THE U.S ASSAULT ON LGBT...

Pigs, War Plan Red, & The Great Gatsby

Feb 17, 2025

BOC#007

3 MINUTE MUNCH

YOU’VE PROBABLY HEARD OF THE RED SCARE, BUT HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE LAVENDER SCARE?

The 1950’s were a turbulent decade in the U.S.

Under the banner of McCarthyism, some of the nation’s most prominent figures were accused of being undercover communists in what became known as the red scare, but being accused of communism was only the start. The ‘lavender scare’ went on to target members of the LGBT community, driven by the idea that its members had infiltrated the government, and posed a threat to national security. It was thought that the LGBT community might be sympathetic to the communist cause, and could be easily blackmailed. It is estimated that some 5,000 - 10,000 government employees lost their jobs as a result.

SWEATING LIKE A WHAT?

The phrase, “sweating like a pig” has nothing to do with that smelly, muddy, farmyard animal that happens to have no functioning sweat glands. It’s in fact a reference to the iron smelting process in which crude, or ‘pig’ iron, is an intermediary product. Moulding iron requires extreme heat in order for it to be liquified. This process causes the iron to ‘sweat’ as it cools. The presence of water droplets indicates that the iron is safe to handle.

FOLLOWING THE FIRST WORLD WAR, THE U.S DEVELOPED…

…a plan for a potential conflict with the U.K. By the 1920’s, the two nations were the last remaining global superpowers, and with Canada still a part of the British empire, the U.S developed War Plan Red, which was updated several times during the 1930’s. The Royal Navy was a superior maritime force at the time, leading to U.S fears of a possible stand-off in the Atlantic. The plan involved the potential assault of several Canadian cities giving the U.S leverage over the U.K should tensions rise. The U.S has held several similar plans for various other nations including ‘Green’ for a war against Mexico, ‘Brown’ for the U.S occupied Philippines, ‘Yellow’ for China, and ‘Orange’ for Japan.

BOOK PASSAGE: THE GREAT GATSBY BY F. SCOTT FITZGERALD

“Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.

KEEP YOUR ATTENTION FOCUSED…

…entirely on what is truly your own concern, and be clear that what belongs to others is their business and none of yours.’ - The Art of Living, Epictetus.