I love Angelina and I love Brad. I think they're both a couple of the most talented actors we have around today, BUT...
I think with all the do-gooding they're doing and people like Madonna are doing, they should start adopting unwanted babies in America, their home country. There are countless unwanted and abused babies here in America that need loving homes. It really pisses me off that these people think they need to open our eyes to other countries' problems when we have plenty of problems here. More children are abused in foster homes than not here. I wish they'd be "charitable" in America.
11:09 You have a point. But I'm disgusted that these two are whoring out their "charity" for publicity's sake.
And I'm not negative...I just know you can't save the world. But you can make a difference close to home. Maybe you need to open your eyes to the sadness of the underworld right down your street.
It worked? Are you heading out to your local State Ward home to adopt a child? Are you delivering a bunch of toys to needy children?
These two absolutely need publicity. If they aren't in the limelight, they don't make money. They could have easily made silent donations of money, toys, anything. But they chose to have it publicized. That's disgusting. That's using children as props.
Everyone always bring up the fact of suffering children in America and I'm sure there are thousands that need loving homes.Orphanages suck...but I have to say I think our orphanages are probably much better than some of the ones in countries Brad and Angelina are visiting. Children like Zahara who are orphaned by AIDS would have very little chance of survival in a third world country...I'd rather adopt a child who would almost certainly face a poorer life or death than one from America where the situation would be slightly better. People still adopt kids from America all the time...its good of them to bring attention to less well known countries.
You guys don't know anything about adoption. First of all, it's not necessarily about being "charitable", it's about building a family. And adoption is just right for some people.
Also, it's nobody's damn business where someone decides to adopt from. That's as rude as challenging someone on what position they used to conceive a biological child. Where to adopt from is an incredibly personal decision and is made considering a LOT of different factors, which I'm not going to get into on this forum. I would say though, before you start claiming how "pissed off" you are about someone else not adopting here in America, ask yourself what you are doing for the kids here in America or anywhere else in the world for that matter. How many have you adopted, ANYWHERE?
Children in America are most often placed in foster care. The foster parents are usually poor people who are using these children for the money the government pays them to take care of these kids, but the money rarely is spent on these kids. The kids are shuffled form home to home and abused in every one of them until they're old enough to take care of themselves or they run away and live on the streets.
A majority of the unwanted children are African American/black children who have almost no chance of being adopted. It's a sad situation. You can't say, "Well, it's worse in other places." when you don't know what you're talking about. These children live in one of the richest countries on the planet and are ignored, abused and treated like garbage. Then they grow up to be criminals and terrible parents, too. That's if they are luck enough to live that long.
People adopt BABIES in America all the time. Most of those babies are adopted through private adoption. Everyone wants BABIES. But if they can't find BABIES, they go to other countries. They aren't bringing attention to less well known countries...they're doing it because they don't want a child enough to adopt an older child or a special needs child. They're SELFISH.
Ignorance under the guise of a "One World Village" is vile.
She is just utterly a gorgeous woman. And I admire the fact that they she and Brad use their celebrity status to raise awareness for global suffering, then set an example of putting their money where their mouths are by giving. I would rather see them "whoring themselves," for a worthy cause to ease some form of human suffering than look at one more picture of some talentless, horribly egotistical whores named Paris, Lindsey, Britney, Tara, Ashley, Jessica doing nothing but shopping, partying, flashing their genitals, or sleeping around.
What are YOU doing? Adding more kids to your household so you can spend less individual attention to each one?
Did you adopt Ethiopian babies or older children? You think it's admirable you adopted two babies form another country? What would have been more admirable is adopting a black 8 year old here or even a baby with mental or physical retardation here in the U.S. They have a less than zero chance of being adopted.
If you want to know what America's unwanted children deal with, just visit your local animal shelter. Puppies get adopted, anything older than a year, or is ugly or has a handicap is ignored.
HOLY SHIT BATMAN! I can't believe the negative shit but then again this is IDLYITW.com. D'oh. Adoption is very tough in America but whatever. I agree with everyone that states a baby is a baby. God I love my 21 month old and 1 month old. No, no adoption here. @ kids are plenty. Lots of work!! So worth it.
anonymous 11:50: Some people aren't lucky enough to be the rich world traveller that you are but I suggest you visit the slums and ghettos of America before you talk shit. Americans are living in rat and roach infested cinderblock closets like in Cabrini Green, for example all over America. You sound like every other asshole who grew up wealthy or at least middle class and doesn't know shit about poor Americans and how they really live.
Anonymous said... If you want to know what America's unwanted children deal with, just visit your local animal shelter. Puppies get adopted, anything older than a year, or is ugly or has a handicap is ignored.
11:53 AM
Hahaha.
I don't think so. I volunteer at Escondido, Calif. animal shelter. People adopt the fugly ones, older than a year and the handicap ones all the time!! They feel sorry for them. Geez! Is this an opinion or a fact from you? Obviously an opinion because I'm stating fact!
Your situation is rare, chuggdog. Just because that's how it works in your little corner of Escondildo doesn't mean that's how it works in the big cities where there are more unwanted animals and overcrowded shelters like here in New York.
Umm... no, A lot of people do adopt the adult dogs from shelters cause they don't want to deal with the puppy stage. The puppies that do get adopted are a lot of times returned within a year because people don't realize the work they need to put into puppies. They just see that they're cute and cuddly.
just to clarify, a healthy baby of any race has no problem being adopted in america. doesnt matter if theyre black/white/mixed/whatever. i'm not saying there isn't a preference, but there is no problem finding someone who wants a baby (specifically, under 1 year) of any race.
Awesome pissing contests guys. I'm just going to say "bravo" to anyone who actually does something positive for this world. I don't really care what reasons you have for doing whatever you are doing, but if you're saving babies in Ethiopia or adopting retarded kids across the street you're definitely improving someone's quality of life and shouldn't that be applauded?
California is full of bleeding hearts who adopt older dogs. That's not the way it works in the rest of the country and it's not the way it works in the greater Los Angeles area, so that's an exception to the California rule, and I know that for a FACT because I've lived here all my life.
An overpopulation of dogs doesn't mean that no one is adopting the adult dogs. It just means that you dumb ass New Yorkers don't know how to listen to Bob Barker ... Seriously get your dog spayed or neutered.
Anyone else noticing that people from LA and NY are talking about the overpopulation of animals in their area? Coincidence that its in the areas where all the celebs are? Hmm... Could it just be that their pets are as slutty as they are and go around humping everything that moves?
I'm torn with how to feel about all of this. I TOTALLY agree with 12:10...as long as they are putting their $$ where their mouth is, good for them.
My problem with with Brad and Angelina is that they appear (from an outsider's perspective) to be very clearly planning a family that is made up of a kid from every impoverished region of the world...to make a political statement.
I think that regardless of the fact the kid will be loved, it's sort of sick and wrong to think "hmmm...now if I just had a middle eastern baby from islamic descent, my family would be complete." Your family shouldn't be a political statement or a commercial for the UN.
In addition, Brad (I find angelina to be much more realistic) is very naive and annoying with his "save the world" grandstanding. I recently saw him in an interview say "it's so exciting to think we could be the generation that ends world hunger." riiiighht brad. good luck with that.
^ Or it could be a matter of common sense. The larger the population, the more unwanted animals. The larger the population, the higher the crime rate. The larger the population, the worse traffic is. Duh.
Millionaries and celebrities will always live in another reality no one else lives in or understands. Asking Brad and Angelina to come back down to Earth and start worriying about America's impoverished and unwanted children would never make sense to them because they don't understand our "normal people" language.
11:46 - Well, I'm not sure what your childhood was like but having several children shouldn't mean that they get less attention. Sorry if your mommy ignored you, you poor thing. Our family isn't like that. And cute of you to assume that I adopted babies. They are teenagers. Oops, are you slipping off of your soapbox now? And I LOVE the fact that you say it would have more "admirable" of me to adopt a "black 8 year old or a baby with mental retardation"........
I'm sorry, tell me again how many 8 year olds and mentally retarded kids have you adopted?
11:11 a.m., I so agree - a baby is a baby, and I applaud any person who is adopting one, from wherever. Anyone who wants to criticize that, is probably just a shithead, and I'd bet money have adopted ZERO children.
On a side note, Angelina is so beautiful, it's unreal. And she has an actual personality and seems interested in the world at large. Really, I'm not at all surprised Brad would be more into her than into boring old Jennifer Aniston, who is okay looking but has no discernable passion beyond exercise and fashion.
All I have to say is... You people are freaking idiots who want to get pissed at Brad and Angelina for MAYBE wanting to adopt another child from another country. Who cares if they want a baby instead of an older child. That's THEIR OWN CHOICE. Who cares if they want to adopt from a 3rd world country in hopes of giving that child a better life than they would've had before. THAT's THEIR OWN CHOICE. You wanna start preaching about the kids in America... well grow up and go out and try to adopt some then. How many of you spewing out shit about kids in the US have actually donated money to them? Hell.. how many of you have ever given a toy to toys for tots?? Or donated ANYTHING to anyone for that matter?
Stop trying to make yourselves out to be freaking holier than though.. thinking that you know how everyone else should live their damn lives. God some of you people are freaking morons.
*takes a breath* Anyways.... Angelina is looking mighty skeletor. Why on earth is she losing so much weight.
Some of the comments here are coming close to stating the ethical question of who is really benefitting from all this.
