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George Allen on Civil Rights
Republican Jr Senator (VA)
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Tunisian mother did not teach him Tunisian slur "macaca"
Q: Senator Allen, you have said several times that you made up the word macaca when referring to S.R. Sidarth, the young man of Indian heritage born and raised in Fairfax County who attends your alma mater. But that word is a racial slur in
French-influenced African nations, most notably Tunisia. Your mother's Tunisian--are you sure you never heard the word and if you were just making up a name, to call Sidarth, why not just call him John, something that--rather than something that sounds
derogatory. Was it because he looked different?A: I hope you're not trying to bring my mother into this matter. I have said, and I'll say it once again, I made a mistake. It was a thoughtless moment. I have apologized for it, as well I should.
I had never heard that word before, from my mother or from anyone else. And so I made that mistake, I will of course do better, I'm sorry I said it. Nonetheless, there was no intent whatsoever to insult that young man or anyone else.
Source: Peggy Fox interview in Washington Post
Sep 20, 2006
Using "macaca" was a mistake, but not intended as an insult
Q On August 11th, you were at a campaign stop, and a young man who was videotaping it for the Webb campaign was there also. Let's watch.This fellow here-over here in the yellow shirt, macaca, or whatever his name is, he's with my opponent.
And let's give a welcome to macaca here. Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia.
The young man, S.R. Sidarth, is a resident of Virginia, an American citizen. Critics say that "macaca" is a racist slur, and that you used it because
he was dark-skinned. Why did you use those words toward a dark-skinned American?ALLEN: I made a mistake. I said things thoughtlessly. I've apologized for it, as well I should. But there was no racial or ethnic intent to slur anyone. If I had any idea
that that word was an insult, I would never do it, because it's contrary to what I believe and who I am.
Q: Well, where'd the word come from?
ALLEN: Oh, it's just made up.
Q: You'd never heard it before?
ALLEN: Never heard it before.
Source: VA Senate debate on Meet the Press with Tim Russert, p.19
Sep 17, 2006
In 1984, opposed MLK holiday; in 1993, honored Confederacy
Q: The New York Times said, "In 1984, as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, Mr. Allen opposed a state holiday honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. After being elected governor in 1993, he issued a proclamation honoring Confederate
History Month." Why did you do that?ALLEN: There are a lot of things that I wish I had learned earlier in life. I grew up in a football family, and those teams taught me a lot. And one of the things that you learn in football is that you don't care
about someone's race or ethnicity or religion, it's a meritocracy, it's a level playing field, and it's what we should aspire to in our society. And that's why I've always been advocating, making sure America and
Virginia's a land of opportunity for all. Through the years I've learned and I've grown. I wish I had had these experiences earlier in life, because I would have made decisions differently.
Source: VA Senate debate on Meet the Press with Tim Russert, p.20
Sep 17, 2006
Kept Confederate imagery in Governor's office; for heritage
Q: The Associated Press says, "Allen used to keep a Confederate flag in his living room, a noose in his law office and a picture of Confederate troops in his governor's office." ALLEN: On the Confederate flag-as a kid, I was rebellious,
anti-establishment, I still am. And I looked at the flag as a symbol for that.
Q: But you were governor.
ALLEN: I look at the flag as heritage and as regional pride. But I've also seen, over the years, talking and listening and learning and growing,
that that flag, to African-Americans, represents repression, segregation and violence against them. And I would never want to have anything to insult or offend someone, and so that's why I would not be utilizing that flag, because that's not who
I am, and I would never want to have that image or harmful impact on fellow human beings who I want to make sure are part of team America, because we do need to compete much better against countries in six and seven times our population
Source: VA Senate debate on Meet the Press with Tim Russert, p.20
Sep 17, 2006
Opposes requiring companies to hire more minorities
Allen AGREES with the following statements:- The federal government should utilize merit and qualifications in making government contracting decisions.
- Reduce government regulation of the private sector in order to encourage investment and
economic expansion.
- Provide tax credits for companies that move job-creating industries into areas with high unemployment.
- Increase funding for national job-training programs that re-train displaced workers or teach skills for today's job market.
Source: Vote-smart.org NPAT Issues questionnaire
Sep 20, 2000
Opposes "Sexual orientation protected by civil rights laws"
AGREES: Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, and disability be prosecuted as federal hate crimes.
