[eupharis]

Using something said in the past to embarrass in the present is one thing. It is often justified, like with "mission accomplished" or the "the fundamentals of the economy are strong."

Prosecuting for something that was legally done in the past is a whole different issue.

[monkeyspaw]

Government sponsored embarrassment isn't the same as putting someone in jail, you are right.

However, taking away someone's ability to make a living (see the Hollywood blacklist, etc.) is leverage that can be used to control behavior. The HUAC hearings were a big bad thing that was done. It wasn't as bad as slavery, for example, but it is something that happened very recently and I think we want to avoid.

[eupharis]

/nod