Oprah, the party that shot her credibility to s**t.

[Raven]

Let me say first that I have never been a big fan but you must acknowledge tht she has a following and many of the folks who idolize her are not well-off people. They watch her show, take her advice, read her books and generally look to her as a role model. She has made gazillions in the role of everywoman or every blackwoman, whatever.

So she goes out and has a 50th birthday party (50th I think that's right) and it is just the most obscene waste of money that I have ever seen. I wonder how many of her viewers wondered whether that money would have been better spent...al la Jimmy Carter on houses for those who can't afford one (a big segment of her viewers I'll guess) or a cure for cancer...or anything but a LA bash for the rich and famous.

Shame on her.

[CatWoman]

1. I don't watch Oprah

but all the women at work made a big deal out that show.

I have a small television in my office and let one of them borrow it so that she could watch.

I hear Arnold Schwartzenegger was one of her guests? x(

[Kamika]

2. Ehh why are you upset

She has every right in the world to do whatever she want's with her money, it's her EARNED money.

If it had been a politician using taxpayers money I would have agreed but this is all hers

[nini]

3. I can't stand her self promoting BS

her big trip to Africa giving Xmas gifts - how about selling one of those mansions you have and FEED AND EDCUATE those kids.

She's got enough money to take care of all hungry kids.

But nooooooo.. she's too busy bringing a camera crew everytime she makes a tax deductible gift to some deserving people.

You wanna impress me Oprah - help people without all the self promotion.

This is one of my pet peeves!!!!

hisssss

[Bunny]

4. Oprah and Maria go waaaay back.

I think they were both rookie anchors in Baltimore or something. She gets on my nerves at times, but I like Oprah. She's rich and flashy, but she's earned her money honestly. She does a lot for charities, and is supposed to be very generous to her friends. As far as Arnold: x( But I guess if you're friends with the wife you've got to be friends with the hubby!

Ooops. I meant to reply to Catwoman's post.

[aquart]

5. Unbelievable.

You don't have a clue how many charities she supports and/or publicizes.

How terrible that a woman makes so much money. How awful that she enjoys it. How rotten that, throughout the year, she makes sure some of the goodies get out there to her fans, too. Or don't you watch those shows?

You must think she is losing credibility because us have nots are going to be so jealous we can't stand it. Maybe you are. The rest of us see a woman who PAID HER DUES. Get that? Worked her tail off for this success. And what's it due to? The fact that she DOES care. That she makes an effort to get help.

You figure she should live in sackcloth and ashes as penance for her success? Instead of that closetful of cashmere she showed us on TV? Deal with it. She climbed out of hell, and then held her hand out to the people still down there. Pisses you off that she got rich being kind, doesn't it?

She had to throw a BIG party because people WANT to be seen with her. It makes them look larger. And because it was fun. She shared the details on her show BECAUSE HER FANS LIKE IT and they get a kick out of her glee.

See, this woman is genuine royalty.

[mopinko]

6. what aquart said

only more so. do you people even know where she came from, and what she did to get where she is. good lord. get over it.

[nini]

9. I don't deny her her right to enjoy the fruits of her labor

not at all....

on edit: I'm removing what I said because I'm not getting my point across the way I want it to.

I commend her for what she has done, I just feel her and many like her can do so much more with the amount of wealth they have.

[supernova]

13. That's just it,

We can always do more. We can always do more, no matter our station in life.

But you can't forget to treat yourself well too, occasionally. And that means different things to different people.

[SOteric]

7. In the past 10 years

Oprah Winfrey has given more than $16,000 dollars to Democrats and Democratic funds. She has not given a single dollar to Republicans.

Much like that Will Pitt guy (I think you might know him), and his $600 dinners, I'm inclined to think Oprah should be allowed to decide for herself how best to spend or fritter away her monies.

And for the record, she has given huge amounts of cash to childhood literacy programs and funds to feed underpriviledged school children, - in this country.

:hi:

[supernova]

10. Jumping on the bandwagon

I'm quite frankly amazed at all that Oprah has been able to accomplish in her life.

Not only due to all her past accomplishments, but for her plans for the future. She's continuing all her past charity work andcommitting to be responsible for helping lots and lots and lots and lots of rural kids in small town South Africa. She committed to paying their school fees, making sure they have clothes, shoes, and books. Plus the chance for college if the want it.

edit: Not that many Americans know that many black SA kids find it difficult to go to school because of school fees their families can't afford to pay. Or they don't have sufficient clothing, or shoes to walk to school. Everybody knows the way out of poverty is education. Oprah is trying in her way to see that at least some of these kids will be able to get an education.

