Scripts - good night, and good luck (part 2)

11. Edward R. Murrows television program on Senator Joseph R. McCarthy was an exciting and provocative examination of the man and his methods. It was crusading journalism of high responsibility and courage. For TV so often plagued by timidity and hesitation the program was a milestone that reflected enlightened citizenship. The program was no less an indictment of those who wish the problems posed by the Senator's tactics and theatrics would just go away and leave them alone.
12. We can't say we were surprised at Murrows "Hate McCarthy" telecast last evening, when his explosively one-sided propaganda edited with deviously clever selectivity from McCarthy's march against Communism, was finished last evening by equally Machiavellian coincidence the following telecast featured Murrow's PM protege, Hollenbeck. In an obviously gloating mood, Hollenbeck hoped viewers had witnessed his patron's triumph from and for the Left. The CBS has been in a lengthy "clean house of Lefties" mood. The worst offenders on lesser levels have been quietly pushed out of the company. Don Hollenbeck, a graduate of the demised pinko publication PM attacked conservative papers with sly and slanted propaganda. He then proceeded through an equally tilted review of the day's events with McCarthy dominating his words, actions, attitudes.
13. It is not sworn testimony it's convicting people by rumor and hearsay and innuendo. You will notice that neither Senator McClellan or Senator Symington nor this reporter know or claim that Mrs. Moss was or is a Communist. They simply claimed that she had the right to meet her accusers face to face. One month ago tonight we presented a report on Senator Joseph R. McCarthy. We labeled it as controversial. Most of that report consistedof words and pictures of the Senator. At that time, we said "If the Senator believes we have done violence to his words or pictures if he desires to speak, to answer himself an opportunity would be afforded him on this program." The Senator sought the opportunity after weeks because he was very busy and wished adequate time to prepare his reply. We agreed. We placed no restrictions on the manner of the presentation of his reply and we suggested that we would not take time to comment on this particular program. Here now is Senator Joseph R. McCarthy, junior Senator from Wisconsin.
14. Good evening. Mr. Edward R. Murrow, Educational Director of the CBS devoted his program to an attack on the work of the US Senate Investigating Committee and on me personally as its Chairman. Now, over the past years, he has made repeated attacks upon me and those fighting Communists. Of course, neither Joe McCarthy nor Edward R. Murrow is of any great importance as individuals. We are only important in our relation to the great struggle to preserve our American liberties. Now ordinarily, I would not take time out from the important work at hand to answer Murrow. However, in this case I feel justified in doing so because Murrow is the symbol the leader and the cleverest of the jackal pack which is always found at the throat of anyone who dares to expose individual Communists and traitors. And I am compelled by the fact to say to you that Mr. Edward R. Murrow as far back as years ago was engaged in propaganda for Communist causes. For example, the Institute of International Education of which he was the Acting Director was chosen to act as a representative by a Soviet agency to do a job which would normally be done by the Russian secret police. Mr. Murrow, by his own admission, was a member of the IWW that's the Industrial Workers of the World a terrorist organization cited as subversive by an Attorney General of the United States. Mr. Murrow said on this program and I quote "The actions of the junior Senator from Wisconsin have given considerable comfort to the enemy." That is the language of our statute of treason, rather strong language. If I am giving comfort to our enemies, I ought not to be in the Senate. If, on the other hand, Mr. Murrow is giving comfort to our enemies he ought not to be brought into the homes of millions of Americans by the CBS. And I want to assure you that I will not be deterred by the attacks of the Murrows, the Lattimores, the Fosters, the Daily Worker or the Communist Party itself.And I make no claim to leadership. Incomplete humility I do ask you and every American who loves this country to join with me.
15. Last week, Senator McCarthy appeared on this program to correct any errors he might have thought we made in our report of March. Since he made no reference to any statements of fact that we made we must conclude that he found no errors of fact. He proved again that anyone who exposes him anyone who doesn't share his disregard for decency and human dignity and the rights guaranteed by the Constitution must be either a Communistor a fellow traveler. I fully expected this treatment. The Senator added this reporter's name to a long list of individuals and institutions he has accused of serving the Communist cause. His proposition is very simple: anyone who criticizes or opposes Senator McCarthy's methods must be a Communist. And if that be true, there are an awful lot of Communists in the USA. For the record, let's consider briefly some of the Senator's charges. He claimed, but offered no proof that I had been a member of the Industrial Workers of the World. That is false. I was never a member of the IWW, never applied for membership. The Senator charged that Professor Harold Laski a British scholar and politician, dedicated a book to me. That's true. He is dead. He was a socialist, I am not. He was a civilized individual who did not insist upon agreement with his political principles as a pre-condition for conversation or friendship. I do not agreewith his political ideas. I ask, as he makes clear in the introduction dedicated the book to me, not because of political agreement but because he held my wartime broadcast from London in high regard. And the dedication so reads. I believed years ago and I believe today that mature Americans can engage in conversation and controversy the clash of ideas, with Communists anywhere in the world without becoming contaminated or converted. I believe that our faith, our conviction our determination are stronger than theirs and that we can successfully compete, not only in the area of bombs but in the area of ideas. I have worked with CBSfor more than years. The company has subscribed fully to my integrity and responsibility as a broadcaster and as a loyal American. I require no lectures from the junior Senator from Wisconsin as to the dangers or terrors of Communism. Having searched my conscience and my files I cannot contend that I have always been right or wise but I have attempted to pursuethe truth with diligence and to report it even though, as in this case, I had been warned in advance that I would be subjected to the attentions of Senator McCarthy. We shall hope to deal with matters of more vital interest next week. Good night, and good luck.
16. In the last analysis, the Senator was perched on the television high dive and all prepared to make a resounding splash. He jumped beautifully, but he neglected to check first where he was going to land. It must have been a shock to discover that Mr. Murrow had drained the water out of the pool.
17. One of the best programs I ever heard was called "CBS Views The Press". A great many people liked it, some didn't but no one ever called it anything but honest. It was the work of an honest reporter. Don Hollenbeck.
18. We are proud because from the beginning of this nation man can walk upright. No matter who he is or who she is. He can walk upright and meet his friend or his enemy. And he does not fear that because that enemy may be in a position of great power that he can be suddenly thrown in jail to rot there without charges and with no recourse to justice. We have the Habeas Corpus Act and we respect it. I began by saying that our history will be what we make it. If we go on as we are then history will take its revenge, and retribution will not limp in catching up with us. Just once in a while, let us exalt the importance of ideas and information. Let us dream to the extent of saying that on a given Sunday night the time normally occupied by Ed Sullivan is given over to a clinical survey on the state of American education. And a week or two later, the time normally used by Steve Allen is devoted to a thorough-going study of American policy in the Middle East. Would the corporate image of their respective sponsors be damaged? Would the shareholders rise up in their wrath and complain? Would anything happen other than a few million people would have received a little illumination on subjects that may well determine the future of this country and therefore the future of the corporations? To those who say, "People wouldn't look, they wouldn't be interested they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated". I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach. It can illuminate and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it towards those ends. Otherwise, it is merely wires and lights in a box.