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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 5678
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 12:38 pm: | 
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It's that time again. An update on my Oprah watch. I observed the talk show queen on her "town hall meeting" last week, schmoozing with her guest, that uctuous Bill O'Reilly, an appearance which will surely boost sales of his latest book of convoluted half-truths. After seeing this show, gone were any doubts I had about who Oprah panders to. I'd found myself warming up to "O" after observing her away from the friendly confines of her studio set. During her cross country drive accompanied by her conjoined twin, and co-pilot, Gail, she had emerged as a different person. With her hair corn-rowed, her make-up minimized, her butt unbridled, her eyes rolling at anyone's disregard for the obvious, Oprah had, in my estimation, achieved full "sista" status. She seemed down to earth and regular, and she may actually be this way, which makes the demeanor she assumed when Bill O'Reilly was her guest all the more disheartening. She stroked him like he was one of her pet cocker spaniels, never challenging any of the jingoistic propaganda he injected into his implicit suppport of Bush's stance on the war in Iraq. Not surprising, the audience of glazed-eyed zombies also seemed afraid to dispute O'Reilly's sophism in regard to Iraq. Only a few brave souls spoke out against the war but O'Reilly silenced them by playing the Saddam Hussein card, the one that calls the deposing of this murderous dictator a "perk" of invading Iraq. And, as usual, no one ventured to remind how this country has a history of embracing tyrants when doing so is to its advantage, which is why "bad" guy Saddam was once America's ally, - its comrade-in-arms during the Iranian hostage crisis, and that America was who supplied Saddam with whatever weapons of mass destruction Iraq might've had. And I could've choked the 2 black guys in the audience who spoke up, one of whom was a fan of the Fox News network, declaring it to be the only channel that asked the hard questions about issues. The other guy was an ol fart who defended the use of torture against Iraqi detainees in Guantanomo. It didn't occur to these 2 that overriding the Geneva Accords would set a precedent and that if the government is allowed to torture enemy prisoners, in the future it can envoke this statute to torture loyal dissenters. Then these 2 boot-lickers joined O'Reilly in villifing the ACLU for taking up "unpopular causes", calling this organization a tool of the liberal left, apparently never realizing that blacks in American are great benefactors of organizations which take up "unpopular causes". On and on it went with O'Reilly smugly holding forth, pontificating ad infinitum, asking loaded questions which, if answered, would make the person responding seem unpatriotic. And there sat Oprah, looking like a deer in the headlights, trying to appear neutral, not daring to offend this paragon of thinly-disguised right-wing tenets. Of course, a billionaire like Oprah has earned the privilege of acting in her own best interest, and her politics are really none of my business, but that doesn't dispel my disgust with the way she patronized a jerk like Bill O'Reilly! If by some miracle, the Democrats can manage to hold it together long enough by capitalizing on middle America's disilluionment with the slaughter in Iraq, then maybe they can emerge triumphant in November. But I wouldn't bet on it. Public figures like the forked-tongue O'Reilly can be very persuasive when it comes to the millions of guillible people who watch Oprah's show, people anxious to justify their love of Mom and apple pie and the American way. Whatever. Condoleeza Rice certainly doesn't have to worry about her job future. She can go work for Harpo productions and play patty-cake with Oprah and Gayle and feel right at home. I'm done. |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 2022
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 07:24 pm: |
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I quit watching Oprah regularly a long time ago, and unless there's some compelling subject or she's featuring an intriguing guest I avoid her like the plague. I saw the Madonna interview last week and after that I flipped the switch. I saw the O'Reilly previews but he doesn't interest me at all and so I did not witness what you describe. But I'll take your word for it.
All that Oprah seems to do lately is pimp books, movies and lofty products that people don't really need - and then she admonishes the public at large for being collectively in debt. Here lately she's trying to tell us who to vote for president - as if people can't think for themselves. I find her phoney and condescending.
Does she even have much of an education? Does she have any degrees? I'm not saying that she's stupid but she just doesn't seem to apply critical/analytical thinking to the topics she presents. The so-called experts can pretty much tell her anything and she just sits there agreeing like a bobble-head, often repeating what someone else just stated. And her audience follows suit. It's sickening.
