Thanks to both of you guys for weighing in. And once Blogger gets back on line and reposts all the posts they've temporarily taken down due to some maintenance thing, I'd ask you to go back and re-read what I wrote.

I can't even pull it up myself right now, so forgive any inaccuracies as I try to clarify my thoughts.

I understand fully that Common is not a "gangsta" type rapper and in fact, rejects that style. However, he makes no bones about his support for the two convicted cop-killers who belonged to the Black Panthers. I'll allow that there may be...somewhere...questions about their convictions or trials. I chose not to go too far down that road because it wasn't central to my point. Add in the fact that he also worshiped Reverend Wright's Church and in my opinion, he just becomes too toxic for use at a White House function.

Wasn't there another rapper of conscious without any baggage they could've brought in? I would've fully supported that regardless of how I personally feel about today's rap music.

Recently, I've heard the term "optics" being used a lot in political discussions. To me, the optics of having Common perform at the WH were just lousy. I knew the Right would piss down their leg over it and the Administration and the Left would be forced to, in appearance to many, defend someone who "supports cop killers." Its more about perception than reality in this case.

We know how RW media reacts when given fresh meat to chew on, yes? This was a hunk of still warm, bloody tissue that they could sink their teeth into fast enough. Ray Charles could've seen this coming, so THAT's why you don't do it.

Obama's job is in one way, to get re-elected. His job has never been to present controversial performers in the WH so he can get beat up for it. This President and his Administration have a habit of self inflicting problems. Obama was enjoying a nice little burst in the polls, and then this. Thud.

There have been far worse people welcomed in the White House by dozens of Presidents. Common, in the big scheme of things, barely merits mention.

Thanks for following the blog. I'm surprised how many people have visited it and appear to be doing so on a regular basis. The traffic is very encouraging so far...

ps-When rap first came out, I thought it was really clever. I enjoyed it because it was original. As a kid from Pittsburgh, I'd never heard anything like it. Once it seemed to change into a darker, meaner thing, I lost all interest.