Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

jdoe@msnbc.com — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:57:10 GMT

It is a sad moment in U.S. history. I was a young man at that time of this taken place. It was before the McCarthy hysteria. And you have to put it in it's context.

To be aviliated with the communist party at that time did not mean they conspired to throw over by force the American government. The intelligencier many of Jewish background at that time faced terrible projudice in our country: the home of the free and the brave. They saw how horribly the blacks were treated.

I remember as a child the heated discussions about how this was a dicotomy of liberty for the main stream folk but a tryanny for the minorities and no laws to change descrimination

Remember it was in the late sixties that President Johnson got through laws to protect us.

But in the good old days after WWll it was mass hysteria about Communism. Ironic that it did itself in at the end because of really not being interested in freeing the prolotariet.

So my uncles who served in Germany, and in the far east were good enough to be patriots but not good enough because of the quotas set up at the universities against Jews becoming doctors.

I want you all out there to know how things were at that time. Yes the country has moved forward and thank goodness young blacks do not have to sit in the back of the bus, drink out of 'black only' fountains and live in dirt and not where the whites were.

It was not a love of Russia that misguided those who were searching for a better way of life by the communisits, it was for a better system of treating people.

So there reward was to be black-listed and sent down the pike of life hitting all the pot holes.

It was not too long ago that John Carlos held his hand up as a sign of black unity at the Mexican Olympics and was thrown out of Mexico and couldn't get a job in this country. It was in the 60's when Mohamad Ali won the gold medal in Rome and came home and had to sit in the back of the bus and couldn't eat in a restaurant.

No really not too long ago. So we did what we as a nation wanted to do and that was murder two Jewish people condemned as spies-- and got rid of them very quickly I may add--- as a symbol of our "strength" instead of looking in the cold hard reality of the light asking how so many spies were at the New Mexico LOS ALAMOS sight sending spy shit back to Russia, as if they owned Western Union........no one talks much about that and just years ago the loose security at the los almos sight with high officials taking home disks that somehow disappered to end up in China.

What scares me is the incompetetence of bright men. I'll end here instead of talking about Ruby Ridge, Waco. the Brownsville 10 and on and on not to mention the incompetence of our public servants who serve themselves and not the public.

No issue happens in a vacumn-- it is all related and someone should look into whay the Rosebergs were murded and so expedisously.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Old MSgt — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:22:44 GMT

The Rosenbergs were still Soviet agents, and therefore got what they deserved. The Cold War was a struggle too important to be restricted by law or conventional morality, and the liquidation of Communists by any means a praiseworthy action.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Ann Brooks, Commerce Township, Michigan — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:19:11 GMT

This story is tragic - two people were executed and for what? The Rosenbergs didn't have the formula for the atomic bomb - but it does appear that Mrs. Greenglass certainly had her opinions about the Rosenbergs and their activities which proved to be very damning "conclusion on the part of the witness" testimony.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

David Brock Wichita Falls, Texas — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:20:20 GMT

One more reason to be against the death penalty.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Marcelo, Phoenix, Az. — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:14:32 GMT

Ruth said that she assumed and it was enough. She held the smoking gun and survived. She played the game. I guess somebody had to be killed to be barried in the holes of a high security area. Sounds like a solution just like in a dictatorship. Nobody messed with Mr. Hoover.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

sir winston, canton ohio — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:56:31 GMT

Sounds like our country used to know how to take care of traitorous people like the Rosenbergs.

Were it that we would be so resolute today with scum like Aldrich Ames, Robert Hanssen and John Walker, among others. Not one of them should have been spared a death sentence and alive today.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Simon, Dallas Tx — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:04:28 GMT

Why must all semi historians ignore the evidence in the verona tapes? They were guilty, we knew they were spies before their trial. We had the evidence on tape, unfortunately it was classifies at the time but has been available to the public for years. The story is over the communist defending apologists need to find another martyr.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Scott Sandberg Prior Lake Mn — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:19:24 GMT

It says at wikipedia.com that David Greenglass spent 15 years in prison not 10 as in your article

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Mark, Taylor, PA — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:21:27 GMT

I had written a report on this couple as a Freshman at Riverside Highschool in Taylor, PA.

