTRARS OF YOUR WEBSITE AND SERVER HOST OF YOUR WEBSITE AND BLOGS WILL BE CONTACTED TO REMOVE SAID ARTICLES,  POSTINGS AND BLOGS

The Communications Decency Act ("CDA") does not immunize a user of interactive computer services from a defamation claim arising out of her republication of statements authored by a third party, when the user knew or had reason to know of the falsity of those statements.  Stephen J. Barrett, et al. v. Ilena Rosenthal 9 Cal.Rpt.3d 142, A096451 (Cal. App. Crt., 1st App. Dist., October 15, 2003) reversed 40 Cal.4th 33, S 122953 (Cal. Sup. Ct., November 20, 2006). The social media blogs, websites, server hosts and registrars will be held liable for allowing you to maintain your website, posts on blogs and social media of your defamatory, inflammatory, malicious statements and for all damages associated with same. 

​ Simultaneously with the sending of this letter, I am sending equally as informative cease and desist letters to each and every social media website, registrar and server host bywhich your website is maintained and your blogs and posts are published to remove same or suffer harsh economic damages and be the subject of injunctive relief requested in Federal Court. You and your companies will also be included in said litigation.

Your actions are unequivocally done with malice and with no substantive purposes other than to subject my client to harassment, stalking and defamatory remarks in your desire to harm her reputation, financially and emotionally. You are subject to punitive damages which I assure you are in the millions of dollars and to which my client will vigorously pursue should you not comply with these demands.

Ms. Spina and Faux Reality Entertainment, FR Entertainment, LLC:  YOUR COMMUNICATIONS TO MY CLIENT’S EMPLOYER CONSTITUTE INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE WITH PROSPECTIVE ECONOMIC RELATIONSAND SUBJECT YOU TO ALL DAMAGES SUFFERED BY MY CLIENT

On several occasions, you have contacted my client’s employer by intentionally and willfully sending defamatory and false written communications (via email, blogs and articles) which serve no purpose other than to disrupt my client’s relationship with her employer and cause her economic harm.  This violates California Law, See (Youst v. Longo (1987) 43 Cal.3d 64, 71, fn. 6 [233 Cal.Rptr. 294, 729 P.2d 728].) and Federal Law as you are doing so using interstate communications to do so.  See Federal Communications Act.

I am demanding on behalf of my client that you cease and desist from any further communications with my client’s employer or any and all other business associates of my client.  Your failure to comply with this demand will result in my client seeking injunctive relief and legal relief for the damages suffered.  

CONCLUSION

Ms. Spina, my client has been a well-known Actress and Writer in both Hollywood and New York City for decades. Ms. Johnston has thick skin and is well aware that people have the right to state their opinions about her, good or bad. However, your articles, posts and blogs on your own website and other social media, as well as your determination to sully Ms. Johnston’s reputation, employment, as well as cast aspersions on her sanity and defame all the incredible charity work she has devoted her life and income to are far from opinions and critiques.  

They are a direct campaign by you to willfully and maliciously attack my client’s character, reputation and livelihood.  Your actions have placed my client in a position of having to respond to your misstatements and misrepresentations in order to preserve same.  

We are well aware of Ms. McCaffery’s involvement in this situation, and she will be dealt with separately.  

My client is providing this one opportunity for you to comply with these demands before we initiate legal action.  

You have twenty-four (24) hours from this moment to provide me a written notice (directed to my attention) stating that you have removed any and all articles, photographs, blogs, and tweets from your website fauxrealityentertainment.com and ALL social media/twitter accounts.  

​Your failure to do so will subject you to costly litigation and the damages my client is entitled to.

​Nothing contained herein is intended as, nor should it be deemed to constitute a waiver or relinquishment of any of my clients’ rights, whether legal or equitable, all of which are hereby expressly reserved.

Yours truly,

LORNE E. BERKELEY

​​​​​​​​For the Firm

LEB/vvm

cc:​DomainsByProxy.com

​14747 N. Northsight Boulevard

​Suite 111, PMB 309

​Scottsdale, AZ 85260

​Patrick J. Spina, Esquire PC

​97 Lackawanna Avenue, Suite 201

​Totowa, NJ 07512

​Net-abuse@twitter.com

​Abuse@godaddy.com (Registrar and Server Host for fauxrealityentertainment.com) 

December 3, 2014
Re: FauxRealityEntertainment.com and @FauxRealityE v. Kristen Johnston
Lorne E. Berkeley, Esq

I am responding on behalf of the owner of FauxRealityEntertainment.com and @FauxRealityE. The website is not nor has it ever been FR Entertainment, LLC or in any way associated with that entity. That is a falsehood published by Kristen Johnston’s friend, Jill Ishkanian. I trust that Patrick and Vicenza Spina will respond to you if and when they are served.

