Does a grassy area on the lawn south of the White House count as part of the White House? Because that’s where rap star Common stood as he hosted the National Christmas Tree lighting for the Obamas, their children and other political bigwigs in Washington back in December.
If Common was on the south lawn handling his tree lighting duties, then I’m sure he must have been invited inside the White House as well for some eggnog at some point.
Right wing pundits and other critics in the media are “enraged” that U.S. President Barack Obama invited rapper Common to a “night of poetry” event at the White House last night.
The 2-time Grammy Award winning Hip Hop star is catching heat because of rap songs and poetry he recorded years ago that contained some references to former president George W. Bush and Osama bin Laden.
But where was all the outright indignation and gnashing of teeth from the right-wing pundits and media critics when Common was invited to the White House in December 2010?
Did I also mention that Common was an invited guest at the White House Christmas tree lighting in December 2009 too?
What’s bigger: hosting the National Christmas tree lighting at the White House or participating in a little poetry event, both of which took place only months apart?
Personally, I don’t see the difference. Common is the same rapper today that he was in December. So if you’re going to pull your hair out over his invitation to the White House last night, then the hair pulling should have started in December.
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One of Common’s poetry, titled “Letter To The Law”, which he recited on a 2007 episode of HBO’s “Def Poetry,” contained the lyrics:
“Why they messing with Saddam? / burn a Bush cause’ for peace he no push no button / killing over oil and grease / no weapons of destruction”
Fox News refers to Common as a “vile” and “misogynistic” “thug” for words he spoke in 2007, but isn’t most of Hip Hop music vile and misogynistic? Is this new? And who are the purveyors and distributors of this vile and misogynistic music? Why not go after the heads instead of the tails?
I’m not an Obama fan by far, but as a blogger, I can’t just sit idly by while the Obamas are raked over the coals for inviting a house guest whom they also entertained in their home just 5 months ago. Are the Obamas supposed to stop being his friend because some uptight right wingers don’t like rap music?
I understand pointing out Mr. Obama’s flaws, but let’s be fair and balanced in our criticism of him.
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
I understand pointing out Mr. Obama’s flaws, but let’s be fair and balanced in our criticism of him.
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Anywhoo…I said the same thing….why NOW all of a sudden do they care….
If this poetry thingie isn’t Common’s first visit to the White House, I would question as well why people are making such a big stink over it now.
That being said, If I were a cop, I would definitely have a problem with the President of the United States entertaining a cop-hater. Also the President of the United States making nice with someone who advocated the killing of another President is exactly the wisest thing to do.
I LOOOOOVE
ME SOME COMMON!!! theyve had worse people up in the white house, why they bugging??
They’re only bringing this up now because Obama’s approval rating is up.
Is that the best you can do? Really? Obama did what the bubblehead bushes promised to do. Got Bin Laden! U mad?
They are just mad because Obama’s approval ratings are at 60% after the Osama Bin Lasen raid and they have to find SOMETHING to b**ch about…Dang, can they let the president be great for like a couple weeks at least?
I wore my good had for this post
Republicans have said some of the worst things about President Obama, and all they do is apologize and we move on.
This is crazy. And Im trying to figure out how they even heard Common’s poem. I know damn well they aint checking for no hip-hop poetry night.
So sick of them always trying to find fault and wrong in the black community, leaders, rappers, etc. Give us a dam break!
Mmm mmm mmm… I love Common
I any event, I was watching GMA this morning and a conservative called him a “ganster rapper”. Bahahaha… Where in his music does he show “gangster-ness”?
Some folks find anything to complain about. SMH
#teamobama
#teamcommon
Commons poem was FIYAH
Good Morning
When did Common say he hated the cops? I don’t always love them my darn self. There are some GOOD cops and there are some bad cops and it seems that only un armed black men end up accidently being killed #justsaying
I believe the controversy is coming from Jersey cops, not necessarily republicans.
They’re only bringing this up now because Obama’s approval rating is up.
Is that the best you can do? Really – AGREED!
When did Common say he hated the cops? I don’t always love them my darn self. There are some GOOD cops and there are some bad cops and it seems that only un armed black men end up accidently being killed #justsaying – AGREED!
Good Morning … And apparently, as we can see they are grasping at straws to attempt to paint Obama in a negative light. The whole accusation is baseless.
If attacking Common is all they can come up with, then President Obama is doing something right. Let’s judge them by the company they keep and see how much dirt we can dig up.
Barack and Sandra sitting in a tree…
F-U-C-K-I-N-G…
Sandra I give you kudos for an unbiased write up. I absolutely agree 100% with you.
This ISH is getting on my nerves. I LOVES me some Obama & some Common! They crack me up. Some of the worse men to ever grace the White House have actually resided there…..Ummmmm – Nixon, Regan, Bush 1 & 2…….Here’s what I say to them Hoes…..
I posted a while ago that “thug” is the media’s safe word for n1gger. They apply it to almost every thing a black athlete/entertainer does.
*watches YSo jumprope*
i wore out this subject on facebook and twitter, i was enraged when karl rove called him a thug and these folks called him a gangsta rapper ugh all they keep bringing up is one poem he did at def poetry jam when he spoke out against bush the war and cops, BUT they didnt get to the end of the poem when, they took his words out of context and labeled him as someone who ‘threatened to assassinate Bush” and a “cop killer”? really word? Miss me
Well Done Auntie
And according to Ed Shultz on MSNBC last night, FAUX news was reported 6 months ago praising his music and painting him as positive.
And Eazy E was invited to the White House in 2001 by George Bush. What gives???
i suggest people watching the opening clip of the daily show, jon stewart (as usual) pus fox news in their place
@antipc for someone SOOOO informed and trying to fight the powers that be you sure got this wrong. Common in NO way shape or form said he hated cops.
Did anyone see the Jon Stewart segment. He ripped it out of the park! Sandra you should post it.
www mediaite com
/tv/jon-stewarts-epic-takedown-of-fox-news-for-pushing-rapper-commons-w-h-controversy/
Copy and paste then re add the dots. His segment was spot on. Thank god for Jon Stewart.
@sponge great minds.
Love Jon Stewart. He stays cutting through the bullshyt.
thug=nig ga they can just get away with saying thug
I am glad that they singled Common out because they’ve opened up their own can of worms.
Common is as clean as they come in my opinion. When people start to read the lyrics and do alittle bit of research they might actually learn something. I am glad that our President invited him!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I understand pointing out Mr. Obama’s flaws, but let’s be fair and balanced in our criticism of him.
That is so funny coming from you who bash him all the time for the least little thing, but, good lookin out calling ur friends over @ fox news for being stupid as hell if anything most of is lyrics are thought provoking and has to do with the issues at hand….
YT HATES the truth especially when black folk talk about it. Its almost mind boggling.
Surprised at the unbiased post about Obama – usually it is the opposite.