Since doing my research I've always been convinced that the U.S. simply conducted a witch-hunt to make an example of "card-carrying Communists". Good ol'Joe McCarthy. This is what happens when individuals become overzealous, as crusaders get in their own way.

If I were alive in those times I'd see to it that Senator McCarthy had been placed on trial for all the misinformation and propaganda
he intentionally spread to the American public.

Brings me to an interesting point about Popular Mechanics during that era... they took money to espouse the Govt's views on certain matters. Not a good sign.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Barbara, Tennessee — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:32:20 GMT

I remember the day the Rosenbergs were electrocuted. I was eight years old and I can still see the newpaper headlines and pictures. It frightened me that you could lose both of your parents just that quickly. I worried about losing my own parents. It was many years later that I found out that the Rosenbergs left behind young children.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

jeanne san diego — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 04:27:24 GMT

Wow I'm 65 years old and all my life I thought the Rosenbergs were not guilty. That now is an open question is Ruth right?

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

R.D.J. SLC, UTAH — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 04:57:44 GMT

All needed to be put to death...

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Richard B, Brandon FL — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:02:39 GMT

I thought the Venona Project pretty well verified that the Rosenbergs were guilty as charged.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

eringeek@yahoo.com — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:07:58 GMT

I seem to recall that after the fall of the USSR documents were discovered in Moscow which did in fact confirm that the Rosenberg's were Soviet spies.
Mark McMahon GPFms Mi

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Harrison Inman,Evansville,Indiana — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:31:05 GMT

Dang them...up until then, we could have nuked the Soviets anytime we wanted to...hmmm...and nuked (fill in the blank) as well!

Drat Drat Drat!!

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Jennifer, Portland OR — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 06:48:01 GMT

Pretty sad that the US would do so much to fight Nazi Germany and then turn around and get betrayed by jews of all people. Not only were these particular people disloyal to their country they couldn't even be loyal to their own family.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Peter Bensen, Seaford, NY — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:28:15 GMT

So some new Rosenberg Spy Ring case transcripts are out. I'll bet the Rosenberg revisionists/sympathizers/conspiracy theorists came out too, THE VERY SAME DAY!

Rosenberg revisionist/sympathizer/conspiracy theorist, (???) Ronald Radosh says "new evidence" casts "significant doubt" about the accusation against Ethel Rosenberg. This review of grand jury and trial transcripts finds a contradiction in testimony from co-conspirator Ruth Greenglass. (Additional information suggests government malfeance due to: (1) Not prosecuting Ruth Greenglass, (2) Not prosecuting the Rosenbergs for industrial espionage, (3) Not fully disclosing the damage done by Rosenberg spy ring, (4) Prosecuting Ethel even though she was "less culpable" than Julius.)

Whether or not Ruth Greenglass stated that Ethel Rosenberg (1) wrote OR typed to the Soviets, (2) wrote AND typed to the Soviets, (3) misspoke or was misunderstood as to the method of conveyance to the Soviets, or (4) used the term "longhand" (to the exclusion of typing) to the Soviets is not at all clear. "Writing" and "typing" though, are clearly not exclusive of one another.

What is very clear is that this "striking new evidence" isn't new (or striking) at all. It's a moot and minor testimonial issue, of a type always addressed at trial. At trial, defense counsel's job is to examine and address ANY and ALL of these contradictions in testimony. With testimony from pre-trial depositions, trial testimony under direct examination and cross-examination, as well as grand jury statements to reconcile, conflicting testimony is commonplace, even normal.

In fact the omissions, contradictions, and conflicts seen in Ruth Greenglass's various related testimonies are EXTREMELY common. So commonplace, that a good attorney observing NO contradictions, conflicts, or omissions should be very wary that the witness is a compulsive liar, or at the very least, has been professionally coached in deception.

Real justice requires legal counsel to make their case from the various versions of testimony DURING the trial process. Witnesses and evidence are examined at trial and cannot be realistically reinterpreted after this fact-finding trial process. You can't cross-examine a transcript, that's for sure. In any event, there is no compelling justification presented in this document release to support even a scholastic technical review.