It appears that Kristen Johnston found the perfect attorney to feed her craziness. Your letter is replete with misstatements of the law, absurd assumptions and false facts.

@FauxRealityE tweeted with Johnston on three separate occasions during the 3 years on twitter, all having to do with 3 articles pertaining to her over a year’s time. The handful of tweets (to which she responded) were neither harassment nor cyber bullying by any stretch of the imagination. Simply because Johnston cannot handle criticism or being called out on her social media shannanigans does not mean she was harassed. That’s absurd. And for you to cite the California Penal Code is even more absurd.
First and foremost, your accusations are baseless. If Faux Reality is in any way disrupted by you or your client’s baseless accusations, it will be us who come after Johnston, you and your firm for every injunctive and monetary remedy provided by law.

Secondly, Faux Reality has never harassed or bullied Kristen Johnston. It reported on Johnston, Kitty McCaffery and Rise and Stand attacking a legitimate business (Bling is the New Black, hereinafter “Bling”) by claiming Bling was infringing on Crochet Michelle’s copyright (Crochet is a close friend and business partner of Johnston). Rise and Stand went so far as to say it was working FOR/WITH Twitter! Johnston endorsed Rise and Stand and it’s antics. That was the first interaction with Kristen Johnston – a legitimate reason for the interaction with her -- Not to harass but to report how Bling was being improperly targeted. Johnston, McCaffery and/or Crochet repeatedly published that Bling had stolen and violated Crochet’s copyright . Johnston attempted to collect money to sue Bling for the copyright infringment with the assistance of McCaffery. Faux Reality published an article on the incident and the victims that lay in the wake of Johnston and McCaffery. It is Johnston who has been “in bed” with McCaffery so to say that McCaffery is a “cohort” simply because she forwarded Johnston’s email is laughable. Johnston should be publically apologizing to Bling for what she did and continues to do to that business thru McCaffery (and now her latest thug Queenz Of Media – Skyler St Coxx - Yes, your client is using an entity owned by an internet prostitute who terrorizes women on line and has been banned by many websites).
Third, as far as emails, McCaffery sent emails that were sent to her and to over 50 others by Johnston to prove the following: (1) Johnston contributed money to commence litigation against Bling for violating

Crochet’s copyright; (2) Johnston sent out emails to solicit funds for the litigation; (3) Crochet never had a copyright; (4) At some point Johnston and McCaffery discovered that Crochet lied about holding a copyright; (5) Neither Johnston nor McCaffery ever corrected their public statements that Bling violated a non existent copyright. In what State is it a crime or a civil violation for McCaffery to forward emails that she and others received regarding Johnston’s participation in the slander against Bling? Your allegation that Faux Reality somehow altered email is ridiculous. Faux Reality has the electronic version that was sent by McCaffery, so stop with your baseless “chest thumping.” If your client claims the emails have been altered, forward the intact emails and Faux Reality will post same. Furthermore, your interpretation of the law is strained. A recipient can disclose email – McCaffery disclosed it to prove that Johnston was lying to people about how much she paid McCaffery. Faux Reality received the email and tweeted same.
Fourth, Johnston’s direct messages indicate that she paid McCaffery $8,000 but Johnston’s email indicate she paid McCaffery thousands less. Either way, money exchanged hands and it was to prompt Johnston’s “friends” to get McCaffery to pursue litigation against Bling for a non existent copyright.
Fifth, how exactly do you state that McCaffery is a“cohort” when Johnston is the one who has been funding her thousands of dollars and publically endorsing her? Johnston’s lackey is currently on twitter tweeting that McCaffery was hired “to investigate Faux and Friends.” Your allegations defy logic.
Six, Faux Reality has never emailed Johnston’s employer. Good to know she is employed with all the time she devotes to social media, twitter wars, blogs and twitlongers trying to explain her shadiness.
The three articles regarding Johnston and her shady association with Rise and Stand, McCaffery, Queenz of Media, Jill Ishkanian are accurate and will remain on the Faux Reality website.
Johnston is well known for her tactics in tweeting so that her followers attack people who she perceives have slighted or criticized her. The Faux Reality witness list will be long and all consuming. Johnston encourages some of the biggest abusers on twitter to assist her – people she herself labeled bullies to me AND OTHERS in Direct Messaging before she joined forces with them. 
This is one of dozens of direct messages Johnston has sent people regarding Queenz of Media who Johnston now encourages to attack on her behalf: 
(This was from 4 yrs ago, some tweet saying "Q is accusing me of being a drunk." I can't seem to be able to post it.)

