The First YouTube Election: George Allen and “Macaca”

8/15/06, 2:04 pm EST

George Allen, Virginia
George Allen: Digital foot in twenty-first century mouth

There have already been strong intimations that Virginia Republican Senator George Allen has a “race problem.” Now the 2008 GOP presidential pretender has shown off his unique sensitivities again by repeatedly calling an Asian operative from his competitor’s campaign “Macaca.” A Macaca is monkey native to Asia. The man, S.R. Sidarth, is of Indian decent.

Not content with insinuating that Sidarth is a primate, Allen also said to him, “Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia!” For the record: Sidarth was born in Virginia.

Unluckily — more than unluckily, stupidly — for Allen, Sidarth’s job is to videotape Allen’s public appearances, in the hopes, it would seem, of capturing a revealing off-color moment of candor such as this one. Today, the video evidence of Allen’s apparent race problem is all over the Internet, thanks to the wonders of YouTube.

There’s a paradigm shift under way and politicians like Allen, and to a lesser extent Joe Lieberman and Barbara Boxer, are learning it the hard way. The barriers to video broadcast are now gone. So an opposing campaign no longer has to rely on a local news station or CNN or CSPAN to run video of a gaffe. Any dolt with a handicam now can capture the unscripted reality of a candidate and disseminate it worldwide.

If it generates enough buzz in the blogosphere, the cable networks will even pick it up, as happened almost immediately with Allen’s monkeyboy dig.

What does this YouTube revolution mean for politics? It’s far too early to tell. One might hope that the omipresence of handicam reporters would mean that all of the artifice of advance teams and printed backdrops and hand-picked crowds of supporters only will be erroded. Unlike the professionals at CNN who play along and film the fakeness because it makes for pretty TV, the YouTubers out there are dedicated to exposing such artifice as an embarassment. And embarassing it is.

On the other hand, this YouTube threat could also hurtle the stage management of politics into hyperdrive, curtailing the kind retail politics and informal “Listening Tours” like the one Allen was on yesterday. Every candidate suffers from foot in mouth disease occasionally, if left alone without a script in front of a live audience. The consultants and advance men may stop deploying their candidates to the real world to every extent practicable.

Whatever the case, it’s clear that YouTube is already changing the game. And politicians of all stripes had better watch out.


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Anon | 11/11/2006, 8:20 pm EST

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flash | 11/9/2006, 3:09 pm EST

I just wanted to wish Sen. Redneck GOOD RIDDANCE!!!!

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I guess now you have plenty of time to get drunk off Budweiser and ride through town in your pickup, yelling N****R and stuffing deer heads in black peoples’ mailboxes!

Once again, GOOD RIDDANCE and go kiss a big, black a**!!!!!

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Franni Libovitz | 10/1/2006, 3:23 am EST

George Allen is a hero for white people everywhere who are sick and tired of the flooding into this country of illegal and brown immigrants, those vermin who steal our jobs and wreak havoc on our schools and criminal justice systems.

When Mel Gibson dared to utter negativities against the Jews he issued a formal apology. But George Allen did not even insult this dark skinned Indian mutant - George Allen did not even know what a Macaca was! And certainly he was not aware of his Jewish heritage because his mother tried to protect him from persecution, which he is facing now. And I do not believe one word of his sister Jennifer that George Allen used to beat up his family members regularly. And keeping a noose in his law office? That was all just fun and games, like his love for the confederate flag and dislke for illegal immigrants and other criminal dark skinned immigrants in this country, draining our tax dollars for no reason.

Finally there is a tough honest man who is not afraid to tell it like it is - he is a real cowboy, much like the men who founded this great country, and I for one am going to vote for this great man for U.S. Senate as well as for the Presidency of the United States - G_d Bless him!

-Franni Libovitz

Janar Joseph Wasito | 9/1/2006, 3:18 am EST

James Webb: More Than Senator Macaca’s Opponent
By Janar Joseph Wasito

James Webb is more than Senator George “Macaca” Allen’s opponent. At a now infamous campaign stop in Virginia, Senator George Allen twice addressed S.R. Siddarth as “macaca” and welcomed him to Virginia and America, even though Siddarth is an American citizen and a native Virginian. Siddarth could rightly say, “Welcome to Virgnia, Senator.”

Macaca refers to a genus of monkey and is a racial slur in the same European cultures in which Senator Allen’s mother was raised.

By contrast, James Webb’s book, Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America, discusses how Scots-Irish culture embraces members of other ethnic groups. The following passages are from page 38:

The “Celtic tie of kinship”… helps explain why such a high percentage of American combat units in today’s volunteer military are from Scots-Irish and Irish Catholic backgrounds. From the earliest known history of the Celts, military service was viewed not simply as an obligation, but as a high honor. Fighting for – and alongside – the tribal leader … or, as now, one’s branch of military service brought one into the family. And at this level – the willingness to face danger collectively – every family member was equal regardless of rank or wealth.
Another aspect of this notion of extended kinship is that it tended to embrace members of other ethnic groups rather than to demean them. …in the Celtic societies, if one stepped forward to serve, he was ‘of the kin’ so long as he accepted the values and mores of the extended family.