While I have some self-esteem issues and would find it hard to enjoy a big party like that for myself (200,000 roses?!?), I'm more than happy for Oprah to take a breather and enjoy a 50th milestone.

:toast: to Oprah!

[latebloomer]

61. $16,000 over TEN years?

Excuse me, but isn't the woman a BILLIONAIRE?

That's like me giving 3 cents.

[SOteric]

79. Again,

I don't believe it's up to any individual save Oprah herself to decide or pass judgement on how she choses to dispose of her disposable income.

She makes political donations only to Democrats and Democratic funds. She donates a vast amount of money to charitable causes. However much money she makes, (and no, not billionaire; multi-millionaire) it is not an infinite pool, a boundless, limitless source. The majority of her giving has been in humanitarian causes, especially those that benefit women and children.

We Democrats have so few multi-millionaires in our corner. Why is it imperative that we judge, condemn and alienate this one of the matter of a birthday party and how she conducts her charities?

[Dookus]

8. (yawn)

another one of these threads, eh? Unless somebody gives EVERYTHING they have to the poor, they're shameful, huh?

She's given away a helluva lot more than you or I ever will. Jealous much?

[JailForBush]

11. Oprah Winfrey's Just Another Media Whore

That became clear to me when she did a segment on the late Seattle Schools Superintendent and retired general John Stanford. I e-mailed her program several times, attempting to contact someone who would listen to the other side of the story - the truth.

But I never received a response, and Oprah broadcast a tribute to one of America's greatest corporate pedophiles. I scratched off my list then and there. Bitch.

[Dookus]

12. LOL

I can you've done so much more to improve the world than she has.

[JailForBush]

14. LOL

Yeah, right. Cashing in on her story about being an abused child, then turning around and endorsing a man who made child abuse his career did so much to improve the world.

People who live with their heads stuck in the Oprah Winfrey soap hour are missing out on something special - reality.

[Dookus]

17. you take your local politics a little too seriously

it seems. I'm sure Oprah doesn't know your guy from jack-shit. But if she doesn't hate exactly the same people you hate with the same intensity, then NOTHING she has done is worthwhile.

It's a ridiculous position. It's fanatical. It's unreasonable.

[JailForBush]

18. Wow, your aim off by a mile today.

Oprah doesn't know MY(?) guy from jack-shit? That's exactly my point. Anyone in the media who plans on promoting a public official has a certain obligation to do some honest research. If she couldn't discover the amazingly obvious truth about John Stanford, then how can the public take anything she says seriously?

"But if she doesn't hate exactly the same people you hate with the same intensity, then NOTHING she has done is worthwhile."

Wow, I see you didn't study logic in school.

Instead of nursing your feelings after being proved wrong, get off your butt and do some honest research.

[Dookus]

21. proved wrong?

You've done nothing but throw empty rhetoric out about how Oprah evidently did a show with some guy you dislike, and therefore she's a mediawhore and a bitch. That's YOUR idea of logic?

Do you realize that as soon as someone reads the type of rhetoric you use, they immediately find you untrustworthy? There's no indication whatsoever that you have any idea of subtlety or nuance. You did it the other day with the Gary Locke threads. It's just pure, angry rhetoric, and nobody finds that particularly conducive to a productive exchange of ideas.

All I said is Oprah has given away a helluva lot more than you or I ever will. I am convinced that is true. Is she a saint? Probably not. Is she better than most people? I think she is. Has she done more than the vast majority of people? Hell yes. Sorry she doesn't hate the people you hate, but it really doesn't negate any of the good things she does.

By the way, I don't watch her show. I've seen it a handful of times in my life. I'm not a fan of hers. But I've read a lot about the charitable work she does, and it's very very impressive.

[JailForBush]

26. I know my subject; you don't.

"You've done nothing but throw empty rhetoric out about how Oprah evidently did a show with some guy you dislike..."

By YOUR logic, George W. Bush is just some guy I dislike. I was talking about the late John Stanford, a retired general and Colin Powell chum who was up to his eyeballs in corruption, from Atlanta, Georgia to Seattle, Washington. I was in Seattle when Big Business recruited the bastard to help destroy our school system. I worked at one of the schools he stomped.