As far as your claim that “your client never engages,” that’s comical. Johnston was on her soap box tonight as usual. This is one of hundreds of examples of Johnston engaging without provocation. “Margaret” did not @ Johnston and Margaret’s tweet was from November 25, 2014! – So why did Johnston search thru Margaret’s timeline for a tweet THEN mention Faux? That’s not just engaging, that’s obsessive creepy bi polar social media behavior:
You identify @FauxReelMedia, @Faux_Reality and @_Faux_says as ”blogs.” They are not. They are twitter handles. They are not owned by Vincenza Spina. Faux Reality has not unlawfully obtained any email, nor altered any email. Faux Reality was forwarded email FROM ONE OF THE NUMEROUS RECIPIENTS of the email. So if these are the lies that you forwarded to Twitter to get Faux Reality related accounts suspended, we will deal with you, your firm and your client for attempting to censor and negatively impacting the website.
As far as the image made part of the November, 2014 article, the image was taken from twitter, given the appropriate tag and is being used in an article to inform, not to advertise or to profit.
Thank you for quoting the California Penal and Civil Code. Aside from the fact there are jurisdictional hurdles, none apply in this case. What does apply, however, is the fact that your client Kristen Johnston has encouraged and promoted Rise and Stand, Kitty McCaffery, Queenz of Media, Jill Ishkanian, ThorazineDrip and approximately 30 troll accounts to publish private, financial and employment information about Faux Reality, my friends and their children. Several have already contacted the police, federal authorities and lawyers – all tied to your client.

Therefore, I suggest your client publically apologize to Bling, Faux Reality Entertainment and publically condemn the posting of confidential information by Kitty McCaffery, Jill Ishkanian and Queenz of Media (Skyler St Coxx) and retract any cease and desist letters to Twitter and my providers, barring same, I suggest you name the correct parties, perfect your jurisdictional deficiencies and clean up your client because Kristen Johnston is as dirty as they come.

FauxRealityEntertainment.com 

Posted by KJo at 12:41 PM  

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65 comments:

1. Nefarious NewtFebruary 3, 2015 at 12:51 PM

It's simple: some people want their 15 minutes of fame, and want to get it for free by taking on the famous. Give 'em an inch and they'll try to move into your beach cottage. Sad, really. I hope these people get help.

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2. Donnna BlackFebruary 3, 2015 at 4:29 PM

I just can't stand that someone wished you had OD'd. It is horrific what some people will do just to make themselves feel better. 

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AnonymousFebruary 3, 2015 at 5:18 PM

The response to the C&D reads as a psychopath, interesting Faux Reality brings "bling" in to this. 

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AnonymousFebruary 3, 2015 at 8:04 PM

I thought my comment posted?

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AnonymousFebruary 3, 2015 at 8:16 PM

Correction Kristen,
Vincenza Leonelli Spina went by the following handles that we all know of; by usuing all these handles, Vincenza Spina Leonelli name squats.
Gregslosehole,FauxRealityEnt,FauxRealityE,FauxRealityE,Faux_Rises, The Antello names, Buckwheat_media Bukwheat_media
There are so many names, Vincenza name squats these names because she knows she will be suspended with in due time.

I like how Vincenza tries to spin the truth. She did a post on Kristen. Illana Angel documented what happened at the Leann Rimes concert because she was there, Vincenza was not there, Leann Rimes is either feeding Vincenza this information or Vincenza is making it making it up.

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AnonymousFebruary 3, 2015 at 8:32 PM

my mind is playing tricks on me. I was reading the comments and went to reply and realized I had two browsers open,I refreshed and this comment is not there. I wanted tell this brave person she is couragoues for speaking up.
[url=http://imgur.com/9izncpC][img]http://i.imgur.com/9izncpC.png[/img][/url]

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AnonymousFebruary 3, 2015 at 8:37 PM

it was my comment, Its okay and thank you. For some reason she took it down and its okay. 

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KJoFebruary 3, 2015 at 9:07 PM

I have not taken down any comments, anonymous

Kristen

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AnonymousFebruary 3, 2015 at 8:33 PM

http://imgur.com/9izncpC

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AnonymousFebruary 3, 2015 at 9:14 PM

This hurts my heart for you. In the words of Stuart Smalley, "You are good enough, you are smart enough and doggone it, people like you".

Seriously though, I'm sure that you understand that these kind of people are just inexplicably hateful and cruel. But, every victim of bullying should be told that for every ONE bully full of shallow hate, there are MANY people full of a much deeper and appreciation and affection for you. Those who lack your strength and confidence often forget that.

