Hank Williams Jr's Son: My Dad Should Not Talk Politics

Hank Williams Jr.'s son - Hank Williams III - doesn't think his father should have opened his mouth about Obama on October 4, telling most musicians are "not worthy" of a political discussion.

TMZ spoke with HW3 - and punk rock-meets-country singer - who tells us, "The only person out there worthy of mixing political views and music is Jello Biafra."

FYI - Jello Biafra is the original lead singer of the legendary punk rock band Dead Kennedys... who is now a big shot political figure in the Green Party.

As previously reported, Hank's dad's famous "Are You Ready For Some Football" jam was yanked from Monday Night Football October 4 night... after HW2 went on Fox News and proclaimed that President Obama and Joe Biden are "the enemy".

When we asked HW3 about his political views, he told us, "I'm a musician... not a politician."

Thanks for the report to TMZ.com.

Comments

[jjbarnes]

Good. I disagree that Jello Blafra is the only one worthy, but good for HWIII for understanding the divide

[CameronElektra]

U2 also need a lesson in this.

[Eirien]

HW3 needs a lesson in free speech. Anyone can talk politics if they want. It's just that most people are usually wrong and their views aren't going to change anything anyway.

[Jesus_Dean]

Just because someone is an actor, musician or any other kind of artist doesn't exempt them from having political views. But as a celebrity you have to be doubly careful because more people hear your words and are possibly influenced, form their own opinions on what you say.

I personally keep my opinions to myself because politics have become so convuluted that you no longer know what's right and wrong.

[Jesus_Dean]

Ahem! *convoluted*

[BigMikeBDD]

getts182 wrote:

Trent Armitage wrote:

or maybe he shouldn't speak the truth of Obama.


If you honestly believe that, like HW2 said, Obama is comparable to Hitler, I'd suggest reading a history book or ten.

So maybe it's a little exaggerated. But if you still support the man, I suggest you open your eyes and clean your ears because you're not paying attention.

[getts182]

BigMikeBDD wrote:

getts182 wrote:

Trent Armitage wrote:

or maybe he shouldn't speak the truth of Obama.


If you honestly believe that, like HW2 said, Obama is comparable to Hitler, I'd suggest reading a history book or ten.

So maybe it's a little exaggerated. But if you still support the man, I suggest you open your eyes and clean your ears because you're not paying attention.

That's the problem; it's not "a little exaggerated" to compare the man responsible for the deaths of six million Jews and countless others to the President of the United States because you disagree with his policies. It's a lot exaggerated, at best. You may not agree with the President on many things, or any thing -- I'm not entirely happy with his performance, and wish a lot of things played out differently during his term -- but to compare him to Hitler is stupid, no matter how you cut it.

[Pagan_Poetry]

^ exactly. Bad performance does not equate to tyrant. You may not like either, but it's like comparing spraining your ankle to getting killed. Obama is not Hitler. He is not good, but he is not Hitler. Grow up people.

[kLeft]

Bringing up the topic of politics (in any form), is asking for riff-raff backlash from anyone... along with the topics of religion, or the ethics of cannibalism.
It will always become a heated debate, especially if you are famous, people will judge you for it no matter what you say.
Also, along with Jello I would agree RATM are amongst the only ones who should express political views through music.

[BigMikeBDD]

kLeft wrote:

Bringing up the topic of politics (in any form), is asking for riff-raff backlash from anyone... along with the topics of religion, or the ethics of cannibalism.
It will always become a heated debate, especially if you are famous, people will judge you for it no matter what you say.
Also, along with Jello I would agree RATM are amongst the only ones who should express political views through music.

I'm pretty sure we would all agree that cannibalism is wrong. Just sayin. And RATM shouldn't talk politics either. They sound more ridiculous than a Mel Gibson racist rant.

[omgbadman]

Wouldn't want people testing that whole "freedom of speech" legend.
Obama's not Hitler, he's just useless and most of the real reason he ran and got elected was to set a record as the first black president. Anyone can talk politics and everyone is right because it's all just a big show anyway.

[kLeft]

BigMikeBDD wrote:

kLeft wrote:

Bringing up the topic of politics (in any form), is asking for riff-raff backlash from anyone... along with the topics of religion, or the ethics of cannibalism.
It will always become a heated debate, especially if you are famous, people will judge you for it no matter what you say.
Also, along with Jello I would agree RATM are amongst the only ones who should express political views through music.

I'm pretty sure we would all agree that cannibalism is wrong. Just sayin. And RATM shouldn't talk politics either. They sound more ridiculous than a Mel Gibson racist rant.

You might think it's wrong but there ARE people on this planet who enjoy a fine butt-cheek cuisine in this world.. same can be said about any political party you can think of. Which is my point.
Are you calling RATM anti-semites? Because that would make you would be very wrong my friend. They bring into light what others don't want you to even take into consideration... but again this can just coincide with my previous point that not everybody is going to dig what you're saying when it comes to an extreme opinion.

[kLeft]

"Because that would make you would be very wrong my friend" just as wrong as this sentence that I can't edit out. lol.

[The_Seventh_Sin]

Seeing Hank 3 on the news feed here makes me so happy.

[indyrock91]

Anyone else think what Jr. said was funny?

[OldCouch]

He doesn't think Bob Dylan is worthy of mixing political views and music? Well, alrighty then.

[jrodgers]

I am SOOO sick of musicians using their fame as platform to preach their ignorant political beliefs. Just because you can sing or play a guitar doesn't mean you have more insight than the presidential cabinet or joint chiefs of staff. I am so glad someone finally stepped out and acknowledged this, but never thought it would come from the leader of a band called Assjack.....

[TheBDanAbstract]

Apparently Hank III has never heard of Immortal Technique.

[saint_berzerker]

As a HUMAN f*cking being, Hank can say any damn thing he wants about anybody. So can anybody else.

[TheSilverBeatle]

I don't think anyone one of the Williams except the original should play music. Hank Williams was an original and a legend, his son and grandson are just typical shit country music.

As far not mixing music and politics I think that's true if were talking about musician's talking about politics but if musicians want to put their political views in their songs that's their right, songs are a piece of the person writing them and if that person has strong political views it's only natural that they will come out in their works.

[Sign of War]

"The only person out there worthy of mixing political views and music is Jello Biafra."

