Buzzby

(BuzzNote: What does it say about Mr. Obama's attitude towards marijuana when the star of two marijuana-centered movies is invited to be a White House liaison?)

Actor Kal Penn starts work as White House liaison

By NATASHA T. METZLER – 4 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Actor Kal Penn started a new job Monday as a liaison between the White House and Asian communities.

The Indian-American actor is taking a break from Hollywood to work as an associate director in the Office of Public Liaison, with a focus on connecting Obama with the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities, as well as arts groups.

Penn had a recurring role on Fox's TV show "House" and starred in several films including "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" and its sequel, "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay"

Penn, who backed Obama during the campaign, said the new job has nothing to do with his life as an actor.

"I expect to be treated just like any other staff member," he told reporters on a conference call.

He is even applying this quest for a fresh start to his identity, saying he will use his given name, Kalpen Modi, instead of his acting moniker while working for the Obama administration.

Penn described the public liaison office as the "front door to the White House." He said his job would be engaging with constituent communities and making sure they feel that they have a seat at the table.

Asked about the differences between the new job and his work in Hollywood, Penn joked that he now wears a suit.

When pressed about preparing for his first day on the job Monday morning, he said, "I brushed my teeth; I did floss, used mouthwash ... took the bus to work, same thing that everybody does."

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nikk

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"But am I less holy, cause I choose to puff a blunt and drink a beer with my homies. Before we find world peace, we gotta find peace an end that war on the streets."

Freedom_User

I read about this months ago when he was nominated. Good stuff. I wish I was a fly on the wall when they got into conversation about Penn's movies.


Does it say anything when Obama's favorite TV show Entourage shows regular people smoking pot casually every other episode? Some scenes are strictly all about pot too, funny stuff.

Mr Charles Fiji

"It knocks you out and keeps you goin' at the same time."

LOL.

troublemaker_42

I see it as him seeing it as irrelavent, as best. Thie idea he'd appoint someone who played a pot-related rtole isn't all that amazing, since Obama has never downplayed his own drug use. However, nothing I've read, seen, or witnessed Obama actually say indicates he is anything but indifferent or against marijuana legalization in every way. He won't entertain discussion on the topic, and the drug czar said that any conversations regarding legalization are completely off the table in a recent Rolling Stone interview. The idea that Kumar being invited to serve as aliason means anything in terms of Obama's attitude towards pot is entertaining, but IMO, ultimately meaningless. Until he actually SAYS something that indicates he's even a little bit in favor of legalization, I'll be forced to base my judgements on previous statements and actions, none of which show a tendency towards taking the legalization movment any more seriously than any previous administration. I base my opinions on his actual statements and actions on the issue, not the idea that a movie star who played a pothead occasionally got appoited as a liason.

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Ted Nugent: "To my mind it is wholly irresponsible to go into the world incapable of preventing violence, injury, crime, and death. How feeble is the mindset to accept defenselessness. How unnatural. How cheap. How cowardly. How pathetic."


If total government control equals safety, why are prisons so dangerous?

IntelligenceQuotient

Well, as interesting as that is I have to agree with the previous posters. Sure Penn has done weed related films and in all likelihood smokes recreationally, but to think it will have any effect on the policies of the Obama administration is overly optmistic (unfortunately). Despite a wonderful campaign slogan I have to be a realist and say that "change" isn't as close as people keep saying.

Buzzby

I don't think anyone was suggesting that Kal Penn's presence would have an effect on White House policy.

What was suggested is that his presence indicates that this administration is not knee-jerk terrified of the idea that many people enjoy recreational smoking and might not be terrorists. Could you imagine this guy getting appointed to anything in the Bush administration?

Zeroxtreem

I hope the god that I don't believe in blesses you because that was by far my favorite part in the movie.

You just blew my fuckin' mind.

"Daddy? Yeah, it's W."

lol

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"Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

- Dale Carnegie

Flock_of_Crows

WOW, that is very interesting.... i never knew he was interested in a governmental position... as for the ideas that he was hired due to some connection president Obama wanted to make to an effort to legalize marijuana, i think that there are much more subtle and/or meaningful/useful ways to take a step or even a slight lean in that direction.... He seems like and inteligent guy, i think he should do well at this position in the white house. best of luck to 'im

legalizeItnow

Wonder if he had to take a drug test.