I identify with Webb’s description of the “Celtic tie of kinship” based upon military service for personal reasons. My father is Indonesian and my mother is German, but I was born in San Francisco. My father left when I was 4, and my Godparents, a Retired Air Force Colonel and his wife, helped my mother to raise my sister and me. From my Godparents, I learned to admire the military. I applied for the US Naval Academy while I was in high school. I read James Webb’s novel, A Sense of Honor. Though I did not attend the Naval Academy, I did follow Webb’s example in boxing in college, in serving in the US Marine Corps, and in attending law school after my military service. I wrote my college senior thesis on another of James Webb’s books, Fields of Fire. I’ve read his other 4 novels, and his non-fiction book, Born Fighting. Born Fighting describes the Scots-Irish culture of the Jesuit College Prep which I attended (I had a Murphy as a teacher or coach in 7 of 8 semesters), and it describes the culture of the US Marine Corps.

I don’t really think of myself as a “person of color.” But I am half Indonesian and I have a darker complexion than the majority of Caucasians. Personally, I took great offense to Senator Allen’s “macaca” comments. I felt bad for the Country and for Virginia, where I spent a total of a year between 1988 and 1992 when I was going through Marine Officer training. According to Goldman Sachs, the so-called BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, China) are the rapidly growing countries which will shape the coming decades. In such a future, George Allen simply has no place as a leader in America.

At another point in his now infamous comments, Senator Allen states that Jim Webb is “with a bunch of Hollywood movie moguls… we care about fact not fiction.”

This reference to “Hollywood Movie Moguls” plays on a stereotype of left leaning, liberal, Hollywood movie producers. However, if we take a close look at the one movie that Jim Webb wrote and produced, we find that it contains many factual warnings of the challenges the country would face in 9-11 and beyond.

James Webb was the co-producer and writer of the screenplay for Rules of Engagement, starring Samuel Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones. In that movie, a Marine Expeditionary Unit reinforces an American Embassy in Yemen, which is near Iraq and Saudi Arabia, under attack from a hostile Islamic crowd. The Marines fire into a crowd which had been firing weapons at the Marines. Although the videotape evidence of the weapons in the crowd has been destroyed by corrupt policy makers, the defense attorney does find audio tape evidence which he presents at the trial. The audio tapes contain recordings of Osama Bin Laden inciting Muslims to anti-American violence. In the commentary by the director of the film, we learn that the tape is an actual recording by Osama Bin Laden. The defense attorney finds the Bin Laden tapes in the ruined American embassy, in the police station, and in the hospital where the injured are being treated.

The movie was released in 2000, a year before 9/11.

So much for Senator Allen’s attack on James Webb as consorting with “Hollywood movie moguls” who are out of touch with fact.

James Webb’s novels, his screen play for Rules of Engagement, his Emmy Award winning reporting from Beirut just weeks before Hezbollah killed 242 Marines, his article on Marines in Afghanistan – all together show that Webb has a detailed grasp of national security issues far beyond that of Senator Allen. In an age where an action by a Marine junior officer or non commissioned officer can have immediate, global consequences, we need elected officials like James Webb, who never forgot his roots as a highly decorated junior officer in the Marine Corps. During the same period in his life, George Allen declined to serve in uniform.

Senator Allen’s campaign will try to paint James Webb as a liberal who is aligned with Senator’s Clinton and Kerry. While this may be accurate with respect to some domestic issues, on foreign policy issues, Webb is closer to President Bush – George H.W. Bush. In September 2002, Webb wrote a criticism of the pending invasion of Iraq which was very similar to criticisms made by Brent Scowcroft, the National Security Adviser to President George H. W. Bush, and by Colin Powell, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs under President George H. W. Bush. In this regard, James Webb, who served as Ronald Reagan’s Secretary of the Navy, should be classified as a foreign policy realist. As Webb told Inside the Navy in January 2003, “I am not against fighting when fighting is necessary… What I am for is making sure you are fighting the right war.”

Janar Joseph Wasito is a former Marine Officer who lives in San Diego, California.
Email: janarw@gmail.com

Larry Lanberg | 8/27/2006, 10:13 pm EST

Unfortunately, some folks are always going to make weird, off-hand slurs. Racial and otherwise. The major point here is that Allen — a somewhat respected U.S. Sentaor — actually believed he could get away with such a stunt.

Allen’s lack of judgment is so bad that its criminal. By contrast, his narrow view of non-white, non-anglo-saxons is merely ignorant thought.

Allen’s insularity is not unlike the many police officers who are (still) caught on tape abusing people. Didn’t the Rodney King episode cue-them-in that eyes are always on them? Apparently not — cops still pull this crap and are inevitably exposed on video.

