Sarah, Duchess of York current events 13: February-October 2009

[Zonk]

I haven't watched the show....but unless Sarah is writing on this board....I find it highly speculative for us to "guess" her motives.

[Ukroyalist]

If one is to guess then wouldn't it be the honourable thing to assume her motives are based on altruism and kindness....

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by Ukroyalist

If one is to guess then wouldn't it be the honourable thing to assume her motives are based on altruism and kindness....

Are you suggesting she has completely changed her character? Every programme Sarah has been involved in seems to have been for the benefit of Sarah. There are so many charities/people better placed and with a REAL understanding to tackle problem estates than Sarah Ferguson. If her help was altruistic, (Unselfish concern for the welfare of others), then surely she would have helped quietly, not with her silly disguise (you don't need it dear, most don't know who you are) and a camera crew attached!

As it is, she comes across as using the less fortunate for her own ends.

[TheTruth]

I'm not sure one can pretend to see clear behind someone's action, especially when trying to find motives (unless you are from Minority Report?!). Making publicity for a charity is a lot better than posing for a fragrance or whatever. At least, it brings attention to an important cause. Not sure people care if it also gives her some publicity.

Originally Posted by Skydragon

Are you suggesting she has completely changed her character? Every programme Sarah has been involved in seems to have been for the benefit of Sarah. There are so many charities/people better placed and with a REAL understanding to tackle problem estates than Sarah Ferguson. If her help was altruistic, (Unselfish concern for the welfare of others), then surely she would have helped quietly, not with her silly disguise (you don't need it dear, most don't know who you are) and a camera crew attached!

As it is, she comes across as using the less fortunate for her own ends.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by TheTruth

I'm not sure one can pretend to see clear behind someone's action, especially when trying to find motives (unless you are from Minority Report?!). Making publicity for a charity is a lot better than posing for a fragrance or whatever. At least, it brings attention to an important cause. Not sure people care if it also gives her some publicity.

She is not raising money for a known charity and there are many that aim to help youngsters that could have done with the help. She seems, from the variety of articles published, more concerned about walking around an estate with a bad reputation and being seen as THE one to bring about changes. The problem with that is the knife/gun wielding youths will not be interested in a rich bitch or a 'reformed' criminals attempts to make them change their ways.

Originally Posted by Elspeth

People who don't like a particular royal (or ex-royal) can always level those accusations. For some people, nothing Sarah does, short of dropping dead, will ever be worthy of a positive comment.

And that is the sort of comment leveled at those who perhaps have a more realistic view, it is always so easy to say it is because Sarah may not be liked by a poster that her efforts to help are viewed in a poor light or could it be that in reality they are a poor idea!

For the record, I would not celebrate anyones death but my view of the person would not go into rose coloured mode either!

[Wisteria]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

And that is the sort of comment leveled at those who perhaps have a more realistic view, it is always so easy to say it is because Sarah may not be liked by a poster that her efforts to help are viewed in a poor light or could it be that in reality they are a poor idea!

I agree that the easiest way to defend Sarah is to say that the people who criticize her don´t like her etc etc.
She may have a good heart but number one on her agenda as far as I have seen in her whole career as a royal duchess has been to further her own interests.
Perhaps her heart is good underneath, but she lacks common sense.
She puts her foot in it most of the time and if she thinks playing lady bountiful among the masses is going to make her popular I think she is wrong. Many society ladies have tried this and fallen flat on their faces.
She should join some well known organization if her real goal is just to make things better for the poor, if she really knows what "poor" is.

[Elspeth]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

And that is the sort of comment leveled at those who perhaps have a more realistic view, it is always so easy to say it is because Sarah may not be liked by a poster that her efforts to help are viewed in a poor light or could it be that in reality they are a poor idea!

Not when it's every single thing she always does. Or doesn't do. Or wears. Or says. Or anything. No.

If we get to the stage where she's criticised every time she shows her face and every time she doesn't, then we've gone beyond realistic, thoughtful, and constructive criticism. It isn't as though she spends her entire time beating up old ladies and torturing kittens, I could see the point of all this "oh she's such a disaster" if that was the case. She has a bunch of charities, she seems to be a genuinely kindly and concerned person, albeit one who engages in fairly major and fairly frequent lapses of judgement, and she's managed to get herself out of some of the problems she got herself into, which shows a certain degree of maturity. Yet every time she's mentioned, regardless of what she does, there's a group of people lining up to find fault. That isn't realistic and thoughtful criticism, it's a classic knee-jerk reaction.

[Ukroyalist]

Skydragon, I think I'm falling in love with you and your cynicism...

[Russophile]

Originally Posted by Ukroyalist

Skydragon, I think I'm falling in love with you and your cynicism...

I can be such a breath of fresh air, can't it?

