Impressively inked Brad Pitt has written a letter of protest to the powers that be with the Los Angeles Fire Department over their rule requiring firefighters to cover their tattoos while working. Pitt is asking that the policy be rescinded. Not only does he see the restriction as frivolous, he also states that it compromises the safety of the firefighters.
A source close to the tattooed actor tells Star magazine, “(He) thinks it’s ridiculous that these guys who risk their lives to help people have these restrictions put upon them.
“He wanted to make sure the department heads knew that the people of L.A. don’t care about tattoos – they care about them doing their job well.”
[From Contact Music]
An emergency phone call comes in to an LA firefighter and before he or she can respond, they have to stop and make sure any tattoos are covered before rushing to save structures and lives? I have serious doubts that someone who’s home and life was just saved would be upset that the people who did it had some tattoos. I’d think they’d be more pissed off that it might have taken longer for them to get there while everyone stopped to check each other for visible ink. Firefighters are pretty much entirely covered when they’re working anyway, it wouldn’t be until after the blaze was out that a arm tat might be seen….. oh, excuse me, I was just fondly remembering a firefighter I used to know, in his blue t-shirt and the yellow firefighter pants with red suspenders, the station seal tattooed on his bicep that was so big it was pulling the fabric of the sleeves around his arms. Yeah, I’ve just decided that there should be a rule that firefighters must at all times show their tattoos and wear tight department issue blue t-shirts.
I’m sure Brad Pitt doesn’t think that the LA Fire Department is going to drop to their knees and beg his forgiveness for being so petty while signing the resolution to abolish the ban, but his letter brings attention to something that otherwise wouldn’t have been known to most people. Can you imagine this policy being instituted in a small town, where the firefighters are volunteers who are relaxing at home in their boxer shorts when they get the call and those precious moments between flames and an inferno are lost because Joe the Firefighter (!) had to stop and put some tape over the chinese symbol for “hero” barely visible on his arm?
Image below is of Blaise Major, Mr. December and the cover model for the 2007 FDNY calendar. Thanks to ABCNews, where they have more photos of hot firefighters:
Brad Pitt is shown at the Cannes Film Festival “Kung Fu Panda” Premiere on 5/15/08. Credit: PRPhotos
This policy doesn’t make sense at all, but I’m wondering how in the world BP even noticed it?
I think the “no ink” rule sucks! Who is going to care that a firefighter has ink? I was a volunteer with the fire department in the city we relocated to after we lost everything in Katrina, and pretty much all of us–me included!–had tats. Good for BP to stand up to this ridiculous notion that people with tattoos are the dregs of our society. Arrrghh! 👿
What with the endless succession of hats and the combing forward of the fringe, I’ve been wondering for a while if Brad is going bald.
So today I checked out google images for the evidence and his forehead is definately creeping up.
He’s still handsome though!
This rule is utterly bizarre? Who cares if the firefighter has tatts? WHY? does it make one iota of difference?
BTW Brad has got the coolest tattoo of all – Otzi the iceman
He’s really aging fast – Angie?
Umm… Are we forgetting that Firefighters must be basically COVERED from head to toe to Enter a fire anyways?! lol.
It is still a sign of professionism to walk into a place like a police station or to see a doctor who won’t display personal tattoos like Jesus on the cross, old gang tattoos, angry monsters, children’s names, deceased relatives faces, and naked ladies. I’m not saying that’s all the tattoos in the world. I’m just saying those stand out as being some of the tackiest in the workplace.
I’m a Pharmacist and I’d rightfully lose my job showing off any of my tattoos. Granted, I don’t have any on my wrists, hands, or neck (because I think ahead) but I wouldn’t want people to get the wrong impression about how serious I take my job and that I care about my appearance. I’m not an art gallery or a tour guide to explaining my tattoos to strangers. I don’t have anything controversial, but I like to keep my private life and memoriums to myself. I suppose I’m polite like that.
My personal tattoo arist has a sign above his front door. “Think BEFORE you Ink.”
BP heard about it because there’s national coverage of arbitrary anti-tattoo regulations being put in place (or newly enforced) all over America. Not just for firefighters, but for cops too.
What’s really screwed up is that a lot of these guys are military or ex-military. They serve a tour or two in Iraq (where tattooing is apparently flourishing among soldiers), come back to their jobs and are told to cover up their unit/brigade tatts.
Somebody at Fire HQ has waaaaay too much time on their hands. Maybe they could get off their ass and help out with the actual firefighting and then they’ll forget about the tattoos.
Blaise Major? 🙄
What a stupid thing to fight for. BP has way too much time on his hands now? Six kids not denting his free time at all?
