A GIANT thank you goes to Shekar Ramanuja Sidarth

[ButterflyBlood]

Every Democrat in the country owes him massive for volunteering for the Webb campaign. Had he never volunteered and given Allen the opportunity to lose his Senate seat with his little "macaca" moment, we wouldn't have the Senate today.

Just to think that a 20-year old Indian-American college student changed the country.

[The Jacobin]

1. Thank you for his name.

He was definately worth seven thousand or so votes.

[IndyOp]

2. Sid !!

:patriot: :patriot: :patriot:


On Edit: WaPo says he goes by "Sid"

[GetTheRightVote]

3. Thank you for this posting and thank you shekar for living...

:kick:

[Greybnk48]

4. Thanks to Shekar for taking one for the team!!

[MADem]

5. Born in Virginia, and he taught Macacawitz a little something about

the state....!!! Especially since "Knicker Macacawitz, the racist wife-spitting asswipe" wasn't even BORN there!!!!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/24/AR2006082401639.html

S.R. Sidarth had built an impressive record of achievements for such a young man: straight-A student at one of Fairfax County's finest high schools, a tournament chess player, a quiz team captain, a sportswriter at his college newspaper, a Capitol Hill intern and an active member of the Hindu temple his parents helped establish...But for all his achievements, the moment that thrust him into the national spotlight this month came when Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) called him "macaca."

S.R. Sidarth said he knew that Sen. George Allen "was injecting some sort of derogatory comment toward me that had a racial bent to it" when the senator called him "macaca."

The remark stung the young man of Indian descent. What hurt more, Sidarth said, was when Allen gave him a sarcastic welcome to his own country, his birthplace even. It was too ironic, he thought. "I was born and raised in Fairfax County, and he's from California," ....The full name of the suddenly famous 20-year-old is Shekar Ramanuja Sidarth. Following Indian custom, he goes by his surname. To some of his friends, he is simply "Sid."...he is a senior majoring in American government and computer engineering.

Before college, Sidarth lived a somewhat typical, but distinguished, Fairfax County life. He attended the elite Thomas Jefferson High School, where he had a 4.1 grade-point average and scored 1550 on his SATs. He was a member of the chess club and the Spanish Honor Society and participated in the quiz show "It's Academic." At 6 feet 4 inches tall, he also played defensive end, tight end, punter and kicker for the school's football team......

[Straight Shooter]

6. Live long and prosper, Shekar.

:patriot:

[Canuckistanian]

7. Good on Citizen Shekar!

He's quite an activist in his own right, too.

[yebrent]

8. Thank you Shekar!!

Get that man a nice desk in Webb's DC office! Preferably with a window!

[niallmac]

9. What were the circumstances of Allens initial contact with Sid?

[ButterflyBlood]

10. He was taping Allen at a campaign rally

Allen noticed him and went off on his "macaca" tirade, conveniently getting it on tape.

[niallmac]

12. Thanks for the brief. Well, good on ya Sid!! n/t

[twenty4blackbirds]

11. Thanks Sid

:thumbsup:

[Withywindle]

13. Thank you Sid!

Maybe he will represent his home state (and mine) on Capitol Hill someday. That would be sweet!

:toast:

[mtnsnake]

14. Best post I've read today!

[Morgana LaFey]

15. You are absolutely right

Strange things happen and can lead to wildly unexpected results. I've always been aghast that Allen's slip up cost that much political capital, but glad for it nonetheless. Apparently it was just the last straw in a long line of not very well concealed racist moments.

[LeftishBrit]

16. THANK YOU!

You have helped to make the world a safer place today!

[Phrogman]

17. His name needs to be noted in the history books

Mr.Sidarth has just played a big part in American history. His contribution needs to be noted and taught to future generations.

[IronLionZion]

18. YEARGH! And he was actually born in Virginia

unlike old Felix the self-hating bigot. Sidarth also effectively shot down Allen's hopes of ever being president. Fortunately Sick Rick won't be president either. That's one Virginian and one Californian down.

Thank you Citizen Sidarth. Felix is a dumbass for welcoming you to your own country and your own state.

:patriot: :applause:

[autorank]

19. Tiny bio on Sidarth...

He went to Thomas Jefferson High School, Fairfax County Va-the math and science high school for the brightest kids in this area. He was so smart that, at TJ, he was frequently called on to help other genius types.

He's at University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, where he is, no doubt, one of the brightest kids. UVA is considered a "safe school" for Thomas Jeffereson HS graduates;)

He was the first of two UVA students to be massively diss'ed by Allen.

The second is the UVA law student who got manhandled by the Allen thugs.

Here is how the University of Virginia community supports it's own.

Charlottesville (city), Virginia
____________________________________________________
77% J H Webb Jr Democratic 9,159
22% G F Allen Republican 2,575
____________________________________________________

[Danascot]

20. Just think about how big this really is

If Sid hadn't been there that day, Allen wouldn't have spoken his infamous slur. That single mistake no doubt cost him some votes and Webb won by the slimmest of margins, less than 1/3 of one percent. That mistake gave us Virginia. And Virginia gave us the Senate. We thought we had enough to take the House, but thanks to Sid, we have the entire Congress.

The nation owes this great American many, many thanks.

[LonelyLRLiberal]

21. Our hero!

Just imagine for a moment the greater good for the country that may have resulted from Sid being there - he possibly saved us from "President George Allen." :scared:

(edit for typo)