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NOprah

6/10/2010

13 Comments

 
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There’s a quote making the retweet rounds on Twitter:

Running is a great metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it.
- Oprah Winfrey

Yes, the omnipotent, omnivore Oprah, in all her wisdom, has broken down life for all of her (Twitter) followers to understand. Turns out, the big secret we’ve all been looking for, almost managed to run away from us.

Life is just like running.

For the record, I side more with Team Forrest on this one.

Life is more like a box of chocolates …

You never know if you’re gonna get one, but you do hold out hope.

Or you can easily indulge and end up regretting it.

And, yeah, yeah, like Gump said, “You never know what you’re gonna get.”

Unless Oprah gives it to you. Then you know one of two things every time:

1) It is probably BS; and,
2) You’re gonna have to pay taxes on it (if you’re American).

(Remember the 276 Pontiac G6’s? After the show, awareness for the newly released car went up 87 per cent. But Oprah never gave away the biggest secret of all – GM donated the cars. So Oprah didn’t pay for them, but her audience members sure did. Up to $7,000 in taxes each.)

Now, let’s get back to her “a-ha moment” and break it down to get the gist.

You get out of running what you put into it = You get out of life what you put into it.

What a revelation!

Next thing you know she’ll tell us how they get the caramel into the Caramilk bar.
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But, just to be sure that POprah and all her brilliant guidance isn’t lost on us, let’s run this quote down, so we can get the most we possibly can out of it …

Is Oprah implying that only with running will you get out of it what you put into it?

For instance, can you cycle, or would you not get as much out of it as you put in? And must you really walk a mile to travel a mile?

What about relationships? What about personal health? What about work or school? Do you have to put into them, what you want to get out of them?

What about talk shows?

Does Oprah ever get more out of talk shows than she puts into them? Because she has gotten a lot.

For instance, a net worth of over a $2.7 billion, an influence over a billion people, and money off Dr. Phil (who did earn a PhD in psychology, but is neither a medical doctor, nor licensed to practise psychology). 

On a side note, perhaps "Dr." Phil was the one who diagnosed Oprah with the “hypothyroidism” that plagued her weight for years. Incidentally, once diagnosed with hypothyroidism you go on medication that regulates your thyroid.

Further, had her thyroid problem been as dramatic as she claimed, she would have been too tired to do anything, and would have caused herself serious long-term health problems, beyond hypocrititis and bigheaditis.


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And no, we won’t talk about (all) the ways Oprah abuses her power and influence, because there are A Million Little Pieces we could talk about.

Remember when Oprah’s research staff apparently went on vacation and she propelled James Frey’s “memoir” to number one on the New York Times best seller list.

Then three months later, her research staff went on another vacation when Frey was accused of lying, and Oprah defended his authenticity on Larry King Live – only to bring Frey on her show two weeks later for a humiliating attack in front of millions.

(It’s okay though, she flip-flopped again, and soon after phoned Frey – privately – to apologize.)

And no need to discuss “the single greatest love story” that Oprah touted as true either. It’s not her fault that her research team is always on vacation.

They’re probably overtired – hypothyroidism perchance?

And here’s a classic episode on pedophilia, in which Oprah says “9,000 penises.”

Anonymous pranksters claimed to be part of an organization that had “9,000 penises” and left this comment on her message board. Oprah’s journalism background must have urged her to report it.

I guess with so much money, Oprah is accustomed to this buy-now-pay-later attitude.

Another example of this is her 2007 investment in a school for underprivileged girls in South Africa. Less than a year later, allegations surfaced of sexual abuse by the staff.

The big OW (also a sound effect for pain) did investigate the situation and immediately sought to remedy it. But shouldn’t the staffers have been investigated before investment?

Whatever the case, there are many incidents in all our lives where we have all made mistakes.

I know I've made mine ... including watching some episodes of Oprah. Hours of my life, I can never retrieve.


PictureOprah's $42 million private economical jet
But in all seriousness, this is a woman who speaks left and lives right.

“You must buy this fabulous product.”

“Stop putting yourself in debt.”

“I love all my homes and flying to them in my private jet.”

“Reduce waste. Reduce your carbon footprint. Save the environment.”

“I’m never dieting again.”

