McCarthyism Watch

McCarthyism Watch is Progressive Editor Matthew Rothschild's running tally of civil liberties infringements. "The New McCarthyism" ran as the cover story of The Progressive in January 2002 and Rothschild's book, You Have No Rights: Stories of America in an Age of Repression was published in 2007.

Texas Fusion Center Invites Racial Profiling, Suspects Protesters »

By Matthew Rothschild, February 6, 2010

Beware “those of Middle Eastern appearance,” as well as those “motivated by anti-war” issues, says the law enforcement group.read more

Former Guantanamo Prosecutor Sues Library of Congress over Dismissal »

By Matthew Rothschild, January 12, 2010

“Col. Davis brings these claims not only to vindicate his own constitutional rights but also the public’s First Amendment right to receive his speech and hear his views,” the ACLU lawsuit says.read more

A Horrendous Decision on Habeas Corpus »

By Matthew Rothschild, January 9, 2010

The D.C. Circuit Court’s decision is a flagrant act of insubordination. It marks a huge step backward, and it underlies the hysteria that has taken over the country since the Christmas bombing attempt.read more

TSA Targets Women Wearing Hijabs? »

By Matthew Rothschild, January 7, 2010

“You’re targeting good Americans who just want to practice their faith and dress modestly.”read more

The Military Spies on Anarchists in Olympia »

By Matthew Rothschild, July 28, 2009

For a couple of years, he was purporting to be an anarchist. But he actually was working for the military at Fort Lewis.read more

FBI Infiltrates Iowa City Protest Group »

By Matthew Rothschild, May 26, 2009

“It’s put a lot of people on edge,” says one of the activists who was spied on.read more

McCarthyism Lives, Just Ask Bill Ayers »

By Matthew Rothschild, April 4, 2009

You’ll recall that his name surfaced during the Obama campaign as Palin and McCain tried to smear Obama with the old guilt-by-association brush.

When that failed, I thought Ayers could go back to his life, and we could all grow up.

So did he. But no such luck.read more

FBI, Univ. California, Alameda Sheriffs Sued for Illegal Search of Social Justice Groups »

By Matthew Rothschild, January 16, 2009

Last August 27, law enforcement agents raided the offices of two social justice groups in Berkeley.

One group is called the Long Haul Infoshop, which describes itself as a community resource center and serves as a library and a bookstore. The other is the East Bay Prisoner Support Group, which is located in the same building.read more

Critic of Israel Threatened Before Talk in NY »

By Matthew Rothschild, January 14, 2009

“These enemies to the Jews will pay very soon for their act of treachery,” the leaflet said.read more

Tom Harkin Latest Victim of McCarthyism »

By Matthew Rothschild, October 30, 2008

His opponent called Harkin “the Tokyo Rose of Al Qaeda and Middle East terrorism.” Harkin told him: “That just ended your political career right there.”read more

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Disinvites William Ayers after Death Threats, Financial Pressure »

By Matthew Rothschild, October 23, 2008

“Give me a sniper rifle and a good firing position, and I shall move Bill Ayers’ gray matter,” wrote one blogger who identified himself as “Lee Harvey Cornhusker.”read more

Michelle Bachmann Lies about her McCarthyite Remarks, Palin Apologizes »

By Matthew Rothschild, October 21, 2008

But lest you think Palin had given up McCarthy’s ghost, she also indulged in some more casual red-baiting of Obama.read more

ACLU Says NorthCom’s Fighting Unit May Be Illegal »

By Matthew Rothschild, October 21, 2008

“This is a radical departure from separation of civilian law enforcement and military authority and could, quite possibly, represent a violation of law.”read more

Guantánamo, USA »

By Matthew Rothschild, October 9, 2008

Brig guards were instructed by their commanders to apply the standard operating procedures down in Guantánamo up here in the United States. Over time, the brig officers themselves became frustrated at the restrictions they were ordered to enforce.read more

Leahy Concerned about NorthCom’s New Army Unit »

By Matthew Rothschild, October 7, 2008

On October 1, the Pentagon, for the first time ever, dedicated an Army force specifically to NorthCom, which is in charge of securing not some foreign region but the United States of America.read more

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