[Belial]

He did nothing but attempt to fight for the country, to defend it from Communist infiltration

It's hard to tell from your rhetoric what you mean.

Americans, from what I understand, have the freedom to choose a political philosophy, whether it be conservative, libertarian, or communist. We also have the freedom of association.

McCarthy attempted to undermine these essential freedoms, ultimately to serve his own political ends. It is for this simple reason that he represents a dark period in our country's political history.

The nostalgia for McCarthy is quite parallel to the fond thoughts many harbor for the dictator Pinochet. The champions of free enterprise seem to have considerable latitude when it comes to their tactics.

[DPB101]

Americans, from what I understand, have the freedom to choose a political philosophy . . .

The Communist Party USA was not a political "philosophy." It was created, funded and directed by the Kremlin. Party members took orders from Moscow. John Reed was given over a million dollars by Lenin in 1920 to fund the party in America. The money continued to pour in until the end of the Cold War. The Hollywood Ten's lawyers were on the phone to Moscow while they testified (or didn't) before congress.

[mailmansam]

You are right...you do have the right to associate with anyone or any organization you wish, but when your position within our government is such that you are committing traitorous acts, you SHOULD be stopped from committing those acts. You can continue to associate with whomever you wish, but not in such a position within our government, and any actions you KNOW are against the law, or are traitorous to our Nation, should be dealt with, and punished.