Today marks the final episode of the Oprah Winfrey show after an unbelievable run of 25 years. Oh, she won't be disappearing from view (she's leaving to work on her own network), but for millions of people - including many who are out of work - she'll be a sorely missed presence on the tube.
Here at Hope n' Change, we can't pretend that we're going to miss some of Ms. Winfrey's political opinions, but we'd be disingenuous if we didn't acknowledge and even celebrate the way she's demonstrated to the world that achieving "The American Dream" is still possible.
She has created an empire that covers broadcasting, print, and other media...she has created jobs for literally thousands of people...pumped billions into the economy...and she did it all without government "help." In other words, she's been instrumental in showing the power of individual initiative in a capitalist system.
If you're waiting for a punchline, well...you're going to be disappointed. Oprah Winfrey has reached out to a lot of people in a lot of positive ways, she's been generous with her charities, and whether you care for her book choices or not, she's inspired a lot of people to get serious about reading and literature again.
She took control of her life and made her own "Hope" and "Change" instead of expecting anyone to do it for her. And after 25 years, that's worth a round of applause.
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27 comments:
Agreed, not a fan for many of the reasons you mention, but she did it, and on her own. Inspirational.
How much of Barack Obama's success at the polls was due to the Oprah effect?
What effect will her leaving have on the 2012 elections?
People who achieve on their own merits should be supported and congratulated. Good on ya, Oprah. But when they venture into supporting the destruction of their own way of life (and ours) by supporting socialist demigods by virtue of their skin tone and possibly their ideology, it's then that I say STFU and STFD, you silly, fat cow.
You said "she's been generous with her charities" but what you should have said was "When the cameras are on, she's been generous with her charities" She like the rest of Hellywood only care when the press is in view. She gave away a few cars on her show and got millions of $$ in free advertisement. She opened a racist school in Africa that excluded whites and molested kids and she got millions of $$ in free advertisement. No! this Marxist did only one thing right, she proved to the world that Tom Cruse is a no talent psycho.
She did make her own success....on the backs of couch potatoes. Its too bad our country centers so much around tv these days....American Idol....Oprah...."reality" to escape their own reality. Its an irresponsible generation being raised today that does not know the value of hard work and determination.
If more people believed in hard work and determination, Oprah would not have been so successful, because there would be too many people too busy to watch her show. The fact that she is successful is actually a sad commentary on the people who have made her that way.
Don't worry, I'm not biased...I feel that way about most tv "idols"....
Suzy, Excellent point!
AHD - VERY well put!
Yes, well put Suzy and AHD.
And it must be remembered that even hard-core socialists love capitalism ... for themselves! Look how they howl when someone who does not share their ideology achieves success: those are the “evil rich” you’ve heard so much about, whereas the profiteers on the left are the benevolent good guys (who, incidentally, give less to charity than their conservative counterparts). But what they really crave is the control they have over others when those others become government dependent. So, their pursuit of capitalism is a means to an end (a ride they enjoy very much).
Yeah, it's easy to fault her politics. But the major achievement of Oprah is that she proved that there is a lucrative marketplace for uplifting, quality daytime television. She rose out of a sea that was almost entirely a compost of human decay & depravity; Jerry Springer, Sally Jessy Raphael, Jenny Jones, Geraldo, and Oprah!
Yes, in her early years she did cultural sewer-schlock like the rest of them. It's only after she got rich that she decided that she wanted a slightly better legacy.
As for the typical leftism of the talk show liberal lot, please keep in mind this observation: According to the popular narrative promulgated by these people, the typical "capitalist" is someone who seeks out to exploit the poor, weak, and stupid for their own personal gain. What better example of an exploitive "evil capitalist" is there than your typical liberal talk show host?
Hypocrites!
"She took control of her life and made her own "Hope" and "Change" instead of expecting anyone to do it for her. And after 25 years, that's worth a round of applause."
Amen.
Anonymous:
Did she buy those cars or were they donated by GM?
@Readers- Your comments accurately reflect the mixed feelings I was experiencing when thinking about how to address Oprah's show. But after reflecting, I kept coming back to that fact that her story is as much about capitalism as it is about Oprah herself.
While she may have appealed to couch potatoes, I doubt that many in her audience were actively avoiding work just to watch her show. And as John the Econ points out, she actually rose in stature (and ratings) by creating a better product than her competitors.
Regarding her charities, I can take exception to some of her choices...but people are free to donate where they want. What was far more important was the number of jobs her enterprises brought into being, while simultaneously creating wealth instead of redistributing it.
Did I like the drumbeat of her politics and the unending stream of progressive ideas being spoonfed to a huge and impressionable audience? No. But unlike those on the left, I don't want differing points of view to be shut down...I just want to make sure that conservative ideas get equal time in the marketplace.
JohnTEcon - "What better example of an exploitive "evil capitalist""
Michael Moore comes to mind (unfortunately - Brain Bleach!) Then again, he's pretty much jsut a super-sized talk show scumbag himself...
Pete, I once read a great op-ed by someone (forgot who) about Michael Moore. I can understand why Michael Moore does what Michael Moore does; It's extremely profitable. What I don't understand is why those who make him so rich continue to do so.
This doesn't really have anything to do with the cartoon or commentary thus far. However, I remember, years ago, hearing a story about Oprah that she was really angry with her staff about an article about her that was in a tabloid.