Do he and Angelina have to comment on every damn thing going on in the world? Can’t they just shut up once in a while?
exactly Devilgirl – why does he think ANYONE CARES what he thinks ? just shut up and go away and take your menagerie with you !
Similar restrictions for U.S. Marines have been recommended and some have been put into place. It’s ridiculous. I didn’t know they were pulling this crap on firefighters, too.
I hope they get rid of it. Foolish restriction.
And I disagree that it’s a stupid thing to fight for. It goes to the heart of 1st Amendment freedoms of speech/expression, etc. Making restrictions regarding hate speech, profanity, pornography, etc. in tattoos is reasonable in certain professions…but frankly, I don’t see what business anyone has to tell people they can’t have a job fighting fires or defending their country if they have visible tattoos. It’s ridiculous and a violation of personal choice and privacy.
damn he loves his tattooed Angelina!
absolutely agree with aspen (although am a UK citizen). It’s said that Britain catches a cold if the US sneezes, but I sure hope this madness isn’t contageous.
In the UK we call this type of regulation/law “nanny state”.
I think the tattoo issue depends.
On firefighters, I don’t think it makes much difference (I mean, obviously they are covered up during a fire, and outside of that, who cares what they have inked on their bodies).
On the other hand, tattoos are not always just about personal expression. They can have gang-related, or other type of offensive expressions (towards women, race, etc.)
What if some police officer has a tattoo that is offensive to women? Yes, he has a right to express himself, but in a position of authority, he has no business being offensive to any part of the population he deals with.
Moreover, many people still think tattoos are ugly and vulgar.
I think it depends on the tattoo and the placement. It would definately give me pause to have my banker, say, show off a big skull tattoo on his arm.
We expect businesspeople to wear suits and ties…to look professional. Clothes are a form of expression, too, but there are some clothes that are inappropriate in certain situations. The same goes for tattoos.
Hmmm. I live on a military installation and I see soldiers all the time with visible tats while in uniform. Even one of the chaplain’s assistants has one on his neck that is in plain view. Doesn’t bother me in the least.
LOL! Let anybody post a thread on Brad or Angelina or both of them on any web site, and the haters come crawling out like roaches running to an open jar of peanut butter.
I also meant to write to devilgirl, that Brad most likely gets asked / approached to support different causes, and if he doesn’t it’s like saying he’s not interested, so he probably takes advantage of his publicity-power to support those causes he does feel strongly about, which are usually concerning issues of human rights.
Would you prefer our human rights to get eroded rather than have public figures lend their weight to support human rights’causes now and again?
Jesus, I just made a comment, I didn’t realize I needed to discuss human rights violations. I base my thoughts on things, on what I THINK, not what some actor thinks. Brad Pitt nor any other celebrity illuminate causes for me, I read a newspaper to inform me of various social, political and world events.
it’s just a debate devilgirl; we all take-in differing opinions from various sources, in order to make a balanced decision.
Some people don’t read newspapers but might read a magazine, that way they get to think about issues they might not have done.
Anyone’s house could be burning down – surely any way of getting this information ‘out there’ is valid.
I’m glad that Brad spoke up about this, and I can’t believe that the rule is even being considered. For people to be so judgemental still is just amazing to me. Haven’t we grown as a society at all?
Certainly, it would give me pause to see someone with gang tattoos that I would recognize from my limited exposure in my suburban world, but other than the obvious “cover up the naked parts while at work so that it’s not sexual harrassment,” anything else goes, imo. I just have my personal opinion (and judgement) on what I think looks good or not – the same as I do with haircuts, clothes and makeup.
People who have a problem with tattoos most likely have never been aware of the people they interact with having tattoos. Tattooed people are not monsters, they are not all criminals (but some are, as are those without tattoos, too) and they are most certainly not in some way bad at their jobs or bad people because they chose to ink their bodies.
I don’t have any tattoos, but my brother does, and guess what? He’s the same person he was before he got them. I will probably get 2 certain ones on my wrists before I die, and again, I’ll be the same person I was when I walk out of the shop, as I was before I went in.
Is Joe the Firefighter in any way related to Joe the Plumber??? Hope he does not look like Blaise; there are far better examples of hot tattooed guys in my opinion 8)
Brad Pitt has a home in L.A…. he is not just grasping at social issues, and he wrote a facking LETTER, it’s not like he’s down there, taking time away from his family, picketing or taking meetings with people. FFS, as a person with a home at risk in their service area he has JUST as much right at any of us do to write a damn letter. Sometimes this bullshit hate spills pretty far over out of the sense of reason.
