Oprah seems to be pro-liar

[donsu]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/pickett/cst-nws-pickett13.html

Author's 'emotional truth' no stranger to fiction

It looked, for a brief moment, as if James Frey might really be in trouble.

Document after document, compiled by researchers at the Smoking Gun Web site, offers proof that Frey's Oprah-endorsed (and, therefore, best-selling) memoir, A Million Little Pieces, is largely a work of fiction.

-snip-

Frey appeared on CNN's Larry King Live on Wednesday night to defend his work. And, in response to King's not-exactly-brutal questioning -- "James, with the kind of incredible life you've had, why embellish anything?" -- Frey admitted that "there were embellishments in the book, that I've changed things, that in certain cases things were toned up, in certain cases they were toned down, that names were changed, that identifying characteristics were changed."

But he went on to say that ". . . the essential truth of the book, which is about drug and alcohol addiction, is there. ... You know, the emotional truth is there."

And Oprah, who phoned in to the show, backed Frey up on this, saying "the underlying message of redemption in James Frey's memoir still resonates with me."
-snip-
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emotional truth? oh I get it. Oprah and Frey just made a new reality. it's up to us to catch up.

[malaise]

1. That the lying MSM is trying to separate truth from

fiction is mere comedy to me. We have enough governemnt and media liars to deal with without this stupid diversion. Oprah and Frey will have to get to the back of the line re liars.

[DefenseLawyer]

2. Why is this a "Big" story?

I understand, it's a best seller (although I had never heard of it or him) and the gotcha aspect of journalism is always an important element. But to spend more time on this than on Alito? Personally I never believe anything I read, so if I had read his undoubtedly insipid tome (perhaps at gunpoint) I would have assumed that his tales were lies or exaggerations. I don't mind the guy being called out, but it certainly doesn't effect me, or anyone I know, in a way that I think deserves broad national coverage. I am not condoning it, I am not promoting it. It certainly should be discussed and probably condemned in the proper literary and ethical forums. But as a lead story? No. Not unless it happened in Aruba.

[Straight Shooter]

3. Because it involves Oprah.

She who must be adored. :eyes:

[donsu]

4. No, because Oprah has a lot of power and if she starts saying

some lying is OK it makes it easier for Oprah's followers to swallow the bushmilhousegang's lying 'for our own good'.

the article talked about this, if you had read it.

[tjwash]

6. I don't really buy all of that...

...I think she just got caught being a fucking idiot, and is trying to save face by saying "well it wasn't ALL bullshit, just parts of it."

Of course, in light of everything happenning right now, in the real world, I think we should all start moving this to the non story pile...

[Straight Shooter]

7. Excuse me, but you just made my point.

She who must be adored by her followers, no matter her agenda.

[AZBlue]

5. Interesting article! Thank you for posting it!

I just finished the book and I have serious problems with it, aside from whatever Smoking Gun might have to add. There's a LOT in it that just logically could not be real.

But I'm also concerned what effect this will have on any addicts or alcoholics who read the book looking for inspiration (and apparently there are quite a few who do). They find real strength in hearing about someone who's been in the same situation and found a way out. Now, will they question that ability and give up hope? Has he done more damage than good to them?

This article brings up an excellent point too - while we're trying to find truth in media, truth in government, truth from a Supreme Court nominee, how far does all this go in diminishing the importance of that truth?

As for Oprah, I'm a big fan, but as I told a friend the other day when we were discussing the book, she should just say that it was a compelling read and that's why it was on her list and then move on to the next book. I don't think she should have said much else unless she has some evidence that others don't.