Acorn

When I first heard about James Frey?s book, A Million Little Pieces, I was working at the Catherine Dickson Hofman Library in Blairstown, when a patron requested ?that book with the sprinkles all over the hand.?

Since The Smoking Gun article published on Jan. 8 revealed the exaggerations and complete fabrications of Frey?s book, the American public is no longer certain where they can invest their trust.

For a brief moment, we couldn?t even trust Oprah Winfrey, who supported the author until it was proven and undeniable that Frey?s book was not an accurate account of events.

But now where can I turn to for perspective and justice at 4 p.m.?

And what about practical tips on instantly looking 10 pounds thinner or the dangers of accidentally marrying a child molester?

If not Discovery Channel?s ninth greatest American ? then who?

There is no substitute.

?The Oprah Winfrey Show? is broadcast in 117 countries with 49 million weekly viewers in the United States. Winfrey?s website, Oprah.com, receives around 64 million hits each month and offers every comfort a person could want.

She even provides a thought of the day so that you don?t have to think of one yourself.

Her influence over what America reads makes a person question exactly who and what affects our society.

And does it bother you that it is our afternoon television?

Winfrey?s newest book club choice is Elie Wiesel?s Night which is now ranked number two on Amazon.com?s top sellers in books section as of Feb. 7 and Frey?s A Million Little Pieces still graces the list at number seven. It is clear that she possesses a hypnotic power over the literate population.

Winfrey also possesses unwavering courage, and was brave enough to confront Frey while garnering sympathy from her millions of supportive fans. These past couple of weeks have clearly been hard for her.

An indignant Winfrey sat down with Frey on her Jan. 26, show to discuss how hurt she was by his dishonesty, and to simultaneously discredit him while broadcasting to millions of viewers.

Winfrey was prepared with all the necessary evidence and the opinions of respected journalists to substantiate her position. Winfrey needed revenge and vindication for the wrongs perpetrated unto her by this fiend they call Frey. She also needed to let her public know just how awesome she was? again.

But Winfrey is a gracious woman and helped Frey heal through honesty. ?I believe that the truth can set you free,? Winfrey said.

I sympathize with Frey not only because sometimes our last names rhyme, but because his powers of persuasion exposed how easily we can be coerced into believing something enticing. Frey also made us realize that sometimes ? but only sometimes ? Winfrey can be wrong.

It is strange how we can effortlessly direct our attention and disgrace at James Frey for his dishonesty and unethical conduct in the world of literature, when our focus should also be on the manipulation and distortion of facts by our political leaders.

But, luckily, the Presidential conference still takes precedence over ?The Oprah Winfrey Show.? Her broadcast was interrupted to televise Bush?s speech.

Perhaps someday, James Frey, Oprah Winfrey and her network of angels will dignify you with the grace of forgiveness.

Until then, Winfrey remains our pillar of justice, clearly illuminating the difference between right and wrong while faithfully proving that she can, once again, distinguish between and a factual account and a fictional bit of literature.

?No, the lie of it. That?s a lie. It?s not an idea, James. That?s a lie,? Winfrey said.

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