Leave the White Hoods at Home, Golfers

It didn't get a lot of attention last week (because CNN remains in 24/7 coverage of the missing Malaysian Airlines jet, FOX News is demanding answers from Hillary Clinton for the deaths in Benghazi, and MSNBC continues to move the goal posts for President Obama to keep spiking the ball on the "success" of the Affordable Care Act), but baseball hall of famer Hank Aaron made waves with some comments comparing Republicans who oppose the President to members of the Ku Klux Klan.


“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,” Aaron told USA Today Sports.
Aaron continued: “The bigger difference is that back then they had hoods. Now they have neckties and starched shirts.”

I'm guessing that Hammerin' Hank thinks those same Republicans were sexist when they opposed government control of health care originally proposed by then-First Lady Hillary Clinton in the 1990's.  He must also consider Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale as "racist" as well--since they spent their careers trying to strike him out--instead of just letting him hit the ball out of the park every at bat.

So imagine my surprise when the folks at US Venture announced yesterday that Hank Aaron will be the guest of honor at this year's Golf Open.  When he comes here to the Fox Valley, Hank will be asking hundreds, if not thousands of Republicans who are opposed to the political policies of President Obama to open their wallets and give more money to a number of local community foundations.  That money will go to programs that provide basic needs to people in the area--many of whom are racial minorities.  And by purchasing a foursome in the tournament, those Republicans will be giving more to charity in one day than Vice President Joe Biden did all of last year.

I doubt those small business owners, corporate executives and other fiscal conservatives will be boycotting the US Venture Open in August because of Mr Aaron's comments.  And I am certainly not suggesting that anyone not give to the event--because of all the good it does.  I would suggest that there still be standing ovations for Hank based on his accomplishments in the face of real racism (and without taking steroids)--and forgiveness for the bitterness that apparently still lingers.