I remember thinking, no, the day Oprah ISN'T in a tabloid is the day her staff gets fired.
Of course I could be wrong. (For proof just read some of my previous comments.)
John - agreed. Another self made megaMillionaire, for no readily apparent reason. Guy sure has a genius for marketing himself. I hope he chokes on the next whole chicken he swallows...
Oprah who? Don't watch her, don't like her politics nor her self promotion.
Haven't watch in over 20 years. For the life of me, I cannot understand the mindset that would gather all unto itself, while demanding that all others sacrifice for the "common good" - yet still be able carry themselves like they're not Ebeneezer Scrooge. (Must be by giving away G6s or whateverthehell else she's tossed out to her sycophantic audience...) What a bunch of flaming hypocrites - her on top, but clearly not alone there...
From American Thinker...
It was fitting that Barack Obama was out of the country on the day when a leader walked into a joint session of Congress and spoke the way an American President should.
Benjamin Netanyahu's speech extolled America and the ideals for which it stands. The enthusiasm of the members of both the House and Senate was born not only of their admiration and love for the State of Israel, but also because a man of stature stood before them and announced something they haven't heard during the last two years, namely, that America represents the best the world has ever seen. Unlike President Obama, who has reminded us that American values may not be suitable for most countries, Mr. Netanyahu spoke of his pride that his country, Israel, mirrors the idealism and nobility of America. Contrary to Barack Obama, Netanyahu believes in American exceptionalism.
Outstanding...and true. read the rest of it at..
http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/05/congress_gets_an_american_pres.html
@Suzy - I think her show is god-awful, as are most talk shows and "reality" TV, but I don't think it's right to fault people too much for what entertains them or gives them solace. My mother has watched Oprah for years and she's no layabout - I've got a cousin who loves, get this, Jersey Shore, but it's not a sign of any inherent bad-nature.
It's likely that Ms. Winfrey is a terrible person - everything I've read seems to suggest this - but you can't deny that her story is inspirational. She got to where she is through hard-work, dedication, and all those other outdated concepts that the libs are convinced don't work anymore, and that, at least, is admirable.
Also, Stilton is the most hate-filled right-wing blogger EVER isn't he? Seriously, this is the site that's banned from Facebook?
@pryor: We should see if maybe Israel would trade.
I sent a message to Prime Minister Nethanyu, to let him know he still had support here no matter what our president said. I encourage all of you to do likewise.
@pyro -- and today Mr ONazi gave a speech in the UK...in which he pushed again for Israel to pull back to pre 1967 borders and stated that how can you expect a group (Palestinians) to come to a peace conference when a country (Israel) insists they have the right to fire missiles into the others territory at any time.
Apparently the Palestinians have never attacked Israel unprovoked, or targeted citizens...And was wonderful to hear him saying how other countries aren't allowed to defend themselves....that's what I got out of his speech....oh yeah beside that Kaddafi must go....Gee isn't he lobbing missiles into another country? so how could the Libyans come to a peace conference??
Ahg my comment got sucked up! Winning The Future?
@James- Your comment has been restored. And as usual, I haved searched high and low in your remarks and still don't have a clue what triggered Blogger's furshlugginer spam filter.
Incidentally, this will also allow me to find out if Blogger allows us to use the word "furshlugginer."
James...I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to say everyone who watches Oprah is a couch potato. I was just saying that, in general, this way that our society idolizes tv personalities is disturbing to me. Our society is degrading as a whole...not maybe specific individuals in it, but its undeniable that the entire society is on a downward spiral, and tv personalities are not helping anything. People need to realize that tv is not real. It is fake. Even Oprah, to an extent, has to have "fake" on her show, because that is what tv is. Things are staged, things are pre-planned, things are arranged.
I'd like to see our country get back to reality (again, as a WHOLE, not select individuals who may enjoy tv and are perfectly good people. My husband enjoys tv, not Oprah though...but yes he is a perfectly GREAT person...)
Geez. It seems to me that Oprah's success is all about "girl" talk aka "feelings." (I don't begrudge her success; but where's the beef?) I think she's a perfect example of why Obama won the election back then. Interesting timing that someone on CNBC called Laura Ingram a slut. (Can't remember if it was right wing slut or tv slut.) Ladies (who are not committed conservatives) start paying attention. Your country needs you.
Being a man I turn off the tv or change the channel when okra comes on. I couldn't care less about the first or last show. I heard Paris got a new pony, Lady Gaga took a shit and did you see Kirsties outfit on dancing with the tarts now that is the important stuff.
@Earl- Actually it was Ed Schultz on MSNBC who called Laura Ingraham a "right-wing slut." He's being given a one week suspension without pay, but why not give him the full Don Imus treatment (Imus was fired for saying "nappy-headed ho")?
When Schultz calls Ingraham a slut, he's not just defaming her...he's defaming all women. And yet he receives a slap on the wrist. The hypocrisy is sickening.
@Elvis Hitler- I think what you're trying to say is that the pop culture pablum that is dished up in the media, and has been a staple on "Oprah," is pretty insignificant. Which I wouldn't disagree with.
Stilton, the only place I've ever seen the word "furshlugginer" used was Mad magazine. Is your use a tribute of some sort?
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