Hank Williams Jr and the NFL

Would you agree this is a controversial subject? Please keep in mind that a lot of this lens was written "tongue-in-cheek". Wikipedia says that the term "tongue-in-cheek" is a phrase used as a figure of speech to imply that a statement or other production is humorously intended and it should not be taken at face value.

For the last 20 years, Hank Williams, Jr. has brought everyone together to watch Monday Night Football singing his country style "Are You Ready for Some Football." The song has become an icon associated with the NFL bringing millions of viewers to the same level who have nothing else in common. American NFL Football...I don't think there is another sport anywhere in the world that can compare. People get together, consume tail gate foods, drink beer and proudly show off their favorite team colors. Toward the end of the game, there is always a fight somewhere in the stands between two parties wearing opposing team colors. Me? I love opening kick-off and the adrenaline rush watching muscular males physically battle on the field over a leather ball.

First, I want to make it clear that I believe that entertainers, singers, actors, talk show hosts, etc. should always steer away from making any type of public political statements. Talking politics is one of the most controversial subjects anyone, especially in the good ol' USA, can talk about publicly unless you are a politician yourself. And, I will inject here that I have chosen to stop watching The Late Night Show with David Letterman because of his continued barrage of political jokes, the way he talks about women and to women, and, general political comments that I find really offensive. So, I understand why the statements that Hank Williams, Jr. made would completely turn viewers away from watching the opening of Monday Night Football.

Do I agree with the statements made by Hank Williams, Jr.? No, I think his statements were way over the top and ESPN and Disney were justified in canceling his contract.

In an interview, Hank Williams, Jr. compared Obama, the President of the United States, elected by the people, with Adolph Hitler. See what I mean by over the top? A mass murderer? No, I don't think so....except, I know a lot of older folks on Medicare who think the new Health Care Bill going into effect after the first of the year is written to kill them off by limiting treatments and medications. However, since I am not on Medicare and it does not effect me, a normal American attitude, I haven't looked into these changes as they are written in the new Health Care Bill. I will just have to watch my 87 year old Mother to see what happens there. I am digressing here....

Also in the interview, Hank Williams, Jr. made the comment that Obama was the enemy. He has apologized for making these statements. Some medias are saying the apology was not sincere and we should not accept his apology. Hey, the guy got caught voicing his opinion to 300 million people. I don't think we need to cut off a guitar playing finger or anything like that....he got hurt where it will hurt the most...money...his contracts. So, our goal is to totally destroy him in the news media? I think ESPN is showing how low class they are dredging up and reporting on anything in Hank Williams, Jr. past they don't like with the intent of trying to make us hate him. Why do they feel they have to prove their case with things that obviously were not important to them while he was on their payroll? Just report that you no longer have a working relationship and move on. ESPN reminds me of a gorilla walking the hallway on their knuckles.

Personally, I think news reporters need to report the news without interjecting their opinion into a story. Let the people make up their own minds with the facts. I am really tired of reporters trying to tell us which side of the fence our opinion should be on. I would hate to think these statements made by Hank Williams, Jr. were from feelings of prejudice and bigotry. This is the year Two Thousand and Eleven! My hope is that our higher education provided to all of us in this country have made us much better people than compared to some in 1865. Maybe our schools need to add Political Correctness into the curriculum.