Oprah Winfrey

[lebkuchen]

While I was in the base gym, Oprah Winfrey was on AFN. I do not watch TV at home and hadn't seen Oprah for years. Maybe today's episode would make the treadmill experience "go faster."

Oprah was broadcasting live, and the theme was heroes. She repeatedly encouraged viewers to stay tuned for the entire show because the last part was going to be really really really good, something having to do with a reunion.

So I delayed my trip to the weight room and watched a hero who had rescued her mom from a bear, a hero who had rescued a woman from drowning in a sinking car, and a hero who'd become a parapalegic after protecting her children from a tornado.

The grand finale? Oprah stood on stage with much ceremony and said, cavalierly, that although people were either for the Iraq war or against it, we all support the troops. So, in Bushy fashion, she staged a photo op of the troops, A Company, I believe, which was to be reunited with family members on stage.

Pathetic.

She had cue cards prepared of various troop names which she used as leverage to boost her emotional ratings IQ: "Soldier A, I hear you haven't yet seen your 7 month old child. Soldier B, I hear you're about to get married." Soldier B stared blankly without reacting as Oprah dropped a couple of sweat beads--probably wondering, PTSD? Found another woman while deployed? Changed his mind? Best to move on to Soldier C before I embarrass myself.

I moved on, too. I'd had enough.

Military family reunions during war time involve debriefings out of necessity, with spouses being informed of what to expect, but that is often not enough. Many couples divorce over time no matter how happy and tearful the reunion. "When he returned he said he felt we'd grown apart and that he didn't love me anymore." Beautiful families, no longer together.

When the 1AD out of Friedburg recently redeployed after its Iraq tour and extension, cannons were set off during the celebration, and soldiers dove for cover. Because of the multiple deployments to war zones, reunions are not simple events to be whimsically staged (or, whored for ratings).

Like McCain going carpet shopping in Baghdad under the protection of hundreds of armed and armored military apparatus while labeling this pretense an exercise in "progress," Winfrey created an emotional fiasco, and like most of America, simply does not get what these multiply-deployed soldiers and their loved ones have been through. The reunions are not the time for prying eyes. That's why they're held in private tents on base.

I'm fed up with the corporate propaganda technique of putting soldiers through stressful 15 month situations only to sensationalize them as photo ops in military newspapers/TV shows during reunions with family members, a totally artificial "feel good" situation in which the viewer gets a brief emotional high at the expense of those who have suffered for so long, and will continue to suffer once the cameras are turned off. In short, these staged reunions are a mechanism intended to put a positive spin on war.

To Oprah I say, the soldiers should never have been deployed in the first place, nor their families put through the stress of having a loved one's life at risk for no damn good reason. Let's talk about that, shall we?

[Aviation Pro]

1. From one vet to another....

...thank you for your service.

Old Ironsides.

[Parche]

70. VET

I was in the Air Force, what were you in AviationPro!!!!

But I was based at Minot AFB........:banghead:

[Aviation Pro]

118. Before I caught the fever for flying fixed wing dynamic airflow machines....

...I was a humble grunt and treadhead in the Army.

[Journeyman]

143. I spent a lifetime in Minot the Winter of '74. . .

for a California boy, that was duty in the most foreign of lands. . .

[Faux pas]

2. Oprah lives in a different world than the rest of us, Oprah World.

She makes me sick.

[mountainvue]

106. So true. I saw a clip of her on a road trip with

her friend Gayle last year and the woman did not know how to pump gas. She is not and will never be an avereage Joe/Jane. I know she came from poverty but she is so far removed from it now. It's quite remarkable really, how someone could forget (denial?) where she came from.

[Faux pas]

142. Yep, she's pretty well divorced herself from her past. Seems to

me that she might need a reality check. Just my humble O, of course.

[misanthrope]

184. Until she magically recalls her "former crack addiction"**nm

**

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

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

[ronnykmarshall]

88. Oh now that's a nice progressive term.

[Dervill Crow]

4. Oprah bugs me.

She shouldn't. I don't know that much about her; haven't watched her show in years, but every time I hear or read her name it just plain bugs me. There is no better way I can articulate my reaction to her. :eyes: I simply do not understand Oprah worship.

[Aviation Pro]

5. Oopah Winifried.....

...is the reason why this deranged psychopath is in the White House.

[mitchtv]

20. you can thank her for giving

the Gropenator a big boost, while denying time to Gray Davis
She's friends with his anorexic wife

[MonkeyFunk]

51. Yes

All the country's problems can be laid squarely at the feet of the evil Oprah.

God, the things people hate around here... :eyes:

[ronnykmarshall]

91. Oh silly, silly Monk.

Did you know that the might O also arranged the assination of JFK? In fact if you play "The Color Purple" backwards you have hear Oprah as "Sophia" say ..... I killllllled JFK and dag nab it .... I'd dooooooo it again.

It's there.

I seen it!

[live love laugh]

136. LMAO!

:rofl:

[ronnykmarshall]

90. Yup! That's right.

You can see in that picture, W is passing along a secret code that enabled Ops with special powers to turn the election over to Bush.

It's true!

I seen it!

[terrya]

146. Give me a colossal fucking break.

This is one of the most moronic things I've ever read here at DU.

Oh...I like Oprah Winfrey.

[Aviation Pro]

153. Suppose Oopha had taken a pass on having the....

...deranged psychopath on her show. Think that would have affected the outcome a bit?

And, no, I won't give you a break. Oooma profoundly affects the way many people think (because they can't think for themselves). She is a pox on the nation along with many of the other loud mouth frogs who spew their vomitus over the airwaves.

[LostinVA]

166. Errr.... no

And, that photo was used by RWers to show how evil Oprah is.

[Forkboy]

6. Eh,,,,she does some good things and does some dumb ones.

I don't really know much about her but I get the sense her heart is the right place for the most part.I like her better than Rosie,to be honest,though I like that Rosie isn't as worried about a delicate touch when she speaks. :)

[Radio_Lady]

58. I agree with you. Didn't see the show and don't watch it much anymore.

But this was a dumb thing.