...Dave Mustaine!

[BigMikeBDD]

kLeft wrote:

BigMikeBDD wrote:

kLeft wrote:

Bringing up the topic of politics (in any form), is asking for riff-raff backlash from anyone... along with the topics of religion, or the ethics of cannibalism.
It will always become a heated debate, especially if you are famous, people will judge you for it no matter what you say.
Also, along with Jello I would agree RATM are amongst the only ones who should express political views through music.

I'm pretty sure we would all agree that cannibalism is wrong. Just sayin. And RATM shouldn't talk politics either. They sound more ridiculous than a Mel Gibson racist rant.

You might think it's wrong but there ARE people on this planet who enjoy a fine butt-cheek cuisine in this world.. same can be said about any political party you can think of. Which is my point.
Are you calling RATM anti-semites? Because that would make you would be very wrong my friend. They bring into light what others don't want you to even take into consideration... but again this can just coincide with my previous point that not everybody is going to dig what you're saying when it comes to an extreme opinion.

They are not so much anti-semites as much as I would call them anti-American. I'm a hater...I personally feel the music is garbage to begin with. They add a little whining and anti-American politics...boom. Makes for a perfect political crybaby.

[dankhus]

The only person out there worthy of mixing political views and music is Jello Biafra.

'

Almost, yes. The man made sense, kudos to him.

[shwilly]

Jon Stewart did a great bit on this

Wasn't even necessarily about Williams, but about the people who are all upset about this -> if you knew the guy you'd know he's more Ted Nugent than Ted Nugent himself in terms of lifestyle and attitude. It's no surprise guys like him feel talk with such anger when referring to liberals > it's the Lee Atwater legacy

What DOES anger me is the constant stream of incendiary rhetoric and downright lies these people are fed by conservatives who are rich, powerful, and/or smart enough to manipulate this crowd. Take that NRA president for instance ->

Dunno if you guys followed that, but the man basically started a campaign of fear back in 2008, insinuating that Obama was gonna take everyone's guns (the result obviously being a massive rise in rifle sales, lol). Now both you and I know this was never gonna be the case: Obama never ran with this idea -knowing it would leave him very vulnerable to attacks by conservatives- and he never passed any anti-rifle legislation (trust me, if he had Fox News would've milked that cow for AT LEAST an entire year). In fact, the few laws that were passed were actually laws the NRA had PUSHED FOR -> basically Obama made it easier to carry guns in a few cases, like in trains or something. And yet this d*llhole (his name's Wayne LaPierre) has spun that story into another massive liberal conspiracy, the main idea being that he's attempting to "lull gun owners to sleep" and THEN take away their guns

See the problem here? By manipulating your followers into this way of thinking thinking you're creating an environment where people are no longer judged by what they say or do but only by their background. I'm not saying pro-tea partyism (or whatever you call it) is the new southern racism, but the underlying mechanism is at times eerily similar...

[stndrdprcdre]

Jello Biafra is totally bat**** crazy and should not be listened to by anybody. The guy is an anarchist. By his logic, we should all be living in caves, hunting for our food.

[Trent Armitage]

Trent Armitage wrote:

or maybe he shouldn't speak the truth of Obama.

In my defense, he is comparable to Hitler! Hitler took away the guns from the jews, Obama wants to take the guns away from the people.

[ColdbringeR]

Telling musicians to not express their views (political or otherwise) is more ignorant than most of the views they express in the first place.

[Pagan_Poetry]

Trent Armitage wrote:

Trent Armitage wrote:

or maybe he shouldn't speak the truth of Obama.

In my defense, he is comparable to Hitler! Hitler took away the guns from the jews, Obama wants to take the guns away from the people.

... Good God.
That's all I have to say.

[Trent Armitage]

Ghost_Dancer wrote:

Trent Armitage wrote:

Trent Armitage wrote:

or maybe he shouldn't speak the truth of Obama.


In my defense, he is comparable to Hitler! Hitler took away the guns from the jews, Obama wants to take the guns away from the people.

....you should just go away.

I'll take obama with me than.

[kLeft]

BigMikeBDD wrote:
They are not so much anti-semites as much as I would call them anti-American. I'm a hater...I personally feel the music is garbage to begin with. They add a little whining and anti-American politics...boom. Makes for a perfect political crybaby.

Still, incomparable with a babbling Mel Gibson rant.
I wouldn't call them anti-America (as they all live in the country) as much as they are anti-capitalism, anti-corruption, anti-bullshit being the American system.
I hate getting off topic but this is an objective fact whether you perceive it or not.

[Trent Armitage]

Pagan_Poetry wrote:

Trent Armitage wrote:

... Good God.
That's all I have to say.

Too bad Obama doesn't believe in god either

I'm an atheist. It's just a saying because I'm not allowed to say Holy F*ckin' Sh*t on here. Your comment is still really senseless. Plus who cares if he does or doesn't? Why must religion coincide with politics?

If your an atheist, why did you say good god than? You brought up religion, remember that

[BigMikeBDD]

kLeft wrote:

BigMikeBDD wrote:
They are not so much anti-semites as much as I would call them anti-American. I'm a hater...I personally feel the music is garbage to begin with. They add a little whining and anti-American politics...boom. Makes for a perfect political crybaby.

Still, incomparable with a babbling Mel Gibson rant.
I wouldn't call them anti-America (as they all live in the country) as much as they are anti-capitalism, anti-corruption, anti-bullshit being the American system.
I hate getting off topic but this is an objective fact whether you perceive it or not.

One can still be anti-American and live in the country. They are anti-"insert Government issue here". Doesn't make them less whiney or irritating.

[Pagan_Poetry]

Trent Armitage wrote:

Pagan_Poetry wrote:

Trent Armitage wrote:

... Good God.
That's all I have to say.

Too bad Obama doesn't believe in god either

I'm an atheist. It's just a saying because I'm not allowed to say Holy F*ckin' Sh*t on here. Your comment is still really senseless. Plus who cares if he does or doesn't? Why must religion coincide with politics?

If your an atheist, why did you say good god than? You brought up religion, remember that

... I just said why.
Also *you're and *then if we're playing the being picky game

[fede01_8]

what about Zach de la Rocha and Tom Morello?

