Are you now, or have you ever been ?

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In summary, the conversation touches on the topic of the McCarthy period in the USA and the current administration's activities being compared to it. The speaker, who is an older user from the USA, does not see any resemblance between the two. They recall the hearings being televised and popular, but also criticize the senator running them for targeting innocent people and ruining their careers. The conversation also touches on the current political climate and accusations of communism being thrown around. Some also mention the incompetence of General MacArthur and his actions during the Korean War. The conversation ends with a mention of California's Education Code, which includes membership in the Communist Party as grounds for dismissal.
  • #1
Adam
65
1
I'm interested in the opinions of older users in particular, from the USA, who lived through the McCarthy period as adults. Do you see any of the activities of the current USA administration as similar to what was happening during McCarthy's period?
 
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  • #2
No, I don't see anyone calling the left 'Commies' ! :wink:
 
  • #3
I see no resemblance, do you, ADAM?
 
  • #4
Well this old fart is probably the best you can do. I’m guessing I was in the 9th grade at the time. The hearings were televised and I probably watched them for over a 100 hours. I recall discussing it with my friends. Since I was only interested in cars and chicks (in that order), it must have been quite a deal to be a subject of conversation. The hearings were popular and necessary, as communists held high-level government positions and were pervasive in the film industry (nothing new). The worst kind of politician ran the hearings; he did not think it was necessary to have evidence prior to making accusations. Innocent and guilty were equally slandered resulting in no one found guilty while many innocents had their careers ruined. My parents were steadfast Democrats; I grew up with a picture of (shudder) FDR and (Hooray) Gen. Macarthur over the fireplace. That they thought the hearings were essential and correct says a lot. I don’t think I ever heard a contrary opinion at the time, in or out of school or in print (I read the NY Daily News every day as well as anything that had print on it). It was only when he started targeting the military that his outlandish behavior became apparent. Had the hearings been held by a competent senator, targeting only those that could have been proven to be subversive, some good might have come of it.

Only the Kefauver crime hearings bear any similarity to the McCarthy hearings.

Nothing could have been better than being a teenager in the ‘50’s.


Russ_Waters - Stop beating on my Giants!

--
 
  • #5
as liberal who has been called a commie by NEO-CONs
I think there are many of them who think moderates are pinkos
and anyone left of center is a red
and many of them work in the whitehouse NOW

tailgunner joe sure thought that way too
the problem is old joe found very few REAL REDS if any
and distroyed the lives of many people who may have attened a meeting
or two of some commie front many years before

I note the NEO-CONs hate all liberals and unions
and think there is a massive red plot to make everyone gay
but joe was the worse as he tryed to distroy people
based on rumors and didnot care if they were true reds or not

btw what did that creep MacArthur ever do right
what a pompus twit he was,
first he lost to the japs, then ran, and then in korea tooo
and only "WON" when he hads a big advantage in troops
then wanted to start lobbing nukes to save his butt do to his
POOR LEADERSHIP and total lack of forsight
 
  • #6
Come on Ray B; fess up. You're really a speechwriter for Kerry aren't you?

I note too many similarities in style and content in what you've posted and what Kerry says.
 
  • #7
GENIERE said:
Russ_Waters - Stop beating on my Giants!
T.O., baby. :biggrin:

I am surprised though, that you think the McCarthy trials were necessary. Just being a communist should not be a crime in the US. Was anyone really doing anything subversive?
btw what did that creep MacArthur ever do right...
Ray, are you confusing MacArthur with McCarthy?
 
  • #8
russ_watters said:
T.O., baby. :biggrin:

I am surprised though, that you think the McCarthy trials were necessary. Just being a communist should not be a crime in the US. Was anyone really doing anything subversive? Ray, are you confusing MacArthur with McCarthy?

gen MacArthur was a loser with a HUGE EGO who lost many battles
famous for his "I SHALL RETURN"" BS he never should have left his men
screwed up japan post war as govenor and
the korean war by going too far north
and then wanted to start WW3 to save himself by nuking china


sen joe McCarthy [tailgunner joe] was the red baiting creep
who got no spys but trashed many lives
 
  • #9
ray b said:
gen MacArthur was a loser with a HUGE EGO who lost many battles
famous for his "I SHALL RETURN"" BS he never should have left his men
screwed up japan post war as govenor and
the korean war by going too far north
and then wanted to start WW3 to save himself by nuking china


sen joe McCarthy [tailgunner joe] was the red baiting creep
who got no spys but trashed many lives

You're right, that 5 star general idiot! I can't believe him!
Even stupider though was the politicians that put him in charge! The US, the phillipines, the UN! What morons!
I even heard he and his staff wrote the original constitution for present day Japan!