This is the same Stanford who billionaire Craig McCaw promoted as a good pick for U.S. Secretary of Education. That's the same Craig McCaw who hosted George W. Bush not too long ago. I spent several days in a courtroom watching Stanford lie his ass off.

"Do you realize that as soon as someone reads the type of rhetoric you use, they immediately find you untrustworthy? There's no indication whatsoever that you have any idea of subtlety or nuance. You did it the other day with the Gary Locke threads. It's just pure, angry rhetoric, and nobody finds that particularly conducive to a productive exchange of ideas."

So you're a Gary Locke fan, too, eh? I challenge you to make a list of politicians who have pissed off more Washington State Republicans AND Democrats. There aren't many.

"All I said is Oprah has given away a helluva lot more than you or I ever will. I am convinced that is true."

Well, if you're convinced, then it must be true!

"Is she a saint? Probably not."

You'd better telephone the Vatican, just to be sure.

"Is she better than most people? I think she is. Has she done more than the vast majority of people?"

I've done more than the vast majority of people. Half of them don't vote, most who do vote vote stupid, and virtually none have ever run for office or fought for a cause. Oops, I forgot - I don't have a lot of money. Therefore, I can never be as good as people like Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates or your beloved Gary Locke.

"By the way, I don't watch her show. I've seen it a handful of times in my life. I'm not a fan of hers. But I've read a lot about the charitable work she does, and it's very very impressive."

Well, Oprah's welcome to continue her charitable work - just as long she stays away from kids.

[Dookus]

29. Less typing, more reading....

You did nothing but spout more empty rhetoric, and your logical leaps are astounding.

Am I a Gary Locke fan? Not really, because I know exactly one thing about him: he's the Governor of Washington. I mentioned him only in the context of you getting multiple threads locked the other night because you were unable to express a view about him without using inflammatory rhetoric.

I'm gonna get all Barbara Bush and say I'm done with you, because there's clearly no hope for any sort of reasoned discussion. Flame on, bro.

[JailForBush]

34. Bingo.

"Am I a Gary Locke fan? Not really, because I know exactly one thing about him: he's the Governor of Washington."

You said it. So what do you know about John Stanford? Probably nothing.

"I mentioned him only in the context of you getting multiple threads locked the other night because you were unable to express a view about him without using inflammatory rhetoric."

I characterized Gary Locke as a member of organized crime - which is a perfectly valid statement. His corruption is legendary, and comparing corrupt government to organized crime isn't much different from calling corrupt media stars media whores. The moderators who locked those threads showed the poorest judgment.

"I'm done with you, because there's clearly no hope for any sort of reasoned discussion."

Gee, I was hoping you'd make a credible point before you gave up.

[SOteric]

37. Good for you, Dookus

I know considerably more about both Governor Locke and John Stanford and I don't agree with JailForBush in his opinions about them. :hi:

[JailForBush]

38. Holy cow.

You don't care much about your credibility, do you. Check the Internet for the latest on Gary Locke. He's widely hated even in apathetic Seattle. Even many Asian Americans are disgusted with him.

As for John Stanford, you didn't even post any rhetoric. Please cite some facts that support your apparent claim that he was a good person, a wonderful leader, or whatever.

I can certainly cite some facts to the contrary. Like the massive discrimination lawsuit he was found partially liable in, in Atlanta Georgia.

The fact some 40 teachers fled Rainier Beach High School during and shortly after his reign of terror.

The fact that Stanford hawked real estate on TV.

The fact he appointed at least three of Seattle's most frightening principals into the central bureaucracy. (His public support of the one from McClure was especially bizarre, since teachers AND parents staged a public revolt against her.)

And who could forget his big blackmail attempt?

You see, I take education reform - and broader political reform very seriously. I know my stuff, and I can generally back up my claims with facts.

Now I'm waiting to hear some facts from you.

[SOteric]

43. I have no intention

of entering into whatever passes for debate with you.

My only purposes in discussion and debate are for the purposes of educating myself, educating others, or upon rare occasion pursuasion. I'm disinclined to assume you are interested these things by your demeanor.

You do not state facts complete with corroborating links, you brusquely assert opinion and tersely demand a counter-case. It is not my responsibility to check the facts of every claim made on a bulletin board, it is the responsibility of those who make claims to back them up and support them with evidence and referential links, at least, if the claimants wish to be taken seriously.

Your accusations about my credibility are grossly unwarranted. I have a great deal of currency in credibility and have garnered respect for both my intelligence and integrity hereabouts.