Racism, sexism, weight-ism, age-ism, homophobia, all that stuff is lousy. But, to me, the complete lack of awareness I mention should be ample cause to preclude one from holding an office (or working for the police department).

To you-tube and videotapers: Please keep up the good work.

(ps. I live just down the street from this nut’s office.)

Pete | 8/25/2006, 10:35 am EST

Jim webb likes men. andhe doesnt think women should serve in the military because they arnt strong enough. he was also fired from the reagan administration. he did not resign. hes a crybaby.(he even admitted it in his books)

Pete | 8/25/2006, 10:33 am EST

Well why is it that sidarth is now saying that he did know what macaca meant when he previously stated that he did not know what it meant but if felt offensive. Why are you all filled with so much hate? Its crazy, its like the only way you can survive is by cutting someone that is better than you down. Sounds almost like jealousy eh? haha GEORGE ALLEN RULES!!!!!!!!

Mike A | 8/23/2006, 7:11 pm EST

i didnt read the whole thing.So he never really called anyone a cracker but even if he did it doesnt matter, he isnt no runnig for president.This guy allen is, he is held to a higher standard because his descion could affect our lives.

Mike A | 8/23/2006, 6:54 pm EST

Alright this guy is a racist. To say that he isnt, would mean that you live in a world of fantasy so have fun with that. Please dont use the excuse that we are all primates, everyone knows thats not what he meant. Live in the real world for a just a few seconds please thanks.

Also this isnt just a small little remark either. People just dont randomly make little racist comments out of the blue. If he is willing to say somehting like that then is mind set is no where near of the kind that should be running for president, and everyone also knows that racist dont target once race.If he doesnt like indans than he defintly doesnt like any other non white race. All this does is give more evidence that the south still has more racial tendencies that the rest of the nation

C Co... aka I Smell Propaganda | 8/17/2006, 4:31 pm EST

There are extremists in every direction. Extremists are the ones that cause violence and evil. Not general parties. Even the German Worker’s Party was respectable until an extremist became it’s leader (Hitler). I think you can’t really compare Biblical-time views to modern day views because the world is so different. Heck, “Democrats” and “Republicans” meant totally different things just 100 years ago. Jesus wasn’t a liberal. Hitler wasn’t a conservative. You have no idea what they would say they are or aren’t if they were alive today. All you can do is look at politicians of today and what party they want to belong to.

On a side note to everyone: Lieberman is a Democrat. Stop calling him a Republican because he voted for the war. He’s critized Bush as much as anyone and his beliefs and values totally reflect that of the Democratic party. Many other Democrats (Hillary being one) also voted for the war because of the precieved danger. Stop playing monday morning quarterback and look at the lifelong work Lieberman has put into the party. He’s a good man and deserves to be treated fairly.

C Co... aka I Smell Propaganda | 8/16/2006, 8:21 pm EST

Germany’s Nazi Party was not far right wing Jed. They had a different set of political groups than America has. Therefor, you’re comparing apples and oranges. Hitler often said liberal things in his speeches a lot of the time, too. But he belonged to the German Workers’ Party which evolved in the Nazis. Lets not backhandedly call GOP’s Nazis. Let’s also not say that Pontius Pilate or the Jews who killed Jesus were right wingers either (in case you were thinking about it).

Jack D | 8/16/2006, 1:07 pm EST

And Jed gets another “Fuckin Eh!” from Jack D for his last comment.

Jed Clampett | 8/16/2006, 11:26 am EST

Actually Jay, I have read the koran. I haven’t had the pleasure of spending any time in the ME, unfortunately it has become more and more dangerous for anyone carrying a western passport. Can’t imagine why! And after reading it I realize the jihadist are as far from the religion as the Evangelist Right wingers who use religion to advance their own polical careers. Who’d ever heard of a true Christian launching a preemptive war. As ridiculous as Europeans coming to america spreading the religion of the Christ by murdering people. Try to label me partisan or whatever you wish, it still does not change the facts. The party that brought you Watergate, The Iran contra affair (which found it perfectly ok to import cocaine and sell it as crack in east LA), Impeachment of a sitting president for refusing to divulge a personal affair, The greatest jump in Earmarks (actually bribes and a way around the constitutional mandate of OPEN and intelligent distribution of money) in the history of congress, redrawing congressional maps to help incumbents maintain their seats and a large grocery list of Undemocratic endeavors must be removed from power. It is amazing they are even allowed to participate in the political process after all their transgressions. Sure, the democrats aren’t much better, but at least they balanced the budget and worked to spread peace in the world instead of misery. Perhaps there should be a law that forces american companies to follow american laws in dealing with the foreign markets. Oh yea!! There is, only the executive branch refuses to enforce it.

Jay | 8/16/2006, 7:13 am EST

Oh yeah, Jed. If you’re one of the “intelligent voices” that you seem to believe yourself to be, God help us all.

