A Learning Experience for Everyone

Rating: 10/10 (16 January 2006)

This movie illustrates the results of citizens allowing an elected official to use their fear to foster his agenda. It shows how important it is for each individual to guard against all efforts to trade personal freedom for national security, lest we help destroy one of the most fundamental rights on which this country was founded. Both can coexist. This movie's message is so important that it should be part of the history curriculum in every middle and high school and parents should encourage their children to discuss the movie's message at home. Family values will be raised and we will have a stronger country.
I lived through this period, graduating from high school in 1954. People were so consumed by the fear of being accused of being a communist, that many allowed guilt by innuendo and the suspension of due process. Far too many gave misinformation against their neighbors and colleagues that resulted in discrimination, job loss, Hollywood blacklisting, or worse, in an effort to appear as loyal citizens and protect themselves. Oftentimes, the "offense" was nothing more than a person having been seen talking to someone about a socialist subject or attending a meeting to learn about socialism.
I encourage everyone to see this movie and then make up their own mind.