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Since Barack Obama has been in office Hollywood celebs are getting his ear for their pet causes. Last month, George Clooney called on both the president and VP Joe Biden to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Darfur — and then announced that the administration would send an envoy to the Sudan region. Now Brad Pitt yesterday had what news reports describe as a “secret” meeting (which clearly the media found out about) to discuss Hurricane Katrina-ravaged New Orleans and its rebuilding. Pitt also met separately with HUD secretary Shaun Donovan and Energy Secretary Steven Chu — all to romote his “Make It Right” foundation to create safe and cheap “green” housing in the Lower 9th Ward. Yesterday, Pitt met privately with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Capitol Hill to make a case for nationalizing his “Make It Right” campaign, in partnership with Congress. Any day now the GOP taunts in advance of the Midterm Elections will start about the Democrats being “too Hollywood”. But when Dubya was in office, Scooter Libby, the chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, and State Department No. 2 Richard Armitage had sitdowns with Tom Cruise about Germany’s treatment of Scientologists.
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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How sweet. Celebs get the Presidents’ attention for all of the pet causes while, at the same time, he is planning to gut the amount one can give to reputable charities and still deduct the same.
Think it’s bad now? To quote one who knew “it’s going to be a bumpy ride”.
As long as any discussion about post Katrina problems includes south Mississippi, I am all for it. As far as I know, the city of Waveland, erased from existence by the storm, still doesn’t exist again yet.
Savvydude, you conveniently left out some key facts in your statement. Specifically, (a) you can give what ever you want to a charity (b) you’re only can now (potentially) only deduct 28% of your donation if you make more than $250k, down from 35% currently. So if you’re only giving to collect a deduction, then you’re still only down 7%. I’d hardly call this a “gut”, especially if you’re a multi-millionaire philanthropist. So not so savvy.
Clooney and Pitt should be warmly greeted by the DC fat cats. After all, they’ll be paying all the taxes. Thanks for the free universal healthcare, George. You’re working for me, now!
I’m no techie, but I love how both the photographer and camera instinctively choose to sharply focus on Brad and blur Pelosi.
Come on Nikki, a brush off meeting between Cruise – I’m sure he didn’t *ask* to see the No 2 – and Armitage (who presumably had to take time off from outing CIA operatives) and a mutual lovefest between Hollywood’s A-List, the Vice President, Speaker, Senate Majority Leader and the media are hardly comparable… and if you want any more proof, just follow the money trail.
Anyway I expect this honeymoon will shortly be over, adding more to the national debt than all previous presidents combined, hiring tax cheats, failing to staff the Treasury in the midst of the biggest banking crisis in history, continuing the policy of rendition, attempting to sell out Eastern Europe to Russia, insulting the leader of our biggest ally, leaving 50,000 troops as a permanent occupying force in Iraq, etc, etc… Obama has had the worst start to any President in living memory, not unsurprising to all of us who looked past the fawning media to see somebody who had no executive experience and achieved nothing of accomplishment in his whole life.
Isn’t it cool our leaders have time for secret meetings with stars but can’t spare it for the likes of the British Prime Minister? I hope Brad likes his replica of Marine One.
George and Brad save the world! But, not a peep about the MPTF! Thanks guys!!!
As a contributor to “Make it Right”-I don’t give a hoot about the tax deduction-I’m thrilled that the Obama administration and the democrats are looking into charity models that work in order to help the people of our country. Brad Pitt and George Clooney are to be commended for their work in helping others. And… I’m sure they have no problem paying their fair share of taxes, unlike moguls who are far richer than they.
Yikes. It’s hardly surprising Sherilu doesn’t give ‘a hoot’ about the tax deduction – but the charities whose only lifeline is contributions do. As we learned a couple years ago those on the left are far less interested in giving to charities than those on the right.
Throwing roses at Pitt and Clooney is fine. But why not also give credit to the Salvation Army, Feed the Children, Doctors Without Borders, Operation Blessing and Samaritan’s Purse who feed, clothe, heal and support the neediest of all without photo ops, award shows, publicists or ego boosts. They do it because it’s the right thing to do; too bad President Obama can’t see that.
Savvydud,
Don’t make assumptions about whom I do and don’t contribute to. I contribute most of the charities named above as well as CARE and many more as well as volunteering for a clothing bank. I’m sure many ordinary Americans do more. I also consider it an honor to pay my taxes. Most of us who have jobs are happy to do so. Too bad you are so bitter that you can’t just accept a good deed no matter who does it.
Underestimating President Obama is a sure way to look foolish. Most in this nation are astounded at what he has already accomplished and are breathing a sigh of relief that someone with some knowledge and intellect is finally in charge.
Sherilu, you’re nuts if you think Clooney and Pitt pay their fair share of taxes. But it sure would be interesting to find out for sure. Bono’s being chased for his tax shelters…Nikki, how about a little investigation? If anyone can find out the truth, you can.
I seem to remember a storm called IKE which was larger and more destructive than Katrina. It was also less than a year ago. Has a single celeb even bothered to visit Galveston?
The MPTV Fund Vs. Darfur & Katrina Victims? You mean a bunch of pampered performers who didn’t bother to provide for themselves vs. the terminally fucked? Yeah, George and Brad are clearly on the wrong side of history there… should be drummed out of Hollywood.
Oh, Puh-leeze, Nikki. Check your bias, will ya? Comparing a meeting with Tom Cruise about what’s going on in GERMANY and having the likes of pretty-boys Pitt & Clooney taking meeting that will probably affect OUR national policy (because we all know Dems never saw a spending spree they couldn’t resist, especially when touted by the likes of Pitt & Co.), is stretching it a bit. *Sigh* The lengths liberals will go to defend the indefensible is nothing short of amazing…
I’m just glad they’re not so self centered and are actually spending time and money toward some kind of cause. If you can afford 35$ a month, there are plenty of children that can use the help, and plenty of charities here and overseas. I’d say quit whining about who’s doing good and to quote Ghandi:
“BE THE CHANGE YOU’D LIKE TO SEE”
I wonder why our celebrities — who think they are American royalty — had no time for the floods that ravaged the mid-west or Hurricane Ike? Hurricane Katrina victims had billions donated for rebuilding both by private donors and government agencies. Where did it all go?
Oh, I’m sorry — Bush probably stole it.
Go Brad! You make civic participation sexy!
I want more celebrities to participate in politics and public policy. Hollywood “news” is included in local newscasts, yet politics is rarely included in industry newscasts. More visits by entertainers make D.C. news more visible to middle America.
I mean, let’s be real, we’re not a country of Civics Studies experts. Any public attention Brad drags to Washington will be for the better.