Books, Movies, Music & Entertainment - Who's going to thank Oprah...

... for helping poison the world that little bit more with her car giveaway the other day. What was it? 400 cars, one for each member of the audience. Irresponsible television knows no bounds. And wouldn't you be miffed if you missed out on the last studio ticket by one?

There are just so many issues there, I don't know where to start!

Yeah, that struck me as kind of sad in a "aren't I special because I can buy **** for strangers just like Elvis" kind of way. Why not prostethic hands for wounded vets who will get **** on by the VA, liver transplants for poor kids, or college educations for some poor kid's back in her old home town. Hell, maybe even some of those livestrong bands for the cold of heart? Instead she bought cars for middle class, needy women with issues. Good call Oprah.

a) it's TV
b) the cars were donated and not 'purchased' by the Oprah show
c) the Oprah show has in the past provided scholarships for childen, travel, special arrangements

Ultimately it's all ratings and there's probably better gifts than a car.

I'd prefer to see this kind of generosity and warm fuzzy factor than exploding reporters in Iraq.

What has Jerry Springer done? And Ricki Lake? Jenny Jones?

Oprah has money. She does what she wants with it, and that's her scene if she wants to give away cars. She also does quite a bit of humanitarian work, and for someone with money, she seems to pass it around to people in need. How much money have you all given away to charities lately?

Koffee

What has Jerry Springer done? And Ricki Lake? Jenny Jones?

Oprah has money. She does what she wants with it, and that's her scene if she wants to give away cars. She also does quite a bit of humanitarian work, and for someone with money, she seems to pass it around to people in need. How much money have you all given away to charities lately?

Koffee




Oprah didn't buy them. They were donated.


Its called "Marketing"



Why are all women head over heels for Oprah. She does nothing that deserves anything.

Of all the obsurd topics on this board, this one takes the prize!
From what i understand the cars were given to a pre-selected
group of people, people in need. For many a car can mean the
difference between being employed and being on welfare among
many other benifits. How are you going to bash someone who's
attempting to help their "fellowman"? Im no big Oprah fan or any
other TV personality but i am a fan of humanity and had i the
money i too would do for others in a bigger way than i do. Yes,
pollution is a concern but we believers already know that this
earth wont be destroyed by a hole in the ozone! Pratice a little
kindness ....you might actually enjoy it :)

Yup. I heard the same.

And FYI, I could care less about Oprah. However, when someone donates time, money, and resources to others in need, no matter who they are, I have to admire that they actually do more than spend their time counting their money and hoarding it for their children (ie- the HILTONS).

And it is correct- all the people there needed those cars and were in situations that were pretty bleak. We can't expect every person on the planet to choose a bike as a primary mode of transportation. And at least she wasn't giving out SUVs.

Before dumping on someone who is trying to do good for someone else's life, perhaps you should consider donating to some causes too and do some good for someone else's life.

Koffee

Of all the evils we can lay at the feet of the Mass Media,
"Celebrity-ism" (if you can think of a better word for the vicarious thrill folks get from examining the minute details of the lives of "famous folk", please coin one), and rampant consumerism; this particular stunt barely rates a mention.

Even if it is just a cynical marketing ploy, it still qualifies as a marginally Good Thing because the people that received cars presumably were in need of one. If they don't really need the car, they can sell it and use the thousands of dollars on something they value more.

How much is a minute of advertising time during the "Super Bowl" anyway ? This generates more buzz for the buck and has a small amount of good spin-off.

I generally prefer to ignore Oprah, but I can't fault her for this one.

Dan

Not only that, but there were other stories going on for the Oprah show... a married couple who adopted something like 40+ kids who were able to get financial help and help with a new home and a woman who was in foster care for most of her life who graduated from high school and had to live on the streets because she couldn't go to college- she now has the scholarship and the financial resources to do so.

I'm not saying Oprah is an angel in white or anything, but there certainly is a lot worse going on in the world, and there are some people who could be doing something that are not, and to criticize one person for trying to help other people by using her resources and connections is not the way to go about proving whatever point you're trying to make.

Koffee

How much money have you all given away to charities lately?

Koffee

Koffee
In answer to your question, over the years it has averaged about 15% of my annual income, after Uncle Sam takes the first 54% in taxes. That is in addition to the time I spend volunteering in my community. But I don't normally bring that sort of thing up in public.

