In many forums, blogs and message boards, a lot of people are either lampooning or quarreling with Oprah Winfrey for being a “pretender-philanthropist”. Hey, what is all this understandable bad blood about a big name who has the idea to affect others positively?

Whatever anyone's pronouncement about Oprah might be, suitably or corruptly, they may articulate within the law, just as it is Oprah's right to use her influence or money the way she finds alluring to her within the law. People who promote integrity are normally not very high-minded themselves when scrutinized.

But let’s be straightforward. No one has ever done anything for nothing. So let no one think that Oprah does her philanthropy for nothing or should do them for nothing. Television is beneficial for big business because it carries their messages far and wide, and if Oprah being such a quintessential television personality causes favor to be done through her to people, why on earth should that be talked about only from the narrow point of view of her personal benefits? I like what Oprah is doing. If you are troubled with it, shun it, but please stop moralizing about Oprah's basis for philanthropy, she is on the move and your opinions won't stop her yet.

If you are one of the people who got the cars and you are finding it tough gassing it, look for a fuel alternative that is cheaper than gas. If you knew that you were not in a position to handle taxes on your gift car you shouldn't have accepted it. If you did in error, sell the car. However, the irony of the litany of moralistic verbose I have read so far is that none of the complainants seems to be from any of the recipients of Oprah’s gifts.

Lastly, people whoexpress criticism of others are not perfect themselves. In the literary circle, they are usually not successful writers with lots of books to their names and lots of money in the banks.