370: Does "McCarthyism" mean what you think it means?

<p>The boys drink and review Local 1605, a red ale from Antietam Brewery, then discuss McCarthyism. </p> <p>Since &quot;The Crucible,&quot; we tend to associate the Salem witch trials with Joseph McCarthy and his work with the committee on anti-American activities. After doing a show on the Salem Witch trials (see episode 367), P&amp;C wondered if it&#39;s appropriate to link witch trials to Joseph McCarthy and his anti-communist crusade. </p> <p>The analogy works in some respects and not in others. </p> <p>* There were false accusations in both cases. </p> <p>* In both cases, to be accused was bad enough. </p> <p>* In both cases, you could get out by accusing other people. </p> <p>* &quot;Justice&quot; was corrupted by mob hysteria in both cases. </p> <p>* However, there were no witches or witchcraft in Salem, but there were communists in the United States. </p> <p>The &quot;red scare&quot; was legit. There was a fight to the death between communism and the west. But that doesn&#39;t justify McCarthy&#39;s methods to root out that threat. </p> <p>P&amp;C provide a brief review of McCarthy&#39;s life, then examine his methods and tactics and what we should learn about it today. </p>