You are right, she is a good person and she does do many good things, but she is also very much a public figure. So, if Oprah wants to make a big deal of her giving cars away on a national TV program she shouldn't be suprised when some of us comment. And one had to dig a bit to find out that the cars were donated. Nevertheless she took credit for giving them away. The act didn't make the world a better place.

The act didn't make the world a better place.

Say that to the mom who can drive to a new job instead of staying home on welfare.

Say that to the family that can finally see the ocean or snow by driving for their first vacation from home.

Say that to the kids who can join after-school sports or clubs, cause Mom can pick them up later.

It doesn't take much to make the world a better place for some of us.

Ummmm... she DIDN'T take the credit for giving away those cars at all. Did you even see the episode? She clearly gave the credit during and after the show, as well as talking about it on her website. Again, did you see the episode?

I've given plenty to charity too, as well as helped out needy family members and I volunteer every weekend. I believe it comes out to something like 30 hours a month. I don't think that makes me a better person or a worse person, but to complain about someone like Oprah, who helps out needy people and donates more of her time and money than most people seems ridiculous. What, she should be dictated to as to what you consider to be a worthy cause, how she should donate her time, who she should team up with for her charity? Sheesh, who appointed any of us God over Oprah and her money? :rolleyes:

I find you a pretty cold person to say that she did no good- why don't you go raise 46 foster kids on a limited budget in a house made for a family of 4, then when Oprah turns around and gets you a new house and helps you out with some money, turn your nose up and walk away from it?

If you have a daughter, I hope your daughter doesn't end up living on the streets one day, gets offered a scholarship to go to school, get her tuition paid, and have her living expenses covered for whatever college she decides to go to. Because I'm sure you'd be the first one to tell her to go pimp herself out so she can maintain her street lifestyle.

I am always alarmed at the selfish people that live in this world and could care less about the world around them, ESPECIALLY the people that live here in the USA. It seems like if someone suffers, no one cares. Someone could get their throat slit on the street, and another guy would step over the carcass and complain about how the blood messed up his wing tips.

There are people with money in this world that have a lot of money and do nothing to help other people worldwide. Seriously, when people complain, bicker and moan about someone like Oprah giving away cars to some poor people and to people who really needed a means of transportation, or even if Oprah gave away the cars just to make someone feel better, I have to say the person complaining is really a jealous person... they are jealous they didn't get a car, tuition, or whatever else Oprah gave up on the show, and rather than be glad that someone like Oprah exists out there, who has considerable enough influence to get big companies who make millions of dollars a year without giving back turn around and give away their product, chooses to comment in a narrow-minded and b*tchy manner. If people like Oprah didn't exist, there certainly wouldn't be a lot of generosity around. If you have money to give, influence you can wield, power you can use to influence others with money, and you choose to use these traits to help others, it's always making the world a better place for some of us. And like it or not, the 15% you manage to donate away is still not as influential as the 15% that Oprah gives.... so it is just as important that we not let our jealousies and pettiness get the best of us, because the moneyed people of this world could just as easily take that 15% of their money and get themselves a private jet and tell the world to go stick it.

Koffee

Ummmm... she DIDN'T take the credit for giving away those cars at all. Did you even see the episode? She clearly gave the credit during and after the show, as well as talking about it on her website. Again, did you see the episode?

I've given plenty to charity too, as well as helped out needy family members and I volunteer every weekend. I believe it comes out to something like 30 hours a month. I don't think that makes me a better person or a worse person, but to complain about someone like Oprah, who helps out needy people and donates more of her time and money than most people seems ridiculous. What, she should be dictated to as to what you consider to be a worthy cause, how she should donate her time, who she should team up with for her charity? Sheesh, who appointed any of us God over Oprah and her money? :rolleyes:

I find you a pretty cold person to say that she did no good- why don't you go raise 46 foster kids on a limited budget in a house made for a family of 4, then when Oprah turns around and gets you a new house and helps you out with some money, turn your nose up and walk away from it?

If you have a daughter, I hope your daughter doesn't end up living on the streets one day, gets offered a scholarship to go to school, get her tuition paid, and have her living expenses covered for whatever college she decides to go to. Because I'm sure you'd be the first one to tell her to go pimp herself out so she can maintain her street lifestyle.