I've been involved with the Jaycees (Junior Chamber) and JCI (Junior Chamber International) and the main goal is to teach leadership through community service projects, etc.
Now for Sarah to have a GOAL with an area like that is key. Did she want to find jobs for everybody? Did she want to help launch businesses? Help the school? Care for the sick? A clear, and concise CPG (Chairman's Planning Guide) would go a long way for Sarah to help realize goals and affect change with the people in that area. And it would help teach them to empower themselves and affect change.

[Elspeth]

Well, she's right about that. If she didn't do anything, she'd be accused of being a selfish socialite. If she tries to do something, she's accused of doing it wrong, having the wrong motives, not really meaning it, not understanding the issues, or whatever.

People who don't like a particular royal (or ex-royal) can always level those accusations. For some people, nothing Sarah does, short of dropping dead, will ever be worthy of a positive comment.

[Iluvbertie]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

Well, she's right about that. If she didn't do anything, she'd be accused of being a selfish socialite. If she tries to do something, she's accused of doing it wrong, having the wrong motives, not really meaning it, not understanding the issues, or whatever.

People who don't like a particular royal (or ex-royal) can always level those accusations. For some people, nothing Sarah does, short of dropping dead, will ever be worthy of a positive comment.

This is so right, unfortunately.

I am not fan of Sarah's but she does seem to want to do good and help others but maybe her methods aren't quite right. I do think her heart is in the right place however.

[TheTruth]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

She is not raising money for a known charity and there are many that aim to help youngsters that could have done with the help. She seems, from the variety of articles published, more concerned about walking around an estate with a bad reputation and being seen as THE one to bring about changes. The problem with that is the knife/gun wielding youths will not be interested in a rich bitch or a 'reformed' criminals attempts to make them change their ways.

If people aren't happy about how she handles this, then maybe they should propose other solutions to deal with this problem. Sarah is at least doing something for them instead of looking for it to happen. It's always very easy to criticize when you sit and let it be but when it's time to take action, rare are those who dare.

[Wisteria]

Originally Posted by TheTruth

If people aren't happy about how she handles this, then maybe they should propose other solutions to deal with this problem. Sarah is at least doing something for them instead of looking for it to happen. It's always very easy to criticize when you sit and let it be but when it's time to take action, rare are those who dare.

I notice that in posts above solutions were proposed, one being she should join an association which is already helping the poor in practical ways and not trying to think up schemes herself, people with more knowledge of these subjects have already set up many a charity that is actually working and producing practical results. As these people are not the ex-wives of royalty perhaps the photographers are not there to record these good deeds but they are being done you can be sure of that.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by TheTruth

If people aren't happy about how she handles this, then maybe they should propose other solutions to deal with this problem. Sarah is at least doing something for them instead of looking for it to happen. It's always very easy to criticize when you sit and let it be but when it's time to take action, rare are those who dare.

There are many people who help without the headlines, they get off of their behinds, go and do. For Sarahs 4 more minutes of fame, there are hundreds of unsung, hardworking heroes, who do not seek constant praise. For all the work they do, the credit is taken by a 4 minute wonder, who even remembers who started the first AIDS charities?

Originally Posted by rmay286

People living in Britain might laugh at this, but I honestly know a lot more about daily life (and problems!) in Britain from following the royal family, than I otherwise would. You hear about which charities they work for, which communities they've visited...

The fact that you think you know about Britain and the British by watching the royals, is quite frankly scary.

And that's just as someone who looks for information about the royal family. When Sarah makes a TV show, even those who don't usually read about the royals might watch just because of her name/past status.

A great many people, IMO, have very little idea who Sarah Ferguson is and a great many who do know, exercise their finger by changing channel.

[TheTruth]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

There are many people who help without the headlines, they get off of their behinds, go and do. For Sarahs 4 more minutes of fame, there are hundreds of unsung, hardworking heroes, who do not seek constant praise. For all the work they do, the credit is taken by a 4 minute wonder, who even remembers who started the first AIDS charities?

People who work "in the dark" are very pleased when a public figure helps them obtaining attention. In your posts, it sounds like they are jealous of these famous people who are a great key to create a reaction. I doubt whoever works for a charity or a cause would have chosen this path to get a moment of fame. They don't want to have their name written everywhere. You don't do this because you want to see people yelling your name as if you were a rockstar. They work hand-in-hand and the more they have public attention, the better. If you mind that someone has all the fame but yet manages to give your charity a lot of money, then maybe you don't understand what it means to help without expecting anything back.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by TheTruth

You don't do this because you want to see people yelling your name as if you were a rockstar. They work hand-in-hand and the more they have public attention, the better. back.

