Senator Meets Leaders Over Ethnic Comment (Sen. Allen Meets Indian/American Leaders over Comment)

Buffalo News ^ | 8/17/06

[areafiftyone]

ARLINGTON, Va. - Sen. George Allen met Wednesday with Indian-American political leaders concerned that he referred to a rival's campaign staffer as "macaca" and told the Virginia native of Indian descent, "Welcome to America."

Members of the US Indian Political Action Committee said they have received hundreds of e-mails about the comments Allen made Friday at a speech that S.R. Sidarth was videotaping for his Democratic challenger, Jim Webb.

"Obviously this is something that has us very, very concerned," said Sanjay Puri, a northern Virginia businessman and founder and director of the committee, which claims 30,000 members. "The remarks are very insensitive."

Sidarth and others consider the remark offensive. Macaca is a genus of monkeys including macaques, but Allen has said he just made up a word that sounds similar to "Mohawk," a nickname Allen staffers gave Sidarth because of his partially cropped hair.

Allen, who is positioning himself for a possible presidential run in 2008, has said he apologizes to Sidarth if he took any offense, but the 20-year-old college student has said he thinks Allen's remarks were an attempt to highlight Sidarth's race in what he says was an all-white crowd.

Puri, who described himself as nonpartisan, said his committee has had good relations with Allen and he has been receptive to the group's political interests on issues including the economy and immigration. But he added that Allen has a "lot of bridges to be mended."

Allen's campaign declined to comment, deferring to Puri and other organizers.

[Salvey]

Much ado about...

[Mad Dawg]

All your apology are belong to us.

[Eagles Talon IV]

I remember that incident. On the Senate floor he used the term "nigger" and "white nigger". It was a one day story and then it was gone forever.

[HawaiianGecko]

This obsession that Americans are developing for '-isms' is starting to drive me batty.  People do not have the right to not be offended for crying out loud.  Personally I saw what Allen said, I thought it was an intentional insult and thought big deal, a friendly insult directed towards a guy that works for his opponent. This country is becoming pussified. There are so many pansies in America today it's pathetic. If Osama were to show up in New York with a bunch of buddies and yell "Boo" half of us would pass out and the other half would sue him.

America has been reduced to a bunch of milquetoast pantywaists running around blaming each other for all the 'perceived' wrongdoing in the world. A macaque comment should rank somewhere between 35 & 36 millionth in our list of grievances, but at the moment, it's #1.

George, I have some good advice.  Repeat the comment, admit your proud of it and tell this little milksop to get over it.

[Corin Stormhands]

Furthermore, Allen has shown himself to be a clown by going around and apologizing everyday.

He's not "apologizing everyday." He's issued a statement, met with the Indian-American leaders, and he's answered reporters everyday questions.

The irony is, over on the RAT blogs they're all saying "why hasn't he apologized?"

[Flora McDonald]

heh. I spammed all the Free Republic threads last night with my Mohawka Man picture and spelled Mohawka wrong so I'm staying out of this.

[Corin Stormhands]

Yeah, I'm pretty much done with the story myself.

[truthkeeper]

I have only one word to say in response to your post...

BRAVO.

[SDGOP]

While its obvious we disagree about allen being presidential, we both know there is a double standard with republican candidates and he's just doing this to get the DBM off his back.

What's actually interesting is that (i am indian american) most indian americans i meet, at least the ones who aren't first generation americans, can be quite racist/intolerant. I know my parents tend to be, i like em and all, but it's just a part of them i accept. Especially when it comes to religion they go bezerk. Most of them aren't very forgiving or tolerant of Indians who happen to be christian.

[areafiftyone]

What's actually interesting is that (i am indian american) most indian americans i meet, at least the ones who aren't first generation americans, can be quite racist/intolerant. I know my parents tend to be, i like em and all, but it's just a part of them i accept. Especially when it comes to religion they go bezerk. Most of them aren't very forgiving or tolerant of Indians who happen to be christian.

Oh I entirely agree. My Grandmother, my mother and aunts grew up Italian American and were totally prejudiced against certain races whereas I grew up hating any kind of racism. It depends on the generation. I think this whole thing with Allen will blow over although right now. The bad thing that is happening is that it is effecting Allen's Senate poll numbers.

Webb has a mailing out that Rasmussen has a new Virginia poll out with Allen only leading Web by 5% - Allen 47% vs Webb $42%. I can't post the poll because you have to pay now to have access. If it is true it is not good news for Allen.

[SDGOP]

It's just a bump in the campaign, i wouldn't worry much about it. As for the immigrant thing, yea my parents and their generation aren't very tolerant of outsiders. Their generation flipped out when my cousin married a white guy. If you listened to them it was like the world was ending. Lucky for me and my cousins, we grew up not buying into any of their stuff.

On a more amusing note, my parents have grudginly accepted that i date white women, but my mom tells me she'll disown me if i ever bring home a muslim girl. (pity, such cute persian girls where i live too).

[areafiftyone]

There is where I agree with her about Muslim women. They may be cute but they might be a bit of trouble especially their family. Imagine the In-Laws! YIKES! They would probably expect you to convert to Islam anyway. By the way I'm a female which I'm sure you didn't know and I don't think I could ever ever go out with a muslim guy. I have heard horror stories from other girls about what happens once they marry you. They treat you like gold when they are dating you until they get you married but once they marry you - you become their dog. Very scary stuff.

[areafiftyone]

I've always said that even though I will support Giuliani in the primaries - if Allen wins the primary and is our nominee I will support him 100% and vote for him in the general election. I have no hatred for Allen I just am not impressed. Maybe later on if he decides to run and I see more of him I will change my mind. I am still keeping my options open. Now McCain is another story. THAT MAN SCARES ME!

[facedown]

This is a huge mistake. It just makes him look weak-kneed.

[SDGOP]

Yea, i wouldn't date a muslim girl for the same reason. I really don't care if i get called a bigot or something like that. Its awfully tempting though, some cute persian girls running around where i live. But religion is important to me and i have no desire to put up to conflicting religions like islam and christianity. My point was to highlight my parents great hatred of muslims. Then again my parents aren't too fond of blacks either, but i suppose there just not fond of anybody.

Most people who immigrate here tend to be very oriented around their culture and distrusting of others. Back a few years ago i was dating an asian girl, her mom demanded we break it off because i wasn't of their race(viet). Silly stuff. And they say white folks are the real racists. As i like to always say, every race can have their own "pride day", but if white people do it their nazi's.

[SDGOP]

I'd suck it up and vote for most anyone after the primaries, but mccain no way. THat man is deranged and a chamelon.

I listened to mccain at allen's event, for a few minutes i was almost fooled by him. Then i reminded myself the man is an expert at telling people what they want to hear.

[SDGOP]

I should also add, i would have never guessed you had two x chromosomes.

[areafiftyone]

In a few months it will all blow over. By November it will have been forgotten unless Webb keeps up on it. I don't think Webb will unless he wants to start getting people angry.

[areafiftyone]

The thing that scares me is in a small Iowa Straw poll that was done yesterday - McCain was on top. What is Iowa thinking?

[areafiftyone]

I should also add, i would have never guessed you had two x chromosomes

I know I try to keep that a secret. It makes it more fun. Especially when Freepers call me PAL or BUDDY! ;-)