Sarah Palin, image from Wikimedia.

It is confirmed, by the Chicago Sun-Times and the New York Times, Sarah Palin will appear on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” next month, the very day before her book “Going Rogue” hits the shelves.

Needless to say, people have some pretty strong opinions about this turn of events. Oprah is arguably the most powerful force in the media when it comes to giving publicity to products and businesses. Oprah also campaigned heavily for Barack Obama, but now she will interview a woman on the opposing presidential ticket the day before her books hits the shelves.

Selling power

Needless to say, anything mentioned on Oprah gets huge publicity. The only thing that can cause more hype than Oprah’s show is controversy. Here we have both. And this is no installment loans versus instant payday loans sort of controversy. This is pitting two very vocal groups with very different opinions against each other.

Understandably, many of Oprah’s viewers are angry that she would use her amazing powers of publicity to promote a book by someone they view as and enemy of sorts. Some of Sarah Palin’s fans believe that Palin is “lowering herself” by being on Oprah’s show. Clearly, any Palin fans who are opposed to her being on Oprah’s show don’t understand how much publicity this will give Palin’s book, “Going Rogue.”

Details, details

Oprah will interview Sarah Palin on the episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” that airs Monday, Nov. 16. Sarah Palin’s book “Going Rogue” is scheduled to hit shelves Nov. 17, and right now you can pre-order it from Amazon for $9.

I predict “Going Rogue” will sell out after Sarah Palin goes on Oprah’s show. I also predict that “Oprah” will have an unusually high number of viewers on Nov. 16. When you meld the fans of these two you get a pretty broad cross-section of America, plus I think a lot of people will tune in just to see what happens.

Kate and Jon Gosselin's first book. Image from Amazon.com.

You may have read about or seen video clips featuring Jon Gosselin on “Good Morning America,” but that three-minute segment only scratched the surface of Jon Gosselin’s interview with ABC News’ Chris Cuomo.

“ABC News Primetime,” in its new limited series “Family Secrets,” focused on the Gosselin family last night in an extended interview with Jon Gosselin. On Primetime, Jon Gosselin talked about when the marriage went bad, Kate’s refusal to go to therapy, his “party boy” image and the verbal “abuse” he put up with for 10 years.

Dad of the year or dirt-bag of the year?

Chris Cuomo reports at the end of Jon Gosselin’s Primetime interview that Jon makes about $75,000 per episode for “Jon & Kate Plus 8.” He has signed a contract for 20 more episodes, which means another$1.5 million is headed his way. So while Jon Gosselin may not need to worry about ever needing a pay day loan, he probably is already worried that his reputation will never be saved. Chris Cuomo reminded Jon Gosselin exactly what that reputation is when he held up a tabloid with a photo of Jon on the cover that said “HE’S A DIRT-BAG.”

The clip of Jon Gosselin on “Good Morning America” in which he said he “despises” Kate made all kinds of tabloid headlines yesterday, and the Jon Gosselin “Primetime” interview included that part as well. Chris Cuomo warns him “you gotta be careful how you talk about Kate, as the mother of your kids.” When Cuomo continues on to say that perhaps it isn’t fair, but if the mother of his children can’t be criticized, Jon says “neither can the father.”

Is it really all about the money?

Jon Gosselin said on “Primetime” that he’s not forcing his kids to film, despite the huge paycheck he gets for each episode. He also says that he tried to get Kate to go to therapy and marriage counseling, but she refused.

However, Kate did ask Jon to fly to California to meet with her and the famous Dr. Phil, but Jon says the whole counseling session focused on the reputation of the show and fixing that, rather than fixing the marriage. So was Kate the one who was only focused on how much money she could make from “Jon & Kate Plus 8.” She has, after all, gotten two book deals that made her a lot of money.

Watch Jon Gosselin on ‘Primetime’ videos

John Gosselin’s “Primetime” interview ended with Cuomo asking him what he wanted for his kids. Of course, safety, health and happiness were first. Jon also said “I want them to be educated and have the best opportunities that they can have, and if we have to provide it through finances, let it be.”

These videos show the Jon Gosselin Primetime special:

The end isn’t posted on Youtube, but you can watch the final part of Jon Gosselin’s Primetime interview at ABC’s web site, where he talks about his feelings for his new girlfriend Hailey Glassman and his thoughts on the rumor that Kate was having an affair with her married bodyguard.

image from the bsreport.files.wordpress.com

Economic problems for banks and corporations abound these days. Times are tight for consumers as well, and payday loans are around to help. However, there’s an area on America’s agenda that shouldn’t be forgotten: foreign policy. In many ways, President Barack Obama is being asked to work miracles. Considering the tensions between the United States and the Middle East, it appears that he will have to work overtime.

Yet in light of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s recent invitation for Mr. Obama to be interviewed on the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Obama and America could be receiving a blessing or a curse.

Reach out to the Iranian people

That’s how IRNA views it. Obama could mend the bridge between America and the Muslim world that former President Bush all but destroyed with his “you’re either for us or against us” position. A dialogue between nations could bring about necessary healing. One would hope, however, that the translation of Obama’s words (if he indeed appears on Iranian television) does not become a political hot point in itself.

Ahmadinejad, who no doubt closely follows what Mr. Obama says and does, opportunely timed the invitation after Obama said his administration was looking to rethink America’s relationship with Iran. Ahmadinejad said the following of this opportunity to mend fences: “The Iranian nation is ready for talks (with the U.S.) but in a fair atmosphere with mutual respect.” His plans for discussion with Obama would include “terrorism, the elimination of nuclear weapons, restructuring the U.N. Security Council and fighting drug trafficking.”

It sounds to Cash Advance Mojo like an open, civil dialogue is possible. Now if only the Center For Responsible Lending could see some of the valid points about cash advance loans. If there could be a similar open dialogue, those advocate groups would begin to serve the general public as they never have before.

Rough road, post-9/11

Former President George W. Bush’s “axis of evil” speech did little to endear America to Middle Eastern nations. Ahmadinejad hopes that can change, and Obama’s presidency could do just that. He said during his inauguration that America “will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.” Since then, he has stuck to his conviction that face-to-face dialogue will be useful.

Ahmadinejad has been cautiously optimistic. He sent a congratulatory message to Obama after he was elected which, according to reports, is the first time an Iranian leader had done that for a newly elected American president since the two nations broke contact in the 1980s for political and ideological reasons.

Better relations, better world, better budget

In many ways, improved relations between the United States and the Middle East would not only go a long way toward a safer world, but also a better world economy where free trade is vital. While this may not mean that Iranians ever decide to use payday loans (they claim religious reasons), perhaps they could come to see that these no fax payday loan products are not usury in the most traditional sense.

Related articles

• Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Open to Talks With United States (takepart.com)
• Iran Ready for Talks with United States (politicalwire.com)
• Ahmadinejad: Iran ready to talk to US (guardian.co.uk)