[Dookus]

44. You most certainly have n/t

[JailForBush]

52. Uh huh.

SOteric wrote:

"I have no intention of entering into whatever passes for debate with you."

Wise choice.

"My only purposes in discussion and debate are for the purposes of educating myself, educating others, or upon rare occasion pursuasion."

How do you educate yourself and others without facts?

"I'm disinclined to assume you are interested these things by your demeanor."

Yeah, right.

"You do not state facts complete with corroborating links, you brusquely assert opinion and tersely demand a counter-case."

I wouldn't call a few facts a "counter-case." You offered no facts at all.

"It is not my responsibility to check the facts of every claim made on a bulletin board..."

In other words, it isn't your respnosiblity to be informed. (By the way, Gary Locke isn't a particularly tough research case. He's a STATE GOVERNOR about which volumnes have been written.)

"Your accusations about my credibility are grossly unwarranted. I have a great deal of currency in credibility and have garnered respect for both my intelligence and integrity hereabouts."

I've garnered respect for my intelligence and integrity, too. I also have a reputation for building cases on facts and logic.

[SOteric]

54. Please note that

making a statement such as "Joe Smith was the most horrific governor of any American state on record," is not a fact. It is an opinion until such time as you support it with corroborating evidence.

You have not offered facts. You have offered hyperbole and opinion.

Regardless of how easy or difficult it is to research your claims, it is not the responsibility of those who read your statements to support them, it's yours.

I am an educator in the state of Washington. I have been active and aware of state politics for many years. I do not agree with you, and I don't know many residents of this state who do. If you have a case to make, make it.

[theemu]

55. Hey, duder

I take the insinuation that just because Locke is Asian American, that particular racial group would be the last to become disgusted with him hopelessly nearsighted and largely racist. It's predicated upon a notion that all minority groups think the same way and act the same way, and that unless under duress, they'll choose to support a politician of their race.

[Missy Vixen]

68. Hey, JFB, it's interesting

that you have NEVER responded to any of my refutations of your inaccurate and misleading tirades.

>I've done more than the vast majority of people. Half of them don't vote, most who do vote vote stupid, and virtually none have ever run for office or fought for a cause. Oops, I forgot - I don't have a lot of money. Therefore, I can never be as good as people like Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates or your beloved Gary Locke.<

I registered to vote at 18. I have voted in every election since. I think the vast majority of those at DU are also registered voters.

I held political office, and ran for it again. In Washington state, as a matter of fact. You are not the only political candidate ever to post here, and there are other officeholders that are currently members of DU.

I'd also like to see your evidence of the following: >I spent several days in a courtroom watching Stanford lie his ass off.< It's illegal to lie under oath. Back it up with FACT, or stop posting it.

This is nothing short of chilling: >Well, Oprah's welcome to continue her charitable work - just as long she stays away from kids.<

What exactly are you accusing Oprah Winfrey of?

Julie

[BlueJazz]

20. Oprah is about ME..ME...ME

Before oprah, a lot of afternoon shows had some intelligent based themes...

When Orpah and her Media-Whore group came along the themes went from:
"Is there any chance of a national health care system?"
TO
"I'm 150 Lbs overweight and my husband beats me every day"

She's just another Jerry Springer Sleaze-ball who would sell her entire integrity for a buck..

[SOteric]

22. You've obviously never seen one of her shows

Oprah is the exact opposite. She refuses to do societal sideshow programming and often holds forum on relevant social and political issues.

[Zomby Woof]

51. She USED to do those exploitative shows

She made a conscious decision to stop doing them some years ago. When she started out her talk show, it was local only in Chicago, then went national with the same format. It was cheap and tacky, although not nearly as bad as Springer. Kind of a Donahue (the pioneer in that genre) earnestness mixed with vicarious sleaze. Then, as I said, she disavowed it.

But I think she is a narcissist and she grates on me. Bad enough she hangs out with Marianne Williamson, but she has to plaster only her own face on her magazine, and her book club selections were usually the same book, with a different title (although it is difficult to knock Toni Morrison, a league or two above the usual dreck she promoted). Booksellers all came to loathe her, lol.

That being said, I don't feel that strongly about her, but it has been years since I have seen a show.

[theemu]

56. Yeah, I'm sure those booksellers...

LOATHED the fact that she promoted reading and basically created numerous bestsellers out of books that would otherwise not be read. They fucking DESPISED that cash flow.

[Zomby Woof]

67. lol, oh my!

