Washington Post Distorts Alleged Allen Slur

A Washington Post Editorial addressing a recent gaffe by Virginia Senator George Allen, actually mis-characterizes the incident. The line "Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia" had nothing to do with anyone's race, or presumed country of origin. It followed directly on the heels of Allen lambasting opponent Webb for being off with the Hollywood elite. It was that contrast Allen was attempting to draw as you can see here.

The idea that holding up minorities to public scorn in front of an all-white crowd will elicit chortles and guffaws? (It did.) The idea that a candidate for public office can say "Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia!" to an American of Indian descent and really mean nothing offensive by it?

Obviously, Allen meant nothing offensive as regards the man's apparent Indian heritage in the sense the Post implies with his "Welcome to America" comment.

Also, if an individual takes on the task of dogging a political campaign with a video camera for the opposition, being held up to scorn doesn't sound like such a bad thing to me. Perhaps the Webb campaign is taking a page from NBC's Dateline. The show felt the need to send Muslims to NASCAR races in attempts to draw camera worthy responses from the mostly white crowd.

Such programming is as about as worthy as the gotcha politics we're now seeing from the Webb campaign. As Webb likely can't get elected for his experience or positions, perhaps race baiting sensationalist fodder for an all too politically correct America is the only real hope he has.

Comments

[betbart]

Now that is a funny excuse: your honor, I had to slur the Indian, he was asking for it by being a minority at my rally!

Face it, you can see on the video that he turns to the kid and speaks directly TO HIM, calling him "Macaca, welcome to america and to the real virginia." He wasn't just a proxy for Webb.

[Jules]

We Indians call each other Macaca all the time.
Senator Allen is being slandered by the big bad liberals.

Shit, Negro, that's all you had to say!

('cept, Allen's not black, he's a racist motherfucker, playing up to his base)

[Dan Riehl]

Good grief, so much fuss:
"I think Dan didn't address the use of "macaca" because he wanted to clearly differentiate between what may have been a legitimate racial slur and what, to an honest observer, is not necessarilly so."

Precisely. While the rabid Left wants to cast the entire interaction as racist, it obviously wasn't. Any objective observer can easily connect Allen's mentioning of the Hollywood elite to the "Welcome to America / Virginia" crack. I didn't address any alleged racism as 1: I've little to judge Allen's word choice on and 2: the WaPo distorted the element of the exchange I honed in on and that was the point of my post.

I've never followed Allen, don't give much of a flip about him one way or another. And will make any judgements about the man when and if it ever impacts my voting decision. As an ALWAYS registered Independent, I don't support every Republican out of hand. In short, I don't care about Allen. I care about the MSM and they got the first part of the exchange wrong. I see some insisting that isn't the case. Nonsense, now that's bias for you. Fact is, if the initial comment frames the whole exchange, there would be reason to argue it wasn't racist at all. But, as stated, I don't know or care enough about the man to make that claim.

[Original Rick]

"Rick asks: "AND YOU KNOW THIS HOW????"

Because I think before I speak, and gather facts before I form opinions.

I commend both practices to you."

So, you thought it up and can not share any "facts" to back it up. I'VE GOT IT!!! YOU'RE SEAN HANNITY IN DISGUISE!!! Thanks for answering a simple question with a convoluted answer.

[Instapummel]

Once again, Dan "the Klan" Riehl gives Republican race-baiters everywhere the "informed perspective" equivalent of the purple Kool-Aid while wrapping himself in the Stars and Ba... er, ahem, Stripes.

Bottoms up, bigots everywhere!

[Charles Warren]

Dan, what a total copout !

The initial MSM reports only erred in being too soft on Allen. They did not reveal that "macaque" means "nigger" in the language of Allen's mother's white settler culture. Pretending that calling a dark skinned person a nigger isn't racist is ludicrous.

[Zifnab]

"Perhaps the Webb campaign is taking a page from NBC's Dateline. The show felt the need to send Muslims to NASCAR races in attempts to draw camera worthy responses from the mostly white crowd."

I get a kick out of this non-issue just because NBC walked away with a total non-story. Mostly it was "Huh, no one shouted any racial slurs or tried to lynch us. Damnit. Let's go home." If only the proud senator from Virginia could maintain the civility of your standard issue Nascar fan.

