Domestic Policy

James Frey Up After Oprah

January 28, 2006 ⋅  E-Mail Article ⋅  Print Article ⋅ Post a comment

If I told you I just lied would you still buy it? Well, evidence has shown you will. And for James Frey, admitting to a little lying has ended up being a great marketing move. What does this say about the man, and even more sadly, what does his improved sales say about us?

James Frey, is he a product of the times, or does he represent true journalism? This is an easy question to answer initially but when you dig a little deeper into the man, you find he believes he is just like any other journalist, and therefore his is a true journalist.

The problem with James is he betrayed trust, but he points out he feels he made mistakes, not lies. Is there a difference, I guess according to James there is, and the problem is this type of reasoning catches on a little more in America each time it is regurgitated.

Many have made the argument that politicians, as well as network news, embellish stories for sensationalism, James feel his stretching of a somewhat truth is no worse than any other journalistic story you are exposed to. I personally disagree with Mister Frey in regards to his feelings about his actions, and himself, and his fellow journalists. However, I believe he would strongly argue against my opinion of his opinion of himself.

How we treat the truth in America has almost become a lie itself. We have people who restate their previous assertion, and then deny they ever made an original comment in the first place. We have other individuals who quote sources, release statements, then when they get found out, never provide a retraction. Should publicly printed falsifications be subjected to severe punishment or is the hype they receive when found out punishment enough? From what I have heard being called a liar has done nothing but help Mister Frey in the past few days. His name may have taken a hot but his sales are jumping once again. Has this man just decided a little soul selling is well worth the profits he will enjoy? Or is this just the society we live in?

So how should Mister Frey be dealt with? Are individuals like him destroying the moral fiber in America for their own personal gain? Or is this just business as usual in modern society? I would like to think that Oprah calling out Mister Frey has taught him a lesson but my intuition tells me he has learned nothing.

James Frey will not write about recent disgrace

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