Welcome To Red Scare 3.0 (Op-Ed By Thomas Antkow)

ALL Aboard! Freedom is free, until it isn’t.

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Note from The Tennessee Conservative: Editorial statements in this column are the sole opinion of the author; they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff of this publication.

Submitted by Thomas Antkow –

Freedom is necessary to safeguard America’s boat from sinking. The desire for free people to remain free is the rudder that guides the ship. Communism, socialism, fascism and oligarchy are the leaks that can sink it. Sometimes a “free press” doesn’t appear to be that free after all.

Let’s examine the story of the “RED SCARE 1.0”.

According to historical records the original RED SCARE began on January 21, 1919, and concluded by April 1, 1920. Multiple historical sources record that the cause of the panic here in the U.S. stoked by the “free press”, began just after the “Bolshevik Revolution in Russia in 1917”. Rumors that the same uprising might happen here lit the fuse. Rising labor strikes, immigration fears, anarchist activities and concerns against freedoms here in America began rocking the boat. The mainstream press fueled by sensationalism stoked the fire and fanned the flames. Some of the key events on record were anarchist bombings in multiple cities, major strikes in (none other than) Seattle and the infamous police strike in Boston. The Communist Party, USA, was formed in 1919. Eventually the “Palmer Raids from Nov 1919-Jan 1920 led by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer after arresting thousands of suspected radicals” poured water on the flames. “The scare ended with the 1920 presidential election of Warren G. Harding”. However, the episode has left a “lasting impact on U.S. labor movements, immigration policy, and civil liberties” to this day. Eventually, the original agitators, seeing that they weren’t gaining the traction that they desired retreated into the shadows and saved what they had gained for another day.

RED SCARE 2.0

After WWII, the anti-communism drive in the 1950’s was founded and led by Senator Joseph McCarthy. Post war suspicions grew here in the U.S. about the dubious intentions of the Russians. The second scare was characterized by a widespread fear that a “communist infiltration” might eventually take place here in America threatening our freedoms. McCarthyism thrived with the initiation of “loyalty programs, blacklists, and political repression”. All designed to weed out communists. To quote several historical sources. “In the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, American fears of communist subversion reached a peak”. Members of the communist party along with the original founders, now numbering approximately 50,000 followers out of a U.S. population of 150 million had slowly left the shadows and began to take refuge in the arts and Hollywood as producers, actors and writers. Academic professors were to follow. Political and labor union leaders joined the parade. Party members including socialists offered a safe harbor from the storm. Many believed that a more simplistic view of socialism might be attractive to young minds searching for guidance during their formative years. Being led would create a more solid bond with them. Unfortunately, for those choosing these occupations and certain politicians became the perfect targets for McCarthyism.

McCarthy was convinced that the State Department and other government agencies had already been infiltrated by the communists. The formation of the House un-American Activities Committee hearings spread public anxiety. There was a profound effect on academia and civil liberties. Purported Soviet spies were around every corner hiding in the shadows. Paranoia was the name of the game. McCarthy’s power rapidly declined after the Army-McCarthy hearings discounted many of his claims as unsubstantiated. Subsequent Supreme Court Rulings under Chief Justice Warren helped “restore civil liberties and limit government overreach”. Despite the excesses, un-classified documents revealed that McCarthy wasn’t completely wrong. Soviet influence in U.S. government and industry came to light. Even existing today.

RED SCARE 3.0

Today the “scare” has developed slowly because of the influence of an organization named the “DSA” Democratic Socialists of America. According to “Wikipedia” and other sources “the original concept of today’s organization is the results a merger of the DSOC (Democratic socialist organizing committee) and the NAM (New American Movement)”. The merger was supposed to meld together the old and new guard of the communist party structure. New paint on an old house. Also included. Shiny new charismatic faces, personalities and spokespersons to match the “progressive” advances in social media and campaigning.

The existing foundation of the “Big Tent” party of today has its roots planted firmly with the “Squad”. Some of the original suspects included several radical voices. The only one who appears to have stepped above the others in that particular group is AOC. The remaining members are apparently now just a quieter supporting cast. The members of the Washington press? Not really caring about hiding any bias, the name of their game is still sensationalism. The difference now is they have been absorbed into the digital age of information technology.

Remember communism, socialism, fascism and oligarchy? Well now we can welcome Islamism and Sharia law to the big tent.

Fortunately, after traversing angry seas for the last 250 years the boat is still afloat.

About the Author: THOMAS ANTKOW is currently a freelance writer and produced and hosted his own daily radio show on KCSF AM 1300 and co-hosted talk shows for KVOR AM 740 for Cumulus Broadcasting in Colorado Springs. He can be reached at tariodio863@gmail.com