Well, being that I worked in the business at the start and height of her book club, I know of what I speak. Sure, we were glad to sell the books - if they were ever in stock. Problem was, she recommended a book (always the same book, weepy manipulative tomes about wounded people - a genre unto itself it seems), and the publishers and distributors were never ready with enough copies. So we had to fend off hordes of angry yuppie drones and benighted housewives with "Won't be in for another 6 weeks". You do that for months on end, and you too, will hate the omni-present Cult of Oprah.

After the first year, she finally got the message from the publishers and booksellers, and gave them one month's notice. Still, it was galling that people relied so heavily on one person for their reading choices. I tended to prefer customers who could think for themselves and perhaps read a VARIETY of genres, but then, I am an elitist intellectual asshole.

Next time, attack me for something I know nothing about, because in bookselling - I was there.

[SOteric]

58. *L*

I have no problem with folks just not liking this or that public figure for any assortment of reasons.

I like to make sure everyone gets a fair cop. The points I'd like to make in this thread are:

* Oprah gets to decide how to spend her money, -she doesn't owe us a specific figure every year in charitable donations.

* Oprah does make charitable donations, whether self-serving or not.

* However true it may have been in the past, Oprah does not conduct her show in a manner to pander to sleaze.

Personally, I have little to no time for daytime television, though I did tape and make time for the series of shows Oprah did before the invasion of Iraq on that issue. It was a great opportunity to see public debate on both sides of the issue from the average woman in America.

:hi:

Always a pleasure to read your input, my little caffeinated friend.

[Zomby Woof]

65. hehe

I don't have any problem with how she spends her money, or celebrates her birthday - those are private matters. I just have issues with her public persona. As you have probably gathered, I am wary of all celebrities for various reasons, lol.

[redqueen]

75. Did she really host both sides of the debate?

Were people there saying the WMD threat was hype and lies?

I would be very shocked if she actually did host both sides, since I know when it came to putting Arnold in office, she only helped Arnold. She hosted him and gave him a lovefest softball interview (?!), and hosted no other candidates at all.

I don't like her.

[SOteric]

78. Oprah aired two sides

to the debate about whether the Iraq invasion was in our national best interest. She did not cover any material about whether the intelligence on WMD was accurate. That would be airing a specific set of sides to the debate, and frankly before the invasion of Iraq, there wasn't a great deal more than rumour and opinion about the lack of genuine WMD. To her credit, she did note for the record that the inspectors hadn't found any evidence of WMD to date, and many credible sources indicated at the time that it was greatly possible none would be found.

I don't care if you don't like her. It isn't relevant to me. And I'm not trying to convince anyone to like her or watch her show or give her money. As I've stated twice now in this thread, I don't even much watch her show nor do I make the time in my life for daytime television.

I disagree with your assessment about Oprah and Arnold, and invite you to check with Opensecrets.com. Oprah gives her money to the Democrats, - only. She invited Arnold on her show as a personal favour to her longtime friend Maria Schriver. Perhaps your dislike of anyone who is Republican causes you to overinterpret.

[redqueen]

80. I would characterize that as not showing two sides

I'd like to see transcripts now, just to see how fair she was, though.

I don't care if you don't care if I don't like her. :) I'm entitled to my opinion just as you are to yours. Note that I did not state that I don't care what you think. Get it? :)

Regarding Arnold and my 'dislike of anyone who is Republican' -- you don't know me. So please stop assuming so much. I have respect for a few Republicans, and do not hate people automatically simply because they might disagree with me.

What my problem is with the Arnold situation is that, as I said, democracy was being turned on its head, and she helped to do it. Nothing more needs to be said. Whatever excuse she has, it is not good enough.

[SOteric]

83. And I don't care that you don't care that I don't care.

People in this thread, -you included, have repeatedly phrased their responses to my statements around their issues with Oprah Winfrey in such a manner as to imply that I'm here to defend her. I'm not. I don't give a fig whether any of you like her or not.

I have at no point tried to dictate, sway or curtail ANYONE'S opinion. I simply insist that the facts be straight. If y'all are gonna hate, hate for the right reasons.

[redqueen]

85. Curious

How exactly did I imply that you were here to defend her?

Do you deny that you have?

[Dookus]

23. Yeah..

you find that a lot in media people :shrug: Her whole business is herself!

It's hard to see how somebody who gives away so much is as self-centered as you say she is.

