Pittwatch.com: Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie Gossip

100 opinions for Tangent to the Angelina Jolie Adoption “Addiction”

• Pamela
  Mar 13, 2008 at 7:54 pm

  I think it’s some of the things you mentioned, but also that she is so beautiful. Too many people are jealous of her and will say any spiteful thing they can about her.

  I also think that people don’t understand how she changed so quickly from the “Wild Child” to a loving and caring mother. But I think it’s very understandable. She has a great heart and it was broken by the poverty and agony that she saw in some of the countries in which she was filming. I think it’s wonderful that she and Brad spend so much of their time and money helping underprivilaged people. And I think it’s great that they want a big family.

• angela
  Mar 13, 2008 at 8:06 pm

  thanks for the new thread sherry. i totally agree with meagan francis, she really has a good point.

  i came from a big family myself. i have 4 brothers and a sister. their original plan (as told by my mom) is to have only 2 kids – but maybe they enjoy having kids running around the house. growing up in a big family is fun. me and my other siblings are very close because we all have 2 years age gap. now that my youngest brother is in highschool now and that my brothers and sister moved out of the house already for work and school, i can say that our house now which was once very warm, crowded and full of laughters is now empty and cold. and it’s boring already. since my father is doctor and my mom is bank manager, people here in our city think it’s ok to raise a big family since they can provide us our basic needs. what if my father was only a janitor and my mom is a waitress (no offense intended), would people think it’s ok for them to raise a big family? i mean, would their salary be sufficient enough to send us all to school to have better education and better future? i don’t think so.

  that’s what i don’t get with the psychologists, i mean, i really do think brad and angie can provide their kids not only their basic needs but maybe all of the things they want. and that filling void is a crap. why can’t they accept the fact that some people just really loves children? yeah, maybe brad and angie are both public personality but why do they only bash angie? and why do they have to bring up the past? she has said it before that she wouldn’t adopt if she knew she would be self destructive again. they both knew that kids are their source of happiness and that’s what drew and binds them to be together. they are not only helping children in the orphanage to have a better future but also to have a family to live.

  sorry for the long post.

• Kari
  Mar 13, 2008 at 8:07 pm

  Yeah…if Brad does it it’s OK because he’s from a typical Midwestern family. No one raises an eyebrow. But in the case of Angelina, people try to cast it in a negative light. Like everything she does.

  I am always struck by how cool, at-ease, normal, and natural (i.e. not plastering big exaggerated smiles on their faces for the camera pretending to be cute, but smiling when they feel like it) the kids look. I think the photographs are clear proof that Angelina and Brad are fantastic parents. Those kids seem to be some of the happiest most well adjusted kids I’ve seen and I used to be a nanny (part time) in New York City and go to alllllllllll the playgrounds.

• tenika
  Mar 13, 2008 at 8:13 pm

  Honestly I Believe Its A Combination Of 3 Things. I Think There Is Sexism Involved Because Its So Much Easier For Society To Criticize Women. Secondly I Believe Angie Is Attacked Because People Believe That Its Impossible For One To Completely Change. We’ve Always Been Told That People Cant/Dont Change And People Do Not Believe She Really Has Changed. Lastly That Green One Eyed Monster Always Gets People. She Is THE Most Beautiful Woman On Earth With THE Most Beautiful Man On Earth With THE Most Beautiful Children On Earth. They Have Several Homes Across The World They Make Millions Of Dollars And Then On Top Of That Theyre Humanitarians!!! There Is Nothing To Genuinely Criticize So They Choose This. Sorry So Long Sherry But It Hurts Me When People Criticize Her For This

• Diane
  Mar 13, 2008 at 8:13 pm

  I knew as a child that when I grew up I wanted two kids and that is exactly what I got… I think Angie and Brad have exactly what they want too. I think people get jealous or envious when they see dreams come true. That’s when conclusions start being drawn and trash talk starts.

• Neela
  Mar 13, 2008 at 8:39 pm

  I’ve noticed that the majority of the people who harp on Angie and nitpick her choices are mostly women. It is very strange, but maybe it also isn’t. I see Angelina as the unconventional: confident, makes no apologies for her choices, follows her heart, enjoys activities that are mostly attributed to men, assumes many life roles (humanitarian, actress, mom, etc.), and could care less about people’s judgments. It takes a lot of courage, especially for a woman, to muster up that kind of confidence; and she has it, and to top it off, she is beautiful and sexy. Deep down, I think she represents what many women hope to be but can’t, even women who despise her probably hope they can achieve that kind of power and confidence, but because they can’t or don’t have that kind of boldness, they resent her. I’m rambling, but those are just my thoughts.

  Why Brad is not given equal “negative” judgment is unfair. There’s a double standard there, a double standard propagated by many women at that.

• Lindsay Phan
  Mar 13, 2008 at 9:18 pm

  It is none of psychologists business if Brad and Angie wanted more children. Why they need to voice their opinion since they are not the ones who take care the kids. In my country each family had at least 4 children (minimum). My family had 9 (3 boys and 6 girls). My baby brother is now 33 years old. Nobody had said anything. We all very healthy and very close. Only in the US if you had more kids people thought that you are crazy. they did not even put the food on your table, they still mind your business.

  Angie and Brad both are wonderful person. People is jealous of them because he or she can’t do like them

• lady di
  Mar 13, 2008 at 9:36 pm

  I think it’s one of the most beautiful things on earth to love children as much as Angie and Brad do…hello why is Angie the one being singled out? Because America has a problem with smart, beautiful women who dare to live their dreams. Honestly, I think that Brad and Angie were brought together to inspire us and to touch the lives of those children. Let’s just be happy for them and try to emulate what they are doing in this world.

• kc
  Mar 13, 2008 at 10:42 pm

  It’s pointless to even put in any effort discussing this issue, regardless what, people are never going to see the good in what Angie is doing. There will always be a negative comment when it comes to this family. Those celebrities who aren’t lifting a finger to help the needy will not be judged on what they do with their lives and kids. As long as this family is good in God’s eyes, that’s all that matters, just like Gods word, whatever good you do to the needy, you did for me. The most important thing is, they love and care for the kids above anything else.

• Glenda
  Mar 13, 2008 at 11:47 pm

  It’s the same old story, Angie “stole” Brad away from Jen, poor Brad didn’t have a say in the matter and no fingers are pointed at the fact that perhaps he chose Angie. Now it’s Angie is trying to fill the void, no mention of Brad. It’s ridiculous!!

• hollie
  Mar 14, 2008 at 12:14 am

  I believe that the public has scrutinized Angelina over Brad becuase of Jennifer Aniston Thing. Angelina is a great person but people feel it is easier to target a person who has had a rocky past, havent we all. And yet brad is the one who left his wife to be with another woman and got her pregnant within 2 months… i love brad but i think that it is a double edged sword completely.

  Angelina is perfect, i am a huge fan and I believe that those who harp on her are truly jealous of the calmness she has found in her life and therefore they feel the need to keep some sort of facade around her to still protray her as the same wild child as she may have once been

  Personally I say lay off of her and let them be a happy family.

• Smoochie
  Mar 14, 2008 at 12:18 am

  So what if she is filling a void with beautiful children?? (not saying that she is!) I mean, people fill voids with the worst kind of things. If having children and saving children from their dire circumstances makes her happy and fills her up then good for her. Children are a gift and as a mother I know that nothing brings me the “purest” joy than the kind my child brings me. The worst possible thing we as humans can do is hold eachothers pasts in front of our faces and remind people of their shortcomings and failures. If she screwed up in the past who cares, the present is now, and all I can say is, the position of mommy is the most valuable there is. It doesn’t take a perfect person to be a mom, it takes someone real and someone who is willing to love and give. Good for her and Brad for doing that. As for the people who have nothing to do but criticize and make assumptions about people they don’t know, get a life…..or maybe…some kids!