LOL.

Jay | 8/16/2006, 7:06 am EST

Jed - Again you’ve proved that you’re a know nothing imbecile who has let your partisan hatred run wild. As far as you knowing “alot” about Islam, you obviously haven’t a clue. Read the Koran, study Sharia Law and spend seven years in an Islamic country as I’ve done learning the culture and then we can talk. Somehow though I doubt you’ll be doing any of that as it’s much easier to “feed your brain” with Cindy Sheehan’s and Air America’s garbage.

Gary Denton | 8/16/2006, 5:01 am EST

The term has been gaining popularity with White Supremist groups and is common in French North Africa, where Mr. Allen’s French mother is from. As for Allens’s racist background how amusing is it to display both a lynching noose and a Confederate flag in your office?

The group he was talking to was all older white Southern Republican - a pretty racist bunch. Really the only thing this proves is that Mr. Allen, a leading GOP presidential candidate, is not a smarter Goerge Bush but if possible a dumber Dubya.

Anonymous | 8/16/2006, 4:09 am EST

Someone should slice whiteys throat with boxcutters.

Dilsad | 8/16/2006, 12:32 am EST

Senator Allen will end up where Joe Lieberman has gone! I bet you.

JamMaster | 8/15/2006, 10:51 pm EST

Of course it was a racist comment. He knew it and thought the camera man knew it. What he failed to think about is that 2 weeks ago NONE of the posters here NOR the audience that day knew what a Macaca was.

NOW we do.
And yes, Stupidity and Ignorance = Racism.

rhoadie | 8/15/2006, 9:15 pm EST

Wow. This forum reads like a bunch of stoned high-school dropouts at a keg party arguing about whether or not the prom queen is a virgin.

C Co... aka I Smell Propaganda | 8/15/2006, 8:55 pm EST

I don’t know his past history, so he may be. You never know. But how stupid would you have to be to make a racist comment in front of a crowd of multi-racial people. I’d tend to think it’s more ignorance than racism.

Jay | 8/15/2006, 8:39 pm EST

Dude, he’s a racist. It was a slip when his guard was down. His past history has far too much smoke for there not to be fire.

C Co... aka I Smell Propaganda | 8/15/2006, 8:36 pm EST

First of all, Allen shouldn’t make comments when he really isn’t sure what he was saying. Especially because the media is always looking to attack Republicans. According to CNN, he believed Sidarth’s nickname was that (which it might be, info is not complete). Never the less, you have to be smarter when making racial comments. However, he did say this in front of lots of people and no one seemed to be offended. I doubt he’d say an openly racist comment in front of a group of multi-racial people when running for public office (THINK ABOUT IT). That doesn’t make sense. Therefor, I highly DOUBT he was being RACIST, JUST IGNORANT. I’ll see what the follow-up reports say before deciding he’s a pround racist or just made a stupid slip. Although, I doubt Tim will post any follow-up articles because he wants to provide a part of the story to make sure you guys stay angry at Allen and Republicans.

I also have to mention that during the past year Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Cynthia McKinney have all made similar comments dealing with race that can be precieved as racism. Yet, I never hear anything about them in the media. So what’s the difference between them and Allen. Oh yeah, politics. Forgot our news is controled by that.

Jay | 8/15/2006, 8:35 pm EST

Jeremy,

While I won’t go into the myriad reasons for the Republican’s low standing among Black Americans, let me ask you a question:

How have “leaders” such as Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Louis Farrakhan, etc. served Black America? Not very well, imo.

Jay | 8/15/2006, 8:26 pm EST

Wow, Jed. Thanks so much for that ignorant dissertation showing how much you know - nothing - about Islam, Sharia, and the motivations of those who carry out extreme acts in the name of this religion. Islamic fascism, ie. the desire to establish pan-Islamic states and purge the world from infidels has been around for thousands of years. Certainly far longer than Mr.’s Bush, Rove, Rumsfeld, et al have been. To lay the blame for the Islamic fascist ideology and acts of terror carried out under it’s name on the “neocons” shows not only your ignorance and immaturity, but a dangerous naivete and partisan blindness which, assuming you’re not alone in your lame views, could lead us down a path which ultimately might leave you asking pathetically, “what happened?” as the walls come crashing down.

Idiots | 8/15/2006, 8:25 pm EST

Have any of you morons stopped to think for a second, to use a little locic? Isn’t it logical that if George Allen truly meant to denigrate this man with a racial slur, that he certainly wouldn’t have said it out loud in front of cameras, and then laughed about it? Isn’t that logical, or am I in the Twilight ZOne?