[BlueJazz]

30. I remember (about 2 years ago)

When some famous guest, on her program, stood up and announced the fact that Oprah had given $10,000 to the Fireman's fund and everybody in the audience stood up and was teary-eyed clapping and just bobbing their heads up and down with that look of "Oh, My...isn't she amazing?"

I sat in my chair thinking "Christ, she's getting $475,000 per show!...after commercials, she makes $10,000 in 51 seconds! and you idiots give her a standing ovation for that???????

What a pack of Suckers....

[Dookus]

33. well

you may have a point if she gave away 10,000 bucks once and made a big deal of it.

But she seems to have given away a helluva lot more than that - certainly more than you or I will ever give away. But unless she gives it ALL away, she's not worthy in your eyes? Call me when you're wearing nothing but sack cloth.

[BlueJazz]

36. I'll be willing to state with all sincerity that

I have given (at least) 5 times more of my time and personal wealth
than Oprah ever has or ever will.

PS: Understand that because I can't stand Oprah does not mean that I don't respect the people that DO like her. :)

[Liberal Christian]

86. Oprah's a tither

Winfrey, who was born into poverty in Mississippi, said she was raised in a family that regularly contributed to the church.

When she began her broadcasting career in 1976 as a news reporter in Baltimore, she earned $225 a week and "I used to tithe 22 of those dollars without fail," she said.

Now Winfrey is one of the richest women in the world, with a reported net worth of more than a billion dollars. And her charitable donations have grown proportionally.

In 17 years, she has donated more than $50 million to various causes, focusing primarily on programs that help women, children and families.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment/7288640.htm

[styersc]

15. In that case every birthday party is a crime against humanity-

all of the causes cited could use all the help they can get.

[private_ryan]

16. it's HER money

she made it. If she spends a few million out her billion why should you care?

Here's a memo to you: Rich people live differently, and Oprah is one of them.

[JailForBush]

19. It's her money and OUR opinions.

You wrote, "Rich people live differently, and Oprah is one of them."

I think that was the original poster's point - Oprah pretends to be one of us when she's really one of them. Case closed.

[Dookus]

24. When has she ever pretended to be anything other than what she is?

She was born and raised poor, now she's rich. I've never heard her deny being rich.

But the fact remains she's done more than you or I ever will.

[JailForBush]

27. Thank you.

I knew you'd come over to our side.

[Dookus]

31. type less, read more....

I'm not on your side.

[JailForBush]

35. Huh?

OF COURSE, you're not on my side. Anyone who supports the most corrupt governor in Washington State history and Oprah Winfrey couldn't possibly be on my side.

[private_ryan]

25. and people who listen to her

didn't want to believe that she's "one of us"? Not Oprah's fault, she's laughing all the way to the bank.

[Cleita]

28. I'm not an Oprah adorer, but looking at this objectively,

if it's her money after taxes, she can spend it as she likes. I do know that Oprah donates a lot to charity, especially for education for poor students.

Now that guy Kozlowski(sp.?), who threw a Roman bacchanal type party that cost two million for his wife's birthday on a Greek island and billed one million of it to his company, Tyco, for business expenses now that's criminal

[DS1]

32. I'd say about 1% of the viewers wondered that

People like to dream, seeing others on TV spending their money gives them that escape. Some people take the time to question it, but very few of them do.

[Bombero1956]

40. I don't care how much money she has

I can't stand the whole value system that places more value on some talking head over a teacher or nurse. She gets $475,000 an episode for what, talking? I talk, I can't get a sawbuck for what I have to say and on top of that we "small people" get to see her spend more than all of us will earn in our lifetimes on a fucking bithday party.

Why can't the rich in this country spend their money and do it in a less grandiose manner. I remember when Dennis Kozlowski spent $6,000 on a shower curtain or the $2,000,000 birthday party he threw for his wife on Sardinia.

Oprah earned her money legally but she still spends it to call attention to herself.

[Alenne]

39. I am sure a dozen or more kids who's college education

she is paying for out of her own pocket would disagree with you.

[toddzilla]

41. My take..

I don't dislike oprah, but she is very self-serving. I liken it to bill gates and what he does for "charity".. it's not a matter of percentage of income, it's just a matter of blowing what you do out of proportion in relation to what you have and what you could reasonably use in your life. Don't toot your horn about everything you do, just do it. I'm sure it makes wonderful television and all. but frankly it makes me ill.

