I smiled through the whole Brad Pitt story. I agreed with all of it. ALL of it!

Brad Pitt walks around a construction area in a neighborhood devastated by disaster and suddenly he qualifies for the Nobel Prize. Where was he when people were actually getting their hands dirty? Hell, if that's all it takes, give me a hard hat and a cab to the nearest homeless shelter. I'll show you some commendable.

not to nit pick but here goes...katrina was a natural disaster that struck a place where people should not have been living, nor where they should rebuild now. i'm glad that brad pitt is willing to put his money where his mouth is, work to try to re-build, etc. but to simply call the devastation wrought by hurricane katrina a "man made disaster" without considering what man was doing there in the first place is disingenuous.

i am in favor of pitt wearing a hardhat, white tshirt, blue jeans, and rugged beard as he works on my back deck, however.

it was, in effect, a manmade disaster because both the levees nor the emergency response were substandard.

i agree that the nobody should have built in the ninth ward in the first place, but once houses were there, doesn't someone have a responsibility to ensure their safety?

brad pitt. hard hat and muscle t. mmm-mmm-mmm, toasty!

"not to nit pick but here goes...katrina was a natural disaster that struck a place where people should not have been living, nor where they should rebuild now. i'm glad that brad pitt is willing to put his money where his mouth is, work to try to re-build, etc. but to simply call the devastation wrought by hurricane katrina a "man made disaster" without considering what man was doing there in the first place is disingenuous."

I agree, however, I think it's unrealistic to expect that people are not going to live there because of Hurricane Katrina.

I commend Brad Pitt for his efforts. I wouldn't go so far to say he deserves a medal, but he's doing a hell of a lot more than the useless twits like Paris or Lindsay. Or even our cokehead President!

Er, not to nitpick, but that picture is not Mr. Pitt.

That's me.

Posted by: byoolin | August 22, 2007 11:18 AM

Okay, I was kidding. It *is* Pitt.

byoolin, you are saucy today!

i'm not going to defend my earlier comments (although i normally would) because i do think it's great that brad pitt is strutting his stuff and attempting to make a difference in this world. i applaud both the strut and the difference. here here brad pitt! may you always be/forever in blue jeans!

Much praise to Brad Pitt for helping the people of the lower ninth ward. Hurricane Katrina was not a man-made, but the flood that took place was. For years the Army Corp of Engineers, federal, state and local governments never invested in the levers. New Orleans levers were shoddy by design and maintenance. I suggest people read the Great Deluge by Douglas Brinkley.

Remember, if New Orleans should not be rebuilt, then should we rebuild San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego after the big one.

he has been involved with this project since day 1, which was shortly after the flood, including helping with the design, funding, etc. he and Angelina bought in NO to support the idea that the City should coe back. They have both been down there working on this countless times, but it has not been treated as a photo op. Like with their children and Angelina's UN work, they actually care about this. but some people will always find fauly and criticize instead of looking at the good that is happening. Sad

methinks, methinks there was something in the coffee. :)

My understanding is that Brad Pitt has done far more than "walk around a construction area with a hard hat on." He has money, so what he's chosen to do is to use that money, and not from a distance, for a cause that he finds noble. The fact that his contribution is monetary, rather than getting his hands dirty, makes his contribution no less noble, in my mind. Denigrating a contribution because it's not the most grueling is small-minded and useless. Perhaps the better option is to appreciate all contributions, in whatever form, and consider what you have to offer.

Who can blame Brad for leaving that no personality, wet dishrag Jennifer Aniston? She always looks unhappy, she's a terrible actress, and she's only lasted this long because she knows how to pick out an outfit. Team Angelina!

Keep up the good work, Brad. You're setting a fine example for your children. I personally hope several infantile millioniares sit up and take notice.

right on, Anonymous, New Poster and April. Let's be happy about the drops in the bucket toward helping ease the misery in this world. Every little thing can help if enough little things are done.

And agreed on Jen. What has she done except act in a mediocre sit com and act the victim? What good has SHE done?

Brad, along with Harry Connick, Jr.(who actually took his boat out to rescue people after the storm) and Chris Rock (who opened a soup kitchen) are doing these things because they have the ability to raise the profile of an issue through their celebrity. They aren't trying to make a buck off it. I think that is always commendable.
The comments about New Orleans and "people not supposed to be living there" are uncalled for. For a disaster of that magnitude, many mistakes were made, most of them human error, and most of them racially motivated. If the people in the 9th Ward had been white, things would have been fixed a lot sooner.

POS: Unfortunately, you are right. Race did have a lot of do with how this disaster was handled.

Team Angelina!

Team whoralina!

Yes, absolutely race, poverty, and no power on behalf of victims, and nothing there Bush wants or needs. We send aid to Mexico for this hurricane because Bush needs Calderon as a friend. So despicable.

"If the people in the 9th Ward had been white, things would have been fixed a lot sooner."