As for tattoos… AHEM! lol… I am a professional, work in a professional environment, and hold a fairly respected position, I have numerous visible tattoos and I am complimented on them ALL THE TIME. My tattoos are not sleazy, not cheap, not inappropriate, though, too.
Honestly, and I do realize this is because I can readily choose where I work more than others have the luxury of doing, I very purposely don’t want to nor would I work for someone who thought my job performance is at all affected by the art I wear on my skin.
Anyway… Brad Pitt has an L.A. home, Brad Pitt has and respects tattoos, Brad Pitt doesn’t want his or anyone’s house to burn down because it might take more time to enforce this antiquated rule, Brad Pitt told an assistant, in about 2 minutes, what he thought about the rule, Brad Pitt’s assitant wrote up a letter to the L.A. Fire Department, Brad Pitt stepped away from his six kids for about 15 seconds to read it over and sign it, Brad Pitt stood up for something he believed in and took all of 2.25 minutes to do it, and now WE all know about the issue.
I’d call that a pretty damn good use of time.
I’ve never liked tattoos anyway, some people get carried away and look ridiculous with so many on them. Women especially look awful when they wear formal dresses on, I find it distracting and very uncool.
@Maritza: I hear you. Imagine a bride walking down the aisle in a strapless wedding gown with big tattoos down her arms. Eeeewwww!!!!
Anyway, the big problem I have with tattoos is how are they going to look when you are 75 walking around with old wrinkly tattoos that you have to stretch out your skin to read?
And I find people who judge me and my ability to do my job based on my tattoos distracting and very uncool.
Agree Diva, wish I had the nerve to take the plunge though. 😀
Before i form an opinion on this argument I’d really like to hear what the Fire Dept.’s response is to it. What their reasons are, etc. We recently had a fire truck to our co op for the kids to see as a community service and those guys were telling me that the bulk of their work is NOT putting out fires, but is in fact medical emergencies and community relations. That may influence this policy. Don’t know how exactly, I find the whole thing strange, but I’d be interested in hearing both sides.
why should anybody care what old wrinkly tatoos are going to look like other than the old wrinkly man or woman? as long as THEY are cool with it, nobody elses opinion should have any bearing at all.
So well said, Diva. 8)
I’m a writer and work from home. Thank God I don’t have to worry about silly things like my tattoos showing! Although there are bigger issues in the world, it’s pretty cool that Brad Pitt would make a statement about it.
That being said, I still don’t get the attraction. If I saw him on the street, he’d just look like an ordinary dude!
I’m getting married in 7 days & I’ll be walking down the aisle with a big green Celtic knot between my shoulder blades & I don’t give a good god damn what people think about it.
By & large, my tattoos are easily covered, but a few of my fiance’s 20 can’t be. He is the kindest most gentle person I’ve ever met, but every once in awhile he gets the stink eye from some jerk at the grocery store.
A visible tattoo doesn’t remotely affect how well one performs ones job. The LA fire department’s policy is ridiculous at best.
My brother has a tattoo on his bicep, and it was there previous to him joining the National Guard, but I was very surprised to learn that he is techincally prohibited from having any further ink applied to his body while he is a member of the Guard (not that anyone would necessarily find out if he did). He attributed it to him being perceived as “government property”. Crazy isn’t it?
Well said, brianne…
@ L – That boggles my mind.
Mind-boggling, as if tattoos have any relation to doing one’s job. Like would people be so distracted by tattoos they wouldn’t be paying attention to what the firefighter is telling them how to get down the ladder or what?
I’m just wondering, what the hell this world is coming to? For many reasons, but relevant to this post…Firefighters are heros. Let them have tattoos anywhere and everywhere they want…and praise them for all they do. I’m with Brad on this one…
Congradulations Bodhi ! I’m betting you look gorgeous on your wedding day, and that you and your partner are the picture of perfection together. Wear your love like heaven.
Bodhi, are you getting married ON Halloween? Bold choice! My family forever talks about my great-grandparents anniversary parties (they were married on Halloween at the turn of the century) and apparently they had a blast every year. Hope that you’re wedding is great and you have many fantastic anniversary parties too.
I generally dislike the overall look of tattoos on a person. Everyone here knows that. But I also believe to each his own that doesn’t hurt others.
In this case I fully support Brad Pitt’s stance on this issue.
Firefighters should not have to waste time covering tattoos when responding to emergencies.
God bless anyone who chooses a job that helps society (and risks their lives everyday in the process).
So easily they could have choosen to become a drug dealing gangster instead.
Why make the firefighters job more difficult than it already is?
