New Age 'Cheech & Chong" actor joins white house staff
By Fortunata
@Fortunata (1135)
United States
April 9, 2009 10:40am CST
Obama now has another aide, this time a former actor named Kal Penn, famous for Cheech and Chong type movies 'Harold and Kumar'. I thought we were supposed to be cutting government, not making jobs for Obama's favorites! Well, he was looking for more 'diversity' in the white house, and I guess he found one. Kal's job title is Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Liason(?) Walmart Greeter? Butler? He already has Reggie Love gettin' the ciggies, just what will Kumar 'do' for Obama that other lackeys don't already 'do'? This administration just keeps getting more and more bizarre by the day......
1 person likes this
6 responses
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
10 Apr 09
"His role will be to connect Obama with the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities, as well as arts groups."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090407/ap_on_go_pr_wh/people_kal_penn
Aides with similar titles earned between $41,,000 and $91,000 last year so he'll be taking quite a pay cut. There has been such an office since the Nixon Administration although it wasn't called the "Office of Public Liason" until the Ford Administration.
Annie
1 person likes this
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
10 Apr 09
You've got that right Annie. In an interview he gave he said he need to see if he could refinance his house because of the differences in wages. I am not a big Obama fan, but I do admire a person that is following a calling to serve because he is putting his acting career and the big money aside for what he thinks is right.
1 person likes this
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
10 Apr 09
Yes, I knew that Kal Penn started working full time after his character was cut from the series House. My understanding is that he did a lot of foot work for Obama's campaign and now is looking for a full time position.
It's funny I just only recently saw Harold and Kumar. I have to admit, I didn't like it. I got to know the actor by his role in Name Sake. He is a talented actor to go from one extreme to the other in character roles. I hope he finds a call to the bright lights again. I think his talent will be missed.
1 person likes this
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
10 Apr 09
If the characters he plays is defining him as a person, then maybe you should watch him in 24, House and the excellent movie Name Sake.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
10 Apr 09
Great point. I didn't see him on "24" but I did see Name Sake and I watch House faithfully and loved him on that. I've also seen him on talk shows and he's quite intelligent and well-spoken, certainly no "air-headed" entertainer type.
Annie
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@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
9 Apr 09
I've never seen Mr Penn in a movie. I first saw him as a character on "24" and lately on "House" where his character killed himself on Monday. Silly me, I went to look at why and found out it was because he got a White House job but in the process a website gave me a virus. So I can indirectly blame this on the new prez! 
I fixed it but it gave me quite a scare till I found it had my antivirus fix it.
I fixed it but it gave me quite a scare till I found it had my antivirus fix it.
@Fortunata (1135)
• United States
9 Apr 09
Ah, sorry to hear about that, but Obama hisself is a virus, lol.
@BlueGoblin (1829)
• United States
10 Apr 09
If it was true Obama wanted more diversity I would have liked him to pick someone not established. Kal Penn has already made it. Give someone else an opportunity in life. Diversity is suppose to give opportunities to people. Kal Penn, a famous person, took an opportunity from someone else. Kal Penn has made his millions. What happened to the 'share the wealth' Obama? lol
