"This fellow here over here with the yellow shirt, Macaca, or whatever his name is. He’s with my opponent. He’s following us around everywhere. And it’s just great. We’re going to places all over Virginia, and he’s having it on film and its great to have you here and you show it to your opponent because he’s never been there and probably will never come."
"…Lets give a welcome to Macaca, here. Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia." – Senator George Allen, August 11, 2006
The Senator from Virginia, my state, is referring to a Webb campaign volunteer of Indian descent. The volunteer has a name: S.R. Sidarth. But Senator Allen prefers to call him "Macaca".
According to the Washington Post:
Virginia Sen. George Allen (R) apologized Monday for what his opponent’s campaign said were demeaning and insensitive comments the senator made to a 20-year-old volunteer of Indian descent.
At a campaign rally in southwest Virginia on Friday, Allen repeatedly called a volunteer for Democrat James Webb "macaca." During the speech in Breaks, near the Kentucky border, Allen began by saying that he was "going to run this campaign on positive, constructive ideas" and then pointed at S.R. Sidarth in the crowd.
…
Depending on how it is spelled, the word macaca could mean either a monkey that inhabits the Eastern Hemisphere or a town in South Africa. In some European cultures, macaca is also considered a racial slur against African immigrants, according to several Web sites that track ethnic slurs.
A "macaca" is a monkey found in Asia and Africa. Here is a picture of a macaca:
Here is a picture of S.R. Sidarth:
I am not sure what was going on inside George Allen’s head, but I am betting that he wasn’t thinking about zoology.
I would be really interested to hear from Mr. Sidarth on television or radio. If he was raised in Virginia, and has something of the local accent, it would amplify the casual racism and prejudice Mr. Allen exemplifies.
Has he actually give a media interview? And why is the Webb campaign not getting him out front here?
I’ve been suggesting far and wide that this is a great opportunity for anti-Allen campaigners. Just show up at his events holding big signs saying “WELCOME TO AMERICA, GEORGE!”
The more varied the sign-holders look, the better.
Oh, and if he complains, then ask him why he hates America.
.. and that the end, the usual, ” … we are in the middle of a war against terro …” This crap, never gets old.
Mash, the first picture does not show up, is it my computer or?? The other pics show just fine. I think that not only did he not have zoology in mind, he probably just made up a word and did not know what it meant..
he must’ve been very confident of his campaign to not just say it once, but twice and then some..”is you, or is you ain’t my constituency’! (O brother where art thou)
Ingrid
It does my heart good to see someone picking up the banner of white supremacy right where Trent Lott left it. And from the party that gave you “John McCain’s black baby” and the oh-so-subtle Willie Horton ad.
Ingrid, the first image is a video from YouTube of Allen. I think YouTube might be overwhelmed right now and that is why you don’t see anything.
On behalf of Virginians and Americans, let me take a moment to apologize for the doltish behavior of the two Georges.
If George A. wants to recover from this incident, perhaps he may want to start by taking a moment to remind George W. that W. is the president of the United States and not of Israel.
George W’s Israel first, America second, policy is going to help ensure Allen’s defeat in November 2006.
YouTube videos are blocked at my work. I’ll have to look at it when I get home. I hope Mr. Sidarth gives an interview on this topic.
As for Sen. Allen, I’d like to ship him a dozen bananas as a sign of protest against his poor choice of words.
Off-topic alert (I should be packing for a short trip out of town) but Mash (and Robbie), check out this blog; http://eteraz.wordpress.com/ thought you might enjoy it..
later!
Ingrid
I just saw the video clip a second ago. I’m certain Mr. Allen just screwed himself out of the GOP nomination. Even Ann Althouse had something negative to say about him yesterday.
I am a native Virginian. And George Allen is the epitome of scumbagerry.
Allowing innocent men be put to death, letting Virginia becoms NYC’s trash dump, etc. The list is endless.
I say we sic a ravid Macaca oh him.
Maybe that thar Mucacca feller wuz videoin th’ senator fer terror purposes…has y’all forgot 9/11? [-(
He looks like a terrorists ta me…
Im goin back ta my bunker now :-ss
Looks like its Macacarama on CNN and MSNBC. The Daily Show had a skit on it last night also.
Jeremiah, I have to agree with you. You can’t be too careful with a guy who uses initials as a first name. What kind of a first name is S.R. anyway???
He’s a racist shit, that one… He probably did lose the nomination for president with this one, but how’s his re-election coming? You Virginians going to send him back to Washington?
Wow, 10 points ahead…
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_carlson&sid=a74zBnchbWEo
MHB, this is Virginia after all. The 10 points is not unexpected. Most people don’t even know who Webb is yet. However, there is a changing demographic in some Republican leaning counties around the outer rim of the DC suburbs. That may pose problems for Allen in November. Usually a strong showing in the more conservative South and West of Virginia can trump the more liberal (and densely populated) Northern Virginia – but, that balance is definitely changing.
Mash, as a former resident of DC who now is half a continent away, allow me to make a suggestion: rent a truck with a really loud and obnoxious air horn and drive through Alexandria, Arlington and Falls Church, blowing it constantly and screaming “VOTE you motherfuckers!!!” I’m tempted to do the same thing here in northern New Mexico to overcome the “little Texas” vote down south. Of course, here I might be mistaken for just another goddamn tourist with a few too many margaritas under my belt…but I’m willing to try. :d