Micro-auditing a historic trial such as Julius and Ethel Rosenberg's is an study in hubris. Only vanity expects vindication for Ethel Rosenberg, whose passive complicity was only exceeded by her passive denials. An imperfect prosecution does not infer innocence, nor does it confer martyrdom.

Expecting not to find any human failings in their prosecution, and expressing surprise and profound revelation when they're indeed found, demonstrates a vanity and insidious self-importance much like Rosenberg's own. The only real difference is that the Rosenbergs had a bomb to trade for their souls. The jury returned it's verdict in another century, yet some are still scratching from the fleas today.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

A . L. W. ATLANTA ,GA. — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:12:29 GMT

SO BIG DEAL. YOU SATISFIED YOUR FAT EGO FOR SOME BORING TESTIMONY. MAN YOU PEOPLE ARE SO PETTY. GO SELL DONUTS.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

mujtahid, Dhaka, Bangladesh. afmujtahid@gmail.com — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:33:47 GMT

I was very sad to read the grand jury records in your paper. I was a child when Julius and Ethel Rogenburg were executed. But having read the grand jury testimony, just released, thanks to the national Security Archives, dont you think that the civilised mind will demand a retrial of the Rogenberg case to restore their honour and dignity?

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

T.C. New Hampshire. — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:52:42 GMT

Congratulations. Our system works! We got rid of the rats, and can still read about the process. Try that one under the Red Banner. You also seem to overlook one small historical fact. Years later, no less then Stalin himself during a converstation in Moscow with our then US Ambasador CONFIRMED the Rosenburgs actions.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Tom, San Jose, CA — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:32:58 GMT

Ethel was a communist, but not a spy, she had no obligation to ascertain Julius' activities and there is no clear evidence that she had - - guilt by marriage. Should have been sentenced to ten years at most. An injustice, but not the only one.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

mike s — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:58:06 GMT

they were nothing but Zionist Bolsheviks just
like lennin and stalin who distroyed russia.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Viola Perry — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:44:53 GMT

I remember back in the 1980s a local paper printed on page 2 an article that the Rosenberg's
were cleared and they were murdered actually.
They were not guilty of the alleged crime. No one took notice but I remember and surely someone has the article still. After all, this here is a small town paper, they had to get it from the AP or someone like it.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Jerry Zeman, Washington DC — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:54:49 GMT

I will never forget the day the Rosenberg's were executed, it was the happiest day of my life. After reading this, I feel even happier.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

RZ P.G.B.C. — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:18:13 GMT

Until "Guilt" can be established,101% there should not be a death Penalty. But that was then and now is now,,,,,,,and unfortunately,many things that should have changed hasn't. Still an interesting story from our somewhat shaded past

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

m.c Newark nj.cmagy13@msn.com — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 11:11:55 GMT

Ethel was not guilty.Julius and Ruth and David Greenglas were.Also,Harry Gold,Klaus Fuchs and others.To me Ruth deserved to be executed more than Ethel.She was the real spy.Only the Rosenberg were executed.Justice for all?I don't think so.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Bill Perry, Manchester, TN — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:41:15 GMT

Time marches on.... Can't change history. Eventually, all history is known... Some good... Some bad.... Maybe not even that... What was... Was... We must remember that World War II was only over for 5 years and everyone had their gaurd up against the next enemy... Berlin was a clue that we needed to stay on gaurd... US Security has always tried to defend the United States of America and that's the name of that tune. Right on Americans

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Mr Anderson — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:23:07 GMT

How does one determine that extra 1% of guilt?

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Paul West, Seattle, WA. — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:24:30 GMT

After doing serious research on the Rosenbergs, and several other people caught up in our governments contempt for it's own citizenship,it is sad to read the hate and prejudice presented here within the comments.

My grandfather and other family members were members of the KKK. My father was a very prejudice man, but he used his own example to teach my brother and myself not to follow his example. In later life he welcomed people of different faiths and races to become friends and commented on all the wasted years he spent hating.