I think you have misunderstood what I am saying, but this is not unusual. Yes it is great when someone brings more attention to a charity, but let us not pretend that the 'personality' does anything else. The personality often does it for genuine belief and care about the cause, some do it for the applause it might bring them and I put Sarah into the latter. However you are talking about charities, once again this is not a charity we are talking about. Will it stop knife crime/thefts/bing drinking/ fear in the area, unlikely. If the woman Sarah 'helped' was charged with assault, the mother of the alleged bully became the bully, that in itself should ring alarm bells.

If you mind that someone has all the fame but yet manages to give your charity a lot of money, then maybe you don't understand what it means to help without expecting anything

I am presuming you are referring to the ubiquitous 'you' rather than making a personal judgement! Maybe a person has more of an idea of a personality jumping onto a bandwagon for a few minutes of fame at the expense of the very people they are supposed to be concerned about, but if Sarah thinks that calling them stupid is going to improve their behaviour, I would be amazed.

“Young people go out with their mobile telephones and their knives now. I’ve noticed a lot more violence, I’ve noticed bad language,” she reflects.

“Literally, you can’t get some young people to do joined up writing, let alone joined up sentences,” adds Prince Andrew’s ex-wife.

Things have changed but when was the last time Sarah was on the streets of a deprived area?

[Russophile]

Though Sarah is to be commended for trying to help, I agree with Wisteria who said she seems to "lack common sense". I can't help but think there are more efficient ways of going about cleaning up the community than what she is doing.

[TheTruth]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

I think you have misunderstood what I am saying, but this is not unusual. Yes it is great when someone brings more attention to a charity, but let us not pretend that the 'personality' does anything else. The personality often does it for genuine belief and care about the cause, some do it for the applause it might bring them and I put Sarah into the latter. However you are talking about charities, once again this is not a charity we are talking about. Will it stop knife crime/thefts/bing drinking/ fear in the area, unlikely. If the woman Sarah 'helped' was charged with assault, the mother of the alleged bully became the bully, that in itself should ring alarm bells.

You mentioned AIDS charities earlier so I assumed it also concerned charities in your mind. So I don't think I misunderstood your post: it's your opinion to put Sarah in the group that does it "for the applause" and that she somehow "outshines" the hard work people do everyday and all this for personal gratification and boosting her public image. I believe otherwise.

I am presuming you are referring to the ubiquitous 'you' rather than making a personal judgement!

Well, of course. I don't tend to judge people without knowing them...

[rmay286]

I think that by making a TV show about this community rather than just joining an established organization and working behind the scenes (which is wonderful too, and I know and admire people who do this), Sarah raises more awareness about the issues than if she just volunteered privately. I'm not saying either way is right or wrong but that both can be good and useful. People living in Britain might laugh at this, but I honestly know a lot more about daily life (and problems!) in Britain from following the royal family, than I otherwise would. You hear about which charities they work for, which communities they've visited...

And that's just as someone who looks for information about the royal family. When Sarah makes a TV show, even those who don't usually read about the royals might watch just because of her name/past status. As an ex-royal, Sarah brings visibility to issues that others might not be able to. I don't really see anything wrong with that...it's just her way of addressing issues. I'm sure that she often goes in with her heart before her head, but at least she has compassion for some of the disadvantaged people in the world and is trying to help.

[rmay286]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

The fact that you think you know about Britain and the British by watching the royals, is quite frankly scary.A great many people, IMO, have very little idea who Sarah Ferguson is and a great many who do know, exercise their finger by changing channel.

OK, I should have clarified. No, I haven't learned about Britain "just" by watching the royals, but when you click on links to articles in the Daily Mail, the Telegraph, etc., you read comments posted by people living in Britain and see links to other stories about Britain. You get a "feel" for how people think and behave there, even if it's just a selection of them and a biased media reporting. Even from reading people's opinions at this forum I get a sense of what monarchists in Britain believe. Sometimes I think you believe you speak for the "average" British person, and I'm sure you are very well-qualified to speak about your own country and the people there. But I've also found many opinions in other places where royalty is discussed that differ from yours. And that's what I've found interesting in reading this forum and the news articles posted here--getting a sense of the different perspectives that exist in England/Great Britain.

I might read a story about Prince Harry visiting some of his comrades who were wounded in Afghanistan, for example, and from the article and the comments I get a feel for the attitudes British people have towards the war. Royalty attracts interest especially in those who don't have a royal family on their home turf. I would have no clue that there was such a place called Wythenshawe or that those kind of conditions existed there if Sarah's name hadn't attracted my interest.

And TV programmes don't air unless the producers think there's an audience for them. Clearly, not everyone in Britain is changing the channel the minute they see Sarah on their screens, otherwise the producers of her first "reality show" last summer wouldn't have said, "We had favourable reaction and are going to do another program."