Does anyone else find Oprah's power just a wee bit scary? I mean, there are all kinds of niche leaders in our country: Richard Simmons has fat people, Leonard Nimoy has socially maladjusted dorks, Pat Robertson has crazy people, 50 Cent has people with a death wish, Barbara Striesand has people who haven't had to live on Earth in years but still think we care what they think, etc., etc...
But Oprah...
... has women...all of them.
If the Poprah wants something... she has it. If she endorses something... it sells.
If she says jump... there are no follow up questions, just millions and millions of leaping ladies.
You have to wonder how self-aware of her power she is. I mean, sure, she knows she's the shizznit, but does she ever mess with it? Does she ever endorse something that she knows is crap just to watch its sales soar? Is that how you amuse yourself when you're the Grand Oproobah?
Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike her at all. I think she does a lot of good in this world. I just can't help but wonder if she ever messes with us...
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13 Cachinnations
Hey Scott! Nice to find your blog. I'll be here for two more years. I'll be coming home for a visit in August though. I hope you are well.
Posted on 5/09/2006
Who leads all the fat, crazy people, with a death wish who are socially maladjusted dorks???
I vote for...Dan Quail
Posted on 5/09/2006
I'm a woman and sometimes I make a point to do exactly the opposite of what Oprah says. Also, cach...ummm...you'll need to check out my block for an...umm...an...apology...sigh.
Posted on 5/09/2006
I remember a while back that Christianity Today had an article titled "The Church of O" about the following that Oprah Winfrey has.
While your post was slightly in jest, it also has some ominous foundations. How much should Christians listen to Celebrities such as Oprah and what stock should we place in them?
It can be a problem for some people.
As for me, its almost 4 and, well, Oprah's on...
Posted on 5/09/2006
If she told the women of the world to go out and buy cocker spaniels...she'd have an unstoppable, stinky puppy army! She clearly has no idea what kind of power she wields!
Posted on 5/09/2006
Fork: Bastard.
CB: I think it goes straight to a discussion we've been having on a few blogs now about Christ and Culture. Who do we listen to? How much? Ummm... I suppose it depends on the topic. I don't look to Oprah as a spiritual authority, and as such I feel perfectly comfortable disagreeing with her when I need to without it affecting my opinion or perception of her. She occupies the same place in my esteem whether or not I agree with her. And that's probably where we should hold most cultural figures. What do you think?
And seriously, do you all think she ever messes with us?
Posted on 5/09/2006
I agree with your list. That's who I hope is remembered. Here are a couple of people who I bet are also remembered
1. General Douglas MacArthur
2. Jacques Derrida
3. Juergen Habermas- (Eventually he'll be give credit for a lot of post-modern thinking)
As for Oprah: She likes some good books. She does some good things. I think when it comes to Christianity and culture that I have to go with Mr. Derek Webb and say that creating a new law is crap beyond crap. We should be learning about Government, Beauty, Truth, Love and these things at Church. We shouldn't need to hear the world on those issues because the words of scripture are so ingrained in us.
However, I know that I find myself so torn at times. My biggest downfall is the world's view of sexuality verses God's view of sexuality. I read Rich Mullin's biography (shouldn't every trendy Christian?) and he talked about the pull of it. I suppose that is where community steps in with accountability.
It's a messy balance, it has to be, messy people are involved.
Posted on 5/09/2006
oh man beeki! I was lounging on the bed today re-reading some of the Hobit while at the same time thinking about this post....
Anywho, I actually thought, you know, I bet there is enought Oprahites to sweep the next election. Seriously. If the woman ever ran, I think she would stand a chance. I mean if the man who uttered this comment "if you fool me once shame on.......you, If you fool me twice....shame on......you- SEE YOU CAN FOOL ME ONCE BUT YA CAINT FOOL ME AGAIN." can become president then surely the woman who creates pandemonium by giving away SUVs and has every woman (and man who'll admit it) in America at 4:00 shaking their heads and tearfully answering questions she asks ON TV, can stand a chance for the White House.
Posted on 5/10/2006
A friend of mine works/knows Oprah. Oprah is so rich she's taking her entire staff (100+) and renting out a five-star hotel (a "Great Hotel" that Ms. Brown documented) for 10 days in June. I would never do that if I was a billionaire.
Posted on 5/12/2006
Okay, Grant... assuming you were Oprah, (go with me here), what would you do instead?
Posted on 5/12/2006
I love your website. It has a lot of great pictures and is very informative.
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Posted on 5/22/2006
Great site loved it alot, will come back and visit again.
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Posted on 5/24/2006
Very pretty design! Keep up the good work. Thanks.
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Posted on 5/24/2006