From my perspective, you are smart, funny, talented and tough. I am impressed by you as an actress and author, appreciative of your passion for animals and inspired by your struggles with addiction and fight for your health. I suspect that my appreciation for you will continue to grow as you continue to impress and inspire people through your specific conflict with these callous cyber bullies and, by extension, the overall problem of relentless bullying.

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AnonymousFebruary 3, 2015 at 10:02 PM

Just like a psychopath, Vincenza's response has nothing to do with the Cease and Desist itself. Vinnie attempts to make herself look like a hero by "reporting" on issues that have nothing to do with her. 

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AnonymousFebruary 3, 2015 at 10:16 PM

I loved the part "long witness list". ������������ How many of her personalities does she plan on bringing?

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12. Laura romeroFebruary 4, 2015 at 2:14 AM

This is all just insane. Its a shame people have so little going on in their own lives that they have to resort to trying, i repeat, TRYING to destroy the life of a very talented, caring, smart, strong, successful and amazing woman. My heart goes out to you kristen for having to even acknowledge these sociopaths, let alone deal with them. I wish there was something that all of us that adore you could do, to somehow make all this go away so that you could get back to doing what we and you love, interacting and communicating with all of us that love you and making us laugh! Thinking of you, and in total support of anything you need from us...
We will see you at a taping very soon!
Laura

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AnonymousFebruary 4, 2015 at 2:25 AM

Kristen,
I am sorry that you have to put up with this, it makes no sense how or why someone can spend their life literally harassing people.
I read the original post and wanted the link about Vinnie's disbarment?
There are other things missing as well. I thought your original post had something about Faux doing something to your friend Ed am I reading this wrong? I bookmarked the original post yesterday and am commenting here since this is the new post.

This is the only advice I can give you, Kristen. You are either going to have to file a lawsuit or go to the police for this to stop, I know Vinnie/Faux's type and that is the only way this will stop. I know it sucks and takes time and energy, just by reading some of the other blogs and with all these identities, after having her identity revealed, there is no shame and that is what is scary. Who does this person think she is to police the INTERNET?!

read your post about your new dog, bless you and thank you, for someone who rescues dogs, I know how hard it is to care for special needs dog, it's more emotional than anything, it's also rewarding. you'll never have to worry about sleeping alone. ;-) 

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Lucien SimpsonFebruary 4, 2015 at 7:15 AM

Life is about lessons and learning. I have been the victim of this type of behavior on and off. I will say not to the extent of your's Kristen or others, but none-the-less, it has negatively impacted my life. Lesson one, I don't care how much a person has begged, made pleas for money, don't do it. If they have a legit charity, then donate to the charity. Giving money online is a suckers bet. Think of the good that could have been done with the thousands you gave to Kitty? Be smart, that means not getting personally involved with Twitter followers. I have never met one person on Twitter who was 100% honest. I have been told they are CIA, Black Ops, Ex LA Cops, Million Dollar Real Estate Brokers, hob knob with so and so and so on. Most of which leaves me thinking...if these people were so important, what in the hell are they doing on Twitter and posting like crazy? Most drink, most drug. I have spoken on the phone with several of my own followers and they were so drunk I could barely understand them as they told me they were drinking and on this major painkiller and then 2 minutes later say there were on another one...

I have been stalked, threatened and harassed on Twitter. I am just a poor slob who is Bipolar and have nothing for these freaks to take, they usually find that out and then move on. About 4 years ago I wrote a blog about the "Gangs of Twitter - When You're a Jet". None of this is new and while I think much of what and how you interact on Twitter is not in your own best interest Kristen I applaud your coming fourth and putting all the information on the table. The only way to defeat darkness is to throw light on it. This is what you have done.

Never in my life have I seen such ugly behaviors by people. I have a snark sense of humor and will offer my opinion but band together and set an agenda to destroy, defame or hurt another? It just disgusts me. I wish you well on this battle. Its is far from over. These types continue even when they are outed...they are very twisted individuals. As long as there is they can hide behind false names and in the darkness of the net...there will be those like Faux, Ada's Heart, Honnie and etc. who will attempt to do harm. Mintedroyalty 

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AnonymousFebruary 4, 2015 at 2:21 PM

This woman has also targeted and harassed me. I had no idea who she was and she came out of the woodwork threatening me. She posted lies and threatened to contact my employer and my church. 

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AnonymousFebruary 4, 2015 at 2:43 PM

Interesting that tne reply to the C&D started quite professionally and degraded into shorthand or 'online spelling' as the anger seemed to start rising. Clearly an unstable mind is behind this desponse.
Please take care kjo as this person seems fixated on you in a scary way. 

