Is this the new McCarthyism?

Question

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/republicans-introduce-measure-condemning-moveon-ad-2007-09-10.html

The anti-American right-wing Republicans in the House are really starting to show how unpatriotic they are nnow. Like their predecessor Joe McCarthy, they now want to abuse their high offices by trying to intimidate PRIVATE CITIZENS who express political views they don't like.

I have only one thing to say to them and their supporters: "HAVE YOU NO SHAME?"

Jazzone-no, McCarthy was a proven liar. His allegations of "Communist influences" and disloyalty leveled against a wide range of Americans were eiter disproved, or never substantiated. The entire episode,like this neocon attack, was for the sole purpose of silencing political opposition. Then, however, the GOP still had some integrity--the eventually stood up to McCarthy and condemned him.

Answer 1

I've felt for many years that the Bush administration against anyone who spoke against the war as being unpatriotic smacked of mccarthyism. The Dixie Chicks, moveon.org two examples.

Now Harper and the public safety committee in Canada are trying the same sorts of wire tapping without a warrant , trampling over Canadian citizens rights in the guise of fighting the war on terrorism. It's the war on terrorism but it's also the war on rights and freedoms of every citizen. You don't make people more secure and safe by taking away their rights and freedoms. The GOP have always been fraidy cats of anyhting that wasn't exactly like them.

Edward R. Murrow exposed Jos McCarthy for the liar and idiot that he was . Too bad there aren't any more Edward R. Murrows around today.

Answer 2

No they have no Shame, All they think about it that they are in serious danger of losing the election next year and at this point with Bush''s approval rating so low they can't think of any thing else to say or do to keep them in office. Right now that is their main focus and they aren't so particular about how they do it. I just hope that someone wakes up to what they are doing before next year. I'm a liberal demotic and I don't agree with Moveon.org I think that they go to far to the right at the exspence of the party. But on the other hand someone has to point out what's going on to those who aren't really paying attention. There are alot of times when people don't pay attention to what's happening until it's to late, look what happen with Bush? Now we pretty much realize that we made a big mistake reelecting him and that it's got us mired in situation that even his own people are telling him might not end for a mimium of ten years.

Answer 3

No, I do not see any similarity with what is stated in that article and "McCarthyism." Joe McCarthy ruined the careers of many people just by calling them before his investigative committee. The resolution that is being discussed in that article you linked for us has nothing -- REPEAT, NOTHING -- to do with ruining anybody's career or with taking away anybody's freedom of speech. That resolution does nothing more than express an opposite point of view than what was expressed by MoveOn.Org. The Resolution being sponsored by certain Republicans in the House will not -- REPEAT, NOT -- stop MoveOn.Org from ever again expressing their opinions about anything, ............ that is, not unless MoveOn.Org is made up of spineless wimps.

Answer 4

You're right of course, but I think it's much worse. The only Republicans to come out against the Iraq war have resigned after being being called every name in the book. John Warner should have good credentials but was immediately called UnAmerican.

Answer 5

It's a step in that direction, but this resolution seems just like political posturing. It sounds to me like the Republicans are just trying to capitalize on whatever pro-war sentiment remains by issuing this rather empty condemnation.

Fortunately the Republicans are in the minority and on their way to becoming an even smaller minority, so we don't have to fear slipping further down the slope toward McCarthyism.

Answer 6

After the Soviet Union collapsed and the KGB's files were declassified, it was revealed that McCarthy was pretty right on the money. In light of the fact that their is a war being waged against this nation by fanatics guided by insane principals, I would be willing to sacrifice some measure of personal freedom in order not to be blown up at a subway station.

Answer 7

MoveOn is pathetic, biased and inflammatory. Remember General Betray Us? While I don't really care for the supposed action (which has clearly been spun a little)

MoveOn even casts a really bad light on democrats (so bad you have to wonder if the Republicans had something to do with it) .

The measure condemns MoveOn's serious crap, which everyone should do anyway, equating it to McCarthyism is much worse. There is no logic in that whatsoever.

Answer 8

I think it is bad taste to critisize someone who has dedicated his life to serving our country and protecting the citizens.

However, congress has bigger fish to fry than a MoveOn ad.
There is definitely a McCarthy like mentality that started with "If you're not with us, you're against us" back in 2001.

Answer 9

Oh, the ghost of McCarthy has been haunting us quite a bit in 2007.

Answer 10

You obviously weren't around during the McCarthy era and as I have said before Watch what the Democrats accuse the Republicans of doing and you will know what the Democrats are already doing. No one did a better job of using their office to intimidate people than the Clinton's.