Brad Pitt Stars on Meet the Press

By Brent Budowsky

WASHINGTON, DC (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.
Pitt invested time, money, heart, soul,
talent and generosity into these “houses
of the future”.  He worked with leading
cutting-edge architects on the design
of the homes. He worked with civic leaders
about the planning. He incorporated
his housing into the larger philanthopy
of the Make It Right Foundation.

Pitt works with investors interested in
projects that benefit the environment and
save energy, and has developed a level
of professional expertise that is equal to
(or better than) many members of Congress,
public officials and bankers on this subject.

What is impressive and important about Brad
Pitt’s work in New Orleans is the level and
depth of his commitment and the substantial
results he is achieving.  There are a growing
number of artists whose involvement in public
and civic affairs involve a knowledge and
depth that is very impressive.  Sean Penn
in Haiti, among other endeavors, is another
example of many.

During the Kennedy and Sinatra days, what
was striking was not only the glamour between
the two, but the depth of passion and substance that Sinatra, the Rat
Pack and
many artists developed on major national issues.

The list of celebrities whose engagement
in major issues grew into leadership of depth
and substance is long, and something I
believe is good for America.

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, which he
has every right to do.

I would also propose that leaders in the
entertainment world, representing all
political philosophies, unite in even
greater efforts to heal the wounds of
war.

Whatever one’s political viewpoint or interest
in issues, it is good for America, in my view,
for more interesection between Hollywood and
Washington, between entertainment and politics, which brings together
people of high
ideals willing to do the hard work, in the real
deal, as Brad Pitt is doing.

For now, lets join in giving a standing ovation
to Brad Pitt for truly substantial, creative and
successful efforts after Hurricane Katrina.

I would applaud Meet the Press for bringing
together the worlds of entertainment and
political news to report on a project that
Americans from left to right should join in
applauding.  The reason Brad Pitt stars
on Meet the Press is that Brad Pitt stars
in making like better for the people of
New Orleans.  That’s a pretty good deal,
for everyone.