• Lucy
  Mar 14, 2008 at 12:27 am

  I agree to all of your thoughts especially to you Neela. Even my co-workers always bring up trivial things like kissing her brother in front of national tv, my other co-worker says, look at her (in one of the pictures) she is anorexic. I want to smack their faces because they choose to live in the past. Even James Haven had said it before, I don’t have a problem with it, I kissed my sister since she was going to Mexico for a while to film “Original Sin” the next day, after she won the Oscars. Just think that Britney kissed Madonna, JA and Courtney Cox kissed too and nobody are criticizing them for these. When I was watching the Superbowl and the Wanted spot came on, I said I’d love to see that movie. My husband’s boss’s daughter said, but she and Brad are both cheaters. Instead of starting a fight which I know can get ugly, I told my husband, I want to leave that party early. There are a lot of narrow minded people around, including psychologists. I am a qualified school psychologist and I can attest that people judge celebrities whom they don’t even know personally. It is sad but I know Angie and Brad are as close to royalty in the U.S. as we can get. You either love them, jealous of them or “hate” them for being themselves. They are not trying to impress anyone, but human nature is so complicated. Like for example, the title America’s sweetheart: Julia Roberts - before she had her family life now, she went from one guy, to the next, to the next and found Danny, all of a sudden Danny divorced his wife to be with Julia. Reese W. what did she do to become America’s sweetheart? Did she contribute to a big charity project? Is it the Oscar statue? Or Jennifer Aniston, how is she referred as the all American girl next door, America’s sweetheart? If you count her men, she had been with more men than Angie? She lived with Tate D. for two or three years before marrying Brad. She was or still a chain smoker, she has marginal talent. She went to Vince, Paul and a new guy now. Do people hate Angie so much that they overlooked all the skeletons in these womens’ closet? I forgot to mention Jennifer Lopez. Marc Anthony was married to his wife for more than 10 years with teenage kids when JL snatched him. But do you see tabloids punishing JL for this. Amazing and sad.

• isacutie
  Mar 14, 2008 at 2:15 am

  I agree with what Neela had to say. Sad to say but I think the people who keep judging Angie negatively are probably jealous of her, or resent her. It may be that they have some insecurities and they feel that Angie indirectly strengthens those feelings they have. She gets picked on more because some people just cannot get over her past and the fact that she was once a rebel. But she has matured so much over the years, and I think it was because of Maddox coming into her life. Maybe she may have had no sense of purpose before he came, that was why she seemed to be so wild. I mean she really had no responsibility but to herself, but when Madd came, she changed and I think she put him before and above anything else. She became a mother and from the looks of it, a very good and responsible one. Yet, she continues to be a strong woman, who speaks her mind and who holds strong principles. Lord knows she’s not perfect, but she works hard not only to be a good mom, but to be a good person, and that’s more than what can be said for a lot of other Hollywood celebs. So it’s too bad that people look at her being kind and loving and wanting to share in a negative sense. Again, she and Brad have a lot of love to share, and if they can make a difference to the lives of children who otherwise would have very difficult lives, then why not. Even if it was self-fulfillment, which I don’t think it is, the fact is she’s helping. And the kids don’t look like they’re being deprived. In fact, don’t the kids look very happy and healthy.

  On Brad, I think the reason he doesn’t get picked on so much regarding the adoption is because he’s got this family man image, that he’s kind of reinforced over the years by saying he’s been wanting a family. I don’t know if that’s correct, but that’s how I see it. Of course, I don’t think it’s right that either of them should be criticized for adopting. They are both caring, loving, responsible people who have a lot to give their children and their future children. They may have had pasts that some people can’t get over, but in the end, what matters is that now they have a family and a life together, that seems to be growing stronger (and I keep that it grows stronger over time). Unfortunately, there will always be people who will criticize them for one reason or another, but as for me (and I think all of us JP fans) we’re just going to cheer them on and wish them the very best.

  Sorry for my rambling.

• RC
  Mar 14, 2008 at 5:40 am

  ..maybe those men do it, simply for what they lack. Notoriety. Movie stars have it as part of their job, but others have to go and “get” it. Do you think they would have gotten this much attention had they selected Mr. Pitt. No.
  But chosing to vilify Ms. Jolie - now that will.
  I think they’ve had their 15 minutes of fame - move on, or you just continue to give them more. Congratulations to the Jolie-Pitt family who simply ignore them. Can we?

• Sophia
  Mar 14, 2008 at 6:37 am

  It is exactly that, Sherry. Her past definitely alienated people. She seems weird in many ways (vial of blood - I mean, who does that?). Worse still are her escapades at a young age - cutting herself and her boy-friend during sex, her liking for S&M (that, btw, is something I cannot relate to at all, and that´s why I find it hard to relate to her) - things like that that are just beyond normal wild behaviour. Just go read some of her old interviews at SoulieJolie, from when she was with Billy Bob Thornton - and you will see, she comes across as anything but “normal”. Whatever the case, she seems to have had serious mental issues, and I think that leads a lot of people to wonder whether she really can be a fit mother. It seems that she can, but whenever she does something out of the ordinary, people still have her eccentric behaviour from the past in mind, and that´s why her motives get questioned more than Brad Pitt´s, who´s always come across as totally “normal” (whatever that is) and balanced and grounded.

  It seems that she has given up S&M et al, but people wonder whether her obsessions have now shifted to “collecting” kids.

  A lot of people have pointed out Mia Farrow, and why Angie gets critisized so much and not Mia Farrow, but I remember clearly how ridiculed Mia Farrow got in the press for “collecting” all these many children. So it´s not just Angie.

• JM
  Mar 14, 2008 at 6:53 am

  I haven’t commented in awhile, but this is a topic that gets to me every time. I agree with everything everyone has said, it seems to me that people just are not willing to forgive and forget about Angie’s past. What I wonder is, these people saying the bad comments about her, do they have children of their own? From my own experience, I know that having my daughter changed my life completely, for the better and made me want to be a better person. I have heard Angie say that same thing. I have also heard her say in an interview with Ann Currey when asked about these things people are saying about her that it was ok. Ann shot back, It’s ok??? Angie said it is ok because people will always think what they want to but she knows she is a good person. Really that is all that matters. She is doing great things with her life, and so is Brad and I think people have a hard time with that because they really are that perfect couple who seems to have it all. (In my opinion anyway.) I also think, and I don’t like saying this, but a lot of the reason women are still saying these things about her is because they just can’t get over the ‘x’. What bothers me about that is they place all the blame on Angie for that too, when really it is no one’s fault. You can’t help who you love and it’s so obvious the love and chemistry between Brad & Angie is incredible and I think people are jealous of that too. I think at the end of the day, we know that really all that matters is that the Jolie-Pitt family is happy and healthy and safe. What all these people are saying about them, I think it bothers us fans more then it bothers them. (I hope anyway.) I don’t think they read the tabloids, they have their hands full with all those beautiful children.

• Deana Owens
  Mar 14, 2008 at 7:01 am

  I have aways said–The only people you have to be right with is yourself and your creator at the end of the day. If you can lay your head down at night and be at peace with yourself and your decisions, that’s all that matters.
  Deana

• Snowy
  Mar 14, 2008 at 7:06 am

  I wont make long comments …. No one has rights to judge… Brad and Angelina fell in love and They are so happy with their lives and enjoy their kids. PERIOD

• brangelina Groupie
  Mar 14, 2008 at 7:28 am

  Adopting Maddox gave Angelina a purpose and fulfilled her in ways she never experienced, Brad having the same desires gave her a soulmate. What a person does before a certain age doesn’t count. When we are out there looking for a purpose in life whether it is a career or family or whatever we can make some huge mistakes, but in the long run those mistakes are what define us and make us who we are. Her father’s absence totally had negitive results, seeing the devastation of other worlds and adopting Maddox gave her a purpose. I admire her and the others who want to criticise are just looking for their 15 minutes of fame. Like who in the hell were the pyscholgists anyway on the Bill O’Rielly show anyway?? No one I have ever heard of.
  The naysayers are just upset because it looks like this couple are going to make it. Toghether they are awesome and want lots of kids and they are happy and it looks like their love only grows.