I am always alarmed at the selfish people that live in this world and could care less about the world around them, ESPECIALLY the people that live here in the USA. It seems like if someone suffers, no one cares. Someone could get their throat slit on the street, and another guy would step over the carcass and complain about how the blood messed up his wing tips.

There are people with money in this world that have a lot of money and do nothing to help other people worldwide. Seriously, when people complain, bicker and moan about someone like Oprah giving away cars to some poor people and to people who really needed a means of transportation, or even if Oprah gave away the cars just to make someone feel better, I have to say the person complaining is really a jealous person... they are jealous they didn't get a car, tuition, or whatever else Oprah gave up on the show, and rather than be glad that someone like Oprah exists out there, who has considerable enough influence to get big companies who make millions of dollars a year without giving back turn around and give away their product, chooses to comment in a narrow-minded and b*tchy manner. If people like Oprah didn't exist, there certainly wouldn't be a lot of generosity around. If you have money to give, influence you can wield, power you can use to influence others with money, and you choose to use these traits to help others, it's always making the world a better place for some of us. And like it or not, the 15% you manage to donate away is still not as influential as the 15% that Oprah gives.... so it is just as important that we not let our jealousies and pettiness get the best of us, because the moneyed people of this world could just as easily take that 15% of their money and get themselves a private jet and tell the world to go stick it.

Koffee


A-men, sister-friend!!!!! Couldn't have said it better.

Can only add - besides the benefits that she has done financially, her show also encourages people to do more on their own. After an episode of her show gave me the courage to get out of a miserable and dangerous situation, a different show, years later inspired me to pay for two women in Africa to get a much-needed operation. I could have donated $10, $20, or the exact amount of the surgery for two real, flesh-and-blood human beings. If her show wasn't available, I would not have know about the crisis with these women and thousands of others are experiencing, or how to begin to help. Did my act make the world a better place? To those two women, I think the answer is a resounding 'Yes!'

... for helping poison the world that little bit more with her car giveaway the other day. What was it? 400 cars, one for each member of the audience. Irresponsible television knows no bounds. And wouldn't you be miffed if you missed out on the last studio ticket by one?

There are just so many issues there, I don't know where to start!

We have no reason to be surprised here. A sponsor somewhere needed a bit of exposure and thought this was a good way to get it -- just another cynical marketing ploy. Incidentally, does anybody actually know whether these people were actually "needy" in some way, or whether it was just another TV scam?

If you knew Oprah's team, you wouldn't need to ask. She has an entire team of people who do nothing but research for her, and she runs her production team and show like it's the MILITARY. She is legendary for her... well... vigilence, and she's worn down the best of them that have passed through her company. The likelihood that someone was trying to scam is LOW. If anyone is worried about how Oprah does things, check out her website. She puts up the bare details there, but it's enough to know she's locked up like Fort Knox there. No worries there.

Koffee

Marketing genius.

It's a great gesture and all, but here's my beef.
I ride CTA to work everyday. I have a car, I could drive, but I choose not to. However, I see thousands of people who rely on CTA for their livelihoods, who aren't on 20/20, 48 Hours, 60 Minutes or Oprah about how difficult their lives are (i.e. we adopted 40 kids, or I dropped out of high school). CTA is running a serious deficit and is cutting service to the communities that need it most. If you were really trying to help the most people in the best way possible, couldn't Pontiac donate 5-10 million dollars to the CTA to keep the services running that get thousands of people to work/home/family crises/etc. Oprah could hype Pontiac just as much as the new cars.

If the CTA was having problems, they ought to let the city know. God knows, we pay enough taxes to keep them going. What the heck are they doing with the money they get from the government now? I suspect mismanagement.

They just got a fare hike. Actually, they should have raised the fare a while ago, not waited until they were having problems. And they should have raised the rates for all these slackjaw yokels who run around the city with their litter of kids polluting our space with their disposeable camera wearing, finger pointing selves... why didn't they raise the rates for the 1 day, 2 day, 3 day, 5 day and 7 day passes? They could have gotten a great deal of money from the idiots that waste my time every day asking me for directions or jumping out in front of me, causing me to swerve into traffic just because they weren't looking because they were walking.