Jed Clampett | 8/15/2006, 7:40 pm EST

The neoCons (neoNazis in reality) keep saying that the root cause of the problem is ‘Islamofascist’, which I find rather like the pot calling the kettle black. By ignoring the true cause, the great disparity between the super poor and the wealthy, they put us all at risk because they perpetuate and increase the problem. Perhaps they should stop pandering and start working. Why is Rove’s nickname ‘Turd Baby’? Is it because he slings sh*t and it sticks? Instead of finding catchy phrases to still up their base (flip-floper, cut-and-run)they should try to find real solutions. In a speech Cowboy George invoked Jesus’ sermon on the mount. One anecdote of the sermon on the mount… ‘The bad tree cannot produce good fruit and the good tree cannot produce bad fruit’ Which means that if your roots are in ‘dirty water’ the fruit you produce will taste like sh*t. i.e. spreading democracy at gunpoint, bankrupcy bill that helps the wealthy and crooked as well as bloated CC companies and hurts those that really need it, a prescription bill that helps bloated Medicine companies and hurts the elderly that need it most. BTW, how long you think ppl will be desperate enough in America to start a revolution?

Jeremy | 8/15/2006, 7:32 pm EST

How do we know this man is a racist?

By his apology: “I apologize if my comments offended this young man,” he said.

Let’s put it in terms Senator Allen is more familiar with: “I apologize if my comments offended that nigger.”

And people still wonder why the Republican Party has a 2% approval rating with African-Americans?

WWB | 8/15/2006, 6:48 pm EST

Apologies everyone, I didn’t realize this was the worst comment pane that ever existed.

Jed Clampett | 8/15/2006, 6:42 pm EST

There you go. At least one kindred. Seems incredible that a country as large and diverse as America can only be represented by two party’s… Dumb and Dumber. or is that croocked and croockeder. What is a “Bridge to Nowhere”? Why is it so important that it would make a long time senator threaten to resign? Could it be that some friends own some highway construction companies? Other’s own land on this empty island and stand to win millions in development if a bridge was built? Corruption hurts us all. Stealing from the government at a time of WAR should be prosecuted as treason. NO? Hear that sucking sound… it’s your money going to Halliburton!!

Jack D | 8/15/2006, 6:35 pm EST

Fuckin Eh Jed! Well said. A changing of the guard. And, bring charges against all who deserve it. Dummies and Repugnants. Start a third party while we’re at it. Get some accountability, for once.

shpilk | 8/15/2006, 6:29 pm EST

good at ya, there, Jon T.

You are on the road to recovery, ya MORON.

Jon T | 8/15/2006, 6:28 pm EST

I FABRICATED A LIE, BECAUSE I AM A MORON

Sidarth never said this part:

“He (Allen) apparently believes that drawing attention to him would reliably rile up the racist Virginia crackers”

Please God, forgive me.

Jed Clampett | 8/15/2006, 6:26 pm EST

This is merely a manifestation of the arrogance of politicians today. We are in serious trouble if these are the leaders we elect into office. The current political situation is very reminiscent of the early 1930’s german political climate. We need to realize and force our politicians that the real power rests in the people. Defeat all incumbents and wherever possible vote for the independant candidate. Preferably one not already a career politician (i.e. Lieberman) that has been severly corrupted by the special interests (Rich people). Remember this is a Government ‘by the people, for the people’ not ‘by the RICH people, only for themselves’ as the current political body seems to think. It’s time to put an end to all the corruption and bickering. Depose the idiots, keep our money and industries at home or we will all be poor soon.

Jack D | 8/15/2006, 6:16 pm EST

Ms. Wow:
Don’t think for a minute that liberals have the market cornered on name calling. Anyway, the moron/idiot thing is not about differences of opinion as much as it’s about someone saying stupid shit. Example: someone insinuating that they “thought blacks were the only human primates”.

Chell | 8/15/2006, 6:15 pm EST

What is a moran? Jim Moran may be? Bet, Wow does not even know this.

G. Allen | 8/15/2006, 6:08 pm EST

When you refer to to Indians do you mean dot or feather? It’s an important distinction.

Yo | 8/15/2006, 6:06 pm EST

what’s a ‘moran’? MORON.

Morely Dotes | 8/15/2006, 6:04 pm EST

“Not content with insinuating that Sidarth is a primate,”…

While Allen is clearly an idiot and a bigot, he’s corret about one thing. Sidarth *is* a primate. So am I. So are you. What’s even more amusing is that the Pope is *the* Primate.

Wow | 8/15/2006, 6:02 pm EST

Left wingers are so funny on here. They want tolerance, peace and hate racists. Yet they call people idiots, morans etc who they don’t agree with. Then they wonder why a) they can’t win elections and b) if they do win elections they can’t stay in power very long.
While I wouldn’t want to live in their little world, it is fun to watch…

nemov | 8/15/2006, 6:02 pm EST

wow… this is the biggest no story ever. is this how far liberals have to go to find dirt? Biden, New Orleans Mayor, Byrd have all said much worse than this and escaped a witch hunt like this.

ben | 8/15/2006, 5:48 pm EST

Let’s take this logically

Allen wrote “nigger” on his school wall
Allen was made to apologize over school PA
Allen had confederate stickers on his car
Allen had confederate flag in his living room displayed prominently
Allen had a display with noose hanging from a tree
Allen opposed Martin Luther King holiday
Allen replaced the only black trustee at Univ of Virginia
Allen calls an Indian American “monkey”.

