Angelina Jolie Makes Me Ill ...

[Digital Prophet]

Along with other stars that are getting the latest fashion accessory: Foreign Orphans.

I know that this may come as a shock to these reality dilettantes, but hey there are orphans in America too. Shocking, I am sure. But nope. These people are richer than Pika's wildest dreams. So why would they want a domestic orphan? No no. Not when they can have a import.

And yes I know that there are people out there that will rally against my stance and scream the cries of how kind and generous Jolie is. And what a humanitarian act it is. There may even be some logic to the notion that these acts promote adoption overall. You know for those of us that can only afford American made orphans.

Seriously though, people can do what they want. I am full on about that and I think that everyone knows it. And I am not saying that "adopting little (insert minority) children is bad". What I am saying is that these high profile celebrities could have chosen to adopt children here in the states that need homes.

And all of this isn't to say that the adoption system we have here isn't in need of work. I have heard all kinds of tales of complication and other issues. Someone does need to fix the system. But giving high profile foreign adoptions mass media coverage is just overlooking the fact that there are are thousands and thousands of children right here at home that need homes.

So before you hate on me for stating what I think ask yourself what I have asked myself:

These people work for the American entertainment industry. They derive a mass percentage of thier income from Americans buying thier product. They live (for whatever percentage of the time) in the States. They are Americans. Then why can't they adopt American kids?

Why would people who are in the top percentile of personal wealth and influence travel half way around the world to adopt? What is the real message that sends to the throngs of people that watch, listen and read about these people? While it is great that they are generous enough to adopt (really more people probably ought to) why can't that charity start at home?

And for the record, no I have not adopted children. In fact I do not have children b/c I don't think I am at the right point in my life. However, if I found that I was at a point for children I have often thought about adoption. So I am not a complete hypocrite.

50% at best.

Prophet out.

[LaurieE]

I understand what your saying and I'm no fan of Angelina..but a child is a child no matter where he/she is from and deserves a home. I can't judge a person who is providing a home to any child that needs one. No matter where that child happens to be orphaned at the time. Could she have adopted in America?? Sure but the beauty of America is that she didn't have to.

Laurie

[TxKent]

She's just enamored with those old "United Colors of Bennetton" ads from the 80's. She wants her house to look like one of those.

[Digital Prophet]

I understand what your saying and I'm no fan of Angelina..but a child is a child no matter where he/she is from and deserves a home. I can't judge a person who is providing a home to any child that needs one. No matter where that child happens to be orphaned at the time. Could she have adopted in America?? Sure but the beauty of America is that she didn't have to.

Laurie

I groove on your reply. Nicely done. And you are 100% right. That is the beauty of it.

I guess I sometimes wish that our media and it's personalities would remember that we have things going on here in the states and people that need help too. But it seems that the only things you hear about domestically have to be tragic and terrible. Otherwise they just aren't news worthy.

Prophet out.

[JamesB]

local orphans are boring compared to imported ones. Its all about what makes a good news story for the celebrity.

also its probably a lot easier for them to adopt from a foreign country than here in the US. the US would probably not let most celebrities adopt children based on their behavior.

im an uncle to 3 adopted children and they are awesome kids....

James

[LaurieE]

;-) Hey you are talking to a "Marine Mom"...I totally understand.

[Debbi]

Amen!

[Wes]

Originally Posted by Digital Prophet

...Otherwise they just aren't news worthy.

First of all, I agree with ya, Laurie.

I apologize for going on a slight tangent, but as for news worthiness, let's not even go there. With all of the stuff going on in the world that deserves legitimate news coverage, why on earth are Anna Nicole Smith, Britney Spears, and now Angelina Jolie getting the kind of coverage that they are? It's a sign of the culture. American society has sunk so low that THIS is the kind of crap that gets front page attention.

It's shocking.... but I'm not shocked. It's a logical progression. We're reaping the fruits from the seeds that have been sewn over the last 30 or 40 years.

I'll get off my soapbox now.

[lhdvies]

What is Pika's take on this? Pika rules!

[carrbowl]

If you have ever been thru the process of adopting in America vs foreign countries you might understand better. It is amazing to me the number of children in need of adoption and the hoops you go thru, yet at the same time some people who have absolutely no business adopting children actually get them. People have been waiting literally years to get babies and cant' get them...it's amazing..it's defitnitely a test for humanity and we are failing terribly!!!!

[mewfish]

I think a lot of people are just totally unaware that there are so many homeless children in America. You see all kinds of ads on TV for foreign kids in refugee camps and whatnot, but they don't have any of all the overcrowded foster homes here.

I agree that people need more awareness and that as a public figure Angelina Jolie does have a certain responsibility for creating a fad in foreign adoptions.. but I still can't totally knock her for not just being obsessed with making teh babiez, like say, Britney Spears or any of the other "pregnancy is in" stars. Yeah, she had one but her charity stuff kind of outweighs that. Plus she's not off creating drama and custody battles.

It also annoys me that so many people spend hundreds of thousands on IVF when there are so many homeless kids. But that is a whole other issue.

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Originally Posted by Digital Prophet

These people work for the American entertainment industry. They derive a mass percentage of thier income from Americans buying thier product. They live (for whatever percentage of the time) in the States. They are Americans. Then why can't they adopt American kids?

They can. They CHOOSE not to. It's our AMERICAN right to CHOOSE. How would you like it if your employer could tell you how you could spend your paycheck?

Originally Posted by Digital Prophet

Why would people who are in the top percentile of personal wealth and influence travel half way around the world to adopt?

Because they CHOOSE to.

Originally Posted by Digital Prophet

What is the real message that sends to the throngs of people that watch, listen and read about these people?

Who cares? It's her business and she is under ZERO obligation to explain herself to 'the throngs of people' who... yadda yadda. She is not a public servant nor is she publicly elected. Therefore, no obligation to the public.

Prophet, while I applaude you for taking a stand on an issue, take your idea and apply it to everything else in our country. Examples: You can't buy Elinchrom lighting... you must restrict your purchases to AlienBees, White Lighning, Norman, etc. You must drive an American-made car (are there any left?). You can only eat hot dogs, hamburgers, and chili. You can only buy an American-made DSLR... oh, wait... there aren't any. Are there? Kodak? Well, most everything Kodak is made in China now anyway so that one holds up also. I think you get my point.

So, while I like the vein of thought you've initiated, I would suggest we apply that logic to something more open-ended such as homeless people. Why? Isn't that exactly the same? No. It isn't. The difference is that solving the homeless problem in OUR country helps OUR economy and way-of-life. Restricting adoption to our country really doesn't change much of anything... because 99.9999999% of Americans adopt from within USA.

Then again, that's just my opinion... and, of course, I revere it highly! (ha ha).

- Wil

[JamesDH]

"It's shocking.... but I'm not shocked. It's a logical progression. We're reaping the fruits from the seeds that have been sewn over the last 30 or 40 years."

So true!

[Jake]

I don't think Angelina Jolie is all that hot.

What was the topic again?

[d2creative]

Originally Posted by Digital Prophet

I know that this may come as a shock to these reality dilettantes, but hey there are orphans in America too. Shocking, I am sure. But nope. These people are richer than Pika's wildest dreams. So why would they want a domestic orphan? No no. Not when they can have a import.

So an American child is more deserving of a permanent home and loving parents?

And i'd be all over Angelina like white on rice if given the chance.