Rosie lets it all hang out. I liked Meredith Vieria much better than either Star or Rosie. I hardly watch the View much either.

[Turbineguy]

7. So, how many staunch Oprah watchers

take the short emotional kick over her income?

When somebody who earns $200,000 for a one hour program spends 15 minutes of airtime telling us about a $50,000 charity donation she made, I have to think "How self-serving is that?"

I wish Oprah Winfrey well, I'm glad that she's found success, but I am not entirely convinced that she's my best friend.

[frankly_fedup2]

25. I quit watching Oprah years ago when she started her trying to

save the World the way she felt it should be saved. I guess when you have more money then God, you can decide the important issues.

[Fran Kubelik]

82. Hell, it is her money

She can give it away to whomever she wants.
The fact that she tries to make an example of her philanthropy is something that I admire about her.

[Greyhound]

119. $200,000? Boy, are you waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay off.

Add another zero and you're getting into the ballpark. She owns the whole show, production, distribution, marketing, everything. A multi-billionaire that gives chump-change so that her minions will think the universe revolves around her.

That said, she's no worse than any of her contemporaries, and she does promote people being nice to other people. I just don't understand how someone that was so poor growing up can be so cheap with her employees now that she has more than she could ever use.

[earth mom]

8. I've been hoping that Oprah will do something big to expose the crimes & the criminals...

but time and time again, I've been disappointed by her and the reality is is that she may as well be one of them for all that she has NOT done to help this country. It's sickening given all that her ancestors and her race has gone through. Martin Luther King would NOT be proud of her. NO way NO how.. :puke:

At this point, my money's on Rosie. YOU GO GIRL! :applause:

[ellacott]

14. Truly amazing

How do you know who Dr. King would be proud of? It's so funny to listen t white people tell black people how to act.

Sad........

[earth mom]

24. Given Oprah's massive influence she has NOT done a damn thing to stop the war.

or to expose the criminals in office behind it all! All Oprah has done is uphold them and the status quo. Have you ever heard her speak of the inhumanity that's happening in Iraq?! HELL NO! Have you heard her mention that the Iraq war is based on lies?! HELL NO! I could go on forever with the list of what Oprah has NOT done but should be doing given her massive influence, but I won't. However, I do know that the injustices that are happening in this country and planet are something MLK Jr. wouldn't sit back and ignore, he would speak out against them. Being black or not has nothing to do with knowing that simple fact!

[lebkuchen]

32. That would hurt her ratings, and it all comes down to that.

"Please, everybody, you just have to stick with me until the end of the show! It's going to be so good!" Talk about putting a value on "heroics." What was the mother who broke her back to safe her children? The junior varsity?

It's because of her massive influence that she is apparently forced into photo-oping the troops in the standard emotional "OOOAHHH, isn't war lovely, brings the famlies together and a tear to your eye" public flogging of the senses.

[KingFlorez]

48. She's not a politician

How can she stop the war? She doesn't have any executive authority or power. It doesn't matter if she does have influence, all the influence in the world wouldn't stop Bush from continuing this war.

[DIKB]

144. Wow

I was reading through this thread and saw your comment.

What were all the marches and protests, the artists, writers, and visionaries doing during the Vietnam war? Sitting back b/c they "weren't politicians"?

There's a reason FAUX is on 24 hrs a day, they need to constantly catapult the propaganda, and it is up to those who know the truth and are capable to deliver the return volleys.

[MonkeyFunk]

52. umm...

it's not her fucking job to stop the war, achieve justice or give me a foot-rub.

She has a tv talk show - a very successful one. She does more good than most people, and devotes a lot of money and time to helping others less fortunate.

She earned every dime she has - she didn't inherit it, she didn't steal it.

For some reason, of all the billionaires in the world, the one who gets singled out the most here is the world's only black, female self-made one.

[qanda]

148. Yep! How does that work?

People really should take a look in the mirror and try to figure out why they hate Oprah so much. Ellen has done a number of support the troop shows and I haven't seen anyone bashing her for it.

[ronnykmarshall]

89. Yeah!

That all powerful Oprah! All set would have to do is snap her well manticured fingers and BAM! The war would be over. Damn her! Damn her to hell!

[Morgana LaFey]

Who the HELL are YOU to decide for Oprah what her causes should

be? Racist and sexist.

[Dinger]

123. That Is The Thread Title Of The Day!!!!

It summarizes very well why I can't stand her.

[ecstatic]

176. umm... Isn't that Pelosi's job?

:shrug:

[karlrschneider]

44. Thanks. Sometimes we need to be reminded that no black folks ever do anything bad.

...

[qanda]

147. Frustrating, isn't it

Not only do they try to tell us how to act, they try to tell us how we should feel. It's interesting to see how white people respond to successful black people-- I don't see anyone screaming about Ellen's support for the troops. It's just amazing.

[fooj]

47. I'm still blown away that she didn't step up for the disenfranchised

voters. Hello? She should be ashamed of herself. She has the connections and the POWER to MAKE A DIFFERENCE. You can do just as much for society if you actually show up. Doling out cash isn't the answer.

[Beaverhausen]

49. I can't believe doesn't make the blind see, and the deaf hear!

:eyes:

[fooj]

53. Not backing disenfranchised BLACK voters

is HARDLY equitable to "making the BLIND see and the DEAF hear." I appreciate good snark just like everyone else as long as it's applicable.

[Beaverhausen]

54. She is not a politician- yet I see her being blamed for all sort of things here

Including getting Bush into the White House, getting Arnold elected, starting the Iraq War, the soldiers treatment at Walter Reed and not helping every single poor person in America. This is not her job - why do people keep thinking she is responsible to cure the ills of the world?

[Fran Kubelik]

78. Thank you

:applause:

This thread is flabbergasting.

[Morgana LaFey]

96. Well, they can decide what Oprah should and shouldn't do because

she's both black and female, and she's got money -- a lot of it -- too, so that gives them the right to weigh in on how she lives her life and what she does with her prodigious talent and well-earned bucks.

