Standards and Grudges

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I’ve noticed that the International Socialist Organization has been mentioned a lot in local news lately. A little research reveiled that they have two branches in Madison.

Madison, Wis.–City
Meetings are on Thursdays at 7:30 pm at the Madison Area Technical College, downtown campus, 211 N. Carroll St., Room D125. Call 608-335-1680 or e-mail isomadisoncity@yahoo.com for information.

Madison, Wis.–University of Wisconsin
Meetings are on Wednesdays at 7 pm at the University of Wisconsin Memorial Union. Check “Today in the Union” for room number. Call 608-215-7035 or e-mail isomadison@gmail.com for information.

The UW branch also maintains a Yahoo! Group.

So what do the Socialists want? Their website does not provide much information. They lay out vague agendas and list where the discussion will be held.

I know any criticism of socialism is eventually met with accusations of “McCarthyism”. I hate that term. It’s one of the greatest lies of this century. Sen. Joe McCarthy fought to remove suspected spies from positions in the government which could compromise national security. The declassification of Project Venona proved McCarthy was right about his accusations. Unfortunately his name will probably never be cleared. Many still believe he was behind the “Red List”. The House Un-American Activates Committee held hearings and created lists of suspected Communists in the entertainment industry. The fact that McCarthy was a Senator, not a Congressman and consequently not affiliated with HUAC was completely lost on the masses. The fact was that McCarthy was a major threat to Communist agents, while HUAC was a mere nuisance. McCarthy had to be stopped, so a massive smear campaign was launched against him. Many know the lies about McCarthy, let’s look at the facts.

His duty as a Judge for the Wisconsin 10th Circuit Court exempted him from service in WWII, but he volunteered anyways. He served as a Marine Corps Intelligence Officer. He volunteered further by performing the duties of rear gunner on a dive bomber and flew over 30 combat missions. His actions earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. This is the award citation.

For meritorious and efficient performance of duty as an observer and rear gunner of a dive bomber attached to a Marine scout bombing squadron operating in the Solomon Islands area from September 1 to December 31, 1943. He participated in a large number of combat missions, and in addition to his regular duties, acted as aerial photographer. He obtained excellent photographs of enemy gun positions, despite intense anti-aircraft fire, thereby gaining valuable information which contributed materially to the success of subsequent strikes in the area. Although suffering from a severe leg injury, he refused to be hospitalized and continued to carry out his duties as Intelligence Officer in a highly efficient manner. His courageous devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the naval service.

John F. Kennedy was a vocal supporter of Joe McCarthy, before pressure from fellow Democrats forced JFK to downplay their friendship.

Robert Kennedy joined McCarthy’s staff in 1953 and McCarthy was the Godfather to Robert’s first child.

McCarthy publicly tolerated homosexuals, allowed them to serve on his staff and defended them when Democrats attacked the lifestyle choices of McCarthy’s staff.

Democrats demanded McCarthy name the persons he suspected of being Communist agents prior to proper hearings, which he strongly resisted. McCarthy believed in due process and would not participate in violating civil rights. As a result no American in connection to his investigations was questioned without the benefit of legal counsel, no one was arrested or detained without due judicial process, and no one went to jail without trial.
The saga of Joe McCarthy is massive. The truth is often hard to find though. When McCarthy levied his accusations, Democrats got scared. Many of the people on McCarthy’s list were appointed by Democrats. Democrats feared McCarthy was trying to destroy their party. McCarthy in fact had no such interest. He believed the destruction of the Democratic Party would result in a single party system in America that would be no better than the political situation in the Soviet Union. The Communist agents needed to be removed though. Instead of admitting they were infiltrated and cooperating, the Democratic Party retaliated with a massive campaign of propaganda and personal attacks. That campaign only assisted the efforts of Communist agents seeking to destroy McCarthy before he exposed them. The end result, the intelligence community of the Soviet Union and the destructive political power of the Democratic Party combined to destroy a single man. I doubt anyone would be able to withstand such an assault.

So what should “McCarthyism” really mean?

When an individual stands up for what they know is right, despite the difficulties, lack of support and the destruction of their place in history.