Hip-Hop Vocalist Common performs during the 3rd Annual Sunset Strip Music Festival on August 28, 2010 in West Hollywood, California.
First Lady Michelle Obama invited rapper Common to perform at “An Evening of Poetry,” an event taking place at the White House Wednesday — a move that has spawned an eruption of criticism from various right-wing news outlets.
So what’s all the fuss about the big, bad Grammy winner and the socially conscious lyrics that snagged him an invite to an event promoting arts education? The conservative press has taken issue with his anti-administration lines from the Bush era.
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Fueling the controversy is Common’s poem, “A Letter to the Law,” which he performed at an HBO ‘Def Poetry’ event in 2007. The poem, which you can watch below, contains the line, “Burn a Bush cos’ for peace he no push no button.”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LssFolrpiD4&w=450]
Earlier today, Palin tweeted, “Oh, lovely, White House,” and linked to a story with the above video embedded. She has since deleted the post. Karl Rove criticized Obama for “inviting a thug.”
Sean Hannity said the rapper had a “running list of controversial comments,” and that he, “called for the burning of President George W. Bush.” Did Hannity miss a metaphor lesson, or should Obama be worried that his guest wants to set presidents on fire?
Common, who has supported a variety of activist causes ranging from animal rights to HIV/AIDS awareness, remains unfazed by the drama. On Tuesday he tweeted, “So apparently Sarah Palin and Fox News doesn’t like me.” He’s still set to perform Wednesday evening.
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