berg80
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- Oct 28, 2017
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In the spring of 1954, McCarthy picked a fight with the U.S. Army, charging lax security at a top-secret army facility. The army responded that the senator had sought preferential treatment for a recently drafted subcommittee aide. Amidst this controversy, McCarthy temporarily stepped down as chairman for the duration of the three-month nationally televised spectacle known to history as the Army-McCarthy hearings.
The army hired Boston lawyer Joseph Welch to make its case. At a session on June 9, 1954, McCarthy charged that one of Welch's attorneys had ties to a Communist organization. As an amazed television audience looked on, Welch responded with the immortal lines that ultimately ended McCarthy's career: "Until this moment, Senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness." When McCarthy tried to continue his attack, Welch angrily interrupted, "Let us not assassinate this lad further, senator. You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency?"
Overnight, McCarthy's immense national popularity evaporated. Censured by his Senate colleagues, ostracized by his party, and ignored by the press, McCarthy died three years later, 48 years old and a broken man.
www.senate.gov
Not to say trump's national popularity is immense. Far from it. But it is within MAGA. As if it is oblivious to what is happening around us.
USAID cuts have caused more than 330,000 deaths worldwide, BU professor estimates
There will be no nationally televised events during which trump will be required to defend decisions resulting in the deaths of thousands of human beings. No pointed questions about sending immigrants off to a foreign gulag to be tortured after denying them their constitutional rights. No poignant moments questioning his decency. The nation could really use a moment like that. Frankly, today, I don't think it's possible.
BTW, I was reminded of Joseph Welch's moment of moral clarity while watching this excellent Netflix special, which is worth watching.
The army hired Boston lawyer Joseph Welch to make its case. At a session on June 9, 1954, McCarthy charged that one of Welch's attorneys had ties to a Communist organization. As an amazed television audience looked on, Welch responded with the immortal lines that ultimately ended McCarthy's career: "Until this moment, Senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness." When McCarthy tried to continue his attack, Welch angrily interrupted, "Let us not assassinate this lad further, senator. You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency?"
Overnight, McCarthy's immense national popularity evaporated. Censured by his Senate colleagues, ostracized by his party, and ignored by the press, McCarthy died three years later, 48 years old and a broken man.
U.S. Senate: "Have You No Sense of Decency?"
1941: Have You No Sense of Decency? -- June 9, 1954
www.senate.gov
Not to say trump's national popularity is immense. Far from it. But it is within MAGA. As if it is oblivious to what is happening around us.
USAID cuts have caused more than 330,000 deaths worldwide, BU professor estimates
There will be no nationally televised events during which trump will be required to defend decisions resulting in the deaths of thousands of human beings. No pointed questions about sending immigrants off to a foreign gulag to be tortured after denying them their constitutional rights. No poignant moments questioning his decency. The nation could really use a moment like that. Frankly, today, I don't think it's possible.
BTW, I was reminded of Joseph Welch's moment of moral clarity while watching this excellent Netflix special, which is worth watching.