• Mary Ann
  Mar 14, 2008 at 7:49 am

  I thought this would be an interesting topic and it is. I will not duplicate all of the above because you have all said it much better than I ever could have. I read alot of comments on other sites, and the people that write all that hate stuff are people I am sure who are not happy with their lives and are resentful of anyone who is better than them. And I am not talking about money, I am talking about how we treat our fellow human beings. You get back what you give. Brad and Angelina are good people and that is all that really matters.

• Phyllis
  Mar 14, 2008 at 8:25 am

  Wow! I must be from another planet…I thought if you had a big and loving heart and loved children and wanted to make a better life for them - ESPECIALLY if they came from adversity and wouldn’t have had a chance in life if not for your big and loving heart -then that’s they way it was supposed to be. I feel a “hater alert” going on with Brad and Angelina - too bad - I like them both very much and respect them both very much for how much they care about the plight of children and how they are trying to make a difference in this sad world…how in the world can you criticize and self analyze someone you know nothing about personally, but instead not see with your own eyes how they are just trying to be a family and help those less fortunate at the same time…Think about it - where would Maddox be if left in an orphanage in Cambodia, or Pax left in an orphanage in Vietnam or even sweet little Zahara who could have DIED without the quick-thinking action of her parents to find out what was wrong with her when they adopted her AND also save the lives of other children in the same orphanage who had the same illness? All you have to do is look at their little faces to see the joy they deserve as children to grow up in a loving and trusting family who will guide them and teach them and encourage to “pay it forward with kindess”..And what happened to loving someone so much you want to have your own children together? My, my, my, such judgemental and self-righteous behavior against two people who have the love, the resources and the energy to bring up loving children who may one day be a huge benefit to society? How do we know that Pax won’t find the cure to cancer or Zahara won’t help her country in the fight to end HIV-AIDS? Wake up world, stop critizing those who are trying to do good and save lives and make a difference and who have love in their lives and instead turn your energy and criticism on those who are evil and want to hurt children and make them suffer and who want to bring this world down by hatred and jealousy. They are the real enemies, not Brad and Angelina. Give them a break already. Lord help us all.

• Aggie
  Mar 14, 2008 at 8:34 am

  The number of children does not reflect how good or how bad a parent is. How arrogant of those two psychologists to judge a person based on what they see/read in the news.

• ellym
  Mar 14, 2008 at 8:35 am

  i love them…

• Mayflur
  Mar 14, 2008 at 8:50 am

  They may talk more about her an adopting, not sure though because she was first in her adopting her son Maddox. Then in their union they adopted more. It could be all of the above that her fans mention. Yes the public can be jealous. In my years I’ve found people can be jealous over the most meager of things. I am glad that Angelina found Maddox. For who knows what could have happen to this beautiful, strong and lovely heart person if she did not. I’m glad she met Brad, because she’s happy and his heart is overjoyed. The public should be glad that there is one more family who cares about children in need. Yet they want to nit pick apart every avenue of her existence. There union made it possible to help more people in need. from New Orleans to Namibia. I’m glad that they don’t care what people say. Just keep doing what they do. Helping others. It seems true her fans react more on the comments. Thats why we are fans.

• D
  Mar 14, 2008 at 8:59 am

  Thelma Drake seeks Angelina Jolie’s Iraq expertise
  Posted to: Iraq News

  By Dale Eisman
  The Virginian-Pilot
  © March 1, 2008
  WASHINGTON

  It’s not every day that a conservative Republican congresswoman looks to Hollywood for expert testimony on the situation in Iraq.

  But U.S. Rep Thelma Drake did just that on Friday. The Norfolk Republican suggested that actress Angelina Jolie be invited to address lawmakers on the plight of up to 4 million Iraqis who’ve fled their country since the U.S.-led 2003 invasion.

  Jolie, recently returned from a trip to Iraq, “has a positive perspective on the current security situation” that “has gone largely unnoticed by the mainstream press,” Drake wrote to House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo.

  Drake’s suggestion apparently was prompted by an essay Jolie wrote for Friday’s editions of The Washington Post. The actress, a United Nations goodwill ambassador, said U.N. staffers have told her that because of the decrease in violence after last year’s American troop surge, “the time is right to scale up… programs” to aid Iraqis displaced by the war.

  Lara Battles, a spokeswoman for Skelton, said her boss has not seen Drake’s letter. “We certainly take member requests into consideration” when scheduling hearings, Battles added.

  Dale Eisman, (703) 913-9872, dale.eisman@pilotonline.com

• Andy67
  Mar 14, 2008 at 9:02 am

  Yeah there is a reason. It is called sexism.

• ISRO
  Mar 14, 2008 at 10:15 am

  I also agree with the jealousy idea, and I find it terrible that some people judge her motherhood just because she is a celebrity and they can make money out of the subject matter. So I think it is also ‘good’ business.

  I personally would love to have the necessary resources to have loads of kids and also to adopt some. If there are children left behind by natural parents there should be other people who are capable of adopting (regardless of their celebrity status).

  Furthermore, I do believe that everyone of us has this ‘void’: the need of getting and giving love. The more the merrier.

• Susan
  Mar 14, 2008 at 11:36 am

  I will give away my age here, but I have been a huge fan of Warren Beattys’ since Splendor in the Grass, and always hoped that he would mend his ways find a nice lady and settle down. Well along comes Annette Bening 21 years his junior I might add, and I couldn’t have been happier. I read everything I could get my hands on and looked forward to any and all events that would get them into the public arena. They married in 1992 and proceeded to have 4 children in about 7 years. I don’t recall any outpouring of criticism or negativity by the media over this May December union or the fact that they had 4 children in pretty rapid order…so I too believe there is a big double standard here. The Beattys’ have become an old married couple now and not that newsworthy, lets hope that someday this will be true for the JoliePitt family.

• Lee
  Mar 14, 2008 at 1:33 pm

  I am so glad to read such positive dialog about “my couple” because i am so tired of the tabloids constant lust for keeping an Ali-Frazier type battle brewing between Angie and Jennifer..here again no one recognizes that Brad created the situation . Angie was a single mom that had her head on straight, yes because of becoming a mother ,I agree with so many of you that understand what it means to be a parent because if you take it on you know that you have a person or person’s depending on you and that makes you go to that job, focus on the things that are right and really understand what purpose is about because you are responsible for helping to shape little lives. I beleive that it does’nt always have to be children that does it for you but you just know it when you start to fly in a different direction that your life will be forever changed. everybody changes it is God’s gift to us to see things clearer.
  I am glad that they continue to love each other. my wish for Angie is to overcome other things with regard to insecurity, just be yourself and continue to give love …don’t worry about brad or if he’s going to see Jen or if he says her name or any of that BS remember your an ACTOR give em that smile girl Brad’s coming home to you baby

• Donna
  Mar 14, 2008 at 1:53 pm

  Some/most of the bloggers that say negative and hateful things about Angelina are either jealous of her or are Jennifer A. fans. And they can hate on Angelina all they want, that’s their prerogative. But when supposed “Psychiatrists” start commenting on someone they’ve never even met, well that’s just desperate of them - or anyone who would give them the forum to do it. Oh yeah, and I love the “Body Experts” when they analyse couples based on a snap shot some paps took. They can really capture the very meaning of those couples’ relationships. Give me a break!