It's farkin' sickening to me. And shameful beyond measure.

[lebkuchen]

132. In the same vein as Limbaugh and his entertainment, correct?

Or FOX and its "News?"

[live love laugh]

138. The people who attack Oprah do so BECAUSE she does so much good and they hate good

They hate that she does highlight their failings without becoming politically engaged (ie, Katrina, failure to help African countries, etc.)

As for the Iraq veterans show, it only served to highlight the humanity of the soldiers--the fact that they HAVE been separated from their families, missed the birth of their children and endured injury as well. She is the FIRST to even do such as show. I was put off by the concept at first like the author of the thread but after seeing her first-class, non political treatment of another controversial subject in UhMurkier, I was glad she did it.

Of course, the people who hate her are attacking because they don't have the guts to do the same thing. They attack because they know she is a liberal and doesn't take an openly political stance that they can attack. So they go for cheap shots likie many have in this thread.

The attackers are pathetic just like BushCo..

[fooj]

141. I hear you. Really, I do.

I don't blame her for Bush OR Arnold (and I'm a Californian)!!!

I don't think it's her job to "cure the ills of the world". I think the school she started in Africa is inspiring and generous in spirit. It simply blew me away that she didn't use the PLATFORM she had to speak out re: voter disenfranchisement. I didn't expect her to lead the movement. I don't dislike her. She just surprised me. She promotes leadership and speaking out when warranted. Publicly, she was indifferent to injustice. Maybe my expectations were unrealistic. I'll be the first to admit that.

[ronnykmarshall]

92. Remember when I had that horrible rash?

I tried everything known to man. Then I put my had on the Tee-Vee when O was on and SHAZAM!!! It was gone! Well, the falling to the floor and screaming pain for 10 minutes was a bit of a drag ... but now I have skin as soft as a baby's butt!

[ecstatic]

178. Yep. Neither did Al Gore or John Kerry or the Senate for that matter...

you know... the guys who were ELECTED to stand up for all of us. Why pin their f*ck ups on Oprah? :shrug:

[Morgana LaFey]

93. Are you kiddin' me?

My God, I don't think there's another woman on the planet, aside from Mother Theresa, who's done as much. Unbelievable. Guess if it's not according to YOUR plan and agenda, it's just not enough, nor good enough. Like I said: unbelievable.

[earth mom]

117. This country and planet is in a helluva crisis.

Oprah damn well knows the scope of her influence is massive and yet she chooses to not speak out. Sure she's has done a lot of good, but don't expect people to ignore what she's NOT doing or that people like Rosie O'Donnell and the Dixie Chicks have stepped in where Oprah hasn't. It's obvious that Oprah doesn't have the guts to do the right thing and that's just pathetic because it's so desperately needed right now-this minute-for the good of the ENTIRE planet.

History IS repeating itself and it's up to those who are brave enough to speak the hell up. SILENCE IS COMPLICITY, and people dying for lies and greed trumps EVERYTHING!

As that saying goes..."they came for (fill in the blank)...but...no one was there to speak for me".

[Morgana LaFey]

122. She's just not political. Period. And you can't make her be. Now --

go harrass the OTHER 90% of the population that isn't politically aware. Good grief.

[earth mom]

160. YOU replied to my post & others on this thread...

Point that harassment finger back at yourself since you are the one stirring the pot numerous times on this thread. Interesting too, how you don't respond to my points...guess that's because your argument just doesn't hold any water to begin with.

BTW, if Oprah isn't political then why the hell did she have Obama and Arnold on her show and heavily endorsed them?! :eyes:

[Morgana LaFey]

180. Oh, good grief.

BTW, if Oprah isn't political then why the hell did she have Obama and Arnold on her show and heavily endorsed them?!

The pity is, you're serious, aren't you?

Only about 10% of the electorate is "political," in the sense of most DUers are political -- follow it closely, pay attention, spend an inordinate amount of time studying the issues. You pretty much can't make the other 90% GET political, although in the current situation people are a bit more aware because they know Bush has done a number on the country. But their awareness is mostly temporary -- once things get "back to normal," their attention will once again go back to other things.

You don't have to be one of those 10% to know who's a hot number politically from your own state (ILLINOIS), esp. when he's a BLACK MAN possibly poised to break even more barriers (and probably friends or at least acquaintances with Stedman), or that the husband of one of your best friends is running for freakin' governor of the one of the largest economies in the world. Sheesh.

Frankly, her coverage of the two completely revealed the fact that she's NOT political./

[greyl]

133. True. She has achieved the position of role model to her following, exploited it, and reinforces

whole sections of the so-called American Dream which only serve materialism and the dominance of our corporate culture over the planet. Her endorsements of pseudoscientific scam products on her website(the magic watch), of gw, of arnie, and her silence on so many topics is notable and need not be forgiven because she's given away some money.
She's a celebrity, first and foremost. I suppose I don't totally blame her, because celebrity is such a powerful force in our culture, but I can place appropriate blame where she deserves it.

[live love laugh]

139. So why are you only criticizing Oprah if what you say is true? What about Baba Wawa, or RW shills

who advocate war. If silence is complicity what is advocation and which is worse?

[earth mom]

164. I'm criticizing Oprah because this a thread about Oprah-one of the most influential women

of our time.

But, feel free to start a thread on Baba Wawa and the rest of the RW shills...and I'll post in those too. O8)

[Missy Vixen]

9. I don't have the right to see these reunions

>The reunions are not the time for prying eyes. That's why they're held in private tents on base.<

This is the most personal and private of moments, reserved for those family members participating. It is not for me, or anyone else, to watch (and exploit). Haven't they suffered enough without having something so meaningful crammed into a fifteen-minute segment on a daytime talk show?

Please write to the "Oprah Winfrey Show" and register your distaste. I know I will. Evidently, there is no snail mail capacity to Harpo Studios, so it's necessary to send an e-mail from the following.

www.oprah.com

I have historically defended Oprah Winfrey, but on this one, she's absolutely wrong and should make amends to these families. Immediately.

