If Kal Penn Can Take a Pay Cut...

COMMENTS

• What a crock! It says something about how he values public service??? If he enlisted in the military like Tillman did, then I would be duly impressed. I wonder what pay grade Mr. Penn will be paid at? I'm sure - as with all political appointees, since I'm sure he did not go through an interview process for this newly created position - he will be well advised on what "gifts" he is allowed to accept in his official capacity.

  Brad Crawford Posted Wednesday, April 8, 2009 1:38 PM

• ...and with that line of thinking (joining the military), then actors such as Fred Thompson, Fred Grandy, Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger all should have joined the National Guard instead of running for public office, regardless of age. Also, by that line of thinking, we should have next to no NFL simply so we can all be duly impressed.

  Because, ya know, there's *no* way that someone making Penn's kind of money would be able to buy such "gifts" with the bank account he likely already has...

  Seems that you're (intentionally) missing the point. Not everyone's cut out for the military, be it mentally or physically, and there are so many disqualifying factors in both that a lot of people are cut before they're even allowed to take the oath...and that's not even counting those who have no desire to put a uniform on. Who's to say Penn doesn't fall into one of those categories? At least he's willing to serve the public in some capacity...which seems to be an ideal he believes in with an administration he agrees with, whether or not *you* agree with it...and dropping that kind of annual salary is likely not chump change.

  Tigerhawk Posted Wednesday, April 8, 2009 3:25 PM

• Wow. That's really cynical.

  Jason Collins Posted Wednesday, April 8, 2009 3:35 PM

• Wow. That's really cynical. Not everyone can be a Pat Tillman, and not everyone should be. To say that they can undervalues what Tillman did.

  Everyone could be a bit more monetarily realistic, but to ignore what Penn did and throw out the good it represents, not a helpful view either.

  Jason Collins Posted Wednesday, April 8, 2009 3:36 PM

• considering the type of position he is taking (public interface for the white house) he actually seems like an appropriate candidate for the job, he's a likable person, young people will listen to him, and attended UCLA and was an adjunct professor at UPenn - which that alone makes him a heck of a lot more qualified than most of the political flunkies i've seen, so i'd really hesitate to give him such a hard time about it. most political appointees have deep pockets, so the fact that he does, doesn't make him any more special than anyone else, he just got his money in a different manner.

  re Posted Wednesday, April 8, 2009 4:30 PM

• he is also in the process of obtaining a graduate certificate in international security from stanford university - this guy is smart, lets see how he performs in his position before judging.

  re Posted Wednesday, April 8, 2009 4:31 PM

• Yep - I'm sure all of you would have been just as patient and understanding had W appointed him to the same position. I can see the headlines now - "W continues his party boy ways with Kumar at the White House". I have nothing against the man personally. Just have to live with the cult of personality until the next election...

  Brad Crawford Posted Wednesday, April 8, 2009 8:52 PM

• Your original comment denigrated what he did because it was not "real" public service. Apparently, in your world view, the only impressive public service is enlisting in the military or taking a low level job. He is taking a huge pay cut in order to serve his country, and you do not think it says something about how he values public service. To borrow a phrase, "What a crock!"

  wallyp Posted Thursday, April 9, 2009 7:22 AM

• The comments over this reveal the depth of instinctive, reactive mistrust and hatred between the political left and right.

  I fear how this nation will deal with a real crisis (e.g. pandemic flu or significant destruction of electric power grid (see WSJ yesterday for article on the grid)). Only the lazy or stupid will assume "we'll all pull together somehow". Not even 9/11 did that for the political partisans of left and right. If we didn't do it correctly then, how will we do it when it's that much harder and the stresses are REALLY high?

  arclight Posted Thursday, April 9, 2009 8:11 AM

• I am impressed that so many young idealistic Asians are joining public service. we have a lot to offer this great country. and it is great that this offer is recognized by this administration!

  nyc affordable housing Posted Thursday, April 9, 2009 11:42 AM

• I am a little concerned at the White House's being enamored with celebrity.

  First, Sanjay Gupta for Surgeon General and now Kal Penn for White House Liaison.

  Sure, public service is wonderful, but jumping to the post of White House Liaison reflects as interest in having a position in the White House more than it does a love of public service.

  The White House seems to think that just because he's Asian, the Asian community will embrace him as liaison. Considering he's done nothing for the Asian Community in the past, he's not going to be regarded as someone committed to Asian concerns.

  What's next? Cheech and Chong as liaisons to the Latino community? This is just as laughable.

  zelgo Posted Thursday, April 9, 2009 12:12 PM

• Zelgo,

  I believe that would Cheech & Chong as liaisons to the Latino & Chinese American communities, respectively.

  But I could be wrong...

  U. P. Ensmoak Posted Friday, April 10, 2009 6:50 AM

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