Cartoon

I saw this cartoon about George Allen- but I was caught off guard by one thing in small print:

"Yes, he actually had a noose hanging from a ficus tree in his law office".

I had always heard about the noose and Confederate flag in Allen's law office- but I did not realize the noose was hanging out of a tree. 

Can anyone confirm this? 

A noose hanging out of a tree is far different than a noose on the wall, although both are insensitive and ridiculous.

Comments

[Not Ted Stevens]

I as usual will take option three, now once I unstick the poor people from the bottom of my Hummer, I shall go and make sure my house servants all know who's the maste....err...boss...

Now, where did I put my Kla...er...Business outfit...

I have interracial marriages stop...

TED STEVENS...AWAYYYY!!!!

Emporer Ted Stevens
"Where there's a tube, there's a way"

[Not Huey Long]

I always understood it was a tree branch with a noose. I bet there's a photo somewhere in a deep, dark, dank basement.

[Not Larry Sabato]

With George Allen's recent comments, he needs to release the photos of his law office so we can judge for ourselves.

I always understood it to be above the doorway.

[Bubby]

Campaigning for governor in 1993, he admitted to prominently displaying a Confederate flag in his living room. He said it was part of a flag collection--and had been removed at the start of his gubernatorial bid. When it was learned that he kept a noose hanging on a ficus tree in his law office, he said it was part of a Western memorabilia collection.

GEORGE ALLEN'S RACE PROBLEM.
Pin Prick
by Ryan Lizza, The New Republic
Post date 04.27.06

[GOPHokie]

You know folks, people other than just blacks were hung from trees.
Like, you know, criminals.

Also, maybe he had it in his office to remind people why defense attorneys are needed, so everyone gets a fair trial.

Why does everything have to be racist with you people?

BC the GOP is racist.

[Not Harry F. Byrd, Sr.]

As for the noose in the fiscus tree:

http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=20060508&s=lizza050806

http://www.brendan-nyhan.com/blog/2005/02/george_allen_an.html

*****

Or, if you trust the Richmond Times-Dispatch.....

September 10, 2000, Sunday, CITY EDITION

SECTION: AREA/STATE, Pg. A-1

LENGTH: 1860 words

HEADLINE: ROBB, ALLEN RECORDS ON CRIME EVALUATED

BYLINE: Michael Hardy; Times-Dispatch Staff Writer; Contact Michael Hardy at (804) 649-6810 or mhardy@timesdispatch.com

BODY:
U.S. Senate candidate George Allen wears his conservative heart on the sleeve of his cowboy shirt and makes no bones about his commitment to law and order.

Visitors to his old law office near downtown Charlottesville used to see a grim and graphic reminder of his view of criminals.

Dangling from a ficus tree in the corner was a noose, a reminder that the Republican politician saw some justification in frontier justice.....

*****

OR if you trust the Washington Post...

The Washington Post

July 24, 2005 Sunday
Final Edition

SECTION: Loudoun Extra; T01

LENGTH: 2236 words

HEADLINE: A Landscape Scarred by Lynchings;
Va. Lives With Legacy Of Terror and Grief

BYLINE: Avis Thomas-Lester, Washington Post Staff Writer

BODY:

.....Allen's support of the apology may also help him mend fences with black Virginians who, during his governorship, accused him of racial insensitivity for the Confederate flag he once hung in his home and the hangman's noose that was in his law office. As a member of the House of Delegates, Allen voted against giving the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. his own holiday separate from the day honoring Confederates Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. And, while governor, he proclaimed April Confederate History Month.

[plunge]

Yes he hung a noose off a tree branch. Later, he claimed that it was "more of a lasso" even though there are many many references by him and people who worked for him calling it a noose and joking about it being a symbol of frontier justice.

Was it that? Or was it a symbol of dual-meaning? You decide.

I keep a noose in my house in case a Libral tries to break in.

[Jon]

Ya'll just won't give up will you? Since you all know that Webb has no shot to beat Allen based on policy and level of knowledge (which was clearly evident at the first debate), this is your best shot. Quite amusing to watch.