Julie

[lebkuchen]

12. As General Eaton (ret) said of Bush's recent visit to Walter Reed:

"I'm convinced he would honor them more if he would refrain from using soldiers as props in political theater."

The same applies to all other media figures, like Oprah, and their use of troops in emotional public theater.

[frankly_fedup2]

26. She would have paid more respect to soldiers that are coming back

in coffins drapped with flags by filming how many daily get off of planes as "freight." But that would be too controversial. Oprah use to be interesting, but she is too scared to take anyone on anymore.

[lebkuchen]

31. Exactly. Has she visited Walter Reed in the last 4 years?

Maybe she has. I wouldn't know. It would seem to be an obvious focus for Oprah considering the 4 year anniversary of the war, to question soldiers at Walter Reed. If not at military hospitals, then perhaps question families on the long list awaiting VA services, you know, in the style of an Eleanor Roosevelt (which Mrs. Rummy certainly is not).

[Morgana LaFey]

99. Yes, which you'd know if you'd WATCHED her show.

Actually, I think she visited a facility in Texas, but she has visited.

Your resentment of her is so unflattering to yourself -- if you could only see it. YOU have no right to decide what Oprah's interests and charities should be. None whatsoever. And instead of finding something to criticize about what she's NOT doing, it would be far more appropriate to take a look at the many, many things she has done and promote those. Or at LEAST be even-handed about it.

Shame on you. And all the other resentful whineybutts.

[MyDogSpot]

174. You need to calm down and take a deep breath

Oprah is not the second coming.

[laugle]

76. Oprah won't do anything controversial since she was

sued by the beef industry in Texas. That scared the hell out of her, she almost lost a big chunk of her money!

I too wish she would speak up more. She did do a really good show on the Katrina mess though.

I like her, but she is a bit sanctimonious. And her show sucks, but she owns it and it won't go away until she wants to retire it, even though her ratings are low and she no longer wins daytime emmys.........

[Morgana LaFey]

100. her ratings are low?

Is that why she has millions and millions of viewers the world over? Is that why any books she promotes go immediately to the Best Seller list? Is that why people clamor to get ON her show to promote their movies, etc.?

I'll bet there are a LOT of daytime shows who'd kill for her "low ratings."

[laugle]

107. That's right, her ratings are low. I didn't say that she doesn't have clout, she does, but

her show is not anywhere as popular as it was.

People are sick of her and her show, just read the comments here on DU!

[Morgana LaFey]

121. The comments here at DU are resentful and pathetic -- I'm ashamed

of the comments here at DU about her. Personal resentment is NOT a valid criticism -- it's a self-indictment about the posters, and their level of jealousy, frankly.

[laugle]

181. I totally disagree, in the scheme of things, Oprah is such a non-issue.

I don't think anyone hates Oprah; I don't, but she can be annoying.

Really, the list is endless. I think she self-promotes her good works way too much. She even does shows about her good works.

Instead of denigrating the members here, you should try to understand why she has so many detractors.

Many of the posters have valid points of view, shared by many. Don't be so sensitive. Even people in Hollywood criticize her, Whoopi Goldberg comes to mind, it doesn't mean we are all jealous.

I would not want to be her, she had a tortured childhood, she has a horrible problem with weight, and I don't need all that money, as my husband and I are very comfortable financially.

As far as the mean comments, you should just ignore that, it's just a fact of human nature, and we all have a nasty side sometimes......try not to judge people too harshly, as It will only make you unhappy.

[bbgrunt]

10. such maudlin displays of emotional voyeurism are just one more exploitation of our troops

[Javaman]

11. I got the popcorn ready, anyone want some?

:popcorn:

[AZBlue]

13. I agree with what you're saying, but A Company didn't have to be there.

Unless they were under direct orders to be on Oprah, they went of their own free will. She couldn't have had a show without them showing up.

[lebkuchen]

15. See Eaton's comment above.

He's aware military members don't have to smile and gladhand with Bush on "Mission Accomplished" air craft carriers and during telecommunications conferences, speeches before military academies and turkey celebrations, and yet the troops appear to be having a grand time. Is this theatrical display therefore the soldiers' fault?

The bottom line is that these photo ops are not to their benefit. In fact, the soldiers are clearly being used, whether they know it or not.

Isn't "benefiting others" what Oprah and Bush are supposed to be about?

[ellacott]

16. The bottom line is that they didn't have to be there

I will be in the minority and say that Oprah meant well. Oprah will never get a break until she opens her wallet to whatever group is criticizing her.

[lebkuchen]

17. Of course. Like signing on the dotted line, right?

[ellacott]

18. Who knows..........

[lebkuchen]

22. Thank you for outing yourself so I wouldn't have to.

[ellacott]

145. Now how did I out myself?

This should be interesting.

[AZBlue]

57. I agree.

She wanted to support the troops and thought she was doing a good thing. Some even think she did do a good thing and some don't. She wasn't using anyone and didn't mean any harm.

[Beaverhausen]

27. I don't understand your comparison of Bush and Oprah

Bush is the one who started this war, not Oprah. It seems to me she was doing a good thing to remind her viewers what "heroes" our soldiers are.

For some people, Oprah just can't do anything right.

[lebkuchen]

29. I don't know a thing about Oprah other than what I saw today

In fact, Stars & Stripes and AFN constantly display what I saw today on her broadcast...photo ops of reunions, oh, isn't this just wonderful, the family is together again. Isn't war great, the way it reunites families and shows to the public the beauty of sacrifice and ultimate family togetherness? It brings a tear to your eye, and makes you want to put your hand over your heart and say the pledge.

It's bullshit.

[Beaverhausen]

30. So, you don't know anything about Oprah but you think she is saying...

..war is great and she is just like Stars and Stripes and AFN?

:eyes:

[lebkuchen]

33. I have made a judgement about her program today, yes.

I don't have to know anything about her to do that.

