Well, here we go again. You are the only one who knows the truth. The fact that I lived through the McCarthy era and formed my own opinion seems meaningless to you because you read "Treason".
I can tell you this about Ann Coulter; she is an articulate, passionate Conservative, but she also has the capacity to err. I saw and heard Ms. Coulter [I believe on Hannity & Colmes] call the people of NYC "cowards". Well, my friend, I am from NYC originally and saw my city of birth brutally attacked by Arab terrorists and respond to those attacks with extraordinary bravery. Firemen were attempting to rescue people from the World Trade Center knowing that they were risking their lives for total strangers. Many, many brave acts were performed by the citizens of NYC on that day and I am offended that Coulter would label them all with the broad brush accusation of "cowards" But, then again,that is what got McCarthy into trouble, the broad brushed labeling of people.
So, if you think you are going to change the opinion of some one who lived through the McCarthy era by citing Ann Coulter, after those remarks by her, you are quite mistaken.
Lastly, the discussion last night of McCarthy was hindered by a severe lack of civility. Most of us here on Free Republic are Conservatives. We joined to learn more, and to associate with like minded persons. Name calling or ridicule is not productive. We are not here to prove who is the "best" Conservative or to make ourselves look better at another's expense.
You said I was not educated without knowing the level of my education. You said I had fallen for the lies of others; well, I am a 22+ year retired USAF/ANG veteran with some service in Viet Nam and I have never been accused of being naive. Forgetful, mess up a few facts, maybe. But, I do not base my opinions on one source no matter how hallowed.
And since you also listed when you graduated from high school and college ( perhaps you might like to play the "DO YOU KNOW" game, in private, because I dated a few guys at Dartmouth, during part of your years there. ) I know that like me, you were NOT an adult during the McCarthy ear. You may have lived through it, as I did, but you believed ALL of the biased nonsense put out about him.
Yes, Ann Coulter is sometimes not only wrong, but terribly wrong about some things. But you have me mistaken with others here, I did NOT get my information about McCarthy from reading her book; I knew many decades before reading that tome, the truth/facts about Tailgunner Joe. I suggested that you read "TREASON", because you only know one side of the topic and that one, full of lies. I also told you to read books written by and about Whittaker Chambers! There are other books I could have told you to read, but I figured that two or three would suit.
And as I told you last night, HUAC was NOT a McCarthy endeavor. You're the one who brought up his supposed going after people in Hollywood...which is FACTUALLY INCORRECT!
Obviously, when it comes to FACTS, yes, in our debate, I am the only one who knows the truth. You proved, with every post you made, that you are uneducated in the matter. And quite a number of others, on this thread, took you to task as well. They too, know the truth/facts.
Please don't attempt to explain, to me, why people are on FR nor how to behave. You just joined; I've been here, lurker and member, from almost the very beginning of this site. We duke it out here and if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. I was civil and polite, in the extreme. If being told that you are wrong and ill informed about a topic is going to get an Air Force Vet ( so is my husband, BTW, and thank you for your service! ) all astir, perhaps you should just stick to threads about war/fighting/the military; topics you know well.
A belated welcome to FR. :-)