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Editor, News-Register:
The obvious and extreme demagoguery by former President Donald J. Trump is sadly quite reminiscent of the period following World War II known as the "Red Scare," when the lives of many patriotic Americans were literally destroyed by unscrupulous egotistical politicians, who were willing to exploit our worst fears as American citizens in order to enhance their own notoriety.
Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin was the leader and perpetrator of U.S. Senatorial hearings, which took place during the first term of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, which allegedly were conducted in order to "expose Communists" who allegedly were in the U.S. government, including elected officials, as well in the U.S. Army.
Senator McCarthy attested that he had the "names of hundreds of Communists working inside the U.S. Government on behalf of the USSR (Russia)." However, such was soon to be completely discredited as no such list was ever produced.
The Senate hearings on Un-American Activities, which took place from April 22, 1954, and concluded on Dec. 2, 1954, ended with no public official being so charged, and Senator McCarthy being censured by the Senate with Joseph Welch, the attorney representing the U.S. Army stating to Senator McCarthy: "Have you no decency, sir," as the hearings were concluded.
Also, at that time the U.S. House of Representatives initiated its "Un-American Committee" in 1947, led by J. Parnell Thomas of New Jersey, which focused primarily on the U.S. entertainment industry, also destroyed numerous careers as a result of unsubstantiated allegations, which launched the career of Richard M. Nixon, who was more than willing to personally verbally attack political opponents on a vile personal level, even questioning their patriotism to our great nation, which was totally unsubstantiated, earning him the nickname of "Tricky Dick."
Although the aforementioned gained fame (actually infamy) for their scathing personal attacks on political adversaries, as well as the essence of our system of government, each left public life in disgrace. Senator McCarthy following his censure died in 1957. Representative Thomas eventually being sent to a prison term for corruption, and Mr. Nixon, who would later serve as president of the United States, would resign from office as a result of his part in the "Watergate Scandal" in efforts to illegally ensure his re-election to the presidency in 1972.
Former President Trump has, sadly, employed similar demagogic tactics by making outrageous, and completely discredited allegations, which serve to weaken the very fabric of our democratic form of government, views which continue to be fully supported by a majority of his recently adopted political party (Republican), as well as many "conservative" media outlets.
Richard Hord
Martins Ferry