How to deal with the commoners after you told them that they are below you
Here is the dictionary definition of a commoner:
- One of the common people.
- One of the common people.
- A person without noble rank or title.
- A person who does not belong to the nobility
It's term more common in Britain, the country where Stephen Fowler was born and raised.
So what do you do when you have a maid, a "cleaning lady", and a nanny in the house, and a security guard in front of your door? Normally everything would be fine but you buffoon went on national TV telling everyone that only money, education and intelligence count in your world view. I wonder how they feel working for you after you publicly proclaimed how much you are above the rest of us.
The good news of today is that gawker.com has picked up the story and has listed it under "Jerks" on their front page. The local (San Francisco) media continues to ignore this story but gawker is certainly a step in the right direction.
The headline is Wife Swap' Star Apologizes for Having Worst Husband in World
http://valleywag.gawker.com/5148821/wife-swap-star-apologizes-for-having-worst-husband-in-world?skyline=true&s=x
And a venture capital blog has picked it up as well: vcsandangels.com
http://vcsandangels.com/blog/index.php?s=fowler
And it turns out Renee loves bacon: renee.personallifemedia.com/
It's term more common in Britain, the country where Stephen Fowler was born and raised.
So what do you do when you have a maid, a "cleaning lady", and a nanny in the house, and a security guard in front of your door? Normally everything would be fine but you buffoon went on national TV telling everyone that only money, education and intelligence count in your world view. I wonder how they feel working for you after you publicly proclaimed how much you are above the rest of us.
The good news of today is that gawker.com has picked up the story and has listed it under "Jerks" on their front page. The local (San Francisco) media continues to ignore this story but gawker is certainly a step in the right direction.
The headline is Wife Swap' Star Apologizes for Having Worst Husband in World
http://valleywag.gawker.com/5148821/wife-swap-star-apologizes-for-having-worst-husband-in-world?skyline=true&s=x
And a venture capital blog has picked it up as well: vcsandangels.com
http://vcsandangels.com/blog/index.php?s=fowler
And it turns out Renee loves bacon: renee.personallifemedia.com/
There was a very interesting comment/review on Google-Maps that appeared recently from a former member of Renee's clientele. These insights are always very intriguing because these individuals were privy to Renee's modus operandi before the Wife Swap incident.
Of particular interest was how Renee uses every kind of pop media at her disposal for self-promotion. (If I have to hear one more foolish comment, 'Why did they go on the show if they have money . . .' FOR PUBLICITY.) How she begs her listeners to give her 5-star ratings, etc, etc, etc.
Have a read: the comments about how the economic meltdown are a hoax provide a particularly sinister comment on Renee's little perspective of Life.
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Can I make a comment about the wife? Is that OK here? I'm actually a (was is more like it) subscriber to her (Renee's) weight loss podcast. I was an avid listener, but something about her got under my skin. She was constantly shilling her other pay products and soliciting "5 star" reviews on iTunes. Something about her seemed really phony to me. Then she started mentioning in her blog and on her podcast how all the hubbub about the economy was BS and SHE AND HER HUSBAND HAD MORE OPPORTUNITIES than ever, and were doing better than ever, and we should all ignore the news, because it wasn't real.She was basically boasting. I made a comment to her on the blog and told her she was being ridiculous basically, and she promptly edited it, and deleted my negative comment. You can see what she edited it to here: http://renee.personallifemedia.com/2008/11/13/create-a-microcosim-of-abundance/ The comment she made about the other families' neighborhood "this doesn't look like its going to be a luxury experience" and "I can see there are no advanced degrees here" were totally elitist. I am definitley not going to be supporting her or listening to her show any longer. I really think there is a reason she puts up with him, I think she thinks they are superior in every way. She DOES reveal a lot on her podcasts about how her father was an alcoholic and yelled at her, and that she has been with abusive men before. Of course she never made mention of the god awful husband she has now. I am pretty sure she puts all her energy into her exercise and perfection attaining to escape reality.