If anyone is so concerned about Pontiac and where they donate their profit margin, why not contact Pontiac yourself instead of misdirecting your anger at someone who is already doing plenty enough as it is? C'mon, it's up to Oprah to fund the world now?

This is getting ridiculous now.

Koffee

Say that to the mom who can drive to a new job instead of staying home on welfare.

Say that to the family that can finally see the ocean or snow by driving for their first vacation from home.

Say that to the kids who can join after-school sports or clubs, cause Mom can pick them up later.

It doesn't take much to make the world a better place for some of us.

I'm sure people that attended her show were on a) welfare b) did not have a car and c) were poor. Right.

A. Oprah is great

B. Oprah is fat.

C. Oprah is skinny.

D. Oprah helps me remember my spirit.

E. Oprah helps me remember that she is extemely wealthy and priveleged.

F. It is pretty easy to offer the hungry some food when your belly is full.

So if you guys are so concerned, why don't YOU do more for people who have less? And again, did you watch the show?

No, some of the audience members were not on welfare, but some of them were. So does that mean she's ok now? And since when does anyone have a say in how someone spends their money? I'll reiterate that at least she's doing something. I don't think she's some saint, and I certainly don't think she's the standard of everything that's good, but at least she doesn't sit back and spend all her money all on herself. How many celebrities bother to do anything that betters anyone's life other than their own? When you're watching the Emmy's this weekend on television, point them out for me.

Wow, there are some really jealous people out there. :rolleyes: What have you all done lately to make anyone else's lives better other than your own?

Koffee

I like Oprah. She's done a lot of good things for a lot of people.

Hey Koffee...do you think some folks would change their tune if they got a new bike out of the deal?

I'll reiterate that at least she's doing something. I don't think she's some saint, and I certainly don't think she's the standard of everything that's good, but at least she doesn't sit back and spend all her money all on herself. How many celebrities bother to do anything that betters anyone's life other than their own? When you're watching the Emmy's this weekend on television, point them out for me.

Wow, there are some really jealous people out there. :rolleyes: What have you all done lately to make anyone else's lives better other than your own?

It's not about what I've done. I'm not the one claiming to be some kind of saviour of mankind. Nor do I really care how she spends her money. However, I do have issues with people claiming to be something they're not (although I have no reason to be surprised by it). Again, I reiterate the question I posed earlier, how does anyone know how needy these people really are? Again, it's not something any of us will find out from watching the television (as if they'd say anything else, regardless of what the truth of the matter is). What I'd like to know is this: Would Oprah (or any other celebrity who's ever pulled as stunt like this one), treat those people the same way if the cameras were turned off? Or would she just ignore them completely.

You see, unlike a lot of other people, I know what it's like to live below the poverty line because I've been there. One of the reasons I'm so well adapted to living without a car is because for years my family could never afford one. You know what used to bug us the most (and still does)? People in the public spotlight claiming to be "helping the poor" by throwing money at some middle-class B-grade Reality TV actor, because being poor is somehow seen as "cool". This is why I'm instinctively cynical of any such publicity stunt, I've seen too many that amount to only that and no more.

That may or may not be the case here. However, I do think we should always pause for a moment or two before automatically believing anything that appears on TV.


No, some of the audience members were not on welfare, but some of them were. So does that mean she's ok now?

I'm guessing that out of any random sample of 400 people in the general population, some of them will be on welfare, too. It doesn't really change anything.

Hey...wasn't it Oprah who started the "Random acts of kindness"
a few years back? Some people give to be seen by man, others
give because they have a heart for people and some never give
at all. There is no better feeling than that of giving to someone
and NO...it doesn't have to be a car, in fact i like to look for people
in public who may not otherwise get treated friendly and just say
"Hi" and ask how their doing. My church ....yes...im a Christian...we
do this, we have cards that say "We just wanted to show you the
love of Jesus in a practical way" At drive thru windows at McDonalds
and the like, we will pay for the order of the person behind us and leave
the card with the cashier, now you have to be careful not to get in
front of a mini-bus or if the order is like $27.00 you just speed away HA HA!
I dont know if Oprahs good deed was faith based and it doesn't matter what
does matter is that she orchestrated an act of kindness that changes
people's lives. So....go find a stranger to say "hi" to, not only will it make them
feel good....but you too will feel good...Kindness doesn't cost a dime!

