Oprah to college grads: the secret to happiness is a private jet
Filed under: Career, Wealth, Celebs & Money
The graduating class of Duke University this year had the privilege of Oprah giving their commencement speech. Her advice to the class of 2009: seriously, being rich is really cool because you can own a ton of mansions and fly around on a private jet.
Well at least she's honest. But is this really practical advice for a class that that is facing one of the worst job markets ever?
A great commencement speech holds advice for the future, for when those hopeful grads walk out of the campus, diplomas in hand, into the real world. Oprah's advice? "It's great to have a nice home. It's great to have nice homes! It's great to have a nice home that just escaped the fire in Santa Barbara," she told the students. "It's great to have a private jet. Anyone that tells you that having your own private jet isn't great is lying to you."
Oprah's main point in the speech was to serve others in life. Still, promoting the idea of owning a private jet was perhaps not the best word choice for our fragile grads who are entering into a workforce, fighting with laid-off industry veterans for entry-level positions.
The private jet industry has recently become a symbol of what is wrong with corporate America, as banks and auto leaders fly solo to Washington while sucking up our government bailout money. The WSJ has a simple solution for them: a new advertising campaign with Oprah, in front of her $42 million custom-built Bombardier Aerospace Global Express XRS ride saying, "It's great to have a private jet."
Sure, you can praise Oprah for not being a hypocrite. She's rich and she's proud of it. It's kind of tacky to flaunt your riches in a recession, but whatever.
But here's why she is hypocritical. Oprah flaunts her philanthropy. She's one of the biggest givers in the country, donating millions each year to her various causes, so she has a right to do so. But how can a woman who opens up a school for girls in Africa, tries her luck at a vegan diet, and even launched a (failed) philanthropical reality TV show, flaunt the benefits of owning a private jet?
Flying private is one of the single most damaging things a person can do to the environment. A passenger flying in a private Gulfstream G400 puts out 1 ton of carbon emissions, while a passenger in first class on a Boeing 777 puts out only .06.
Stars like Madonna, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Travolta, and Al Gore have all been blasted for preaching the dangers of global warming, while meanwhile expanding their own carbon footprints by jetting around the world in style.
High fuel prices have caused celebs like Diddy and Michael Jackson to fly commercial. And if Diddy and MJ can put up with the hassle of late flights and long lines, I'm sure Oprah can too. And there are even other options like jet ride sharing. It's like carpooling for celebs. Or Warren Buffet, who has made carbon offsetting mandatory for his private jet clientele.
But if you're going to keep your jet, Oprah, at least think twice before encouraging an entire class of graduates to aspire to owning one too. And hopefully they'll get some career advice from their parents.
Well at least she's honest. But is this really practical advice for a class that that is facing one of the worst job markets ever?
A great commencement speech holds advice for the future, for when those hopeful grads walk out of the campus, diplomas in hand, into the real world. Oprah's advice? "It's great to have a nice home. It's great to have nice homes! It's great to have a nice home that just escaped the fire in Santa Barbara," she told the students. "It's great to have a private jet. Anyone that tells you that having your own private jet isn't great is lying to you."
Oprah's main point in the speech was to serve others in life. Still, promoting the idea of owning a private jet was perhaps not the best word choice for our fragile grads who are entering into a workforce, fighting with laid-off industry veterans for entry-level positions.
The private jet industry has recently become a symbol of what is wrong with corporate America, as banks and auto leaders fly solo to Washington while sucking up our government bailout money. The WSJ has a simple solution for them: a new advertising campaign with Oprah, in front of her $42 million custom-built Bombardier Aerospace Global Express XRS ride saying, "It's great to have a private jet."
Sure, you can praise Oprah for not being a hypocrite. She's rich and she's proud of it. It's kind of tacky to flaunt your riches in a recession, but whatever.
But here's why she is hypocritical. Oprah flaunts her philanthropy. She's one of the biggest givers in the country, donating millions each year to her various causes, so she has a right to do so. But how can a woman who opens up a school for girls in Africa, tries her luck at a vegan diet, and even launched a (failed) philanthropical reality TV show, flaunt the benefits of owning a private jet?
Flying private is one of the single most damaging things a person can do to the environment. A passenger flying in a private Gulfstream G400 puts out 1 ton of carbon emissions, while a passenger in first class on a Boeing 777 puts out only .06.
Stars like Madonna, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Travolta, and Al Gore have all been blasted for preaching the dangers of global warming, while meanwhile expanding their own carbon footprints by jetting around the world in style.
High fuel prices have caused celebs like Diddy and Michael Jackson to fly commercial. And if Diddy and MJ can put up with the hassle of late flights and long lines, I'm sure Oprah can too. And there are even other options like jet ride sharing. It's like carpooling for celebs. Or Warren Buffet, who has made carbon offsetting mandatory for his private jet clientele.
But if you're going to keep your jet, Oprah, at least think twice before encouraging an entire class of graduates to aspire to owning one too. And hopefully they'll get some career advice from their parents.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 30)
5-12-2009 @ 8:09PM
Brent said...
The Guilt Goddess of White Women; oh, we are Oprah fans to prove that we are not like our racist Fathers before us. Oprah a no talent news reporter pushed to the big time to cover up years of racism. Affrimative Action at its best.