But this is politics. Perhaps I'm asking too much.

[Zifnab]

"Fact is, if the initial comment frames the whole exchange, there would be reason to argue it wasn't racist at all. But, as stated, I don't know or care enough about the man to make that claim."

So Allen's initial opener - insulting the Mr. Macaca for being a foreigner - frames the debate in such a way that Allen is excused for coming across as racist because... he was xenophobic first? I mean... I guess. Good job MSM, you totally passed on the opportunity to paint Senator Allen as intensely anti-immigrant because you were too caught up in the race issue.

I don't understand how any part of Allen's exchange with the camera man, taken in any context, paints him as anything less than an uneducated, elitist, asshole. Pardon my French.

[Jaxebad]

Is the main problem too obvious to understand by anyone?

George Allen may not have known the specific meaning of the word. However, what he did know was that Mr. Sidharth was of non-caucasian ancestry, and had darker skin, so on the spot he made a point of targeting him as a non-white person, and then proceeded to mock him as someone who isn't a true American, even though Sidharth is in fact a natural-born citizen.

Basically, Allen believes it is ok to dehumanize someone for the purpose of making a political point.

And that, is why Allen is not fit to be a US Senator, and should be rejected in favor of Jim Webb.

[carsick]

Let me understand. It wasn't as though Allen called him a raghead or black monkey, he merely called him shithead in some way that was above his white audience's head. Yeah, sell that.

[JJ]

Obviously you're an idiot who supports racist politicians.

[Dan Riehl]

Ah, who let the Libs in? I wish I had known. I'd have left out the government cheese!! LMAO

[Lou Cypher]

So...what do you "yell at Japs" with video cameras, Mr. Rhiel?
The world is breathless to hear your response.

It would be difficult to rank your post with regard to the thousands which come down every day which suggest utterly vapid attempts to re-interpret words and sentiments captured and displayed with unquestionable accuracy.

I think you need to go shopping for a brain, Mr. Rhiel.

[Charles Warren]

"Ah, who let the Libs in? I wish I had known. I'd have left out the government cheese!! LMAO"

What happenned to your "independent" pretense ? Then again, it's hard to pass as "independent" when you're trying to spin the French version of "nigger", now isn't it ? Frankly, it's kind of a machine hack thing to do.

[MalakaJoe]

If he only meant it because of the "Hollywood elite" speech before the Welcome to American comment...why did he have to choose the only non-white in the audience? Couldn't he have said it to anyone in the audience (by your logic)?

He pointed out he only non-white because of race. Leaving the "macaca" comment out that wouldn't be racist. But stupid because you are bringing race into a political race. I hate that. Whenever anyone brings race into anything, it lowers them.

So simply he pointed out the one non-white in the audience with this welcome to American comment. He didn't say it to anyone else in the audience, thus your arguement that it was because of the Hollywood elite portion of the speech is non-sense.

[Zifnab]

"Ah, who let the Libs in? I wish I had known. I'd have left out the government cheese!! LMAO"

I don't get it.

[Dan Riehl]

I think you need to go shopping

Well, I'd write you an answer, but I'm afraid your lack of reading comprehension would get in the way. oops, forgot, you're a lib so spelling "don't" count. ; )

[Ba'al]

Let's imagine that Allen had directed his comments at a black person. Let's imagine he said "Let's welcome Little Sambo here. Welcome him to Virgina, the proud birthplace of Robert E Lee.". It would be precisely analogous. Maybe people would get it then.

The part about "Welcome to America" puts the lie to Allen's lame excuse that he meant that his opponent, Mr. Webb, should get outside the beltway once in awhile. Obviously he was directing his comments at this American student of South Asian ancestry. If you watch the clip, and it is all over the internet, there is no doubt about it at all.

For commenters who don't know the word "Macaca", do a quick Google search and you can find it's meaning in about 30 seconds. It is quite commonly used in French speaking countries to refer to Arabs. I have heard it myself in Paris. It is not friendly. Moreover, Allen's mother is French and lived in North Africa, where that phrase was commonly used.