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chriscleoFebruary 4, 2015 at 10:43 PM

When I saw these tweets, my mouth shot open in shock. Can't believe people can be so ugly. That "one-on-one conversation" defames a good person who doesn't deserve it. Kristen is one of the kindest people in the world. This kind of activity is ruining Twitter. One of the sweetest aspects of Twitter is communication between celebrities and fans. I don't understand why Twitter isn't doing more to track and block people who constantly open accounts just to harass/terrorize someone. This goes beyond mere trolldom to full-on stalkerhood and criminal behavior. Sickening.

I got to know you through 3rd Rock from the Sun, one of the greatest shows around, every cast member of which was PERFECT. Kristen Johnston, John Lithgow, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, French Stewart -- we couldn't have asked for a better cast. And then to read your book and interact with you on twitter and facebook, I learned what a warmhearted, lovely person you are. The fact that some sociopaths see a kind heart and want to stab it repeatedly is beyond me. I am glad you have an attorney to deal with this now. I hope that he can take some of the pressure and ugliness off you. I hate that you can even repeat the stuff those horrid monsters said to/about you. I hate that it has even invaded your consciousness at all. I am so sorry. If your fans can do something to help, please let us know. Don't take this all on yourself. Chris, harrysmom1

[BTW, i tried to tweet in support of your friend Ed but may have gotten the account name wrong. I am sorry they are attacking him, too.]

I'm watching The Exes and you just said the point of the wedding. ROFLMAO!!!!!

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Ed BrophyFebruary 7, 2015 at 1:19 PM

ChrisCleo - My account no longer exists, Vinnie and Brandon used an automated system to mass report and have me suspended for the 3rd time, which is likely permanent.

Thanks for the support. 

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chriscleoFebruary 7, 2015 at 6:01 PM

if only they could use their power for good. can you imagine? so many horrificly creepy commenters could be stopped. ~chris

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18.  

AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:09 PM

Koo MundayFebruary 2, 2015 at 12:42 PM
As much as you would hope that the human race has evolved, there still are those savage barbarians. The putrid vitriol and the disgusting manner in which they conduct themselves SHOULD be actionable. So sorry for all the victims, to have to defend yourself against baseless rumors is horrible. SMH

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:10 PM

dana rhodesFebruary 2, 2015 at 2:11 PM
Wow Kristen....That is absolutely insane. So sorry you are going through this. Speachless....

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:10 PM

Wendy SchevelFebruary 2, 2015 at 2:14 PM
I can not even fathom how anyone could be so cruel, nasty and disgusting. It is very sad to read all of that. You are a very strong woman, but I know that has to hurt. I am so so sorry. And by the way.. You are an amazing and entertaining actress. I adore you and always will. Good luck. I hope this will be the end of them trying so hard to ruin peoples lives.

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:10 PM

kimcandidFebruary 2, 2015 at 2:24 PM
There sure are crappy people out there in the world! I'm so sorry you are going through this, but god damn you make me so proud that you are standing up and taking charge of the situation!!! GO KRISTEN!!!!!

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:11 PM

LoriGFebruary 2, 2015 at 2:26 PM
Completely horrifying. I only saw a few of these tweets, but the ones that I did see were so twisted that I thought surely no one would believe them. When someone sounds like a lunatic, I generally disregard their words and assumed others would do the same. The tweets above are a perfect example. Dozens of hateful, twisted accusations then this, "I usually don't participate in shit talking...". You don't? Since when? 30 seconds ago? It's laughable.

I had no idea of the depth, scope and length of time this has been going on. No wonder you have been pushed to the brink. I had to temporarily unfollow poor Ed because he has been trying to defend himself and consequently, I see the engagement on my Twitter feed. I don't want to see it, it's ugly.

I hope your lawyer successfully puts an end to this soon. I hope the stress isn't exacerbating your lupus. I hope the victims in this have their lives and reputations fully restored. I also hope cyber-bullying gets a stronger advocate than Kitty. (How does an anti-bullying crusader share someone's personal emails?)

I imagine it is difficult to be encouraged by words of support after all this time, but I offer them anyway. It's great to see that you are staying on Twitter. Your strength is admirable and you have a powerful message that needs to be shared. You have guts, Kristen Johnston. You truly do.

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:12 PM

Crochet by MicheleFebruary 2, 2015 at 2:54 PM
it's insane to say the least. NO ONE should have to endure this type of relentless hateful harassment.

I love you. SO MUCH! You are a strong, empowered and brave woman who walks the walk every single day. They cannot take that away from you.

I pray for an end to this and am SO PROUD of you for sharing this because you , like always, are probably helping someone but coming forward with this.

