July 28, 2010

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(Korea - July 1950 - just can't seem to get around a decade without a war in it)


Sixty years ago to the day, on July 28, 1950 we were knee deep in another war. This time it was Korea and it wasn't going very well. With additional troops shipped over and a full mobilization called for, peace in the world was certainly short-lived.

And we also had the Red Scare to contend with.

Larry Leseur (CBS News): “The head of the FBI J. Edgar Hoover has called upon all Americans to help his agency check on subversive activities. Mr. Hoover warns, however, that the FBI is looking only for factual information. It does not want malicious gossip, gossip which could lead to witch hunts and do incalculable harm to innocent people. Simultaneously Attorney General McGrath has asked one or more Federal Grand Juries to stand by in Washington. He wants them ready at all time to take whatever action might be required in cases of subversive activity.”

Somewhere along the line the caution about witch hunts went unnoticed because shortly after, Senator Joe McCarthy would launch his sweeping investigations and keep America in a state of nervous distress for the better part of the next four years. The reign of hysteria was gearing up for a lengthy visit.

So, in case you thought sixty years ago was a lot of fun, skip it.

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