No way around it, Allen revealed his true colors. Someone upthread quibbled that he is merely intensely anti-immigrant rather than racist. Whatever. What is clear is that he is a first class asshole. His intimidation tactics are those of a Brownshirt. You don't want a prick like this in the Senate.

[Dan Riehl]

Okay, one for time for the slow kids. I have made no comment on the macaca component of this episode. My issue was with the WaPo Editorial staff, which misrepresented the context of his America remark. And, like it or not, that context fits with the flow of Allen's words much better than does the suggestion that that component was racially motivated. That's a fact. If you can't deal with it, if it somehow robs you of smearing the entire episode as racially motivated, too bad. But, if you were smart, AND reasonable, you would concede that point for its obviousness and stay on the macaca comment.

And now, I am done! Good day to you all, friendz!!!!!!!!

[Dan Riehl]

it is all over the internet

I linked it precisely because it makes my point.

[Lou Cypher]

The only point you have is growing your head, mon.

Sorry you couldn't bring yourself to respond.

Enjoy your "world", Mr. Rhiel.

[Jaxebad]

I noticed your remark about liberal people, Dan. What's the problem? Can't handle viewpoint that don't line up 100% with yours?

Jaxebadt

[Lou Cypher]

The only point you have is growing on your head, mon.

Sorry you couldn't bring yourself to respond.

Enjoy your "world", Mr. Rhiel.

[picaresque]

Mr. Riehl sez:

"I've little to judge Allen's word choice"

Seriously? After all of the talk, both from the media & from both campaigns, you've got little to work with? It seems pretty clear. According to the raving socialists at Hotline, the Allen campaign's latest explanation of the 'Macaca' incident (which sounds like the title of a long lost Robert Ludlum novel) is that the word was a nickname given to the cameraman by Allen. According to one person on his campaign, Macaca was meant to be a mixture of the word mohawk (though they don't explain why Allen doesn't know what a mohawk haircut looks like), and the word 'caca'. So their explanation is that Allen didn't mean to be racist, merely insulting, in a baffling, incomprehensible way.

So there's only 3 possibilities. A.) Allen's story is true, which it frankly doesn't appear to be B.) In the midst of berating this cameraman, Allen used a word he believed was pure nonsense, but turned out to be 'macaque', which is an ethnic slur, particularly against North Africans, and then proceeded to make poor, confused excuses for his mistake. Or, of course C.) Allen tried to slide in a racist epithet under the radar, and failed. Which of these makes the most sense?

But 'macaque' is such an obscure word, one might say. Except that, if one is willing to wade into the cesspool of White Supremacist websites (I didn't do it, some other blogger did!), one finds that it is still in common usage.

So, regardless of whether Allen's 'Welcome to America' bit (which is ironic enough, considering he was railing against campaigns that use personal attacks earlier in his speech) was aimed at Webb or at Mr. Sidath, it was still petty & insulting. And it was only the warmup for the real ad hominem attack.

[Radian]

First, one of his staffers said they had nothing to apologize for, then Allen says he didn't know the meaning of what he said (?!), then it became a mispronunciation/variation of 'mohawk', and now it's a combination of 'mohawk' and 'caca', because he didn't mean to call him a monkey - he just meant to call him a shithead!

IMHO, that much backpedaling can only mean that he knew what he was saying and is now desperately trying to cover his ass.

And this guy hopes to be president? To say that on camera in a public forum! If he's not a racist, he's certainly dumber than a sack of hair.

[Radian]

First, one of his staffers said they had nothing to apologize for, then Allen says he didn't know the meaning of what he said (?!), then it became a mispronunciation/variation of 'mohawk', and now it's a combination of 'mohawk' and 'caca', because he didn't mean to call him a monkey - he just meant to call him a shithead!

IMHO, that much backpedaling can only mean that he knew what he was saying and is now desperately trying to cover his ass.

And this guy hopes to be president? To say that on camera in a public forum! If he's not a racist, he's certainly dumber than a sack of hair.

[Radian]

First, one of his staffers said they had nothing to apologize for, then Allen says he didn't know the meaning of what he said (?!), then it became a mispronunciation/variation of 'mohawk', and now it's a combination of 'mohawk' and 'caca', because he didn't mean to call him a monkey - he just meant to call him a shithead!

IMHO, that much backpedaling can only mean that he knew what he was saying and is now desperately trying to cover his ass.

