#loyaltyoath — Public Fediverse posts

A quotation from Eleanor Roosevelt

   I have never liked the idea of an Un-American Activities Committee. I have always thought that a strong democracy should stand by its fundamental beliefs and that a citizen of the United States should be considered innocent until he is proved guilty.
   If he is employed in a government position where he has access to secret and important papers, then for the sake of security he must undergo some special tests. However, I doubt whether the loyalty test really adds much to our safety, since no Communist would hesitate to sign it and he would be in good standing until he was proved guilty. So it seems to me that we might as well do away with a test which is almost an insult to any loyal American citizen.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) First Lady of the US (1933-45), politician, diplomat, activist
Column (1947-10-29), “My Day”

More info about this quote: wist.info/roosevelt-eleanor/80…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #eleanorroosevelt #confidentiality #innocence #loyalty #loyaltyoath #RedScare #spy

A quotation from Adlai Stevenson

   The whole notion of loyalty inquisitions is a natural characteristic of the police state, not of democracy. Knowing his rule rests upon compulsion rather than consent, the dictator must always assume the disloyalty, not for a few but of many, and guard against it by continual inquisition and liquidation of the unreliable. The history of Soviet Russia is a modern example of this ancient practice.
   The democratic state, on the other hand, is based on the consent of its members. The vast majority of our people are intensely loyal, as they have amply demonstrated. To question, even by implication, the loyalty and devotion of a large group of citizens is to create an atmosphere of suspicion and distrust which is neither justified, healthy, nor consistent with our traditions. […] I must, in good conscience, protest against any unnecessary suppression of our ancient rights of free men. Moreover, we will win the contest of ideas that afflicts the world not by suppressing those rights, but by their triumph. We must not burn down the house to kill the rats.

Adlai Stevenson (1900-1965) American diplomat, statesman
Message (1951-06-26), Veto of Illinois State Senate Bill 102

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/stevenson-adlai-ewin…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #communism #disloyalty #extremism #freedom #inquisition #loyalty #loyaltyoath #nationalsecurity #RedScare #subversion

@spocko @Nonilex @GottaLaff @crooksandliars
#CaptBoneSpurs doesn't think twice about destroying the lives of #LosersAndSuckers. He has NO respect for anyone that didn't put themselves first ahead of "God & Country."
#LoyaltyOath