Keeping Stories in Context

So, at some point in the last week Hank Williams, Jr. made a reference that compared Obama to Hitler. Regardless of context, it is usually a pretty bad idea to compare any modern politician, particularly in a democratic society, to Hitler. It usually isn't a particularly helpful analogy, and it usually is inflammatory. However, what interests me the most is the response.

ESPN decided to sever ties with Williams and his song that would be a intro for their Monday Night Football program.  Initial reaction from commenters on the news story were mostly lamenting the violation of First Amendment rights. Eventually, self correction occurred, and enough commenters chimed in how the First Amendment only applies to government actions, not the actions between two private entities. It still amazes me that in a country where there is so much rhetoric regarding constitutional rights, Founding Fathers principles, and the like, that there is a consistent, if not pervasive, ignorance about what those rights and principles are. I'm digressing, but I find that sad and unfortunate, because these are important things to know and understand, so we are better citizens and advocates.

Anyway, the conversation of the commenters then devolved into a left-right political argument about how Williams is being unfairly demeaned in a way that someone wouldn't be if the analogy involved a right based politician as opposed to a left based politician.

I think this provides a microcosm of the extremely charged political culture we have right now. What begins as a story about a private employer ending a promotional relationship with an individual person due to bad publicity (and bad PR in the promotion business generally isn't good, contrary to some cliches), ends as a heated and often irrational "discussion" about politics and government.

I am beginning to believe that if we are ever going to make true progress towards creating a better society, a better government, a better culture, we are going to have to the appropriate discussions in the proper context, and stop dragging emotionally and politically charged ideas into every conversation.