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She's Actually Smart
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Courtesy Council on Foreign Relations
Angelina wows a crowd of human rights bigwigs with a kick-ass speech on war crimes, child soldiers and global justice.
“Angelina’s full of surprises,” said legendary profiler Lillian Ross, who was shadowing the actress for a New Yorker piece last Friday afternoon at the Council on Foreign Relations. “She doesn’t miss a thing. She’s one of a kind, not only with the six kids—she’s a real working mom—but her intelligence, understanding, humor. And, of course, there’s the beauty. Clint Eastwood says when you look at her up close you realize she has the most beautiful face on earth.”
Jennifer Aniston really didn’t stand a chance. Neither did most who heard Jolie deliver the introductory remarks for a panel on Darfur at an elegant international law and justice symposium sponsored by the Jolie-Pitt Foundation. She spoke alongside Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the Prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, and New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof. It was the final presentation of a decidedly high-wonk day.
As Jolie left, Ted Sorenson, whom as JFK’s speechwriter spent a lot of time with the most famous brunette of that era, summed up his impression of the actress. ‘Frankly, I came a skeptic,’ he said, ‘but am leaving impressed.’
It began at noon with the activist actress hobnobbing with General Wesley Clark, Nick Rostow, legal advisor to the political elite, and Greg Craig, the defense attorney who represented would-be Reagan assassin John Hinkley. By the time Council President Richard Haass welcomed everyone, the actress, dressed for diplomatic success in black boots, skirt and blazer, was first row, front and center.
When a brand-name Hollywood personality attends such an event, it’s tempting (and often accurate) to dismiss their presence as good PR, a little star power to make the affair palatable to the popular media. Often at these sorts of things, the starlet delivers a few minutes of talking points while affecting a glamorous, yet earnest, pose. Folks were wondering if Jolie’s speech would show a well-intentioned woman well out of her league.
Over the course of five hours, as the attendees digested such light fare as “International Obligations Toward Victims of Mass Atrocities,” Jolie scribbled notes on a legal pad. When her turn came to speak, the room hushed and craned its collective neck. Human rights advocates, NGO staffers and Council members—people who live and breathe this subject matter—shifted in their seats to watch the celebrity approach the podium.
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Jacob Bernstein is a senior reporter at The Daily Beast. Previously, he was a features writer at WWD and W Magazine. He has also written for New York magazine, Paper, and The Huffington Post.
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Lloyd Grove is editor at large for The Daily Beast. He is also a frequent contributor to New York magazine and was a contributing editor for Condé Nast Portfolio. He wrote a gossip column for the New York Daily News from 2003 to 2006. Prior to that, he wrote the Reliable Source column for the Washington Post, where he spent 23 years covering politics, the media, and other subjects.
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Jeff Madrick is a contributor to the New York Review of Books and a former economics columnist for the New York Times. He is editor of Challenge Magazine, visiting professor of humanities at Cooper Union, and senior fellow at the New School's Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis. He is the author of Taking America, The End of Affluence (Random House) and The Case for Big Government.
Oh yes. It's definitely a shock that Jolie, who has been harassed in the media for the last 10 years, renowned for her volunteer work, adoption of multiracial babies, position as a Goodwill Ambassador, and activist for third world countries might actually know what she's talking about. Revelation. Way to go, you investigative reporter, you really cracked a case. She's "actually smart"? You should be ashamed.
I'm smart! I'm having more babies! I'm smart! I'm with Brad Pitt! I care! I want my privacy! Here's some pics of ME!!! I'm smart! Enough already.
Clone this woman. Send me one.
So Nancy, after all these years! The most most mean-spirited comment I've ever read, no to mention the sickest...why would you even bring Jennifer Anniston into this in such a cruel way...Please let us know when
you grow up and get over your crush...also, Ted, Did she actually write her speech? Just because you love her sentiments dosen't mean you have to genuflect at her alter...
Pathetic!
I agree with CathyK83. She is smart, and on top of that, she truly cares. She's not trying to bring attention to herself, she trying to bring attention to the issues in other countries. If people just sat and listened to what she said, they might get to learn something, instead of the mindless criticizing they do!
To Nancy Collins,
I am also disappointed with your inclusion of Anniston in your article. You've clearly missed the point of the Jolie-Pitt foundation, of Ms. Jolie's efforts in humanitarian aid, not to mention the entire Peace, Justice and Reintegration endeavour.
CathyK83, you articulated it perfectly... Jolie, has worked for her wealth, but rather than waste it away on fashion, rehab and jail stints, she has devoted her life to worldwide issues, which countless people, especially those with fortunes, choose to ignore. Rather than grade her on talk and her intellectual ability, a closer examination and appreciation on the issues she speaks of is warranted and deserved.
Unfortunately her message was lost and a useless idea for an article was found.
Play on your strengths, Collins, and write about issues that inform and engage and hopefully motivate into positive action rather than simply entertain or try to.
Thanks.
Regarding the comment about Jennifer Anniston, I believe there is some truth in that statement (although it has nothing to do with the subject of the article). And I object to the negative remarks about Angelina in 2 of the 4 posts above. They are not deserved.
I'm sure that after Ms. Collins wonderful write up we can feel agree that Ms. Jolie has a better understanding of foriegn policy that Sarah Palin.....Could you now understand why some of us (Women) are insulted by Senator McCain!!!
Sorry for the typo...NOW AGREE.....That Ms. Jolie HAS the qualifications TO run for VICE PRESIDENT and not make a FOOL of US on an INTERNATIONAL level!!!!
Good for the Angelina, smartly using her fame as a way to help those without identity in the global conversation. She probably doesn't care a wit that aniston name gets mentioned. I can only guess (based on her actions) that she understands that she (Angelina's) fame is not the point, just the means to the end.....helping others.
I find it amusing when the uninformed call anyone of their fashionable choosing "smart," "brilliant" or "intelligent." Especially when any reference to anything of substance is ignored or omitted. How about writing a fair commentary of the actual position of Angelina spoke of? Those of us in the audience who use our brains assess whether she is "smart"?
"As Jolie left, Ted Sorenson, whoM as JFK's speechwriter spent a lot of time with the most famous brunette of that era..."
It's "who", not "whom" -- "Ted Sorenson" is the subject of the sentence. Don't make patronizing remarks about Angelina Jolie being "actually smart" when you're demonstrating that you have just enough command of the English language to muck it up.
As for Angelina, if she can do everything, all power to her!
I also find it amusing I can't seem to type! Doh! Here is the readable version:
I find it amusing when the uninformed call anyone of their fashionable choosing "smart," "brilliant" or "intelligent." Especially when any reference to anything of substance is ignored or omitted. How about writing a fair commentary of the actual position Angelina spoke of? Those of us in the audience who use our brains can assess whether she is "smart."
To Sempronia:
You make a good point - my bad.
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
Humanitarian work is always noble - especially when it is done by someone who has no incentive other than out of the good of their hearts. Angelina is a lovely ambassador, and she seems to be a good mother. I, for one, would be stunned if any mommy dearest stories came out once the children grow up. I mean stunned. She just seems to present, so loving, so maternal. And of course she is intelligent too. But some people won't let her live down Jennifer Anniston. What can you do?
Thank you.
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