Are you ready for some fooooootball?!! For twenty- three years, Hank Williams Jr. has opened Monday Night Football with his song about his rowdy friends coming together for Monday night. Not last night. Last night, ESPN, an affiliate of ABC Network, yanked the song because Hank dared to speak ill of Obama and offended the powers that be at ABC.
What did Hank say? If you read the headlines, Hank “compared Obama to Hitler.” The horror! And what was the basis of this forbidden comparison? Did he mention that Obama demonizes the rich like Hitler demonized the Jews? Nope. Did he complain how Obama tried to take away the basic human rights of Gitmo detainees so they would become unpeople? Did he mention Obama chumming around with dictators? How about his selling out democracies like Taiwan and Israel? His unprovoked invasion of Libya? Nope.
Here’s what he dared to say. He was asked whether John Boehner made a mistake from a political perspective being seen playing golf with Obama. And Hank said it was a mistake akin to “Hitler playing golf with Netanyahu.”
Uh. . . what’s the big deal?
For starters, that’s not really comparing Obama to Hitler as ABC claims. Yes, it's a “comparison” in a technical sense, but it’s not in a real sense. This is just an analogy to explain that Boehner playing golf with Obama was like one person playing golf with their sworn enemy. He could just as easily have said “the Pope playing with Satan” or “Tom playing with Jerry.” Williams did not say “Obama is like Hitler,” which would have been a real attempt at comparison. So attacking him for “comparing Obama to Hitler” is ridiculous.
Secondly, when has ABC ever punished a leftist for anything similar (or even anything worse). People like Sean Penn, Matt Damon and Janeane Garafolo routinely say much worse. They actually compared Bush to Hitler. They say vile things against Palin and now Herman Cain. Their reporters and anchors routinely slander everyone on the right. Rosanne Barr just spoke about putting rich people in camps. . . now who's being Hitlerian? Yet, ABC has never refused to show their films or canceled their shows. Why not?
Why is it that Williams gets punished for not even actually saying anything negative about Obama, yet these vile creatures can say whatever they want and ABC doesn’t care? Why is it leftists can call conservatives stupid, racists, Bushitler, bitches, and Uncle Toms, and can suggest conservatives should be put in camps, should be raped, should be killed and their kids should be killed. . . but conservatives can’t even offer something that is barely a suggestion of criticism?
I find this disgusting. And I honestly think it’s time conservatives fought back. It’s time for whoever wins the White House to take a long hard look at the networks through the Federal Election Commission and the FCC. It strikes me they’ve become partisans and should lose their licenses or be forced off the air during elections. And yes, I’m serious. If leftists want to run the networks as bastions of leftist propaganda, then it’s time we treated them as such.
In any event, Williams has now issued an explanation (fortunately not an apology) which says this:
"Some of us have strong opinions and are often misunderstood. My analogy was extreme — but it was to make a point. I was simply trying to explain how stupid it seemed to me - how ludicrous that pairing was. They're polar opposites and it made no sense. They don't see eye-to-eye and never will. I have always respected the office of the President."The left is of course not satisfied. But that’s tough. Stick to your guns Hank. The only thing you did wrong was use the wrong dictator: Obama’s not really competent enough to be in Hitler's league, next time compare him to someone more Banana Republic-ish.
53 comments:
I completely agree, Andrew. I find this outrageous.
Unless there is more to the quote, I can't help but notice that Williams didn't specify which was which. Really, ABC is in a knot over something swimming in their collective heads. How Freudian.
I'm more offended that Madonna will be the half-time act at the Super Bowl.
Hmmm, well maybe I just won't be watching Monday Night Football for a while. Do whatever you want, ESPN; but when you take away my Hank Williams Jr., we're gonna have issues.
Writer X: Hey, there's been lots of other British singers at the Super Bowl lately, why not her? (sarc)
Cool, now Hank joins a prestigious group of people banned because of beliefs not liked by ESPN. So far on the list, Rush, Hank. I don't of any others.
I don't think Hank really minds being dropped. At least it doesn't appear that way to me.
Here is an even more explicit example. Mike "the wife beating abuser" Tyson called for (joked about?) the rape of Sarah Palin on an espn radio show while the hosts apparently yukked it up. Apologies from ESPN, condemnation of Tyson or punishment of the hosts. Not just "no" but "hell no."
Thanks Crispy! I'm sick of the double standard and I'm sick of Republicans ignoring the double standard.
tryanmax, LOL! How Freudian indeed!
There really isn't more. He said Boehner and Obama together looked like the Three Stooges, which of course has all the MSM reporters noting that there are only two of them so clearly Hank must have been out of his mind when he said it.
I think this insanely hypersensitive to consider this criticism of Obama. And what's more, I find it hypocritical that ABC cares. When did it become a banishing offense to say something unflattering about a sitting President?
I do like the way his explanation is careful to mention "the office" of the Presidency and not this President.