"Clearly evident"?

Ha ha, you weren't there.

I'm sorry, but to hang a noose from a tree in one's office -- especially in the South -- displays astonishing ignorance of this country's history.

[Jon]

Ano: 2:04 - and to assume the only reason is because he is a racist is equally ignorant.

[Al Rodgers]

It's all about the Internet for Allen

Campaign hits up 'blogosphere' for some good buzz -- By Garren Shipley (Daily Staff Writer)

How did one videotape blow up so fast? It's all about the Internet.

Ben Tribbett, the blogger behind "Not Larry Sabato" and a vocal Webb supporter, was the first to print with the story, where it was picked up by "Raising Kaine" and other pro-Webb sites.

The campaign posted the video on video-sharing site YouTube, and one short news cycle later Allen's name was linked with "macaca."

"This event was historic, as it was the first time blogs had enough traffic on their own to create the scandal themselves," Tribbett said.

So called "new media" have only been a force in politics since 2004, when Democrat Howard Dean's presidential bid made wide use of "netroots" to raise money and organize.

--For the complete story ...
http://www.nvdaily.com/News/286910347979508.bsp

Webb leads Sen. Allen slightly in latest poll
It's the first survey with the Democrat ahead in Virginia's U.S. Senate race.
BY JIM HODGES
247-4633
August 29, 2006

Democratic Senate candidate James Webb, down by more than 10 percentage points in the polls in late July, has moved ahead of Sen. George Allen in the latest Wall Street Journal/Zogby Poll.

Webb, from Falls Church, leads Allen 47.9 percent to 46.6 percent, according to the poll, which was conducted Aug. 15-21 and has a 3.2 percentage point margin of error.

For the Webb camp, there's also a sense that the timing couldn't be better.

"It's small, but we're very encouraged," said Kristian Denny Todd, speaking for the Webb campaign Monday. "The more people come to see the real George Allen, the more they don't like what they see."

The Zogby poll "falls right in line with the other two polls," said Larry Sabato, a political scientist at the University of Virginia and one of Sidarth's classroom instructors.

Those include the Rasmussen poll, which showed a week ago that the gap between Allen and Webb had narrowed from 11 points to five from mid-July to mid-August. And SurveyUSA showed that Allen's lead had shrunk from 19 points to 3 from late June to Aug. 21.

--For the complete story ...
http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-12030sy0aug29,0,1482694.story?coll=dp-widget-news

[Bubby]

Is this ignorance or bigotry? Who cares, we're full up on both. Time for a change.

[michael]

that's the story i've always heard. noose hanging from a ficus tree.

[Jon]

I'm suprised we haven't seen an ABA (anybody but allen) logo anywhere. I mean, I have yet to see on this blog (perhaps I am mistaken) anyone talking about how Webb is better on this policy or this policy with actual substance. Its only, Allen sucks, so Webb will suffice. Or, Allen votes with Bush, Webb won't. Shit then, why not nominate Ben (outside of the whole age thing). Come on folks, I mean if you want to vote for Webb over Allen fine, but at least have some sense as to why you think he would be better for Va over Allen. This is nothing but blogosphere muddslinging...

[Matt in VA]

Quick fact that I looked up a while back: Virginia stopped hanging criminals in 1909.

[Bubby]

Yo Jon:
Where do you want to start?

"Webb Outlines Failure of Operational Leadership During Response to Hurricane Katrina"
http://www.webbforsenate.com/press/release.php?id=125

...or Jim Webb on Iraq, and National Security?
http://www.webbforsenate.com/issues/issues.php#iraq

We know why Webb is better than Allen. What's your excuse? The whole range of Webb positions is at the link (URL provided). Good luck!

[Jon]

Yo Bubby,

Try re-reading my last statement. If you notice, it said on "this blog". I sure as hell hope he would have his positions on his web site.....but thanks for proving my point, much appreciated!

[brimur]

GOPHokie: It's the totality of circumstances brother. If it were just a noose with a sensible explanation then maybe. But he has had far too many of these things with far too few sensible explanations. At some point reasonable people stop automatically attributing innocent motives.