That whole MILLION LITTLE PIECES episode should have clued people in to the fact that she lacks common sense. Why would you take someone's obvious gross exaggerations for actual life experience, and promote that garbage to the masses? And after all of that confront the writer as if it's his fault that you let yourself be bamboozled. She looked like an idiot doing the follow-up because he only sold more books!
I appreciate her philanthropic contributions but I predict that she's eventually going to play herself out and I'll be happy when that day comes. She has bought all her friends and associates but she could never buy me.
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Babygirl
Regular Poster
Username: Babygirl
Post Number: 308
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 04:48 pm: |
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I get the impression that Oprah is no longer enjoying what she does. She no longer brings her original enthusiasm and spirit to any of her topics. It has become a contractual obligation and with each of her shows I am getting the sense that not only does she wish she was elsewhere, but that she is simply tired of being expected to continue to carry the weight of her race, and her sex, on her shoulders as if she owes any of us an explanation for what she does and doesn't do, say, or how she behaves. |
Totusdulcidine
Newbie Poster
Username: Totusdulcidine
Post Number: 30
Registered: 08-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 04:59 pm: |
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I witnessed this train wreck and was dumbfounded by Miss O's total lack of critical thought, especially since she had a show the week before addressing the "lack" thereof by American citizens.
The fact that she let Bill O'Reilly pontificate and propagandize virtually unchallenged in front of millions of her moonies is unforgivable.
It didn't occur to these 2 that overriding the Geneva Accords would set a precedent and that if the government is allowed to torture enemy prisoners, in the future it can envoke this statute to torture loyal dissenters. Then these 2 boot-lickers joined O'Reilly in villifing the ACLU for taking up "unpopular causes", calling this organization a tool of the liberal left, apparently never realizing that blacks in American are great benefactors of organizations which take up "unpopular causes".
If one more person presents that straw man aurgument about the ACLU defending NAMBLA I am going to puke.
In representing NAMBLA, the ACLU is not advocating sexual relationships between adults and children. But they do advocate freedom of speech even if most people find that speech repulsive. They see this as a fundamental First Amendment case. And as much as I hate NAMBLA I agree with the ACLU.
Cynique, how about the suspension of Habeus Corpus? Arrest without charge, jail without end, and no access to a lawyer.
But, like one Op-Ed headline questioned, "If a Bill of Rights Falls in the Forest, Does Anybody Hear?"
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 5683
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 06:29 pm: |
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Thanks, Totusdulcidine, for expanding on my gripes. And I agree, Babygirl, that Oprah appears a little jaded, which makes me wonder if she regrets having signed up for more of the same. But what continues to revitalize her enthusiasm are the opportunities to interrupt the opinions of those with expertise, in order to inject her own self-styled diagnosis and cures for her dysfunctional guests. Like Mzuri, I applaud Oprah's philanthropy, but the flip side of "adulation" is "antagonism" and being sniped at comes with the territory of being a revered idol like Oprah.
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Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 2921
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - 11:59 am: |
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Cynique:
Thank you for this. I really mean it. The woman needs to quit. They are using her and it is pathetic. Either she has the money or she has been lying and needs it--of course when you have to do the upkeep on several homes, etc. it can make you have to keep going.
Can I pass it on? I have some Oprah zombies who need to be awakened. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 5692
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - 03:51 pm: |
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Why don't you just paraphrase what I said. |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1086
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - 04:00 pm: |
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I have to agree with you Ms. Cynique (sorry for this belated response –I’ve been thinking about this ever since you posted) and every one else who chimed in. I saw O’Reilly on her show and I must admit, I was really taken back by her deer caught in the headlights response to the contradictory blather O’Reilly was spewing. I’m very aware that Oprah has to appeal to white middle class America and all their beliefs and fantasies. And to be honest, I have no problem with that since she is a business woman (no one attacks Martha Stewart for the same thing) and her all female support staff and advisors are not going to let her stray down a path of uncertainly and demise for political heresy. Why should they? She is a very profitable money making enterprise and besides, she is their cash cow. Why possibly jeopardize the hand that feeds you?