Is a child really better off when they are uprooted from their native country, where people share their heritage and language, so they can live with superstars who are using them to promote their own image as "loving people"? Raising a child is NOT just about giving him/her all the goodies of a Hollywood lifestyle. What about cultural identity? How is raising a child in a Hollywood bubble a good thing? Are there not better ways to help orphans in other countries than to "rescue" them by taking them away?
This practice of going overseas to find a child to adopt is disgusting. It's all about trying to make themselves look like Mother Theresa. WTF. Is she trying to win a Nobel Peace Prize or something? This is all about the rich exploiting the poor for the sake of good publicity. Those of you who commented that they should be looking to help children in the US are right on the money.
You know this is an interesting philosophical debate that's been around for some time: if you do something that benefits another, but it's not a sacrifice, can it really be called a good deed? Even more--if YOU benefit from you good deed, have you really done something "good?" Or, must suffering and sacrifice accompany your deed in order for it to be intrinsically good?
So Angelina and Brad have taken some children, and may take more and made their lives undoubtedly better (um, does anyone here disagree with that?). In the meantime, they have benefited by the joy they get from these children. And, as many point out, publicity.
So? Is it not a good thing because they aren't making a sacrifice?
Emanuel Kant, a real philosopher, talks about this (not in terms of Brangelina, lol). I sincerely doubt we'll figure out the answer here on this forum--but wouldn't that be something?
1:04: um, yes. Adopting an orphan from the third-world country where their basic needs can't even be met? There's no DOUBT the child is better off uprooted. He or she will spend his.her life in a place that affords the time and chance to CHOOSE to explore their cultural background when they're older.
Also just because the media portrays someone doing a whole bunch of good deeds doesn't mean that's why they're doing it. They could actually BE a loving family.
^12:53 "Who cares if they want to adopt from a 3rd world country ... THAT's THEIR OWN CHOICE."
Wow, man, what about ethics? So you think it's OK for someone to go shopping for a child in another country so they can look good with all the cameras clicking away... It's their CHOICE to go to another country and just take a child home with them, like they're going to be better parents than anyone else? Like the child isn't going be traumatized by having to live with two actors who are in the tabloids all the time? How can a CHOICE like that be anything more than the arrogant use of wealth and fame?
I would just like to point out that someone said "Emanuel Kant" on a celebrity blog. Thank you for that! What's next a discussion of the banality of evil as proposed by Nietschze? Holy shit. Gossip and philosophy together at last...how delicious :o)
Psh.. my mom was adopted here in the U.S. I'm only 22 and neither married nor financially settled yet, but once I get to that point and if I decide to adopt, I'll stick with American kids (black, white, whatever.. and I'm black, btw) until we run out. Fix problems at home first.. a lesson Bush really needs to learn on top of a number of other people.
Wasn't there an article that came out after the adoption. Where they located the mother, who was not dead and was not ever an aids patient but an 18yo who wanted a better life for the child. It was Angelina, who let people think she was dead from aids.
so, angelina's next movie will be obviously filmed in south america and she'll pick up a kid there and have one from each race. her very own little benneton ad. so cute.
i think that's absolutely wonderful - angelina jolie seems to be one of the few celebrities that are using the fact that they are privileged to help the world a bit.
i kind of like the idea of them adopting children. I dont think their plans are much different than this (unknown) couple in the USA adopting somewhere around 22 kids. Children no one wanted, if you can do it, then do it. I just hope these two are good parents.
Some of you people are just amazingly stupid. What difference does it make where they adopted a child from. A child in need is a child in need.. whether it be a baby or a teenager from the US or India. If they can make life better for one more then good for them for opening their arms to any children they might adopt later on.
Why can't they adopt one made in the USA?! Oh, I forgot it's not stylish and doesn't make you look like you're saving the freakin world! When in the Hell is that space ship coming to pick them Tom and Katie up?
I just read most of the posts, and I want to know how adopting a child from another country is 'helping the world'? I don't give a Rats Ass how many kids they adopt, what I don't like is that they act like they are some kind of super hero's, I just can't wait for these kids to write their tell all books about Mommy and Daddy Dearest.
To me it is all very clear: Brangelina is casting for the next "United Colors of Benneton" ad campaign. Wait for it, it'll be a few years down the road.
Why should they adopt American kids.We are all citizens of the world. Who cares where they chose to adopt.Thoses kids may have died or lived a life of poverty if they were not adopted.Thats why all Americans should be pro-choice and have sex ed.(like in Canada), so unwanted children are not born in the first place.
4:06pm, I live in Canada . . . and sex ed doesn't prevent unwanted children, you douche. It just encourages us to use condoms, which doesn't work anyway. Don't be bitter because you are only 13 years older than your kid and wished you had asked your 2nd step dad for a condom.
Where are the other kids, by the way? Brad and Angelina sure do have lots of time on their hands to travel the world, despite having a few young kids, already.
Why are people on this board saying Maddox and Shaddox or whatever the kids names are "have it FAR worse than kids in America" (ie. 11:50am)? Are you insane? They have it far worse than American kids? Maddox and Shaddox have it better than MOST kids in America. Celebrity lovers and their arguments amaze me.
Why do they announce these things? Don't tell me this is to raise awareness either. I am not going to jump on a plane and buy me some little foreign kid just because celebs are doing this. You mean when Mia Farrow adopted a dozen kids, it wasn't cool, but now because supposed A-listers are doing it, it's suddenly "raising awareness"? Please.
At least Farrow went away and raised her baseball team in private, but these attention whores aren't doing these things as selfless acts of kindness. Where are Angelina's kids, by the way? Oh right, she hired a some Mexican lady to raise the kids for her. How nice.
It's simply disgusting the way the discussion weighs adoption of an American child versus a foreign child. We are not talking car brands here. It's a life. It doesn't matter where it comes from, it doesn't matter the reason behind why they do it. Take a look at Maddox, how often do you see children that seem so happy in your own neighborhood? They hired a nanny? How many natural parents do just that so they could carry on with work and provide for their children. Besides, nanny or not, isn't the media oversaturated of pictures of the two of them WITH their children? In schoolyards, in restaurants, on the streets...they do spend time with their children. Sure, they are lucky enough to take their kids for an aftrenoon play in the Namibian desert rather than your local park, but bottom line is: they do it.
I thought she was going to be a bush pilot in Africa. That's what she said she was going to do a few years ago, so what happened? Not enough bling & pate? Too much like real work?
Do we really have to be so racist with our commentary? These are just two people who are trying to make a difference in other peoples' lives...my question to each of you, if they are so wrong with their actions, what have you done, besides sit at your computer typing judgemental commentary?
We're all part of a human-community, where the idea of adopting children should'nt be limited to our tribal affiliations (i.e. Tribe-America), but should be based on the needs that children have in this world...and hunger, poverty, and genocide are three damn good reasons.
These two people can't save or feed the world (and nor are they obligated to do so..), but they can and are making a difference to at least 3+ lives, whose voices will radiate in appreciation in the future; far stronger than the venom that's being spewed in most of these hate-filled commentaries.
This story has been changed to insinuate they were there casing for another child when the REAL article has the quote from the director stating they were not there for any other reason but to visit, and the gift giving.
It's really amazing how quickly people are willing to take a blog report as gospel like there's no way they'd put it up if it weren't the truth. Some are at the ready to level their negative opinion without given the benefit of the doubt and it's a sad commentary on our society.
This story has been changed to insinuate they were there casing for another child when the REAL article has the quote from the director stating they were not there for any other reason but to visit, and the gift giving.
It's really amazing how quickly people are willing to take a blog report as gospel like there's no way they'd put it up if it weren't the truth. Some are at the ready to level their negative opinion without given the benefit of the doubt and it's a sad commentary on our society.
I think children need a stable homelife, routine, I don't think that dragging them all over the world, and not letting them get accustomed to the 3 that are in the family now, before bringing more into the "rainbow" is exactly healthy for those kids..how can they feel special, when mom and dad keep bringing more kids home? Its one thing to want to make the world think your the "holy family", but I don't believe they are thinking about the future mental health of their kids..If they don't put down some roots, and stop globe trotting, and give those kids some sort of normal life..Other celebs do it..then I see lots of therapy in the childrens future..
I love to hear about celebrities doing something good, and for whatever reason. It's such a good contrast to the Lohans and the Hiltons of the world. Angelina adopting children is a wonderful thing. I don't think it matters at all that these children happen to be from Africa.
I volunteered in Kenya during the summer and it has changed me so much. I can completely understand why Angelina adopts these kids. It's not a matter of not seeing the problems in America. It's also being aware of the problems abroad. Yes, there are problems in America, and I'm not trying to say that they aren't important. However, the problems here pale in comparison to the problem of no food or even worse, no clean water. These children are getting a better life and how can some of you say that's selfish and wrong? Angelina shows that she does love and care for her kids. As long as that continues, I say go ahead and make yourself happier, Angelina.
I think they should be able to adopt as many kids as they want. And a big hell yes to them for doing so. Too many stupid fucking christian asswipes in the US are too concerned with preventing women from terminating pregnancy and then turn a blind eye to children once they are born.
As somebody who spent half my life in foster care growing up, I'd have fucking loved somebody like them to give me a chance with them. Too many kids with no families, here or overseas for this not to be seen as a damn good thing they are doing.
The real heroes are ordinary folks who go through the mountain of paperwork to bring home children that will stretch their budgets but enrich their lives. Some of these are superheroes because they adopt handicapped children.
