ESPN Drops Hank Williams Jr. Over Obama Remarks

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

As far as I know, Hank Williams never commented publicly about Nazis.


Hank Williams,Jr. however,may or may not have an extensive knowledge of the Nazi regime.


Hank Williams III may or may not give a shit either way.

Hank III hasn't found out yet. If he smokes enough dope Hank Sr will appear in a vision and fill him in then steal his dope.

 

[meesterperfect]

Way too much misinterpretation of the right to free speech (or by extension, freedom of expression) under the first amendment being railed about here. Jon has it right. As an employer, I can demand certain behaviors and protocols that have nothing to do with the constitution but have everything to do with someone's privilege to remain in my employ. Hank Jr. has no "right" to be employed by ESPN. They therefore have every "right" to give him his walking papers due to his remarks. You'll note that he was not arrested and thrown in jail for it....that would have been a violation of his "rights".

That said, I really don't believe that Bocephus was comparing Obama to Hitler. He was simply pointing out that the difference between Boehner and Obama is just too wide to bridge so he was making an extreme (and very poorly chosen) analogy (up vs. down, in vs. out, high vs. low....etc). Should he have been fired for the remarks? It's not for me to say but I think perhaps a demand for a retraction of the remark and an apology would have been sufficient. Hell, knowing Hank Jr, the execs at ESPN may have offered that to him and he told them to shove it for all I know. :1orglaugh

Lastly, the same thing would have happened if the remark had been made in reference to Bush when he was in office so there's no double-standard going on here. An outcry from the right is just as effective on influencing company policies as one on the left is. At the end of the day, ESPN doesn't care about politics....they just want you to watch and solicit their sponsors.



This subject is not being discussed in this thread. If you want to debate the holocaust, please make a thread about it.

Ok Jag.
I got nothing better to do so if you will allow me to address your first paragraph....
Yes you are right, employers have the right to fire people.
But let's be realistic about this particular situation.
Firstly, all he meant by what he said regarding Hitler and the Jewish guy was the equivalent of the phrase "like cats and dogs".
You acknowledge that yourself.
If you watch the video, he was invited to give his political opinion, he didn't just bring it up, he was asked.
Question - Who do you like in the GOP race?
Answer - Nobody.........fair enough right?
No problem there, continue.
He then went on about how Boehner and Obama looked like Hitler and the Jewish guy together meaning cats and dogs and how a lot of people see right through it as a blatant publicity stunt and an insult to our intelligence.
But Uh oh, he used the word Hitler.........no can do. Strike one.
Then he said Obama and Biden are the enemy, a sentiment shared by many.
Oh no, can't criticize Obama.....no can do. Strike 2.
Then he quotes a USA today poll., should be no problem with that.
Then he finished by saying that the 2 parties are more polarized now than ever,meaning against each other with no unity or concern for whats actually best for the country but for their party.
And we both know he's right, as do millions of others.

So which exactly got him fired?
The Hitler statement? No, because it was clear what he meant.
It was the Obama is the enemy statement........You just can't say anything about the guy unless your'e kissing his ass while doing it.
And thats why he lost his job.
No different from if Someone in ancient Rome criticized the ceasar, a Englishman criticized Henry VIII, and Russian criticized Stalin a Cambodian criticized Pol Pot or an Iraqi criticized Hussein.
Is that what this country is come to, can't criticize the leader?
If so its not the country we once knew anymore.

And I do disagree. Bush was compared to Dictators many times, directly too, not like Hanks remark.
By celebrities and major politicians alike........and I can't remember a one of them being disciplined for it.

 

[grower_boy]

So ESPN is just like everybody else. They don't allow you to speak your mind.

I wonder if they will force the Steelers to not play Rahard Mendenhall, since he made controversial statements as well.

 

[maildude]

I hear Williams' contract was picked up by Fox.

 

[Neutron66]

Hank III hasn't found out yet. If he smokes enough dope Hank Sr will appear in a vision and fill him in then steal his dope.

