November 1947

We just got back from traveling, again - this time to the Near East.   We left on October 17 and returned November 4.   Just a few days prior to our departure the government agreed to a UN plan to partition Palestine into independent Jewish and Arab states.   H.A. called for the creation of a Jordan Valley authority, based on the successful TVA program in the States, and he called on the Jews and Arabs to “abide faithfully by the ultimate decision of the United Nations.”  H.A. believes that peace is possible even in Palestine.   He said, “I saw evidence on the village level that the Jew and Arab get along very well, provided hatred and discord are not incited from the outside.” 

While we were away HUAC was at it again.  They held a hearing on Communism in Hollywood.  H.A. attacked HUAC from Palestine, “From here where Elijah fought the prophets of Baal and close to the mount where Jesus gave his famous sermon, people without fear ask, ‘Has America really gone crazy?’  Is the un-American committee evidence that America is traveling the road to fascism?  On behalf of millions everywhere you must answer no so loudly the people of the world can hear.  You must destroy the un-American committee at the polls and in the courts, or it will destroy many of the foundations of democracy and Christianity.”


Naturally H.A. toured kibbutzs and offered his farming advice; he also toured many religious sites and relics.   Speaking of relics, H.A. stopped in Rome, which included an audience with Pope Pius XII.  When Eugenio Pacelli was elected Pope Pius XII in 1939 he stopped the Vatican’s criticism of fascist  Germany and Italy and praised the victory of Franco in Spain.  Idiot.  

Another note of the HUAC folks, also idiots. They filed contempt of Congress charges against the people, not being called the "Hollywood Ten," who refused to testify at the hearing last month.  On November 24, the House of Representatives voted 346 to 17 to approve the charges.  The next day, film industry executives in a joint statement issued by MPAA [Motion Picture Association of America -AS] President Eric Johnston that the ten would be fired or suspended without pay until they are cleared of charges.  Not innocent until proven guilty.  And guilty of what?  HUAC and their Whiskey Rebel supporters want everyone to know that no one is safe from their reach and any "wrong" political thought can be punished.


©  2014 Ron Millar