All this talk of a 'child of every color' only sounds like a rich couple's fetish to me. Anyone with children will tell you that more kids does put a strain on adult attention (that is why daycares have a caretaker to infant ratio of 1:6 and 1:9 for kids under 2 years). More kids does not mean better parenting. It means harder parenting.
One can say the kids are better off with nannies than the orphanages, but then one can also say children in abusive homes are better off than homeless children.
I think the debate is about according disproportionate credit to two people who suggest they have haloes around their heads while indulging a curious hobby. As I read somewhere else, Mia Farrow and Woody Allen did this (including not marrying each other) two decades ago, and we know where that went...
in all this discussion, i don't think anybody's raised the issue of evolution. specifically, the importance of survival of the fittest, competitively speaking. the little black babies are supposed to starve to death. when you interfere with that, they grow up to reproduce and thereby pass on their inferior genes. over time, the entire gene pool drifts downward, in terms of fitness, and all sorts of flaws become more prevalent - mental retardation, mental illness, physical illness, body odor, reliance on foodstamps, you name it.
the point is, nature knows what it's doing, so don't fuck with it. if you want to be a do-gooder (or just look like one), adopt an african spider, or african violet, or just build model slave ships. but for god's sake, leave little Mashudu in his mud hole.
kelly clarkson is a much better person than angelina jolie. recently she's adopted 6 african babies. well, ok, it's more like she's recently put on about that much combined weight, but still, it's the thought that counts.
over time, the entire gene pool drifts downward, in terms of fitness, and all sorts of flaws become more prevalent - mental retardation, mental illness, physical illness, body odor, reliance on foodstamps, you name it.
consider maddox... one of the luckiest little boys in the world, adopted by one of the world's most beautiful women who, in the space of less than two years, has seen fit to do the following:
-bring a new man into his life -adopt a sister for him -get pregnant, then give birth (in africa, of all places) to another sister -take him to los angeles -take him to india -shop around for yet ANOTHER possible sibling for him?
does anyone not see that angelina has serious mental problems... that she would create such CHAOS for her son?
i'm not even blaming her... i'm a mom, and i have not done it perfectly... but let's get real here, folks. it is obviously an unstable personality that would subject her son to such an onslaught of change in such a short period of time. all while narcissistically claiming to be a do-gooder!
my guess is that angelina is one of those people who craves new attachments... and is constantly getting something new when the feeling of "love" or "novelty" wears off of the one she's already acquired... whether it's a child, or a lover...
i pray for these kids... their lives will be better materially, for sure, but there's obviously something CRAZY going on here. i'm sure brad rues the day he jumped on the merry-go-round, but now it's too late to get off without looking like (more of) a fool.
Did I miss something? Did it say they adopted a new baby? All I read was that they went and played with the kids at the orphanage. I've done this in many countries, as well as working with many foster children in the US. Going and giving supplies to an orphanage is a bright spot for both the kids and the workers there. Plus, it makes you realize that there is a lot you can do to help.
As for doing this for publicity, that might be true for someone like Madonna, but it doesn't seem that way with Brangelina. While I'm not that fond of them, they seem to hate publicity and aren't exactly publicizing their visit there.
I wouldn't say "dragging" children around the world is a negative thing. These kids are getting the chance to experience different cultures and see the world. Why is that a bad thing?
Everyone who says these children are going to leave a bad life are so right. I grew up poor, I sure wish no rich lady had adopted me, I'd HATE to have everything I missed out on plus two people for parents that are intelligent, love me, and occupied with more than how many armani bags they have. Yes, that would have just been hellllllll ...
I'm sorry but nobody here knows what Angelina and Brad are thinking. Why they are doing what they are doing. There are ethical considerations but I'll let those be resolved by time with these guys (since there is nothing any of you can do anyway .. as far as I remember adoption is legal). Let's wait for these kids to grow up and we'll see how "messed" up they really are.
Also, as for the whole, wouldn't it be better if they grew up in their own country with that culture, ect. Take this into consideration. Angelina seems pretty interested in other cultures. She might still make sure they know about the country they came from. And, there are plenty of people that come here from other countries and forget about their culture over time. I don't think anyone here would accuse them of being bad people.
Please don't tell me some of these accusations aren't because some of you just hate these two from the get go. That's fine. But take that into consideration. Maybe if it was some celebrity you liked than this would be fine ...
These statements that we are all "one human community" is the most ineffective type of reasoning. Why, you might ask? Because it's NAIVE. Saying it doesn't matter where you adopt doesn't make sense. You can't ignore what's going on at home and expect home to stay the place you idealize it is now. There are millions of children in Africa and Asia that aren't being educated. Do you stop educating American (or whatever 1st world country you hail from) children with the logic that as long as a child is getting educated SOMEWHERE the world is a better place???
For all of those accusers out there: I've seen the 3rd world...lived in it. When you grow up, you realize that you can't save the world. You can only make a difference in the place you live. If you have the resources, you can help others....just do it QUIETLY. It completely devalues the giving when you publicize it. You act charitably because it is good for others and doing the act makes you feel good, not so you can get credit for it.
The only chaos Maddox has in his life comes from hyppcrites like you who try to mask your hatred, jealousy, and good old Anglo American "our way is the best way" buttinski judgements!
Take care of your own house and home and leave Angelina to her way which is a heckuva lot better than what you got served up. Just because your narrowminded backwards upbringing messed you up doesn't give you the right or the stones to level it on anyone else. People like you make me sick.
Yeah, science CAN be upsetting and I'm sure your mum is still bummed that you, her grand experiment has been nothing short of an utter failure, and serving no purpose but to remind her every day since you appeared that yes, "science can be upsetting."
My question is, regardless of the rumors of another adoption, would they not be better off investing their considerable fortunes into charities or the local community to teach sustainable development, or something like the Heifer Project (http://www.heifer.org/)
More than one child would stand to benefit from their generosity.
I think that Brad is a big faker because while he was married to Jennifer Aniston he was NEVER into all of this charity stuff. As soon as he got involved with Angelina, he's Captain Planet,Bob Vila, Super Dad and Politcal Crusader all in one? She seems genuine but he does not. As far as the adopting kids goes, it doesn't matter where you adopt them from, you are still helping a child (as previously stated) BUT I also think that if they were so into helping all of these children, instead of adopting one kid and buying him $50 t-shirts, why not donate an ass load of money to these orphanages so that alot of children can benefit from their "generosity" instead of picking just one? I would love to adopt children in the future and would definitely stick with home grown but the reason so many people go to other countries is because the legal fees are cheaper and their aren't as many rules (as far as age difference between parent and child, location, income levels, etc).
Thank you anon 10:54. Kids need stability and she is the last person to provide that. God, just look at the train wreck of a love life she has had so far, especially with Billy Bob. Blood vials? Public makeout sessions where she goes on about having sex in the limo on the way to a premeire? gag. She has a horrid relationship with her dad, using his infidelity as an excuse to ostracize him, and yet, she broke up a marriage herself. She's damaged goods and I really can't see her being a good mom.
Get a life you idiots..better to be taken care of by nanny than die of hunger in a third world nation. When you donate as much cash and time to orphanages as Jolie then you can start criticing her. 'Til then go away and eat shit.
there are 500,000 kids in american foster care. there are 34 million orphans in sub-saharan africa alone. thats million. before you start knocking these two for trying to make a difference, maybe you should realize that most of the 500,000 kids are going to get to grow up and have a chance, but the entire generation of orphaned kids in africa, well, thats a different story. they don't have welfare, foster care, and public schools, flawed though they may be to look after them.
10:39 - It's NOT better to be taken care of by a nanny if you want to be taken care of by your mother and father.
And Nicole Ritchie told me that dying of hunger is a very peaceful way to die...the body releases endorphins and creates quite the euphoria. Maybe you should do an experiment and see if choking yourself creates the same feeling.
So there. And I'll go away as soon as you come over here and eat the peanuts out of my shit.
To our resident genious 11:47. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and tell you: you don't know what the fuck you're talking about. When YOUR best friend grew up her whole life as a ward of the state constantly being bounced around in the foster care system, you can spout off on the chances that foster kids have.
11:49, starving to death is not "peaceful", unless you are Terri Schiavo and lack brain function, thus are unable to feel pain. It's a horrible thing - unrelenting thirst and hunger, extreme mental confusion, hallucinations and eventual organ failure. (Nicole Richie could indeed probably expound on this.)
No, she wasn't, 12:44. I suggest you look up the findings of the medical examiner, which confirm that she had only rudimentary brain function and was in a permanent vegetative state. The only "crimes" in that case were the government stepping in to make medical decisions in place of a person's spouse, and probably Bill Frist diagnosing her without ever seeing her. Bill Frist whose own father was allowed to die with dignity, I might add. By the way "persistent vegetative state" is not the same as "willful stupidity", which is what Bush and his devoted minions have.
1:38, do you think the medical examiner who did her autopsy was involved in some grand conspiracy to cover up murder? Or is it just that the far-right extremists were trying to curry favor with voters, and it backfired? There's no way to "rationalize" the autopsy report. I'm not all that worried about going to hell, but thanks for the warning and thanks for your expression of Christian love.
to 11:54, i have several friends who grew up in foster care, and my mom was a foster parent all of my life, so yeah, i do know a little about what i am talking about. i didn't say it didn't suck growing up as a foster kid. i just said they've got a hell of a lot more of a chance to make something of themselves than a kid in africa who is dying of malnutrition or something rediculous like TB or malaria. So why not save the kids whose only other alternative is death first, then we'll move on to those kids who just had a really bad childhood.