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 4:46PM
lula said...
Gee sounds like Oprah's friend, the President. It's called the Peter Principle.
I really think she is losing it. She made a big deal with that school in Africa only for girls and there have been rapes and big problems. I say spend the money on the young men and women of the USA.
What Oprah hasn't figured out yet is that people are so over her!!
5-13-2009 @ 9:42PM
style1 said...
Oprah is a self-serving, ego-manic..she stands up that and brags and boasts.. she put this stupid choice for a President in the White House. She needs to go away and take Obama with her.
5-14-2009 @ 4:21AM
kenny said...
You mean Oprah didn't work for what she has in life? all she had to do was show up and be black? I guess all the other talk show hosts who fell by the wayside were the wrong color. I never realized that affirmative action was guaranteed success, that people would automatically like you, support you, that it could grow whatever you do into a billion dollar business with no effort, smarts, savvy, or hard work.
5-14-2009 @ 4:41PM
deja said...
Oh, don't hate Appreciate, you sound like a bigot!
5-14-2009 @ 4:59PM
Luckysunday22 said...
I think it’s a great speech. There are still those people who want to make millions, or billions, and look at college graduation as the first step towards that long goal. There is nothing tacky about wanting to be rich and successful. I think the underlying problem is that the current president has declared war on capitalism and successful people. I think he, along with many others, don’t think rich people deserve the money they have. How sad. When did it become acceptable to try to use the government to take from one and give to others? How is that American? From what I know about Oprah, I am not a fan and actually really dislike her because of her political views, she worked very hard and started out with practically nothing and built an empire. That’s the American dream. And she was there to tell those kids that it still exists, even if BO is waging an all out war on it and will make it harder for others to achieve.
Hey, if working for other people makes you happy, that’s fine. It may fulfill your life. Persoanlly, I don’t see why you can’t do both. If individuals start looking out for themselves and strive to make themselves better so that they can achieve more wealth, then all of society is the better for it. If the government holds these people down because “they” have determined that you can’t make that much money or shouldn’t make that much money, then these people will go elsewhere. I know I will. I worked hard to go to college and law school, and now that I am finished, I want to make tons of money. I sacrificed over ten years of my life and lots of money to finance my goals. I want to reap the benefits now and I don’t want BO telling me I should be watching out for others. They weren’t the ones sacrificing, I was. I put the 12-14 hour days in and if I want to be generous, that’s my decision to make, not the governments.
So rock on Oprah. Hopefully I’ll see you riding next to me in my private jet up in the Gulf Stream.
And to all you jealous people…life is short, work hard and you will be rewarded. Stop looking at the next door neighbors yard.
5-14-2009 @ 5:11PM
RXB said...
I guess this means you are a supporter of black colleges, magazines, etc..That way now more crying about affirmative action because everyone is black.
5-14-2009 @ 6:30PM
Deborah said...
Racism can never be covered up, no matter what you do.
5-14-2009 @ 8:53PM
Amy said...
Are you kidding me? White women guilt? You think white women watch Oprah because they're guilty? You know what? You're a moron.
5-14-2009 @ 9:44PM
Harriet said...
. . . and what about President Obama . . .?
5-15-2009 @ 9:04AM
Kary said...
No, Oprah used to add something. She has something and she made people feel at ease. She wasn't afraid to be herself, to show her flaws, and people related and reacted to it. But fame and fortune got to her head. This isn't a race issue. Its a celeb issue.
5-12-2009 @ 9:09PM
MKA said...
She actually said this in front of a graduating class entering the worst job market in not years, but decades?!?!? I think someone didn't have enough time to create a relevant commencement address. That or this comment was taken out of context. I'm sure we'll hear more about this story... and soon. Sheeeeesh
Reply
5-12-2009 @ 11:55PM
Tanya said...
Sheeeesh is right. Let's pray the economy gets better so that her words don't sound as bad.
5-13-2009 @ 8:39AM
abiton said...
abition said
I am very pleased with the thought and don’t feel like adding anything in it. It’s a perfect answer.
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5-13-2009 @ 8:39AM
Wolfster said...
I'm tired of Oprah. She's quite full of herself. She's become a bore.
Reply
5-14-2009 @ 12:30AM
Elise said...
I agree!!!
5-13-2009 @ 3:35PM
Convertagram said...
I agree with Wolfster, I am tired of Oprah, used to watch her show, never do now. She is full of herself, and she does not have the conservative values that I do. She pushed for Obama so adamantly, she made her choice and I have made mine. I also do not know anyone who likes her show.
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 5:22PM
Susan said...
So you no longer like Oprah because campaigned and voted for Obama? Before that, you were a fan? Imagine that. Well, she has a right to endorse and vote for whomever she pleases. Last I remember, this is the United States of America and we are lucky enough to be able to vote for whichever candidate we want to, and that includes Oprah Winfrey.
5-13-2009 @ 3:36PM
chris said...
Just goes to show how hypocritical the liberals are.
Reply
5-13-2009 @ 2:09PM
Rosalie said...
Oprah loves to brag what did yall expexct.
Reply