That's basically what we get out of today's Post story on Allen's belated embracing of his heritage. Controlling the damage wrought each time Senator Shanda opens his mouth is not a job we'd wish on anyone, and by all accounts, Dick Wadhams (heh) is a decent sort. So, years after he was first asked and a month after the Internet learned about it, George Allen is willing to admit this much: His maternal grandfather was Jewish. This would be the one who was in a Concentration Camp for reasons that Senator Macaca, well, lied about (but it was a totally Spock kinda lie -- Grampa Lumbroso was almost certainly an "Allied sympathizer," as the Allies were the ones who didn't want to gas him). But let's not get ahead of ourselves. A couple more thoughts, and an excerpt from sister Jennifer Allen's hilarious book, after the jump.
The Post:
He insisted, through a press secretary, that his mother was raised a Christian.
We don't know if that's true (she does appear to have gone to Catholic school, but Etty Lumbroso Allen was married by a justice of the peace at a "Jewish friend's house," because, for some reason, a Catholic ceremony wouldn't work for her). Jennifer Allen's memoir does have this anecdote, though:
I'd only been to church once. Throughout the service, Mom gave a continual play-by-play.
The procession of the priest: "Here comes the hypocrite."
The collection plate: "Here come the vultures."
The forgiveness of sins: "Here comes the guilt."
We kinda like Etty Allen.
Allen Says He Embraces His Jewish Ancestry [WP]
Earlier:Senator Ferschlugginer