Medicalize and rationalize. Life is precious. Murder is murder, call it whatever you want. Terri was murdered. I pity your children, trying to grow up in a world of weak-kneed shades of gray.
To 11:54, i have several friends who grew up in the foster care system, and my mom has been a foster parent for most of my life. i didn't say it didn't suck growing up in foster care. i just said that kids here have a hell of a lot more chance to make something of themselves than kids in africa who are dying of malnutrition or diseases like TB or malaria, which are treatable here. i am sorry that you're friend had such a shitty childhood. but she's clearly still here fighting to make it. all i'm saying is for those people out there that are all about america first, why don't they become foster parents and make it easier to grow up in the system? but don't knock someone for trying to save a kid whose only other alternative is death. You can live with a bad childhood and learn to deal with it, its a little harder to live with death.
Have to say this whole American adoption versus World adoption is pretty stupid. Why? America is one of the world's richest countries. It is unarguably the world superpower. It has millions and millions of dollars that are needlessly spent within the blink of an eye. So instead of AJ and BP being berated for not adopting from the US, shouldn't the government be kicked up the ass for not creating better situations for its future?
AJ/BP adopt from countries where even if the governments wanted to probably couldn't do enough to help their children. For that reason alone kudos to them.
We live in democratic societies where we have the power of the ballot. If it's such a big issue, start petitions, encourage your congresspeople/senators to do something. Basically, lets get up of our asses and do something instead of pestering people like AJ/BP, who already do.
So 2:11, are you saying that you're not about America first? Shame on you. You ASSUME everyone in the US has a chance at life. How fucking naive. You're the type that would take all the food out of your cabinets and donate it to the local food bank...all the while leaving your own children sitting at the table without dinner.
Charity works in concentric circles from an individual. You help those closest to you first. THEN you can move a little bit farther away. You start with your home. Then you go to your neighbor's home. Then you work on your street. Then you work on your block....get the idea? That's how it works. Going overseas to "help" is putting the cart before the horse.
But I don't know why I'm telling you this. I doubt any of you have lifted a hand to help someone in need, unless you'd get recognition for it. It's almost Thanksgiving (for all of you Americans). Why don't you go play server for a day at a local shelter? Or deliver toys to destitute families for Christmas? Do that once or twice and then come talk to me about the chances those kids and people have. Destroy your ignorance with experience.
What the hell does it matter where they adopt? That's the thing about adoption, you get to CHOOSE what kind of child you want! Okay so Angelina wanted a cambodian baby and then she wanted an ethiopian one. SO WHAT??? Not everyone has to adopt children in their own country if they dont want to, ALL orphans need homes and there isnt any rule that says you can only adopt children if their in your own country. All the people saying she's selfish and a bad person for not adopting an american child, you're so full of it. GET OVER YOUR PRIDE and just be HAPPY that a child was saved and given a well deserved home. It doesn't matter WHERE the child was living before. For you to think that certain children should be put FIRST above others who also need the same thing is ridiculous. And furthermore Angelina isnt some american who has only been in her own neighbourhood. She has spent lots of time in many other places so that being considerred, she's justified in being interrested in children from other countries instead of just america. Whether you like her for it or not she is doing something good.
What the hell does it matter where they adopt? That's the thing about adoption, you get to CHOOSE what kind of child you want! Okay so Angelina wanted a cambodian baby and then she wanted an ethiopian one. SO WHAT??? Not everyone has to adopt children in their own country if they dont want to, ALL orphans need homes and there isnt any rule that says you can only adopt children if their in your own country. All the people saying she's selfish and a bad person for not adopting an american child...GET OVER YOUR PRIDE and just be HAPPY that a child was saved and given a well deserved home. It doesn't matter WHERE the child was living before. For you to think that certain children should be put FIRST above others who also need the same thing is ridiculous. And furthermore Angelina isnt some american who has only been in her own neighbourhood. She has spent lots of time in many other places so that being considerred, she's justified in being interrested in children from other countries instead of just america. Whether you like her for it or not she is doing something good.
2:04, life is indeed precious, which is why when "life" consists of a physical shell without consciousness being kept alive for no good reason, and in that person's conscious life they had expressed a wish not to live in that vegetative state, they should be allowed to die with dignity. "I pity your children". Lol! I'd want my kids to give me the choice to die with dignity.
6:16, no you're right, i am not about america first. because i was born a human being first, not an american. and i don't think that just because someone isn't from america, they don't deserve help. I agree with you, char
124 Comments:
I'm not buying this whole "We're good parents and want to adopt 12 kids" schtick these two have going.
I don't find it noble at all to adopt these kids and drop them off with a nanny to take care of them all day.
The number of children you have doesn't indicate the quality of parent you are.
Besides, I know plenty of American children without parents that would love to be adopted into family. Charity begins at HOME.
By Anonymous, on 11:04 AM
Honestly 11:04, I think a nanny is a better substitute for an over crowded orphanage.
Home is where the heart is. Don't be so negative.
By Anonymous, on 11:09 AM
I love Angelina and I love Brad. I think they're both a couple of the most talented actors we have around today, BUT...
I think with all the do-gooding they're doing and people like Madonna are doing, they should start adopting unwanted babies in America, their home country. There are countless unwanted and abused babies here in America that need loving homes. It really pisses me off that these people think they need to open our eyes to other countries' problems when we have plenty of problems here. More children are abused in foster homes than not here. I wish they'd be "charitable" in America.
By Anonymous, on 11:10 AM
A baby is a baby is a baby. Here or there, at least someone's doing some good.
By Anonymous, on 11:11 AM
11:09 You have a point. But I'm disgusted that these two are whoring out their "charity" for publicity's sake.
And I'm not negative...I just know you can't save the world. But you can make a difference close to home. Maybe you need to open your eyes to the sadness of the underworld right down your street.
By Anonymous, on 11:17 AM
It's not like these two need publicity 11:17...they publicize what they do in hopes of setting an example...and obviously it worked, look at Madonna.
By Anonymous, on 11:23 AM
It worked? Are you heading out to your local State Ward home to adopt a child? Are you delivering a bunch of toys to needy children?
These two absolutely need publicity. If they aren't in the limelight, they don't make money. They could have easily made silent donations of money, toys, anything. But they chose to have it publicized. That's disgusting. That's using children as props.
By Anonymous, on 11:29 AM
Everyone always bring up the fact of suffering children in America and I'm sure there are thousands that need loving homes.Orphanages suck...but I have to say I think our orphanages are probably much better than some of the ones in countries Brad and Angelina are visiting.
Children like Zahara who are orphaned by AIDS would have very little chance of survival in a third world country...I'd rather adopt a child who would almost certainly face a poorer life or death than one from America where the situation would be slightly better. People still adopt kids from America all the time...its good of them to bring attention to less well known countries.
By Anonymous, on 11:31 AM
You guys don't know anything about adoption. First of all, it's not necessarily about being "charitable", it's about building a family. And adoption is just right for some people.
Also, it's nobody's damn business where someone decides to adopt from. That's as rude as challenging someone on what position they used to conceive a biological child. Where to adopt from is an incredibly personal decision and is made considering a LOT of different factors, which I'm not going to get into on this forum.
I would say though, before you start claiming how "pissed off" you are about someone else not adopting here in America, ask yourself what you are doing for the kids here in America or anywhere else in the world for that matter. How many have you adopted, ANYWHERE?
Losers.
Mom to 4. Two bio, two Ethiopian.
By Anonymous, on 11:36 AM
Children in America are most often placed in foster care. The foster parents are usually poor people who are using these children for the money the government pays them to take care of these kids, but the money rarely is spent on these kids. The kids are shuffled form home to home and abused in every one of them until they're old enough to take care of themselves or they run away and live on the streets.
A majority of the unwanted children are African American/black children who have almost no chance of being adopted. It's a sad situation. You can't say, "Well, it's worse in other places." when you don't know what you're talking about. These children live in one of the richest countries on the planet and are ignored, abused and treated like garbage. Then they grow up to be criminals and terrible parents, too. That's if they are luck enough to live that long.
By Anonymous, on 11:37 AM
People adopt BABIES in America all the time. Most of those babies are adopted through private adoption. Everyone wants BABIES. But if they can't find BABIES, they go to other countries. They aren't bringing attention to less well known countries...they're doing it because they don't want a child enough to adopt an older child or a special needs child. They're SELFISH.
Ignorance under the guise of a "One World Village" is vile.
11:37 - Beautiful!
By Anonymous, on 11:40 AM
She is just utterly a gorgeous woman. And I admire the fact that they she and Brad use their celebrity status to raise awareness for global suffering, then set an example of putting their money where their mouths are by giving. I would rather see them "whoring themselves," for a worthy cause to ease some form of human suffering than look at one more picture of some talentless, horribly egotistical whores named Paris, Lindsey, Britney, Tara, Ashley, Jessica doing nothing but shopping, partying, flashing their genitals, or sleeping around.
By Anonymous, on 11:42 AM
@ 11:36 AM -
What are YOU doing? Adding more kids to your household so you can spend less individual attention to each one?
Did you adopt Ethiopian babies or older children? You think it's admirable you adopted two babies form another country? What would have been more admirable is adopting a black 8 year old here or even a baby with mental or physical retardation here in the U.S. They have a less than zero chance of being adopted.
Quit YOUR preaching. Asshole.
