RK ARCHIVE - Isn't this just a little bit insensitive?

Now, I've given Allen a lot of leadway on this one. I've assumed that he's telling the truth about not knowing anything about his heritage. I've asked people to respect the wishes of the Allen family and keep this a non-issue.

Speaking with The Times-Dispatch, Allen said the disclosure is "just an interesting nuance to my background." He added, "I still had a ham sandwich for lunch. And my mother made great pork chops."

Um...does anybody else think that's just a wee bit insensitive? I mean, some Jews do eat pork. That's kind of a generalization, George. I mean, my sister doesn't eat pork, but she's not Jewish. Ben over at Not Larry Sabato tells me he does eat pork, and I'll take his word that he is Jewish.

Aren't generalizations usually considered...you know, kind of wrong? I mean, when somebody says "All Blacks Love Chicken and Watermelon", they usually get their ass handed to them. And they should. Now, this isn't in the same league, I know that much. After all, there are many Jews that belief it is against God's will to eat pork. But is it okay to just generalize like that? I mean, that could offend some people.

I could be totally wrong. I don't have a very good radar for this. But as a guy who was just hours ago telling people to leave Allen alone on this whole Jewish thing, I suddenly feel quite confused.

Comments

All at once (Mark - 9/20/2006 4:59:11 PM)

George Felix Allen has both said he has a heritage, and that it doesn't matter to him.

He is saying, "I may have some Jewish blood in me, but I'm no Jew......!!!!"

Way to step on your own dick, George.

Come on Dan (Susan Mariner - 9/20/2006 5:55:27 PM)

You need to cut this guy some slack. I mean he fell in love with the Confederate flag as a teenager. And by his own account, he just recently got the message that African Americans are deeply offended by it. So that means it took him something like 40 years to figure that out, right? So I think we should all be really patient with him for another 40 years, cause 40 years from now, he's bound to figure out that these types of comments are offensive too. Am I right? The man is clearly a VERY slow learner.

RE: Allen's pork fixation (JPTERP - 9/20/2006 7:10:22 PM)

I don't really know what to make of the "I still had a ham sandwich" comment either.

My sense is that he's saying "look I may have Jewish heritage, but I'm not really Jewish." In other words, for what ever reason he really isn't that comfortable with this part of his heritage.

I suspect he meant the comment as a joke, but it seems like the kind of joke a person makes about an embarrassing revelation. I don't see why this type of revelation should be embarrassing to anyone.

It sounds like Allen's saying (eve - 9/20/2006 9:55:45 PM)

please don't associate me with those people. He sounds uncomfortable. Which is sort of sad and strange for a supposedly mature Senator who aspires to the Presidency of a multicultural country.
The other day Lowell pointed out in his diary how differently Wes Clark views his heritage -- proudly and with self-confidence.
I think that one of the unique things about Wes Clark is that his private life and public life appear one.
That's rare I think in politics and is a reflection of his personal courage.

And talking about personal courage, that also stands out about Jim Webb and is one of the reasons we so need him in the Senate right now.

Free Pass (AERO - 9/20/2006 10:16:08 PM)

It seems that the Republicans have been given a free pass for so long on so many issues that they have become completely oblivious to their own arrogance. Allen will offend one person or group, then offend another or two more in his lame defense of what he said in the first place. The best thing he can do for his campaign is just shut up for about the next month and a half. I sure hope he doesn't, though.

Step 1 (vote-left - 9/20/2006 10:18:26 PM)

George Allen is addicted to lying.

He has lied so many times, about so many things, he doesn't even know who he really is. He has created a facade' of who he wants others to think he is, but inside he knows it is a pack of lies. And, now those lies are unraveling.

This would be Step 1.

1. We admitted we were powerless over our addiction (in George's case, PATHOLOGICALLY LYING) - that our lives had become unmanageable

http://www.12step.or...

George seems powerless over his compulsive addiction to lying (to himself, and to others).

His campaign, and therefore his life, is unraveling so quickly, that it has become unmanageable.

George seems to be spiritually bankrupt. May God help him.

This issue is stupid and a disgrace (Jonathan Trenn - 9/21/2006 4:08:42 PM)

In August, George Allen found out from his 83-year old mother that she was raised Jewish. Now, it has become a big cotroversy because Allen doesn't think it is relevant. Well, you know what? He's right...it isn't relevant. It's a non-issue that has no place in the political arena.

I write this as a Jim Webb supporter and as one who has blogged about Allen before: http://digitalstreet...

It has nothing to do with our national security, Iraq, affordable health care, global warming, economic strength, family values, civil rights, education, tax policy, or anything else. It is an non-issue that's being pushed by overly partisan types.