I said early on that Oprah should have know there were inconsistancies because every talk show sends producers out to vet the guest before they show up on the show. I find it deeply troubling that Oprah clearly knew the rehab stories were not true and introduced him on her show as "totally honest."

fan or not, I always thought Oprah was a decent sort who did good and always had the best of intentions. Now, however, I think she's just as shallow, materialistic and power hungry as the worst since she was willing to lie for good copy.

It appears she's now recreated herself as just another shallow show business personality. (Move over, Paris and Jessica, and give Oprah some room.) I was a bit taken aback over that silly episode where she claimed to have had her "Crash" moment when a closed store refused to allow her to shop. That doesn't hold a candle to this James Frey episode.

Oprah is supporting Frey even though it's been proved he lied throughout his book. That makes her an active participant in fraud and deception. Whatever else Frey lied about, he (and Oprah by association) crossed the line in his lies about Hazelden. For those who don't know, Hazelden is arguably the finest alcoholism and drug rehabilitation center in the United States, has created countless groundbreaking treatment methods, and has trained thousands of alcoholism and chemical dependency counselors. Many people not only owe their lives to Hazelden, but they have gone from being hopeless alcoholics and drug addicts to become functioning and productive members of society. Although Hazelden would seem to be the kind of project the old genuine Oprah would have taken into her heart, that's apparently not true for whatever has taken over Oprah's body.

I knew when I read the excerpts from Frey's book pertaining to Hazelden that he had created out of whole cloth everything he wrote about his stay there. I'm hoping Hazelden sues Frey for his lies and that its lawsuit includes Oprah Winfrey.

Not having read the book, I can't respond to Frey's descriptions of treatment. However, having seen it from the inside in Minnesota I can vouch for the sadism of the treatment community. I got straight on my own over 20 years ago, not wanting anything to do with the Minnesota Model.

Thank heavens there is someplace I can let off steam. I doubt I will watch her show after that vicious attack on James Frey. And he acted like a gentleman through the whole thing. I read 75-100 books a year (and not the kind she reads, I might add) and I have never read a memoir that has not been embellished somewhat. I don't think it was the catastrophe she made it out to be. It certainly didn't warrant that kind of in your face confrontation. Did she think she was going to lose a few bucks over it. Maybe she should remember that show she had a few years ago on how often people lie. I suppose she thinks she is above all that. But hey - when things don't go her way she pulls that old race card out - ho-hum.