Back in December 2008, Little Adolf Hitler Campbell became something of a media sensation in parts of America.  Little Adolf raised one question in many minds: How could someone name their child Adolf Hitler?  Heath Campbell did it!  He thought the name was unique (unfortunately he didn't think the name was uniquely horrible for a child in America.)  He named his child Adolf Hitler with the help of his wife Deborah.  Now people harrass the Campbells for their choice in children's names.

Big surprise, right?

The story gained media buzz because the Campbells couldn't buy a cake at a New Jersey ShopRite which would read "Happy Birthday Adolf Hitler."  Originally, the story never revealed whether they tried to get the ShopRite to make a cake which read "Happy Birthday Adolf Hitler Campbell."  That would be a compromise.  Apparently, a Pennsylvania Wal-Mart had no problems writing "Happy Birthday Adolf Hitler" on a cake though.

The cake was made, but Little Adolf still wound up in the news.  The right of a free press is to be free.  Rightly, in America, there can be no complaint with the story's publication.  At the same time, as well, Americans have the right to name their child whatever they want.  (At the age of majority, the child—as an adult—also has the right to legally change their name.)  It would seem the story is over, but not so fast!

Under mysterious circumstances, New Jersey's Division of Youth and Family Services removed the three Campbell children from the care of Heath and Deborah Campbell.  The state stepped in and took responsibility for the upbringing of three American children.  There's been no reason given for the removal of the children other than to explain the decision "is based on the safety and well being of the child and the risk to that child, and that decision is made in conjunction with the courts and the county family court judge."  This leaves many people to speculate the children were removed simply for the names they were given by Heath and Deborah.  Carrie Stelter with the Star-Ledger feels sorry for the parents.  She wonders what kind of up-bringing Heath and Deborah had which would lead to them naming their children after dead Nazis.

Personally, I don't care what kind of up-bringing they had.  This isn't about the parent's psychological state.  This is about rights in America.  Last time I checked, we all have the right to free speech and everytime you say someone's name you are in fact speaking. 

It seems pretty clear cut in that regard. 

Apparently it's not that clear cut though, because other people want their right to free speech protected as well.  "FOXNews.com consulted forensic psychologist N.G. Berrill, who said naming a child Hitler could be considered child abuse."  Funny thing about "could" is "could" also implies it "could" not be considered child abuse as well.  FoxNews.com has their 'expert' though and that's the final word, right?  Do we just listen to the experts like good little children?  While, "A DYFS spokeswoman said...confidentiality laws prevent the agency from commenting on specific cases."

An American's rights are being trampled with Human Resource-like deflections and legal ambiguity.  The reality of the Campbell's situation is they've apparently had to leave their home because of death threats.  I'm not condoning death threats, but that's something like an appropriate response to naming your child Adolf Hitler.  In all the range of plausible responses to such an act as naming a child Adolf Hitler, taking state control of the child seems far more inappropriate than public ridicule and neighborly threats of violence.  What would you expect to happen if you named your next child Saddam Hussein? 

My expectation is people would be outraged and compelled to do something. 

That's one reason why my children don't share a name with any mass murderers!

Again, I'm not condoning death threats but it doesn't surprise me the Campbells are receiving death threats.  It's not as if just naming their child Adolf Hitler was enough, the Campbells also made a stink when someone refused to write the kid's name on a birthday cake.  Once again the outrage expressed behind a bomb threat is something like an appropriate social response to control this kind of behavior (although bomb threats are far too uptight as well as demonstrating people taking the world way too seriously.  Just because the kid is named Adolf Hitler doesn't mean he'll be responsible for another holocaust.  The best way to correct this type of behavior is to just ignore it!  It's just a name afterall.)

The Campbells are paying their price for their choice in children's names.  However, now it's time for the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services to state their charges against the Campbells or give them their children back.

Free Adolf Hitler Campbell!