From a military standpoint, MacArthur was 100% right in his stance on China.Just because you disagree with him on a moral standpoint (as do I) doesn't make him a moron. Is it just cool these days to overdue the hatred of someone that is overdone with love by the rest of society?
 
  • #10
Of interest, from the California Education Code:

45303. In addition to any causes for suspension or dismissal which
are designated by rule of the commission, employees in the classified
service shall be suspended and dismissed in the manner provided by
law for anyone or more of the following causes:
(a) Knowing membership by the employee in the Communist Party.
(b) Conduct specified in Section 1028 of the Government Code.

44932. (a) No permanent employee shall be dismissed except for one
or more of the following causes:
(1) Immoral or unprofessional conduct.
(2) Commission, aiding, or advocating the commission of acts of
criminal syndicalism, as prohibited by Chapter 188 of the Statutes of
1919, or in any amendment thereof.
(3) Dishonesty.
(4) Unsatisfactory performance.
(5) Evident unfitness for service.
(6) Physical or mental condition unfitting him or her to instruct
or associate with children.
(7) Persistent violation of or refusal to obey the school laws of
the state or reasonable regulations prescribed for the government of
the public schools by the State Board of Education or by the
governing board of the school district employing him or her.
(8) Conviction of a felony or of any crime involving moral
turpitude.
(9) Violation of Section 51530 or conduct specified in Section
1028 of the Government Code, added by Chapter 1418 of the Statutes of
1947.
(10) Knowing membership by the employee in the Communist Party.
(11) Alcoholism or other drug abuse which makes the employee unfit
to instruct or associate with children.
(b) The governing board of a school district may suspend without
pay for a specific period of time on grounds of unprofessional
conduct a permanent certificated employee or, in a school district
with an average daily attendance of less than 250 pupils, a
probationary employee, pursuant to the procedures specified in
Sections 44933, 44934, 44935, 44936, 44937, 44943, and 44944. This
authorization shall not apply to any school district which has
adopted a collective bargaining agreement pursuant to subdivision (b)
of Section 3543.2 of the Government Code.

38136. No governing board of a school district shall grant the use
of any school property to any person or organization for any use in
violation of Section 38135.
For the purpose of determining whether or not any individual,
society, group, or organization applying for the use of the school
property intends to violate Section 38135, the governing board shall
require the making and delivery to the governing board, by the
applicant of a written statement of information in the following
form:
STATEMENT OF INFORMATION

The undersigned states that, to the best of his or her knowledge,
the school property for use of which application is hereby made will
not be used for the commission of any act intended to further any
program or movement the purpose of which is to accomplish the
overthrow of the government of the United States by force, violence
or other unlawful means;
That ____, the organization on whose behalf he or she is making
application for use of school property, does not, to the best of his
or her knowledge, advocate the overthrow of the government of the
United States or of the State of California by force, violence, or
other unlawful means, and that, to the best of his or her knowledge,
it is not a Communist action organization or Communist front
organization required by law to be registered with the Attorney
General of the United States.
This statement is made under the
penalties of perjury.
 
Last edited:
  • #11
T.O., baby.

From a diehard niner fan...You're welcome Russ. :smile: Now just give us Donny.
 

What is the meaning of "Are you now, or have you ever been?"

The phrase "Are you now, or have you ever been?" is often used in the context of investigations or interrogations, to ask a person about their past or current affiliations, beliefs, or actions. It is commonly associated with the McCarthy era in the United States, when individuals were questioned about their potential ties to communism.

Why is "Are you now, or have you ever been?" considered a controversial question?

Many people consider "Are you now, or have you ever been?" to be a controversial question because it can be seen as a violation of privacy and freedom of speech. It has been used in the past to unfairly target and persecute individuals based on their political beliefs or associations.

What are some examples of situations where "Are you now, or have you ever been?" has been used?

During the McCarthy era, "Are you now, or have you ever been?" was a common question asked during congressional hearings and investigations into alleged communist activities. It has also been used in employment screenings, security clearances, and visa applications to inquire about a person's affiliations and beliefs.

Can you refuse to answer "Are you now, or have you ever been?"

In most cases, you have the right to refuse to answer "Are you now, or have you ever been?" However, there may be legal consequences for refusing to answer in certain situations, such as during a court proceeding or when applying for a sensitive government position.

Is "Are you now, or have you ever been?" still relevant today?

While the phrase may not be used as frequently as it was during the McCarthy era, "Are you now, or have you ever been?" is still relevant today. It continues to be asked in certain legal and employment situations, and the concept of investigating a person's past affiliations and beliefs remains a controversial topic in society.

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