[Trent Armitage]

Pagan_Poetry wrote:

Trent Armitage wrote:

Pagan_Poetry wrote:

Trent Armitage wrote:

... Good God.
That's all I have to say.

Too bad Obama doesn't believe in god either

I'm an atheist. It's just a saying because I'm not allowed to say Holy F*ckin' Sh*t on here. Your comment is still really senseless. Plus who cares if he does or doesn't? Why must religion coincide with politics?

If your an atheist, why did you say good god than? You brought up religion, remember that

... I just said why.
Also *you're and *then if we're playing the being picky game

Im nto plyaign pciky fi u aer trlol

[BwareDWare94]

Sign of War wrote:

"The only person out there worthy of mixing political views and music is Jello Biafra."
...Dave Mustaine!

Dave Mustaine is as bad as HW2 and Charlie Daniels...

[ne14t]

fede01_8 wrote:

what about Zach de la Rocha and Tom Morello?

I will listen to Tom Morello's political fueled rants any day, infact I am listening to Bulls on Parade as I type this! Because Tom has a BA from Harvard in Social Studies which includes Political Sciences, he knows what he is talking about.

[kLeft]

BigMikeBDD wrote:
One can still be anti-American and live in the country. They are anti-"insert Government issue here". Doesn't make them less whiney or irritating.

I'm sorry but are you okay with your current economic meltdown right now? Do you even realize how badly you and everyone you care about are getting ****ed around by who you call your 'leaders'?
To bring it all back to the main topic, I wouldn't agree with Hank Jr.'s statement that Obama and Biden are our enemies. It would be wrong to single anyone out in particular. It is the entire system that is dysfunctional, which is a very REAL fact. A fact that RATM happened to make a short music career bringing into light for ignorant ****s who only care about short-term pleasures.

[TheSilverBeatle]

kLeft wrote:

[quote]TheSilverBeatle wrote:

I don't think anyone one of the Williams except the original should play music. Hank Williams was an original and a legend, his son and grandson are just typical shit country music.[/quote
Have you even listened to Hank III? I would call you an ignorant jackass if I were to judge you from this statement alone.

No I haven't but I'm guessing he sings exactly like Hank Williams Jr. who sings exactly like , good artists like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Hank Williams don't exist anymore unless you've got some indie country scene going on I don't know about.

Don't get me wrong I like country, I love the slide guitar and the instrumentation, but no other genre has singers that all feel forced to sing in a specific way to play the music, I don't imagine all the people pick up the guitar and sing the way they do in the country songs, it's a forced effort to go for that "country twang," I think rock and roll artists do the country genre way better than any country star today. Wilco does country great so does Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams and many more. I just hate shit like "save a horse ride a cowboy" and "You sure hank done it this way" and "live like you were dying," just all shit music. The worst part is how almost every country singer is a ****ing conservative red neck american flag wearing piece of shit.

I can't remember the exact quote but in Dylan's Rolling Stone interview collection he says he doesn't believe in the Springsteen and Mellencamp style of thinking "america first" he believes in things that are more eternal and everlasting.

[TheSilverBeatle]

"No I haven't but I'm guessing he sings exactly like Hank Williams Jr. who sings exactly like (insert country singer name here)" that's what it was supposed to say.

[dawgzfan66]

Jello Biafra and Krist Novoselic. I watched this and it reminded me of my uncle: loud and doesnt think before he speaks.

[Hail]

TheSilverBeatle wrote:

kLeft wrote:

[quote]TheSilverBeatle wrote:

I don't think anyone one of the Williams except the original should play music. Hank Williams was an original and a legend, his son and grandson are just typical shit country music.[/quote
Have you even listened to Hank III? I would call you an ignorant jackass if I were to judge you from this statement alone.

No I haven't but I'm guessing he sings exactly like Hank Williams Jr. who sings exactly like , good artists like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Hank Williams don't exist anymore unless you've got some indie country scene going on I don't know about.

Don't get me wrong I like country, I love the slide guitar and the instrumentation, but no other genre has singers that all feel forced to sing in a specific way to play the music, I don't imagine all the people pick up the guitar and sing the way they do in the country songs, it's a forced effort to go for that "country twang," I think rock and roll artists do the country genre way better than any country star today. Wilco does country great so does Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams and many more. I just hate shit like "save a horse ride a cowboy" and "You sure hank done it this way" and "live like you were dying," just all shit music. The worst part is how almost every country singer is a ****ing conservative red neck american flag wearing piece of shit.

I can't remember the exact quote but in Dylan's Rolling Stone interview collection he says he doesn't believe in the Springsteen and Mellencamp style of thinking "america first" he believes in things that are more eternal and everlasting.

i really doubt a country singer would call out his father for being a conservative and quote the singer for dead kennedys as an authority, just saying. don't assume on something based on a name.

[Grimriffer]

who? who? what? what?

[BigMikeBDD]

kLeft wrote:

BigMikeBDD wrote:
One can still be anti-American and live in the country. They are anti-"insert Government issue here". Doesn't make them less whiney or irritating.

I'm sorry but are you okay with your current economic meltdown right now? Do you even realize how badly you and everyone you care about are getting ****ed around by who you call your 'leaders'?
To bring it all back to the main topic, I wouldn't agree with Hank Jr.'s statement that Obama and Biden are our enemies. It would be wrong to single anyone out in particular. It is the entire system that is dysfunctional, which is a very REAL fact. A fact that RATM happened to make a short music career bringing into light for ignorant ****s who only care about short-term pleasures.

The problem I have with RATM is the fact that it's only a ridiculous extreme leftist view most of the time. I might not agree that Obama and Biden are our enemies, but let's put it this way, if I was as good at my job as they are, I would have been fired a long time ago. Needless to say, I'm not ok with how things are right now, but RATM hardly has the voice to change things and by the tone and lyrics from what I remember, they haven't the slightest.

[kLeft]

BigMikeBDD wrote:

kLeft wrote:

BigMikeBDD wrote:
One can still be anti-American and live in the country. They are anti-"insert Government issue here". Doesn't make them less whiney or irritating.