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In response to the quote from an ex-client of Renee's - The divine Ms. Renee is, basically, an emotional anorexic - she controls her body and her client's lives becuase her husband controls hers. Let's take it one step further - Her children, with their still existing pure life force (which she tries to replicate in an artificial/contolled form) overwhelm her - like a fresh bagel would totally shut down an anorexic who may only handle a small morsel of real food before removing herself from that environment. She needs a real life coach. This woman hasn't overcome her issues - she's found a rather sophysticated way to camouflage them... just like a functional anorexic. Well, tell you what - the 'bad breath' is a dead give away and her days of denial are coming to an end and in the most public way.
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Oh my! I see Stephen is still churning up the haterade. He's going to be very very sorry he went on Wife Swap. What did he hope to accomplish by his turn on the program? Prove he's the world's biggest buttholious? So how many of his business associates have dropped him like un-pc nuclear waste.
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The security guard is gone now. I drove by their house yesterday (I live close by). At least I could not see any. Our little SF scandal is winding down. However, I (and many other neighbors) will not forget.
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you guys actually believe what's on that show is real?
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Get a couple of non-thespians in a room. Hand them a couple pages of dialog to memorize or heck, you're in a hurry, so just give them an outline and some waypoints to reach between start and finish, turn on the cameras and lights and scream ACTION! You'd get something, but mostly a bunch of people standing around, staring at the floor and giggling nervously.
Which is to say, JJ, that yes what's on that show is real, what came out of Stephen Fowler's mouth was as real as the security guard they had to post outside their home the last couple of days.
Or is that just your stock answer to reality programming because someone once told you that a friend of a janitor who worked at the mall had a sister with a boyfriend who had a cousin who worked reception at ABC's fourth-tier affiliate told you everything was totally fake? Because if so I gotta retract everything else I wrote, because I totes can't compete with that kind of authority!
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Okay, seriously Dan.. I don't know why, but that like, totally turned me on.
Are you a teacher?
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I don't think the point of discussion is whether the show is real, most people understand it is broadcast purely for entertainment purposes. The problem stems from the garbage which Stephen uttered from his filthy mouth... and I do believe that was real. If those words weren't real, then I must commend ABC for putting on one helluva show!
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I worked in private homes for twenty years, eleven of those as a live in nanny. Trust me when I say that people like this are very common in the upper class of this country. I've been in a room with other staff when one of the parents has said derogatory things about middle class Americans. There was even a women out in Philly that threw a bag of carrots at her nanny and was arrested. A few months later she assaulted another nanny and ended up serving some time. The reality is that many of these people have fantastic educations, wonderful travel experiences and alot of opportunities that many of us may never experience. Yes, they are better read but many of them are lacking basic skill sets, common sense, compassion and the ability to deal with even the smallest of crisis. That was my experience during those twenty years. When something had to be done they needed us and were quite loving and wonderful.When they felt the need to verbally berate you or withhold pay they did. They could, they have the money so they had the power.
I also recently read that there was a study done on college students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds and average socioeconomic backgrounds. It found that the richer students were just ruder-there body language indicated they did not need to put forth an effort to be kind or courteous. I could have saved them the time and money and told them that. Most of the children I worked for when I got there were rude, whiny and grossly inappropriate. I left the industry to get away from the whining of both the parents and the children!
One thought, with the economic downturn which is affecting a wide variety of people one can only wonder if some of these coddled, self entitled, overindulged loads are actually getting a taste of what it is like for most hard working struggling Americans.
I think this woman and her husband were looking for an easy way to promote both themselves and when their true colors came out it backfired on them. I have no pity for them and to be quite frank they deserve what they get. Perhaps, people should just go to Weight Watchers and save themselves some money instead of this woman.
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a long time ago, Confucius said, the "big" man is best judged by how he treats the "small" man... it is not always so well known, but some of the greatest leaders of men and the most important people in history were very humble and respectful people, even to the "lowest" people around them. this Fowler man may be "educated" in the common sense of the word and well off from a financial standpoint, but he does not appear wise, nor learned, nor mature, nor "rich" in any of the important ways in life.
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BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO. WHAT AN AMAZING WAY WITH WORDS, I DON'T THINK I OR MANY OTHER PEOPLE COULD HAVE SAID THIS WITH SUCH FORCE AND ACCURACY. WAY TO GO!!!