[Dannyboy]

Jon:

Webb has no chance of winning? Have you seen the latest polls? Webb is right there with Allen, dude. I'd say he has a fair shot at winning.

Noose? Whew! Good thing he didn't have a cross. That was used for crucifictions: the Roman racists used it lynch uppity people back in the old days.

[Jon]

Man, what is it today with people not actually reading the posts? Dannyboy, what I said was, based on policy and level of knowledge he has no shot of winning, which is a far cry from saying he has no shot of winning. I think it always possible for muddslinging and dirty tricks to get someone out of office, look what you all did to poor Tom DeLay :)

allen is one sick mofo in my opinion. how many people do you know hang a noose in their offices, especially on tree?

his '08 ambitions are doa.

[Bubby]

I understand that Allen DID have a cross, but they made him remove it from his office after he attempted to set it on fire. They let him keep his noose.

hey ben, post an image of the cartoon along with the post. allen never ceases to amaze me with his racial insensitivity.

[Bubby]

http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/content/images/2005_5609.JPG

The son of a Klansman is pictured (link) with a doll hanging from a noose at the home of South Mississippi Knights of the Ku Klux Klan Imperial Wizard Jimmie Maxey during a memorial rally following Maxey's death (8/10/2002).

In Virginia, the noose is a symbol of the KKK and lynching. Period.

[anon 7:40]

Jon,

Webb was actually part of Reagan's administration. I suppose that doesn't count for anything? He probably has a much better understanding of getting things done in Washington than Allen ever will. He also has better understanding of combat and the costs of war than Allen could possibly have.

How about you list the wonderful things Allen has done while on the job. I have not seen anyone attempt that either here or really anywhere else for that matter.

How about his position on amending the constitution regarding marriage? He has been documented as being against doing so, yet now he says he is supportive. Kind of a flip flop wouldn't you say?

And what of his strong pro-life stance to pander to the far right, while profiting from the sale of the morning after birth control pill that the mere thought of sends the far rightests into fits? Is he against it except when he is for it?

Tell us why Mr. Allen is qualified and I'm sure that quite a few will respond with Webb's qualifications as well.

[RayH]

Here are ten reasons I want to elect Webb. There are additional reasons, these are just the first ones that came to mind. I'd support a Webb candidacy with these issues regardless of whether George Allen had ever been born.

1) National Security. We need competent leaders with vision to help extricate troops from debacle in Iraq in a reasonable way, reform Homeland Security to reallocate resources to better protect the United States.

2) Balance of powers. Check overreaching Executive branch. This is a duty that the Senate has forgotten lately.

3) Spending reform. Rein in the corrupt spending spree that characterizes this Congress.

4) Global trade policy. Focus on fair global trade policies.

5) Immigration. Stop illegal immigration at the borders, prosecute employers who violate the law, work out a viable policy for dealing with illegal immigrants.

6) Tax reform. Stop giving handouts- tax write-offs, relaxed windfall profit taxes, offshoring incentives, relaxed safety standards, etc.- to multinational corporations. Cancel proposals to cut the estate tax.

7) Conservation. Support conservation of our natural resources, raise standards for clean air and water, and standards to lower CO2 emissions. Vote for funding alternative energy development.

9) Veterans benefits. Provide new veterans with a GI bill as good as the one after WWII.

10) Healthcare reform. Establish a working health care system in the United States.

[LAS]

I would like Jon, GOPHokie and the rest of these gentlemen to explain to me what happened to the $1000 education tax credit Allen promised me? Remember that, anyone? It was a cornerstone of his 2000 campaign--he talked about it endlessly.

I guess a tax credit for all hard-working Virginians--in support of education, no less!--just isn't all that important. He was too busy giving tax cuts away to the super-wealthy.

And this brings me to ANOTHER reason to support and vote for Webb. It's called fiscal responsibility. It's called fairness. It's called the national debt is freaking out of control, and George Allen hasn't got a clue!

Jon:

Here's a policy issue with substance that's been discussed on this blog: George Allen's racism makes him unfit to represent Virginians.