Unlike many of her fierce detractors, I have nothing against this woman. She is who she is and she is successful for what she does. I don’t watch her show because I personally think it is silly and panders to the most simple minded subjects. IMO. But there are millions who do watch her show and look to her for guidance and direction (as absurd as that is). And I do commend her for all her gracious philanthropy and her efforts to bring light to a number of black historical subjects.
That said, I still cannot give her a pass for letting Bill O’Reilly promote his silly divisive new buzz words (secular progressives vs. traditionalists) and his skewed narrow right wing pontificating without challenging it or at least asking serious questions. I know Oprah is not an ideologue nor a party line hack (e.g. Sean Hannity) but I did expect her to at least query O’Reilly about some of the nonsensical rhetoric and sand box bully boy tactics he is notorious for. She did nothing! And yes, I did see the young dreaded brother who pulled the indignant Republican stunt by spuriously advancing the totally false and incorrect notion that FOX news channel gives fair, impartial and non-liberal biased reporting. Anyone who believes FOX news channel is fair and balanced (as they continuously proclaim) is either stupid or enjoys hearing the most openly biased news and commentary available on cable network.
So yes, I was somewhat taken back by this young brothers strident stumping for Bush and the ever worsening abyss in the Middle East (Iraq). But to see Oprah behave like a stuffed bird on a perch was more disheartening and unforgivable. I’m glad I’m not the only one who was disappointed with her indifference and reticence to ask at least a few serious questions. And O’Reilly knew this. That is why he was very soft on her when discussing his appearance on her show. He did so because she let him have his way and failed to raise issues and questions about the beguiling nonsense O’Reilly has built his surreptitious reputation on.
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 5695
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - 09:13 pm: |
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Once again Oprah has demonstrated how magnanimous she is by supplying studio audience members with $1000 credit cards to use in a way that will help others. She says she derives a great deal of pleasure from doing this. As well she should. Being able to affect the fate of the less fortunate is very empowering, embuing one with a sense of being divine. So - more power to Oprah. And less power to Bill O'Reilly. |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 170
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - 11:48 pm: |
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Being able to affect the fate of the less fortunate is very empowering, embuing one with a sense of being divine.
Maybe this is related to the "God Complex" that doctors tend to develop after they've saved a life. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 5699
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 02, 2006 - 12:00 pm: |
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What was really kinda eerie happened a few weeks ago when Oprah had this woman on her show who was an obsessive-compulsive germophobe, - didn't like to be touched and was constantly washing her hands, shampooing her hair and taking showers. At the end of their interview, Oprah hesitated then reached out and hugged this women and touselled her hair, and - you guessed it! The woman became ecstatic and clung to Oprah, giving every indication of being HEALED! (And I think I'd better lay off Oprah before word gets back to her and she strikes me down!) |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 2034
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 02, 2006 - 12:16 pm: |
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I watched the germophobe show because I am a germophobe, but not to the extreme of this woman. She wouldn't even have sex with her own husband. She is the type of OCD who requires psychiatric medication. The part about how no one can get on her half of the bed didn't even make sense. If you don't want germs in your bed - you maintain your own bed - and your own bedroom. You might even prefer to live alone. And although she hugged Oprah at the end of her interview - that was not an indicator that she was cured because I'm certain that she took a disinfecting shower just as soon as she was able.
I missed the other show but I saw on the net that Oprah had issued debit cards to her audience. I wasn't aware of the dollar amount or that it came with stipulations on how the money should be spent. If I was the recipient of one of those I would spend the money on whatever I wanted. Isn't that the point of giving people money? So that they can spend it however they see fit. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 5700
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 02, 2006 - 12:29 pm: |
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Actually, I kinda got the impression that the woman just wanted to be on TV and presented herself to be something more than she really was because her family said that things had just gotten bad within recent months. The woman seemed too happy and too star-struck to be genuine and, as you noted, her behavior was inconsistent. But who knows??? And who cares?? |
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