Children have to be taught to hate other people not like themselves, they then grow up to teach their children the same biases. Pretty sad comment in 2008.

We still presecute the innocent even after their deaths.

The Rosenburgs were innocent, that fact has been known for over twenty years. They were used as scapgoats to cover the criminal activity of others, which also is known.

Look into J. Edgar Hoover, this is where the truth begins, and where the fate of the Rosenburgs lies.

Several of the other guilty people are still living and years after their deaths more information will become available as to the actual events leading to the DSU (Soviet Union)obtaining our nuclear secrets.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

UG, North Hollywood, Ca — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 17:07:30 GMT

So, Ethel didn't type the notes passed to the Soviets. Ruth Greenglass hand wrote them. And David Greenglass is a perjurer, and the U.S. government knew that Ethel wasn't guilty and executed her anyway. What a surprise....

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Carolyn gardner poquoson va — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 19:05:52 GMT

THEY WERE NOT GUILTY EVERYBODY MUST READ A
EXECUTION IN A FAMILY WRITTEN BY THEIR GRANDCHILD
AND SHE TRIED TO TALK TO DAVID GREENGLASS AND HE
REFUSE. TO TALK TO HER THE ROESBUREG FAMILY
WOULD NOT TAKE THE TWO BOY'S.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Nino Baldino,Oyster Bay,New York ninomine@verizon.net — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:56:47 GMT

More and more the Verona papers prove our nation was infiltrated with traitors at the highest level..if not ,how come a conspiracy of well paid and well trained hoodlums ,can murder some 100 million inocent people last century and no Nurenburg type trials..not one commie ever went to jail or hanged..gee it cant happen here..oh I wish those citizens from the nation of Georgia were not screaming so much..big deal!

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Al Clouse, Tullahoma, TN — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:51:37 GMT

I was in high school,but remember the trail & execution well. I question not so much the expediency of their execution but, why it takes 20 years now to carry out a death sentence! Capitol punishment carried out within a reasonable time period, as then, is a deterent to high-crimes. Also, what happened to the words "At hard labor" that were once heard at sentencing

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Naomi — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:03:57 GMT

Treason is punishable by Death. They betrayed America in the worse way, selling secrets to the enemy, no one should care why. They made choices and they suffered the consequences. Sorry my heart is not bleeding for them...

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Dave, Cleveland, OH — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:12:41 GMT

Injustice seems to be our national system. Veterans in WWII were gassed, given STD's, and nuclear bombs were detonated very close to them, also those radioatctive wastes travelled NW across the nation. Harming citizens there. Now it is all coming out. But where is the organization that profered these programs? Where are the people who worked in them, and calously harmed Americans? Too often people in our government have been willing to harm our innocent brothers and sisters. Too often money has changed hands illegaly. There is no accountability here. We are caught in a vicious cycle that keeps repeating itself and only hate seems to be the glue that holds it all together. Dave

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

MB, Los Angeles, CA — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:56:28 GMT

Jennifer from Portland OR said:

"Pretty sad that the US would do so much to fight Nazi Germany and then turn around and get betrayed by jews of all people. Not only were these particular people disloyal to their country they couldn't even be loyal to their own family."

Jennifer - please brush up on your history. The U.S. did NOT go to war with Nazi Germany to save the Jews. There are many documented instances where the Gov't/FDR did nothing in that regard, going so far as to turn away ships from America's shores filled with Jews fleeing death at the hands of Hitler. And they knew much more than the American public did at the time about Concentration camps but did little to nothing about it, including avoiding making such information public.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Ian W, Charlotte NC — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:03:54 GMT

Ahh.....History rears its ugly head and theories jump out of everywhere.

The fact of the matter is this...you can read whatever you want into just about any document you care to name.

Were they guilty of being Soviet Agents, and therefore espionage ? A jury of thier piers said yes, and thats all that counts in this country. They got thier trial and refused to provide and adequate defnse which left the jury no choice BUT to find them guilty.

