Every day brings a new story. And each day contributes to the art of story telling -- in prose and poetry, in music, on the stage, on the screen, and, of course, in books.
Today is the story of April 22nd
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It is the 112th day of the year, leaving 253 days remaining in 2022.
The stations were rewarded with explosive testimony throughout the hearings, which focused on communism, favoritism, and blackmail.
Senator Joseph McCarthy, R-Wisc., had spent years alleging that communists had infiltrated large segments of the government, the U.S. military, and particular the U.S. Army. He had grown increasingly reckless in his accusations, which were taking hold and helping to fuel the so-called "Red Scare."
On day 30 of the hearings, though, the tide turned and millions saw McCarthy's comeuppance as it happened.
Joseph Welch, a special counsel for the U.S. Army, upbraided McCarthy for his indiscriminate charges of communism. Welch responded testily as McCarthy continued attacking Welch and his young aide.
Until this moment, Senator, I think I have never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness. ... Let us not assassinate this lad further, Senator. You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?
Welch then got up and walked out of the hearing, and many in attendance stood and applauded. The comments hit home. Although the hearings lasted a few more days, McCarthy politcally was finished.
Public opinion turned on him quickly. Later in the summer, a fellow Republican offered a motion of censure on McCarthy. The Senate passed it, and when the new Congress began the following year, McCarthy had been stripped of his chairmanship.
His influence was gone, and while he continued to allege communist ties in many, people had stopped listening. Three years after the hearings, McCarthy died.
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