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I must send my congradulations to the gentleman who wrote that lengthly letter to Stephen Fowler. He definately hit every aspect of Mr. Fowler right on the head. I do respect this writer as God gave him much wisdom, display of love and caring, and does not intentionaly pound down those who have not had the opportunity to better themselves in education and yes, even in the political field. No matter where we live in this beautiful United States, we all make the best of the situations that we have. I myself, for instance is on a set income, disabled, I have an old 1990 Chrysler Lebaron and can only fend for myself the best that I can do. What do you think Mr. Fowler would say how degrading I am? I beleive that God gave me more strength to keep loving and try to help anyone in need, and you don't have to be rich to do that. You must always give of yourself, even if it's just a friend to talk to. I cheated death 4 times already and I feel very blessed. I know God has something planned for me to do. God bless you Mr Anonymous letter writer. I wish I had the opportunity that I could meet with you and share your views on this great America, people, families, and possible ideas or suggestions to help all walks of life. If you ever would come to the St. Louis MO area, please advise me if you could to take a little of your time to enjoy a table conversation of veiw issues. God Bless you and your family and hope you never change. Please give it a thought to come to St. Louis MO (I just live across the river....about 12 miles in a town call Collinsville IL) I think I could learn a lot from you thoughts and ideas....I hope you will contact me about these issues. Thanks again...........Sharon Sharp
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Why don't he take his autocratic ass over to France and live with all the other creme de la creme rejects out of California, none the less, Hollywood, in particular. You know what, pal, California may be the biggest state in this great land of ours, but the rest of us Hay seeds, unwashed, idiots run this country--so get out!!
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I live in SF (as my IP address will show) and this is the first I'm hearing of this story. It has indeed been ignored by local media. I found it via Valleywag. I have not seen the show, but based on the descriptions I've read in the various blog posts, it sounds like we've got just a particularly vivid, flagrant and open embodiment of the characteristics commonly found not just in this city (that I love) but in NYC, LA, and in the humanities department of every college in America. This is what rich (and pseudo-rich) leftists are. That's just the way it is. And guess what, like it or not but the same sentiments (in deeply disguised form) exist in the present White House.
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This awful man has touched a raw nerve because he represents the archetypal liberal West Coast elite, whose utter contempt for America and its citizens could not be hidden.
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We should all try to help each other and be nice to one another. It shouldn't matter how much money one has, everyone has a moral responsibility to treat others with respect and dignity.
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Did you catch Stephen Fowlers apology? It was posted on Renee's blog before she took it down- I found it cached on google. I've seen Renees' apologies on several websites, but not Stephens.
I'll post it in another comment because its really long and goes over the character limit.
But then again, as an ignorant midwesterner, I could probably find a way around that if I wasn't so over-opinionated and overweight...
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I have to put the letter in two parts- its rather verbose (yes, I know what that means)
A Message from Stephen Fowler
Stephen wrote this of his own volition, without input from me. I offer it without comment.
I hope you will take this as a sincere and unequivocal apology. I have been completely taken aback by the response my behavior generated and it has taken a while for me to figure out what to say. I’m not doing this to try and redeem myself. Rather I’m trying to try and undo some of the hurt that people have obviously felt as a result of my comments.
Clearly I behaved like a complete jerk and I am deeply sorry for all the offense I have caused. I’m not going to hide behind excuses, I showed an extraordinary level of stupidity and arrogance. I will do my best to address most of the criticism directed at me. If I miss something out, however, it is not because I do not deem it important, it is just that there is rather a lot to cover.
First off, let me say I am deeply sorry for the terribly insulting way I treated Gayla during the show. She is a very pleasant person and clearly did not deserve to be treated that way. In fact, no one deserves to be treated that way. I was a bully, and it was just plain unacceptable. Once again, I offer my sincere apologies to Gayla, Alan, and their boys.
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Here's the second part:
Some of my remarks obviously made me appear unpatriotic. Well that was just dumb. I chose to become a US citizen because I deeply respect the values upon which this great country is based. For the record, I think the US is an amazing country and I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather live. And while I do not happen to believe the Iraq war is a good idea, I do have a huge amount of respect for all the personnel who serve in the US military. They have the toughest job in the world and I am truly grateful for the sacrifices that they make to protect this country.