• Brangie Addict
  Mar 14, 2008 at 5:33 pm

  Dear Sherry: So many people are not world travelers and only understand the world from their limited prospective. Even most PhD Psychologist who are educated out the gazoo are limited in their world view. I have traveled and have clearly seen the disparaging, or shall we say the “seemingly unfair” situations the majority of the children live in in this world compared to the US. She has seen it also, and small, uneducated, not well traveled, and illiterate people would question her motives.

• O, I Wish I Were a Jolie-Pitt
  Mar 14, 2008 at 8:15 pm

  It’s because everyone’s still sore that Brad left Jennifer for her.
  Really, basically, that’s about it. If it were under different circumstances, I don’t think anyone would really care. I’m not anti-Angie or anything of the sort, and I don’t think that it’s right that Aniston fans still call her a “homewrecker,” but from my point of view, I think that’s what it is.

  Other than that, chalk it up to jealousy that they seem to have the perfect life together. People can’t get over the fact that they ARE HAPPY. Without other people’s consent. *gasp* All of America doesn’t have a say so in how happy Angelina and Brad are… what’s going to happen? :p

  Anywho, why does EVERY article about her and her children have to say 5 children (2nd biological)? I really don’t understand why it has to be specified like that. I am adopted, and it used to make me so upset when I was younger, when people would say things like that. “Who’s your mom?” “Kay.” “No, who’s your REAL mom?” seemed to be everyone’s favorite. There was also the whole, “Kay, how many kids do you have?” “I have two daughters.” “But only one is REALLY yours, right?” thing.

  I just don’t understand why the kids have to be seperated by everyone into adopted and biological. It doesn’t seem right.

  I probably got a bit off-topic here. Sorry. :p

• Lisa
  Mar 14, 2008 at 8:59 pm

  It’s the media’s take on it. When it’s mentioned that there is an adoption, the only name mentioned is “Angelina Adopts Again”. It’s the headlines… because Angelina’s name was the only one on the adoption papers for Maddox, Pax and Zahara. Brad may have adopted them after or added his name, but that is why Angelina comes under fire - her name is the only one associated with the adoption and the headlines. It’s only when she has had a biological child, that Pitt is brought into it. It’s another way for the media to sensationalize anything about Angelina, bring up the long (wish-to-be-forgotten) Angie/Jen feud (which is between the fans only). They don’t care about the reasons for the adoption or why, they put their spin on it and run with it - it’s what they sell tabloids with. It’s pure crap.

  It doesn’t matter what Angelina’s reasons are, or that Brad is just as involved, although maybe not legally initially - it’s how they sell their papers - lies and untruths and putting their twists on things.

  It’s the media and the idiots; not the people that care.

• Elaina
  Mar 14, 2008 at 9:34 pm

  I guess I am going to be the one to break the praise of them. Unless my comment gets deleted, which I am sure it will because I do not agree with the majority. That is ok. I think that the adoption of all the kids is a cover and a way for her to make up for something she feels like she has either missed or messed up. But I have this one question about her AND brad, because believe me when I say that it is not because she is so beautiful and I am jealous. Why do those 2 spend so much time and effort on OTHER countries and foreign children when THIS very country they live in is in such dire need of help??? Why is it that they adopt children in other countries yet in this country there are THOUSANDS of children living on the streets and orphanages! As a matter of fact, most entertainers that call themselves “humanitarians” focus on OTHER countries and not their OWN.
  It actually sickens me…..and take this as spite, jealousy or whatever, but no one can deny the hard facts of what I have said. They are all true. It’s all a show either way you look at it!!!!

• chillpill
  Mar 14, 2008 at 9:45 pm

  Is this how psychologists are trained nowadays? To evaluate people without first talking to them? That’s a little freaky. They should keep their dayjobs. I, for one love this family. They are together, the children are happy, Angelina and Brad are like meant to be together and they are in love. Is there something wrong with that? More power to Brad and Angelina’s family. On a side note, I ski in Mammoth and I can say I stood where Brad ordered his beer (that’s according to the bartender that was there that day and saw the house they rented up close. I was giggling the whole time, my niece thought i was crazy but i didn’t care. Missed them by a weekend. Darn!!!!

• Kathi
  Mar 14, 2008 at 10:34 pm

  Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who matter don’t mind, and those that mind, don’t matter.
  -Dr. Seuss

• BlessBrangelina
  Mar 14, 2008 at 10:35 pm

  Bravo Lisa!

  Seriously I think this whole thing will never be left to rest.

  Especially as long as Angie continues to look content and gaze adoringly at Brad every chance she gets. Then makes it known by her actions how easy and uncomplicated a choice it is to balance family and work, she will be demonized.

  After all their “sweetheart” spent 7years making excuses that it was impossible to compromise with her husband and have children, because of her work schedule. And did not adjust this even after her own friend had a child under this same schedule. Notice that no one questioned that then!

  They have to find a reason to destroy the mature and happy Angie, this way it will take the focus away from those who are beginning question their “sweetheart”. Same tabloids.

  The issue of why Brad is left out of this is simple, the argument will not stick. He is from a stable midwestern family. He has strong bonds with them. And as far as we know the only disagreement he has ever had with them, was with his choice to call quits to a marriage that was NOT gelling as it should.

  So what would be their stance on him? None!

• irma
  Mar 14, 2008 at 10:40 pm

  You know if you are a celebrity, the most beautiful woman in the world, rich, famous & strong willed woman with the most beautiful man in the world, wouldn’t it be reasons to have people gets envious ? It’s the human nature that, some people don’t want others to succeed, to have everything which Brad & Angie have. I just wish the Jolie-Pitt’s more happiness, good health & may they continue to be blessed.

• mélodie
  Mar 15, 2008 at 1:20 am

  here is a new post on just jared about brangelina

  http://justjared.buzznet.com/2008/03/14/brad-angelina-natural-food/

  have a nice day

  i organize a party this evening for my 20th birthday: it’ll be fine!!!! i invited brad and angie but… no answer! lol

• BlessBrangelina
  Mar 15, 2008 at 2:33 am

  *Melodie, i don’t think it’s them. Look again.

  If you look closely “Brad” has a goatee, and Angie’s chin is different!

  The real Brad was clean-shaven for his new role and this guy looks a lot younger as well.

• Belle
  Mar 15, 2008 at 2:55 am

  Haven’t time to read all the posts, but a good psychologist or psychiatrist does not point out what they perceive to be other’s faults. We all have issues - thank goodness - it makes us human.

  Did Ange kill someone? No, she’s enriched some children’s lives incredibly, mainly, by giving them her time, attention and love. I don’t care why she does it, I’m glad she does. If someone does something good it doesn’t matter if it helps them feel good too, they still did something good.

  As to the woman issue, I think its because of people’s expectations of women are so high that they tend to criticize women. We expect them to be perfect, like we expect our mothers to have been perfect (until we realize through maturity that its not possible).

  Well done Ange (and Brad) for keeping doing good in this crazy world.

• mélodie
  Mar 15, 2008 at 2:56 am

  to blessbrangelina : i thought the same thing but i had already post my comment!… brad is clean-shaven in this moment for his new movie. i don’t think it’s them.

• mélodie
  Mar 15, 2008 at 3:02 am

  more indications about the false picture of brad and angie:the face of brad is less broad than real, the parting of angie is not at the side she puts it ordinary, “brad” looks younger, “angelina” looks fatter… it’s probably some doubles of them.

• isacutie
  Mar 15, 2008 at 3:17 am

  off topic: happy birthday melodie. have a great party.

• Zen
  Mar 15, 2008 at 3:18 am

  It doesn’t matter how many kids - whether biological or adopted - a couple have, it’s the love and care the parents give them. And anyone can see how happy and fulfilled Bradgelina’s children are.