I'm sorry but are you okay with your current economic meltdown right now? Do you even realize how badly you and everyone you care about are getting ****ed around by who you call your 'leaders'?
To bring it all back to the main topic, I wouldn't agree with Hank Jr.'s statement that Obama and Biden are our enemies. It would be wrong to single anyone out in particular. It is the entire system that is dysfunctional, which is a very REAL fact. A fact that RATM happened to make a short music career bringing into light for ignorant ****s who only care about short-term pleasures.

The problem I have with RATM is the fact that it's only a ridiculous extreme leftist view most of the time. I might not agree that Obama and Biden are our enemies, but let's put it this way, if I was as good at my job as they are, I would have been fired a long time ago. Needless to say, I'm not ok with how things are right now, but RATM hardly has the voice to change things and by the tone and lyrics from what I remember, they haven't the slightest.

You have completely missed my point, congratulations.
Another fact: RATM are multi-platinum awarded-songwriters. People are listening. They have changed the lives of a LOT of people (including myself) to question the bullshit being fed to the masses on a daily basis by your authoritative leaders.
They may not have physically revolutionized the System, but they have seriously influenced a lot of people into speaking up when their fundamental human rights are being violated on a regular basis.
(For example, the entire "99%" movement happening right now in all major American cities)

[Vinson]

Funny thing is that government here (USA) are supposed to be Of the PEOPLE by the PEOPLE and for the PEOPLE....Is HWjr NOT one of the people?

It's obvious that HW3 is a big lefty, he just HATES that his dad is conservative.

[Raijouta]

I think more musicians should give their political views, and as an Obama supporter, I really don't see what's so wrong with what HWJ said. He should have said that it's like Napoleon playing golf with the British, perhaps, or even better, he could have said it's like Mahmoud Abbas playing golf with Netanyahu.

His point wasn't that Obama is Hitler, his point was that Dems and Republicans are enemies right now. Which is a pretty sad state to be in.

[CoB_HaTeCrEw_67]

Vinson wrote:

Funny thing is that government here (USA) are supposed to be Of the PEOPLE by the PEOPLE and for the PEOPLE....Is HWjr NOT one of the people?

It's obvious that HW3 is a big lefty, he just HATES that his dad is conservative.

+1

[CoB_HaTeCrEw_67]

It looks Like HW3rd's daddy didn't teach him well enough.

[Enix165]

Kudos to you, HWIII. I'm quite sick of political bands, to be honest, most of them just hate on the government for the hell of it; if they're all such horrible people and you're not, why aren't you running in the elections? Yes, people screw up, but the government isn't a sadistic foundation dedicated to antagonizing its own citizens.

[samhell]

BigMikeBDD wrote:
The problem I have with RATM is the fact that it's only a ridiculous extreme leftist view most of the time. I might not agree that Obama and Biden are our enemies, but let's put it this way, if I was as good at my job as they are, I would have been fired a long time ago. Needless to say, I'm not ok with how things are right now, but RATM hardly has the voice to change things and by the tone and lyrics from what I remember, they haven't the slightest.

The problem with RATM is that they are a bunch of hypocrites. My friends went to school with some of them in white upper class Irvine. They rail against a system while collecting all the benefits of that same system. You can't take them seriously.

[getts182]

Trent Armitage wrote:

Trent Armitage wrote:

or maybe he shouldn't speak the truth of Obama.

In my defense, he is comparable to Hitler! Hitler took away the guns from the jews, Obama wants to take the guns away from the people.

I'm starting to think Trent is just trolling.

Ugh. If you actually paid attention, you'd see that Obama has actually loosened gun restrictions during the course of his term. You can actually take guns into nation parks now, under law signed by President Obama.

Last time I checked, Hitler didn't give the Jews better access to guns, and then take them back.

I swear, (at least) half the hatred directed towards Obama is blind ignorance.

[snaaake]

Eirien wrote:

HW3 needs a lesson in free speech. Anyone can talk politics if they want. It's just that most people are usually wrong and their views aren't going to change anything anyway.

He never said his dad shouldn't be allowed to talk about politics, just that he shouldn't. Considering that, I don't see what your point is.

[BigMikeBDD]

kLeft wrote:

BigMikeBDD wrote:

kLeft wrote:

BigMikeBDD wrote:
One can still be anti-American and live in the country. They are anti-"insert Government issue here". Doesn't make them less whiney or irritating.

I'm sorry but are you okay with your current economic meltdown right now? Do you even realize how badly you and everyone you care about are getting ****ed around by who you call your 'leaders'?
To bring it all back to the main topic, I wouldn't agree with Hank Jr.'s statement that Obama and Biden are our enemies. It would be wrong to single anyone out in particular. It is the entire system that is dysfunctional, which is a very REAL fact. A fact that RATM happened to make a short music career bringing into light for ignorant ****s who only care about short-term pleasures.

The problem I have with RATM is the fact that it's only a ridiculous extreme leftist view most of the time. I might not agree that Obama and Biden are our enemies, but let's put it this way, if I was as good at my job as they are, I would have been fired a long time ago. Needless to say, I'm not ok with how things are right now, but RATM hardly has the voice to change things and by the tone and lyrics from what I remember, they haven't the slightest.

You have completely missed my point, congratulations.
Another fact: RATM are multi-platinum awarded-songwriters. People are listening. They have changed the lives of a LOT of people (including myself) to question the bullshit being fed to the masses on a daily basis by your authoritative leaders.
They may not have physically revolutionized the System, but they have seriously influenced a lot of people into speaking up when their fundamental human rights are being violated on a regular basis.
(For example, the entire "99%" movement happening right now in all major American cities)

You're one of "those". I get it.

[kLeft]

BigMikeBDD wrote:
You're one of "those". I get it.

What the hell is that supposed to even mean? "Those" meaning someone who is able to think for themselves? You don't even know what you're arguing against here anymore, do you? (Besides trying to discredit my opinion just because I disagree with you, that's cool.)

[Mack56]

I for one believe that HankIII has the right to say "Dad, you're too drunk. Shut up."

[Shinsen88]

$#%#@$ yeah, Jello Biafra. To be fair, no, he shouldn't have said that about Obama. But everyone is really overreacting. If he had said that about Bush noone would have cared.

[Savage Animal]

why the hell is this front page news when we lost Bert Jansch today? I thought this was a guitar site? He was one of the best, RIP Bert

[SmittyMan90]

People are too uptight, true what he said was most inappropriate, but move on, he said what he said so live with it.

