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White House Defends Rap Artist Invitation

   VOA News  May 12, 2011
   In this December 3, 2009 file photo, President Barack Obama greets
   rapper Common at the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in
   Washington, DC

Photo: AP

   In this December 3, 2009 file photo, President Barack Obama greets
   rapper Common at the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in
   Washington, DC

   The White House has defended an invitation to a Grammy award-winning
   singer accused of making offensive comments about former U.S. President
   George Bush in music lyrics.
   The rap artist known as common Common was one of several performers
   invited to an "Evening of Poetry" at the White House on Wednesday.
   White House officials said President Barack Obama does not support some
   of the singer's lyrics. The officials said the president appreciates,
   however, the singer's work with children, such as getting them involved
   with poetry so they can avoid "negative influences" on U.S. city
   streets.
   In some of his past lyrics, Common criticized the former president for
   getting the United States involved in the Iraq war.

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