http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/10/03/141027499/espn-pulls-hank-williams-jr-song-from-mnf-over-hitler-remark?sc=fb&cc=fp
So ESPN is pulling Hank Williams, Jr's song from Monday Night Football (no word on whether this is temporary or permanent) because of some remarks made on Fox and Friends.
I do understand where ESPN is coming on this one- they usually try to keep politics out of national sports and after Williams called Obama Hitler they knew they'd alienate a lot of fans. From a marketing/PR standpoint, it made sense.
But I think this problem could have easily been avoided if we stopped thinking that music artists and other celebrities of the like have this great insight on politics. Of course, I understand musicians/other celebrities will make endorsements- that's nothing new. But why would you bring someone on a show and ask for their political insight if they really have no background in politics? What's the point?
It's kind of the double edged sword of the Iowa caucuses. On the one hand, all of the candidates visit a state that would never get a visit otherwise. On the other hand, you also get a bunch of random celebrities who show up to bring numbers in. And as someone who was around for a caucus, it is fun. Hell, it's how I got to meet Stephen Colbert. But when I would see these celebrities (Martin Sheen, Joan Jett, Leo DiCaprio, etc) I never thought they were offering any unique insight, because they had no idea what life was like for ordinary Iowans.
I guess, as you can tell, I'm torn. On the one hand I understand celebrities getting their noses in politics is old news. But on the other hand- it seems like it has gotten worse with the advent of 24 news channels- they need to fill airspace, so they'll take whoever. I mean, why would Hank Williams, Jr be considered someone worthy to talk about the GOP candidates with?
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