KICK THIS FOR NEW ORLEANS: Brad Pitt pledges $5m to Ninth Ward, NO

[roguevalley]

KICK THIS. THEY ARE GOING TO MATCH FUNDS. EVEN FIVE BUCKS DONATED WILL GENERATE TEN.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-roston/brad-pitt-heats-up-clinto_b_65958.html

Hello from the Clinton Global Initiative! Hollywood film star Brad Pitt just pledged $5 million toward rebuilding the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans at the Clinton Global Initiative on Wednesday afternoon.

"We're prepared to break ground by the end of the year, but we need your help," the actor said of his commitment to helping rebuild the New Orleans area hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. "We will match dollar for dollar any and every single contribution up to $10 million."

Pitt is working with film producer Steve Bing on the 'Make It Right' project. The effort seeks to install 150 affordable and sustainable homes. Bing also pledged $5 million in matching donations.

The male half of the Brangelina celebrity phenomenon spoke of the work his group already had performed in support of the project. The three day event in New York is an opportunity for the keepers of 602 such 'commitments' to report progress on pledges they made at earlier CGI gatherings, and make new ones.

The star of last year's Oscar-nominated film 'Babel' also sounded off on architectural design. He joked that it was important to make the houses affordable, "and not have it look like a Prius," before he admitted that he owns two of the boxy hybrid cars.

snip

[maddezmom]

1. K&R...direct link here to Make It Right

http://makeitrightnola.org/

[roguevalley]

3. thanks. I don't have much but I will donate. matching funds is good.

[PDenton]

2. bah, I hate brad pit... but good for NO

Good for New Orleans... but I still hate Brad Pitt. I liked him better before he got to be a mega-star. After Fight Club he jumped the shark. Now he is just ostentatious and self-righteous. That "we'll get married when everybody can get married" remark just smacked of the usual pompous Hollywood celeb talk.

I like George Clooney better. Maybe because he can pull off being a do-gooder without seeming pompous. He's older too, right?

[pitohui]

28. well i like brad pitt

i think he's a terrific actor with a great heart, if he's a little bit led around by his female partner's example i think that's cool too, a lot of "stars" in his position would be totally arrogant and not open to new ideas

clooney and pitt are both old dudes this time of century if by older we mean over 40, nothing wrong w. that!

[uppityperson]

30. They are attractive in different ways. Meaning physically and acting.

Decent people.

[pitohui]

31. sure, i like them both EOM

m

[Coexist]

34. "We'll get married when everyone can get married"?

what's wrong with that. That is beautiful.

[PDenton]

54. it seems preachy to me

if people want to get married, just do it. The reality is, they don't want to get married. It is OK for them to support gay marriage or civil unions, I just don't think they did it in a tasteful way.

Truthfully I like Angelina Jolie less than Brad Pitt. Angelina Jolie seems like an airhead/emotionally disturbedd who is the more pretentious one. Brad Pitt used to be just an actor, now he's a mega celebrity.

Hell, just call me a hater but I like George Clooney better.

[ecstatic]

4. Pitt and Jolie, Pres and VP 2016!!! nt

[DefenseLawyer]

5. I hope

that things have changed in New Orleans since I lived there 15 years ago (as far as the local political structure goes- obviously it has changed dramatically in a physical sense), because back then $5 million, after everyone down the line got to "wet their beak" and get their kickback, would amount to about a hundred grand.

[me b zola]

6. k&r

:kick:

[southern_belle]

7. k & r

[Cha]

8. One of most worthwhile projects

to come down the pike..thanks, rogue!

[roguevalley]

14. you're welcome. long live hope for the ninth ward.

[OzarkDem]

9. Brad Pitt is great. Angelina, a little weird

He puts money and work behind his causes. She just seems to talk and do photo ops.

[roguevalley]

12. she puts up about a third of her income to her causes, including

the one where children -usually many without any parents or guardians- are deported. She gave them half a million to get lawyers for them. she gives one third of everything. that makes her a queen in my book. I like them both because they have a big heart and do right. That's all a person needs to live a good life.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

20. Wow, that's impressive, I didn't know that.

She seems to take a bad rap in the press, not sure why, I don't know her, but she does seem actually committed to doing good things, and so does Brad Pitt.

