McCarthyism Watch -- The Progressive magazine Corporate Exec Forced to Apologize for Supporting Anti-War Group

Richard Abdoo is the CEO of Wisconsin Energy Corp., based in Milwaukee. Earlier this fall, Abdoo sent a $250 check to the peace group Not in Our Name (notinourname.net).

As a result, his name was listed as one of the 30,000 endorsers of the group's "Statement of Conscience Against War and Repression." And he was identified as "Chairman of the Board, president and CEO, Wisconsin Energy Corp." Abdoo said the donation was strictly a personal one.

...The statement's prologue said: "We believe that questioning, criticism, and dissent must be valued and protected. We understand that such rights and values are always contested and must be fought for."

He learned that when right-wing media began a smear campaign that forced him to issue an apology.