500 grand an episode.. don't tell me about 20 college students or some other crap..

look at the world, and look at someone with the incredible public power that she has, and tell me that she's doing virtually nothing to improve the world.. she has enough sway with public opinion to actually do something...

[Dookus]

42. and it's my understanding that she DOES

use her fame and fortune quite often to further good causes. Her whole African trip, while it may appear self-serving to those who don't like her, raised a lot of awareness about the problems there, and will in the long run bring in a lot of money and effort.

Bill Gates, while I personally abhor him, has promised that the vast majority of his wealth will be left to charity when he dies. I think that's more than reasonable. He's giving away billions now, and tens of billions more after he dies. He will leave his children comfortable, but not grossly rich.

I guess my issue is I know some very very rich people who are very very nice, decent people who give away a LOT. They earned what they have, they didn't steal it or inherit it. They give a lot of their time and money to very worthwhile causes - and I know because I've worked for non-profits that have received some of their largesse.

I think people get jealous of the wealthy and try to view anything they do in a negative light. There ARE plenty of rich assholes who deserve our scorn. I don't think Oprah is one of them.

[toddzilla]

72. well..gates stole his...

eom.

maybe he should donate his fortune to all the companies he crushed with unfair business practices?

[Alenne]

45. I don't agree

I find that even when rich people do something people hold that against them or act as if they aren't doing enough. Oprah is doing more than the average person and I am sure she and the people who receive her help are happy with her charitable contributions. It won't make some people happy but you can't please all people.

[camero]

46. I remember when Oprah was doing local news in Baltimore

She didn't have much talent then and she doesn't now. Then she was just a pretty face on TV. Now it's just Oprah, Inc.

[Dookus]

47. LOL

Got any tips on the horse races? I'll be sure to avoid 'em.

[camero]

49. That's your opinion and I have mine

Enough said. I've been watching her a lot longer because she got her start there.

[OneBlueSky]

48. I don't care how Oprah spends her millions, but that party was . . .

the ultimate in conspicuous consumption . . . what I saw of it looked like a coronation or something . . . it's always discomforting to see someone who thinks that much of her/himself . . .

[Kenneth ken]

50. Will's Mom has

her own version of the $600.00 dinner date thread!

woo hoo!

Raven
:yourock:

[springriverdog]

53. Hey Rav

Man, are you a person with mega bandwidth time on your hands.. A woman who came from a shit house in the south and was sexually abused and became a billionaire w/ a frigging "B" can can party any which way she wants.. please get a major grip and start your own mega media company.. then come correct.......

[noonwitch]

57. I don't see where this is a big deal

It's her show, her money, and her fans don't seem to have a problem with it. Oprah shares her money with charity and supports good causes. I don't watch her show, as I am generally working at 4:00, but people really like her and probably enjoyed watching her birthday party.

[Mixxster]

59. This is one reason why Repubs love to say that...

liberals hate the rich. I don't begrudge Oprah Winfrey one dime of her wealth. As others have said, she came from nothing and has earned everything she's got.

What passes for self promotion from some of you seems, to me, to be a way for Oprah to get more people involved in a cause. Do you have any idea the enormous amount of money that is donated to charities by viewers when Oprah mentions them on her show? Besides that, she donates to all kinds of causes that are not common knowledge. Someone also mentioned educating the South African kids- Oprah is building schools for them, she is paying for college educations and she is publicizing their plight in regards to the AIDS crisis. How many others are doing as much and spending as much?

You don't have to like her, you don't have to watch her show but is it really necessary to hatefully attack someone who has done so much for others?

[snobird]

60. Newbie Responds

I am a newbie to DU,& felt compelled to respond.I have watched Oprah for years when I find myself at home at that time of day.As a white lesbian who is afforded "white privilege" on a daily basis, i simply say "allow Oprah to just be"!! If she can get up each morning & go to bed each night saying "I have done some good today", then WHY NOT ALLOW HER THE LUXURY OF HAVING HER FRIENDS THROW HER THE PARTY OF HER DREAMS! :toast:

[Raven]

62. I did not mean to provoke a flame war with this post.

Oprah can do whatever she wants with her money and I think I can have an opinion about it without people attacking me personally or rubbing my nose in my son's ill advised $600 dinner. As I recall, I expressed a similar opinion to him about that. I often think twice before I post in GD because things can get pretty nasty over there. I never thought I'd have to do the same thing before posting here.

