Re: assessments of presidents - the problem is that the public and the media (not sure which order I should put those in!!) like thinks nice and simple . . JFK was something of a shit but with considerable charm, and who did some good on race/integration issues - so, all in all, he's Mr Good Guy! Tricky Dicky lacked the charm, doesn't have a single strong "liberal" achievement and so is all bad . .

I'm not saying things are any better over here, mind!

Other than which, thanks to various of you for a fascinating and informative thread.

And, personally, I'd add Arthur Miller to Pete Seeger as one of the heros of McCarthyism, and one of the important voices when it comes to documenting that era. (Why is it the finest English-language playright of the 20th century is better recognised abroad than in his home country?)

G.