Why Oprah is a phony.

[RICHARD]

A few weeks ago I saw a story about a woman who was able to help BUILD a
school in some African country for 25.000 dollars.

Buildings, books, desks and chairs.

-----------

Which brings me to my ever-so-politically incorrect rant.

That windbag, Oprah, sees that actresses are adopting kids in Africa, so she has to make a statement! She tries to outdo the adopters, so she builds one sschool, for 250 kids, at the cost of 40 million dollars.

I am not suggesting in any way how she should spend her money.

I am only suggesting that one school, in her name, should make her sleep well at night.


Oh, and a nationally syndicated program should make it that much easier to
get her sainthiood!

------------------

[sparks19]

I never liked Oprah.

and I always dislike how she is the first to scream racism whenever something happens.

[caseysmom]

There seems to bit lots of idiot celebrities...on that scale I don't think Oprah is high up on the idiot scale...at least not in my opinion.

[sparks19]

LOL casey, I think money just rots the brain. they start out seemingly normal and the more their net worth goes up the more their brain shrinks.

[Twisterdog]

Better than spending $40 million dollars on a yacht or a penthouse, I suppose.

It's her money, she earned it by working her way up from poverty. It's her business alone to spend it as she sees fit.

[Logan]

She is working for change in a very, very impoverished area. I applaud her for her efforts to help these girls. I think it was 152 girls that have started at her school, not 250, although they will grow enrollment each year.

[Rachel]

I doubt that actresses adopting babies from Africa had one iota of impact on Oprah's decision to establish the school.

Your statement Richard supports my theory that no good deed goes uncriticized.

[Cataholic]

I wonder if the children receiving the benefit give a rats a$$ why it was bestowed?

I find Oprah, as well as I don't know her, to be uplifting, inspiring, and a beautiful woman. Spreading her personal wealth, that benefits others, for what ever reason, just doesn't seem to be the hate crime others see it as.

[Bonny]

I guess Oprah is putting her money where her mouth is. Most people don't do that. She does have a tendency to get very heady & doesn't understand much about motherhood. She did complain about her girls in Africa not listening to her & telling them to shut their cell phones off while she was talking to them. She doesn't understand you can give all the material things you want to someone but what they really need is your undivided love & that is what motherhood is about. Oprah just doesn't understand that part of it.

[RICHARD]

I guess that one GIANT scholl for her ego is better than 160 schools for the kids.


Let's just say that you can fit 100 kids in those 160, twenty five thousand dollar schools.

16,000 children with a future?

NAW,

150 Ophrettes! :D

[lizbud]

There are two kinds of people in this world. There are those who see a
need and step up and DO SOMETHING and those who just love to sit back
on their butts and BITCH. You do what you're good at I guess. :D

[Laura's Babies]

What about all the clothes, uniforms and school supplies she gave over there....LONG before that school. She has been helping those kids for a long time.

I do get your point Richard, that much money could have built enough schools for thousands of kids over there and that would have served a better purpose.

[lady_zana]

I wonder if the children receiving the benefit give a rats a$$ why it was bestowed?

I find Oprah, as well as I don't know her, to be uplifting, inspiring, and a beautiful woman. Spreading her personal wealth, that benefits others, for what ever reason, just doesn't seem to be the hate crime others see it as.


Hear, hear! - I agree!

And even if she did do it for the attention (which I don't believe), she's doing much more than these people who adopt one child and think that makes them a saint. (Like Angeline Jolie). She's helping many more people and her school will continue on, hopefully, for many, many years to come.

[RICHARD]

What about all the clothes, uniforms and school supplies she gave over there....LONG before that school. She has been helping those kids for a long time.

I do get your point Richard, that much money could have built enough schools for thousands of kids over there and that would have served a better purpose.


I did a rough math calculation.

For 126 dollars a year..

317,000 children taught

or

26,500

kids given a 1-12 grade education.

-----------------

Winfrey gave a telling statement about the kids here in the U.S.

She said that when she asked the kids about what they needed for school it was Nikes, ipods and crap that doesn't involve education..


So instead if starting the charity at home scenario, she has to go abroad.


So let's do the math....again.

One million, per U.S. school is a lot of books and teachers.

I guess school district wouldn't let her name 40 schools after her.

-------


I sure hope that lady with the cameras and cell phone comes back to our town! Look at how much better OUR school is compared to the rest of the country.

