Angelina Jolie criticizes Iraq war and US priorities on CNN

[leftchick]

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Hollywood megastar Angelina Jolie indirectly criticized the Iraq war and the priorities of the US government, in an interview with CNN on World Refugee Day.

"When you're in Washington to get money for AIDS orphans, the answer is often, we're at war right now," said the goodwill ambassador for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) who has visited refugee camps around the world.

"Our priorities are quite strange," she said referring to the money Washington spends on war and not "dealing with situations that could end up in conflict if left unassisted, and then cost more."

"We're missing a lot of opportunities (to do) a lot of good that America used to do and has a history of doing ... You have to start to notice that there's something wrong with that," she added.

Jolie, 31, spoke during her two-hour interview of her travels around the world and how on seeing young victims of atrocities a few years ago at a refugee camp in Sierra Leone it had changed her life.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060621/ts_alt_afp/afpentertainmentuspeoplejolierefugees_060621075141

[TornadoTN]

1. She walks the walk

Yeah, I get sick of the constant "Brangelina" talk, but interestingly enough this lady certainly follows a purpose and contributes. Instead of paying lip-service like a lot of other Hollywood types, she actually goes out and sees things for herself and tries to contribute in her own way.

It's refreshing in a way.

[ccpup]

3. Interestingly, though,

she's been able to turn the focus on her (the "Brangelina" stuff) that she willingly helps to create into something that's more positive than just fattening her already huge bank account and turning up an already red hot spotlight. Good for her and, yes, definitely more refreshing than "hey, check out my new movie ... oh, and my tits!" :-)

[TornadoTN]

5. Bravo!

Yes, it certainly is admirable the way she is able to spin attention to her own humanitarian causes. It seems as if she genuinely feels that since she is in a position of some type of power and wealth, that the best thing to do is to give some of it back to the people of the world. She already has a massive fortune, plenty to get by the rest of her life and live lavishly. To realize this and to give back to the world is something quite commendable and admirable.

Now where are all of the Fortune 500 CEO's and other notable figures? That's right, padding that bank account more in a mad dash to become the next Scrooge McDuck.

[rman]

2. "cost more" = more profits for big corporations,

the same big corporations that have a great influence on US policies both foreign and domestic.

So in fact their priorities make perfect sense. It's questionable though to what extent their priorities coincide with ours.

[Solly Mack]

4. If you're a person fortunate enough to have an audience

to be able to reach millions around the world - then you carry an obligation..a duty...to use that chance to help others.

Maybe it's just me...

But to pass up such an opportunity is a waste.

To have a soapbox to stand on that the whole world watches..and to do nothing to help people?

Many abuse their gilted soapboxes and do more harm than good - but many do not.

Ms Jolie understands the power she has and she uses it to help.

I wish several posters on DU had that kind of power because their words and their hearts could move mountains.

We are our sister's and my brother's keeper...we better be.

[malaise]

6. Angelina Jolie

is not the usual Hollywood brat. I have a lot of respect for her.

[semillama]

7. You have to wonder if it makes any freepers heads asplode

when they figure out the object of many of their sweaty late-night tube sock fantasies is a LIBERAL.

Those guys have Ann Coulter.

We have Angelina Jolie.


I think we win.