I love you my dear friend.
xoxo
M

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:12 PM

Donnna BlackFebruary 2, 2015 at 4:08 PM
I had to stop in the middle of this just because the cruelty of this woman is horrendous. I know cruelty way to well, & you my friend do not deserve it. What amazes me is people really believe they can get away with distroying other people. Ms Kjo, you are a strong person who has taught me a lot. I like how you practice your own advice, & thrive with all your courage. I am proud of your sobriety, how you advise other's, your smartass humor, & yours strength. You deserve nothing but respect.

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:13 PM

AnonymousFebruary 2, 2015 at 5:05 PM
It looks to me like you are both guilty. You have stated facts and jabs at these people, which shows you have sunk to their level. Why open a forum then delete the posts you don't like? Did you egg any of this on? I believe you did. Talking about your private medical issues for sympathy just makes you look worse.Toughen up, turn the other cheek, and move on.

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KJoFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:14 PM

KJoFebruary 3, 2015 at 9:05 PM
Dear Anonymous

You are one classy broad.
I have deleted NOT ONE comment, including your own utterly foul one.

If you only had the balls to sign your own name.

You are the height of misinformed, uneducated, offensive and deeply misguided.

Even so, I hope you never have to silently endure years of lies, torment, rudeness & depravaty.
I wouldn't wish this even on you.

Enjoy your time with your sick friends.

With zero respect

Kristen Johnston

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:14 PM

AnonymousFebruary 2, 2015 at 9:03 PM
Please do NOT apologize for Fauz aka Vincenza Spina or Brandon King. There are many that counted them as friends and are sickened to find out what they have truly been up to using their resources to go after people who did not fall in line with their objectives. Now that Vincenza has been 100% outed as who she really is in real life not just by the incredibly detailed an irrefutable dox done by Grace, but by others who have actually spoken to Faux aka Toni aka Antonella on the phone and confirmed 100% it is the same person and voice as Vincenza Spina in the videos. Subsequently, the Faux/King hate machine has ramped up several hundred notches.

What neither of them count on is the decent people who have woken up to the truth and will not stand by and let them get away with this. There are emails and other correspondence with those that USED to be their friends that WILL come to light if Vincenza and King continue down their path of harassment. The details of which will be most damaging to any hopes either of them have to forging ahead with lawsuits or salvaging what little is left of their tattered reputations.

Ms. Johnston, just know there are so many of us supporting you who are fans and know the real truth. Stay strong.

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:16 PM

JaneFebruary 2, 2015 at 5:19 PM
This is truly sickening. I couldn't even bring myself to click the links to see any further info. It hurts to know that you and many others have gone/are going through this utter nonsense. This is a whole kind of evil I didn't know existed. Wish you didn't have this story to share, but proud of your for exposing the truth.

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:17 PM

Bill StoutFebruary 2, 2015 at 5:44 PM
It's unbelievable how low people will go,
So proud of your work and heart,,,,Stay Strong

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:17 PM

KellyFebruary 2, 2015 at 7:04 PM
Vincenza is asking for proof you were harassed for three years. Considering Vincenza Spina changes her her name every other day, had many twitter accounts suspended and now the tweets don't exist, this is a true narcissist and con artist at work. Kristen, I am so sorry you went through this with Vincenza, the day Vincenza came on twitter as @gregslosehole she has always had targets.

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:18 PM

KellyFebruary 2, 2015 at 7:05 PM
That is another thing, Vincenza Spina deletes her tweets. Coward.

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:19 PM

AnonymousFebruary 2, 2015 at 7:36 PM
I'm sorry for all you have been through, as well as my friends. I never personally had interactions with these 2 people or even you. However when you go after my friends, especially their children...gloves are off! FTR I am the one that had the picture taken with Oliver Peck. Oliver was amused. There were MANY MANY MORE taken that night & I'm glad it got under his skin. I own the photos, they are all located conveniently on my camera & my computer...dated & time stamped with the location. So good luck to him...& Happy Birthday BK! HAHAHAHA ( ͡~ ͜ʖ ͡°)

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:19 PM

morgancraven97February 2, 2015 at 7:41 PM
I'm so sorry you have to go through this. You of all people don't deserve this. NO ONE deserves this kind of treatment from anyone. It's terrifying to think that there are people like this in the world and on social media. I'm SO proud of you for raising awareness and taking action to stop these people before they hurt anyone else. Love you, my strong, beautiful friend...

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:20 PM

AnonymousFebruary 2, 2015 at 9:49 PM
God damn, but after reading this I feel like I just witnessed the scene in the Wizard of Oz when the house came flying down and landed on the Wicked Witch of the East aka The New Jersey Devil Vincenza. Queenz is the Good Witch, Ed is theTin Man and you Kjo is Dorothy and all of twitter is chanting ding-dong the witch is dead!

