No doubt the response from the White House will be they had no idea this twerp rapped about a cop killer. That's how they roll. Play dumb and call it all a misunderstanding or something. Or when that fails, just make fun of the people who've got a legitimate complaint. Should be interesting to see how they manage to trash the
president of a police union.
The invitation of rapper Common to a White House this week is drawing the ire of the union representing New Jersey state police.
While not even casual hip-hop fans would characterize him as a controversial rapper, Common found himself under the microscope after First Lady Michelle Obama invited him to the White House for an arts event.
FOX News and Sarah Palin criticized the decision after the Daily Caller published some of Common's lyrics, including some that criticize President George W. Bush.
For Jersey police, the outrage centers on a song by Common about Assata Shakur, formerly known as Joanne Chesimard, who was convicted for the 1973 slaying of Trooper Werner Foerster on the New Jersey Turnpike. Garden State police take offense at "A Song for Assata," which includes the lines "Your power and pride is beautiful. May God bless your soul."
A shame it takes Fox, the Daily Caller and Sarah Palin to notice this stuff while the White House press corps sits in silence.
For David Jones, president of the State Troopers Fraternal Association union, the White House invitation to a rapper who seems to celebrate Shakur is disturbing.
"The young people who read this stuff, hear this stuff, are getting a very dangerous and deadly message," Jones said.
Commong finds it all very amusing. The police do not.
Known for being more of a brainy poet type than a thug or a gangster, Common seemed to be amused by the dust-up Tuesday morning, tweeting and retweeting the various news items from his Twitter account, such as FOX News' description of him as a "vile rapper." He also tweeted "So apparently Sarah Palin and Fox News doesn't like me."
But Jones was further incensed that the White House appearance comes during the same week that lawmen from across the nation, including Jones, make their annual trek to Washington to honor their fallen comrades at the National Law Enforcement Memorial.
Sal Maggio, a retired troop commander with the state police said his colleagues still talk about Shakur and the million dollar bounty the FBI has put on her capture.
"Hopefully someday she'll be caught," Maggio said in in reaction to news of this invitation.
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