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Good Night, and Good Luck

This week sees the release of the George Clooney directed movie "Good Night, and Good Luck".

It is a superb movie - and a must-see. It deals with Ed Murrow, and Fred Friendly, at CBS, in effect taking on Joe McCarthy in the early 1950's as McCarthy engaged in what can only be described as a witch-hunt of those said to be communists or communist-sympathisers.

Read many interesting facts about the movie and the actual people here - and don't overlook the links on the site. See also the Warner Brothers web site here.

The movie could not be more timely. What with the Patriot Act in the USA and our Federal Government having rammed through the anti-terrorism laws, including the sedition provisions, a clear and loud message can be learned from what McCarthyism, by that or any other name, brings in its wake.

As a footnote to this piece, it is well worthwhile spending the time to read [here] the full transcript of the Murrow program on 9 March 1954. At least read the concluding words. Nothing could be more apt today.

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