  Psychologists and psychiatrists are for morons, who don’t know how to be parents. Isn’t their profession is to get to know their patients, resolve their issues and make their lives better without judging their past? Yet, those 2 on O’Reilly Factor are passing judgments left and right without knowing Angelina. Talk about hypocrites!

• Debbie
  Mar 15, 2008 at 7:08 am

  I believe its ridiculous that Angelina gets this type of criticism and Brad doesn’t. When a man has a wild past, but then “grows up”, settles down and does a wonderful job raising his children, he is applauded as having really grown into his own after his naturally expected period of sowing his wild oats. What is so wrong with women doing the same? The double standard in this country is ridiculous - the fact that it persists into 2008 is even more ridiculous. Angelina is a normal woman. Not all women grow up wearing pink dresses, making tea and then automatically know they want to be mothers. Some of us have to find our own way, same as the boys, and should be given the same latitude to do so. And when we do, we should not be criticized, but rather, praised.

• Matilda
  Mar 15, 2008 at 8:00 am

  I agree with every word you wrote, Belle, Lisa and isacutie (cute name, btw :-)

  I think it’s just a matter of perceptions, ie the media play on and feed the public’s underlying perceptions, ignoring whether they’re right or wrong. And of course those underlying feelings have nothing to do with fact, and everything to do with the public’s own emotional baggage as we look at Angelina, our own insecurities, and our own inner sexism (unconsciously perceiving the woman as more emotional, less balanced, more unstable). I would go so far as to say that we *prefer* to see the woman partner as needy and unstable because it fits in with our existing schema and is easier for us to understand. Plus plenty of people with only one or two children will project their own feelings of exhaustion onto Brad and Angelina’s situation - “WHY would they want five kids?!” and internally conclude that there must somehow be something wrong with them (read: something wrong with Angelina, the one in the stereotypically nurturing/mothering role).

  Brad, on the other hand, does (and always has) projected an image of competency, stability and ableness without any of the fragility Angelina once had in her youth (which is the reason I fell in love with her, incidentally). I really think it’s kind of beautiful how they found each other at a point when they were both at the same emotional place in their lives. The real beneficiaries in this love story are the children, because if these two people had never met, Zahara and Shiloh would not be alive today. Pax would still be in an orphanage. Now if that’s a product of Angelina “filling a void” (excuse my sarcasm!) then it’s a void that has saved, and will continue to save, lives. Thank heavens.

• ducks35
  Mar 15, 2008 at 9:57 am

  I agree with all of you! For two thousand years,women have been the evil seed and men the pure ones. If only all men were dads like Brad seems to be, this world would be a much better place. Angelina got carried away with herself when young,now she has matured,let it be. I don’t think Angelina or Jennifer hate each other or even think of the other ,its the tabloids,stupid!

• jenny
  Mar 15, 2008 at 10:20 am

  JOLIE’S HATERS. ALL OF THEM HAVE NOTHING TO DO EXCEPT GOSSIP, JEALOUS, CRAZY ETC…. PLENTY OF FREE TIME TO ATTACKED JOLIE ALL WEBSITE. BUT THE TRUTH IS THE TRUTH. LATER THEY WILL FEEL SHAME FOR WHATEVER THEY DID TO JOLIE. GOD KNOW EVERYTHING. LIARS WILL GET PAY.

• jenny
  Mar 15, 2008 at 10:31 am

  POOR BRAD. WE LOVE YOU. GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY.

• Viet
  Mar 15, 2008 at 11:52 am

  I read Sophie’s comment and I felt an extreme urge to respond.

  You asked what normal people would carry a vial of blood, cut her/himself, find knives fascinating etc…

  There were plenty of people carried vial of blood in other parts of the world or in olden days. Either they entered into a vow of brotherhood or whatever. Just because we don’t practice such ritual does not make us normal and they abnormal.

  As for cutting, I can assure you that there isn’t any mental issues at all, just sadness and feeling lost mostly. At age close to Angelina’s then age, I wanted to harm myself whenever I felt sad and lost. I did not kill myself though, NOR did I harm any one else (this is, in my opinion, much better than go shooting classmates or other people). I graduated from college and went on to work like others. Years later I found out my brother dealt with his sadness the same way. We talked and he just graduated from medical school. No mental issues, just a way to deal with our feeling.

  On fascination with knives, I see nothing wrong with it. It is like someone’s fascination with shoes, clothes, jewelries, card playing, etc. Knives, swords, weapons are considered by many art connoisseurs as work of art. Kings and queens have their swords encrusted with diamonds and gems. So why can’t you consider that she found the knives artfully beautiful. By the way, many many men are fascinated with weapons and teach their sons about them (my husband and brother included), are they abnormal and have murderous tendency too?

  One thing I thought about America is that the country is the land of freedom where individuals are encouraged to develop his or her own interest. It is when I read comments like yours and those who criticize Jolie as abnormal in way of living and raising children that I realize that there are backward Americans too.

  As for my opinions on psychologists like these psychologists who analyze Jolie and the likes of Dr. Phil, I think they are full of craps.

• Neela
  Mar 15, 2008 at 12:05 pm

  haha, i hope the post about women being the evil seed is just sarcasm.

  i don’t think that’s the case. from what i’ve noticed, it just seems that women have more than their fair share of being critical [than guys]. i don’t know. maybe because women have a tendency to be more vocal. there are guys that are also critical, but it’s just more disheartening when women tear other women apart.

  and what i find admirable about angelina is that she is a woman who has shown so much growth. even she challenged her past ideologies–i.e. about having biological children. it’s not necessarily that she replaced them. it’s more like her beliefs evolved as she matured, and she just allowed herself to open up to new possibilities, ones that would bring her joy and many positives.

  and yes, if anything, it is the tabloids that are the evil seeds. what should have been buried in the past is kept alive and rotting by tabloids, tabs whose target audience is comprised of mostly the female gender.

• tenika
  Mar 15, 2008 at 1:44 pm

  Melodie - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! HOPE U ENJOY YOUR LIFE ANNIVERSARY :)

• Mary Ann
  Mar 15, 2008 at 1:45 pm

  Sherry, thanks for opening up this topic. All of the above is so interesting. Many thoughts stated are my thoughts also. Elaina, I live with my daughter and her family so I attend many sport related programs. Many of the kids on my granddaughters teams are adopted. All of these children came from countries out of the United States. Possibly it is easier to adopt out of the USA. But now Brad and Angie are working so hard to help the people in New Orleans, that maybe they will adopt a child from this USA in the future.

• RhondaL
  Mar 15, 2008 at 2:08 pm

  I am so in awe of the wonderful things that Angelina and Brad have done and continue to do. If only we all had that celebrity status to bring focus into the world where needed. I would love for the ink to be saved rather that read about the gum that is sticking to her shoe. I hope all of their children, present and future continue to change the world a little at a time.

• Neela
  Mar 15, 2008 at 3:00 pm

  Just going over the comments again, and I have to say that her past, i.e. Billy Bob and her destructive behavior, is just that, a past. Every time she does something, she shouldn’t be judged by that anymore. It’s a useless argument against her, considering how much she has grown. What counts is that she evolved. If the past has to be brought up, bring up Angie’s involvement in charity work because to this day, she maintains that. It’s no longer a justifiable excuse to judge her more harshly than Brad because of her past. How long will the dang “vial of blood” necklace have to be thrown against her. I don’t even find that repulsive. That was eccentric behavior from a highly expressive person.

  Johny Depp does not receive the same kind of criticism, and his past was also quite tainted … yet he’s forgiven and there’s hardly any mention of his past recklessness … hmm, is it because he’s a man? I hope that’s not the case. And no, he doesn’t adopt, but just the same, why is it much easier to give him a pass than Angie?