"If the CTA was having problems, they ought to let the city know. "

They have, several times. The mayor comments on it about once a week. Frank Kruesi (head of CTA) has done about all he can to get public funding (from Fed. Trans. Bills, Ill. Trans. Bills, City/Suburb taxes), short of raising the rates by about 100%, which would be a disaster for most working families in Chicago, there is nothing to be done but cut service and grovel for money.

"And they should have raised the rates for all these slackjaw yokels who run around the city with their litter of kids polluting our space with their disposeable camera wearing, finger pointing selves... why didn't they raise the rates for the 1 day, 2 day, 3 day, 5 day and 7 day passes?"

Would you rather have these 'yokels' (who contribute a great amount to Chicago's economy) driving in the city?

" So if you guys are so concerned, why don't YOU do more for people who have less? And again, did you watch the show? "

This is not the point that many are arguing. Like I said earlier, I don't begrudge Oprah for what she (and Pontiac) did, it's her show, their money, their perogative. But I wish there was more publicity for those who are dedicating time/money to help society change and adapt as a whole, even locally (Chicago examples: Working Bikes, Bikes for Chicago, CCM, those are just bike related examples).
Heck, she could get Dr. Phil on there with the fifty Chicagoans who participated in the City Bikes program and have them talk about how much healthier they are and give car-free lifestyles just a little play.

We have no reason to be surprised here. A sponsor somewhere needed a bit of exposure and thought this was a good way to get it -- just another cynical marketing ploy. Incidentally, does anybody actually know whether these people were actually "needy" in some way, or whether it was just another TV scam?
Ahh, the research skills are amazing.

1. In fact, the number of Pontiacs given away was just over 270. 400 seemed llke such a good round number at the time, and was a test to see if anyone had bothered to watch the episode or do any substantive research to correct the troll on that point. Of course, I wasn't disappointed with the responses.

2. The cars were part of a marketing strategy by General Motors to re-identify the Pontiac brand in the market place. The cost of this exercise has been put at $USD7 million -- a fair trade-off for GM to give away so many cars to get airtime on a major television show. Of course, it didn't cost GM nearly that much in the value of the cars -- probably 50 % of that, which is what the cars probably cost coming out the factory gate.

But let's make it quite clear here: Oprah did not give away 270-plus cars out of the goodness of her heart, or because of GM's largesse. This was a cold, cynical, calculated exercise that evidently manipulated (with the approval of middle-class America) less-well-off people in the US community to make more money for a huge motor corporation, as well as the corporation controlled by Oprah Winfrey and the television networks on which her shows are telecast, inlcuding one in Australia.

3. The ploy worked. Numerous interviews were done with audience members who drove home in their new cars. Suddenly, Pontiac -- a forgotten brand even in the minds of enthusiasts -- was suddenly at the forefront of buyers' minds as recipients gushed over their new cars. Gee, it even made the 6.30 news here in Australia.

4. Evidently, only the 11 people on stage were in a state of what might be considered to be "high need". The remainder of the audience were a combination of people from various communities who could have been described as needy, or who have done something significant for their communities.

5. As to the giveaways themselves, are they actually going to solve the personal issues that have landed these people in a "needy" situaton? And who's to say that these people, deep down, really were happy with their lot?

It might be likely that, of those who received the vehicles (if they were in fact needy), less than 40 percent will actually display any long-term benefit. Evidence? Look at people in similar situations who have won lotteries. Research has shown that many of these winners end up back where they started, broke and probably owing more than when they started. They spend their money on all the gargoyles that (the ads say) are supposed to make them feel better. They dose that up with alcohol and other substance abuse. Throw in a gambling habit to try to get it all back, and you get the picture.

Wealth is a learned talent, and Oprah herself is an example. She (reputedly) started poor, and worked her way into fame and fortune. She's learned that her dollar is hers, and if she can spend someone else's money to make more (read General Motors in this case), she will. One of the reasons she gives away money and sets up "philanthranpic" trusts is to pay reduced tax to the government (every rich person's enemy), while at the same time increasing her power and wealth base. I have no illusions or allusions about the wealthy -- I've worked for them and seen it all.

