Actor Kal Penn's Surprise Suicide on 'House' Opens Way to Job With Obama White House

"Asian" is just something the census used to make counting people easier

To people who complain about Kalpenn Modi not being one of the "Big Three Oriental" types of Asian (Chinese, Korean, Japanese), you should consider for a moment that America could not care less about individual ethnicities. Rather, this is a melting pot (or pluralisitc society, depending on your tastes) of a country. Having Kalpenn Modi represent a continent may not be ideal in terms of true representation, but it gets the job done when it comes to the show up, "pencil sharpening" type of job that our President has handed to him.

Asia

Julie, your must be basking in your ignorance. What better choice for the Asian and Pacific Islander community than an Asian? Yes, Kalpen Suresh Modi IS an Asian-American, just as much an Asian-American as you are. You OBVIOUSLY wouldn't have made a choice that represents the Asian community because you would have chosen someone who represents YOU alone! Well, you and your friends.

Maybe his parents weren't poor laundry workers, or nail polishers, but they were definitely Indian immigrants, and probably didn't speak much English at home. If they did, so what? Doesn't that just mean they were somewhat educated? As an Asian, his life story should be an inspiration and a model, not a contrast that you feel as offensive to Asian Americans. His grandparents marched with Ghandi. What did yours do? Wash clothes? If so, does that mean you are more Asian than he is?

Where are you from? As far as I know, China is nothing like South Korea, and South Korea is nothing like North Korea, which is nothing like Uzbekistan, which is nothing like Pakistan, which is nothing like India, which is nothing like Tibet, which is nothing like Indonesia, which is nothing like Hawai'i (yes, Hawai'i is a Pacific Island), which is nothing like Japan, which is nothing like Eastern Russia. So... who would YOU have chosen to represent all these countries that have thousands of sub-cultures within them???

Congratulations to Kal Penn

Julie, Asia is the largest and, possibly, the most ethnically diverse continent on earth. There is no one who embodies the experiences of immigrants from a single Asian nation, much less *all* of Asia. Just as Kal Penn doesn't represent you and your friends, had you (or someone with your background) been appointed, you would not have had the experiences growing up that he had.

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He is extremely personable -- an excellent trait for someone who's job it is to be the public face of some of the White House's efforts. His fame has garnered much more press coverage for this new office than the appointment of a career public servant could ever have done. Most importantly, he is extremely intelligent. I have no doubt that his staff will include a variety of Asian-Americans and that he will avail himself of all the information they bring with them.

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I will miss "Kutner." He was my favorite among the new fellows. But House's loss is the White House's gain.

In re: Load of Crap

". I mean, seriously? What does he know about the Asian-American experience?" Gimme a break, Julie of DC is whining that a person whose roots are from the Indian sub-continent is chosen as an Asian American liason as oppossed to what? A Korean? A Japanese? A Chinese? Regardless of what you think, India is part of Asia and the fact that most Indians try and assimilate into American society makes him a good candidate for the job. How would you reach out to the "real Asians"? What language would you use? It wouldn't be English. That would be impossible because most immigrants from the eastern part of Asia refuse to learn the language, the culture or the lifestyle of America. They put themselves into positions where they can function without learning a thing about the country that feeds them. Maybe he doesn't represent you or your friends Julie, but for those Asians who have tried to lose the Asian-American moniker and become simply American, Kal Penn is a good choice.

Kumar

In the third to last paragraph they refer to Kal Penn as "Kumar." Oh the hilarity...

To the US News Editor:

Please edit that. It looks like the reported can't tell the difference between Kal Penn the actor, and Kumar the character from "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle."

Load of crap

GROAN. As an Asian-American I am extremely disappointed in President Obama's choice in Kal Penn. I mean, seriously? What does he know about the Asian-American experience? He never grew up in a household where his parents did not speak English, worked his butt off at his parents' restaurant, dry cleaner, convenience store, nail salon, etc, etc. I do not advocate stereotypes however, when one thinks of Asian-Americans, one usually thinks of East Asians and not necessarily South Asians. "What does it matter?" you ask? Well, I guess it'd like if Obama appointed Charlize Theron (from South Africa) or Khalid Khannouchi (Moroccan-American marathoner) as his African-American liasons. What, they're from Africa aren't they? Clearly, they would understand what it means to be African and thus better facilitate what the African-American communities needed. Riiight. Ok, see what I mean now? Unfortunately, Kal Penn does not represent me and many of the friends and family I know and grew up with. Therefore, I believe Obama has wasted an opportunity to reach out to the Asian communities in a sincere and earnest way. BOO.

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Kutner

That's really jerk and mean. We all thought he died in real life. Oh well I am glad he died in that charater. So he can work for real Obama than Dr House!

Kal Penn

Now that is one fine looking indian man. yummey