  I really don’t like comparisons.

  However Angie was back then helped her to become the kind of person that she is now–a wonderful, caring mother, lover and humanitarian. So, it’s time to give her some slack.

• PINKY JP
  Mar 15, 2008 at 3:07 pm

  very well written and intelligent posts, well, maybe except for one lol

• Neela
  Mar 15, 2008 at 3:08 pm

  Bravo to anybody that grows, even if it means going against the conventional.

• Neela
  Mar 15, 2008 at 3:19 pm

  does it matter where angie and brad adopt? a child is a child. a child is being saved and loved.

  and to one of the older posts above, if we’re going to talk about doing something for the country, we only have to look at new orleans.

  and why does it matter where they decide to lend their help? we’re all human beings. we’re all equal. no one country is better than the other. no one child is born superior than the other.

  i’m sure if they could, beyond their human capabilities, they would save every child on this planet, and yes, including the u.s. there’s enough love to go around in the world. it is their choice to do as they wish with their celebrity status. there are plenty of people in the u.s. who adopt other american children, so, let’s not look at brad and angie as the sole answer for that. sheesh.

• Aubrey
  Mar 15, 2008 at 3:26 pm

  Thank you guys for your postings, I enjoyed reading such positive and thoughtful comments.

• Neela
  Mar 15, 2008 at 3:30 pm

  If we’re not happy about the conditions in the U.S., especially how children are treated, then, maybe complaining about it and how and where others (i.e. celebs) decide to lend their help is not sufficient. Maybe, there should be initiative on the complainers part, especially if that “sickens” that person. Seriously, doesn’t it matter more that Brad and Angie are at least doing something constructive? That many celebrities are doing something good for the world? not just one country … We also have a government that can help. Can’t just look into the celebrities to be the heros of the U.S.

• Mary Ann
  Mar 15, 2008 at 4:12 pm

  Neela, right on. Because it appears that the only sincere people worrying about New Orleans are the celebrities. What a disgrace. And it will be time to elect a new president here soon, and we should all be mindful of a situation like New Orleans. Brad and alot of his friends from the Ocean movies are all involved in helping the poor.

• Neela
  Mar 15, 2008 at 4:39 pm

  yep, i hope a new president will be able to help alleviate the situation in new orleans, as well as in iraq.

  i am realizing now that some people who criticize angie and brad for the simple fact that they have not adopted an american child (or supposedly haven’t done enough to help the u.s.—but ahem, new orleans, hello) really just don’t like them. period. i suppose i’m being judgmental, but it just seems that way. i said some. a few have already decided not to like them, so, they’ll find any reason to justify or support their reason for their dislike. if it’s not the dead past, then, it’s their decision to have more kids or to highlight inhumane conditions in poverty-stricken nations. the fact that they have not adopted an american child is just another excuse not to like them because even as trivial a reason as that would be better than admitting that angie and brad are genuinely good people.

• Matilda
  Mar 15, 2008 at 6:19 pm

  Elaina, a child is need is a child in need. I think it’s awesome that Brad and Angelina see a “world without borders” - they love their children based on who they are, not where they are from. Would a child from the US have been more deserving of their love than Pax, simply and only because of the fact (s)he was American?

  It may be unusual, but I actually prefer when people lend assistance to third world countries before their own because the stakes are so much higher in places where children are dying from *preventable disease* through poverty, malnutrition, unclean drinking water, lack of basic vaccinations. Basically, if these children aren’t helped in some way (through charity aid or, in the extreme, adoption) then it is likely they will die. On the other hand, the stakes for a disadvantaged child growing up in the US, UK or Australia are very different and - while serious - do not usually end in death. They have that chance, to live and become something more, because as they say “while there’s life, there’s hope.” If a child is dead, there is no hope. Taking that perspective, I do think that if anything, third world children are in more desperate need of help, although that’s a huge generalization of course.

  Anyway, that it goes without saying that ALL children in need deserve help, but the reality is that not all of them are going to get it - there’s a finite amount that we can do, in the end, so the major issue becomes where should be the priority? For me, the order of priority should be determined by need.

  I hope I explained this properly… it may not sound politically correct to many but I hope people won’t think less of me for it! I love this site because we can have fascinating discussions like this in a respectful and intelligent way, and acknowledge that people will always have different opinions. So many other places are rude and unkind, I don’t even bother to post most places about the J-Ps.

  Cheers, Sherry! :-)

• Sukh
  Mar 15, 2008 at 7:49 pm

  Wy don’t people focus on the real problems created by our government and criticize it for what happened and continues to happen in New Orleans and the rest of this country? Instead they project hate on to people who are trying to clean up the mess. It’s called schadenfreude in German. People feel better about themselves by
  taking pleasure in other people’s misfortunes. If others are fortunate and happy, people want to bring them down. That’s what the media does. They build people up and then tear them down. They have to fill lots of air time and they fill it with garbage instead of educating and inspiring the audiences. It’s a sad part of human nature. In order to overcome taking secret pleasure in other’s misfortunes and attacking good people because of envy and jealousy, we have to re-educate ourselves to focus on the love. But, if one doesn’t love oneself, it is impossible to love others, except others who are insecure, self-loathing and envious. That’s why the only place to start is within ourselves; lead an examined life; cop to our fears and hatreds, judgments and pain, take responsibility for our life and learn to love. This sounds preachy now that I read it but the truth is there is no way out but IN. It makes my heart ache to see so many people who are so deluded and ignorant. They feed on hate and anger. To them it is a pleasure in some perverted way. But,we all are or have been like that in some ways. It IS possible to change, but it takes lots of inner work. And, it’s the people screaming the loudest who are hiding in the closet of bad behavior. Look at all the “moral” Republicans and the righteous religious right ranting about how sex is bad and they end up being caught in a toilet somewhere doing just what they say they hate. Human beings are complex. Dogs and cats are so simple. They are full of unconditional love. They can teach us so much. They force us to love, even when we don’t want to.

• isacutie
  Mar 15, 2008 at 8:14 pm

  Neela and Matilda, you expressed what I meant to say very well in response to Elaina. Elaina, I can understand what you’re saying, I’ve asked the same question myself, I mean, why help people from other countries when there are those in your own country that needs help? Of course, you are entitled to believe what you believe, and I’m sure many others are also thinking the same thing.

  But like Neela said, a child is a child, no matter what part of the world they are from. And in those countries where Angie had adopted from, many of the children live in conditions so far worse than most (I don’t say all, as I’m sure there are exceptions) American orphans do. Fortunately for Americans and those in other first world countries, for the most part they can get some help from their government. But in these countries, most orphanages and abandoned children rely on help from private individuals and supporters generally from outside the countries.

  It would be so nice if all those who need help will be able to get the help they need. Unfortunately, like Matilda said, not all of them will get it. In fact, a very small percentage will. Still, it is heartening to see that such high profile people are extending help to those where it is very much needed.

  Besides, it’s highly likely that Brad and Angie are also giving to charities and projects that benefit Americans directly. I mean, Make It Right is one. Probably, it’s just not getting as much attention, and well it should be. I really don’t think they want to publicize their giving, unless they really want to call in more people involvement like in MIR. The only reason their adoption of the kids from other countries get press is because they are celebs. Are they and other non celeb Americans who adopt children from other countries (and there are many of them) any less American that those that help those only in the US?

  I think some of the bad press Americans get from outside the US is due to the fact that there is a perception that they only care about themselves. That so long as the Americans can get what they want, then they could care less about anyone else in the world. I know this isn’t true. I’ve met many Americans who care about what’s happening outside their own countries and who have made efforts to try and help out. Unfortunately, they don’t get much press. And it’s a good thing that celebrities like Angie and Brad, and the others like them (who does get press, bad or good) are showing the rest of the world that no, Americans aren’t all selfish ethnocentric people. That there are Americans that care about other people in the world.

