Virginia Weldon writes:

”The poison of McCarthy’s paranoia has permeated like a virus infecting our body politic since the 50s. Nixon picked it up first, passing it on in deadly earnest to his circle of cohorts. This group became the
carriers inspiring the “Evil Empire” rhetoric of the Reagan years. Today, these same older Vulcan’s (and new infectees) have activated that dormant virus to spread the old cold war panic and fear now guised and morphed into a global “Axis of Evil” seen here, there and everywhere. Infected with their own fear that Liberty through Democracy might not predominate, a further contagion was instituted by the establishment of a 21st century Imperial Presidency. This is the pandemic that threatens our nation as well as each and every one of us. It behooves us all to inoculate ourselves, sooner rather than later.”

Virginia adds: “Here’s a follow up to the McCarthy e-mail showing further ramifications.

http://progressive.org/newmccarthyism

UK: WE ARE OK TODAY

Quarsan writes from that fine but still beleagued BLAIR WATCH site

”Well Monday’s come and we haven’t had an injunction served on us. This is almost entirely to other bloggers publicising the actions of the blair administration and mirroring the documents.

‘Thanks for your help in asking people to mirror them. As you know we’re poor but too thick to back off. so far we’ve got away with it. One day we won’t, but, Danny, you’re an inspiration.

Look forward to meeting you again”

“HOPE YOUR TAX RETURNS ARE IN GOOD ORDER”

Brian Wallace, novelist, and member of the Massachusetts House of Reps from South Boston writes:

”My wife and I rented WMD over the weekend. We really enjoyed it. We had watched the Frontline report a few weeks ago, so we had some sort of an idea as to how screwed upo things were, but not to that extent. It’s pretty scary. Hope your tax returns are in order? I’m sure they weren’t too pleased with WMD. Good job.

THIS SUNDAY: MUSIC WITH THE MOVIE

Speaking of WMD, this just in from Paul Kneevers in Milwaukee:

”The Wisconsin premier of the Danny Schechter film Weapons of Mass Deception is this Sunday July 16th at the Mirimar Theate. There will be live music between the matinee at 3pm and the evening showing at 7pm. There will be live music also after the 7 pm. showing.”

WHY ARE AMERICANS ALLOWING IT TO HAPPEN?

Is It Huxley? Orwell? Or something a whole lot worse?
Joseph Bosco writes:,

”The rate at which American citizens are willingly surrendering their personal liberties is scarier than any potentially repressive hell I can imagine. I and others are at a loss whether to use Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, or George Orwell’s 1984, in search of metaphors when writing about something no American could have imagined only a few years ago…

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/article.php?sid=26824&mode=nested&order=0

VERY DEAD: PLAYING WITH DYNAMITE IS DANGEROUS

”Shamil Basayev, the Chechen rebel leader responsible for terror attacks that led to the deaths of more than 800 people, was killed Monday when a dynamite-laden truck in his convoy exploded in this village of red brick houses next to a muddy field.

“The blast that killed Russia’s most-wanted man, who had a $10 million bounty on his head, appeared to have been an accident.”

And on that explosive note, I will bid adieu. Please continue to share your items, support, and letters.

Write: Dissector@mediachannel.org