What do you mean Hank III hasn't found out yet? He commented on this shit early this morning.

http://www.tmz.com/2011/10/04/hank-...ws-channel-jello-biafra-green-party-politics/

And his comments were...AWESOME!!!

 

[Jon S.]

Gotta love Bocephus:

Still, he noted, "Every time the media brings up the tea party, it's painted as racist and extremists -- but there's never a backlash, no outrage to those comparisons. ... Working-class people are hurting -- and it doesn't seem like anybody cares. When both sides are high-fiving it on the ninth hole when everybody else is without a job -- it makes a whole lot of us angry. Something has to change. The policies have to change."

I'm sure that has nothing to do with fighting multiple wars while cutting taxes & having the lowest tax rates on the rich in the past 50 years. Okay now, we keep putting more and more money in the pockets of the rich.....so where the fuck are the jobs? Duhhhhhhhhhh, the rich just keep lining their pockets with their money. What didn't we learn during the failure that was Reaganomics? Trickle down economics do not work.....except by helping make the rich richer.

I like how Hank also tries to stick up for the tea baggers for being called what they really are. Ummmmmmm yeah Hank, don't quit your day job. If it looks & walks like a duck, has webbed feet, feathers, and quacks.....it's a duck. Just because they stopped wearing the robes and hoods doesn't make the tea baggers any less a racist organization. I respect people who are at least honest about their feelingings. If they would just call Obama a ******, because that is what they really mean with all of the Hitler shit and all, they'd at least earn my respect. I would still disagree with them, but at least I'd respect their honesty.

Further, a white man comparing a black man (Obama) to Hitler is a Hell of a lot different than a white person comparing a white man to Hitler (Bush) or even a black man comparing a white man to Hitler (but you rarely saw that with Bush actually). Are there different standards, yes perhaps.....but white America created the environment for the double standards due to the shit we pulled on blacks historically. Anyone with any sense knows the rules.....so when someone fucks up like Bocephus did....they have little or no room to complain when someone calls them on it. It's just that simple. Know the rules and act accordingly, or suffer the consequences like a man. :2 cents:

Now, it's actually the Jewish people who are really calling Hank out, and Hank even apologized for comparing Obama to Hitler......if that's not what he meant, why apologize for doing it? Just sayin'! Even I didn't take it as a direct comparison equating Obama to Hitler on Hank's part......but if that's not what he meant, why not say so....like I said, he's apologizing for comparing Obama to Hitler.....soooooo, that MUST be what he meant. Like I said, just sayin'!

 

[Elwood70]

What do you mean Hank III hasn't found out yet? He commented on this shit early this morning.

http://www.tmz.com/2011/10/04/hank-...ws-channel-jello-biafra-green-party-politics/

And his comments were...AWESOME!!!

HA!!!! That's fuckin' awesome!!

 

[sid-sexy]

Hank Williams Jr. has 1/100th the talent of his dad and an 82 IQ. He was pandering to his fan base and he made a stupid analogy. MNF used him in their intro to pander to his fan base as well and it bit them in the ass. They'll all move on.

 

[meesterperfect]

Hank Williams Jr. has 1/100th the talent of his dad and an 82 IQ. He was pandering to his fan base and he made a stupid analogy. MNF used him in their intro to pander to his fan base as well and it bit them in the ass. They'll all move on.

People like you just can't get past the word hitler can you?
Trained to respond a certain way regardless of the meaning or context.
He meant it as in terms of "cats and dogs".
Meaning Adolph hitler and the jewish guy will never get along just like cats and dogs won't.
Surely even a child can understand that.

As far as PMSPN pandering to his base?
Yeah maybe, thats called marketing.
At the time he was hired his words represented good old fashioned customs such as watching a football game.
But due to the fact that thanks to the media and education system in the country drilling the civil war, the south and slavery into our heads more than ever now southern people are fair game to insult at will.
Why? because they were normally conservative with old fashioned values and thats something that is a threat to the liberal controlled media and education system who support the democratic party.
So lets train the kids to hate them.
You can say redneck with no problem, just don't insult any other group, then youre a racist.
More mind control of the pea brains.