Good for both of them.

[Breeze54]

25. They're both very socially conscious!

And she's a Goodwill Ambassador!

Angelina Jolie -- UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador

http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/help?id=3f94ff664

Since early 2001, renowned American actress Angelina Jolie has traveled the world with UNHCR
to help refugees. She has worked with field staff and met with refugees in over 20 countries.

Basic facts

http://www.unhcr.org/basics.html

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country.

In more than five decades, the agency has helped an estimated 50 million people restart their lives. Today, a staff of around 6,289 people in 111 countries continues to help 32.9 million persons.

[OzarkDem]

29. Well thanks

for setting me straight! :D

[springhill]

38. I love the deragatory statements about celebrities............

in particular. "She just seems to talk and do photo ops", like you really know the extent of her charity work. And if you did know anything about her work, you would know that she has traveled extensively, before Brad, to help all kinds of kids. And, by the way, she is the one who has gotten Brad as involved as he has.

[OzarkDem]

72. Read my post #29

thx.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Le Taz Hot]

35. That was a classless comment.

Not to mention racist.

[slackmaster]

39. You obviously don't grok my nuance

Oh well.

[Le Taz Hot]

40. Oh, well, no, I've never heard the term before

nor do I understand its meaning. :eyes:

[slackmaster]

41. It seems to be Standard Operating Procedure here on DU

When presented with an enigmatic statement, an unfamiliar idiom or colloquial term, an ambiguous reference, information that is obviously incomplete, a possibly extemporaneous quote of something said by somebody else, or anything else one does not understand; to take a knee-jerk interpretation that puts the person who wrote it in the most negative possible light. If it has anything to do with sexual orientation, the person is automatically acting homophobic. If any color is mentioned, the person instantly gets tarred as racist. Dare to quote something from Fox News and you are accused of being a Freeper troll even if that is the only available source of that particular information. Say you don't like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's positions on social issues, you are advocating bombing his country.

When I was in training for consulting services, one of the first things my mentor taught me is that you have two ears and one mouth for a very good reason. Use them in that proportion, ask for clarification, don't jump to conclusions, and you will get along with your clients, coworkers, even friends and family much better. Psychologist Carl Rogers had it right when he advised therapists to hold their patients in unconditional positive regard. Too bad so many here haven't learned those lessons.

A month or so ago I was treated quite savagely in a Lounge thread when I was just looking for a little moral support. I decided this is no place for social interaction. It's just a battleground for entertainment purposes. A cesspool of paranoia, personal attacks, and vindictiveness.

Pearls before swine.

Rant off.

[Le Taz Hot]

57. You know? I kinda do my own thing

in my own time and in my own way. I'd really like to oblige you by doing the whole formula thing but I never quite got the hang of all that. If you want to come along, welcome and enjoy the ride. :hippie:

[slackmaster]

59. All I ask is that you not jump to the worst possible conclusion at every opportunity

I think it's quite uncivil.

[uppityperson]

11. Thanks, I just emailed/wrote asking about $% being used for this and that

I'll post back if I hear back from them. It's always good to check out who will get the money, how it will be divided up and used. k&r too

[KamaAina]

13. I kind of wish he'd expand to other parts of the city

the Lower Ninth Ward may have been the hardest hit, but it is by no means the only neighborhood that could benefit greatly from an initiative of this kind. Perhaps other celebrities with NOLA ties (you'd be surprised how many A-listers have second or third homes there!) could step forward and adopt a neighborhood. For instance, Branford Marsalis and Harry Connick Jr., both NOLA natives, are working with Habitat for Humanity in the upper Ninth Ward (separated from Lower Nine by the Industrial Canal).

[rudy23]

15. Gentilly needs someone to represent!

Maybe some of the more high profile celebrity donors can spread out among the different neighborhoods.

[KamaAina]

18. Excellent call. One of the two or three areas I had in mind when I wrote that.

You can read about one Gentillian's struggles to return, interspersed with general political commentary that would not be out of place here at DU, at her most excellent blog:

http://gentillygirl.com

[rudy23]

19. Thanks!

I can't wait to get some work done, and delve into that blog, it looks great!