“Join me on my 20-year yo-yo diet.”

Finally, back to her now infamous quote...

Sure, Oprah is right. Running is a great metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it. You get out of anything what you put into it.

You know what?

Forget life being like running. Forget life even being like a box of chocolates.

Life is like a donkey. And you do get out of it what you put into it. And Oprah has certainly put a lot into it.

But, if you stuff too much food into a donkey’s mouth, would you really want to eat what comes out its ass?

13 Comments
Tiffany Loria link
6/10/2010 03:35:14 pm

Oh now you are walking on hallowed ground my friend...you are a brilliant writer but I can dispel pretty much everything you've tried to squash her on.

First....the car giveaway was amazing and she said right on the show that GM donated them...who cares! ...and I'd gladly pay a few thousand dollars in taxes for a new car...anything won you have to pay taxes on.

Also...you definitely go too far when bringing up the fact that there was an incident at her girls' school in Africa....wow...really Dahlia? These are the sort of things people dream about being able to do in the world and yes...there will be shitty people along the way but to characterize her by another's actions in such a beautiful act of giving back is more than silly, it's irresponsible.

Oprah, like the rest of us is not perfect....but in a world where 99% of the people with that kind of wealth could care a less about other people....I'm glad to have someone like here walking around.
xoxo

PS....I still love you. ; )

Reply
dahlia
6/10/2010 04:02:14 pm

i will take your word that during that episode oprah said the cars were donated... (i fact checked with time magazine, and a couple other sources that said otherwise though - i did not see the episode)...

and about africa, it is great that she did something for those girls, but that is not the point being made... my problem is that time and time again, oprah has shown herself to be negligent in the researching/fact-checking department... that only leads me to believe that she did not do her due diligence when investing in the school...

the type of "caring" that oprah shows me, is more about her ego than anything else. i find her duplicitous and self-righteous, and any more examples than what i gave in the article would just be superfluous at this point.

that said, i can appreciate that not everyone sees her as i do... but so goes life.

damn... it's 2:06am. hope that was coherent.

thanks for the comment.
xoxo :)

Reply
Eliad
6/10/2010 11:26:19 pm

That's what is great about your writing. It invokes a response.

I don't want to defend Oprah, but I guess in some respects I will.

I don't fault her for her weight issue, that is something a lot of people deal with. To belittle her for that seems petty.

In terms of the GM story, she gave away free cars. Yes there was the tax issue, but she (her company) paid for that too in the end.

She is a TV celebrity. Her show is not innovative, it used to be more sensational and she modified that over the years. She built herself up and created a career and built up her status. I guess we like to pick it apart.

I suppose she should get a better research department.

Reply
dahlia
6/10/2010 11:43:31 pm

els...

i am the last person to belittle people about weight issues... that is the point behind my bye bye barbie program...

to be very clear here, it is the hypocrisy she has in dealing with her weight, which counters my bbb program... if you're battling your weight, be honest about it... don't deny it, than admit it, than deny it, than admit it, than tell people "i ate 8 almonds a day, and lots of water for 3 days just to fit in this dress" as oprah did a couple years ago for a stupid awards show...

with that tax issue... which, yes, it is understandable that in america there is tax on something like... but oprah didn't pay for the tax on the cars, according to the chicago sun-times, one week later, after much backlash, it was pontiac who covered the tax...

and according to nbc (http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=2341576) not all audience members (perhaps bc of excitement) remember being told that they would have to pay tax on the car (people do confuse gifts with "winnings" and tax laws are not clear to all)...

she did build up a career to the point which is almost impossible to ever be duplicated, so obviously many people don't see fault, or others blindly accept, or others probably don't give a hoodly do darn day... but to me, that still doesn't make her an asset to society, in fact, i think she is quite harmful.

again, appreciate the comment sir. glad to invoke response.

Reply
Eliad
6/10/2010 11:55:40 pm

Who's Els?

I dont watch Oprah, so I dont know what she tells people about her weight. Interesting though. Kind of like Star Jones never admitting to having a band around her stomach when she lost all that weight.

She's a TV star, no more - no less. I don't care for her opinion, what she reads or eats. It's just entertainment and it has to be taken on that level. She's not innovative, she copied Phil Donahue and became more successful. Someone else one day will take her place.