Oprah, however, needs to know more about the military situation and the stress it is under before she marches a group of returning troops fresh from Iraq out on stage before a live audience and nervously awaiting families apparently craving their 15 minutes of fame. She is exploiting a situation that is treated as a personal and private matter on military bases. I believe that our Commander in Chief or his adviser, Rove, was behind its implementation.

[Madspirit]

61. I like Oprah...just sayin'....n/t

[TwilightGardener]

19. Disagree--and I am not a big Oprah fan. I have been reunited

with my husband many times over after his deployments, and they are always joyful for me. If Oprah had invited us, I would've said, "Sure! Why not?" These are willing participants. You're reading too much into it. Oprah cannot exploit people unless they agree to be exploited, and frankly, it's really just a feel-good stunt--nothing more. I think it's nice for the public to have an opportunity to appreciate a little bit of the hardship and separation that these folks go through, and a little of their joy and relief--I can't see a downside, unless someone was tricked. We're getting WAY too psychoanalytical here. It's the old "when Johnny comes marching home" theme--let's just celebrate when they come home safely, and worry about the baggage (in private) another day.

[lebkuchen]

21. Of course you are happy to see your husband when he returns.

I'm not disputing your personal situation.

The military has often been exploited by the Bush administration. Have you ever seen the Nurnburg-like legions of soldiers staged as background while Bush gave his nazi-like WWII era speeches about how Americans must die so America can live? That is exploitation, whether the troops choose to be there or not.

[TwilightGardener]

34. Of course I believe Chimpy exploits the troops. He has turned the

entire military into a political hostage to blunt criticism of his policies. But a private citizen cannot exploit members of the military if the members are not there to serve in a military function or role--they are off-duty, and if they agree to having their reunion onstage, then it's hard to see how a charge of exploitation sticks in this case. I can understand why it makes some people uncomfortable--but I think Oprah's heart was in the right place.

[lebkuchen]

35. They were in uniform

I'm amazed at the amount of free will you think individual military members have, not to mention, I see everyday decisions made/opinions formed by the civilian sector that go along with the predominating point of view because "it's the patriot thing to do."

Bush is in a bind trying to drum up soldiers for his wars. We're nearing HS graduation. He called on Oprah to romanticize the war for the general public in hopes of shoring up support, and for the class of '06. Oprah's stunt will surely help enlistments. What 18 y.o. wouldn't want to go on Oprah while an adoring love interest looks on from a seat in the cheering section, supporting her soldier-boy (literally) home?

[TwilightGardener]

37. I'm married to one--they do have free will, and they can wear their

uniforms for public appearances, as long as their commanders don't have a problem with it. They wear them to State-of-the-Union speeches, Letterman/Leno, game shows, etc. (They can't wear them at a protest, though). I don't think Oprah is a tool of BushCo. And I don't have a problem with the youth of America being inspired to join the military. It's noble, worthy, and necessary for our survival as a nation.

[lebkuchen]

38. When she parades soldiers on stage fresh from the war zone

and talks about how they are protecting our freedom and keeping us safe from harm (despite what Bush's own people have told us to the contrary as a result of his horrific foreign policies), she is a tool of BushCo, whether she knows it or not. If she's an unwitting pawn, then she really needs not to tread into politically sensitive waters, as she did today, because she's not savvy enough to know when she's promoting something she hadn't intended.

Did you know you can earn money if you recruit as a civilian? You ought to look into it. Our army is desperately depleted. With the minimum wage kept to a *minimum,* that ought to entice plenty of wayward high schoolers into battle. We need them there, for our "security."

[TwilightGardener]

39. Well, you and I aren't going to agree on this one, but that's what

makes the world go 'round, I guess. And if my kids want to join the military, I'd accept it and support them, no matter how much I think Iraq is bullshit. We need a solid all-volunteer military, and I'm pissed at how ours was squandered and damaged in the past 6 years--who would want to join now?

[lebkuchen]

42. So you would sacrifice your kids for a cause you don't believe in?

You're right. We won't agree on that!

Not sure if you're overseas, but families here are definitely NOT encouraging their kids to go into the military. In fact, families that had planned on making the military a career are getting out, and that is another big reason why Bush has made our country less secure. Units here have spent multiple tours deployed to Iraq/Afghanistan. Al Anbar province in particular is a hellhole...lots undiagnosed stress.

Nice chatting with you. I've been packing all the while, taking short breaks. Off to tapa 'til I droppa in Espana! Have a good one. Hopefully the bombs won't start falling on what would otherwise be a "Good" Friday.

[TwilightGardener]

45. My kids are young yet--hopefully won't be an issue. Have a good trip! :)

[Morgana LaFey]

103. Oh, please.

Are you saying that anyone who supports the troops is a BushCo pawn? that's ridiculous.

Take your fucking moral outrage somewhere appropriate. Where are your posts on the Democrats in Congress serving as BushCo pawns and tools? I'd like to see those.

[Morgana LaFey]

102. Plus, they got flown to Chicago AND put up in a lovely hotel

and some other "gifts" -- not too bad.

Oprah's audience got reminded that there's a war going on, that there are people in this country who ARE making sacrifices, that war is hell, that troops get wounded and killed, that the troops (these were Marines) are fiercely loyal to one another and consider themselves all brothers and family, that they love this country and are doing what they do because they love this country.

I personally didn't like it at first -- but I watched very carefully and most of the participants DID like it, and I saw a lot of good come out of it.

I don't think anyone who didn't even watch the whole damn thing has a right to cricitize it. I just don't.

[lebkuchen]

135. They do it because they are ordered to do it

Everyone I've spoken to who has deployed and returned, once, twice, thrice, think the war is "a joke" and they don't want to return. That doesn't mean they love their country any less, as Oprah would have you believe.

I didn't see the part you described above, but reading about it fulfilled all my low expectations for the show as being just another predictable propaganda device for the purpose of self aggrandizement and the promotion of more war, on the cusp of our imminent conflict with Iran. If Oprah can't see that, then she needs to stick to simpler subject matter.