[Trent Armitage]

getts182 wrote:

Trent Armitage wrote:

Trent Armitage wrote:

or maybe he shouldn't speak the truth of Obama.

In my defense, he is comparable to Hitler! Hitler took away the guns from the jews, Obama wants to take the guns away from the people.

I'm starting to think Trent is just trolling.

Ugh. If you actually paid attention, you'd see that Obama has actually loosened gun restrictions during the course of his term. You can actually take guns into nation parks now, under law signed by President Obama.

Last time I checked, Hitler didn't give the Jews better access to guns, and then take them back.

I swear, (at least) half the hatred directed towards Obama is blind ignorance.

Oh, and you calling me a troll is not blind ignorance, I think your the troll, because your trolling on my comment.

Obama surely is trying to tax gun prices and registration.

Blow yourself away on that fact, troll.

[Trent Armitage]

Shinsen88 wrote:

$#%#@$ yeah, Jello Biafra. To be fair, no, he shouldn't have said that about Obama. But everyone is really overreacting. If he had said that about Bush noone would have cared.

No kidding right, its like how Dixie Chicks said shit about bush

[getts182]

Trent Armitage wrote:

Oh, and you calling me a troll is not blind ignorance, I think your the troll, because your trolling on my comment.

Troll: 6. slang ( intr ) computing to post deliberately inflammatory articles on an internet discussion board

Trent Armitage wrote:

Too bad Obama doesn't believe in god either

Considering the deliberately inflammatory nature of that comment, I think it's an earned label.

Trent Armitage wrote:

Obama surely is trying to tax gun prices and registration.

Taxing gun prices and registration is a completely different thing than "taking people's guns away." I don't know if it's true, but it voids the already erroneous Hitler comparison because it's not even remotely like taking away people's Second Amendment rights.

[iup788]

HW3, Nice.

[BigMikeBDD]

kLeft wrote:

BigMikeBDD wrote:
You're one of "those". I get it.

What the hell is that supposed to even mean? "Those" meaning someone who is able to think for themselves? You don't even know what you're arguing against here anymore, do you? (Besides trying to discredit my opinion just because I disagree with you, that's cool.)

Nope, there comes a point when you realize what you're up against. Like trying to run a mile race in the Special Olympics when it hits you where you are.

[BigMikeBDD]

BigMikeBDD wrote:

kLeft wrote:

BigMikeBDD wrote:
You're one of "those". I get it.

What the hell is that supposed to even mean? "Those" meaning someone who is able to think for themselves? You don't even know what you're arguing against here anymore, do you? (Besides trying to discredit my opinion just because I disagree with you, that's cool.)


Nope, there comes a point when you realize what you're up against. Like trying to run a mile race in the Special Olympics when it hits you where you are.

Besides...if you're saying RATM has changed your life, my guess is you're 16 or watch too much tv. When you get out from your parents nest egg, then let me know what you believe in.

[metalmaniac90]

Hank III is the shit thats all.

[BenAffleck]

You know, when he said musicians shouldn't talk politics... that includes the UG community. Even though most of them are hardly musicians.

[getts182]

BenAffleck wrote:

You know, when he said musicians shouldn't talk politics... that includes the UG community. Even though most of them are hardly musicians.

Hahahahahaha! Even though I play guitar and my degree is political science, that's funny!

[kLeft]

BigMikeBDD wrote:
Nope, there comes a point when you realize what you're up against. Like trying to run a mile race in the Special Olympics when it hits you where you are.

Besides...if you're saying RATM has changed your life, my guess is you're 16 or watch too much tv. When you get out from your parents nest egg, then let me know what you believe in.

You don't know shit about me so stop pretending like you do.
But yeah man whatever suits you, if staying up on that high horse makes you feel the most comfortable I will leave ya to it. I don't know what purpose there is attacking my subjective character has anything to do with objective fact, but whatever. Just wish I was arguing with someone who actually knew how back up their previous statements. G'day sir.

[mschup27]

Trent Armitage wrote:

Pagan_Poetry wrote:

Trent Armitage wrote:

well that's just troll calling the troll a troll

Pagan_Poetry wrote:

Trent Armitage wrote:

... Good God.
That's all I have to say.

Too bad Obama doesn't believe in god either

I'm an atheist. It's just a saying because I'm not allowed to say Holy F*ckin' Sh*t on here. Your comment is still really senseless. Plus who cares if he does or doesn't? Why must religion coincide with politics?

If your an atheist, why did you say good god than? You brought up religion, remember that

... I just said why.
Also *you're and *then if we're playing the being picky game

Im nto plyaign pciky fi u aer trlol

[mschup27]

^I'm not sure what happened there, just to clear things im the one that posted thats just a troll calling the troll a troll, while trying to quote the troll's comment

[BigMikeBDD]

kLeft wrote:

BigMikeBDD wrote:
Nope, there comes a point when you realize what you're up against. Like trying to run a mile race in the Special Olympics when it hits you where you are.

Besides...if you're saying RATM has changed your life, my guess is you're 16 or watch too much tv. When you get out from your parents nest egg, then let me know what you believe in.

You don't know shit about me so stop pretending like you do.
But yeah man whatever suits you, if staying up on that high horse makes you feel the most comfortable I will leave ya to it. I don't know what purpose there is attacking my subjective character has anything to do with objective fact, but whatever. Just wish I was arguing with someone who actually knew how back up their previous statements. G'day sir.

As I said. Have a good one.

[aig91]

Checked

[NeutralFan]

omgbadman wrote:

Anyone can talk politics and everyone is right because it's all just a big show anyway.

Someone's been playing too much MGS2...

[rechris06]

BigMikeBDD wrote:

BigMikeBDD wrote:

kLeft wrote:

BigMikeBDD wrote:
You're one of "those". I get it.

What the hell is that supposed to even mean? "Those" meaning someone who is able to think for themselves? You don't even know what you're arguing against here anymore, do you? (Besides trying to discredit my opinion just because I disagree with you, that's cool.)


Nope, there comes a point when you realize what you're up against. Like trying to run a mile race in the Special Olympics when it hits you where you are.

Besides...if you're saying RATM has changed your life, my guess is you're 16 or watch too much tv. When you get out from your parents nest egg, then let me know what you believe in.

