John Hardly and Russ are both correct in their statements. Adding a little to Russ' posting, before the Congressional Committees, one's right to refuse to answer on the grounds that it could incriminate one remains valid. If the committee asks one to testify about others, I am uncertain as to the full consequences but if they could show that you had knowledge of someone's guilt and refused, you are open to prosecution. Of course, in the eyes of the Committee AND much of the public including employers, refusal would be construed as tacit admission of guilt and could lead to blacklisting and other problems. Hardly is right that it is difficult to deal with the Communist party since it does plan takeover by whatever means necessary. Echoing Trotsky, some frustrated people who joined during the Depression years to further their own purposes were persecuted even though they had left the communist party. Through the courts they might legally clear their name, but many in the public would refuse to believe that they had reformed. Years passed before they were accepted again.