Oprah will get to the Bottom of T2K

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What will she say? Who knows. See the show on Monday. If it was on Jerry Springer I guess we would get to see a doomer and polly throw punches. Its too bad that the issue has now descended to Oprah, but it will get a much better viewership than the CSPAN coverage last week.

-- smfdoc (smfdoc@aol.com), November 28, 1999

Answers

Since the decision apparently was made in advance not to include informed preppers or analysts on the show other than government heads (see previous thread, sometime around Nov. 15) and since the public then was encouraged to send in advance questions about their worries, it appears the show may have been planned as a way for government to reassure viewers that everything is under control and there is no need to panic. Oprah get to the bottom of this? Not when her staff tells potential guests they are no longer needed because the fed- heads are all that are going to be showcased.

If the show goes meltdown, it will be despite efforts to set the stage in the government's favor.

-- (normally@ease.notnow), November 28, 1999.


Oprah owns her own TV station, she can say whatever she wants to say, in other words she can't be censored. However, I don't believe she will go down the road of panic either. I think we'll see neutral but sensible warnings of information coming from her program depending on who the guests will be. We had a post about this a couple weeks ago, and I believe Ed Yourdon said (paraphrased) "after all the commercials and editing, what could I say or anyone else say about Y2K in just one minute?" But I think I'll watch it for the entertainment.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), November 28, 1999.

I was told that originally that the producers made inquiries about having several rather noted GI's(Karen Anderson & Michael Hyatt) but CHANGED their minds. I understand that the show is now the old government spin. I do believe that if Y2K is a 5 or above, the media as well as all levels of government should be tried for "crimes against humanity". Oprah would certainly fit in if she allows such a show to be aired. I have lost all respect for the woman!

-- Ruth Edwards (REath29646@aol.com), November 28, 1999.

I'm not so hard on Oprah. I give her credit for at least putting a show together. Let's see the kinds of questions Oprah and the audience ask the "experts" before we slam Oprah for not trying. If anyone is to blame, it's the government officials who aren't telling people the truth.

Remember how Oprah said she wasn't going to eat beef anymore after doing a show on Mad Cow disease? Well, 4 weeks in a Texas courtroom was the result of that honesty. Can you imagine how many people would line up to sue the country's richest woman if she started a "Y2K panic" with a frank, open discussion of the potential problems.

How frank would YOU be if you knew you'd get sued up the a** for it?

-- Lara (nprbuff@hotmail.com), November 28, 1999.


I respectfully disagree! I think a lie is a lie whether it comes from the riches woman in the world or the lowest politician. If someone "knowingly" does not tell the truth to protect wealth, political status or to guard against the sheeple panicing, this becomes a criminal offense. The key word is "knowingly". I realize that many will use the excuse that they did not know the truth but I wonder how that will wash with the American people post Y2k? Fallen idols? Fallen politicians? Fallen government? I guess we will see! Peace to you, Laura! I do not mean to argue but I am so tired of public figures who cannot display one ounce of courage!

-- Ruth Edwards (REath29646@aol.com), November 28, 1999.


Over the past year I have noted a disturbing trend. We are seem to blame politicians and the 'media' for our problems. You must know that these two groups are weak brokers of what really goes on in this country. They create no physical product and could never, ever have solved the problem themselves.

If Y2K is a mess, we should blame those who could have corrected the problem or given us fair warning. We should blame the source, not the failed messengers. We should prosecute the real liars, the ones who are spinning this mess via press release and public relations. We should prosecute the people who work at the self-serving trade groups like the NERC and the Edison group. We should blame the bankers, the boards of directors, and the chairmen of Exon, Amoco, and Texaco, AT&T, GM, and Microsoft.

Politicians and the media folks are not the source of the lies, even if they are the ones repeating the lies (ad naseum). To continue to spread the idea that the Y2K mess is somehow attributable to Klinton, Kosky, or Dan Rather is misdirection. Again, do not let your prejudices sway your judgement. Focus on the people who caused the problem - not those who failed to communicate it.

Sincerely,

-- Uhmm.. (jfcp81a@prodigy.com), November 28, 1999.


Oprah "show" isn't a "show"; it's continually been just a marketing vehicle. Either buy this book, self-help garbage, the latest trends in interior decorating, what cashmere sweater to buy your poochie, what pashinah shawl to buy yourself at Banana Republic, celebrity guests hawking their latest movie, etc. WHICH IS OK. But when it comes to y2k, I can't imagine her saying, "Girrllll, I just love my Katydyn water filter.....and do you know the latest trend in woodstoves is to fully accessorize them with a color-coordinating cooking pot?..and if you'd like more information, you can always check out www.GaryNorth.com....". No, I imagine it'll be Kosky-spin and spare-my-Disney-friends' profits all the way. Since her show is based in Chicago, do you think they'll be any mention on the city's police preps?

-- Tishaminga (steverromano@aol.com), November 28, 1999.

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