Hank Williams Jr. Obama Comments: Fear of Controversy Slights Freedom of Speech

Freedom of speech in the United States has always been a topic of debate.

Public figures, radio personalities, celebrities, etc. are held to a different standard when it comes to speech though. Because they are seen and heard by such a massive audience, their "freedom" is often limited due to the magnifying glass typically hovering over their worlds.

One thing in particular that irks the masses is political statements. Even more than that, political statements from people not involved with politics.

So when Hank Williams Jr., the musician best noted for ushering us into Monday Night Football for the past 20 years, shockingly compared Speaker of the House, John Boehner, and President Obama playing golf together similar to Adolf Hitler and (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu pairing up, people took notice.

ESPN (and ABC/Disney), always looking to avoid controversy at all costs, quickly pulled Williams' famous, "Are You Ready For Some Football" before last night's game and issued a statement.

The singer responded to the decision and addressed his comments saying:

"

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.

"

This isn't the first time Williams has made comments, and he's actually no stranger to politics either. According to USA Today's report Williams has aspirations of running as a Republican for a 2012 Senate seat in Tennessee.

So what exactly is the big deal?

More than anything it is a combination of Hitler's name and ESPN/ABC/Disney's constant struggle to keep everything as politically correct as possible.

Any time anyone mentions Hitler in the public it is sure to generate buzz. When a public figure decides to compare the world's most notorious mass murderer to the President of the free world, well, there are going to be repercussions.

But Williams isn't wrong in the sense that he is allowed to give his opinion. And ESPN isn't necessarily wrong for protecting their interests.

The real loser in whole situation is freedom of speech. Not because ESPN came down on it, or because Williams used it to such an extreme, but because the public is so conscious and opinionated when things like this are said.

There are two sides to every argument. Some people strive to use the freedom of speech excuse whenever something controversial arises. Others, wish to crash down upon it because it crosses one of the generally accepted lines we have come to know in society.

This situation is a perfect example of how freedom of speech is defended both ways.

Williams isn't wrong for expressing his opinion (however extreme it may be). And ESPN certainly isn't wrong for protecting themselves because people will demand them to take action. 

The problem is that some people want freedom of speech, and others want action taken against those who speak out.

We can't have it both ways and that is our own fault.