[Morgana LaFey]

179. See? That perfectly reveals your wrongheaded, vile bias

Everyone I've spoken to who has deployed and returned, once, twice, thrice, think the war is "a joke" and they don't want to return. That doesn't mean they love their country any less, as Oprah would have you believe.


You know NOTHING of the sort about what "Oprha would have you believe."

You just can't stand her -- jealousy, probably, but I don't rule out racism and internalized oppression of sexism -- and you really don't care what lies and untruths you spout. Now you've gone into the realm of making things up. Pathetic.

[gravity]

23. Oprah meant well

Unless Oprah forced these people to be on the show, then I don't see anything wrong with it.

She was honoring the men and women who risks their lives for this country. I don't agree with the war either, but the soldiers at least deserve respect and this is Oprah's way of showing it.

[lebkuchen]

28. First of all, her "We all support the troops" is a false premise

To include me, you, and everybody else in that statement without question is exploitation in itself. It's also an example of how so many people like Oprah promote as truism meaningless slogans like "support the troops" until it becomes fossilized in the public psyche. After awhile, nobody questions it. It would be unpatriotic to do so.

I think Noam Chomsky said it best when he said that saying one supports the troops has about as much meaning as saying one supports the people of Iowa. It doesn't mean anything.

Oprah umbrella'd the entire nation under a meaningless premise, a standard tactic during war, whether SHE knows it or not. Using the troops in an emotional public exposition to promote ratings (and the war) is part and parcel.

[Morgana LaFey]

104. You're out of line

Overreacting seriously -- and dangerously, IMO. Consider therapy. You are placing -- misdirecting -- ALL your rage about this war onto someone who's not only not in any way responsible for it, but for whom it's entirely INappropriate to try to hold her responsible.

Again: consider some therapy. Or for chrissake, take a step back and take a look at yourself. You're waaaaay over the top on this. Oprah isn't your enemy, and by going after her like this, your real enemy(ies) are getting off scottfree.

[lebkuchen]

134. Thank you, Oprah, for your professional psychoanalysis. Can I use your Dr. Phil?

Actually, the good doctor's time would be better spent diagnosing A Company. Maybe HIS recommendation will have enough clout as to prevent one of these soldiers from being deployed downrange while sick.

[ronnykmarshall]

94. She held them at gunpoint.

That what she does.

Good ol' Oprah. Still a gansta!

[mountainvue]

113. I guess I resent her most for

making "Dr." Phil McGraw famous. :)

[ronnykmarshall]

115. Oh I hear that!

Rock on, Goldust woman!

[mountainvue]

127. Shiiit...I was trying to be all incognito.

Oh well. At least the waters are mostly friendly here.

[bullwinkle428]

36. She's been dead to me since giving O'Loofah a free pass

for his despicable comments regarding the kidnapped boy that was rescued some 3-4 years following his abduction. This was a FAR bigger dupe than the whole media-generated James Frey thing...

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

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

[MonkeyFunk]

55. You recall wrong

the real story was nothing like what was initially reported.

The president of the company later publicly apologized to her for THEIR mistake.

[Zuiderelle]

69. Thank you, that's exactly what I was going to post.

Unbelievable that people believe whatever gossip they hear and how their blind hatred of someone disallows them from hearing the truth.

Oprah Winfrey is an amazing woman. A woman, an African American woman, who excelled in this patriarchal society to become one of the most successful people in the world. I guess that alone fosters people's hatred.

[ronnykmarshall]

95. Foolish people!

When Queen O1 (Oprah the first) comes into ANY establishment, people need to fall to their knees and grovel. GAWD! I hate the common people.

[Redstone]

131. Good on you for posting this correction, and for putting the brakes on the racism

in the post you responded to.

I owe you one.

Redstone

[Morgana LaFey]

105. And YOU are promoting lies --

as the previous poster pointed out.

[KharmaTrain]

41. How About A Follow Up Show In 6 Months, A Year, 2 Years....

Lets see how many of these reunions stay reunited How these families are able to cope with the increased probability of job loss, alcoholism and drug use, PTSD and other changes these deployments have brought.

The legacy of Iraq is just beginning...quietly but it will be with us for the rest of our lives...just like the legacy of Vietnam does and other war...in our veterans. The combination of intense combat, repeated deployments and the downhill slide of both this invasion and the military is taking their toll on those who've served and now are seeing their efforts go up in smoke and the agony prolonged.

Ophrah is trying to walk a fine line...one many of us are or will be...honoring the people who have fought in this ugly war despite detesting all the politics and top level decisions that led to their current plight. How we treat these veterans will be our legacy. Hopefully Oprah will keep tabs on these people and lets see how well they adjust in the future.

[lebkuchen]

43. Great point. That is a great idea.

Thanks for raising it.

[ronnykmarshall]

97. Follow up, shmollow up.

Send 'em a damn cake and be done with it. The mighty powerful Oprah has a presidential election to fix.

Hail Oprah!

[MonkeyFunk]

170. LOL!!!

:thumbsup:

[live love laugh]

140. "Walk a fine line" -- well said. That's exactly what she does and that's why

she attracts the likes of so many morans. The similarities between the Oprah haters and the Hillary haters is telling. They come from the same place for the most part--a place that abhors smart, liberal women with money. What is it about the reich that fears powerful women and sends their minions into attack mode?

[KingFlorez]

46. I don't get what she did wrong

She just reunited troops with their families, that has nothing to do with Bush, it's a good gesture for people who haven't seen their family members. She wasn't endorsing the war or Bush.

[gravity]

50. You're right

She did nothing wrong. It's the same type of thing when she honored the volunteers who helped during hurricane Katrina. With all the trash on TV, I don't see why anyone would criticize Oprah.

I guess some people here think that there is a political agenda motivating everything.

[qanda]

150. "there is a political agenda motivating everything"

That is exactly why I had to stop spending so much time at DU and watching Washington Journal. I actually started becoming paranoid. When I look back at some of my own thoughts and fears, I was becoming irrational-- kind of like what I see in this thread.