Allen is a RACIST.

JBR | 8/15/2006, 5:48 pm EST

What’s funny is that Georgie Allen is from California - not Virginia - while Sidarth was born in Fairfax, Va.

The spin that the republican apologists are putting out is so wonderful they’d make a Whirling Dervish dizzy! I liked the washington post Chris Cillizza (Mr. Fix) who said he didn’t think Allen was being racist on purpose…

No, I guess not - it’s probably just a reflex when he sees someone of color…

Slim | 8/15/2006, 5:27 pm EST

Below, Jon T blatantly lies and makes up a quote. Jon T claims (on 8/15/2006, 3:35 pm EST) that the WaPo articles quotes Sidarth as saying: “He (Allen) apparently believes that drawing attention to him would reliably rile up the racist Virginia crackers.”

LIE.

Read the WaPo article, NOWHERE does that quote exist. Sidarth NEVER says ANYTHING about “crackers.”

Jon T clearly made this up out of desperation. Pathetic.

Eric | 8/15/2006, 5:19 pm EST

The sad thing is that this might get him more votes…

James K. | 8/15/2006, 5:16 pm EST

Wonderful! A true republican! I love how near the end of this clip you hear him begin to bring up the war on terrorism. If you think about it deeply, the GOP has nothing beneficial to the world or Americans other then scaring them into thinking that we will always be victims of terrorism lest we vote republican.

GSD | 8/15/2006, 5:13 pm EST

Joe Biden didn’t refer to Indians as ‘Dot Heads’.

Funny that Allen will get taken donw by his knowledge of French.

-GSD

gog | 8/15/2006, 5:04 pm EST

Allen, shame on you ? What do you think you are, E.T or Super natural ? When people like you are in the senate “God Save America”.

Yo | 8/15/2006, 5:02 pm EST

Umpy!

You’re an idiot! The order Primates includes humans, apes, monkeys, and prosimians.

Glass house | 8/15/2006, 5:01 pm EST

Sidarth.

Descent | 8/15/2006, 5:00 pm EST

Although I’m sure he’s “decent,” Siddarth is of Indian descent.

No | 8/15/2006, 4:58 pm EST

YouTube should be thanked!
Without it and people like the videographer, we would be stuck with politicians who lie to fellow americans. Oh, wait! We are already stuck with those people!
God Bless America!

umpy10 | 8/15/2006, 4:55 pm EST

no eddie , you’re the IDIOT. humans are humans and primates are primates , except it seems in your family tree

Senator Akaka | 8/15/2006, 4:53 pm EST

Senator from Virginia, did you call me..I dont have much time..I am running a very tough race against a haole like you. Welcome to Hawaii Mr. Case from Mainland America!!

Honolulu
Hawaii

Chell | 8/15/2006, 4:51 pm EST

“GO ALLEN! Keep on with the keepin on!:

Go Allen!! Keep using racial slurs!

Jay | 8/15/2006, 4:51 pm EST

Is Mel Gibson from Virginia?

Mike | 8/15/2006, 4:50 pm EST

After all these thousands of years we still have everything to learn.

Mugabe | 8/15/2006, 4:49 pm EST

“I thought that Blacks were Primates.” Jane

In a world where blacks are primates, white girls and women such as Jane would be field animals used in hauling the ploughs!

Jack D | 8/15/2006, 4:42 pm EST

Jock strap:
Is that like “stay the course”? Keep up the stupidity!!

Eddie | 8/15/2006, 4:42 pm EST

Dickinson, you idiot. Humans are primates.

Allen Supporter | 8/15/2006, 4:39 pm EST

GO ALLEN! Keep on with the keepin on!

Jack D | 8/15/2006, 4:39 pm EST

Jane:
I dont want to believe that anyone is that stupid. Please tell me that was some pathetic attempt at a joke of some kind.

Dem from VA | 8/15/2006, 4:35 pm EST

And he can’t even blame his racial slur on alcohol. George Allen and Mel Gibson have a lot in common.

Jack D | 8/15/2006, 4:35 pm EST

Have they ever really been counted anyway? The last two elections notwithstanding, we all know the arguments there. Has the popular vote ever been taken seriously, or even used. Whats the point of the popular vote if the electoral vote makes the final cut? Is it so we “average” americans get the illusion of democracy?

Jane | 8/15/2006, 4:32 pm EST

I thought that Blacks were Primates.

Dookie Houser | 8/15/2006, 4:29 pm EST

Nuke the South!

Tom | 8/15/2006, 4:27 pm EST

How exactly is it “obvious” that Allen wasn’t being racist? The word means what it means, and particularly in context (”Welcome to America”) has a racist or at least xenophobic definition. Not exactly befitting of an elected representative.

