Oprah Winfrey Tells Duke University Graduates: It’s Great to Have a Private Jet, News Corp.'s WSJ Robert Frank Sets Sights on that Nugget of Info

Rupert Murdoch and his entire right wing organization needs to be ashamed of themselves. The Wall Street Journal's Robert Frank, has just set his sights on Oprah Winfrey and some recent comments she made during her speech to Duke University's graduating class. Oprah talked about the secrets and joys of success and yes, among them: owning a mansion and a jet -- a $42 million custom-build Global Express XRS built by Bombardier Aerospace. What's the big deal? Oprah Winfrey is worth billions and doesn't fall in the same boat as the CEOs of flying around on private jets after grovelling for federal bail-out funds. When was the last time Donald Trump was seen boarding a commercial airline? Better yet, when was the last time Rupert Murdoch flew commercial?

“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.” She went on to explain that “you haven’t completed the circle of success until you help someone else move to a higher ground and get to a better place.” Source: Wall Street Journal

What struck a nerve with Robert Frank was the mention of the private jet. What a hypocrite. Let's not forget that Oprah Winfrey built her career from the basement up to the penthouse, so the speak. Since Oprah has the Midas touch, her comments may bode well for the private-jet industry, which has hit rock bottom due to the economic quagmire the country has found itself in. They have mounted a massive public relations campaign to get their business jump-started. Much to News Corp.'s chagrin, maybe these private jet companies, specifically Bombardier Aerospace, should use Oprah Winfrey as a spokesperson. Here's another nugget lurking in the Wall Street Journal article -- Oprah chose to purchase her private plane from a foreign country -- Canada, instead of one from the United States.

To Mr. Frank, let's not try to drag Oprah Winfrey in the middle of your narrow-minded scheme. Ms. Winfrey has done far more for poor children both in the United States, South Africa and other countries, than Rupert Murdoch has done for those in his native Australia and the U.S. She has sent more teenagers to college than Rupert Murdoch could ever imagine.