In the 1950s, Wisconsin not only exported cheese and Bratwurst, but McCarthyism.  During the witch trials of the 50s, the House UnAmerican Committee allong with Senator McCarthy outed many communists and destroyed many innocent lives with false allegations and innuendos.  It was so bad, that we created a new word for the English Langauge* - McCarthyism.

We have passed by that point now, and know that many among us are still card carrying members of the Communist party, but we dont care as long as they are not going to take up arms to achieve their means.  McCarthyism is a thing of the past.

Or not.  For today we have a new McCarthyism, as embodied in the following:

When news organizations reported last week that Judge John Roberts, the Supreme Court nominee, was a member of the Federalist Society, a conservative legal group, the White House forcefully denied it. But it now appears that if he was not a member, he had a status that looked very much like a member's. This apparent contradiction raises questions about how forthcoming Mr. Roberts and the White House have been. . . .

Mr. Roberts still has no recollection of being a member of the society or on the steering committee, according to the White House. It may be that Mr. Roberts was never formally a member of the society, which keeps its membership secret. But at his confirmation hearings, the Senate should make sure that there was no intent to deceive senators or the public.

Notice the McCarthyist accusations.  Notice the lack of anything illegal in the allegation, just a guilt by association.  Notice the 'or else' implied threat.

And notice this was not done by any politicians.  No, it seems the new McCarthyites are the Mainstream Media who have decided that people are guilty because they actually gave a speech for a legit, not discriminatory organization.  In this case, it is the NY Times.  The supposed guardian of truth and the organization that prints all the news fit to print.

Except we now see them for what they are.  A hate and fearmongering organization that has gone from reporting the news to being the news.

All hail the new McCarthyites.  And for those too young to remember, read and learn of the dangers of religious zealotry and hate.  For that is what is driving them.  Their religion is hate, and nothing more.