International Spy Museum Responds About Inaccuracies Scott Manning October 16, 2006

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Early last month, I sent a letter to the International Spy Museum to challenge them on what he saw as inaccuracies concerning Stalin's body count and Joe McCarthy.

The historian for the Spy Museum has officially replied.

Below is their reponse in its entirity. I have removed the name of the Historian for the Museum.

Dear Mr. Manning:

I am glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit to the International Spy Museum. We welcome feedback from our guests, and I would like to thank you for your informed comments. Let me address your queries in turn:

1. Victims of Stalinism.
I agree with you that the figure of 10 million is too low. Since the true figure will probably never be known, the text should at least include a qualifier, such as "at least" or "approximately," whatever the given number. Since label replacement is a lengthy process, I cannot promise you that the change will happen in the near future, but I have made a note of this.

2. Joseph McCarthy and HUAC.
Actually, our label opening reads, "Usually identified with Senator Joseph McCarthy, The House Committee on Un-American Activities was established by Congress", and not "Often associated with Joe McCarthy, the HUAC was responsible for..." Therefore, our label acknowledges McCarthy's perceived association with HUAC while making it clear that, in fact, Congress established the committee.

The film clips are not meant to be a documentary on HUAC but merely to convey the zeitgeist of the red scare era. As a matter of fact, HUAC's name is not mentioned once in any of the clips. McCarthy has his say on one of the first clips, but the voice clearly changes when John Howard Lawson is questioned in the following clip. Also, it seems obvious to me that the various hearings/testimonies are not part of one session, and it is nowhere suggested that McCarthy chaired any or all of them. At the very end, McCarthy is actually dressed down by Joseph Welch.

I hope you find these comments helpful.

Sincerely,

Historian

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