Oprah has had Hillary, Obama, Al Gore, and John and Elizabeth Edwards on her show and that's just in the last year. I believe Elizabeth will be back on her show today. Oprah has publicly supported Obama's candidacy-- I'm not sure what people want. By supporting an anti-war candidate, I would say that she is doing something to end the war. I wish people would lighten up.

[tammywammy]

60. I don't get it either

I'm not a big fan of Oprah either. I've taped her show occassionally, like when Barak Obama was on, but don't make it a habit to watch.

But, I think that she does seem to do a lot of good things...like that school in Africa.

[LostinVA]

167. People on here LOVE slagging Oprah

It's so weird to me. A poor, abused, black female who became hugely rich all on her own, and who gives back millions every year into the local and global community.

Who CARES if she spend $500 on a fricking handbag???

[Name removed]

56. Deleted message

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

[MonkeyFunk]

59. She's given away more this month

than you'll probably earn in a lifetime.


It's fine to dislike her - but why the hateful invective here? She's a whore, she's a worthless shitstain....


Isn't it possible to just say "Meh, I don't care for her". Why do you need nasty sexual terms?

[Madspirit]

62. Thank-you MonkeyFunk

Why all the vitriol. I never understand that. Oprah is a leftist, a Democrat and big-hearted.
I like her.
Lee

[bigwillq]

66. It's my choice to say what I want about her

and your choice to say what you want to me in response to what I said.

And we've both have already did that.

[MonkeyFunk]

74. Of course you have the right

but when the first thing you can think of to call a woman you don't like is "whore", it says more about you than it does about Oprah.

[Name removed]

79. Deleted message

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

[MonkeyFunk]

85. It's not about her or me

it's about the first word that comes to your mind when you think of a woman you dislike.

Very telling.

[bigwillq]

101. Not every woman

Just Oprah.

[ronnykmarshall]

116. I wanna hear "I'm Every Woman" right now.

The Chaka version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKy0nfHGWZ0

[MonkeyFunk]

129. If you were very very lucky

you might get a chance to glimpse Oprah's titties.

Beyond that, you're just a mysonogist racist.

[Serendipitous]

130. Exactly. It says a lot about a person, doesn't it?

[HEyHEY]

81. Pipe down you tramp

[ronnykmarshall]

98. Brothel matron!

[Zomby Woof]

63. All those cars she gave away

Saddled people with enormous tax debt.

She hung around the likes of Marianne Williamson too much. That isn't healthy.

[MonkeyFunk]

64. oh please

Nobody forced anybody to accept a car. If they didn't want it they didn't have to.

God, what kind of asshole attacks somebody for giving stuff away?

[bigwillq]

67. From what I understand

didn't the car company donate those cars so she could give them away?

She actually didn't use her own money to give those people a car.

Correct me if I am wrong.

[Zomby Woof]

72. Facts are messy aren't they?

:D

You blasphemer! How dare you commit such vile heresy against the Cult of Oprah?? :spank:

[MonkeyFunk]

77. 267 people got

a $28,000 car.

If they couldn't pay the tax on it they could sell the car and keep the $21,000 difference.

It's like attacking "Price is Right" for "burdening" people with debt. It's a bullshit claim.

[mondo joe]

126. Fact: no one made anyone take a car.

What are people? Infants who can't make a choice about accepting a car?

[laugle]

110. Everything she gives has been donated by the companies in lieu of the fantastic

advertising.......of course she doesn't buy it!!

[bigwillq]

111. That's what I thought.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

:)

[bigwillq]

65. OH, I so agree.

Although I am probably going to get flamed. I really dislike her.

[Zomby Woof]

71. No flames here

In fact, I find the defenses of her amusing, as if she is a personal friend of anyone around here. :rofl:

She is all about Oprah. All that so-called selflessness and philanthropy is an industry which is all about promoting her image and her plastic visage everywhere.

I remember the fake hugs she doled out to Karina survivors. It reminded me of the plastic Heathers in high school greeting each other before homeroom.

[bigwillq]

75. You and I are so on the same level

in regards to how we feel about Oprah....what you said about her is what I have thought all along.

:pals:

[Name removed]

109. Deleted message

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

[bigwillq]

114. OMG! You called me an ass.

:P


Names don't hurt me and I'm sure they don't hurt Oprah either.

[Morgana LaFey]

120. I said you were acting like an ass -- big difference nt

[laugle]

182. You say you are ashamed of DUers and then you post

something like this??? Is this something to be proud of??

[Zuiderelle]

86. I find it amusing that you seem to consider her a personal enemy of your own.

I doubt she'd care much whether you call her a shitstain or a saint. You're the one who ends up looking asinine.

[Madspirit]

112. Hilarious

**Zombywoof...In fact, I find the defenses of her amusing, as if she is a personal friend of anyone around here.**


Yet you act like you know her well enough to hate her and despise her. Gotta love double-standards and hypocracy...because it's always a hoot.

She is a public figure. If the people who don't like her are allowed their opinions, so are those of us who do like her.

Frakking hypocrisy.
Lee

[Morgana LaFey]

108. Another lie -- are you doing this on purpose?

Why pick up the rightwing lies and repeat them? Wouldn't you have the sense to at least SUSpect that what the rightwing has to say about her is likely to be questionable, or SURELy to be wrong?

The audience members were TOLD about the cars and the tax debt they incurred and given a choice as to what to do about it, how to handle it. It all worked out fine and NO ONE was financially harmed or "saddled with enormous tax debt" at all.

[Greyhound]

124. Two points on that. 1. She didn't give the cars away, GM did.

2. Once the tax situation came to light, she ponied up the taxes and fees.

[mondo joe]

125. Plain idiocy. Oprah doesn't have the power to make anyone take a car - it's a

gift they can accept or refuse.

If they accept it they can pay the taxes, or they can sell the car to pay the taxes and keep the balance.

Either way it's at least 20k of value for those who accept it.