African Americans make up about 15% of the state's population and are 3x more likely to live in poverty than their white counterparts. VA also has a rising immigrant population (hispanic and southeast asians). How is a man who clearly has no respect for people of color going to represent or address the needs of these communities? Discuss away.

Uh Jon the policy knowledge thing is frankly laughable. Even if Allen was more knowledgeable than Webb (which I don't beleive), we're electing a senator, not a professor. Furthermore, on almost every issue Webb has popular support on. Allen has name recognition and $, neither of which seem to be much of an asset right now.

And everytime I hear Craney Island, I think BERNARKE. Sure Allen may sound knowledgeable at a prepared debate...but not knowing who the nominee for chair of the federal reserve 3 months after he was named show's all you need to know about Allen's level of knowledge.

If you're touting Allen's knowledge as a strength in your campaign, then this is going to be a lot easier than I thought.

[Interested Observer]

"You know folks, people other than just blacks were hung from trees.
Like, you know, criminals.

Also, maybe he had it in his office to remind people why defense attorneys are needed, so everyone gets a fair trial.

Why does everything have to be racist with you people?"

I think that you and Senator Allen can probably have an earnest discussion about racial insensitivity and wonder why everyone is so upset.

Let's see - why would a defense attorney have a noose in his office as part of a "western motif"? Well, I suppose it is because of lynching. In Virginia and the South, lynching has a certain stigma associated with it that has racial connotations.

In the West, perhaps not quite as much a racial connotation (although it is still there), but certainly an element of mob rule. The whole point of lynching is that it is applied without due process or a fair trial - that's the issue with it, so it is just people that the mob thinks are criminals (which we know not to be a substitute for a trial).

As for your comments about "everyone needing a fair trial"? First, that isn't what Allen said it was for, he said it was part of a Western display. Second, it seems like an unlikely symbol for a defense attorney since it is so outside the system.

[NotLarrySabato'sLawnboy]

Yo Holmes how come all of a sudden this is an issue.... lay off.... where is more info on this delegate?

[Not Huey Long]

NLSL...how come everyone is a Holmes to you?

[anon 7:40]

Well Jon, GOPHokie,???

My team has stepped up and done as you have repeatedly cried out for....

Where is your response?

Where is your reasoned support of George Allen for this position?

We are all now waiting with much anticipation for you to let us know of his overwhelming qualifications......

We know they must be there, because you keep saying so.....

In the mean time, Webb supporters shall continue to list their reasons for support.

[FortyFour]

Education tax credits? Pop quiz for all...name the former Va. Governor that slashed the VTAG grant that was promised to Va. residents attending Va. private colleges upon his inauguration to the gubernatorial throne? See, the rate was set under a previous administration, and then the new Governor cut the grant for college students who had already enrolled in the Spring semester.

[FortyFour]

One more pop quiz...what's worse, having a questionable object in an office, or being a member, at any point in one's life, of the KKK?

[anon 7:40]

Fourty four,

Could it have possibly been the same governor who inherited an unreported budget shortfall of some, um... Six billion dollars?

[GOPHokie]

5:46, which education credit are you refering to?
We actually gave everyone a 1000 child tax credit with 02 tax cuts, so I am not sure if thats the same thing or not.
On the deficit/natl debt, George Allen has proposed a line-item veto amendment to allow the president more ability to cut wasteful spending. Also, what has Webb said about this issue? I have heard nothing on his stance for this.
Maybe he will just quit as a senator after one year if he doesnt get the budget he wants, hes done it before :)

[FortyFour]

Anon, so it's ok to go back on a promise the Commonwealth made to those students?

I don't know about you, but I don't think it's right for college kids to get letters from their schools telling them they owe money because the grants they were promised didn't show up. VTAG, especially for a semester, doesn't eat up a substantial portion of the general fund budget, so regardless of the "situation" Warner inherited, it was a bad move.

[anon 7:40]

Oh Forty Four,

I am so sorry,

Are you, and the George Allen for Senate campaign saying that candidate Webb once belonged to the Ku Klux Klan?????

