Then they have a rainbow family of four, also an unusual combination – adopted & biological, different races, all born abroad with different cultures, who’ll be raised respecting those cultures. Angelina & Brad are outspoken about wanting up to 14 kids. Some people are aghast. I don’t know why – Mia Farrow has exactly the kind of family Angelina & Brad are building, but nobody’s blinked an eye.

Americans are used to thinking the norm is 2.5 kids per family. Not so much. I read of large families (biological, foster, adopted, mixed) of 7 to 17 all the time in Parade, People, etc. The mother of the 17 biological said she’s not going to stop. My husband has a Catholic co-worker who has 8 kids. There are also families who choose to be childless and average out the larger families.

The piece de resistance is that not only are Brad & Angelina the #1 Influential Hollywood Couple, and have an exotic family, they are great humanitarians & philanthropists too. In an industry dedicated to the superficial, two of HW’s leading lights are dedicating themselves to being socially responsible. And not just donating a dress or two, not just donating a little money, but donating millions of dollars every year, and getting down and dirty in their projects, walking the walk & talking the talk.

And the thing I like the most about our Royal Couple is that they’re humble & respectful. The Jolie-Pitts are respectful of different cultures, refugees, aid workers, neighbors in the Lower Ninth Ward, children – everyone they work with. They’ve never said they’re the first, best or only people who help. But they give so much of their money and themselves, that it can’t help but be noticed. Then the envious & the jealous start their negative chatter. The 8ers do their best to malign the Jolie-Pitts. They just can’t stand how good Angelina & Brad are. But the people who really count know the truth.

OK, off my Jolie-Pitt soapbox now. ;-)