The problem with Senator McCarthy was, being a communist was not then and is not now a crime.
Of course the country was infested with KGB agents and traitors. This was the cold war, after all. One presumes that actual KGB plants were smart enough to wrap themselves in the flag and not raise suspicion about themselves.
AFAIK Senator McCarthy never convicted anyone of an actual crime (such as treason, espionage or sabotage) or even produced any actual evidence.
Here's a link to a brief synopsis of the matter:
http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/democrac/60.htm
Much as we'd all like to round up the gang over at DU and deport them to Cuba or North Korea, that would be legally and morally wrong.
That being said, I would like to see some of the actual traitors (such as Hanoi Jane Fonda and JFKerry) prosecuted for their crimes. "Giving aid and comfort to the enemy" is still a crime under the United States Code.
Of course the country was infested with KGB agents and traitors. This was the cold war, after all. One presumes that actual KGB plants were smart enough to wrap themselves in the flag and not raise suspicion about themselves.
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Absolutely correct. Even today, we must be on guard to prevent the infilitration of enemies into our society. It's real and a constant danger we must be on guard against.
Problem is today with the political correctness, we don't go after the culprits with the full weight of the law.