In 1953 Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn of "A Map of the World," "Blue Car") was a well-respected and highly successful newsman and television personality, and host of the CBS documentary-news magazine show, "See It Now." Murrow and his team of top news reporters and researchers¾ headed by the show’s producer Fred Friendly (played by George Clooney, "Ocean’s Twelve")¾ took on the powerful US senator from Wisconsin, Joseph McCarthy.

McCarthy headed a mid-century witch-hunt for any perceived or suspected communists or communist sympathizers in the government. He felt there were 200 or so card-carrying communists in official capacities. McCarthy conducted hearings that resulted in people losing jobs because they were labeled as communist. Others were asked to sign loyalty oaths, including employees of CBS. Some were kicked out of the military if they were suspected members of the communist party or knew anyone who was a member (and asked to name them). Your job was in jeopardy if you had ever attended any meetings of the party.

Interestingly, it is revealing how much more open things appear to have been 40 years ago than at this time, in spite of far more pervasive communication products available today (TVs in every room, cell phones, personal computers, the Internet, etc.). About the only person who is taken seriously that can speak out for the most part when they want, on the desired topic and be respected for their opinion is Oprah. Investigative reporters for major publications and news outlets are often deemed unpatriotic and labeled "pro" terrorism. Anchormen/women now are essentially high paid celebrity mouthpieces, whose investigative reporting is limited to flawlessly reading what someone else has written on a teleprompter.

Today companies like Disney own ABC News, and the people that make your refrigerator (GE Capital) own NBC. In those days, news reporters were on safe ground if they kept their editor and publisher happy and the advertisers were not threatening to withdraw support. To a large degree, they were free to investigate and report whatever they considered newsworthy. Today, there are built-in conflicts of interest that make investigative reporting often an oxymoron.

The black and white cinematography, which is beautifully done, gives the story a realism of the times since it combines archival documentary footage into the fact-based drama. The lighting is on par with the best film noirs (contrast and sharply drawn shadows).

The supporting cast operates more like an ensemble of players, giving some insight into how the actual crew must have interacted on the show. And the jazzy vocal interludes by Dianne Reeves carried us along for the ride.

The events surrounding Hurricanes Katrina and Rita blew away more than homes and businesses. They shattered the confidence that some Americans had about their wealth, their basic assumptions of how other Americans live and overall complacency about our fellow citizens. In a time when those that criticize the government (Federal, State and Local) are quickly called unpatriotic, it’s clear that we have more in common with the events of the McCarthy hearings of 1958 than we thought had been the case. Americans are good-hearted people and the government will reflect the will of the people when we are talking to them rather than the other way around. Our eyes are now wide open; it’s okay to blink but let’s never close them, other than to get some sleep at night.