President  Obama has had a difficult time filling appointed positions. First, Tim Geithner had a rocky road to the Treasury Department. Then Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination for a cabinet level post at the Department of Health and Human Services.One of Obama’s more recent nominations has had a much easier path to his position, though not without his share of questions to answer.Kal Penn, the star of the “Harold and Kumar” movies, has been appointed to the post of associate director for the White House Office of Public Liaison. Penn will serve as a representative of the administration, reaching out to Asian-American communities and different arts communities, Penn said in an interview with Rachel Maddow on April 10.Many questions about Penn’s future arose after his character on “House” committed suicide in an episode a couple of weeks ago. But news began to filter out that Penn decided to go to the White House.There have always been politically active actors who have been portrayed by cynical media outlets as aloof and out of touch.At first glance, this seemed to be the case with Penn.Kumar, really?After listening to Penn explain his decision to accept the post, this astonishing career move should be applauded.Penn began working with the Obama campaign in 2007 during the writer’s strike that brought an abrupt end to that season of “House.” Instead of getting captured in compromising situations by the flash bulbs of the paparazzi, Penn used his sudden free time to reach out to voters on behalf of his candidate of choice.Political activism and public service have deep roots in Penn’s life. His grandparents marched with Ghandi for Indian independence, Penn told Today Show hosts Meredith Viera and Matt Lauer.He doesn’t appear to be the typical Hollywood elitist who feels compelled to action out of some apparent guilt over his lofty position like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.Admittedly, reaching out to artists and Asian-Americans is not in the same league with hunger strikes and staring down British oppressors, but in this age of rampant cynicism and disbelief in altruism, someone like Penn is a welcomed reminder of what could be in politics.Yes, the pay cut he is going to take is made less difficult by the success of three movies and recurring TV roles. But maybe, just for a moment, the jaded worldview of 21st century Americans can be countered by an apparent idealism that is less about “me” and more about “we.”Perhaps Penn is only seeking to advance his own ambitions, but there has been no evidence so far that his motivation is anything other than a desire to do what he can to bring about the change he believes in. Instead of a knee-jerk reaction about a privileged actor slumming it to show he cares, maybe we should appreciate this choice for what it is, a person who wants to see the country better.This may be a naïve position — and in fact probably is — but in this political landscape of bitterly divisive rhetoric and destructive partisanship, what does it hurt to be a little naïve? Penn isn’t going to be a senior advisor to the president nor will he have secret launch codes or classified information.Instead of taking the opportunity to lambast yet another elitist, liberal actor, let’s join together in congratulating Penn for making a choice in favor of public service over simply amassing more wealth for himself.Drew Walker is a 24-year-old philosophy senior from Walker. 
—-Contact Drew Walker at [email protected]