(And of course they didn't actually have to pay the tax because Oprah sprang for that.)

[RC Quake]

68. I thought all of it was ridiculous...

The woman that saved her 2 sons in the tornado by shielding them with her body? So what! I'm sorry, but my 3 sibs and I were stuck in a car in a grocery store parking lot with an F5 barreling down on us. My mom ran from the store and grabbed all 4 of us...dragged us inside the store just in time. The roof collapsed, the windows shattered, and most of the shelves tipped over into the aisles.

Our car was demolished by a tree. Had my mom not done the "maternal" thing, we probably would have all died. Just because she wasn't paralyzed or maimed in some unrecognizable way means she wasn't a hero?

Please.

[EstimatedProphet]

73. Frankly, I'm done with Oprah

For this reason more than any other: the other day she had on the people who created the series Planet Earth. Nothing at all against them, understand - their show is fantastic - but as the show started, they had a bunch of Oproids come on and talk about how it was Oprah's favorite show, how she was stopping people and telling them to watch it, etc. It really came across as a personality cult to me. The message was "Oprah likes this show, so you're supposed to like it too." Yuck.

[bigwillq]

80. It's always all about Oprah!

:puke:

[Zomby Woof]

128. Her magazine

She puts her plastic mug on the cover every issue. :puke:

Narcissism in its rawest form.

[mondo joe]

165. I think you mean the magazine people keep buying. What do you have against

people making their own choices?

[qanda]

149. I thought she did quite a service with her show on Planet Earth

I hadn't even heard of it until then. And they covered a lot about global warming and how the show, Planet Earth, was giving a realtime example of what Al Gore's movie was saying. It's her show and I guess it would have been kind of odd for her to have something on that she didn't even like. Honestly, after reading this thread, I don't think the woman can do anything right.

[EstimatedProphet]

175. Like I said, nothing against the show Planet Earth.

The footage is outstanding. What I didn't care for was the personality cult aspect they started off with, where her staff was talking about how important the show was because Oprah liked it. the message that came through was that since Oprah liked the show, everyone else is supposed to like it too. IMO it was very fawning. I am very wary when I see anything along those lines. I don't like personality cults, and I avoid them as much as I possibly can.

[tjwash]

83. I wasn't even aware that she was still on TV.

I see the tabloid that she mass produces so she can stick her mug on it every month when I'm standing at the checkout line though.

I guess never turning the TV on anymore has its benefits.

[supernova]

84. The marines reunion made me very urpy

especially when they said they had delayed these families meeting up with each other, just so it could happen on the show. :puke:

[ronnykmarshall]

87. Well you know ...

The big O is acting like she's supporting Obama. She really working w/ Hillary to get her elected. Since Oprah elected Bush and Arnie ..... well, need I say more?

[ellacott]

152. That is a truly ridculous statement.

Truly amazing

[slj0101]

155. Sarcasm's lost without the :sarcasm: smilie.

[ronnykmarshall]

171. Yeah, I forgot to add it.

All HAIL! The mighty O!

[omega minimo]

137. No. Let's not.

"To Oprah I say, the soldiers should never have been deployed in the first place, nor their families put through the stress of having a loved one's life at risk for no damn good reason. Let's talk about that, shall we?"


Let's talk about the level of propaganda that is so over the top that it enables the "no damn good reason" you're referring to. Le'ts talk about THAT shall we?

I went to the Lounge to post something about pop culture and found a bullshit question about "shitstain" and black people linked to this thread.

I can't see it and I can't imagine the ignorance of people.

[mondo joe]

151. Oprah isn't the President. Oprah has a feel-good TV show.

Oprah's show is what it is. No one forced anyone to be on it.

I don't see why there's so much Oprah hatred on DU. She's not your slave, she's not your elected official, she doesn't owe you shit.

[slj0101]

154. Thank you.

She is an ENTERTAINER, albeit one with a great amount of power. And who knows what she does off camera, in private: how much she may anonymously donate to charities, or how many causes she may take up away from the limelight. People blast her for public grandstanding, yet almost expect her to grandstand for their cause. She can't win. It's ridiculous.

[MyDogSpot]

177. Hatred or an observation?

or over-reaching on your part?

[mondo joe]

183. When people repeat lies about her, and blame her for matters in which she has

no responsibility, it's hate.

[lonestarnot]

156. Agree, Oprah is on the fast track to hell. Money has corrupted

her and made her powerful. Using little people is not the thing to do. Hasn't anyone told her that?

[mondo joe]

157. Oooh, I didn't know God was now posting on DU.

I'd expected a more divine screen name though.

Who else have you slated for hell?

[lonestarnot]

158. This morning just ohpee LOL

[ellacott]

159. Amazing.....

So glad you don't have an heaven or a hell to put anybody in.

[lonestarnot]

161. LOL

I laid no claim to being God, that was the allegation of the accusatory poster. I merely made a fucking remark. Hell is associated with not good. Ohpee is not the good ol gal she holds herself out to be in my look at her, which is not often, as celebrations for richies, fawning, drooling and making over them is not in my genes.

[mondo joe]

163. Ha! says the poster with the Al Gore avatar:

"celebrations for richies, fawning, drooling and making over them is not in my genes".

[mondo joe]

162. True. The Falwell sort of Authoritarianism has a place among progressives.

Unfortunately. :-(

[Gen. Jack D. Ripper]

168. wow, remind me to never insult Oprah n/t

[MyDogSpot]

173. No shit. The equivalent of criticizing sacrosanct Bill O'Reilly

over at the freeper sewer.

[Tektonik]

169. this thread is a massive waste of time

She's a great woman who has done much to help many people around the world. Would we like to see her do more, sure, but she isn't a senator, she didn't for the IWR, so as long as she doesn't proclaim HEIL BUSH on her program, leave her alone. Focus your energy on people in the legislature and not be a complete fuckwit.

[MyDogSpot]

172. She's also not god. She isn't responsible for bringing troops home

There's a timetable.

Oprah exploited the situation for ratings and to promote the war. That's the way I see it.