Quote: (03-02-2015 12:43 AM)N°6 Wrote:
The article seemed to be warming up when it ended prematurely.
I found the repeating of the slur 'McCarthyism' unfortunate though. McCarthy was getting close to finding out the source of funding to the weird and wonderful elements of the then 'New Left' and it wasn't from the Soviet Union.
I have to step in here and register my strong disagreement to your statement here, No. 6.
McCarthy wasn't "getting close" to anything in his ranting accusations, except an early death from alcoholism.
McCarthy was a liar, a bum, and a scumbag. He destroyed the careers of many capable people in the State Department and the rest of the government, with his groundless accusations. He capitalized on fear, he fed on hatred, and he profited from the cowardly silence of others.
He did immense damage to the prestige of the legislative branch and to the popular culture. There was nothing good about him.
He was only stopped when he finally overreached himself and attacked the military. He began to accuse Army generals of being traitors, and that was a mistake.
Unfortunately, his spirit haunts us still. There are still many like him out there. Wherever there is fear, ignorance, and demagoguery, there will be bums like McCarthy. He is the enemy of anyone who believes in open discourse, honest dialogue, and sincere scholarship.
Good riddance, the bastard.
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