---------


On the next Oprah,

Gazilliuonaires who's every donation is a docudrama, four part T.V. special and fodder for their own T.V. show.

--------

There are three kinds of people on the planet.

The first two mentioned and the third, who are like sand in the bathing suit.

ADVICE?

Drop trou and rinse. :eek:

[Edwina's Secretary]

What a sad, sad thread.....

[RICHARD]

What a sad, sad thread.....

Drop trou and rinse!

[theterrierman]

Drop trou and rinse!


ROFL!!!!!!!!

[Edwina's Secretary]

Drop trou and rinse!

I have no idea what that means or how it is intended to insult me...and really don't care.

I am sorry you are so angry and unhappy RICHARD...

[lizbud]

I doubt that actresses adopting babies from Africa had one iota of impact on Oprah's decision to establish the school.

Your statement Richard supports my theory that no good deed goes uncriticized.


I have read that Oprah came to meet with a local woman who had also
built schools in very poor parts of the world.Her name is Christel DeHann.
Our local TV station did a feature on her recently.I really admire those who
do reach out to help build a better world for all children.


http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6075603

[wombat2u2004]

What a sad, sad thread.....

Tissues ????

[CathyBogart]

So...any money spent to build a state of the art animal shelter should be used instead to buils three mediocre animal shelters?

Let's always buy the cheapest medical equipment possible so we can offer services at lower cost.

Why don't I go adopt a dozen more dogs from the shelter and provide tham all enough care to keep them alive? I'll be helping more animals that way, right?

Let's always shoot for the lowest common denominator so we can "spread the wealth" as it were.

Really....She did a great thing that is going to help a lot of people over the years. So she did it differently than someone else, SO WHAT!?

[carole]

Lizbud you expressed my sentiments exactly, well put,Personally i think Oprah is a very generous person, who does not do anything just for the publicity, and to have her name on it, i think you are totally way off base with your comments,as far as i am concerned she is a very inspiring,giving human being, it seems you are damned if you do and damned if you don't in this world, i appauld her efforts and her generosity,there are many people who have been given a much needed helping hand by Oprah, i say good on you Oprah, and i hope she continues along the same path as she always has,and continues to be the great woman that she is.

[RICHARD]

Let's take a look at a real stud,

Dean Kamen.

Under the radar he has put money into a machine that provides energy and clean water to poor areas on the planet.


I guess he could put some money into ONE state if the art water plant-and screw everyone else. I mean why save a whole bunch of people , when you can save a few?

Instead, he goes for small units that will benefit MANY people.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/16/technology/business2_futureboy0216/index.htm (http://)

And I doubt he'll rename it the Kamen Engine.

And instead of handing out cars on his T.V. show, He's given paraplegics a way get up a flight of stairs.


ES,

Yes, I am very unhappy.

Some dude that should be given a pat on the back, toils unrecognized...

Maybe we should get him a Magazine named DEAN.... So he can be the only one that ever graces the cover!

---------

I wish I had a bidet.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I can never understand what you are saying when you get hysterical, but if there is this guy....Dean Kamen...who you think is doing great things...why not start a thread about it instead of starting one attacking someone else?

If you want him to have a pat on the back...why not give it to him on page one...in the title of the thread...instead of calling someone else names?

You know....light a candle instead of curse the darkness?

[Lady's Human]

I haven't seen or looked for details about Oprah's $40 million dollar school, but I can only think of one reason why the school cost is being listed at that.

Instead of being a ridiculously expensive school in a poor country, maybe she set a large part of the money aside as an endowment fund so the school is still there 10 years from now instead of being an empty building with no staff?

[Catty1]

Apparently Oprah asked the girls themselves what they wanted - and they wanted a school.

I imagine the greater amont of money also goes towards maintenance, hiring and maintaining professional staff - considering the future of the building and programs, not just the short term.

