". . . Ives was looking after his own interests, and ensuring other artists did not get work."

Since it's impossible to really know someone's motivations (especially for something that happened around sixty years ago), I don't think one can say that with any certainty. It's my understanding that Burl Ives was one of the first entertainers that HUAC called to testify. He may very well have been a bit intimidated (how would you feel if you were hauled up in front of a Congressional committee and interrogated?) and did not yet know how others (such as Seeger) were going to respond. Had he testified after Seeger and had his example to go on, he may very well have told the committee to take it and stuff it. About all one can honestly make of that was that Seeger was more politically aware and concerned, and on that basis, had a bit more steel in his spine than Ives did.

Monday morning quarterbacking is easy, especially if the Monday in question was six decades ago. I don't know what was in Burl Ives' mind at the time and neither does anyone else. Hence, although I deplore the fact that he cooperated with the committee, I reserve judgment as to Ives' motives and character.

Don Firth