So people like you who just respond to a word like a trained dog are the ones being pandered to, Espn pandered to its owners , youre just too far gone to see it.

 

[meesterperfect]

Gotta love Bocephus:



I'm sure that has nothing to do with fighting multiple wars while cutting taxes & having the lowest tax rates on the rich in the past 50 years. Okay now, we keep putting more and more money in the pockets of the rich.....so where the fuck are the jobs? Duhhhhhhhhhh, the rich just keep lining their pockets with their money. What didn't we learn during the failure that was Reaganomics? Trickle down economics do not work.....except by helping make the rich richer.

I like how Hank also tries to stick up for the tea baggers for being called what they really are. Ummmmmmm yeah Hank, don't quit your day job. If it looks & walks like a duck, has webbed feet, feathers, and quacks.....it's a duck. Just because they stopped wearing the robes and hoods doesn't make the tea baggers any less a racist organization. I respect people who are at least honest about their feelingings. If they would just call Obama a ******, because that is what they really mean with all of the Hitler shit and all, they'd at least earn my respect. I would still disagree with them, but at least I'd respect their honesty.

Further, a white man comparing a black man (Obama) to Hitler is a Hell of a lot different than a white person comparing a white man to Hitler (Bush) or even a black man comparing a white man to Hitler (but you rarely saw that with Bush actually). Are there different standards, yes perhaps.....but white America created the environment for the double standards due to the shit we pulled on blacks historically. Anyone with any sense knows the rules.....so when someone fucks up like Bocephus did....they have little or no room to complain when someone calls them on it. It's just that simple. Know the rules and act accordingly, or suffer the consequences like a man. :2 cents:

Now, it's actually the Jewish people who are really calling Hank out, and Hank even apologized for comparing Obama to Hitler......if that's not what he meant, why apologize for doing it? Just sayin'! Even I didn't take it as a direct comparison equating Obama to Hitler on Hank's part......but if that's not what he meant, why not say so....like I said, he's apologizing for comparing Obama to Hitler.....soooooo, that MUST be what he meant. Like I said, just sayin'!

Know the rules?
Know the ruless?
Of who can say what about whom?

You condone that?
If so that is disgusting.........and very very racist.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Liberals do this all the time and get away with it. There's been a precedent
set. So, his rights were infringed upon. :yesyes:

Abridging the freedom of speech is prohibited.

abridge, deprive of, dispossess of, disseise, divest of, expropriate, limit, restrict, seize, strip, take away, usurp, wrest from

Would a network have dumped someone who likened Bush to Hitler?

Do you remember the controversy with the Dixie Chicks back in 2003? They were blacklisted from radio because the lead singer criticized Bush. Lead singer Natalie Maines said "she was "ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas." There's a double standard. The right likes talking up free speech as long as you agree with them.

 

[Jon S.]

Know the rules?
Know the ruless?
Of who can say what about whom?

You condone that?
If so that is disgusting.........and very very racist.

I never said I condone that.....because I don't. What's wrong for one person to say, is wrong for everyone to say. Like I already said before, anyone who has to stoop so low as to use the Hitler comparison, is actually saying more about themselves than anything else. However, I am just saying that it is pretty retarded for someone not to realize that the double standard DOES exist.....and then go out and say something fucking stupid that is in violation of the known standards (double as they are), and then act surprised when it blows up in your face. We all know there are double standards in all walks and facets of life.....smart people, and people with any sense adapt to those standards.....dumb people, who lack any sense, shoot off their mouths like Bocephus did....and they are left to suffer the consequences. People who are so fucking stupid that they put their mouths in motion before they put their brains in gear (assuming the actually have any brains), well they get what they deserve in my opinion. That's what I was saying....and I stand behind those words 100%

 

[ThatRedWing]

As the guy with the Hank,Jr. emblem as an avatar, I guess I'm required to weigh-in here.
Hank made a very badly thought out analogy but has every right to do so. ESPN has every right to suspend/discipline/fire him for his comments as there is probably a clause in the contract about such situations. I do find it funny how Whoopie and Joy were defending him on The View. I am a fan of his music. That does not mean that he speaks for me politically.