I used gross generalizations about Midwesterners and I am deeply sorry for any hurt I caused with these statements. My comments were just stupid and made me look like the one who is undereducated. Some of my best friends are Midwesterners, which shows how truly dumb my comments were.
I also deeply regret that my actions reflected badly on the environmental organizations with which I am affiliated, and were of disservice to the environmental movement as a whole. I’ve resigned both my nonprofit board positions and would ask you to not judge these organizations by my actions. I offer my sincere apologies to all the staff and board members.
Further, I regret that my remarks made me come across as a person who disrespects overweight people. I do not disrespect anyone for being overweight and I deeply regret that my remarks suggested I do. My wife has devoted her career to helping people and my comments reflect poorly on her and her heart-felt work. I apologize for my extreme insensitivity to her clients and her mission. Please don’t judge Renee by my actions.
I also want to apologize to my family and friends and thank them for their support, which I scarcely deserve. I believe we can all grow from experiences and I will work to ensure this experience teaches me to become a better, more compassionate person.
Finally I want to be clear that these are my words and I have received no input from anyone else, not even my wife. I hope this apology will be taken in the true spirit it was given.
Stephen
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I do not think that Stephen Fowler represents the liberal West Coast elite, or environmentalists, or the British, or the wealthy, or the well educated or any other group. There is no need to sterotype here. That is something he has done and will, undoubtedly continue to do. THen again, as they say "What goes around, comes around." Without stooping to his level, all that needs be said is that HE is an ASS.
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Stephen can't be all that bright, treating his common house staff like trash. Can you imagine how much of their saliva he has injested in his daily meals.oh well serves him right. Remember stephen the commoners will get even, their not that stupid. Not your friend Bryan Green. have a shitty day.
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Stephens words mean nothing...I don't care how many times he uses the words SINCERE, GENUINE, REGRET, UNACCEPTABLE.
With all his education and intelligence you would think that he knows.....
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS STEPHEN FOWLER!
And your actions were heard around the world!
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Dear Stephen,
How can someone so smart like you be so dumb as to go on a reality television show? Did you need the money or the fame that badly?
Mary from Missouri
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You know Mr Fowler is very apply named. Maybe someone needs to send him 20 cases of toilet paper so that he can use it to clean up the sewage he was so vehementally spewing. He is what I aptly call an educated asshole.
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I am a native-born Californian who has lived here all my life and I move in the same type of social circles as Mr. Fowler. I can attest that his views and attitudes toward Americans who live in the "flyover" are indeed very characteristic of his snobbish, affluent, West Coast liberal elitist type. PS -- they not only persecute people from the "flyover", they also persecute Californians who do not share their liberal elitist viewpoints. A friend of mine got her name published in the paper as a donor to the anti-gay marriage proposition, thanks to these intolerant jerks, in a clear attempt to intimidate her and her family out of their political views (they have several young children). In case you haven't noticed, this state is in serious deep trouble and people like Fowler are the main reason. Be glad they don't live in your states!
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MaryJ, thank you for confirming what so many of us see as well. It is, however, present on the East Coast as well and I've seen it first hand, living in Washington DC and NY. It appears that the liberal tolerance is only extended to those who agree with them. Everyone else is written off, moderates or conservatives - ANYONE else. It's pathetic.
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I have made three posts on renee.personallifemedia.com. The first two posts were deleted. My posts were not over the top yet were deleted. Today I posted a third message (no. 69) on the list which will no doubt be deleted. My first two posts were more pleasant than this post so I will expect that it will be deleted shortly. However, I have reposted it here.
I have posted two messages and both have been deleted. Again, as I stated in my last post, I do not believe my posts were over the top, but I understand that it is your prerogative to delete them at your whim. Let me simplify what I have stated in the past. If your husband were a sandwich, he would have the following ingredients: Limburger cheese, head cheese (lips and a**holes), anchovies, fresh monkey brains, Rockey Mountain oysters, piled high with sauerkraut, and all ingredients sandwiched between English Muffin halves or slices of sourdough bread (with all of the ingredients being organic of course). Renee, you should publish this recipe for your clients they will love it, especially the overweight, Midweternern rednecks from podunk towns.
Cheers!!
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