[wombat2u2004]

I'm with Richard on this one, as I believe that it's the silent achievers who make a difference to this world.
Oprah is for Oprah, she makes sure that she gets super media coverage for all of her so called charitable actions.
It's interesting that I had an epal a few years ago from Mexico, she told me a number of times how great Carlos Santana was to her countrymen, how he helps out with the poor and sinks money into schools, anything is not too hard for him when it comes to helping those most needy. I suppose tho that the problem is so great that one can't do everything, but still those silent achievers try their very best.
Oprah is a typical American, she just wants the rest of the world to know how great she is......and that my friends is from an Australian, who is not involved in the madness, and who can sit back and observe from a distance.
Wombat

[wombat2u2004]

This is not a sad , sad thread you have created here, it's been really good reading peoples views on this subject, certainly not sad.
Nor do I think you are angry, actually you are a ball of fun, and I'm sure that MOST people would agree with me.
Ignore the type who would pick an argument based on " I am a woman therefore smarter than you as a man ". You just never know, with any luck they may simply go away....LOL
Wombat

[Edwina's Secretary]

This is not a sad , sad thread you have created here, it's been really good reading peoples views on this subject, certainly not sad.
Nor do I think you are angry, actually you are a ball of fun, and I'm sure that MOST people would agree with me.
Ignore the type who would pick an argument based on " I am a woman therefore smarter than you as a man ". You just never know, with any luck they may simply go away....LOL
Wombat


Sorry Wombat...I am not smarter because I am a woman....I am just smarter. :D

[caseysmom]

Sorry Wombat...I am not smarter because I am a woman....I am just smarter. :D

I am not smarter because I am a woman I am smarter because I am an American :D

[Pawsitive Thinking]

I am not smarter because I am a woman I am smarter because I am an American :D


ha ha ha.........that was meant to be funny, right?

[mruffruff]

I rarely post on this type of thread, but this one time I feel that I must.

Oprah will get publicity for what she does (or doesn't) whether she wants it or not. She wants to help and make a difference and she can afford to do whatever she wants wherever she wants. I don't care who she helps, it beats spending money on a new boat, house or villa. She earns it, she can spend it. The paparazzi keep a close eye on her every move and report it all.

Maybe the publicity will get the other gazillionaires to look at what they could do to improve world conditions. Too many of them are doing so little. Yes. I know some of them are quietly helping, but they could do so much more.

Oprah came up the hard way. She had to work hard to be ready for the opportunities that came her way. I'm sure she sacrificed some things to get where she is. I admire what she has done with her life. She isn't any more perfect than anyone else. But I do think she tries to use her wealth as best as she can.

Sorry, Richard. I love you a lot, but I have to disagree on this one.

[caseysmom]

ha ha ha.........that was meant to be funny, right?

Yes of course! I was being sarcastic because of wombat's typical american remark. :D

[Edwina's Secretary]

That windbag, Oprah, sees that actresses are adopting kids in Africa, so she has to make a statement! She tries to outdo the adopters, so she builds one sschool, for 250 kids, at the cost of 40 million dollars.

I hate to ruin a hyperbolic, hysterical rant with oh say....facts....such as the fact that Oprah started with project a few years before "actresses are adopting kids in Africa" and that fact that Oprah has given millions to US schools....

Darn pesky facts.....Newsweek (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16396343/site/newsweek/page/)

But if you want the facts....good and bad...here's the REAL story....

[lvpets2002]

:) Like I always say = I think this multi-colored yarn spooled Blanket is just about done.. ;)

[gini]

Richard, I just couldn't leave this one alone.

After reading this thread and the comments, what immediately came to mind is our own wonderful Belmont High School right here in Los Angeles.

We have spent $238,000,000 on a school that will never house one student.

http://www.fulldisclosure.net/belmont_learning_center_and_LAUSD.htm

How many of Oprah's schools could we have built for that money that was wasted in Los Angeles?

Yes, $40,000,000 is a lot of money. Did you know that the girls live on campus at Oprah's school? They are given uniforms, food, housing, healthcare as well as an excellent education. They have been provided the top of the line in educational equipment - computers etc. Did you see the "homes" these girls are coming from? They have next to nothing - but now a huge opportunity has opened up for them.

This school is just one of Oprah's accomplishments with her money. Do you have any idea WHAT ELSE she has done for people from all backgrounds - not just blacks?

For all of the people out there with money that we could kick around - I just don't see Oprah as one of them. She had a vision and had made a promise - and she stood by her word. More than you can say about a heck of a lot of people.

[lvpets2002]

:) Thank you Gini & Very Well Put.. I admire & adore Oprah for all she has done..
Richard, I just couldn't leave this one alone.

After reading this thread and the comments, what immediately came to mind is our own wonderful Belmont High School right here in Los Angeles.

