Pete Seeger vs. the House Un-American Activities Commitee: The Transcript (so so so great) [View all]

[WilliamPitt]

Here’s the Amazing Transcript of Pete Seeger Pissing Off the House Un-American Activities Committee
Mediaite

Pete Seeger, the legendary folk singer (though he didn’t care for the term), died last night at the age of 94. A longtime political activist, Seeger is the only member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to have been cited for contempt by Congress for his refusal to cooperate with the House Un-American Activities Committee.

The transcript of said questioning is like a Joseph Heller novel come to life. Seeger was called on August 18, 1955 and quizzed about the where and when of his performances and allegiances. Seeger skillfully tap-danced around the questions, often with humor, sometimes with protest, and refused to use the Fifth Amendment as a literal get-out-of-jail-free card. He was eventually sentenced to a year in prison for contempt, a verdict he successfully appealed.

A portion of the transcript: http://www.mediaite.com/online/heres-the-amazing-transcript-of-pete-seeger-pissing-off-the-house-un-american-activities-committee/

The whole transcript is also available at that link.

Be this guy.