Allen Throws In His Macaca Stained Towel

Virginia Senator George Allen conceded defeat earlier today, thereby sparing the state--and the nation--a time consuming recount. That means the Democrats will control 51 seats in the Senate and the Republicans 49. Had Allen not conceded, the Senate's makeup would have remained in doubt. And if there had been a 50/50 split, that means it would have been up to Vice President Cheney to break any ties.

A look at the county by county vote totals shows that Allen actually won most of Virginia. It was Webb's huge margins in populous Northern Virginia (over 70% in Alexandria, Arlington, and Falls Church; almost 60% in Fairfax county, Fairfax city, and Fredericksburg) that gave him his 7484 vote win over Allen.

Bottom line: Even if people in most of the state don't mind it, those of us in Northern Virginia decided it was embarrassing to have an ignorant racist bonehead like George Allen representing us.

For too long the northern counties of this state have been ignored by the politicians in Richmond. They are happy to take the tax revenue we supply and distribute it to the rural backwater regions of Virginia. That might not be so bad, except that those of us here in the DC suburbs have to endure some of the nation's worst traffic gridlock because we can't get roads built. But with northern Virginia finally in a position to flex its political muscle, that may change.

And Northern Virginia's changing demographics aren't confined to the candidates we vote for.

Virginia also voted on an controversial amendment defining marriage as being between a man and a woman. The proposed amendment passed with 58% of the vote. But again, in liberal Northern Virginia, the amendment was voted down. Unfortunately in this case the margins weren't enough to alter the statewide results.

Incidentally, Virginia produced many of the founding fathers of the United States. People like Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, James Madison, George Washington, and Patrick Henry were all Virginians who put their lives on the line in the pursuit of liberty. And Mason's Virginia Bill of Rights was the model for the national Bill of Rights, which comprise the first ten amendments of the United States Constitution. So you have to wonder how they would feel about their home state voting to restrict rights.

I agree that marriage is a sacred institution and should be protected. But what's the bigger threat? Two guys kissing over a slice of wedding cake, or people like Britney Spears and Kevin Federline who repeatedly make a mockery of their vows?