We have spent $238,000,000 on a school that will never house one student.

How many of Oprah's schools could we have built for that money that was wasted in Los Angeles?

Yes, $40,000,000 is a lot of money. Did you know that the girls live on campus at Oprah's school? They are given uniforms, food, housing, healthcare as well as an excellent education. They have been provided the top of the line in educational equipment - computers etc. Did you see the "homes" these girls are coming from? They have next to nothing - but now a huge opportunity has opened up for them.

This school is just one of Oprah's accomplishments with her money. Do you have any idea WHAT ELSE she has done for people from all backgrounds - not just blacks?

For all of the people out there with money that we could kick around - I just don't see Oprah as one of them. She had a vision and had made a promise - and she stood by her word. More than you can say about a heck of a lot of people.

[Logan]

I criticize those those who choose to criticize Oprah Winfrey's decision to create this school. I have followed what she has done for a while, now.

Oprah and I do not have similar political beliefs, but if she decided that 152 girls deserved special treatment, in Africa, so be it. Good for her, using her wealth, once again, to enhance the lives of others, and to teach these girls a new way of life, so that hopefully they will be leaders, when they become adults. We have public education in the US. Africa does not have that. Its her money and she put some of it where she thought it ought to be spent. Her decision! Who are we to be critical of her?

[mike001]

I don't really watch Ophrah but it seems that it was rather generous of her to spend her money this way. I think she deserves credit, not a kick in the butt. Why not be happy that she is at least doing SOMETHING.

[sparks19]

Hey.... since she has so much money maybe we should just tax her more than everyone else ;)

I don't like Oprah one bit but I would rather see her putting her money into things she deems nessecary then see the government tax her more than the "little people" because she makes so much money. would she be able to donate all this money if they were taxing her income 60%


So...any money spent to build a state of the art animal shelter should be used instead to buils three mediocre animal shelters?

Yes. why build one state of the art shelter that can help say 100 animals then build three adequate ones that can help say 300 animals. The animals will still get the care they need. it may not have all the fancy bells and whistles but int his case I don't think quality over quantity applies. Seems appropriate to me :D

I rmember my 10 year old neices school did a special fundraising drive to raise money and send supplies and volunteers over to a place in Africa to help rebuild a small school in the area. At their "Holiday concert" they showed slides and read letters from the kids that benefited from this act of kindness. it was so wonderful and what a wonderful lesson to teach all those kids in my neices school.

[elizabethann]

I like Oprah and I like Dean Kamen too. I especially enjoy watching him fly his helecopter to & from work each day. :D

[sparks19]

I like Oprah and I like Dean Kamen too. I especially enjoy watching him fly his helecopter to & from work each day. :D

:( I want to ride in a helicopter. that is one thing I haven't done that I would really like to experience.

LOL it beats driving that's for sure lol

[wombat2u2004]

:( I want to ride in a helicopter. that is one thing I haven't done that I would really like to experience.

LOL it beats driving that's for sure lol

Well lets look at it this way.
If you are a low income earner....taxed less, you will be able to afford to fly in your helicopter sooner.
If you are a high income earner, taxed more, then you are still going to be able to fly in your helicopter, but it may have to be tomorrow.
Soon....we may all have had that experience.
Oh...by the way...I fell out of a helicopter once....so I'll just sit back and watch you going for the ride... LOL
( Have I opened up another Pandora's box here ??? If so, I will hide behind my sandbags until the barrage is over...LOL )
Wombat

[Lady's Human]

A helicopter is 50,000 parts all moving the wrong way in close formation.

It's the crew chief's job to keep the formation as tight as possible.

I have NO further interest in flying in an eggbeater.

Dumb PFC sitting in the back of a chinook talking to the crew chief:

"Sarge, why is that barrel of hydraulic fluid sitting back there with the hand pump in it?"

"Look up, Pvt. See that gearbox?"

"yep"

"See how it's leaking?"

" Yep"

" The hand pump is to keep it full. If it stops leaking, we stop flying"

And that was the last time that Pvt. flew on a heliochopter

[wombat2u2004]

Sorry Wombat...I am not smarter because I am a woman....I am just smarter. :D

Well that is a very fine opinion of yourself.
Perhaps somebody told you that ???
Wombat

[Karen]

We have ridden in helicopters, both times in tourist situations (Florida and Hawai'i) and it was really cool! Despite knowing how my brother feels about them.