Reply
dahlia
6/11/2010 12:14:12 am

els? sorry, must have been talking to someone else.

eliad...
i'm glad you find it as just entertainment, but it is gospel to many. that is the problem.

thanks again for the comment.

Reply
Blanche Cornilie...
6/11/2010 01:27:56 pm


Dahlia, i have read your article, i read the comments, i then read your response to the comments, then i read the article again...verdict...who are we kidding...you clearly "win" (not that it is a competition...oh and every "opinion" is to be regarded of course... but you make your point and i personally agree with you (which i thought readers would as well...hello!! OPERA! A NO BRAINER! (take that any way you will) im just curious why you didnt use the term "disingenuous" somewhere in the blog. Good work as usual ;)

Reply
tyson
6/11/2010 02:46:33 pm

Read the article on Oprah.I think what Dahlia attempted to say but for whatever reason failed to explain properly about Oprah.The point missed is that oprah has created the image and built upon it is that she is generous.In almost every case this superstar gives little of her own money.She has sponsors doing it for her and what little she does donate? is written off on her income tax. I am guessing that's about 50% return.The true definition of giving is to donate one dollar more than one can afford. Using this criteria makes Oprah a phoney

Reply
Bianca Coleman
6/11/2010 04:03:12 pm

Oprah’s thyroid problem was caused due to blockage caused by her having had to regurgitate her own words and advice to so many gullible people, on so many occasions. She should immediately go on a global tour of apology. She is in a self elected position, influencing so many people regarding politics, good health and even the books we should be reading. It is evident that the proper due diligence by Oprah/her staff is not being taken seriously, or in most cases, the facts/truth is being massaged. The worst thing about being lied to, is simply knowing you weren't worth the truth.
As Tiffany stated “ Oprah, like the rest of us is not perfect…”, yes but we would all have at any given time an audience of 2-10 people when we make any suggestion or statement, this woman has an audience of millions who live by every word she puts out – DANGEROUS! Eliad, “whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect” Mark Twain. Who is more philanthropic, Oprah in all her charitable activities, or the small child who went into his piggy bank and gave his allowance money? Perspective is really needed as to "what she is putting into life" and what her "return" is. I’m on “team Dahlia” for this one.

Reply
dahlia
6/12/2010 12:32:07 am

bianca: thank you. well said.

somebody commented on my facebook, unhappy with my attack on oprah. here is part of my response, which somewhat mirrors yours

"just because oprah is rich it doesn't mean she's done more positive for the world than either of us... within her means has she done more than people who are without her means? to each according to his or her potential.... and i would contend that despite donations and the like there are many who have done more good for the world than oprah.

you say she does some good. more than many of us... question... if you had her $2.7 billion, do you think you would do more good than she?

a smart kid who gets A's in school without trying, who should be getting A+'s vs. a not so smart kid who gets C's in school who is doing his absolute best... which kid do you have more admiration for?

i'm with the C kid."

Reply
Bus King
6/12/2010 06:49:38 am


agreed! in my experience, as a street performer for many years...the poor give more, and while i can go on and on about that, i wont, but heres a thought...a poor man will give me a dollar, and yet, so will a rich man..though always nice to be regarded, however , in regards to being "regarded" i will "regard that poor mans dollar, cuz he's "GIVING" wayyyy more than that rich mans dollar. If the rich man gave me the equivalent value of the poor mans dollar, i might never have to busk again! So to my knowledge,(and experience) it seems fair to say (and i quote Leonard Cohen "the poor stay poor , the rich get rich" thats how it goes...and thats why everybody knows Opera.

Reply
dahlia
6/12/2010 01:57:00 pm

"the poor stay poor , the rich get rich thats how it goes...and thats why everybody knows Opera."

bravo.

Reply
Meredith
6/15/2010 01:09:34 pm

I like Opera in the pope's hat personally.

I guess never noticed Opera's double standards-or just failed to own up to them myself. I think she lost her credibility with myself as a transient talkshow viewer when Tom Cruise was jumping on her sponsor-donated couch (not that I even saw that episode). I know that sounds petty of me, but why would you have such a crazy lunatic on you show anyways?!?!?!

Omnipotent Omnivore...sounds delicious!

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