  I’m sorry to ramble. I don’t mean to criticize, and I am open to criticism as well. I know not everyone will agree with what I have to say, but again like Matilda said: “we can have fascinating discussions like this in a respectful and intelligent way, and acknowledge that people will always have different opinions.”

• isacutie
  Mar 15, 2008 at 8:17 pm

  That being said…hello to all you JP fans (special hello to Pinky JP) from this side of the world (Philippines).

• PINKY JP
  Mar 15, 2008 at 8:42 pm

  isacutie and all the inteligent posters, i second the motion…Angelina sees beyond borders people…we’re all citizens of this world, and this world is not just America. Let’s start saying God bless the whole world and not just God bless America because as it is, America has been blessed with so much more compared to the rest of the world.

  (isacutie, thanks for the get-well wishes for my hubby…he’s betting better-er LOL)

• PINKY JP
  Mar 15, 2008 at 8:49 pm

  (*getting better-er, and i’m betting he’ll be able to kick the flu’s a$$)

• PINKY JP
  Mar 15, 2008 at 8:51 pm

  Happy 20th Birthday, melodie :-)

  wave and hello to the global JP community!

• irma
  Mar 15, 2008 at 9:48 pm

  I will say one more thing Angie matured & learned from her mistakes. She has become what she is today.A lady with a big heart. God bless the Jolie-Pitt’s.

• Belle
  Mar 16, 2008 at 1:29 am

  Well, no one can say we didn’t discuss this! :)

  Well done, fellow pittwatchers.

  Bonne Anniversaire, Melodie!

• The Quiet Storm
  Mar 16, 2008 at 5:31 am

  Don’t hate her because she’s beautiful….she’s done some good by sacrificing her energy and time to the plight of children and refugees globally which I might add, not some of us are willing to do……

  …… and I can’t agree more with Sherry………why isnt anybody questioning Brad’s motive for the adoptions? Is he that subjugated in that relationship? I don’t think so!

• isacutie
  Mar 16, 2008 at 6:02 am

  Pinky, good to hear the hubby’s getting better. I’m sure it’s your TLC that did it. :D

• Mary Ann
  Mar 16, 2008 at 9:24 am

  Sherry, if they are ever giving out awards for the best discussion website, you would win hands down. When I asked you to offer this as a topic of discussion I had no idea how world wide it would be. Everyone here has such intelligent thoughts on this subject. It is amazing how we can all discuss this without demeaning anyone. Thank you so much Sherry, you have a great website and you should be so proud.

• aida
  Mar 16, 2008 at 12:35 pm

  What other see as addiction to adoption, I see as compassion to give a child a chance to be in a secure and loving home. To say that Angie is compassionate is like admitting that we wrong in opinion of her. And who wants to admit they are wrong most especially if you’re making a living as an “expert” of some sort.

• mélodie
  Mar 16, 2008 at 1:22 pm

  thanks to isacutie, tenika, belle (your french is great!!!), Pink JP … your wishes please me!

  it was really a great party!!!! in her speech during the evening my mom said “everybody is here to party with you, hum expect brangelina, sorry!” it made me laught!!!!

  have a nice evening

• Mary Ann
  Mar 16, 2008 at 3:45 pm

  To all BAMPZS fans, there is a great video of the children at this website:
  Youtube.com/watch?v=CJDdRzurPA It is beautiful and I am sure you will all love it.

• irma
  Mar 16, 2008 at 3:58 pm

  Sherry, we voiced our opinions, it came out so positive & that’s a good thing. What a fan base we have here, very smart & opinionated sometimes but that’s how we should learn from each other. If Brad & Angie can read all these comments they will be proud of us all. To all the Brangelina fans my hats off to you . Well done. God bless the Jolie-Pitt’s.

• irma
  Mar 16, 2008 at 4:01 pm

  Isacutie: You are from the Philippines or are you a Filipina based in the States? Just wondering because I am also Filipina based in Florida.
  Nice to know that, Jolie-Pitt’s fans are all over the world. Peace & Blessings. Just got home from work, have to eat dinner.
  My big thank you Sherry.

• soraya
  Mar 16, 2008 at 4:45 pm

  No one said anything when Angelna’s father leaked inforamtion that Angelina had adopted maddox. But she was off the radar living in England. so who knows? Frankly this is a non topic for the media to discuss. To analyze why a woman wants so many children? Isn’t that normal? The idea of having only 2 children came into vogue only after the 60’s when birth control became widely available. Before that, 5 children was the norm in the US.

• irma
  Mar 16, 2008 at 5:25 pm

  Sherry of topic: The whole Jolie-Pitt’s are in New Orleans today. They have pictures of Brad with Pres. Clinton then Angie with her 4 kids walking the street of New Orleans with her big baby bump. The kids are so adorable specially Shi & Z, Shi has her moments again crying, maybe she wants to go down just like her sister & brothers.

• isacutie
  Mar 16, 2008 at 5:50 pm

  Hi Mary Ann, would you mind posting that link on the children’s video again? I can’t seem to open it. Thanks.

• isacutie
  Mar 16, 2008 at 10:41 pm

  Hi Irma, I’m based in the Philippines (Quezon City), but did live for some time in Minnesota in the 80s.

• Phoebe
  Mar 17, 2008 at 9:55 am

  @LUcy:
  “Even my co-workers always bring up trivial things like kissing her brother in front of national tv, my other co-worker says, look at her (in one of the pictures) she is anorexic. I want to smack their faces because they choose to live in the past. […]My husband’s boss’s daughter said, but she and Brad are both cheaters. Instead of starting a fight which I know can get ugly, I told my husband, I want to leave that party early.”

  you said you were a school psychlogist…then you should probably know that people have their own opinions and that YOU can´t know the truth about Brangelina either? and you let other people´s opinions influence your life - because of what the girl said about Angie you left a (real life) party earlier? isn´t that a bit exagerated? fans tend not to see the negative things about their idols, but they should give others the freedom of opinion.
  as for their adoptions… the kids seem incredibly happy and thats the most important thing, tabloids can say whatever they want, as long as the family is happy everything is perfect. i don´t know of Angie is a good mom, cause lets face it i/we dont know her personnally. but the kids are the best proof, they are healthy, happy and secure.

• BlessBrangelina
  Mar 18, 2008 at 12:47 am

  Well I think that the people involved KNOW for sure what happened. All we can do is trust in what they say!

  And ALL three of them said there was no cheating. Yes even Jennifer said it.

  The only people who insist it happened are the tabloids. With the way Brad and Angie were followed, don’t you think there would have been some proof-pictures; like with her follow-up beau??

• Mary Ann
  Mar 18, 2008 at 4:47 pm

  Isacutie, I copied the website from a post on JJ. I know that it was youtube.com. And the video was called The Jolie-Pitt Clan. I hope you can find it because it was really beautiful.

• isacutie
  Mar 18, 2008 at 9:19 pm

  Thanks, Mary Ann. I’ll go check it out. Also, may I ask what the JJ website is? Is it another Jolie Pitt site?

• Emily Tai
  Mar 21, 2008 at 5:22 pm

  Hello, everyone:

  I really want to thank everyone writing for sharing ideas that have been so interesting to read!! To everything that you all have said, I’d like to add a few points: first: I think some of the criticism heaped on Angelina Jolie stems from the inherent political message embedded in her activities as a U.N. Goodwill Ambassador, and a mother of three internationally adopted children: a message about (a) thinking globally, about what’s good for the planet and the human community, not just what’s good for oneself or one’s individual country; (b) loving children without attention to race; and (c) valuing charity over consumerism. Every time Ms. Jolie makes a bundle selling make-up, and then writes a great big check to a worthy cause–like the thousands of Americans tragically displaced by Hurricane Katrina, or refugees suffering around the world–she’s sending a message to the world about what’s really important, and it ain’t eyemakeup! I think that’s threatening to a media that is dependent upon consumer advertising to stay afloat; I think tabloid magazines that hawk the latest dresses, hairstyles, cosmetics, are genuinely ambivalent about focusing on a star who makes it clear that she’s willing to pander to that world professionally only because she’s got her eye on the greater good. The reproach to their superficial values stings a bit; and people who feel guilty about their own selfishness lash out at Angelina.