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:20 PM

AnonymousFebruary 2, 2015 at 11:20 PM
I think your lawyer should ask for a psychiatric report on these people, once it gets to court.

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:21 PM

Usher BobFebruary 3, 2015 at 4:14 AM
This is appalling and disgusting and I truly marvel at your continued strength. xoxo

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:21 PM

AnonymousFebruary 3, 2015 at 6:01 AM
Some of you may remember Kristen attempting to contact an anonymous person who had reached out to her several months ago. I am that person. I believe I had three or four interactions with Kristen before she made the decision to find me.

I'd like to share my thoughts and I'd like those who read this really think about my statements.

First of all, now that Kristen has shared with us what she's been going through I am in awe she took the leap of faith to go out of her way to devise a full proof plan to allow me to reach her. For all Kristen knew, I could have been one of these immoral people trying to 'play' her. However, instead of ignoring me she took the risk. While these evil people are spending their time plotting and scheming, Kristen is goingout of her way to be productive in her recovery. For that I thank her.

Secondly, let's be realistic in our thoughts. I will not stoop to the level of these horrible people by stating their past or current issues and standings in society, but let's think about Kristen. Do any of you really think a working woman, battling a chronic illness, who is dedicated to lifting up addicts, spends any of her energy on these evil people?

Lastly, why do these people choose to attack WHAT Kristen is? In their words, a d-list actress, an addict, a manipulator, etc. I think all that have had any interaction with Kristen know WHO she is. She's compassionate, honest, caring, uplifting, etc.

I have a challenge. Let's all take a break from giving these terrible people any of our time and perhaps send Kristen words of encouragement,even if it's a one word tweet. Let's reach out to Kristen as she has reached out to us.

Thank you

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:22 PM

AnonymousFebruary 3, 2015 at 11:59 AM
Graciously and well said. Bravo

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KJoFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:23 PM

KJoFebruary 7, 2015 at 11:43 AM
To my dear friend...
Thank you profusely for your kind words. I love you
K

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:24 PM

Jackie C.February 3, 2015 at 8:20 AM
I'm almost speechless. Almost. The hate I have witnessed on Twitter is sickening. For what it's worth just keep doing what I've seen you do, which is helping other addicts, promoting your show, sharing your book, and in general lifting people up and making us all laugh when we so desperately need it. xoxo

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:24 PM

MicheleFebruary 3, 2015 at 10:40 AM
Yesterday was my 30th wedding anniversary and our daughter gave us the best present she could ever give us. She entered a rehab facility in FL about 9 hours away. You are partly credited with this because your book had a profound effect on her. These are vile people. Thank you for your candor and your GUTS.

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:25 PM

Wendy CFebruary 3, 2015 at 11:12 AM
This just sickens me. I don't even nave the words to express how much. You know (I hope!) that I adore you... I, for one, thank God for you and for GUTS and for the laughter you have brought to my often laughter-less life! Thank you for all that you do and for bein the amazing person that you are!

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KJoFebruary 7, 2015 at 12:56 PM

@QueenzOfMedia has been an eaxtraordinary friend of mine. She has supported me, and shown remarkable grace & kindness toward me during this very trying time.

Many years ago, she & I had a disagreement on another matter & I ended up blocking her. This was long before I knew of Faux or Queenz involvelment with her.

Re; James Gibney...He reached out to me once recently to express his support. I have no knowledge of anything else he's done. Since I'm now off twitter, it doesn't matter to me.

If he's caused harm to anyone, I'm so sorry, but that's your fight. My issue is solely with the people mentioned in my blog above. I can't take on every person, whether they've caused harm or not.

Finally, there are many, many people who believed in Vinceza Spina for years & supported her...who now see her for who she really is. Quite a few of these people have come forward wanting to help in any way they can.

Whether Mr. Gibney falls into this catergory or not, people change. I'm living proof.

If you'd like to express your feelings about him or anyone else not mentioned in my blog, I welcome you to sign up for your own blog where you can say whatever you'd like.

Please keep any comments solely focused on the blog above. I won't delete any, whether positive or negative.

However, from this moment forward, I will delete any comments that aren't about GUTLESS.

Thank you for understanding

I'll update you as necessary.

Respectfully

Kristen Johnston

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AnonymousFebruary 7, 2015 at 5:50 PM

yep-I'm to chicken-s to sign this but just so you know Kjo, when you took time off to deal with lupus, was a good thing and hopefully you don't let the garbage go too far before taking a break, you are better than this nonsense.

