White House defends rapper's invitation to poetry event

The White House on Wednesday defended the decision to invite the hip-hop artist Common to a celebration of poetry hosted by President Obama and his wife, Michelle, saying they disavow some of the rapper's controversial lyrics but accusing critics of blowing the issue out of proportion. "He's spoken very forcefully out against violent and misogynist lyrics," press secretary Jay Carney told reporters... Common celebrated a former Black Panther who was convicted of killing a New Jersey state trooper... also has called for former President George W. Bush to be burned...