[wombat2u2004]

A helicopter is 50,000 parts all moving the wrong way in close formation.

It's the crew chief's job to keep the formation as tight as possible.

I have NO further interest in flying in an eggbeater.

Dumb PFC sitting in the back of a chinook talking to the crew chief:

"Sarge, why is that barrel of hydraulic fluid sitting back there with the hand pump in it?"

"Look up, Pvt. See that gearbox?"

"yep"

"See how it's leaking?"

" Yep"

" The hand pump is to keep it full. If it stops leaking, we stop flying"

And that was the last time that Pvt. flew on a heliochopter

Oh my goodness....yes.
Those things are 20,000 rattling rivets flying in formation, and every one making a different sound.
Wombat

[Edwina's Secretary]

Well that is a very fine opinion of yourself.
Perhaps somebody told you that ???
Wombat

Nope...don't need anyone to tell me...I know cuz I'm smarter...remember? :D :D

[wombat2u2004]

Nope...don't need anyone to tell me...I know cuz I'm smarter...remember? :D :D

I know you are. ;)

[Edwina's Secretary]

Interesting Fact...

the Iraq war is costing us....the US TAXPAYERS $9 billion dollars a month. Makes Oprah's $40 million seem insignificant.

Bet $9 billion could build alot of schools.

according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office

[Marigold2]

I agree with Gini one hundred percent. The media here in America spends almost all it's time writing about Paris, Anna Nicole, Lindsey. What have these people done to help mankind, or animals for that matter? Nothing that I know of, yet the press and we americans want to know and hear everything they do. Along comes Oprah and we critcize this woman for doing good. http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/redface.gif That is wrong. It doesn't matter where she is spending her money, it's her money. She is using it for the good of mankind. It doesn't need to be spent in America, people other then us suffer and have needs much greater. If she wants to spend it overseas that is her business, she is helping others. Who are we to judge who is worthy of Oprah's money, time and help? The more people who know or read about this the better. Perhaps it will make us as people look to help others. I would much rather read about Oprahs' good deeds then Brittany's night on the town. Also I have never heard one word of Oprah drinking, doing drugs, or breaking the law. As far as my own daughter, I would rather have her be like Oprah then Brittany and do good for this world then be known for not wearing panties at a nightclub.

[mugsy]

Oprah is a holier than thou, sticky sweet, blowhard. She speaks one way and does exactly the opposite. She proclaims to be such an animal activist, yet she goes to expensive breeders to get her dogs and looks down on shelter dogs. She has been contacted thousands of times about the plight of puppy mill dogs, but, it's not a big enough money maker for her show to waste her time with the suffering of these poor animals.

As far as the school goes, $40 million school in Africa is ridiculous. How many more schools could she have built that are more than suitable in how many different areas, servicing how many more children....

Kudos to her for at least attempting to help, but, the lack of common sense is amazing. And unfortunately, she definitely comes across as, "HEY! Come look and me and see how much money I have and how many kids have a new school because of ME!"

Oh and Richard....You have become the Roger M of Pet Talk...I just told Mike that you and my friend Roger are probably a lot alike (other than the fact that he is an ultra liberal! lol). You know who you are and what you stand for and aren't afraid to say it (especially if it is important to you) and you make people mad because you are so straightforward! ;) :D

[lizbud]

I have never heard one word of Oprah drinking, doing drugs, or breaking the law. As far as my own daughter, I would rather have her be like Oprah then Brittany and do good for this world then be known for not wearing panties at a nightclub.



Right on. :) Young people couldn't have a better model to follow. :)
She grew up with nothing but a strong determination to better her self
and having done that wants to help others that have nothing, not even
the blessings of being born in America.

[Pam]

I do enjoy Oprah's shows and catch them when she has someone interesting on. I like the fact that she has introduced us to such people as Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz and she has motivated countless people to take steps to do things that will make them feel better about themselves. I do think she is not quite as humble as she was in the days when she started out but I guess that isn't so unusual when you "make it big."

[Edwina's Secretary]

And another thing..... what about Bill Gates...naming a foundation after him and his wife. I mean...come on! How much attention and publicity does that man need? And what does his wife have to do with it anyway???

And spending all that money in third world countries promoting learning and global health. With their faces plastered all over their website.

