A Sense of Decency

The outpouring of emotion, opinions as to the cause(s) and other expressions of "wisdom" that have resulted from the Tucson shootings reminded TNB of a pivotal moment in American history which taught at the time some now largely forgotten lessons of conduct in a polarized society.

Over a half century ago, in 1954 to be exact, a demagogic senator, Joseph R. McCarthy (R-Wis), had made quite a name for himself by "outing", often unfairly or inaccurately, supposed Communists employed by the U.S. government. This is hard to understand today when Communist China practically owns our country and in general, the Red threat has largely vanished. But during the height of the Cold War, McCarthy was virtually unchallenged until he overreached by challenging the U.S. Army as to certain of its soldiers' loyalties.

At the famous televised Army-McCarthy hearings, the Senator was strongly rebuked by a patrician Boston-based attorney, Joseph Welch, whom the Army had engaged to represent it. After McCarthy had nastily tried to smear a young attorney in Welch's firm by bringing up some student associations, the courtly Welch delivered the famous lines ".. have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you no decency...?" This exchange turned public opinion against McCarthy, who was censured by his Senate colleagues and died 3 years later, at age 47, of liver disease brought on by acute alcoholism.

When you really analyze today's political rhetoric, which may not bear much if any actual responsibility for the shootings, what stands out is the total lack of decency exhibited by many in public life. Or is the word "decency" as archaic as rotary phones, typewriters and common courtesy?

We need a Joseph Welch today (the real one died in 1960 at age 70). Someone who can stand up to today's demagogues, who are far more dangerous than back in 1954, due among other things to the ubiquity of the Internet and the far greater availability of assault type weapons among the general populace. Someone who could shame a Sarah Palin (assuming she possesses one gram of decency) for disseminating her "targets" containing rifle bullseyes (her spokesperson now claims that they're just surveyors sights!!) and aiming them at people who disagreed with her, such as Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Indecent indeed.