(Senator Joseph McCarthy R-Wisconsin - 1954)
March 9th marks the 55th anniversary of the now-famous showdown between Edward R. Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy that night in 1954. Anyone who has seen the excellent 2005 film "Good Night and Good Luck" will know the story surrounding this milestone in broadcasting. If you haven't seen it, it's well worth taking a look. But in the meantime, here's the real thing, as it happened. It's been edited down to conform to the 10 minute maximum from YouTube, but the essence is all there.
Bluster and smears appear timeless, probably now more than ever, as witnessed by showboat pundits and self-appointed consciences. Fifty-five years and not all that much, aside from the players has changed. However, it would be nice if a few more Murrow's showed up.
"No one familiar with the history of his country can deny that congressional committees are useful. It is necessary to investigate before legislating. But the line between investigating and persecuting is a very fine one, and the junior Senator from Wisconsin has stepped over it repeatedly".