What's next for these egotist blowhards? Curing cancer or something?

Where is their common sense? Why are they fighting malaria?

And I saw Bill interviewed on the Jon Stewart show and ....the family doesn't have a pet!!!!!

[lizbud]

And another thing..... what about Bill Gates...naming a foundation after him and his wife. I mean...come on! How much attention and publicity does that man need? And what does his wife have to do with it anyway???

And spending all that money in third world countries promoting learning and global health. With their faces plastered all over their website.

What's next for these egotist blowhards? Curing cancer or something?

Where is their common sense? Why are they fighting malaria?

And I saw Bill interviewed on the Jon Stewart show and ....the family doesn't have a pet!!!!!


Oh no, always thought that guy was a loser. :D

[Edwina's Secretary]

You know...Oprah should look for a better role model...perhaps...

Donald Trump! A man who started out the old-fashioned way...he inherited the business...

always the first to point out his own shortcomings....always gracious in victory and defeat...

would NEVER splash his name or face on anything!

No African stuff for this man! Why he singlehandedly saved the Miss USA pagent! What a guy! What a patriot!

Learn something Oprah!

[wombat2u2004]

And another thing..... what about Bill Gates...naming a foundation after him and his wife. I mean...come on! How much attention and publicity does that man need? And what does his wife have to do with it anyway???

And spending all that money in third world countries promoting learning and global health. With their faces plastered all over their website.

What's next for these egotist blowhards? Curing cancer or something?

Where is their common sense? Why are they fighting malaria?

And I saw Bill interviewed on the Jon Stewart show and ....the family doesn't have a pet!!!!!

Malaria kills a lot of people !!!!! Need there be any other answer to that question ???

[jackie]

Malaria kills a lot of people !!!!! Need there be any other answer to that question ???


AHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHH x10000!!!!

I just choked on my juice.

I think what Oprah has done is nothing short of amazing. You may not like the woman, but how can you fault her generosity?

[sasvermont]

For all these years I found your ideas and opinions interesting. Not today.

I don't know too many people as generous as Oprah. I just don't understand what infuriates some folks when it comes to someone else's generosity. You should be so lucky to have that kind of money and be able to give so much of it away, to profoundly poor people.

Go back to bed Richard.

[columbine]

When people have money to burn, they burn it - do what they personally think will help the most, without getting relevant advice. Oprah's heart is in the right place. It's her information deficit that led to an inefficient use of her wealth.

It's a perpetual problem of philanthropy. The people who are in a position to make a real difference don't have a whole lot of clues about what differences need to be made.

Who here doesn't have an "if I win the lottery" idea about what you'd do to make things better? And where did that idea come from? Your own heart, right? Since you haven't won the lottery yet, of course you haven't done any research about whether or how well it would actually work. Well, people who have boatloads of money think that if they're smart enough to get all that money, they're smart enough to figure out how to put it to work. But it's a different flavor of smart, and a fairly rare one, and most rich people don't know much at all about the world outside of their own experience. So huge amounts of money end up going down inefficient holes because the rich people don't know that they don't know everything.

There's nothing wrong with bragging, in my book. If you do something, and present it honestly and in its entirety, there's nothing wrong with putting your name on it. And I like the recent trend for the rich to show off by trying to help the poor. But it's the ones who start with good solid research who actually succeed.

Love, Columbine

[Cataholic]

Columbine, very interesting post! Thanks for expanding my brain. :)

[gini]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16396343/site/newsweek/

This is just one article that I researched about this subject. Yes, she went way overboard - oversized closets - fireplaces everywhere - 200 count bedsheets -
great mattresses - so what?

I still see that Oprah did her homework and she is banking on the initial 73 (?) students to get a great education and then start making a difference in South Africa - and the next group of students will do the same.

Read the article from her point of view - why not give her a chance and look for the results of her efforts down the road?

I for one, hope that she has created an environment that will be a huge success in terms of educating young women that are from a background not unlike her own.

[carole]

well put Columbine, i found your post interesting too and something i had not given much thought, personally i don't give a toss if they want publicity or their name put on anything ,bragging as such, if it helps people that is all that matters to me.,and who are we to say where their money would be best spent, the simple fact is, it is their money, end of story, to do with as they wish,I would not take kindly to people telling me what to do with my wealth, if I had any ,I would probably help animals, and there would be people saying i should be helping human beings first,we should be thankful i think that they indeed are generous enough to share it , even if it is not what we think it would be best spent on,they could be complete miser's and keep it to themselves, so i say good on ya oprah. :)

[lizbud]

When people have money to burn, they burn it - do what they personally think will help the most, without getting relevant advice. Oprah's heart is in the right place. It's her information deficit that led to an inefficient use of her wealth.