[FortyFour]

I ain't saying nothing about Webb, I asked a question in general. My point is that I have to wonder where the outrage from the left is that one of their own was KKK member? I mean, if a questionable object in an office can cause this kind of stir, shouldn't there be a collective outrage about former a Klansman representing Mr. Webb's party?

[DukieDem]

44,
Robert Bryd is in fact not a Virginian, and his limited involement in the KKK ended more than 60 years ago; but hey, why worry about the details when you have a good story?

The Webb campaign made a big deal announcing a "policy speech" about Katrina. I waited with baited breath. What did we get? A bunch of 20-20 hindsight griping about Bush, Allen, FEMA etc. You know what was missing? Not a single mention of anything Webb would do differently. No policy proposals. No new ideas. Nothing to "bring us together." This is the problem with the Webb campaign. Even it's "policy proposals" have ZERO SUBSTANCE and are nothing more than griping. Give us a reason to vote FOR you Mr. Webb or we're just gonna stay home.

[FortyFour]

Hmm, "why worry about the details when you have a good story?" I guess double-standards on issues of race aren't details.

Poor Tom Delay? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[anon 7:40]

August 29, 2006 at 09:46 PM,

You're gonna stay home????

Oh dear sweet Baby Jesus!

Thank you!!!!!

[JPTERP]

FourtyFour--I don't see KKK membership in the past as a deal breaker in and of itself. Basically, if you wanted to be in politics in the Southeast it was a prerequiste at one time.

What matters is where a candidates attitudes are in the present. Unfortunately, George Allen's two-faced apologies and shifting explanations, his recent remarks in and of themselves suggests that he either still has white supremacist sympathies or uses these prejudices as a tool to win elections.

If Allen's record on fiscal matters and foreign policy were stronger you could make a case to look beyond these short-comings to his other virtues. As a legislator though Allen's record stinks too. He's a pretty low-grade, classless represenative.

To make matters worse Allen's 19th cenutry attitudes are a recipe for getting our asses kicked in the 21st century.

Look at India in particular: it's the world's largest Democracy, an English speaking nation, a nuclear power, one of the world's fastest growing economies, and a natural ally in the war against terror. The fact that Allen made his remarks as a Senator is bad enough--had he made them as a President they would have increased our current difficulties. We already have enough jokers in power who are willing to score some cheap political points at home at the expense of international interests.

The nation's well-being depends on more forward looking, intelligent leadership.

[anon 7:40]

JPTERP,

We could make a team.

[anon 7:40]

Forty Four, Jon, Hokie,....

Regarding your thoughts toward keeping of "promises'...

There are several ways you could be embarassed by the counter arguement. But I won't go there.....

What I would ask you to respond to however, is this:

When faced with the choice of two, would you choose the individual who promises you what you want to hear regardless of whether that promise is possible or not,....

Or would you choose the individual who tells you that what was promised is simply not affordible?

My question to you is this:

"Do you prefer to be lied to????"

Or do you want someone who will tell you the painful truth, and then help you find a solution to whatever promblem is being faced???????????????????

[Doug]

Every racist defending nog on here who is under 42 who is defending this crap, raise your hand. Now, walk down to the recruiter station and sign up. They need you. Free cheetos for each of you.

[JPTERP]

Anon 7:40--a noble attempt there at 10:42!

I know I wasn't on the list of answerers, but I would rather be presented with coherent strong arguments on as many sides of the issue as possible and then make a judgement from there.

The problem with BushAllen is that they serve up false choices and stupid arguments:

e.g. "Do you want the terrorists to win, or do you want us to lose?"

The question BushAllen should be answering is:

"Your public statements have been at odds with reality for the better part of the past 3 years, you overstated the risks posed by Iraq and undersold the risks. Why should I trust your leadership now?"

[1-4 tha Gipper!]

Allen's Gonna Win!! Hahaha! My goal on election night is going to be to drive around to as many Democrat election night parties, so I can see them all cry "boo hoo!" when George Allen gets reelected for another SIX YEARS! You can't get rid of him..Not all the macaccas in the world can do that.