Danny Hafley, Kentucky Man, Defends Watermelon-Eating Obama Display: He 'Might Get Hungry'

[marmar]

from HuffPost:

Danny Hafley of Casey County, Ky. said this week that people are reading the mannequin in his front yard depicting President Barack Obama eating a watermelon completely wrong.

"The way I look at it, it's freedom of speech," Hafley told Lex 18 in a recent interview, going on to state that he had included the watermelon not in attempt to play to any racist stereotypes, but because the statue "might get hungry standing out here."

According to Hafley, the display is "popular" and a frequent draw for people passing by to stop and take pictures.

Watermelon imagery has been utilized by anti-Obama efforts in the past, usually by those claiming there is no racist sentiment behind the choice. ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/27/danny-hafley-kentucky-obama_n_2372920.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

[limpyhobbler]

1. that's pretty racist.

[CherokeeDem]

2. Oh my.....

there are times, many times, that I wish I did not live in Kentucky...

"might get hungry"....what a jackass....

[Democrat 4 Ever]

16. I know it is bad enough to have to face that McChinless McConnell AND Rand Paul are Senators from

Kentucky without morans like this getting in the news. Add in Whitfield, Guthrie, Rogers, and the whole gang of rethugs that represent Kentucky in DC and we are constantly the punch line of national jokes.

The old Representative worth his weight in gold now that Chandler is gone is John Yarmuth.

I am constantly surprised at the racism people feel free to express in polite conversations. I weep for the old Kentucky that bled Democratic blue in years gone by.

[bluestate10]

21. The years gone by democrats from Kentucky were largely racists.

So, the man in the single wide is roughly in line with their thinking. All due respects to Congressman Yarmouth, he is a fine person who obviously got voted into office and re-elected by thinking Kentuckians.

[bluestate10]

22. Keep fighting, there are some Blue areas in your state, expand them. nt

[TwilightGardener]

3. In front of the single wide.

Why am I not surprised?

[NYC_SKP]

9. Some very fine DU members are not rich, live in prefabricated mobile homes.

Shame on you.

[TwilightGardener]

14. You don't see the irony of a black-stereotype display

in front of a stereotypical racist Kentucky redneck abode? Meh, I'm all out of shame for today. Maybe tomorrow.

[Cali_Democrat]

4. It looks like he lives in a trailer or some kind of manufactured home

Typical racist Republican hick with very few fully functional teeth.

[NYC_SKP]

11. Some very fine DU members are not rich, live in prefabricated mobile homes.

And many also may not have perfect dental plans.

Democrats, many aren't well off, especially in Appalachia.

[Cali_Democrat]

18. Well...at least those DU members aren't racist

When people piss me off, I say very mean things. Danny Hafley needs a nice punch in the mouth. Then he might lose his last remaining teeth.

Yup yup.

[Webster Green]

24. I live in a 20 foot trailer.

Under magnificent redwood trees, on a 90 acre parcel in the mountains of Sonoma County, CA..

I love it. There's just enough room for one person to live. I find it very comfortable (and inexpensive).

I finally had all my teeth pulled, after years of pain and the inability to pay for repairs.

I guess that makes me evil.

[Codeine]

33. I grew up in mobile homes.

Lived in one for a while as an adult. Any person who wishes to judge me, or anyone else, on that basis can fuck right off.

[loyalkydem]

5. I'm not at all surprised

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. For a minute there, I thought it was the state capitol.

Couldn't be.



Could it?

[Democrat 4 Ever]

23. You know better than to judge an entire state by some stupid, backward people, Right?

Kentucky is a beautiful state full of kind, wonderful, sweet people. We smile at strangers on the street, we will stop to help someone who needs a hand, the countryside is green, lush and inviting. We have splendid lakes and rivers, a lifestyle that can be as sophisticated or down home homespun as you like. We have opera, ballet, several fine orchestras, bluegrass, country, live theater and all manner of art genres to feed your eyes, ears and souls. We love our families, neighbors and friends just as fiercely as most cultures. There are plenty of smart, educated people who exhibit a whole range of talents and abilities. Our cost of living is very affordable and our quality of life is to be envied.