Dilbert | 8/15/2006, 4:25 pm EST

What a laugh- americans still think their votes are counted.
NOW THAT’S RICH!!

AHAHAHHA

rick | 8/15/2006, 4:18 pm EST

I’d vote for Allen because he is a racist. There is nothing wrong with bigotry, unless you’re white.

GO ALLEN~!

Jay | 8/15/2006, 4:11 pm EST

You mean Lincoln wasn’t a Carcker?

Jack D | 8/15/2006, 4:08 pm EST

Steve:
What the hell are you talking about? Are you trying to make a point about Lincoln being a republican? Just remember, the ideology of the parties were opposite of what they are now. Republicans were the liberal progressives back then.

Bill W | 8/15/2006, 4:01 pm EST

“Carker?” Get it right moron, it’s “cracker.” Jeebus… if you’re going to be a southern redneck, can’t you at least learn to spell? Wait… what am I thinking? (From N W Florida, where the term originated, a true “Florida Cracker,” and glad to have left 20 years ago for the real world, Bill)

Jay | 8/15/2006, 3:58 pm EST

What’s a Carcker?

paul | 8/15/2006, 3:57 pm EST

There is a big difference between making the observation that there are a lot of ethnic Indians in a place, and implying one is a primate.

I would feel no shame in making the former observation in a USA shop, or one in London etc. , considering it an expression of empathy actually. (Having spent 25 years in Asia).

To call somebody a monkey is pure racism.

Bring him down.

(Favourite Book? Siddharta. Hermann hesse. I commend it to you all. Plus all his other work!

regards from Bangkok. I look forward to watching you all destroy this racist’s political career.

Case | 8/15/2006, 3:52 pm EST

why is anyone surprised that a politician said some stupid shit? one would hope this occurance has become expected by now. where are all the upstanding, high minded citizens ready to take office and really make things better? you can’t find people like that because they don’t exist. garbage in, garbage out. this is the best we can do.

carry on, sheep.

RP | 8/15/2006, 3:49 pm EST

I was under the impression that humans were primates. Sounds like you’re the one insulting Sidarth.

Chell | 8/15/2006, 3:48 pm EST

Allen for President 2008!!

Allen for the President of the Confederate States of America!! He revers the confderate flag more than the US flag!

Chell | 8/15/2006, 3:47 pm EST

I may be accused of being a racist, but too many bigoted white southerners in the GOP..characters who want to return to the “glory” days of the Jim Crow South where they can “protect southern white womanhood” by lynching and burning African Americans.

SG | 8/15/2006, 3:42 pm EST

You are right. What Joe Biden did was also racist. Nobody is excusing him for what he did.

You have to admin. It is, for a change, fun to get to see these guys put their foot in their mouths and then try to have other people (like Fox news) explain away their comments.

Unfortunately this country is being taken to the dogs because of people like this idiot who makeup this administration who currently govern this wonderful country.

Duke | 8/15/2006, 3:41 pm EST

Allen for President 2008!!

Jon T | 8/15/2006, 3:35 pm EST

Jay T:

Did you even read the Washington Post today. The man (Sidarth) that Allen supposedly insulted and made racist comments to is quoted in the post saying:
“I was the person of color there and it was useful for him in inciting his audience.” He (Allen) apparently believes that drawing attention to him would reliably rile up the racist Virginia crackers”

Carckers? Where’s the outrage….. So it’s horrible for Sidarth to be called a Macaca, but it’s okay for white people to be called “carckers”

You ever heard of the term race baiting…

Jay | 8/15/2006, 3:30 pm EST

Wow, Steve…I expected to hear from your idiot compatriot, JonT. Since when is justifying terrible behavior by pointing to something unrelated anything but intellectually dishonest? Lest you respond by calling me a “liberal”, “leftwinger”, or “tree hugger”, keep in mind that I was supporting Ronald Reagan when you were in diapers.

Jay | 8/15/2006, 3:23 pm EST

JonT,

As a conservative (the real kind -smaller gov’t, less gov’t intervention in my life, low taxes, etc) you make me sick. Since when is referring to a person of color as a monkey a “small issue”. You are an absolute dolt and an apologist for a racist idiot; therefore marking yourself as an idiot as well. Unreal!

Tom | 8/15/2006, 3:14 pm EST

Unfortunately this speaks volumes, not only about Allen but about Virginians as a whole. Quite frankly I’m not surprised that his audience laughed at and played along with his comments.

Never trust a Republican south of the Mason Dixon line (Santorum too…)

Jon T | 8/15/2006, 3:12 pm EST

If anything it shows bad taste on Allen’s part, not that he’s a racist. Webb thinks he’s going to get any traction out of this in VA he’s nuts. The lastest polls show Webb down about 15 points. That’ s one reason the Washington Post and other media outlets are taking this small issue and running.
Some of these pundits who blow these issues up need to get out in the real world like the midwest, south or west. That’s where people care about real issues, not this “gottcha” type poliitcs.

reddy | 8/15/2006, 3:06 pm EST

This was clearly racist in nature and let there be no mistake about it. Before the apologists come crawling out from under the woodwork … racism is not confined to Republicans alone (as a lot of us would like to believe) but Democrats exhibit similar behavior on occasion.