Writer X, Tell me about it. Does the NFL ever choose anyone who wasn't washed up decades ago? I'd love to meet the guy who makes these decisions. I'll bet he's till pining for New Coke and wants to buy the new Delorean he just saw in that hip new Back to the Future film.
tryanmanx, Sorry, my mistake -- he compared Biden and Obama to the Three Stooges, not Boehner and Obama.
T-Rav, They only took him away for one game. Apparently they're waiting for some contrition. But why should he be contrite (except for the naming the wrong dictator thing)?
I guess we'll see if he's back next week.
On Madonna, I think they need someone younger and hipper. . . like Cindy Lauper. ;)
Joel, I won't kid you... this makes me like Hank a whole lot more!
The Rush thing still ticks me off something fierce. Rush didn't say anything that dozens of other non-right wingers haven't said both before and after Rush said it. Yet somehow he gets banned and the others don't?
Plus, when Rush talked about buying the Rams, the same people don't mind truthers, communists and race-baiters in the league and weirdos and criminals as owners said he was unacceptable? That irks me.
Jed, Great example. It's stunning to me how they let anti-conservative hate flow freely, but even the mere hint of criticism at liberals is enough to get you banned. I am very serious that the next Republican needs to look at taking action to treat these guys like the leftist sponsor they are and start treating them as lobbyists.
Andrew, the following question is not asked in order to make you or anyone else here feel old, but rather to point out how old Madonna is:
Who's Cindy Lauper?
Sorry it took so long to respond T-Rav, but my lumbago was acting up and I had a hard time opening my social security check. ;)
You've got to admit though that she is the next logical choice the way the NFL seems to be working through acts. I'd suggest Michael Jackson should be next, but he's currently unavailable.
Presidents have had a tendency to try to influence the media when somebody was critical of them. But mostly their attempts have been somewhat lame. Obama has raised it to a high art, and the MSM haven't put up any kind of fight. We are one step closer to official government censorship. Sometimes I'm amazed that Obama hasn't already established his new Department of Propaganda.
Lawhawk, I almost used the word "censorship" in the article. I didn't because this wasn't government action. But you're right, it's gotten to the point that this is so close to being government action (as ABC and the rest are so in the tank for Obama) that it probably does qualify as censorship.
T-Rav..."Who is Cindy Lauper?" Ooooh, you are in soooooo much trouble. She's the one that did that song...you know the song about whats-it and she wore that funny thing...what do you call it??
Grrrr....
No one banned the Dixie Chicks when they slammed Bush while on tour out of the country? Only the fans did burned showed their great ire and were denounced by the MSM for their pettiness.
In order to lift my spirits after yet another insulting act of liberal bias, I decided to take the advice of Beyonce Knowles, and let her "upgrade" me. Thus, out with the Runco VX1000D single chip DLP 720p projector and in with Digital Projection Inc.'s M-Vision 1080P LED projector, a technology that will offer a vastly improved life expectancy (60,000 hours) when compared to Runco which nicks you $750 for a 2,000 hr. rated bulb.
I am driving down to Kennesaw, Ga. to meet the company principals, tour the facility, get a test drive and pick it up. This company has primarily been in commercial rather than home applications, and makes the projectors used by Regal Cinema and the Oscars folk. The only downside is for people who don't have total control of ambient lighting. It should pair nicely with Oppo's BDP 95- reference player.
I am hoping that this technology will allow me to NOT watch ESPN in the theatre, but rather watch a Republican landslide of epic proportions (hopefully) in November 2012. :-)
Bev, That's Cindy Lauper all right! How dare T-Rav pretend not to know her! LOL!
Here's something to test T-Rav's 1980s trivia: Cindy Lauper's video for "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" featured Captain Lou Albano as her father?
Who was Captain Lou?
Hint: Think Hulk Hogan
Bev, Good point about the Dixie Chicks. In fact, if I remember correctly, the networks along with Hollywood treated them like heroes.
Jed, Let's hope!
Wow, that's some serious hardware. You could rival most theaters these days! We should all come to your house to watch the election!
Cyndi Lauper - (1) see (the late) Captain Lou Albano. (2) See taglines Mulholland Drive, Naomi Watts, self pleasuring of by the fair sex
missed your comment on Lou. He was a manager in the WWF now WWE professional wrestling foundation. Cyndi collaborated with Philly based Robert Hazzard (and the Heroes) to write her best song "Time After Time."
holy cats, Jed, that's some serious tech!
as for MNF, since the 'Boys and Romo have decided that they won't be actually playing this season, I don't much care... but you'd think that ESPN/ABC would remember their target audience is mostly in flyover country -- where Hank Jr is a near-deity... just sayin'
dimwits.
Cyndy also hung out with a Philly Band known as the Hooters from the same era. They were big locally and had a couple hit records.
The theater seats 8 and their are 100 "followers" but anyone who wants to code down for election night . . . .