Love, Columbine


I think it's very presumptuous of you to make a comment inferring Oprah
"has to much money and not enough sense". As a very successful business
woman who has very good council to help her make the most of the funds
she chooses to distribute. You certainly have an opinion, but so do the
people who see what a blessing she is to many people.

[catland]

What if Oprah is right?

What if these girls, having been given the best education that money can buy, go on to do great things and really help their country? Then we will look back at this and say "that was money well spent".

who knows?

[RICHARD]

I lost my dial up connection just as this thread was hot and heavy and I wanted to revisit it now that HARPO has the looset purse strings on the planet.,


I had left off with Dean Kamen.

The Techo Stud who refined that stupid engine -Stirling is the name- You know, the one that makes eleck-trcity off of Methane/Poop fumes at night and makes clean drinking water during the day...

In a Sundance Channel special he invited Isabella Rossellini to his home and showed her his invention. It was a wonderful look into his operation. Without the pompous guests, doctors and phone number for tickets to his show!


The gist of the convo was that people are dying becuse of the lack of clean water.


A machine like that will purify water so that it can be used for drinking and irrigating crops....Funny how a little fecal matter in water can ruin a whole village's outlook!

--------

Kamen went on to stae that politics is the main reason that his refined engine is not being shipped to areas that need it!

It's way too expensive for Kamen to donate machines to every area that needs them, and the governments are way too crooked to let those machines go to the people..

---------


A few Sterling/Kamen engines would be far more practical in some areas than a 150 person school.


But hey, Dysentery, explosive diarrhea, starvation and E coli are not as important as education.


-------------

When the coup, junta or other civil problem breaks out I wonder which buildings will be plundered by the 'have nots'?


-------------

I apologize to you all that have no patience for my opinions.


I do respect yours!

Going back to bed now!

---------------


BTW,

LH, Where is your sense of helicopter adventure?

It's not like the chopper was burning the whole 50 gallons in one trip! :rolleyes: :confused: :eek:

[Edwina's Secretary]

My sister works at a school in New Jersey. It is for boys and uses the discipline of music to help educate boys (happens to be all minority -- location -- but open to all.) They are always raising funds....that is what my sister does for them.

Do you know Oprah has a group that does School Makeovers -- all her money. My sister is working to get a makeover for her school. It would be a VERY BIG help for a school that does lots of good in a city that needs it.

No...it isn't written up in PEOPLE magazine. Just one of the many things she does for people right here in the United States.

Why bashing one philanthropist over another? Why not just say...here's is a guy who does a lot of good and doesn't always get recognition.

Isn't that rather.......phony????

Maybe you should learn as much about all that Oprah does....

[RICHARD]

Isn't that rather.......phony????

Maybe you should learn as much about all that Oprah does....


Wow,

Now that you mention it....


Nope- Kamen is about keeping people alive- Check out his work with medical tech- like dialysis machines- some of his technology kept my dad alive for a few years- Oprah didn't do squat for him.

You have to keep people alive before you can educate them.

Kamen looks at the welfare of people with little or no fanfare, Oprah's outlook is kinda skewed.cameras, T.V. specials and "hey Look at what I did!" just smacks of a little self-agrandizement!
----------
I saw a blurb for her road trip/TV special with her buddy...Funny how two chicks in a car make interesting TV? I was hoping for a Thelma and Louise ending!

The shot was of Oprah trying to put gas into a car....and she could not do it.

Her line was, "Ha ha ha ha, It's been years since I put gas in a car."

I guess philantrophy and common sense don't run in the same circles.. :confused:

-----------

If there is no coverage of her good deeds here in the US, why the fanfare for a foreign school?

[sabies]

I am more concerned with how my tax dollars are wasted then I am about how others spend their disposable income. Oprah, myself, and anyone else can spend their money on the charity of their choice.

Maybe the girls Oprah educates will run the government one day and then people like Kamen will be able to get their help to the people who need it. Clean water will only go so far if the government is that crooked.