That is almost more ignorant than that person on here who said Obama is like Hitler. You probably don't even have a clue about politics anyway. Lol

[rechris06]

BigMikeBDD wrote:

kLeft wrote:

BigMikeBDD wrote:
One can still be anti-American and live in the country. They are anti-"insert Government issue here". Doesn't make them less whiney or irritating.

I'm sorry but are you okay with your current economic meltdown right now? Do you even realize how badly you and everyone you care about are getting ****ed around by who you call your 'leaders'?
To bring it all back to the main topic, I wouldn't agree with Hank Jr.'s statement that Obama and Biden are our enemies. It would be wrong to single anyone out in particular. It is the entire system that is dysfunctional, which is a very REAL fact. A fact that RATM happened to make a short music career bringing into light for ignorant ****s who only care about short-term pleasures.

The problem I have with RATM is the fact that it's only a ridiculous extreme leftist view most of the time. I might not agree that Obama and Biden are our enemies, but let's put it this way, if I was as good at my job as they are, I would have been fired a long time ago. Needless to say, I'm not ok with how things are right now, but RATM hardly has the voice to change things and by the tone and lyrics from what I remember, they haven't the slightest.

And the cool thing about music, you DON'T have to listen to it. O.O

[vanillasky]

I just love this guy more and more. I was wondering how he would react to this incident.

[BigMikeBDD]

rechris06 wrote:

BigMikeBDD wrote:

BigMikeBDD wrote:

kLeft wrote:

BigMikeBDD wrote:
You're one of "those". I get it.

What the hell is that supposed to even mean? "Those" meaning someone who is able to think for themselves? You don't even know what you're arguing against here anymore, do you? (Besides trying to discredit my opinion just because I disagree with you, that's cool.)


Nope, there comes a point when you realize what you're up against. Like trying to run a mile race in the Special Olympics when it hits you where you are.

Besides...if you're saying RATM has changed your life, my guess is you're 16 or watch too much tv. When you get out from your parents nest egg, then let me know what you believe in.


That is almost more ignorant than that person on here who said Obama is like Hitler. You probably don't even have a clue about politics anyway. Lol

Yep, you got me big guy. Stay gangsta keyboard assasin.

[hanselrocks1]

everything goes better with Jello!

[GenerationKILL]

Actually, musicians ARE worthy of a political opinion if they're socially conscious and NOT ignorant about it. Some examples of this are: 60s Bob Dylan, The Dropkick Murphys (yes, they are politically inclined to unions and the working man...) and even Talib Kweli and Rage Against the Machine.

However! Most country musicians should just keep their Right wing mouths shut since nobody wants to hear their ignorant opinions anyway. You lose credibility right away for being a country musician and having an opinion on politics. Wanna know why? because country music has such a rich heritage of social acceptance and toleration for other cultures***

***SARCASM! OFF THE CHARTS!

[robquest]

If linkin park can do it, anyone can!!

*runs away from trolls*

[jhart08]

Eirien wrote:

HW3 needs a lesson in free speech. Anyone can talk politics if they want. It's just that most people are usually wrong and their views aren't going to change anything anyway.

the point is shut up and sing

[sFsKroniK]

If u can't think of a better name than hank let alone for like a third time you.prob shouldn't talk about politics

[Iliekgitaz]

I'd like to see morriseys thoughts -flame shield up-

[JordanDH]

Eirien wrote:

HW3 needs a lesson in free speech. Anyone can talk politics if they want. It's just that most people are usually wrong and their views aren't going to change anything anyway.

HWIII said that his dad shouldn't talk politics, not that he shouldn't be allowed to. Just like I think WBP shouldn't spew retarded homophobia, but they should be allowed to. I think maybe you need the lesson in freedom of speech. Your complaint about HWIII's comment do the exact same thing as HWIII's comment. Disapprove of someone's views. That's all.

[jacobdubya]

It gets annoying seeing people compare every US president to Hitler. Every ignorant, paranoid high school/college student who thinks they have an informed opinion on politics because they saw some conspiracy theory-fueled documentary calls every president "Hitler." You know what the difference is between Hitler and every US since God knows when is? HITLER GOT SHIT DONE. And I don't mean that speaking positively about the man, he was plain evil. But I wish people would just leave his name be and stopping throwing it around so flippantly.

And as far as musicians speaking out on politics, I don't care. Their opinion doesn't change my opinion one way or the other, even if it's a musician I like. They can speak out no matter how ignorant their view is, they just better be ready for the shit storm they're igniting.

[abbydaddy03]

HW Jr is an idiot for saying such a thing. Most people watching the F Word news have no clue about the Nazi's or Hitler. The dumbing down of America continues.

[y1p33y0]

As an American we should all have the right to speak our minds about politics.

[Masterofpirates]

You're apparently encouraged to bitch about politics all you want, as long as you're not conservative. I honestly find RATM's political stuff just as annoying as the country crap, and teenagers will agree with whatever stupid shit they say as long as it's far left and edgy.

[MoFly41]

CameronElektra wrote:

U2 also need a lesson in this.

U2 hasn't made an outward political statement in their music since 1989. You're a few decades late.

[Anjohl]

"Hank William Jr's Son" Really? His name is Shelton Hank Williams III, or Hank Williams III.

Also, I agree, actors and musicians do not deserve special accommodations or a forum to talk politics, if they want to do it in private or at work like other people do, so be it. Being in The Santa Clause 2, or writing a theme song for Monday Night Football does not qualify you to be a political analyst.

[tonello]

MoFly41 wrote:

CameronElektra wrote:

U2 also need a lesson in this.

U2 hasn't made an outward political statement in their music since 1989. You're a few decades late.

You're kidding right? U2 is the worst for spewing out their political garbage.

[wasamuel]

musicians should express feelings not opinions. if there is overlap then so be it, but i dont think political issues should not be directly discussed as music just gets cheapened into propoganda.

[wasamuel]

wasamuel wrote:

musicians should express feelings not opinions. if there is overlap then so be it, but i (dont - ignore this word) think political issues should not be directly discussed as music just gets cheapened into propoganda.

[Battman1993]

News flash: Obama isn't trying to take your guns away, he believes in (a) God, and he is actually trying to fix the shit Bush got America in instead of sitting around and bitching about it like 90% of other politicians. Granted I disagree with some of his policies but you should at least do some research before you flex your fingers on the world wide web.

