On March 9, 1954 my great Uncle and a Republican, Senator Ralph Flanders of Vermont went to floor of the US Senate and delivered a short speech in the Senate Chamber that contributed to the end of McCarthyism. Later in year he introduced the motion to Censure Senator McCarthy.
I wish that the current members of the Senate would take the time and read some of his remarks, maybe a few might take another look at Feingold's recent proposed Censure and support its passage. Here are a few of Uncle Ralph's remarks about Senator McCarthy that unfortunately could be applied to Bush's war on terror today.
"He dons his war paint. He goes into his war dance. He emits his war whoops. He goes forth to battle and proudly returns with the scalp of a pink Army dentist. We may assume that this presents the depth and seriousness of Communist penetration in this country at this time."
Later that fall he spoke again about Liberalism and Conservatism.
"Let us be assured that the political attitudes which we call 'conservative' and 'liberal' are both useful and necessary," ... "Liberalism is more directly focused on people, while conservatism is concerned with preserving institutions... Liberalism asserts that the purpose of legislation is the welfare of the people, not of institutions . It is the purpose of liberalism to preserve freedom in thought and action; it seeks opportunity for each to develop and use his native capacities... and finally, it asserts that government may assist this endeavor."
"Conservatism can offer reasoned objections to foolish proposals. Every proposal for improving society should pass through the fire of conservative criticism. Were there no conservatives... we would have to invent them."
I hope that Senator Feingold and his supporters for a resolution to censure the President take comfort of Uncle Ralph's remarks made some 52 years ago.