So true. And if Bush could've found a foreign scapegoat to blame, preferrably one who wronged his Daddy in the past, quick action would have been taken. Hell, he may have even had a chance to snow us a second time!

Okay, now for a real post. I think it is great what Brad Pitt is doing, good for him. After all, he is not a hollywood brat, he is a good boy from MO.

However, I do get annoyed when stars, even ones who truly want to help, get more attention than the everyday worknig guy or gal trying to rebuild where they live.

yes, IrishGirl, but that is the nature of celebrity (and why this blog exists), and much more profound discussion

yes, IrishGirl, but that is the nature of celebrity (and why this blog exists), and much more profound discussion

Oh, I love gossip, don't get me wrong. Hero worship is a little bit of a different thing though.

The fact of the matter is, Brad's do-gooder behavior could have farther reaching effects BECAUSE of his celebrity. So, it is worth pointing out when someone like him does something worthy of notice. People know him and respect him, and a lot of times, they even imitate him. So, it's good all around. I'm all for it, including the photo-op.

I agree with Irishgirl. There are millions of regular folks doing very good things on a daily basis with no fanfare -- and doing them while working full-time, having families, and not having gazillions of dollars. Sure, what Brad's doing is a nice contrast to vapid, self-absorbed twits, but I find myself thinking "it's the least someone with as much money, fame and free time as him can do."

I also think rebuilding New Orleans without fixing the underlying problem -- the levees -- is a huge mistake, as the same thing will just happen again if we don't.

Well, I don't respect him and seeing him run out and do good things won't make me do it. I do them on my own.

I do see your point about it though, but to be honest, he is just a person too.

I agree with Californian.

Irishgirl,

Why don't you respect him?

[Don't you hate it when you type up your comment and then an hour later you still don't see it posted? OK, it's been 15 min but still]
Where was I? Something about Brad being hella cool, and something about the awesomness of "Whoralina." It was longer and funnier, but I don't feel like typing it all over again.

[Don't you hate it when you type up your comment and then an hour later you still don't see it posted? OK, it's been 15 min but still]
Where was I? Something about Brad being hella cool, and something about the awesomness of "Whoralina." It was longer and funnier, but I don't feel like typing it all over again.

You may not find inspiration from seeing the good deeds of others, but some people do. In fact, probably lots of people do, people who might not normally be motivated to do anything worthwhile. There are many more followers in the world than leaders. So, for being that positive example some people need, I commend Brad.

Liz, perhaps next week you can do a column on the good deeds of self-proclaimed, do-gooder readers of Celebritology, a celebrity gossip column (by the way).

Why don't you respect him?

Well, Liz was hoping to avoid this, but since team Angelina is out, I have to say that I don't respect cheaters no matter who they are. I give him props for helping people though.

You may not find inspiration from seeing the good deeds of others, but some people do.

No, I don't mean others, I mean stars. I like to see people helping people. I work for a non-profit and see it all the time. However, I don't think that most people see "stars" and think "wow, look at that, I want to go give blood or ring the salvation army bell because Brad Pitt is doing it." I think most people have a moral compass of their own, but like I said good for him.

Liz, perhaps next week you can do a column on the good deeds of self-proclaimed, do-gooder readers of Celebritology, a celebrity gossip column (by the way).

You are just being snarky now. I have been on topic (Brad Pitt) the whole time I have posted.

"I do see your point about it though, but to be honest, he is just a person too."

"No, I don't mean others, I mean stars. I like to see people helping people."

Hmm...so stars aren't people and Brad Pitt is just a person...so Brad is an alien...well if A is B then C is...nevermind.

"Well, Liz was hoping to avoid this, but since team Angelina is out, I have to say that I don't respect cheaters no matter who they are. I give him props for helping people though."

Well, unless you were there, you don't know if there was any cheating. Brad has always come across as a decent person. I believe that there was an attraction between Brad and Angelina while they worked together, but that doesn't mean that they acted on the attraction. I don't know the true story because I wasn't there either, but I do believe that he took the high road and didn't act on the attraction until after he was separated.

I believe in marriage until death, but I also know that people split up for lesser reasons than different goals for the future such as having children.

Brad could cheat on me anytime as long as he doesn't throw me to the curb.

anon, Ethan Hawke might be available.

I am an everyday person who does tons of good things. I donate large amounts of money, work for an NFP, and volunteer. But I do not WANT recognition. Why would I? I don't do this for recognition and hope others do not either. (sort of defeats the purpose of doing good). The Brads of the world cannot help but have their photos taken every second they are in public, so they milk that for press for their causes. Why is this bad? If it encourages another person to joun the cause, it is a wonderful thing.

lol byoolin

Brad's family adores Angelina, which says something.

Very well put anon at 1:23. You forgot to write your name though.

hah, I didn't put my name on purpose. Not tooting my own horn. (-:

You don't say.

Brad's family adores Angelina? Really?

An affair doesn't have to be physical to constitute infidelity IMHO. It can be an "emotional affair".