[provis99]

21. I wish the Republican administration would help NO

frankly, any amount given by a private citizen is deserving of praise; I've got no complaint on where Pitt chooses to give to in NO. Republicans on the other hand, have failed in the most basic duty as leaders of the country; they failed to protect American citizens, and didn't provide for the common welfare. I wouldn't praise the administration even if they dumped billions into NO, because they would only be doing what they're supposed to be doing in the first place.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

16. K&R ! Thanks for finding this !!!

[earth mom]

17. Bravo Brad! Too many in Hollywood are hiding behind their money & too worried about looking good.

:applause:

p.s. I KNOW this money will be put to use! Unlike a lot of the Katrina funds -Red Cross etc. :grr:

[Uncle Joe]

22. Good for Brad!

:thumbsup:

Thanks for the thread roguevalley.

Kicked and recommended.

[uppityperson]

23. I give my ok on this. Just got an email back from them...

I wrote asking which local groups they were working with and about money distribution. Here's the reply, will post when I get more.

Hi!

Will get info for you on the $ questions. RE the local noon-profits, yes
yes yes! We're working directly with (in alpha order) ACORN, All
Congregations Together (ACT), Common Ground Relief, Holy Cross Neighborhood
Association, Lower 9th Ward Neighborhood Empowerment Network Association
(NENA), Lower 9th Ward Health Clinic, Lower 9th Ward Homeowners Association,
Lower 9th Ward Neighborhood Council, New Life Intracoastal Community
Development Corporation.

They are all really fabulous people, working incredibly hard. Virginia

[intheflow]

26. Those are all the big players on the local, grass-roots, social justice scene.

Thanks for sending the email and clarifying. I figured I'd support this no matter what, if any, local groups were working with him because I knew he has been working with Global Green on building green housing in the Lower 9th. So little housing is being built at all, that any housing is already good. Green housing is OTT in the best way. So ya know, if he got Halliburton to build green housing for NOLA, I would have supported it. (OK, maybe not financially, as I am with "Make It Right," but at least in spirit. Then again, if Pitt got Halliburton to do anything but exploit NOLA, I'd say to draft him to be Gore's running mate! :P )

[uppityperson]

27. I asked about money stuff too, will let you know what she says.

just another kick

[Imagevision]

24. Bush sez NO to the 5 Billion NO. needs but 200 billion for Iraq... go figure!

[FloridaJudy]

32. I never much liked him as an actor

But as a caring human being, he rocks.

[slackmaster]

42. The $500 I donated to Katrina relief more than two years ago was a lot bigger personal sacrifice

Where was Brad Pitt two years ago?

He was busy cheating on his wife, who was and is one of the most beautiful and intelligent women in Hollywood. Jennifer Aniston wasn't shallow enough for him. Oh, and lying about the affair at every possible opportunity on talk shows.

Caring human being my ASS. Brad Pitt cares only about Brad Pitt. When filthy rich people make charitable contributions, they're thinking more of the tax benefits and how it will affect their fame, than about the poor people who could have used a lot more and a lot earlier.

Brad Pitt is scum.

[intheflow]

43. Bitter much?

I think you're spending too much time reading tabloids. Unless you're a personal friend of one of them, you don't know what really went on with Brad, Jen, and Angelina. And your stereotypical assumptions about rich people's motivations for charitable giving are just as offensive to me as the welfare queen stereotype the right paints as the motivating factor as to why people go on public assistance.

[slackmaster]

44. Dupe

:hi:

[slackmaster]

45. You've fallen for Mr. Pitt's attempt to ingratiate genuine kind, generous people like you

:hi:

[StrongBad]

53. LOL

Sarcasm, right?

[slackmaster]

56. Consider it so at your own risk

:nuke:

[roguevalley]

58. so, he 'dumped' you too? :) Good lord. Put up five million yourself

and then wheeze. until then, relax.

[slackmaster]

60. Five million dollars is play money to someone at that level

Coming up with $500 required me to make some material sacrifices.