By Anonymous, on 11:46 AM
"These children live in one of the richest countries on the planet and are ignored, abused and treated like garbage."
That is truly sad. I guess it sucks to be American afterall.
By Anonymous, on 11:48 AM
11:46 has never left the US and thinks that only the US has problems.
well...it does, but get your head out of your ass, 11:46. Kids like Maddox and Zahara have it FAR worse than any american kid.
Maybe if you booked a ticket and went to actually see an orphanage in a 3rd world country, you'd understand.
and likewise, quit your fucking preaching, dickwad.
By Anonymous, on 11:50 AM
If you want to know what America's unwanted children deal with, just visit your local animal shelter. Puppies get adopted, anything older than a year, or is ugly or has a handicap is ignored.
By Anonymous, on 11:53 AM
HOLY SHIT BATMAN! I can't believe the negative shit but then again this is IDLYITW.com. D'oh. Adoption is very tough in America but whatever. I agree with everyone that states a baby is a baby. God I love my 21 month old and 1 month old. No, no adoption here. @ kids are plenty. Lots of work!! So worth it.
By chuggdog, on 11:56 AM
anonymous 11:50: Some people aren't lucky enough to be the rich world traveller that you are but I suggest you visit the slums and ghettos of America before you talk shit. Americans are living in rat and roach infested cinderblock closets like in Cabrini Green, for example all over America. You sound like every other asshole who grew up wealthy or at least middle class and doesn't know shit about poor Americans and how they really live.
By Anonymous, on 11:58 AM
Anonymous said...
If you want to know what America's unwanted children deal with, just visit your local animal shelter. Puppies get adopted, anything older than a year, or is ugly or has a handicap is ignored.
11:53 AM
Hahaha.
I don't think so. I volunteer at Escondido, Calif. animal shelter. People adopt the fugly ones, older than a year and the handicap ones all the time!! They feel sorry for them. Geez! Is this an opinion or a fact from you? Obviously an opinion because I'm stating fact!
By chuggdog, on 11:59 AM
Your situation is rare, chuggdog. Just because that's how it works in your little corner of Escondildo doesn't mean that's how it works in the big cities where there are more unwanted animals and overcrowded shelters like here in New York.
By Anonymous, on 12:03 PM
11.53
Umm... no, A lot of people do adopt the adult dogs from shelters cause they don't want to deal with the puppy stage. The puppies that do get adopted are a lot of times returned within a year because people don't realize the work they need to put into puppies. They just see that they're cute and cuddly.
But hey, great of you to compare orphans to dogs.
By Sundaydrive00, on 12:09 PM
just to clarify, a healthy baby of any race has no problem being adopted in america. doesnt matter if theyre black/white/mixed/whatever. i'm not saying there isn't a preference, but there is no problem finding someone who wants a baby (specifically, under 1 year) of any race.
By Anonymous, on 12:09 PM
Okay. I also go down to San Diego sometimes and they adopt all kinds there as well.
Are you talking about the dogs in New York or the actors and actresses?
By chuggdog, on 12:09 PM
It's nice you're in India, but they're never going to let little Mowgli bring along his pet tiger.
Todd, I ought to take offense at that, but you're just a tad too hilarious. Heh.
I think Brad and Angelina are vying to have a global community in their very own backyard. A domestic "human network" like the Cisco ads.
By Nika, on 12:10 PM
Awesome pissing contests guys. I'm just going to say "bravo" to anyone who actually does something positive for this world. I don't really care what reasons you have for doing whatever you are doing, but if you're saving babies in Ethiopia or adopting retarded kids across the street you're definitely improving someone's quality of life and shouldn't that be applauded?
By Anonymous, on 12:10 PM
11:56
Well I'd hope that you would love both of your children...
By Anonymous, on 12:11 PM
California is full of bleeding hearts who adopt older dogs. That's not the way it works in the rest of the country and it's not the way it works in the greater Los Angeles area, so that's an exception to the California rule, and I know that for a FACT because I've lived here all my life.
By Anonymous, on 12:13 PM
What the fuck is this retarded bitch wearing?
Also, is it just me or is she looking more and more like a fucking space alien every day?
By Anonymous, on 12:14 PM
An overpopulation of dogs doesn't mean that no one is adopting the adult dogs. It just means that you dumb ass New Yorkers don't know how to listen to Bob Barker ... Seriously get your dog spayed or neutered.
By Anonymous, on 12:14 PM
@ 12:09 - Black babies do have a hard time getting adopted in America by anyone other than black people. That is a fact.
By Anonymous, on 12:15 PM
Anyone else noticing that people from LA and NY are talking about the overpopulation of animals in their area? Coincidence that its in the areas where all the celebs are? Hmm... Could it just be that their pets are as slutty as they are and go around humping everything that moves?
By Anonymous, on 12:16 PM
I'm torn with how to feel about all of this. I TOTALLY agree with 12:10...as long as they are putting their $$ where their mouth is, good for them.
My problem with with Brad and Angelina is that they appear (from an outsider's perspective) to be very clearly planning a family that is made up of a kid from every impoverished region of the world...to make a political statement.
I think that regardless of the fact the kid will be loved, it's sort of sick and wrong to think "hmmm...now if I just had a middle eastern baby from islamic descent, my family would be complete." Your family shouldn't be a political statement or a commercial for the UN.
In addition, Brad (I find angelina to be much more realistic) is very naive and annoying with his "save the world" grandstanding. I recently saw him in an interview say "it's so exciting to think we could be the generation that ends world hunger." riiiighht brad. good luck with that.
By Anonymous, on 12:18 PM
^ Or it could be a matter of common sense. The larger the population, the more unwanted animals. The larger the population, the higher the crime rate. The larger the population, the worse traffic is. Duh.
By Anonymous, on 12:18 PM
Millionaries and celebrities will always live in another reality no one else lives in or understands. Asking Brad and Angelina to come back down to Earth and start worriying about America's impoverished and unwanted children would never make sense to them because they don't understand our "normal people" language.
By Anonymous, on 12:23 PM
i love how brad morphs into each woman he's involved with. all you have to do is look at the hair. angelina seems sincere, but brad????
By Anonymous, on 12:27 PM
11:46 -
Well, I'm not sure what your childhood was like but having several children shouldn't mean that they get less attention. Sorry if your mommy ignored you, you poor thing. Our family isn't like that.
And cute of you to assume that I adopted babies. They are teenagers. Oops, are you slipping off of your soapbox now?
And I LOVE the fact that you say it would have more "admirable" of me to adopt a "black 8 year old or a baby with mental retardation"........
I'm sorry, tell me again how many 8 year olds and mentally retarded kids have you adopted?
By Anonymous, on 12:33 PM
KIDS!!!! Don't make me turn this car around.
Seriously, stop picking on each other. You sound like Perez Hilton or Just Jared psychos.
We are here to mock CELEBRITIES not each other... keep your eye on the ball.
By Anonymous, on 12:51 PM
I'm sorry but did we run out of American children to adopt?
By Anonymous, on 12:52 PM
These two pick up kids as souvenirs wherever they film a movie or go somewhere in the world.
By Anonymous, on 12:52 PM
11:11 a.m., I so agree - a baby is a baby, and I applaud any person who is adopting one, from wherever. Anyone who wants to criticize that, is probably just a shithead, and I'd bet money have adopted ZERO children.
On a side note, Angelina is so beautiful, it's unreal. And she has an actual personality and seems interested in the world at large. Really, I'm not at all surprised Brad would be more into her than into boring old Jennifer Aniston, who is okay looking but has no discernable passion beyond exercise and fashion.
By Anonymous, on 12:52 PM
I'm sorry, did we run out of American children to adopt or don't they deserve homes too...
By Anonymous, on 12:52 PM
All I have to say is... You people are freaking idiots who want to get pissed at Brad and Angelina for MAYBE wanting to adopt another child from another country.
Who cares if they want a baby instead of an older child. That's THEIR OWN CHOICE. Who cares if they want to adopt from a 3rd world country in hopes of giving that child a better life than they would've had before. THAT's THEIR OWN CHOICE.
You wanna start preaching about the kids in America... well grow up and go out and try to adopt some then. How many of you spewing out shit about kids in the US have actually donated money to them? Hell.. how many of you have ever given a toy to toys for tots?? Or donated ANYTHING to anyone for that matter?
Stop trying to make yourselves out to be freaking holier than though.. thinking that you know how everyone else should live their damn lives.
God some of you people are freaking morons.
*takes a breath* Anyways.... Angelina is looking mighty skeletor. Why on earth is she losing so much weight.
By Anonymous, on 12:53 PM
11:46 and others, please let us all know how many Americans kids you guys are adopting or fostering. Thanks in advance.
By Anonymous, on 12:55 PM
12:52--just when you think we're going to get through a freaking brangelina thread without a mention of aniston.
btich slap! There it is. And aniston has anything to do with this conversion, how?
please go back to the websites where people spend 9 hours a day analyzing the love triangle that the rest of us don't care about...
By Anonymous, on 1:00 PM
Some of the comments here are coming close to stating the ethical question of who is really benefitting from all this.
Is a child really better off when they are uprooted from their native country, where people share their heritage and language, so they can live with superstars who are using them to promote their own image as "loving people"? Raising a child is NOT just about giving him/her all the goodies of a Hollywood lifestyle. What about cultural identity? How is raising a child in a Hollywood bubble a good thing? Are there not better ways to help orphans in other countries than to "rescue" them by taking them away?
