Actress Jodie Whittaker protrays my friend, Sandy Grimes, who helped catch Ames

I’ve received a number of emails and calls this week about whether the ABC mini-series entitled The Assets is based on my book about CIA spy Aldrich Ames. The eight part television show that begins tonight is NOT based on my book, Confessions of a Spy: The True Story of Aldrich Ames. But because I am the only journalist who was able to interview Ames without the government’s knowledge and censorship (see Promises to Traitors Matter) it is a logical question.

The Assets is based on the book, Circle of Treason: A CIA Account of Tratior Aldrich Ames and the Men That He Betrayed, written by Sandy Grimes and Jean Vertefeuille, two of the CIA employes who helped catch Ames.

Sandy is a good friend and so was Jean, who passed away last January. Both cooperated with me when I wrote my book and I encouraged them to write their own after mine was published. I gave their book a plug because I thought it was a terrific read that added important information about the CIA’s relationship with the Russians who were executed because of Ames’ treachery. (See  Fox Files To Show Interview About CIA Spy Aldrich Ames)  Ironically, it was Jean’s obituary that first got the attention of TV producers that led to The Assets. They wisely hired Sandy as a consultant.

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Once again, Patti has done a fabulous job decorating our house both inside and out to celebrate the excitement and  joy of the season. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each and everyone of you. Be well, have hope, help others and pause for a moment to remember those among us who are homeless, alone, estranged from others or are incarcerated because of a mental illness.Click to continue…

Jean P. Earley

April 1919 to December 2013

The best mom a son could have.

“Who ran to help me when I fell, And would some pretty story tell, Or kiss the place to make it well? My mother”
-Ann Taylor

The new director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness doesn’t take command of our nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization until January 2nd, but Mary Giliberti already is being grilled by long-time NAMI activist Dr. E. Fuller Torrey.

Torrey, who has been critical of NAMI lately, has fired off a letter demanding the new director publicly state her views about the closing of state hospitals. Torrey and his followers are suspicious of Giliberti because she once worked for the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, a driving force behind “deinstitutionalization.”  Bazelon also strongly opposes the passage of Assistant Outpatient Treatment laws, which Torrey endorses.

I warned readers earlier this year of a split that was forming between NAMI members.  NAMI was formed by parents who were frustrated with the mental health system, but in recent years more and more consumers have joined its ranks and some of them are opposed to issues that NAMI has traditional supported.

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My son, Kevin (known by his middle name Mike in my book) has written a rap song and made a video to promote an upcoming local show that will feature individuals with mental illnesses and their families speaking about stigma and recovery.

I recently wrote that Jennifer Killi Marshall was using Kickstarter to finance the May 18th production in Arlington, Virginia, of  This Is My Brave.   The name reflects the moment when individuals decide they will speak openly about their illnesses without shame or fear. (You can still contribute at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thisismybrave/this-is-my-brave-opening-up-about-mental-illness)

Going public takes courage, says Ms. Marshall, who has written a blog about her life since she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She has been hospitalized four times in the past five years.

In addition to this song, Kevin writes and performs rap music on other topics. (WARNING: A shameless plug by his father: I think his albums are amazing and worth every penny and I’m not a fan of rap! You can read more about him and his work at www.getthatworm.com)

I also want to share some sad news with those of you who know me personally or who have supported my advocacy and writings.  My 94 year old mother, Jean, went from being fine two weeks ago, to becoming bedridden and unresponsive. She is under hospice care in our home, having been diagnosed with bone cancer. Because of this, I have not been able to follow up on several mental health issues that I wish to explore more fully, such as NAMI’s selection of a new executive director and Rep. Murphy’s bill. I hope to do this in future blogs and appreciate your patience and kind thoughts.

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Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) introduced legislation today that would make significant changes in our nation’s mental health care system.

Spurred by the mass killings in Newtown, Murphy’s proposed bill,  The Mental Health Reform Act, would slow the current push in the mental health community toward self-determination at any and all costs toward a more paternalistic view.

For advocates such at Dr. E. Fuller Torrey, who played a key role behind the scenes in helping shape the legislation, passage would be a major victory. For the Bazelon Center For Mental Health Law and other consumer activists that have guided much of the government’s recent mental health thinking, it would be a set back.

Murphy, who is the only psychologist serving in Congress and has an inside working knowledge of our mental health care system’s successes and faults,  is proposing changes  based on testimony at several hearings that the Energy Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held during this year.  His bill targets 12 areas for major reform. Each is important and several are controversial.

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