Oprah Winfrey: Sarah Palin Can't Come on My Show Until After Election

At first blush it seems like a double standard. Initially, it seems like the inability to live up to your own rules and expectations but mostly, it says a lot about someone who wants to use their power to block any visibility of a person with a set of different beliefs.

As Jessica Warren is reporting in The National Ledger, Oprah Winfrey is balking at having rising political star Sarah Palin on her show. Apparently her staff is sharply divided. She is a well-known backer of Barack Obama.

In Warren's article, I was surprised to read that Winfrey had blocked Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas from being on her show when he wrote a book. That wasn't very nice.

I must ask, what would be the reaction if let us say David Letterman refused to interview Barack Obama. I truly believe you would hear Oprah shrieking from one end of the country to the other.

In related articles, Winfrey has issued a statement that she won't allow Palin on until after the election. She has had Obama on twice, although he was not yet an official candidate. I seriously doubt no references were made with respect to a possible run for office.

According to the Winfrey, this is the first time she has decided to use her show as a platform for politics. Does it have anything to do with the fact Obama is black?

I recall when David Letterman interviewed Hillary Clinton when she first ran for office. He was demeaning because no one gave her a chance, but he let her come on his show

After Hillary Clinton won the election in a major upset Letterman had her back on his show and apologized. Oprah Winfrey should have so much class.

For years Oprah Winfrey has claimed to be a fair and impartial person solidly behind women's rights and their progress. If she wants to be for Barack Obama by all means go for it. However, to try and bar a person from getting attention is wrong, Winfrey is wrong.

The fact of the matter is that Oprah Winfrey fears Sarah Palin. She fears how she will look next to her but mostly, she is afraid that Palin will get even more of a head of steam and slam Obama. Shame on you Oprah.

Via associatedcontent.com

Oprah tops Forbes' Celebrity 100 list

Oprah Winfrey topped Forbes magazine's latest Celebrity 100 list of the richest, most influential artists, athletes and personalities.

Coming in at No. 2 is professional golfer and celebrity spokesman Tiger Woods, followed by actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie at No. 3, singer Beyonce Knowles at No. 4 and British soccer player David Beckham, who now plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy, at No. 5.

Rounding out the top tier are film star Johnny Depp at No. 6; music mogul Jay-Z, who is also married to Knowles, at No. 7; the British rock band The Police at No. 8; British "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling at No. 9; and actor and humanitarian Brad Pitt, whose girlfriend is Jolie, at No. 10.

Via upi.com

Unaware of sexual abuse, says head of Oprah Winfrey's school

The former headmistress of Oprah Winfrey's school for disadvantaged girls in South Africa says she was unaware of allegations that a dormitory matron sexually abused students.

"Contrary to reports, I had no knowledge of abuse. I did not and would never participate in any such coverup," Nomvuyo Mzamane said in a statement issued through her U.S.-based lawyer.

Winfrey announced Monday that Mzamane's contract would not be renewed, indicating that school officials had ignored complaints from the girls and tried to keep allegations from her.

Mzamane was suspended last month after allegations surfaced that one of the dormitory matrons was abusive.

Virginia Makopo, 27, faces 13 charges of indecent assault, assault and criminal injury committed against at least six students ages 13 to 15 and a 23-year-old at the school. Makopo, who said she was innocent, was freed on bail Monday.

Winfrey, who was a victim of child abuse, promised an overhaul of the school and said she had apologized to parents.

Winfrey opened her Leadership Academy for Girls outside Johannesburg on Jan. 2, with celebrities including Tina Turner and Spike Lee onhand, along with former President Nelson Mandela.

Via nydailynews

Abuse alleged at Oprah Winfrey's South African school

South African police are investigating abuse allegations at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy, the talk-show host's $40 million school for disadvantaged girls near Johannesburg.

Investigators declined to provide details of the alleged abuse and said no charges have been filed. The academy's CEO, John Samuel, said in a statement earlier this month that an internal inquiry was launched based on a claim of misconduct involving a dormitory parent.

According to an article in The Cape Argus, a Cape Town newspaper, the dorm parent allegedly grabbed a pupil by the throat and threw her against a wall, the girl claimed. Girls at the school also claimed that the matron swore and screamed at the girls and assaulted them, the newspaper reported Saturday.

The newspaper said one of the pupils ran away from the school, blaming the alleged abuse.

In an emergency meeting with pupils and parents at the school, Winfrey apologized in connection with the incident. "I've disappointed you. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she said tearfully, according to numerous South African media reports.

Winfrey's representatives said she flew to South Africa twice in October to meet with parents of girls at the academy, although they would not specify what the meetings were about.

Previously, Winfrey -- who has spoken publicly about the abuse she suffered as a child -- issued a statement on October 17 saying, "Nothing is more serious or devastating to me than an allegation of misconduct by an adult against any girl at the academy."

In the statement, Samuel said South African child protection services were notified and that the dorm parent was removed from the campus. "We have engaged professional investigators of the highest standing from South Africa and the United States to conduct a fair and impartial inquiry into these claims," the statement said.

The school's head has agreed to take a paid leave of absence pending the results of the investigation, although she is not the subject of the allegation, Samuel said.

The national prosecuting authority is deciding whether or not criminal charges will be filed. In an October 23 statement, Samuel referred inquiries to the South African Child Protection Services Unit.

The academy opened in January with a student body made up of some of South Africa's poorest children. The academy provides its 450 students with textbooks, uniforms and meals.

Via cnn

Oprah Sorry for Abuse Scandal

If anybody knows the healing power of public mea culpas, it's Oprah Winfrey.

The daytime queen profusely apologized to the parents of students at her all-girls school in South Africa for a sex-abuse scandal that resulted in the dismissal of one of its dormitory matrons.

"I've disappointed you. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," a tearful Winfrey told angry families who showed up for an emergency meeting at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, according to South Africa's news.24.com, a leading news site.

Allegations surfaced two weeks ago that a "dorm parent" had been accused of fondling a girl and physically and verbally abusing several others, including grabbing them about the neck, beating them and hurling them against a wall.

The talk-show host made her second visit to the school, located in the town of Henley-on-Klip, just south of Johannesburg, in as many weeks. She reportedly took full responsibility at the gathering and begged parents to forgive her for the staff member's behavior.

The accusations came to light after one of the pupils ran away, purportedly because she couldn't stand the alleged abuse any longer.

Winfrey suspended the matron and at least one other staffer. The school's principal, who the girls complained had failed to take action, was placed on paid administrative leave as detectives and Child Protection Services probe the reputed misconduct.

"I trusted her," Winfrey told the families regarding the principal. "When I appointed her, I thought she was passionate about the children of Africa. But I've been disappointed."

According to the Website, a father of one of the students tried to allay Winfrey's guilt.

"We don't blame you," he was quoted as saying. "You have more passion for the school and its existence than anyone else in this country, including us parents."

Winfrey, described as visibly distressed, promised the parents that those found to have committed wrongdoing would be punished.

Winfrey also gave the students, whom she referred to as her "daughters," her personal telephone number and email address in the U.S. so they could get in touch with her at any time.

The $46 million Leadership Academy, which aims to provide impoverished South African girls with a high quality education, opened its doors in January to much fanfare. On hand to help Winfrey celebrate the occasion were special guests like former South African President Nelson Mandela, Spike Lee, Sidney Poitier, Chris Tucker, Tina Turner and Mary J. Blige.

The school promises a "safe and structured" environment of learning and sports a 28-building campus that includes classrooms, state-of-the-art computer and science labs, a theater, wellness center, yoga center and beauty salon. Winfrey personally interviewed all applicants to the school.

Via eonline