Group Of Punks

[twicketface]

Last night, after struggling with the push mower and visiting with my parents (they had a good laugh over my Vic the Pric story), I did something I don't normally do. I turned on the television. There was a special on ABC about Oprah and how she was leading this big mission to make a difference in Africa by guaranteeing teacher salaries and helping new schools get built. Per the 2004 Forbes list of The World's Richest People, Oprah has a net worth of $1.1 billion. Per the ABC report, Oprah has pledged $6.5 million.

That's 1/2 of 1% of her net worth.

It really irritates me when celebrities get behind causes and half-ass it. Oprah probably has $6.5 million just lying around her penthouse. What if she decided that for 2005, she would only live on $500,000 for the year, and donate the rest of what she made for the year to charity? I'm not saying that $6.5 million is insignificant, but compared to what she could give, it's rather sad.

Anyway, I got a surprise call from Danielle last night. She and Terry are coming to Appleton for the weekend (on short notice) and wanted to get together with us! I believe tomorrow night will be an evening of homemade dinner and MadLibs. How can we go wrong?

This weekend will be lawn care and burning oodles of CDs. Also, watching The Bourne Identity and Season Three of Futurama. And it will be good.

Comments

[hexkitten.livejournal.com]

Is there a chance that $6.5 million is most of what she has in liquid assets? The rest could be tied up in stocks, and possibly other charities.

I'm just thinking about when I used to work for a financial advisor. My boss and I would go over clients information. She would then explain that, on paper, a lot of these people looked like they were rolling in it. In reality, they had immediate access to only a pittance of what they were worth.

[twicketface.livejournal.com]

Could be - and I'm sure some of her estimated worth comes from the Oprah 'brand', but still...that's an insane amount of money.

[bobwhite.livejournal.com]

You are certain to incur the wrath and scorn of many women for even questioning the charity of teh Oprah.

[twicketface.livejournal.com]

Luckily, they mostly loathe me anyway.

[maeincarnate.livejournal.com]

While I agree that celebs tend to pat themselves on the back more than they should, I can't really get behind the whole "you have all this money so why don't you give it all away" thinking. Oprah didn't *have* to give them that money, she could have kept it all for herself. And thanks to Oprah, they have 6.5 million than they did, so that's good all around. Just get off your little pony about it, O.

I had a similar conversation about this with Stupid Meghann. She was going insane at the idea of Bill Gates not giving away all of his money becuase he has more than he needs. I asked her how many pairs of shoes she has, and told her she should give all but one away because that's all she needs and she didn't get it.

[twicketface.livejournal.com]

I agree that the super-wealthy shouldn't be asked to give *all* of their money away, but such a (relatively) small amount seems like a slap in the face to me.

I think it's fantastic that she's doing something, but it still strikes me as 'cheap'.

[htothem.livejournal.com]

Bill Gates actually gives a substantial amount to charity. He has a major foundation that does a lot of good. Of course, this info comes from my mom, the microsoft borg.

[maeincarnate.livejournal.com]

Remember that this conversation was between me and SM. Facts are irrlevant, true or untrue.

[pooplord.livejournal.com]

Have you ever played naked Mad Libs? I wouldn't recommend it with your guests, but maybe you & Marie would be into it... you just sit at opposite ends of the bed, under the covers, and do Mad Libs until you get so silly and sexy that... well... yeah!

[twicketface.livejournal.com]

I'm filing this away for a future event. Thanks for the suggestion!