I have never understood the whole celeb/political shill thing. They are entertainers. Entertain me and don't tell me how I should vote. My mechanic does great job with my vehicle but, I'm not going to him for medical advice.

Maybe Hank should have just took his own advice. Ironically, I almost posted part of this in the favorite lyric thread a few days ago.

All the talk shows, you know, geniouses and experts
Looking to lay some blame
Some on the left and some on the right
Playing that controversy game
I'm not in a real cheery mood so I think I'll call them up
And them em, why don't you play some blues
And both sides shut up

But do we just love trouble
Ain't the world got enough
Without y'all stirrin it up

I am from the old school
Cowboy hat, sure enough
Too damn old to change horses now
Cause I would probably fall off
I'm a little whiskey bent and slowed my roll
And if you ain't real sure about me
Why don't you take it up with Gretchen and Tim'
Rock and Shawn Hannity

But you just love trouble
Ain't the world got enough
Without y'all stirrin it up

Back off

So some celeb has teed y'all off
Well, I get teed off too
Why didn't you know that you're supposed
To except our point of view
I have learned at the school of hard knocks
Things change quite a bit
Folks get all jacked up
I don't really give a ... darn

I got a little child and a fishing pole
A can of worms and a boat
I'm goin down to the river now
And let all my problems float
Yeah, I've mellowed a lot
And I don't jump into things like I used to
Hey, what'd you say
Why, you son of a gun
Now see what you made me do

I don't want no trouble
Ain't the world got enough
Without y'all stirrin it up

Stirrin it up

Let the pot simmer (stirrin it up)
Let the dust settle (stirrin it up)
Let's try and get along
And it'll be more better
(Stirrin it, stirrin it, stirrin it up)
(Stirrin it up) sick em, Rush
(Stirrin it up) jump in there, Bill
Stir it up, Shawn
(Stirrin it up)
(Stirrin it up)

 

[PirateKing]

Glad ESPN dropped him. It has nothing to do with his Hitler comment, mind you, because I'll agree it was just a shitty analogy. I only say so because his music is fucking terrible, IMO. No offense to any fans here....

 

[jackwidow420]

PirateKing you have ever right to say what you feel even if any one else don't agree with you that what I call free speech. I don't agree with ever thing you say but that you say what you want. No offense taking.

 

[jackwidow420]

Icecold322 make a good point I like the Chicks before she said that and I still like the Chicks but then I like Chicks no chicks no porn. NO WAY!!!!

 

[Hot Mega]

Glad ESPN dropped him. It has nothing to do with his Hitler comment, mind you, because I'll agree it was just a shitty analogy. I only say so because his music is fucking terrible, IMO. No offense to any fans here....

Yeah.

It's quite possible the per se commentary had nothing to do with it.

ESPN could have very well concluded based on is incoherent ramblings and his porous analogy that he was just too fucking stupid to be associated with their network.:dunno:

 

[meesterperfect]

I never said I condone that.....because I don't. What's wrong for one person to say, is wrong for everyone to say. Like I already said before, anyone who has to stoop so low as to use the Hitler comparison, is actually saying more about themselves than anything else. However, I am just saying that it is pretty retarded for someone not to realize that the double standard DOES exist.....and then go out and say something fucking stupid that is in violation of the known standards (double as they are), and then act surprised when it blows up in your face. We all know there are double standards in all walks and facets of life.....smart people, and people with any sense adapt to those standards.....dumb people, who lack any sense, shoot off their mouths like Bocephus did....and they are left to suffer the consequences. People who are so fucking stupid that they put their mouths in motion before they put their brains in gear (assuming the actually have any brains), well they get what they deserve in my opinion. That's what I was saying....and I stand behind those words 100%

We agree up until that point.
I wish more people would just disregard the double standard and say what they feel, especially in the USA and Europe.
To have to be afraid what you can and can't say ........well if thats the case isn't that a big chunk of our freedom already gone?
It is.
And its cowardly to think one thing even feel strongly about it but be afraid to speak it.

