USA: Brad Pitt campaigns in Los Angeles for a California proposition that would reduce the state's dependence on oil
- 00:01:32
- ITN Source
USA: Brad Pitt campaigns in Los Angeles for a California proposition that would reduce the state's dependence on oil
Using the same star wattage usually reserved for selling movie tickets, actor Brad Pitt campaigned in Los Angeles on Monday (November 7) for a California proposition that would reduce the state's dependence on oil. Proposition 87 would tax state oil producers to fund alternative energy programs and has become one of the most expensive ballot initiatives in American history. Pitted against the proposition is a donor list reeking of big oil, including ConocoPhillips, Occidental and Chevron. Against these is arrayed a consortium of labor groups, non profit health agencies, former President Bill Clinton, and a gaggle of high octane celebrities, including Julia Roberts, Robert Redford and now Pitt. So while his companion Angelina Jolie was meeting Indian junior foreign minister Anand Sharma to discuss the problems of refugees, Pitt was back in his homeland, trying his hand at domestic politics and engaging in a 'get-out-the-vote' effort. "I'm here because there's been a lot of misinformation surrounding proposition 87," Pitt said. "You know were being told it's going to raise our gasoline prices, that its going to hurt our teachers, our firefighters, that even the Democrats don't support it. This is what the oil industry has paid ninety one million dollars (USD) to lead us to believe and it is simply not true. What is true is that we have a destructive dependence on oil. We are poisoning our land, our water, our air. We are literally poisoning ourselves. Now how can we continue to accept this when there are viable alternatives out there. They just need a little bit of our attention. It is time for change. This is what proposition 87 seeks to accomplish. I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe it. I wish to make California the leader in clean, sustainable energy. I am voting yes on proposition 87. I ask that you do the same. Thank you." After his stump speech, Pitt thanked the crowd, graciously shook Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's hand, and departed, most likely for India, where the film he is producing, 'A Mighty Heart' which stars Jolie, is being shot. As for proposition 87, polls show that early support for the measure has faded over the last few weeks.
ITN Source | November 9, 2006