[Edwina's Secretary]

So doing something that benefited your father is better than doing something that benefits someone else.

Got it.

Without education...who will figure out how to keep people alive?

Entertainment...that is what Oprah does. It is how she makes the money that enables her to do so much good.

You know when I was a teenager (before your time I know) you went to a gas station and there was a person who pumped the gas for you. (I lived in the country and we had to pump our own from the pump on the farm.) Most people...especially women...at that time did not know how to pump gas.

Based on what you posted...that made them stupid? Or lacking common sense?

Give it a rest RICHARD. She is a successful woman. Something you seem to find terribly offensive.

[RICHARD]

Give it a rest RICHARD. She is a successful woman. Something you seem to find terribly offensive.


One of my alltime favotite gals is Bernadine Healy.

She is a doctor and ran something called the Red Cross.

Carly Fiona, Hewlett Packard?

My mom?


I like to save my sexism for the truly irritating girls. Hey, Did I mention Rachael Ray?

[lizbud]

I like to save my sexism for the truly irritating girls. Hey, Did I mention Rachael Ray?


or Pariis Hilton. Now there's a piecs of work for ya. :rolleyes: but Rachel
Ray ? without her we never would have had the memorable " Hi rocking chair
Lady" line. :D :D

[Catty1]

ummm...is it possible that the school Oprah built has CLEAN RUNNING WATER???

[RICHARD]

ummm...is it possible that the school Oprah built has CLEAN RUNNING WATER???


For about 150 people, same with the elek-tricity?

Let's review?


Putting up a school for 40 million dollars is fine and dandy.
Making a huge deal about it makes me laugh.

---------

Finding a way to get clean water and electricity to places that don't know either is kinda specail.


A few months ago we were looking at infected spinach killing people.
SO what! We find other spinach. Ii winder what the options are for a small tribal group in the bush?

The narrow focus on some Oprah-ette factory is laughable.

saving a few thousand people by cleaning up their feces infected water and giving them a a life without diarrhea, intestinal parasites and death really isn't that big a deal.


Mea culpa.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Making a huge deal about it makes me laugh.

The narrow focus on some Oprah-ette factory is laughable.

mea culpa

No need to apologize RICHARD. After all...your antipathy for success women makes me laugh!

[RICHARD]

After all...your antipathy for success women makes me laugh!

I do like you.

Did I mention that I loathed Cindy Margolis--Until she posed for playboy!

-------

It's the Success-fool women that bug me!

[moosmom]

I just finished reading this entire thread. Quite interesting.


I just don't understand what infuriates some folks when it comes to someone else's generosity.

I think what infuriates folks about Oprah's generosity is they aren't on the receiving end of that generosity.

RICHARD and Edwina's Secretary, I am laughing my butt off at your contempt for one another. You two really know how to push each other's buttons.

As far as Oprah is concerned, I never cared for her. What she does with her money IS her business. However, I also believe that charity begins at home.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Donna...I am sorry if you percieve contempt on my part. I do not have contempt for Richard.

I think a woman who was born poor and black in the Jim Crow South, succeeds beyond dream due to hardwork, smarts, and some good luck should be admired. She is a role model for all of us...especially young black women...that in America, if you work hard and study and are diligent, you can succeed...regardless of the circumstances of your birth.

I do not believe she should be called a phony because someone does not agree with how she decides to give millions of the dollars she earned -- through her hard work -- to help others.

She preaches hard work, education, sobriety, empathy and generosity. And she lives what she preaches.

Does that make her a phony? A fool?

I don't know her so I do not know if I "like" her or not...but I certainly respect her.

[RICHARD]

www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid210/p3880f182f87127c874cfba83aee09976/eddd574a.jpg

contempt? never!


Should I ever be found sans head..... :eek: :rolleyes: :D

[carole]

Edwina's secretary you say it so much better than i can, i agree with everything you say 100 per cent.

Richard i respect your opinions,just don't agree is all. :)

[Edwina's Secretary]

www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid210/p3880f182f87127c874cfba83aee09976/eddd574a.jpg

contempt? never!


Should I ever be found sans head..... :eek: :rolleyes: :D

I was just helping you RICHARD....you did say you wanted a close shave! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :D

[moosmom]

Maybe contempt is too strong a word. That shot DOES paint a different picture of you both. You two argue like two old married folks. Cracks me up!!