So much makeup on Pitt’s face, ugh. Fight the good fight, Brad. Not many important issues in the world like this one.
What business is it of Brad Pitt’s anyway? He doesn’t live there & doesn’t spend much time there – so what’s his beef? Oh yeah, getting publicity. At least he doesn’t pull and Angie and go ON AND ON AND ON about how much she loves him, what color his poo is, the last thing he ate, how wonderful he thinks he is, what kind of cereal he eats, etc.
Lame rule. Lame stiffs making the rules. Live and let live people, live and let live.
And seriously, who cares if Brad Pitt wants to dress up like Pee-wee Herman, sit among marionette dolls and write letters to his local governing officials all damn day? It is HIS day to do with what he chooses.
The part of the story in the middle sounded like it was going to be the start of a porno.
to stay on topic: i love tattoss and will get a phoenix on my upper arm and shoulder.
what i really came to say for: mr and mrs smith is on tonight!!! yay!
Daisy – I guess, in support of the tattoo ban protest, AND because you haven’t found the courage YET, lol, I will have to go get another tattoo this week, you know, to make up for the one you haven’t gotten yet!
😉 😆
I commend Brad for doing this… I’ve had friends in the past or currently who have been told to cover their tats, and NONE of them are offensive… I’ve had a friend lose her job because she got a rose with her grandmothers name after she passed away (she raised my friend from birth), and I just find that completely rediculous! She fought it and won!
I don’t want to sit here and wonder why its taking so long for a firefighter to get to my house when its on fire, and then find out that they had to stop to cover their tats up! I grew up with a family who had tats, its art… its not offensive when they are done tasteful, the only ones that do bother me are gang related ones, but im sure if you’re gonna be in a position like a firefighter or an officer or some kind of professional (after being in a gang) then I believe you’d have the smarts to go and have those covered up!
So, again I am glad that Brad is standing up for this! THANK YOU BRAD!!!
BTW, Congrats Bodhi!!!!
tatoos!? ZOMG Trasshy!!
Brad Pitt is a loser. I am sure he does not give an F about the fire fighters. Just another desperate attempt to stay in the news. Didn’t he go to wasshington to support the legalisation of Marijuana? LOSER!!!!
😆 I’m actually getting married on the 1st. And everything is coming together! Its getting a little hectic, but its all still fun 😀
😀 Diva 😀
Do I get to pick it out?
I have been thinking about you Bodhi. I’m sure it’s going to be a fantastic ceremony and reception.
Wishing you and your Sweetie, love and happiness!
The fire department’s policy *is* ridiculous. My brother is a tattoo artist (very good one for the last 15+ years) my dad has cool army tattoos, not homemade – in the old 50s style. I have at 3 and my husband has a half back piece and another. My brother is very tattooed and says that he is treated differently because of it. I’m not as mine are not visible. My husband doesn’t notice anyone treating him differently.
For some reason though this do gooding by Pitt annoys me. And I usually like the two of them or at best am neutral. Just seeing his over makeupped face and reading this story made me roll my eyes.
I love firefighters. Like, I know there must be lots that are not aesthetically pleasing, but all the ones I’ve ever seen…
Oh come on, this is so stupid. A little ink isn’t going to affect how a firefighter does his job – unless he has to spend precious seconds hesitating over whether or not he’s covered up :/
It’s a dumb rule. Who cares if they have ink?
I can understand not having visible tattoos that are inflammatory…”white power” or stupid crap like that, but if someone wants a dragon or “MOM” or whatever on them, it’s their body! All I care is that if my house catches fire, someone is there to put it out. How that someone chooses to decorate their body is irrelevant.
Jeez, people. Enough! If you’re tired of reading about Brad and Angelina, go read a post about some girl from the Hills or something.
Did you ever think that it’s his right to object when a governmental authority, be it municipal, state or federal, institutes a policy that he doesn’t agree with. It’s called being a responsible citizen. Just because there are bigger issues out there doesn’t mean the small ones should be ignored. It’s not like HE’s making a big deal out of it. He wrote a letter to the proper party expressing his opinion (which is his right!). He didn’t chain himself to a fire hydrant in protect for heaven’s sake!
well i think he needs to tell that to his partner in life why would she have the places were her kids were born i guess because she has so many she might forget where they came from
I can’t believe there’s such a restriction lol
but i agree with another poster above: BP has way too much time on his hand now 😯
who really cares if i have any tatoos when i am pulling you out of a burning building.
Great post but wish it was longer!
More stupid fascist restrictions on personal freedom and expression… guess it is not such a big deal in light of the Patriot Act and other freedom crushing policies in the Great American Police State…