This practice of going overseas to find a child to adopt is disgusting. It's all about trying to make themselves look like Mother Theresa. WTF. Is she trying to win a Nobel Peace Prize or something? This is all about the rich exploiting the poor for the sake of good publicity.
Those of you who commented that they should be looking to help children in the US are right on the money.
By Anonymous, on 1:04 PM
You know this is an interesting philosophical debate that's been around for some time: if you do something that benefits another, but it's not a sacrifice, can it really be called a good deed? Even more--if YOU benefit from you good deed, have you really done something "good?" Or, must suffering and sacrifice accompany your deed in order for it to be intrinsically good?
So Angelina and Brad have taken some children, and may take more and made their lives undoubtedly better (um, does anyone here disagree with that?). In the meantime, they have benefited by the joy they get from these children. And, as many point out, publicity.
So? Is it not a good thing because they aren't making a sacrifice?
Emanuel Kant, a real philosopher, talks about this (not in terms of Brangelina, lol). I sincerely doubt we'll figure out the answer here on this forum--but wouldn't that be something?
By Anonymous, on 1:08 PM
1:04: um, yes. Adopting an orphan from the third-world country where their basic needs can't even be met? There's no DOUBT the child is better off uprooted. He or she will spend his.her life in a place that affords the time and chance to CHOOSE to explore their cultural background when they're older.
Also just because the media portrays someone doing a whole bunch of good deeds doesn't mean that's why they're doing it. They could actually BE a loving family.
By Anonymous, on 1:11 PM
^12:53 "Who cares if they want to adopt from a 3rd world country ... THAT's THEIR OWN CHOICE."
Wow, man, what about ethics? So you think it's OK for someone to go shopping for a child in another country so they can look good with all the cameras clicking away... It's their CHOICE to go to another country and just take a child home with them, like they're going to be better parents than anyone else? Like the child isn't going be traumatized by having to live with two actors who are in the tabloids all the time? How can a CHOICE like that be anything more than the arrogant use of wealth and fame?
By Anonymous, on 1:13 PM
I would just like to point out that someone said "Emanuel Kant" on a celebrity blog. Thank you for that! What's next a discussion of the banality of evil as proposed by Nietschze? Holy shit. Gossip and philosophy together at last...how delicious :o)
By Anonymous, on 1:17 PM
Psh.. my mom was adopted here in the U.S. I'm only 22 and neither married nor financially settled yet, but once I get to that point and if I decide to adopt, I'll stick with American kids (black, white, whatever.. and I'm black, btw) until we run out. Fix problems at home first.. a lesson Bush really needs to learn on top of a number of other people.
By Anonymous, on 1:29 PM
I want to adopt one black child and one white child and make them fist fight.
By Anonymous, on 1:43 PM
I'm with Anon at 11:04.
In addition, this adoption thing is getting crazy, They should educate other Americans on the topic and encourage them to adopt third world children.
Hey, didn't Joan Crawford love children and want to adopt an army of them? She did an awesome job with the two she got.
Both Angelina and Brad are so far up their own asses it's not even funny.
By Anonymous, on 1:48 PM
"Zahara who are orphaned by AIDS"
Wasn't there an article that came out after the adoption. Where they located the mother, who was not dead and was not ever an aids patient but an 18yo who wanted a better life for the child. It was Angelina, who let people think she was dead from aids.
By Anonymous, on 2:03 PM
thanks a lot 1:43, I just snorted and made diet coke shoot out my nose...
By Anonymous, on 2:03 PM
so, angelina's next movie will be obviously filmed in south america and she'll pick up a kid there and have one from each race. her very own little benneton ad. so cute.
By Anonymous, on 2:11 PM
i think that's absolutely wonderful - angelina jolie seems to be one of the few celebrities that are using the fact that they are privileged to help the world a bit.
By alix d'laire, on 2:28 PM
i kind of like the idea of them adopting children. I dont think their plans are much different than this (unknown) couple in the USA adopting somewhere around 22 kids. Children no one wanted, if you can do it, then do it. I just hope these two are good parents.
By Anonymous, on 2:29 PM
Some of you people are just amazingly stupid. What difference does it make where they adopted a child from. A child in need is a child in need.. whether it be a baby or a teenager from the US or India.
If they can make life better for one more then good for them for opening their arms to any children they might adopt later on.
By Anonymous, on 2:38 PM
I can't stand those 2 media hos...take care of the 3 kids you have, and stop dragging them all over the world..
By jannre, on 2:42 PM
Why can't they adopt one made in the USA?! Oh, I forgot it's not stylish and doesn't make you look like you're saving the freakin world! When in the Hell is that space ship coming to pick them Tom and Katie up?
By Bitch McMean, on 3:23 PM
I just read most of the posts, and I want to know how adopting a child from another country is 'helping the world'? I don't give a Rats Ass how many kids they adopt, what I don't like is that they act like they are some kind of super hero's, I just can't wait for these kids to write their tell all books about Mommy and Daddy Dearest.
By Bitch McMean, on 3:39 PM
Damn, everyone is so bitter on this thread.
To me it is all very clear: Brangelina is casting for the next "United Colors of Benneton" ad campaign. Wait for it, it'll be a few years down the road.
By Anonymous, on 3:58 PM
Why should they adopt American kids.We are all citizens of the world. Who cares where they chose to adopt.Thoses kids may have died or lived a life of poverty if they were not adopted.Thats why all Americans should be pro-choice and have sex ed.(like in Canada), so unwanted children are not born in the first place.
By Anonymous, on 4:06 PM
Todd!!! You suck. LOL. "Delivered by a witch doctor." I love BAMZ, but you're hysterical. :-)
By What ho!, on 4:21 PM
hahahah....there are so many kids in the foster care system in the U.S., I don't see what their obsession is with foreign ones...honestly...
By Anonymous, on 5:11 PM
4:06pm, I live in Canada . . . and sex ed doesn't prevent unwanted children, you douche. It just encourages us to use condoms, which doesn't work anyway. Don't be bitter because you are only 13 years older than your kid and wished you had asked your 2nd step dad for a condom.
By Anonymous, on 5:11 PM
Where are the other kids, by the way? Brad and Angelina sure do have lots of time on their hands to travel the world, despite having a few young kids, already.
By Anonymous, on 5:12 PM
I can't wait til I'm rich and can afford a negro baby too.
By Anonymous, on 5:13 PM
Why are people on this board saying Maddox and Shaddox or whatever the kids names are "have it FAR worse than kids in America" (ie. 11:50am)? Are you insane? They have it far worse than American kids? Maddox and Shaddox have it better than MOST kids in America. Celebrity lovers and their arguments amaze me.
By Anonymous, on 5:22 PM
Why do they announce these things? Don't tell me this is to raise awareness either. I am not going to jump on a plane and buy me some little foreign kid just because celebs are doing this. You mean when Mia Farrow adopted a dozen kids, it wasn't cool, but now because supposed A-listers are doing it, it's suddenly "raising awareness"? Please.
At least Farrow went away and raised her baseball team in private, but these attention whores aren't doing these things as selfless acts of kindness. Where are Angelina's kids, by the way? Oh right, she hired a some Mexican lady to raise the kids for her. How nice.
By Anonymous, on 5:28 PM
Don't care....ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ............
By Anonymous, on 5:33 PM
It's simply disgusting the way the discussion weighs adoption of an American child versus a foreign child. We are not talking car brands here. It's a life. It doesn't matter where it comes from, it doesn't matter the reason behind why they do it. Take a look at Maddox, how often do you see children that seem so happy in your own neighborhood? They hired a nanny? How many natural parents do just that so they could carry on with work and provide for their children. Besides, nanny or not, isn't the media oversaturated of pictures of the two of them WITH their children? In schoolyards, in restaurants, on the streets...they do spend time with their children. Sure, they are lucky enough to take their kids for an aftrenoon play in the Namibian desert rather than your local park, but bottom line is: they do it.
By Anonymous, on 6:39 PM
Is it just me or is brad and jolie trying to set up their own call center with this kids?
By Anonymous, on 7:10 PM
I thought she was going to be a bush pilot in Africa. That's what she said she was going to do a few years ago, so what happened? Not enough bling & pate? Too much like real work?
By Anonymous, on 7:16 PM
Do we really have to be so racist with our commentary? These are just two people who are trying to make a difference in other peoples' lives...my question to each of you, if they are so wrong with their actions, what have you done, besides sit at your computer typing judgemental commentary?
We're all part of a human-community, where the idea of adopting children should'nt be limited to our tribal affiliations (i.e. Tribe-America), but should be based on the needs that children have in this world...and hunger, poverty, and genocide are three damn good reasons.
These two people can't save or feed the world (and nor are they obligated to do so..), but they can and are making a difference to at least 3+ lives, whose voices will radiate in appreciation in the future; far stronger than the venom that's being spewed in most of these hate-filled commentaries.
By Anonymous, on 7:22 PM
This story has been changed to insinuate they were there casing for another child when the REAL article has the quote from the director stating they were not there for any other reason but to visit, and the gift giving.
It's really amazing how quickly people are willing to take a blog report as gospel like there's no way they'd put it up if it weren't the truth. Some are at the ready to level their negative opinion without given the benefit of the doubt and it's a sad commentary on our society.
By Anonymous, on 7:24 PM
This story has been changed to insinuate they were there casing for another child when the REAL article has the quote from the director stating they were not there for any other reason but to visit, and the gift giving.