[VelmaD]

63. Don't let 'em get to ya

You're just doing your part to pick up the slack while that boy of yours isn't around so much to stir things up. :-)

[SOteric]

64. I regret deeply

any perception you had, or that I gave that I was attacking you or 'rubbing your nose in it' in any way. It was sincerely not my intention.

[PVnRT]

71. It's not your fault

There are certain people on DU who resent anyone who has a lot of money and choose to spend some of it on themselves.

[Fleshdancer]

66. Oprah has done SO much for others, I don't have a problem with this

She's given millions of dollars to various charities through her Angel Network...hell, the woman went to Africa and gave 50,000 kids their first Christmas ever. For most of these kids, it was the first time their feet had ever been measured and the first time they received shoes the right size. Her goal is to do this for a million African children. She's also committed to making sure new schools are built in Africa as well.

This is a woman who grew up dirt poor, was sexually abused, and had a very rough time growing up. She's a self made woman and the more money she makes, the more she gives. She embodies the concept of the American dream and her generosity is more than admirable, it's inspiring. We need more Oprah's in this world...especially in this country.

So she had a big party. Her friends who love her wanted to go nuts on her 50th birthday. It was decadent, ridiculous, and I assume a lot of fun. But she didn't take the money from us (unlike the Enron boys, etc) and this isn't something that happens every year. Let her have her cake...the woman worked hard for it.

[Loonman]

69. Oprah thinks she's a prophet

I wonder why they haven't lambasted her on South Park.

Maybe I missed that episode.

[absyntheNsugar]

70. At least she has done good with her $$$

Unlike say, Paris Hilton who just spends and parties.

This was one day...so what?

[cosmicdot]

73. ever see her show involving a Wal-mart make-over of a home?

if Wal-Mart was mentioned once, it was mentioned a thousand times throughout the whole segment

:puke:

[PROGRESSIVE1]

74. The woman "mediawhored" herself for the Gropenator...

...the same woman who condemed Clinton.

It shows what a POS she really is.

Only stupid, ignorant, loosers respect this scum.

:puke:

[redqueen]

76. We so idolize the rich

We want so badly to believe that we could be there, so we defend those who live that kind of life.

I really never gave a thought about Oprah until she hosted Arnold on her show and treated him with kid gloves, despite the fact that he was about to usurp democracy in CA.

I don't know what to think of her charitable giving. I think it's good, but then I think of what else she could be doing, and it just doesn't measure up. Certainly $16K to Democrats doesn't mean jack when she helped to convince gullible Americans that Arnold would make a great governor.

I agree with you Raven, shame on her. Not only for that wasteful party, but for her lack of political responsibility. If she truly cared about the poor and downtrodden, why did she help Arnold? Why has she given so little to Democrats?

On edit: Please nobody follow this with any type of 'sack cloth' strawman. I'm not saying she should give all her money to charity, but the woman has a million-dollar yacht with a helicopter pad. Think about it.

[Name removed]

77. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Raven]

82. By the number of posts, you are fairly new here.

You should know that people in the Lounge generally treat eachother with respect even if their opinions differ. I am sorry that this post has become such flame bait. I had not intended that and am frankly surprised at the level of anger here. I am sorry that I make you sick. Your opinion, which is different from mine, does not make me sick. Your behavior here however, is another story.

[Shananigans]

84. *MY BEHAVIOR*?

Geesh, I'm sorry if you were so insulted. My message was not intended to be angry, I was merely expressing my opinion. I will admit that I *AM* sick of the people being so closeminded, but it's not *YOU* specifically that the comment was aimed at. I am sorry if you took it that way.

[skippysmom]

81. i'm of two minds here

First off, I am rather lukewarm on Oprah. I like that she has worked her way up to where she is. She is smart, successful, and attractive.

However, I do wish she would just shut up about weight and accept herself for what she is. And I think she's a bit of an egomaniac.

That said, I am torn about this. On the one hand, yeah, it's her money, she can spend it as she wants. Good for her.

But on the other hand, I am always troubled by conspicuous consumption. I don't begrudge her the money -- but when you see so many Americans who make less in a year than what she spent on one night, I feel sick.

[radwriter0555]

87. Hey, it's HER money. How dare YOU begrudge a woman who has worked her ASS

off ALL her life, to come up from dirt nothing to become the wealthiest black woman in THE WORLD, a party, to celebrate with her friends and family?

Who are you? You have no right to judge. She earned her money the hard way.

That woman has given away countless millions and millions of dollars for countless worthy causes.

She deserves an birthday party any dang way she pleases.

Think of something else to whine about.