[jetwash69]

In hindsight, I wish we'd spend more time tabbing Hank III/Assjack in GP6 and less time in pointless political tit for tat.

[Platt3]

Personally, after hearing Mos Def try to debate with someone on nuclear weapons and Lupe Fiasco calling Obama a terrorists, I tend to agree with Hank Williams III.

omgbadman wrote:

Wouldn't want people testing that whole "freedom of speech" legend.
Obama's not Hitler, he's just useless and most of the real reason he ran and got elected was to set a record as the first black president. Anyone can talk politics and everyone is right because it's all just a big show anyway.

This has nothing to do with freedom of speech. Of course he can talk about that, but that doesn't mean he should. I could go out in public and call black people n*****, but that doesn't mean I should.

kLeft wrote:

Bringing up the topic of politics (in any form), is asking for riff-raff backlash from anyone... along with the topics of religion, or the ethics of cannibalism.
It will always become a heated debate, especially if you are famous, people will judge you for it no matter what you say.
Also, along with Jello I would agree RATM are amongst the only ones who should express political views through music.

Also, I'm totally cool with Cannibalism.

[Tatersalad1080]

AsOneIStand wrote:

What's the big deal? The Holocaust was a hoax!

i know right?

[metalhed0294]

Musicians' political opinions are just as valid as anyone else's, and everyone has the right to talk about them, regardless of your job. Except for politicians. 99% of politicians are corrupt and don't have valid political views.

[p_a_morgan]

TheBDanAbstract wrote:

Apparently Hank III has never heard of Immortal Technique.

THIS!

There are tons of musicians/bands that express social and political views IN their songs. That's no different than speaking out on television. There's nothing wrong with what Hank Jr said. I don't agree, nor do I have to agree and no one else is obligated to agree with him, but he has every right to question the government or anyone other leaders for that matter.

It would be different if he went on Faux News and said "Barack is a bleeping bleep bleep bleep and I hate his guts."

We have liberties in this country and, for reasons such as Hank Jr's case, people feel as though they will be punished for expressing their beliefs. This is supposed to be a free country, but it's becoming less and less with each day.

If I want to get on TV and say that I do like what the President is doing, I am allowed to, according to the U.S. Constitution.

I like Hank III, but he is wrong about this. His father may have spoken out of turn or whatever, but he should be able to say what he wants without getting bashed and fired for it.

[jetwash69]

p_a_morgan wrote:
TheBDanAbstract wrote:
...There are tons of musicians/bands that express social and political views IN their songs. That's no different than speaking out on television. There's nothing wrong with what Hank Jr said. I don't agree, nor do I have to agree and no one else is obligated to agree with him, but he has every right to question the government or anyone other leaders for that matter.

It would be different if he went on Faux News and said "Barack is a bleeping bleep bleep bleep and I hate his guts."

We have liberties in this country and, for reasons such as Hank Jr's case, people feel as though they will be punished for expressing their beliefs. This is supposed to be a free country, but it's becoming less and less with each day.

If I want to get on TV and say that I do like what the President is doing, I am allowed to, according to the U.S. Constitution.

I like Hank III, but he is wrong about this. His father may have spoken out of turn or whatever, but he should be able to say what he wants without getting bashed and fired for it.

And the NFL has the right to express themselves too. In a free country, a corporation doesn't have to keep paying someone to represent them when they misrepresent them carelessly.

Jr sold out to the NFL, but then didn't live up to his end of the deal.

Part of what "Qualifies" some people to talk politics is having a PR team to pre-screen what you say. If Jr ran that analogy by the NFL PR guys and they blessed it, or if they came up with it, then he might have a legitimate complaint. If he does have his own PR guys and they blessed the line, then he's got good cause to fire them too.

Bottom line; in a free country, by default you need to consider the natural consequences of what you say and how you say it, and then you're going to live with the consequences. As long as the NFL fired him as their own business decision (and not under pressure from government employees) then our Constitution is fully intact.

Just because you jump off a bridge in a free country doesn't mean that you're not going to splat on impact with the ground below.

[jetwash69]

^^^I'm not trying to defend Hank III's logic here--or represent it; I'm sure my thoughts on what "Qualifies" some to discuss politics is notw what III meant by "worthy of mixing political views and music".

[p_a_morgan]

jetwash69 wrote:

p_a_morgan wrote:
TheBDanAbstract wrote:
...There are tons of musicians/bands that express social and political views IN their songs. That's no different than speaking out on television. There's nothing wrong with what Hank Jr said. I don't agree, nor do I have to agree and no one else is obligated to agree with him, but he has every right to question the government or anyone other leaders for that matter.

It would be different if he went on Faux News and said "Barack is a bleeping bleep bleep bleep and I hate his guts."

We have liberties in this country and, for reasons such as Hank Jr's case, people feel as though they will be punished for expressing their beliefs. This is supposed to be a free country, but it's becoming less and less with each day.

If I want to get on TV and say that I do like what the President is doing, I am allowed to, according to the U.S. Constitution.

I like Hank III, but he is wrong about this. His father may have spoken out of turn or whatever, but he should be able to say what he wants without getting bashed and fired for it.

And the NFL has the right to express themselves too. In a free country, a corporation doesn't have to keep paying someone to represent them when they misrepresent them carelessly.

Jr sold out to the NFL, but then didn't live up to his end of the deal.

Part of what "Qualifies" some people to talk politics is having a PR team to pre-screen what you say. If Jr ran that analogy by the NFL PR guys and they blessed it, or if they came up with it, then he might have a legitimate complaint. If he does have his own PR guys and they blessed the line, then he's got good cause to fire them too.

Bottom line; in a free country, by default you need to consider the natural consequences of what you say and how you say it, and then you're going to live with the consequences. As long as the NFL fired him as their own business decision (and not under pressure from government employees) then our Constitution is fully intact.

Just because you jump off a bridge in a free country doesn't mean that you're not going to splat on impact with the ground below.

Yeah. You're right.

If his contract, or whatever, with Monday Night Football had warned him against speaking out on an issue like that, then, sure, they have every right to cut all ties with him for his loose lips. All I was saying is that the idea that 'musicians shouldn't express their political views' is unfair.