We, also, unfortunately have some really lousy elected officials after years of dirty politics by McChinless and his minions. We are slowly evolving and hopefully in the near future we can lay claim to have politicians we can be proud of. But a few crazy racists, available in every city, town, burg and wide spot in the road, that reside here do not speak for the rest of us.

And our beautiful state capital is a fine example of classic architecture.

I love my state, just like most people love their homes. Taking pot shots at an entire state for the stupidity of a few is not nice.

[zbdent]

7. and if I spelled out A**HOLE (minus the *s) in his front yard with

fertilizer, that would be "freedom of speech", too ...

In fact, that would be "improving" the yard, since I'm feeding his grass, right? Can't call it vandalism ...

[NYC_SKP]

8. Danny Hafley at Lebanon Auto Repair (number inside) needs to hear from us.

This transcript leaves out the gratuitous use of the N word.

“The way I look at it, it’s freedom of speech,” said Danny Hafley. “I don’t know how other people will take it.”

Hafley bought the Obama mask on sale after Halloween and put up the display around the time of November’s presidential election.

The mannequin, dressed in a grey suit, clip-on tie and blue-collared shirt, was originally standing in Hafley’s yard but the homeowner decided it would look better near the road.

“That’s my buddy,” Hafley said. “He don’t talk. Don’t make no smart comments. If I had a dollar for everyone who stopped and took a picture of it I’d be a millionaire.”

Read more at http://hypervocal.com/news/2012/obama-watermelon-statue-kentucky/#XwsytS0jBDxSCVVA.99

Oh, yeah:

Lebanon Auto Repair
220 N Woodlawn Avenue
Lebanon, KY 40033-1043
map
Phone: [phone]

[TheCowsCameHome]

10. G. Gordon Liddy is inside. How appropriate.

[Chorophyll]

12. He's pretty proud of himself, but I'd like to see him leave his front yard

and carry that thing through any big (or medium-sized or small) city. See how that works out for him.

[RetroLounge]

13. That's not racist at all

neither is calling Hafley the white trailer trash he is.

RL

[bluestateguy]

15. Pretty unpatriotic to go against the president when we have troops in the field

We have had the accountability moment and the American people have made their decision. Now its time for him to get with the program.

[RedCappedBandit]

32. Going against the president is fine

That's not the problem in this instance

[montana_hazeleyes]

17. I'm so tired of this.

Dear lord, I've seen so much racism directed at President Obama it just hurts too much any more. I don't care if it seems I'm taking it too hard, but I am crying right now.

I've been alive 63 years and this is America showing its racist ass so much, I'm just weary of it.

I am white. My husband is Black. We have children and grandchildren. Believe me, we have been racially battered since day one.

What is wrong with these "people"? I'm so sad and disappointed and depressed at all this crap. And I'm not a sissy. I'm strong. I've HAD to be. And it's everywhere. Not just the south. I HATE racists and I have since I was a little kid.

Sorry for the rant. I guess I just needed to vent some. And I feel like the people here are my brothers and sisters.

[bluestate10]

19. The idiot lives in a trailer house. Case closed. nt

[Codeine]

34. Lots of people, included a number of DUers, live in mobile homes.

Anyone who would condemn a person for that is an asshole.

Case closed.

[fadedrose]

20. Rec-d for the replies, especially #17

Cheer up Montana - Everybody's not like that idiot. Am white too and the pic makes me mad too.

[montana_hazeleyes]

29. Thank you fadedrose.

I know there are wonderful people of all races. It's a shame how the nasty, hateful ones hurt others.

[Rex]

25. He is correct, you are free to display your racist

stupidity in this country for all to see.

[proud2BlibKansan]

26. What's up with the string around his neck??

Is that holding the arms up?

Just creepy.

[aquart]

27. Tiny-dicked racist prick.

Believes every myth he was ever told.

[Thinkingabout]

28. He is probably one of Romney's 47%, nothing useful to contribute, must be jealous.

He could also live in a lot of states. They surely don't have any class or training, might be even his mother is proud she raised a useless son, Obama's did a fine job of raising her son.

[kentuck]

30. Knuckle- dragging, pickled pigs feet eating, racist, white trash.

But I wouldn't want to say anything bad about him....

[lunasun]

31. His home looks just as I imagined...............