And this guy hopes to be president? To say that on camera in a public forum! If he's not a racist, he's certainly dumber than a sack of hair.

[Lou Cypher]

and no, by the way, I'm not a "liberal".

But in all fairness, I will heretofor refer to all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, race, religion or gender, as "Monkey-boy" from this time forward.

The left has applied the monkey moniker to the deranged individual who is currently in the White House, so fair's fair.

[one lil macaca]

Macacas for Allen! Now and forever! ;)

[Dan Riehl]

http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2006/08/allen_redux.html

[Dan Hartung]

Let's give a nice big welcome to "cracker".

A cracker is someone who makes a crack, right? Nothing offensive meant.

[Divvy]

Ya, know, I've looked and looked over the thread at FireDogLake where they portrayed Lieberman in blackface. Ironically I can't seem to find any of those names here screaming "racism", screaming the same thing there.

I wonder why?

[Ba'al]

The true beauty of this whole thing is that whatever hopes Allen may have had for office that requires elections somewhere outside of Virginia are now toast. Burnt toast at that.

Rejoice.

[AnG]

Dan,
I usually agree with you but I'm having a lot of trouble with what you're saying here. The quote went something like
"Webb is out with those Hollywood elites raising money...
So let's everyone welcome Macaca
Welcome to America
Welcome to the real world of Virginia."

From the above, it does seem like the "welcome to america" line is directed at the "macaca." But even if its not, you are pulling a slight of hand. By arguing so intently that the "welcome to america" line was mischaracterized, you are,in effect, diverting attention away from Allen's use of a racial slur immediately preceding that. That is the real issue here.

[Dumbledorito]

"But in all fairness, I will heretofor refer to all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, race, religion or gender, as "Monkey-boy" from this time forward."

That would peg you as a Buckaroo Banzai fan, yes?

[Yo, E Rocks!]

If you are supporting Allen, have you researched his anti-Semitic and racist history?

Allen made a mistake in not asking for Sidarth's name. It doesn't take someone with much charisma or character to simply go, "uh, excuse me. You in the yellow shirt, what's your name? And who are you with?"

Allen didn't do that. Allen went full ignorant racist speed ahead, using the epithet, and then "welcoming" the guy to America. It doesn't get any more politely racist.

The "mohawk" nickname, though, caps it: it makes no sense in less the staffers have no idea what kind of Indian-American S.R. Sidarth is. More on my blog.

btw, It's more of a G.I. haircut than a Mohawk.

[Zach]

You know, I was going to spend a few moments to write a biting response to this, but what's the point? Though I must admit that the post completely missed the "macaca" remark amused me. And that the "japs" comment appears to have been later washed.

[JD]

A local latino politician called me a cabron.

He told me it's because i came to see him in a cab, and I looked like Ronald Reagan.

I believe him.

[Escalation]

Where is the comment about "japs"

[Jules]

Ah, who let the Libs in? I wish I had known. I'd have left out the government cheese!! LMAO

Far be it from me to point out the fucking lunacy of a Republican apologist to have on hand Government property.

[Blue Patriot]

Dan, you're as cowardly as Allen, shooting your mouth off without the courage to stand behind your supposed convictions.
For just one more damning nail in Allen's coffin, Yeah, he also had a noose hanging in a ficus tree in his office... A f'ing noose. That really speaks to state's rights, huh, Dan? Oh, and Allen's sister says that Allen's Mother spoje five languages, and French was spoken by the entire family while the Allen children were young. Senator Allen doesn'ty speak 'some' French. He's bilingual, and speaks fluently.
Just keep digging Dan. You'll eventually hit China, right?
As for the government cheese comment, Why do most of my liberal eliteist Northeastern taxes end up paying for those southern highways and power plants?
Too stupid to know you're stupid.

[Dan Riehl]

Every time the unhinged Left invades over here, and it happens frequently enough, I am reminded of why you continue to lose elections. And please spare me Lamont. A Dem primary is not a general election. SO many of you are just absolute idiots full of nothing more than unpleasantness. I am a COnservative. Buy a dictionary. That has nothing to do with whether one is a Republican, or not. As your minds unravel and the rants continue to spew, you reveal everything from your lack of objectivity, civility and a clue as to what many, though thankfully not all, of you are ranting about. It's a pity the American Left is so woefully immature and overly judgmental of everything it opposes.