This is not about republicans or democrats but when a U.S. Senator chooses to publicly denigrate an individual based on race, its disgraceful and frankly not surprising given the chraged political atmosphere.

Zemog | 8/15/2006, 3:05 pm EST

“‘Macaca’ is an ethnic slur in Tunisia and Allen’s mother is French Tunisian - Allen is known to have spoken French especially well in school.”

If the above is true, then he is not only a bigot but he thinks his audience are bigots or stupid like him. He might be right in both counts when referring to his claque.

Luchy J. | 8/15/2006, 3:05 pm EST

Well, another Republican down, many more to go. They are self destructing. Just a shame the Republican rubber stamp Congress won’t throw out the worst of them all,……Bush.

Wait-a-moment... | 8/15/2006, 3:04 pm EST

Not to be needlessly contrary, but hasn’t the opponent (Webb) had his own racial troubles with Jewish people and some campaign materials featuring a hook-nosed drawing of a Jew with pockets overflowing with cash? Perhaps we should look upon this as what it is- a choice between two evils…

RayH | 8/15/2006, 2:56 pm EST

You didn’t mention the name of Allen’s opponent.

He is James Webb, former Secretary of the Navy, decorated Marine veteran of Vietnam, and celebrated novelist who has no history of racial taunting. Webb is running in opposition to the Bush administration’s conduct in Iraq- which Allen supports.

Sam | 8/15/2006, 2:55 pm EST

its so sad to see some pathetic racist still around asking for presidency candidate

average guy | 8/15/2006, 2:55 pm EST

Why is this author making it sound like amateur videos are interfering with politics. If anything, the public needs more TRUTH in words and images, especially since chickensh*t journalists won’t report the truth anymore.

This isn’t the worst of it. There’s a lot of bigotry and corruption throughout the government.

Rolling Stone hasn’t shown any balls until fairly recently. What are you afraid of, Dickinson?

Aaron | 8/15/2006, 2:53 pm EST

The remark was derogatory and ignorant in its nature and that’s the main problem. Considering the all-white, Republican crowd - in Virginia - Allen should have known better than to make comments like this into a recording camera.

Bob W | 8/15/2006, 2:53 pm EST

What tape did you watch Jon T. I just got through watching it and it is very apparent that Allen was attempting to demean his opponent’s video cameraman. And I suppose you buy Allen’s claim that he does not know that the term “macaca” is derogatory. And the “Welcome to America” slur? You really should stop apologizing for the guy since all of America now knows who he really is.

Bill W. | 8/15/2006, 2:52 pm EST

“Today, the video evidence of Allen’s aparent race problem…”

What is an ‘aparent’?

DRG Raj | 8/15/2006, 2:51 pm EST

Interesting…Mr. Siddharth is named after the great Buddha, the embodiment of peace and wisdom. His original name was Siddharth and lived 2500 years ago. His teachings are still influencing the humanity.

I am glad that the young man is named after the great one, and to his namesake, he has behaved well. In this particular case, considering Macaques also have red face, one stood out in the crowd - George Allen! whose teachings we shall forget in an instant - Pufffff…

Dave | 8/15/2006, 2:49 pm EST

Whether or not you think he was being racist, he was. In any French speaking region, New Orleans and Quebec included, Macaque is the equivalent of the N word. Not to metion the fact that Allen’s mother is a French Colonial from Tunisia and he speaks French. What a bigot.

sam | 8/15/2006, 2:49 pm EST

“Macaca” is an ethnic slur in Tunisia and Allen’s mother is French Tunisian - Allen is known to have spoken French especially well in school.

This was no innocent reference to a mohawk. I’ve seen pictures of the young man in question. His hair style isn’t anywhere near what ANYONE would call a mohawk. He has neat fairly close cropped hair about the same length over his whole head.

Jon T | 8/15/2006, 2:41 pm EST

I watched the tape and it’s obvious Allen didn’t mean any harm and wasn’t being racist.
Don’t remember you writing about Joe Biden’s remarks a couple weeks. You know where he made a slam about “Not being able to walk into a 7-11 without seeing an indian behind the counter” If you think Allen’s comments are racist than Biden’s must be too.

Brian | 8/15/2006, 2:29 pm EST

> Not content with insinuating that
> Sidarth is a primate

Er, he is a primate. We all are.

Allen K. | 8/15/2006, 2:27 pm EST

For the record: Sidarth was born in Virginia.

…and George Felix Allen wasn’t. He’s a Confederacy wannabe. Before 2000, I would never have believed that losers like this could be plausible candidates for presidential nomination.

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