With the cars given away on the Oprah show, not by Oprah herself but as part of a marketing exercise, suddenly the recipients have to think about fuel, insurance, registration costs (paid by GM in the first year), security (a new car in a depressed neighbourhood -- I can think of some security issues there!), and paying the subscription on the satellite toys inside. Even if these people had an old jalopy, at least they wouldn't have had to worry about theft! Keeping the old jalopy on the road? I bet servicing and repairs on a new vehicle will be a lot more expensive when they inevitably come around.

Those who benefit may have the intelligence to get rid of the vehicle for what they can get (at least 33% less than what its retail list price is because it is now a second-hand vehicle), and convert the cash into education, training or something that will have long-term benefit (yes, even public transport to a job -- or even a bike!). Or they may invest it and use the interest to improve their standard of living. The likelihood for the majority is that it won't happen like that. And maybe, just maybe, there was a little agreement that the audience had to sign prior to the giveaway show that if they won a car, they wouldn't be able to dispose of it within a certain period. Hmmm...

And as for Oprah fans on these forums, just remember it was Oprah who, in September 2000, planned a show "on the topic of making it illegal for cyclists to ride on city streets". IIRC, the show was pulled after a concerted effort by cyclists including the LAB. It is ironic that exactly four years later, the show celebrates an industry that puts at risk not only cyclists, but the environment.

Leave ya with these two quotes that seem to fit the scenarios quite well (see if you can identify them and why they were coined in the first place):

"Let them eat cake".

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime".

PS: There seemed to be several posts that challenged the uniquitous "you" to the contribution "you" make to society. For what it's worth, I haven't owned a car in seven years (which takes care of the jealousy argument about a car giveaway). I've been as low as it probably can get financially, but unlike ChrisL, it was through my own making, and I took responsibility for it. I have learned from those mistakes and am entirely happy with my current lot. By not owning a car I make a positive contribution to the environment and help people understand they don't have to be enslavened to a car, or to the finance, petroleum, spare parts and other related industries. I deliver bike training courses both professionally and in my own time to achieve that end. One of those programs is targetted at youth at risk of drug, alcohol and food abuse.

Now what exactly is it you do?

Say that to the mom who can drive to a new job instead of staying home on welfare.

Say that to the family that can finally see the ocean or snow by driving for their first vacation from home.

Say that to the kids who can join after-school sports or clubs, cause Mom can pick them up later.

It doesn't take much to make the world a better place for some of us.


Say that to the millions of people that have just been given a media lesson (electronic enema) that if you play the system you'll get what you need. That if you sit in a TV audience a better world can be found...That if you send a hard luck story to a millionaire and whine and snivel there is a small chance that the kindly millionaire will reward your whimpering. Yes, the lotto, multi-level marketing, playing in the NBA, and Oprah are all the way to sucess in this nation. Good lessons were learned by all.

PS - Moderator Koffee You were/are way out of bounds with your personal shots & assumptions in your replys. So smite me already :)

Say that to the millions of people that have just been given a media lesson (electronic enema) that if you play the system you'll get what you need. That if you sit in a TV audience a better world can be found...That if you send a hard luck story to a millionaire and whine and snivel there is a small chance that the kindly millionaire will reward your whimpering. Yes, the lotto, multi-level marketing, playing in the NBA, and Oprah are all the way to sucess in this nation. Good lessons were learned by all.

PS - Moderator Koffee You were/are way out of bounds with your personal shots & assumptions in your replys. So smite me already :)

You need to learn how to calm down and accept another persons opinion. I don't see how what was said was a personal attack. By the way why argue over aa talk show?

why don't you go raise 46 foster kids on a limited budget in a house made for a family of 4
(this may be a bit off topic - but oh well)
I find nothing noble about bringing a multitude of children into a physical environment that cannot support the amount of people living in it. How is having a platoon of foster children a good thing if YOU CANNOT SUPPORT THEM? Living within one's means: this is an idea people should revisit more often.
When you can change your situation, by all means do so. Maybe I'll run out and grab a hundred or so stray dogs and keep them in my room. Then, when someone hears about my "plight," they can buy a house for me in Long Grove.
I can fathom one's desire to want to help a foster child - it takes a truly kind individual to extend this type of love. But don't be a complete idiot about it and take on more than you can handle. That is STUPID - for both the children AND the family. Utterly stupid.



By the way why argue over aa talk show?
KR-there is actually more than just a talk show being discussed in this thread.

