Avoidance

One site describing the Hollywood Ten's appearance before the HUAC described them as being disrespectful to the committee that had called them. The Life article from a few weeks after doesn't give that impression, really: Trumbo seems to be avoiding the question, trying to make the question be something else, but not being disrespectful. It might have been interpreted a bit differently at the time, of course.

To the extent it was true - and even if it's not - it's worth contrasting with Ronald Reagan's friendly testimony. He gives the impression that he is not in favor of outlawing the communist party, simply ensuring that any war of ideas can be fought fair and square. In a couple of instances, he responds to leading questions ("Were communists trying to dominate the union?") with statements that may answer as the committee might prefer ("Our side was trying to dominate the union, too") but which refute the goal of the question.

Previous posts have mentioned Rules for Surviving the Crisis, which come down to
* Stay out of war zones.
* Be on the winning side.

Now it may be worth considering possible corresponding Rules for Surviving the Witch Hunts of the First Turning:
* Don't pretend you can take on the government ... you can't.
* Avoid being something that the others might decide to dislike.
* Choose your battles.
* Given a choice between a smart spokesperson and one who can communicate effectively, choose the latter.

The Saeculum includes a cycle between maximum and minimum organizational power. Governments are most powerful at the peak of the Crisis, and remain so into the First Turning. While it may be tempting to dismiss that, it should not be forgotten.