Sen. Allen's Journey Of Racial Conciliation (apologizing for slavery)

Washington Post ^ | 5/1/6 | Rosalind S. Helderman

[Crackingham]

On a weekend pilgrimage to this town that was once the center of massive resistance to desegregation, Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) said he believes a congressional resolution expressing remorse for slavery would be a "powerful, worthy" idea.

Allen, who is running for reelection while considering a 2008 presidential bid, was in Farmville over the weekend as part of a racial reconciliation trip organized by the bipartisan Faith and Politics Institute. Also participating in the pilgrimage was Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a leader in the civil rights movement. Allen pledged to work with Lewis to build support among colleagues and the public for the resolution.

.......

Allen's comments were notable because some black leaders and political opponents have long accused him of racial insensitivities. Before he ran for governor in 1993, he kept a Confederate flag in a cabin near his Charlottesville home, part of a collection of flags, he has said. He once displayed a noose in his law office, which he said was part of a homage to the West. And he stirred controversy as governor by issuing a proclamation noting the South's celebration of Confederate History Month in April, without mentioning slavery.

Allen said he has gotten a lesson in the importance of symbols, including the Confederate flag. "I have learned over time what that flag means," he said. "To me, it didn't mean what it means to some people. . . . I looked at it more as anti-establishment, renegade, rebelliousness. But I have learned . . . when you look at how that flag has been appropriated by hate groups. I don't ever want to hurt people or in any way make them feel bad about one thing or another."

[BooksForTheRight.com]

Will this ever end?
Not likely any time soon, since certain race-hucksters have a vested interest in keeping the hate going.

[Iscool]

No doubt...Why we have politicians that want to keep reliving the 60's is beyond me...

[Gabz]

Allen PING..............

Here we go again.....~~~~~SIGH~~~~

[Coop]

So what do you think of the article you've posted?

[onyx]

Next he'll be accused of smoking cigs or of protecting big tobacco.

[Stentor]

Perhaps apologizing the enslavement to rising taxes we all pay to pay for illegals and their childen would be more appropriate.

Perhaps it wouldn't.

[Gabz]

Don't forget..........he chews tobacco!!!!

I haven't seen his schedule yet, but I'm hoping he will be attending Wednesday's Seafood Festival on Chincoteague. It is an election year, so I will guess he will be there.

[iceskater]

I am sick of this "apologizing" nonsense.

Of course, when Clinton went to Africa and apologized for the US not doing something (I can't even remember what supposed sin the US committed that he felt compelled to apolgize for it), the liberal dinosaur media thought it was greatest thing since canned beer.

Clinton gets a pass; Allen gets raked over the coals for pandering.

I'm sick of the whole thing.

[DustyMoment]

Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) said he believes a congressional resolution expressing remorse for slavery would be a "powerful, worthy" idea.

So much for Allen as a presidential "rising star". The GOP HAS to find a contender for '08 or we are going to be hearing "Madame President" for at least 4 years starting in January of '09.

[EternalVigilance]

Allen, as usual, will pander.

Oh, yeah.

[EternalVigilance]

So much for Allen as a presidential "rising star". The GOP HAS to find a contender for '08 or we are going to be hearing "Madame President" for at least 4 years starting in January of '09.

Indeed.

[R. Scott]

Yep. All Republicans are evil.
(sigh...)

[Corin Stormhands]

The responses on this, and the other Allen thread, are simply baffling.

Let me clarify that I am a son (small "S" I don't belong to the group) of the Confederacy. I have lived my entire life in Virginia, except for four years in Kentucky in college. My first day of school was the first day schools were integrated in my county.

That said, I just don't get the reactions to this. Not even enough to try to debate it.

These measures are largely (granted, not entirely) symbolic. An olive branch if you will. I don't have a problem with them.

[Ligeia]

This will be long blown-over by November. Click on the Hampton Roads Announcement Tour slide show. Senator Allen enjoys the support of many of Virginia's African-American voters.

George Allen 2006 Photo Album

[Phosgood]

Every thing to lose, nothing to gain.

He could have offered an olive branch without beating himself with it.

Poor judgement on the part of the hacks that advise him like the time he teamed up publicly with MZ Bradey on the "Anti Assault" weapons bill.

[Corin Stormhands]

Poor judgement on the part of the hacks that advise him like the time he teamed up publicly with MZ Bradey on the "Anti Assault" weapons bill.

I suppose you have a source for that misstatement?

"This election matters because George Allen says it's okay to bring deadly weapons into recreation centers," said Mrs. Brady. "How can allowing firearms into recreation centers keep our children safe? If George Allen wants to send guns into recreation centers in Virginia, I can't imagine what he will do for our country. Chuck Robb, on the other hand, shows tremendous leadership when he stands up to the gun lobby and he does so time after time."
Sarah Brady in a 2000 Press Release.

P8riot posted a good summary of the FACTS about George Allen's 2nd Amendment position here.

[kalee]

bttt

[Vision]

On a weekend pilgrimage to this town that was once the center of massive resistance to desegregation, Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) said he believes a congressional resolution expressing remorse for slavery would be a "powerful, worthy" idea

What a dumba##. Tha'st exactly what the slavery reparations crowd wants.

Why does the Republican party shoot themselves in the foot every day.

Looks like it's up to Pence in '08, this guy is a friggin' fool

[jla]

Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) said he believes a congressional resolution expressing remorse for slavery would be a "powerful, worthy" idea.

This is nonsense, utter nonsense.

[Corin Stormhands]

This is nonsense, utter nonsense.

I know I'll never win this argument here on FR. But I just don't see it that way.

Slavery was wrong. The demand for Reparations is wrong.

Trying to seek some resolution in between is not. A apology costs us nothing.

Flame away.