It's really amazing how quickly people are willing to take a blog report as gospel like there's no way they'd put it up if it weren't the truth. Some are at the ready to level their negative opinion without given the benefit of the doubt and it's a sad commentary on our society.
By Anonymous, on 7:25 PM
I think children need a stable homelife, routine, I don't think that dragging them all over the world, and not letting them get accustomed to the 3 that are in the family now, before bringing more into the "rainbow" is exactly healthy for those kids..how can they feel special, when mom and dad keep bringing more kids home? Its one thing to want to make the world think your the "holy family", but I don't believe they are thinking about the future mental health of their kids..If they don't put down some roots, and stop globe trotting, and give those kids some sort of normal life..Other celebs do it..then I see lots of therapy in the childrens future..
By jannre, on 8:07 PM
I love to hear about celebrities doing something good, and for whatever reason. It's such a good contrast to the Lohans and the Hiltons of the world. Angelina adopting children is a wonderful thing. I don't think it matters at all that these children happen to be from Africa.
I volunteered in Kenya during the summer and it has changed me so much. I can completely understand why Angelina adopts these kids. It's not a matter of not seeing the problems in America. It's also being aware of the problems abroad. Yes, there are problems in America, and I'm not trying to say that they aren't important. However, the problems here pale in comparison to the problem of no food or even worse, no clean water. These children are getting a better life and how can some of you say that's selfish and wrong? Angelina shows that she does love and care for her kids. As long as that continues, I say go ahead and make yourself happier, Angelina.
By Anonymous, on 8:12 PM
Looks like Angelina is putting on Blue Steel in the third photo!
By Anonymous, on 8:22 PM
I think they should be able to adopt as many kids as they want. And a big hell yes to them for doing so. Too many stupid fucking christian asswipes in the US are too concerned with preventing women from terminating pregnancy and then turn a blind eye to children once they are born.
As somebody who spent half my life in foster care growing up, I'd have fucking loved somebody like them to give me a chance with them. Too many kids with no families, here or overseas for this not to be seen as a damn good thing they are doing.
By Anonymous, on 8:32 PM
The real heroes are ordinary folks who go through the mountain of paperwork to bring home children that will stretch their budgets but enrich their lives. Some of these are superheroes because they adopt handicapped children.
All this talk of a 'child of every color' only sounds like a rich couple's fetish to me. Anyone with children will tell you that more kids does put a strain on adult attention (that is why daycares have a caretaker to infant ratio of 1:6 and 1:9 for kids under 2 years). More kids does not mean better parenting. It means harder parenting.
One can say the kids are better off with nannies than the orphanages, but then one can also say children in abusive homes are better off than homeless children.
I think the debate is about according disproportionate credit to two people who suggest they have haloes around their heads while indulging a curious hobby. As I read somewhere else, Mia Farrow and Woody Allen did this (including not marrying each other) two decades ago, and we know where that went...
By Anonymous, on 8:57 PM
in all this discussion, i don't think anybody's raised the issue of evolution. specifically, the importance of survival of the fittest, competitively speaking. the little black babies are supposed to starve to death. when you interfere with that, they grow up to reproduce and thereby pass on their inferior genes. over time, the entire gene pool drifts downward, in terms of fitness, and all sorts of flaws become more prevalent - mental retardation, mental illness, physical illness, body odor, reliance on foodstamps, you name it.
the point is, nature knows what it's doing, so don't fuck with it. if you want to be a do-gooder (or just look like one), adopt an african spider, or african violet, or just build model slave ships. but for god's sake, leave little Mashudu in his mud hole.
By Anonymous, on 9:06 PM
Drop dead 9:06
It is ONLY people like you who make the entire gene pool drift downward.
You stupid mutant bastard.
By Anonymous, on 9:28 PM
science can be upsetting
By Anonymous, on 9:48 PM
kelly clarkson is a much better person than angelina jolie. recently she's adopted 6 african babies. well, ok, it's more like she's recently put on about that much combined weight, but still, it's the thought that counts.
By Anonymous, on 9:52 PM
I cant stand Lohan...Worst celebrity out there !
By Times Square Gossip, on 10:04 PM
over time, the entire gene pool drifts downward, in terms of fitness, and all sorts of flaws become more prevalent - mental retardation, mental illness, physical illness, body odor, reliance on foodstamps, you name it.
wow, you truly suck!
By Anonymous, on 10:37 PM
MADDOX AND SHADDOX!!!! LMFAO!!!
By Anonymous, on 10:47 PM
consider maddox... one of the luckiest little boys in the world, adopted by one of the world's most beautiful women who, in the space of less than two years, has seen fit to do the following:
-bring a new man into his life
-adopt a sister for him
-get pregnant, then give birth (in africa, of all places) to another sister
-take him to los angeles
-take him to india
-shop around for yet ANOTHER possible sibling for him?
does anyone not see that angelina has serious mental problems... that she would create such CHAOS for her son?
i'm not even blaming her... i'm a mom, and i have not done it perfectly... but let's get real here, folks. it is obviously an unstable personality that would subject her son to such an onslaught of change in such a short period of time. all while narcissistically claiming to be a do-gooder!
my guess is that angelina is one of those people who craves new attachments... and is constantly getting something new when the feeling of "love" or "novelty" wears off of the one she's already acquired... whether it's a child, or a lover...
i pray for these kids... their lives will be better materially, for sure, but there's obviously something CRAZY going on here. i'm sure brad rues the day he jumped on the merry-go-round, but now it's too late to get off without looking like (more of) a fool.
By Anonymous, on 10:54 PM
LMAOO!!!! did I seriously just read somenoe who says that CONDOMS DON'T WORK accusing someone else of being unsophisticated and hick?? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
By Anonymous, on 11:34 PM
Did I miss something? Did it say they adopted a new baby? All I read was that they went and played with the kids at the orphanage. I've done this in many countries, as well as working with many foster children in the US. Going and giving supplies to an orphanage is a bright spot for both the kids and the workers there. Plus, it makes you realize that there is a lot you can do to help.
As for doing this for publicity, that might be true for someone like Madonna, but it doesn't seem that way with Brangelina. While I'm not that fond of them, they seem to hate publicity and aren't exactly publicizing their visit there.
By Anonymous, on 5:35 AM
I wouldn't say "dragging" children around the world is a negative thing. These kids are getting the chance to experience different cultures and see the world. Why is that a bad thing?
By likethedirection, on 5:59 AM
Everyone who says these children are going to leave a bad life are so right. I grew up poor, I sure wish no rich lady had adopted me, I'd HATE to have everything I missed out on plus two people for parents that are intelligent, love me, and occupied with more than how many armani bags they have. Yes, that would have just been hellllllll ...
I'm sorry but nobody here knows what Angelina and Brad are thinking. Why they are doing what they are doing. There are ethical considerations but I'll let those be resolved by time with these guys (since there is nothing any of you can do anyway .. as far as I remember adoption is legal). Let's wait for these kids to grow up and we'll see how "messed" up they really are.
Also, as for the whole, wouldn't it be better if they grew up in their own country with that culture, ect. Take this into consideration. Angelina seems pretty interested in other cultures. She might still make sure they know about the country they came from. And, there are plenty of people that come here from other countries and forget about their culture over time. I don't think anyone here would accuse them of being bad people.
Please don't tell me some of these accusations aren't because some of you just hate these two from the get go. That's fine. But take that into consideration. Maybe if it was some celebrity you liked than this would be fine ...
By Anonymous, on 6:04 AM
These statements that we are all "one human community" is the most ineffective type of reasoning. Why, you might ask? Because it's NAIVE. Saying it doesn't matter where you adopt doesn't make sense. You can't ignore what's going on at home and expect home to stay the place you idealize it is now. There are millions of children in Africa and Asia that aren't being educated. Do you stop educating American (or whatever 1st world country you hail from) children with the logic that as long as a child is getting educated SOMEWHERE the world is a better place???
For all of those accusers out there: I've seen the 3rd world...lived in it. When you grow up, you realize that you can't save the world. You can only make a difference in the place you live. If you have the resources, you can help others....just do it QUIETLY. It completely devalues the giving when you publicize it. You act charitably because it is good for others and doing the act makes you feel good, not so you can get credit for it.
By Anonymous, on 6:19 AM
By Anonymous, on 10:54 PM
The only chaos Maddox has in his life comes from hyppcrites like you who try to mask your hatred, jealousy, and good old Anglo American "our way is the best way" buttinski judgements!
Take care of your own house and home and leave Angelina to her way which is a heckuva lot better than what you got served up. Just because your narrowminded backwards upbringing messed you up doesn't give you the right or the stones to level it on anyone else. People like you make me sick.
By Anonymous, on 7:09 AM
9:06 PM & 9:48
Yeah, science CAN be upsetting and I'm sure your mum is still bummed that you, her grand experiment has been nothing short of an utter failure, and serving no purpose but to remind her every day since you appeared that yes, "science can be upsetting."
By Anonymous, on 7:16 AM
1:00, I was just making a point about how AJ's personality makes her seem more beautiful, and interesting. So GFY.
By Anonymous, on 7:29 AM
Good point 10:54.
My question is, regardless of the rumors of another adoption, would they not be better off investing their considerable fortunes into charities or the local community to teach sustainable development, or something like the Heifer Project (http://www.heifer.org/)
More than one child would stand to benefit from their generosity.
