McCarthyism all over again
Back in the 50s with the advancement of communism in Eastern Europe, China, Indochina, and North Korea came the development of the Red Scare. One man, Joe McCarthy fueled those fears by accusing govern, ment workers, artists, the news media, and just ordinary citizens of being communists. Many people were blacklisted. Civil liberties were violated . Dissent and political expression were suppressed.
In many ways, Trump is resurrecting shades of McCarthyism. While not accusing his opponents of being communists, he is calling many news outlets of being unpatriotic. He calls many people traitors. He has targeted specific professions and institutions as being Unamerican.
Last week, the Trump administration filed suit against the Southern Poverty Law Center calling them subversive, accusing them of fomenting terrorism, working to cut off financial support, and creating an atmosphere where dissent is framed as disloyalty.
Again, last week, Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about a particular glow he was seeing in Melania. Both Mrs. and Mr, Trump are threatening to sue Kimmel--I guess for poor taste, and Trump's Federal Communications Chair is now calling for the review of the license of certain ABC stations.
And, once again we see the Trump DOJ going after James Comey for posting a picture of some seas shells arranged in a certain way. Even though a federal judge had thrown out the case previously. Trump is, in essence turining a career public servant into a scape goat because of political disagreements.
I wonder who or what Trump will go after next. And I wonder when someone will stand up to him and ask, "Have you no decency?" Do we really have two and a half more years of this craziness?
In many ways, Trump is resurrecting shades of McCarthyism. While not accusing his opponents of being communists, he is calling many news outlets of being unpatriotic. He calls many people traitors. He has targeted specific professions and institutions as being Unamerican.
Last week, the Trump administration filed suit against the Southern Poverty Law Center calling them subversive, accusing them of fomenting terrorism, working to cut off financial support, and creating an atmosphere where dissent is framed as disloyalty.
Again, last week, Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about a particular glow he was seeing in Melania. Both Mrs. and Mr, Trump are threatening to sue Kimmel--I guess for poor taste, and Trump's Federal Communications Chair is now calling for the review of the license of certain ABC stations.
And, once again we see the Trump DOJ going after James Comey for posting a picture of some seas shells arranged in a certain way. Even though a federal judge had thrown out the case previously. Trump is, in essence turining a career public servant into a scape goat because of political disagreements.
I wonder who or what Trump will go after next. And I wonder when someone will stand up to him and ask, "Have you no decency?" Do we really have two and a half more years of this craziness?
Comments
Rather my point
That reads to me as pretty prophetic of the Trump administration. So I think it is McCarthyism all over again. Actually, rather worse.
I wonder what Trump would have done with Ed Murrow?