I'm from the generation that did the "duck and cover drills" in grade school. I watched my father plan escape routes from my hometown of Oklahoma City in case the Soviets finally dropped the "big one." The Soviets never dropped the big one, I spent much of my childhood afraid of something that never came to pass, and I see the same things happening again today. At that time, it was Joseph McCarthy's voice that provided the soundtrack for our lives - be afraid, be very afraid. Now it's the current administration - be afraid, be very afraid. Twenty-first century fear has evolved into color coded terrorist alerts and the misnamed Patriot Act. In addition to giving listeners a historical perspective, Brian Bull draws parallels between then and now. Soundclips from that time are included as are interviews with people today who, surprisingly, think McCarthy was a wonderful patriot. This piece is put together well, timely, and worth a listen.
Review of End of a Red-Hunter's Crusade: The Censure of Joseph McCarthy
Deborah Astley
Posted on June 15, 2005 at 04:29 PM
I'm from the generation that did the "duck and cover drills" in grade school. I watched my father plan escape routes from my hometown of Oklahoma City in case the Soviets finally dropped the "big one." The Soviets never dropped the big one, I spent much of my childhood afraid of something that never came to pass, and I see the same things happening again today. At that time, it was Joseph McCarthy's voice that provided the soundtrack for our lives - be afraid, be very afraid. Now it's the current administration - be afraid, be very afraid. Twenty-first century fear has evolved into color coded terrorist alerts and the misnamed Patriot Act. In addition to giving listeners a historical perspective, Brian Bull draws parallels between then and now. Soundclips from that time are included as are interviews with people today who, surprisingly, think McCarthy was a wonderful patriot. This piece is put together well, timely, and worth a listen.