[Rbastid]

What Hank said was pretty dumb, granted he wasn't comparing Obama to Hitler, he was comparing the situation of two opposites meeting and trying to work out a deal far beyond the two of them, he just picked the stupidest person to use in his analogy.

Theres a huge problem though where every musician comes out against Bush, supporting groups like Move On and being as political as they want, but the second someone does it on the right there is OUTRAGE, both in music and hollywood.

HW3 seems kinda like a moron, why doesn't his father have the right to talk about politics? He's about as qualified as half the people in politics. Everyone has the right to say what they want and we can judge them as consumers, as ESPN did as an employer, but lets stop acting like this is the first time a celebrity has said something politically shocking, in the scheme he's done less than many who have directly compared Bush to Hitler.

[Hansman]

I think, that also politicians are men, and so they have political interests (or maybe not), but it`s quiet questionable if they should use their status to spread messages... btw: a lot of them did: ted nugent, john morello, bono vox, eric clapton etc
but i think the problem is people, who lift the musicians up to idols and stop to mind their own business and think for themselves...

[jetwash69]

[quote...Yeah. You're right.

If his contract, or whatever, with Monday Night Football had warned him against speaking out on an issue like that, then, sure, they have every right to cut all ties with him for his loose lips. All I was saying is that the idea that 'musicians shouldn't express their political views' is unfair. [/quote]

It doesn't look like either of us know what's in his actual contract. Most contracts like this have an escape clause to handle stuff like this. If NFL violated their contract with Jr, then they may have to face the consequences in court. I don't see that happening. But if it does, they'd have to lose hundreds of $ millions to make their response a bad business decision.

Regardless of the contract, if you're going to speak on national media, you should have a strategy and ensure you don't alienate your sponsors/employers/clients unless you're prepared to lose them.

Rbastid wrote:

What Hank said was pretty dumb, granted he wasn't comparing Obama to Hitler, he was comparing the situation of two opposites meeting and trying to work out a deal far beyond the two of them, he just picked the stupidest person to use in his analogy.

Theres a huge problem though where every musician comes out against Bush, supporting groups like Move On and being as political as they want, but the second someone does it on the right there is OUTRAGE, both in music and hollywood.

HW3 seems kinda like a moron, why doesn't his father have the right to talk about politics? He's about as qualified as half the people in politics. Everyone has the right to say what they want and we can judge them as consumers, as ESPN did as an employer, but lets stop acting like this is the first time a celebrity has said something politically shocking, in the scheme he's done less than many who have directly compared Bush to Hitler.

Some good points here. But remember III just put out his first 3 records on his own (after being freed from his sentence with Curb/"Bruc" records). Much like the NFL, he can't afford to alienate his fanbase, either.

I haven't really figured out where III stands, since he supports guys like Jescoe White, Jeff Clayton, and even the legacy of G.G. Allin.

When he endorses Biafra's mixing music and politics, that's certainly not an endorsement of the Left. Biafra has been irrelevant musically since leaving the DK and while he's been with the Green Party. Sure, the Green party is left of center. But when he was mixing music and politics in The Dead Kennedys, he didn't have a party affiliation. If anything he was slightly anarchistic, with an emphasis on Anti-Totalitarianism.

Biafra showcased Leftist abuses of authority like the Communist regime in Cambodia and the California/San Francisco Democrats. He compared Democrats like Governer Brown (the first time around) to Hitler. I.e., California Uber Alles..."you'd look good as a drawstring lamp". And by using it with the most negative of Nazi imagery, he was by default codemning both Totatlitarian ends of the political spectrum.

So really Biafra did the same thing Jr did, but he didn't become famous for doing it against a President.

So III isn't saying Jr doesn't have the right to talk politics; he's just saying Jr shouldn't have done it--that it wasn't a good idea. A quick assessment of the results supports III's stance.

As an Independent, I can see how Jr unintentionally swung a lot of votes away from the Republicans in 12--this could be the straw that breaks the camel's back against them.

[CoolaColada]

This is ridiculous. I can't believe how many people are against Obama. It proves that even someone as brilliant as he will take flak just because he is on top. He passed a huge health reform even while America is in the S***hole. There are growing pains, things will get worse before they get better. Bush left him the worst economy ever even after Bush flushed it down the toilet. Let's not forget that Bush became President while America was on top... and yet left Obama with the worst state it has ever been in. Bush has to be laughing right now as he ruined America and yet the black guy (not trying to be racist at all just proving a point) gets the blame. Get your heads out of your asses.

[jetwash69]

BTW, If you want something gutsy in your collection, what could be gutsier than heavy metal played to the cadence of livestock auctioneering. The YouTube live videos don't do it justice; the auction voice doesn't cut through the mix--gotta see it in person, buy the 3 Bar Ranch CD or wait until it gets posted on YouTube with good audio. Recommend the song, "Now There's a Bull"

[badfish2829]

Eirien wrote:

HW3 needs a lesson in free speech. Anyone can talk politics if they want. It's just that most people are usually wrong and their views aren't going to change anything anyway.

"Nobody's right if everybody's wrong."

[DaniArrow]

He's right. Everyone, also musicians, can state their personal views on things. But there's a difference between personal views and telling people what't wrong/right or good/bad.

[Pit_]

LOL The only person is Jello? What about Tom Morello?

[Xeus]

you can talk about what you want, just dont make it preachy

[Pippers]

Tom Morello is also a good choice. He came up to Madison to help protest the dismantling of free market Capitalism.

[Trent Armitage]

getts182 wrote:

Trent Armitage wrote:

Oh, and you calling me a troll is not blind ignorance, I think your the troll, because your trolling on my comment.

Troll: 6. slang ( intr ) computing to post deliberately inflammatory articles on an internet discussion board

Trent Armitage wrote:

Too bad Obama doesn't believe in god either

Considering the deliberately inflammatory nature of that comment, I think it's an earned label.

Trent Armitage wrote:

Obama surely is trying to tax gun prices and registration.

Taxing gun prices and registration is a completely different thing than "taking people's guns away." I don't know if it's true, but it voids the already erroneous Hitler comparison because it's not even remotely like taking away people's Second Amendment rights.

Oh so if I taxed guns 500000%, you wouldn't be able to afford one