[Dan Riehl]

Oh, did I mention you are a bunch of macaca's?

Geesh! Find something important to obsess about. And I see this Sid-whatever turns out to be just another whinny ass Liberal monkey! (shutter) Did I just say that???? I must be Howard freaking Cosell. blah blah blah

I hate you chicken shit thought police types more than anything because I appreciate freedom, something you totalitarian nutjobs would give up in a minute for a healthcare program you evidently can't work to afford - and aretirement you probably haven't earned.

[Rick]

"Rick: Allen's geneology isn't worth much effort, but it's not hard to find, either. Check out biographies of his father, whom I remember from all the way back when he was coaching hte Fearsome Foursome. George Allen II who was from Detroit, and HIS father was a servant, also born in Detroit: hardly your typical Confederate background to have a son born in Michigan in 1870 or so -- I will admit, though, that I made the assumption that his French Tunisian mom had no ancestors who fought for the dissolution of the Union.

If you would like to stop being an asshole in public (feel free), I'd suggest that you offer some evidence that SHE has a Confederate heritage.

And prove it."

Actually, your inability to recognize whether someone agrees or disagrees, your constant worrying over other people's heritage...well, frankly you're boring me and you've lost ALL of your credibility. I'm glad you got off your lazy, judgmental (probably very wide) ass and did some research. Still, you only made it back to 1870 and thus need to go dig some more. Here's a little help which you should not need considering your homage to Mr. Webb's brilliance. When the immigrants came, they split up and moved to all corners of the compass. Just because grand pappy was born/lived in Michigan, does not mean a: He was not a Confederate b: Had no siblings/uncles living in the south. And here you claim to be a student of ACW history............

No, silly little puppet, I would actually expect someone from "French Tunisia" to have French ancestors. Of course, that does not render impossible that other relatives moved to the United States. I'm really bored with your elitist attitude but am curious why you chose to turn a discussion about Allen's obviously inappropriate remark (racist or xenophobic) into a discussion on genealogy?

[Righteous Bubba]

"Oh, did I mention you are a bunch of macaca's?"

No apostrophe necessary; it's easy to imagine you in grade school carving "faget" onto your desktop with the sharp end of a compass.

[Rick]

"Why do most of my liberal eliteist Northeastern taxes end up paying for those southern highways and power plants?"

Because you people are moving down here in droves and should pay for the improvements you need so that you can have Newark without the snow. Some of us are pushing for impact fees as well, so go get a second job, I need a four lane highway to get to my favorite, yankee free fishin' spot.

[Dan Riehl]

No apostrophe necessary

Heavens, another spluge dribbling all too French monkey wanders in.

[Mohawk]

" I used to think an anagram of "fletch" was a funny sounding word until I found out what it meant."

So how many time did the felch word come out of your mouth before you knew it was a word? And why did you find out the real meaning of felch? Did you think that your hobby didn't have a name yet?

[Mohawk]

"I hate you chicken shit thought police types more than anything because I appreciate freedom, something you totalitarian nutjobs would give up in a minute for a healthcare program you evidently can't work to afford - and aretirement you probably haven't earned."

Dan, do kiss the president's ass with that mouth? Or is all about the felching with you?

[Blue Patriot]

"so go get a second job, I need a four lane highway to get to my favorite, yankee free fishin' spot."

Exactly. Who's the entitlement party, again? Tax cuts, anyone?

Dan, You're a COnservative? Check again. According to a real conservative, John Dean, you and your ilk are in actuality, Right wing Authoritarians. Authoritarians are known for their lack of any introspection, inability to rationally disagree with their leadership, and a total lack of conscience or backbone (paraphrasing). You are standing up for a guy, a U.S. Senator, who is an obvious bigot. And then you have the jaw-dropping temerity to make government cheese jokes and thinly veiled racist comments of your own towards your percieved enemy, who also happen to be American Citizens. Klanner say what?

Get a grip. You are shooting yourself repeatedly in the foot, and asking me if it feels good. Embarrassing. Just back awy from the keyboard, slowly, slowly...