By Anonymous, on 8:14 AM
I think that Brad is a big faker because while he was married to Jennifer Aniston he was NEVER into all of this charity stuff. As soon as he got involved with Angelina, he's Captain Planet,Bob Vila, Super Dad and Politcal Crusader all in one? She seems genuine but he does not. As far as the adopting kids goes, it doesn't matter where you adopt them from, you are still helping a child (as previously stated) BUT I also think that if they were so into helping all of these children, instead of adopting one kid and buying him $50 t-shirts, why not donate an ass load of money to these orphanages so that alot of children can benefit from their "generosity" instead of picking just one? I would love to adopt children in the future and would definitely stick with home grown but the reason so many people go to other countries is because the legal fees are cheaper and their aren't as many rules (as far as age difference between parent and child, location, income levels, etc).
By Charm School Reject, on 8:20 AM
9:06,
You're a complete fool, you DUMBASS.
Love,
Your mom
By Anonymous, on 8:58 AM
Thank you anon 10:54. Kids need stability and she is the last person to provide that. God, just look at the train wreck of a love life she has had so far, especially with Billy Bob. Blood vials? Public makeout sessions where she goes on about having sex in the limo on the way to a premeire? gag.
She has a horrid relationship with her dad, using his infidelity as an excuse to ostracize him, and yet, she broke up a marriage herself.
She's damaged goods and I really can't see her being a good mom.
By Anonymous, on 9:15 AM
9:06 right on! finally some dispassionate commentary, grounded in science and reason. too bad it's buried in a bleeding heart infestation.
By Anonymous, on 10:39 AM
Get a life you idiots..better to be taken care of by nanny than die of hunger in a third world nation. When you donate as much cash and time to orphanages as Jolie then you can start criticing her. 'Til then go away and eat shit.
By Anonymous, on 10:39 AM
there are 500,000 kids in american foster care. there are 34 million orphans in sub-saharan africa alone. thats million. before you start knocking these two for trying to make a difference, maybe you should realize that most of the 500,000 kids are going to get to grow up and have a chance, but the entire generation of orphaned kids in africa, well, thats a different story. they don't have welfare, foster care, and public schools, flawed though they may be to look after them.
By africa, on 11:47 AM
10:39 - It's NOT better to be taken care of by a nanny if you want to be taken care of by your mother and father.
And Nicole Ritchie told me that dying of hunger is a very peaceful way to die...the body releases endorphins and creates quite the euphoria. Maybe you should do an experiment and see if choking yourself creates the same feeling.
So there. And I'll go away as soon as you come over here and eat the peanuts out of my shit.
By Anonymous, on 11:49 AM
To our resident genious 11:47. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and tell you: you don't know what the fuck you're talking about. When YOUR best friend grew up her whole life as a ward of the state constantly being bounced around in the foster care system, you can spout off on the chances that foster kids have.
By Anonymous, on 11:54 AM
i live right next to kofi annan and yesterday morning i ran into him and he just said "bitch is crazy." so there ya go.
By Anonymous, on 12:27 PM
11:49, starving to death is not "peaceful", unless you are Terri Schiavo and lack brain function, thus are unable to feel pain. It's a horrible thing - unrelenting thirst and hunger, extreme mental confusion, hallucinations and eventual organ failure. (Nicole Richie could indeed probably expound on this.)
By Anonymous, on 12:40 PM
Terri Schiavo was fully aware right up until the time of her medical murder. How dare you bring up this horrific crime!
By Anonymous, on 12:44 PM
No, she wasn't, 12:44. I suggest you look up the findings of the medical examiner, which confirm that she had only rudimentary brain function and was in a permanent vegetative state. The only "crimes" in that case were the government stepping in to make medical decisions in place of a person's spouse, and probably Bill Frist diagnosing her without ever seeing her. Bill Frist whose own father was allowed to die with dignity, I might add.
By the way "persistent vegetative state" is not the same as "willful stupidity", which is what Bush and his devoted minions have.
By Anonymous, on 1:21 PM
Rationalize it all you want, that's the masturbatory habit of lefties. It's murder, plain and simple. You're going to hell.
By Anonymous, on 1:38 PM
1:38, do you think the medical examiner who did her autopsy was involved in some grand conspiracy to cover up murder? Or is it just that the far-right extremists were trying to curry favor with voters, and it backfired? There's no way to "rationalize" the autopsy report.
I'm not all that worried about going to hell, but thanks for the warning and thanks for your expression of Christian love.
By Anonymous, on 1:48 PM
to 11:54, i have several friends who grew up in foster care, and my mom was a foster parent all of my life, so yeah, i do know a little about what i am talking about. i didn't say it didn't suck growing up as a foster kid. i just said they've got a hell of a lot more of a chance to make something of themselves than a kid in africa who is dying of malnutrition or something rediculous like TB or malaria. So why not save the kids whose only other alternative is death first, then we'll move on to those kids who just had a really bad childhood.
By Anonymous, on 2:03 PM
Medicalize and rationalize. Life is precious. Murder is murder, call it whatever you want. Terri was murdered. I pity your children, trying to grow up in a world of weak-kneed shades of gray.
By Anonymous, on 2:04 PM
To 11:54, i have several friends who grew up in the foster care system, and my mom has been a foster parent for most of my life. i didn't say it didn't suck growing up in foster care. i just said that kids here have a hell of a lot more chance to make something of themselves than kids in africa who are dying of malnutrition or diseases like TB or malaria, which are treatable here. i am sorry that you're friend had such a shitty childhood. but she's clearly still here fighting to make it. all i'm saying is for those people out there that are all about america first, why don't they become foster parents and make it easier to grow up in the system? but don't knock someone for trying to save a kid whose only other alternative is death. You can live with a bad childhood and learn to deal with it, its a little harder to live with death.
By africa, on 2:11 PM
Have to say this whole American adoption versus World adoption is pretty stupid. Why? America is one of the world's richest countries. It is unarguably the world superpower. It has millions and millions of dollars that are needlessly spent within the blink of an eye. So instead of AJ and BP being berated for not adopting from the US, shouldn't the government be kicked up the ass for not creating better situations for its future?
AJ/BP adopt from countries where even if the governments wanted to probably couldn't do enough to help their children. For that reason alone kudos to them.
We live in democratic societies where we have the power of the ballot. If it's such a big issue, start petitions, encourage your congresspeople/senators to do something. Basically, lets get up of our asses and do something instead of pestering people like AJ/BP, who already do.
By JC, on 5:34 PM
So 2:11, are you saying that you're not about America first? Shame on you. You ASSUME everyone in the US has a chance at life. How fucking naive. You're the type that would take all the food out of your cabinets and donate it to the local food bank...all the while leaving your own children sitting at the table without dinner.
Charity works in concentric circles from an individual. You help those closest to you first. THEN you can move a little bit farther away. You start with your home. Then you go to your neighbor's home. Then you work on your street. Then you work on your block....get the idea? That's how it works. Going overseas to "help" is putting the cart before the horse.
But I don't know why I'm telling you this. I doubt any of you have lifted a hand to help someone in need, unless you'd get recognition for it. It's almost Thanksgiving (for all of you Americans). Why don't you go play server for a day at a local shelter? Or deliver toys to destitute families for Christmas? Do that once or twice and then come talk to me about the chances those kids and people have. Destroy your ignorance with experience.
By Anonymous, on 6:16 PM
What the hell does it matter where they adopt? That's the thing about adoption, you get to CHOOSE what kind of child you want! Okay so Angelina wanted a cambodian baby and then she wanted an ethiopian one. SO WHAT??? Not everyone has to adopt children in their own country if they dont want to, ALL orphans need homes and there isnt any rule that says you can only adopt children if their in your own country. All the people saying she's selfish and a bad person for not adopting an american child, you're so full of it. GET OVER YOUR PRIDE and just be HAPPY that a child was saved and given a well deserved home. It doesn't matter WHERE the child was living before. For you to think that certain children should be put FIRST above others who also need the same thing is ridiculous. And furthermore Angelina isnt some american who has only been in her own neighbourhood. She has spent lots of time in many other places so that being considerred, she's justified in being interrested in children from other countries instead of just america. Whether you like her for it or not she is doing something good.
By Anonymous, on 12:51 AM
What the hell does it matter where they adopt? That's the thing about adoption, you get to CHOOSE what kind of child you want! Okay so Angelina wanted a cambodian baby and then she wanted an ethiopian one. SO WHAT??? Not everyone has to adopt children in their own country if they dont want to, ALL orphans need homes and there isnt any rule that says you can only adopt children if their in your own country. All the people saying she's selfish and a bad person for not adopting an american child...GET OVER YOUR PRIDE and just be HAPPY that a child was saved and given a well deserved home. It doesn't matter WHERE the child was living before. For you to think that certain children should be put FIRST above others who also need the same thing is ridiculous. And furthermore Angelina isnt some american who has only been in her own neighbourhood. She has spent lots of time in many other places so that being considerred, she's justified in being interrested in children from other countries instead of just america. Whether you like her for it or not she is doing something good.
By Anonymous, on 12:56 AM
2:04, life is indeed precious, which is why when "life" consists of a physical shell without consciousness being kept alive for no good reason, and in that person's conscious life they had expressed a wish not to live in that vegetative state, they should be allowed to die with dignity.
"I pity your children". Lol! I'd want my kids to give me the choice to die with dignity.
By Anonymous, on 7:07 AM
so...i've looked all over the site. where's the announcement about an essay contest?
By Anonymous, on 8:31 AM
6:16, no you're right, i am not about america first. because i was born a human being first, not an american. and i don't think that just because someone isn't from america, they don't deserve help. I agree with you, char