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katFebruary 7, 2015 at 9:31 PM

YOU DESERVE BETTER MY LOVELY FRIEND, YOU ARE A CLASS ACT AND ALWAYS A STEP ABOVE MOST, I HOPE TO SEE YOU RETURN SOON FOR THE SAKE OF ALL THOSE YOU HAVE HELPED AND THOSE WHO STILL NEED YOUR STRENGTH AND INSPIRATION, Kat

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Karen AFebruary 8, 2015 at 5:30 AM

Kristin, you have GUTS! What these Scumbags have done to you & others is a disgrace!
I can only speak for myself & say I've NEVER experienced this level of Bullying & can only hope that you, Kristen, come out with some justice & Peace. Hugs K

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AnonymousFebruary 8, 2015 at 10:14 AM

I listened in to @hydrapotomos (Mike Arpey's) Blog Talk Radio show last night. Queenz came on and so did Ed Brophy and other victims of Vincenza Spina.

I had no idea she had gone this far and literally cost people their jobs to the point where they might become homeless. And that she continues to harass these people to this day. All over a disagreement on Twitter. How has she continued to get away with this? What a horrible human being

I hope Mr. Arpey can get the support he's seeking regarding a fund he mentioned (a non profit organization) designed to help people who are victims of people like Ms. Spina but who make lack the financial resources to take legal action.

Hearing first hand what she has done to others literally made me sick.

I'm sorry to see what you've had to go through Kirstin and I wish you and ALL of Vincenza's victims the best of luck and hopefully one day, justice.

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Patti CobbFebruary 8, 2015 at 11:14 AM

Wow! This is outrageous... I only speak for myself when I say that you've given your all for a lot of wonderful causes & people in your life. Including me who loves your GUTLESS blog for what it was originally intended for. That your hope & experience could reach out to others with the same affliction. Along with your hilarious sense of humor cuz God knows we all need that! Let's get back to basics & let Kristen do her thank!! :)

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1. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2015 at 12:40 AM

49.   Just wanted to send you some love!

Adoringly,
Rainbow Fart

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AnonymousFebruary 10, 2015 at 3:54 AM

I've recently started following you since I read GUTS, after being a long-time 3RFTS fan. I'm so sorry to see that people are wasting their energy on trying to pull you down.

After seeing the blog, the book, and the clips I've seen of you on The Exes and other work you've done, I'm a bigger fan than ever. You come off as a strong, funny, beautiful woman, and not least, a survivor. No... a thriver! Thrive on, sista. I hope this other stuff clears up soon.

Thank you for sharing your experience with addiction and sobriety in GUTS. I'm in awe. Your sense of self in your writing - your voice - is so strong to me, that's what I love the most. Wishing you all the best!

-Fellow Tall Girl

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AnonymousFebruary 11, 2015 at 12:44 PM

Hello Kristen,
As I originally came across your blog unconventionally; I found your words to be quite inspiring, but also, I felt as though you wrote what people think. Being a celebrity, you have a great voice of help and encouragement that you can and have given to people, especially where your passion lies, which is with drug addicted teens and noble efforts to start a sober school. I am glad to hear that you have dropped Twitter. I personally do not have Twitter, as I wouldn't want just anyone following me. As I do have Facebook, the only 'friends' I have are people who I know, and mostly friends from church. I am sorry to hear that you have been treated so terribly by these people. I am certain that you have true and beautiful friendships in your life that are intimate and real. I just encourage you merely from one person to another to throw yourself into those relationships and into your work for teens. Unfortunately in life, there are more people out there who seek to build others up, and sadly, it will always be that way. You also have a great blog here, where you can share ideas and opinions. One nice thing to, is mostly,from what I've seen, is your blog readers seem positive in there responses. Maybe you might consider just having your blog, if that is something you decide to do. I had never heard about sober schools or SLAM until I came across your blog, but because of it, I did and was happy to donate to the charity(even though I wasn't able to donate much). I hope that you can find encouragement in my words, as that is what I intend in them. I do want to tell you, and I hope you are not bothered by it, but I was the one who answered the questions posted on your advice blog. I want you to know that it was in no way to undermine you at all, and the only reason I did it, was because I didn't want anyones feelings hurt that you didn't respond, or for some reason think there concerns weren't valid, and just took the time to do it when I saw it had been some time without response which I sure because you were busy. Forgive me if it frustrated you. But with having said that, I think your idea of wanting to do an advice column is good, and much more rewarding than Twitter probably is. I hope the best for you and your true friendships, and life passion of helping start a sober high school for teens.
Blessings,
Adrienne

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AnonymousFebruary 11, 2015 at 12:51 PM

Oops I made a typo... I meant to say unfortunately there are more people out there who do not seek to build others up. I wish it were the other way around
Adrienne 

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