  I have to say that while I’ve never been an avid reader of the tabloids, I do enjoy hearing about the Jolie-Pitts, and Bono, and Natalie Portman’s promotion of micro-credit, and George Clooney’s activism on behalf of Dafur. And I give Angelina Jolie a great deal of credit because I think she in some ways started it all, setting a tone by demonstrating that reading a movie script (”Beyond Borders”) could be something more than just taking on an acting job; that if she wanted to transform lives with a movie, the best way she could make that happen was by modelling activism she’d come to believe in herself. She’s done a fine thing; she’s setting a fine example for her children; she’s brought out the best in Brad Pitt (who’s activism was far more limited before he teamed with her) and a host of other colleagues inspired by her example.

  And with any luck, the Jolie-Pitts have many more years of world-wide problem solving ahead of them! I’m looking forward to it, and what everyone on this board will have to say!

  Happy Holidays, everyone,
  M.

• Crystal
  Mar 23, 2008 at 5:17 pm

  what about the duggan clan…they have 17 and counting children….none adopted…all are birth siblings…personally, i couldn’t do it but thank goodness that there are people out there that do…brad and angie are great people whether they have one or a hundred and one…

• Britney Spears Fan
  Mar 28, 2008 at 7:38 pm

  It is possible that Angelina Jolie is trying to fill a void. It’s also possible that she’s realized what many women have realized is that it’s genuinely gratifying to have children, lots of them, and other stuff (work namely) tends to be really shallow in comparison to family life.

• ligaya
  Mar 28, 2008 at 7:54 pm

  Dear Emily Tai,

  I want to have your babies!

  Seriously, thank you for such an articulate, clear-eyed explanation of Angelina Jolie. I agree **completely**. Your thoughts are my thoughts.

  I hope to see more of your posts.

• ligaya
  Mar 28, 2008 at 8:05 pm

  BritneySpearsFan, it’s possible that you’re completely wrong. It’s possible you’re completely transparent as a troll impotently trying to stir the pot yet again over an old ‘issue.’

  What’s true is that you’re insulting a lot of women - and you’re probably clueless as to how. What’s true is that you have a lot of gall speaking as if your opinion is “the” truth and “everybody’s” truth.

  If only you’d inserted “I think or IMHO” in your post, I wouldn’t have as much of a problem with it. :-)

• Sherry
  Mar 28, 2008 at 8:11 pm

  Ligaya, I read BSF’s comment as completely tongue in cheek. I think - and I could be wrong - that what she meant was, “right, sure, maybe she’s filling a void, or maybe she’s just a normal mother who has realized how wonderful having kids can be.”

  I truly don’t think it was meant to be insulting, but it’s hard sometimes for meaning to come through properly in text.

• ligaya
  Mar 31, 2008 at 10:37 pm

  Apologies, BSF - I’m not familiar with you so I didn’t catch that you were speaking tongue in cheek. Thanks for correcting me, Sherry.

  It was the “other stuff (work namely) tends to be really shallow in comparison to family life” that got to me.

  Us old school feminists from the 1970s fought long and hard to free ourselves from society’s constrictions: being a wife & a mother was the be all & end all for all women (including closeted lesbians), widows should get remarried immediately, widows/single mothers/single women were to be pitied & suspected of being lesbians, divorcees were to be pitied & be jealous of, the only jobs suited for women were teacher/nurse/secretary/domestic and prostitute which could be found in the newspaper in sex-segregated want ads (except for prostitute).

  There was no choice, like today, of being a fulfilled, childless single woman; a lesbian family; or a woman-headed household.

  It’s understandable that young women don’t have knowledge of just how much we helped change society for these freedoms, much like it’s understandable that young people of color take their rights & freedoms for grantged, and don’t really understand the sacrifices of the Civil Rights Movement.

  (Once in a while, I get on my soapbox. :-) Done now.)

• Belle
  Apr 3, 2008 at 1:22 pm

  I know what you mean, Ligaya. I don’t have my own family, but I work with people with physical and severe intellectual disability, so I don’t think my work is shallow. But some don’t have either work or family. I’d love to have a family, but I haven’t met the right person and may not, unfortunately. I’m sure BSF didn’t mean to upset us. One of the nice things about this site is now much people care about things, so upsets happen at times because of this.

  :)

• Emily Tai
  Apr 4, 2008 at 9:51 am

  Dear Everyone:

  First off, please accept my thanks, Ligaya, for your earlier, generous words about my post–haven’t been able to log on in a while, but I did want to thank you.

  As to the debate since: It seems like the kernel of what Ligaya is celebrating as a development of the last fifty years is the “norming” of the notion that women have the right to choose how to live their lives without being press-ganged into heterosexual marriage, or pigeonholed into the model of a single “career woman,” (I guess I’m dating myself when I use that term, but that’s what they called it when I was growing up….).

  But I also think that Ligaya is absolutely right to suggest that young women shouldn’t take these “freedoms” for granted–because I’d argue that so much of the media spotlight that is turned on working mothers–Angelina Jolie among them–originates from a lingering sense that any woman whose personal arrangments wander away from the straightjacket of the traditional family are suspect–and that women who enter the public sphere as anything other than decorative objects (actresses, models) are behaving in an inappropriate way that encroaches on a male preserve.

  The difficulty that I think “Brittany Spears Fan” did raise, however, is that while involvement in the “public sphere” has its own rewards, it IS possible to become frustrated with the lack of intimacy and emotional support many women experience in a workplace environment–particularly if a woman isn’t lucky enough to be working in the kind of service profession Belle is, where you can come away from a work day with a genuine, satisfying sense that you’ve improved the lives of others.

  The real key is to try to live an integrated life, with equal parts of public and private engagement, isn’t it?? And when I think about the early posts in this thread, it seems like that brings us all back to the original question asked–why is the press so critical of Ms. Jolie, but not of her partner Mr. Pitt?? Maybe it’s just because our culture hasn’t fully embraced the notion of integrated lives for women!

  Thanks again for everyone’s thoughts & Happy holidays,
  M.

• b.Garza
  Apr 14, 2008 at 2:40 pm

  Come on! Angelina is not with her kids 24/7. She has personal maids for each of the children, and she really cannot be compared to a mother who does not have this option.

  As for Brad, he always wanted a big family. He found the person, Angelina who agreed with this life goal.

  I do not think Jennifer wanted this big family, so Brad went on to greener pastures, his Angelina.

  But, please do not insult our intelligence, by thinking Angelina or Brad are totally taking care of their children 24/7. They have the money to hire “highly qualified” care givers.
  o.k.

• ligaya
  Apr 15, 2008 at 9:21 am

  Hee, hee - we’re annoying the h8ters by ignoring their little provocations here & there. OK, here’s a little sop.

  I believe that you’re with the JPs 24/7 & witnessed with your own eyes that each JP child has their own personal maid.

  But this excerpt from the h8ters’ bible, Life , & Style 4/21/08, seems to contradict you: “So why don’t Brad and Angelina just hire a personal chef to always prepare healthy meals for the kids? ‘They like to take care of the kids on their own,’ says an Angie insider.”

  And I’m not insulting your intelligence - because I don’t think you have any. Just kidding.

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