Source: Vote-smart.org NPAT Issues questionnaire
Sep 20, 2000
Support VA beliefs & pass flag-burning ban amendment
This week Allen wrapped himself in the flag-protection issue. He cited Sen. Robb’s opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment allowing a ban on flag-burning and declared him :out of touch with the values and beliefs of Virginians.“
Source: Washington Post editorial, p. A18
Apr 1, 2000
Voted YES on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration.
The Senate voted on a resolution which would recommend a Constitutional Amendment banning flag desecration (not a vote on the Amendment itself). The resolution states: - the flag of the US is a unique symbol of national unity...
- the Bill of Rights should not be amended in a manner that could be interpreted to restrict freedom...
- abuse of the flag causes more than pain and distress... and may amount to fighting words...
- destruction of the flag of the US can be intended to incite a violent response rather than make a political statement and such conduct is outside the protections afforded by the first amendment to the Constitution.
Proponents of the Resolution say: - Fifty State legislatures have called on us to pass this amendment. This amendment simply says that "Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States."
- In other words, in passing this amendment, we would give to
Congress the power that the Supreme Court took away in 1989.
- 48 States had anti-desecration measures on the books before 1989. It was then that five unelected judges told those 48 sovereign entities that they were wrong.
Opponents of the Resolution say: - I am deeply offended when people burn or otherwise abuse this precious national symbol.
- I also believe that the values and beliefs that the American flag represents are more important than the cloth from which this symbol was created.
- Prominent among these beliefs are the right to voice views that are unpopular, and the right to protest.
- I oppose this amendment not because I condone desecration of our flag, but because I celebrate the values our flag represents. Flag burning is despicable. However, the issue is whether we should amend our great charter document, the Constitution, to proscribe it.
- Is this a problem needing such strong medicine? Are we facing an epidemic of flag burnings?
Reference: Flag Desecration Amendment;
Bill S.J.Res.12
; vote number 2006-189
on Jun 27, 2006
Voted YES on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage.
Voting YES implies support for amending the constitution to ban same-sex marriage. This cloture motion to end debate requires a 3/5th majority. A constitutional amendment requires a 2/3rd majority. The proposed amendment is:Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any State, shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and a woman.
Reference: Marriage Protection Amendment;
Bill S. J. Res. 1
; vote number 2006-163
on Jun 7, 2006
Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes.
Motion to Invoke Cloture on S. 625; Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2001. The bill would expand the definition of hate crimes to incorporate acts committed because of a victim's sex, sexual orientation or disability and permit the federal government to help states prosecute hate crimes even if no federally protected action was implicated. If the cloture motion is agreed to, debate will be limited and a vote will occur. If the cloture motion is rejected debate could continue indefinitely and instead the bill is usually set aside. Hence a Yes vote supports the expansion of the definition of hate crimes, and a No vote keeps the existing definition. Three-fifths of the Senate, or 60 members, is required to invoke cloture.
Reference:
Bill S.625
; vote number 2002-147
on Jun 11, 2002
Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping.
Motion to table (kill) the amendment that would provide that in order to conduct roving surveillance, the person implementing the order must ascertain that the target of the surveillance is present in the house or is using the phone that has been tapped.
Reference:
Bill S1510
; vote number 2001-300
on Oct 11, 2001
Supports anti-flag desecration amendment.
Allen sponsored a Constitutional Amendment:
Supports granting Congress power to prohibit the physical desecration of the U.S. flag. Proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.
Source: House Resolution Sponsorship 01-HJR36 on Mar 13, 2001
Rated 20% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record.
Allen scores 20% by the ACLU on civil rights issues
The mission of the ACLU is to preserve protections and guarantees America’s original civic values - the Constitution and the Bill of Rights: - Your First Amendment rights-freedom of speech, association and assembly. Freedom of the press, and freedom of religion supported by the strict separation of church and state.
- Your right to equal protection under the law - equal treatment regardless of race, sex, religion or national origin.
- Your right to due process - fair treatment by the government whenever the loss of your liberty or property is at stake.Your right to privacy - freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into your personal and private affairs.
We work also to extend rights to segments of our population that have traditionally been denied their rights, including Native Americans and other people of color; lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people; women; mental-health patients; prisoners; people with disabilities; and the poor. If the rights of society’s most vulnerable members are denied, everybody’s rights are imperiled. Our ratings are based on the votes the organization considered most important; the numbers reflect the percentage of time the representative voted the organization's preferred position.
Source: ACLU website 02n-ACLU on Dec 31, 2002