On this day in 1954, McCarthy was Censured.

[No Mandate Here.]

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It took them a while, but the Senate opposition to demagoguery still had some spine then.

Another interesting headline reads: "Eisenhower Warns G.O.P. Right Wing; Chides Knowland: Insists Party Must Follow a Progressive Course or Face Loss of Influence"

Oh my, have times changed?

That headline would read: Cheney Warns G.O.P Moderates; Insists Party Must Follow Reactionary Course or Face Loss Of Influence

Yet another headline - perhaps prophetic?:

"President Alerts Mayors on Attack: Cities Are Front-Line Targets, He Warns -- Asks Teamwork in Federal-Local Defense"

[joeybee12]

1. 50 years ago one of America's flirtations with facism was put to an end...

...now, we're entering another era that will prove to be a full-blown love affair with fascism. I don't think people realize how close to the fascism mentality is our beloved republican mentality.

[Ready4Change]

2. Pardon my ignorance of history. Question?

Did McCarthyism launch any wars? Or was it chiefly internal to the US?

[Radical Activist]

3. It was internal

It was designed to make the US more conservative. The US isn't conservative by accident. This was one more episode designed to destroy leaders on the far left. Much like the FBI under Hoover or jailing pacifists in ww1.

[No Mandate Here.]

4. It was a cause/result of the emotions at the start of the 'Cold' War

I am no historian, but my recollection is that it caused some rather deep divisions between people here. Those who disagreed were called traitors (communists), and if they were involved in any media at all- papers, movies, TV an all the rest, they risked being black balled. Some of the brightest and most creative people were not able to work because of McCarthyism.

I will be optimistic here... this era of "you're either with us or against us was short lived, and was followed by a decade of relative civility in politics, I think. Perhaps we will have the same.

[freesqueeze]

5. I Recommend The Book 'Naming Names'

By: Navasky

It's a great story of honor and cowardice and how we fought an internal war called Blacklisting.

Great read, too.

This should whet your appetite:

http://www.writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/navasky-main.html

[Ready4Change]

6. Thanks for the responses.

My 1950's history is weak. Pretty much limited to "Happy Days" and cars with fins. Thanks!