And for the 10th time in this post, how is it bad or low to use Hitler in a comparison?
Black and white
cowboys and indians
cats and Dogs
rain and shine
apples and oranges
Hitler and that jewish guy who's name I cant spell.

They all have the same meaning. They show extreme difference.
But the word Hitler is taboo? Can't say that oh no.
HAS THE WHOLE WORLD GONE CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[meesterperfect]

Do you remember the controversy with the Dixie Chicks back in 2003? They were blacklisted from radio because the lead singer criticized Bush. Lead singer Natalie Maines said "she was "ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas." There's a double standard. The right likes talking up free speech as long as you agree with them.

What world are you living in?
Bizarro World?
The reason people were pissed at that was not because of the media.
It was because they are a country group and #1 Bush is a Texan and 2# Southern folk normally don't take none too kindly to bad mouthin the USofA.
Plus they said it very soon after the initial invasion of Iraq........

You can't see that people, especially famous people just can't criticize Obamer in public without suffering some negative retaliation?
This Hank Jr incident proves it..........still can't see it?

Man we're as close to a Totalitarian government as we've ever been and this is proof.
Even the citizens cant criticize the man without first being called a racist, then a hater among other things.
And all this coming from a party and class of people who preach Toleration so much it makes me want to puke my balls out through my mouth.
But if you don't agree with them they get angry and mean.
And people like me who see this are not fear mongering because its 100% true.

 

[Jagger69]

Ok Jag.
I got nothing better to do so if you will allow me to address your first paragraph....
Yes you are right, employers have the right to fire people.
But let's be realistic about this particular situation.
Firstly, all he meant by what he said regarding Hitler and the Jewish guy was the equivalent of the phrase "like cats and dogs".
You acknowledge that yourself.
If you watch the video, he was invited to give his political opinion, he didn't just bring it up, he was asked.
Question - Who do you like in the GOP race?
Answer - Nobody.........fair enough right?
No problem there, continue.
He then went on about how Boehner and Obama looked like Hitler and the Jewish guy together meaning cats and dogs and how a lot of people see right through it as a blatant publicity stunt and an insult to our intelligence.
But Uh oh, he used the word Hitler.........no can do. Strike one.
Then he said Obama and Biden are the enemy, a sentiment shared by many.
Oh no, can't criticize Obama.....no can do. Strike 2.
Then he quotes a USA today poll., should be no problem with that.
Then he finished by saying that the 2 parties are more polarized now than ever,meaning against each other with no unity or concern for whats actually best for the country but for their party.
And we both know he's right, as do millions of others.

So which exactly got him fired?
The Hitler statement? No, because it was clear what he meant.
It was the Obama is the enemy statement........You just can't say anything about the guy unless your'e kissing his ass while doing it.
And thats why he lost his job.
No different from if Someone in ancient Rome criticized the ceasar, a Englishman criticized Henry VIII, and Russian criticized Stalin a Cambodian criticized Pol Pot or an Iraqi criticized Hussein.
Is that what this country is come to, can't criticize the leader?
If so its not the country we once knew anymore.

And I do disagree. Bush was compared to Dictators many times, directly too, not like Hanks remark.
By celebrities and major politicians alike........and I can't remember a one of them being disciplined for it.

Again, an employer has the discretion to impose their will as it pertains to the behavior of employees without regard to the first amendment. I'm not saying I agree with the firing....I simply agree that it is ESPN's right to fire him if they so desire. It is not uncommon for there to be behavior clauses in contracts so who knows what Bocephus was obligated to say or not say and to whom? If he is being unfairly treated, he can always sue them.

As for your remarks that I placed in bold, an open reference by a British subject that referred to the king as "the enemy" would likely have gotten him a date with the executioner. There's no comparison here....Williams can say whatever he wants to without fear of being arrested, detained or jailed. That's it.

Your other comments about a Bush double-standard....give me a specific example that is congruent with this one and we can discuss. I don't recall one.

Apparently now even Bocephus admits his remarks were "dumb"....

http://www.tmz.com/2011/10/04/hank-...onday-night-football/?adid=hero1#.ToxqpnLqKuI