[roguevalley]

66. giving anything is good, small or large. it all adds up to make the

pot hot. he is arranging financing for these homes that keeps big debt off the buyers. poor people are being helped by someone with a heart. lots of rich people have as much or more money and do nothing good for ordinary people. I doubt he was born rich. Material sacrifices aside, it is the giving for others that matters, not how much it hurts or not to do so. Giving matters. Period. If it didn't, then even rich people with consciences couldn't do good without criticism. Give me a Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie doing good over a lot of other people anyday. They are making a difference too.

[slackmaster]

69. Of course it's good

But it would have been much better if he had made the donation TWO YEARS AGO.

[roguevalley]

70. And if he had never made it, you would not be complaining about

how he gave it 'late'. I applaud goodness no matter what. I doubt that the good people of NO would have the same opinion about his gesture as a private citizen as you. so what. two years or ten. its helping people. jeez. how perfect and flawless does a person have to be to be able to do right?

[slackmaster]

71. I disliked him before I read about his donation

The fact that he made it doesn't make me dislike him any less.

[roguevalley]

73. ok

[cboy4]

68. I just love it how National Enquirer gossip readers like yourself

make comments about people you know nothing about.

Believe me, the Katrina relief people were far, far happier with the $5,000,000.00 they received from Brad Pitt than the $500.00 you purportedly donated.

Sorry to break the news to you.

[Senator]

33. K&R

[JNelson6563]

36. Thanks Brad.

:applause: :toast:

[Norrin Radd]

37. Louis the vampire giving back to NO. ;-)

[BlackVelvet04]

46. Why has this thread become

a pissing match about Brad Pitt? This isn't about Brad Pitt, it's about rebuilding the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans.

[in_cog_ni_to]

50. Because that's DU!

:( It always happens.

Can't we just be gracious about what the man is doing? $5 MILLION isn't chump change! I, for one, am grateful to him.

[BlackVelvet04]

67. I'm grateful, too.

It makes me wonder if at least half of the membership has attention deficit disorder.

[Kajsa]

63. You mean focus on the main point here?

God forbid,

Main Point---Run, Run!

Here it comes,---
Run far away and
throw pointless distractions in the road.

[in_cog_ni_to]

47. Bless his heart!!! At least someone cares about NOLA! Thank you, Brad Pitt! He drives a Prius?

I love him even more! Save Mother Earth and our soldiers!:loveya:

[Swamp Rat]

48. k&r

[bdamomma]

49. kick

[RangerRK]

51. What a beautiful soul!

Thank you Brad Pitt- New Orleans needs all the help it can get!

[ananda]

52. huh?

How many actual liveable homes will be produced?

Will any of them be affordable to the people who actually
once lived there?

What about the projects? The great culture and sense of
connection?

Sue

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

55. That's great!

thanks for posting this.

[nam78_two]

61. Good for him! nt

[LynneSin]

62. I swear Angelina has made Brad Pitt a better person

I know he was into good causes but he's really done much more good since connecting with Angelina and dumping Jennifer Aniston

[KamaAina]

64. More from today's Times-Pic

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-9/1190877267120200.xml&coll=1

In a novel and ambitious effort to return New Orleans homeowners to their own neighborhood, an international consortium of architects led by film star Brad Pitt announced plans Wednesday to develop at least 150 storm-safe, environmentally sound houses in the section of the Lower 9th Ward reduced to rubble by a massive levee breach.

Working lot by lot instead of amassing huge development tracts, the project, dubbed Make It Right, will take applications from homeowners who want to rebuild their own properties with model homes now being designed, said Virginia Miller, a New Orleans spokeswoman for the project....

Like another Lower 9th Ward project that Pitt has spearheaded -- the Global Green USA contest to develop "green" housing and community/retail space in the Holy Cross neighborhood -- Make It Right is rooted in principles of environmentalism, including using solar power for heat, installing energy-efficient appliances and allocating space for recycling and composting....

At the same time, the homes will reflect traditional New Orleans architectural styles, such as shotguns, camelbacks and Creole cottages, and will incorporate high ceilings, front porches and gingerbread details.

Looks like he's going right into the hardest-hit of the hardest-hit, right where you've probably seen pictures of houses strewn across the streets. Geaux Brad!

[MasonJar]

65. I am perhaps confused, but I took Pitt to mean that he and Jolie would

marry when everyone was allowed to marry.