You need to learn how to calm down and accept another persons opinion. I don't see how what was said was a personal attack. By the way why argue over aa talk show?

Let me highlight the portions of the moderator's post that are personal attacks and offensive. I'm not doing this because I can't take a shot, even one as poorly constructed as her's. I'm doing this to point out that a moderator needs to follow the board rules, and another, you, need to learn to read a post more closely before chiming in.



Ummmm... she DIDN'T take the credit for giving away those cars at all. Did you even see the episode? She clearly gave the credit during and after the show, as well as talking about it on her website. Again, did you see the episode?

I've given plenty to charity too, as well as helped out needy family members and I volunteer every weekend. I believe it comes out to something like 30 hours a month. I don't think that makes me a better person or a worse person, but to complain about someone like Oprah, who helps out needy people and donates more of her time and money than most people seems ridiculous. What, she should be dictated to as to what you consider to be a worthy cause, how she should donate her time, who she should team up with for her charity? Sheesh, who appointed any of us God over Oprah and her money?

I find you a pretty cold person to say that she did no good- why don't you go raise 46 foster kids on a limited budget in a house made for a family of 4, then when Oprah turns around and gets you a new house and helps you out with some money, turn your nose up and walk away from it?

If you have a daughter, I hope your daughter doesn't end up living on the streets one day, gets offered a scholarship to go to school, get her tuition paid, and have her living expenses covered for whatever college she decides to go to. Because I'm sure you'd be the first one to tell her to go pimp herself out so she can maintain her street lifestyle.

I am always alarmed at the selfish people that live in this world and could care less about the world around them, ESPECIALLY the people that live here in the USA. It seems like if someone suffers, no one cares. Someone could get their throat slit on the street, and another guy would step over the carcass and complain about how the blood messed up his wing tips.

There are people with money in this world that have a lot of money and do nothing to help other people worldwide. Seriously, when people complain, bicker and moan about someone like Oprah giving away cars to some poor people and to people who really needed a means of transportation, or even if Oprah gave away the cars just to make someone feel better, I have to say the person complaining is really a jealous person... they are jealous they didn't get a car, tuition, or whatever else Oprah gave up on the show, and rather than be glad that someone like Oprah exists out there, who has considerable enough influence to get big companies who make millions of dollars a year without giving back turn around and give away their product, chooses to comment in a narrow-minded and b*tchy manner. If people like Oprah didn't exist, there certainly wouldn't be a lot of generosity around. If you have money to give, influence you can wield, power you can use to influence others with money, and you choose to use these traits to help others, it's always making the world a better place for some of us. And like it or not, the 15% you manage to donate away is still not as influential as the 15% that Oprah gives.... so it is just as important that we not let our jealousies and pettiness get the best of us, because the moneyed people of this world could just as easily take that 15% of their money and get themselves a private jet and tell the world to go stick it.

Koffee


So, in conclusion, Koffee please try to be more general in your posts and not quite as personal with your attacks or you may find some of the "love" i've found here coming back your way. :)




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Harassment occurs when a member insults, attacks, and denigrates another member at any time. We have zero tolerance for taking an argument about a any topic to a personal level. For instance, the use of terms such as "idiot, moron, stupid" and other derogatory terms constitutes harassment. The idea is to make this a pleasant environment to discuss cycling, not a schoolyard, or name-calling and rock-throwing festival. Repeated critical and sharply negative posts toward a forum member can also constitute harassment.

Oprah's car giveaway not totally 'free'
September 22, 2004

BY LUCIO GUERRERO Staff Reporter Advertisement

Oprah called the show part of her "wildest dreams" season.

But for many of the 276 recipients of the new Pontiac cars that the talk-show queen gave away last week, there was a bit of reality to come with that dream -- they are going to have to fork over thousands of dollars in taxes.

It turns out that free car wasn't so free.....


Read the entire story here...link (http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-oprah22.html)

Seems you just can't please some people, even if you are the Queen of Daytime TV. Who would have thought that people who got something for free would have the audacity to ***** about it? Humm....




"Some of the people who knew me, my smile looked a little bit forced when I was up there [on the show]," said William Toebe, a suburban Green Bay resident who was at the taping. "That's because paying the taxes was the first thing that popped into my head."

"As I was standing up there, the responsible portion of me said, 'This is very nice, but where am I going to get the money for the taxes.'"