Jed, That's the one. Albano was the guy with the rubber bands sticking out of his face... before piercings were cool.
There seemed to be a rash of songs on that topic in the 1980s. Lauper has "She Bop" and Billy Idol had "Dancing With Myself." And I think there were more, but I don't remember them at the moment.
"Time After Time" is a great song that has really stood up over the years.
rlaWTX, It really is a stupid decision. Outside of the big liberal cities, much much worse is said of Obama even by people just standing in line. The idea that this was shocking or even insulting is ridiculous.
You're right about Hank too. He's a country music legend (as was his father). ABC tried to drop Hank about 15 years ago and was flooded with hate mail. His song has become the theme song and people look forward to it. This was a mistake and we'll see what ABC does next.
On the Cowboys, yeah, they don't seem to have their stuff together this year. I don't know why they can never get it together?
Bev - I was going get on your case about mentioning the country group whose name I refuse to speak. Then I remembered I myself had made passing reference to Lady Natalie herself the other day. I'd just like to say "shame on us both." BTW, I haven't exactly heard where they have charted anything in the last several years. Is it possible the left discards their temporary heroes like so much used (insert the most vile and disgustingly appropriate noun of your choice)?
Andrew (l.o.l.) - I have to be honest, and tell you I actually don't know of a commercial theater that has the sound capabilities of mine. It was designed by a professional audio engineer who installed sound panels under the wall fabric to reflect or absorb certain wave frequencies as appropriate based on room size, shape, and speaker placement. I actually go down there a lot to play my guitar or listen to music just for that reason.
Jed, The Theater seats 8! LOL! We'll have to sit in shifts. ;)
UPDATE: This just in... Chris Christie says (again) he won't run.
Move along conservatives, nothing to see here....
Jed, Impressive! :)
On the group that shall not be named, yep... the left discards their temporary heroes the moment the news cycle changes.
Yay! No Christie.
Boo ABC!
DUQ, If you think that's something, get this...
Biden doesn't know who Van Jones is, even though he was Obama's Green Czar. What an idiot!
Captain Lou? You must mean the guy who played Mario on The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! Of course, when I was really little, he was animated on Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling. As for Lauper, she did song "The Goonies R Good Enough." Ah, childhood in the '80's. Good times, good times.
tryanmax, I grew up in the 70s, but I still enjoyed the 80s very much. There was much to love about the films, shows and other things going on back then. And having Reagan as President was great!
I bought a Hank Williams CD today. It felt good.
Writer X, I've given serious thoughts to doing the same! I like supporting conservatives. :)
Mmm, "Time After Time." That doesn't get overplayed at senior proms at all. ;-)
At least Hank won't be permanently banned--not yet, anyway. I hope to see him on the screen before next week's game. Meanwhile, on ESPN tonight--a tranny tennis player's fight for acceptance. Who says that network stifles free speech?!
T-Rav, Oh joy. I can't wait to see that! Actually, the only thing I watch on ESPN at this point is MNF.
How many serious proms do you go to? ;)
As an update, Hank has now issued a non-apology apology:
"I have always been very passionate about Politics and Sports and this time it got the Best or Worst of me. The thought of the Leaders of both Parties Jukin and High Fiven on a Golf course, while so many Families are Struggling to get by simply made me Boil over and make a Dumb statement and I am very Sorry if it Offended anyone. I would like to Thank all my supporters. This was Not written by some Publicist."
This has leftist sportswriters just as upset because it's clearly not enough in their eyes. Keep in mind, these are the same people who took Mike Vick's not-even-close-to-an-apology apology as a statement of utter contrition and a reason we should all love him and buy his mechandise.
I’m officially holding the prom right here, right now:
Time After Time
LINK
LINK
LINK
Every prom must end with this.
The Spacepimps?! LOL!
Wow, you apparently had way cooler proms than I did. We tended towards "Electric Slide," some hip-hop, and this (no really, it was played at every school event):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEMVwZRJ-UQ
T-Rav, I'm so sorry!
LINK to T-Rav's youth
(At least it's not the evil Chicken Dance, which is now apparently popular at weddings. An atrocity)
Well, the songs were played, but the mixes are my own revision.
I, too, endured a lot of hip hop, but I don't remember what it was. That stuff seems to vanish as soon as it's no longer popular. I seem to remember someone named "Shaggy"?
We had Cotton-Eyed Joe, too. And we did the Electric Slide.
I graduated just before the Cha-Cha Slide took over. (Can you date me now?)
I have honestly never heard of the Cha Cha slide.
msm + anything that remotely resembles barry being pwn'd = panties meet wad.
...or "bunch" for the more refined among you.
Hey, that's not just my youth; they still play that all the time at home.
Ah, yes...the Cha-Cha Slide. That's another perennial favorite. "Cha cha now y'all"
Patti, We are a refined bunch around here!
"They still play that at home." I think we should move on....
Just don't tell me your family does the chicken dance!
Post a Comment