In 1965, I was at a Birch Society meeting when someone asked what the assessment of MLK was by the Society.
The guy very carefully said that it appeared he was not an out and out Communist, but "pink".
This was Heresy at the time if you recall. MLK was on his way to Sainthood. Calling him a pinko could get you a bad label.
But it turns out that was Dead On. Among other major faults of the guy.
I never forgot that. I was a kid, my parents had taken me, over time I never had any exposure after about 1968.
But they were right. And they said the same thing about the supposedly touchy-feely friendly "Socialists". Just the same hard line, frozen faced Bolshevik Thugs, hiding behind a happy mask.
Never Forget that.
Oh I don’t forget. The Birchers got a lot, though not all, right. I don’t think they were nuts. But many did and thus used it against me.