Hank Aaron compares Republicans that oppose Obama to KKK

View Comments (15)

• Allen West decided to give a history lesson to Hank Aaron after the baseball legend compared Republicans who oppose Obama to the KKK.

  In an interview with USA Today, the baseball Hall of Famer said,

  "Sure, this country has a black president, but when you look at a black president, President Obama is left with his foot stuck in the mud from all of the Republicans with the way he’s treated. The bigger difference is that back then they had hoods. Now they have neckties and starched shirts."

  Aaron also said that even though we do have an African America President, there is still room for improvement.

  " We have moved in the right direction, and there have been improvements, but we still have a long ways to go in the country."

  Allen West would not have any of it, posting his response Aaron on his website Wednesday:

  Perhaps Mr. Aaron should remember that back then the folks in the hoods were Democrats. Perhaps Mr. Aaron should assess Barack Hussein Obama based upon his character and not his skin. Perhaps Mr. Aaron should realize that it was the former Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo) who stated that deference was given to Obama by blacks and that if anyone else were in the White House they would be marching. Perhaps Mr. Aaron should see that the national unemployment rate for blacks is 12.4 percent and there are no excuses. Perhaps Mr. Aaron needs to be reminded that Obama canceled the DC school voucher program for deserving minority (i.e. black) children in one of the nation’s worst school systems.

  I am black, from Atlanta, raised by awesome parents, and based upon principle I challenge the policies of President Obama. Does that associate me with the KKK?

  This is the type of incendiary speech America does not need. Were blacks who opposed President George W. Bush also racists?

  Sir, a lot has indeed changed, America basically voted for someone to be president, twice, not because of any qualifications, but BECAUSE of his skin color. Some would consider that a major accomplishment. I don’t.

  Do I still idolize Hank Aaron for his astute achievements? Absolutely, he is one of the greatest to ever play the game of baseball. Do I still admire him? Yes. But sir, you are wrong in your assertion about Republicans who challenge President Obama.

  Let me give you a final comparison. Back in the day it was Democrats who stood outside the doors of higher education obstructing black children from attaining a better education and opportunity. Today, those same Democrats stand inside the doors of failing schools, trapping black children and obstructing them from seeking better education and opportunity. Same party, just reverse positions, and I wish I could spend one hour speaking with Mr. Aaron to enlighten him on these points.

  Hank Aaron hit 755 home runs in his magnificent career. He did it with his own skill and ability. He IS the standard by which all other home run hitters in baseball measure themselves — he is in the 1 percent and there was no fair share or shared home runs. He achieved it because of equality of opportunity, not equality of outcomes"

• Oh, Henry!

  • Well Done Sir!

• Who cares what some washed up ex-basketball player has to say.

• I find this sad, because Aaron is old enough to really remember who did what back in the day. He was the target for some bad racist abuse in a time when it was commonplace, & now to make the equation he just did in this piece, is way off base. He is entitled to his opinion, more then most on this subject, but I find it sad that he has come to this conclusion.

• Screw you Hank. I used to admire and respect you. I thought you had more class than using the cheap race card like this. GFYS!

  • you conveyed my thoughts precisely. Thank you!

• I have lost all respect for Hank Aaron. And his beloved dear leader has set back race relations in this country decades.
  Psst-Hank-the KKK was a demucrap group.

• Where is it written that challenging an elected officials policies is racism? Quagmire has gotten a free pass his whole life because he's black. His actions and in many cases his inactions should have been challenged. Yet here comes the race card and racism charges by all the left.

  I've got some advice for all the left. People are sick of this shit. All of you who say that you idiolize Dr King better go back and listen to as well as read his speeches. If he where alive today he would be disgusted by your constant false charges of racism at every turn.

• He's dead to me.

• Another so called "Sports Icon" lets his racism get the best of him.

• Never realized that Aaron was a communist. He should stand up for what he believes and give all of his money away to starving children. It's for the children.

  I wonder if he would let that "ace" pitcher "barry the bozo" strike him out. I've heard of sliders, curve balls, knuckle balls, but never a "barry ball"... that's when the pitcher throws wimpy pitch.

  • barry ball could mean that, yeah, could be, could be...
    hankie just blew any credibility in my book.