By Brent Budowsky
(Hollywood Today) 8/30/10 — I propose a standing ovation for the noble and important work that Brad Pitt has done in New Orleans, after hurricane Katrina, to build affordable and environmentally innovative housing that has made life better for many people, and lifted the spirit of the community.
It is equally interesting and important that Pitt’s work in New Orleans was featured on Meet the Press, the premier Sunday national news show.
The Pitt segment on Meet the Press represented one of those rare moments when serious national news of great substance intersects with Hollywood celebrities doing substantial and highly valuable work.
An article in The Atlantic titled “Houses of the Future” described in some detail the environmental innovations of what residents of New Orleans call “the Brad Pitt houses”.
On Meet the Press Sunday, Brian Williams of NBC News discussed these homes with Pitt, especially the way the homes are built sufficiently above sea level to withstand even a Category 4 Hurricane, and are built to be affordable for those who would need them.
I have long been interested in the intersection of Hollywood and Washington, ranging from the days of Frank Sinatra (one of my clients was Sinatra’s agency) and President Kennedy, to the many entertainers who deserve years of standing ovations for their art and their good works on behalf of American troops.
Brad Pitt’s work in New Orleans stands at the highest levels of this great tradition…
Politically the Pitt project involves the best of citizen involvement and the private sector that should appeal to conservative and liberals.
I am partial to the more progressive point of view, and believe there should be even greater involvement from “Hollywood liberals” in a
2010 campaign that poses great threats to progressive values. I will address this topic soon, in media that reaches both the political and entertainment worlds, especially with “conservative billionaires” donating major money, and Rupert Murdoch alone donating a million dollars to Republicans…
For now, lets join in giving a standing ovation to Brad Pitt for truly substantial, creative and successful efforts after Hurricane Katrina.
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