I know this is off-topic, but something I have always found interesting is the veil of silence about other celebs who have broken up marriages. Hillary Swank took up with her married agent, who then left his wife and children for her. That's never mentioned in the press. Claire Daines was TOTALLY the Angelina/whoralina in the Billy Crudup/Mary-Louise Parker drama, but even worse b/c Mary-Louise was what, 7 months pregnant with Crudup's baby? There are too many others to list, but it is interesting.

right, Julia Roberts and Tori Spelling both were the Claires in their situations

- Hillary Swank and Claire Danes didn't flaunt their affairs in W magazine as Brad and Angelina did.

- Hillary Swank and Caire Danes are mentally stable unlike Angelina who is a whack job. I don't how many good deeds she does the woman is nutty as squirrel poop.

Hmm...so stars aren't people and Brad Pitt is just a person...so Brad is an alien...well if A is B then C is...nevermind.

I think you know what I mean. I just don't think he is the end all be all. And I am sure there are celebrities who do good works without being caught on camera.

Californian

Don't forget Penelope Cruz in the Kidman/Cruise break up. Although I have to say she did Nicole a favor. Who am I missing?

Oh, here's another one Angelina/Laura Dern/Billy Bob.

you are one bitter person, IrishGirl. Did someone treat you badly?

That wasn't me at, anon at 2:20, Irishgirl. I don't think you are bitter. Well, maybe. But, still, it wasn't me.

Attack celebs, not each other ...

2:20 sounds like the person who claimed to be me on Ethan Hawke day last week.

is Ethan Hawke Day like Guy Fawkes Day? Can we burn effigies?

Well, given that it's Ethan Hawke Day, I suspect we'd do something with anatomically correct inflatable Ethan Hawke effigies.

The ladies, of course, would probably be able to something with Mr. Hawke himself; the burning would undoubtedly come later.

Maybe Angelina should get credit for some of Brad's do-gooderness? I don't recall seeing any community service or otherwise from him when he was married to Jen. I do recall that they drove a gas-guzzling Mercedes SUV, though. Now he's green? Hmmm. Maybe this is Angelina's good influence on Brad.

... A's still a wacko, though. This doesn't change that.

and to think, all *this* (see above) started w/liz giving an attaboy to brad pitt.

byoolin, you've been on the job since early this a.m., haven't you. i saw the time stamp on your final post on yesterday's second topic. gotta say, byoo, you've been in fine and rare form today.

We go after people like Tom Cruise for making irresponsible statements about drug therapy because we worry that people will believe what he says and go off their meds. This is the flip side. Hopefully someone will follow Brad's example and help people in need.

Totally agree -- he does seem to think beyond his crazy celebrity existence and direct public attention where it's needed

Not one of us can ever say what happens in the marriage of another couple. You may hear things and think things, but that may be very far from the truth.
I love ya, Liz, but "Jen" has nothing to do with Brad's committment to the people of New Orleans. I appreciate that you need to fan the flames, but who doesn't know some one who is divorced? For various reasons.
And I think Bette Midler's story has probably been blown totally out of proportion. I think ultimately she was trying to do the right thing by planting her land with native species and didn't see to it that it was approved, which was careless and not malicious (which might be an excuse for not building proper levees in New Orleans, I'm sure.)

you are one bitter person, IrishGirl. Did someone treat you badly?

Wow, not thinking Brad Pitt is a saint makes me bitter? You guys need to put down the bottle. Just because someone doesn't agree with you doesn't make them bitter.

Oh, I forgot that some of you actually think you know Brad Pitt and take these things very seriously. Sorry if I offended you. I like Bono, maybe you can say he isn't a saint either and make me cry.

I agree with the majority of posters. It's never bothered me when Richard Gere manages to inject Tibet into an awards ceremony, and it doesn't bother me when Angelina Jolie uses her celebrity to attract some attention to the genocide in Darfur. If you've got a bully pulpit, use it. I very much doubt that Brad Pitt is looking for a photo op. The difference he makes may be insignificant, but at least he's trying to make one, and I believe he's sincere.

In all these examples of alleged "women stealing boyfriends/husbands" it's the guy that's married or in a relationship!! for me it is always first and foremost the guy's fault. he is the one attached, he is the one that screws around on his wife/partner. Why do we just give them a pass? They are the ones to blame.

OK, so BP parlayed his ridiculously perfect looks into megabucks and now spends some of his free time volunteering. Give him a medal. I'd like to see as much print given to the MANY organizations in the dc area that have committed much more money and time to the victims of Katrina.

Tell me this. If you had millions of dollars and didn't have to work, wouldn't you find time to volunteer too?

i like coondogs.

RE;hah, I didn't put my name on purpose. Not tooting my own horn. (-:

Posted by: | August 22, 2007 01:31 PM

Just curious...are you a left hander?

Brad Pill has become the Eddie Fisher of his day, walking several steps behind his siren and being cuckolded night and day. He looks a fool.