a pejorative progressives
use to dismiss the shame of their inaction in the face of
communist aggression, imperialism and terrorism.
the correct term is red menace. it was the justified and legitimate organic anxiety of a nation facing a rising totalitarian threat from communism. communists were invading and annexing countries on the european continent, colonizing and overthrowing the governments in other parts of the globe, and building weapons in a bid to eliminate all global alternatives to the red
communist system.
the first
era of the red menace was in the 19-teens and twenties. this was a time when progressives loyal to the russian revolution were setting off bombs in u.s. cities and attempting to assasinate u.s. presidents.
the second
era was spurred by the revelation that the u.s. state department had become ridden with soviet spies. this , in conjunction with overt soviet power maneuvers in the hemisphere caused
americans to support greater vigilance from their leaders.
progressive: duh you're just a red-baiting mccarthyite
nazi! don't you know that the red scare went out of style in the
50's?"
normal person: i guess "
brown-baiting" is still "hip" or something.