Because to be even the slightest bit sympathetic to the cause of Communism in the 30's.40's and 50's...hell all the way through to the late 80's ... was to be a Communist ergo a Soviet Agent ergo a Spy.
In the later years of McCarthyism many in all fields of life would have this shadow appear on thier doorstep. A country built of Capitalsim and heavily influenced by Corporate titans like Rockerfeller and Herst fought the Unions, for many seen as the vanguard of the Socialist State and throught which the Soviets hoped to spread thier influence internationally, was scared of a way of life that, if applied the way Lenin had originally intended, would have bought those same titans crashing to thier knees...and this had to be stopped at every opportunity.
Then Stalin stepped in and twisted what was once a bright ideal of equality and unleashed a monster across Europe that was a very real cause for fear...and this had to be fought at every opportunity and with every tool available.
never mind the occasional casualty (and many were unjustly smeared witht he title Communist during the McCarthy Era).

These days a conviction would be much harder...because whilst the technology available to both sides (prosecution and defense) would make the trial so much more complex...if it even went to trial at all.
The Government would probably offer a deal these days to spare themselves the cost of revealing secrets on court....and at least they got a trial.
How many agents of both sides just vanished in that Cold War when the CIA and KGB used the world as thier battlefield.

On a side note, jdoe wrote in the first comment :
To be aviliated with the communist party at that time did not mean they conspired to throw over by force the American government. The intelligencier many of Jewish background at that time faced terrible projudice in our country: the home of the free and the brave. They saw how horribly the blacks were treated.

Its affilated (not avilaited) and Intelligencia (not intelligencier). I have next to no pet peeves but being too lazy to run a spell check is one of them. The English Language dies a little bit each day with the current generation so it'd be nice to see it applie dproperly in an "intelligent" exchange of thoughts and ideas

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Ellen, Worcester, MA — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:04:17 GMT

Alexandre Feklisov was the Rosenberg's contact within the Soviet embassey in NYC. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Feklisov admitted that he was the courier for the information the Rosenberg's gathered. He also said that what they gathered was largely worthless.

Facts are that the Rosenbergs were guilty. I grew up thinking that they were innocent. Alexandre Feklisov's statements took me aback at first. But facts are facts, the Rosenbergs spied on their country. I'm sorry for their sons. It must be very hard to come to terms with the facts that your parents were guilty.

As for the Rosenberg's judaism. I've read nothing to show that they were practicing their religion. Just because someone is born into a religion, does not mean that they believe it.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

David Wisconsin Rapifds WI dmark@wctc.net — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:33:16 GMT

Given the fact that the Rosenbergs were found guilty, this story still says more about intolerance and paranoia than it does about justice and freedom. Does free speech apply only to those who agree with our (USA) thinking? I don't believe that was the the thinking of the fathers.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

John Doe — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:06:29 GMT

It is hard for the secrets to stay as secrets fir ever. When another person wants it, he/she will get it by hook or crook. Look at China, they badly wanted the industry of USA and EU and they got it.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Bob Sprague, Cocoa FL — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:51:45 GMT

These people were ignorant narrow-minded utopians. As Jews they mush have been aware that Stalin and Russia, historically, had no love for the Jews. As American citizens, they sure were not concerned about safeguarding their homelans from a well-known vicious dictatorship, responsible for murdering millions, including many Jews (Trotsky,etc.) This awareness is shown by the comment that it is assumed they would "be shot if they ran away to the USSR.
Than, what is one to believe? As many like to excoriate the demonized McCarthy, while he may have left damage in his wake, at least there were some not taken in by Russia's propaganda that led so many to fight in Spain, join various Communist parties (and thus unintentionally further Russian Imperialism) and betray their own homelands.
For those that may think this is now a part of history, the Russians are still pushing their imperialism, except that instead of having the KGB as the "sword of revolution" they have the new FSB as the sword of imperialism." Russia still seeks our demise, and those that may be unwittingly helping it should bear this in mind, and rethink their situations before it is too late.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

MM Denver, CO — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:01:38 GMT

"I have next to no pet peeves but being too lazy to run a spell check is one of them. The English Language dies a little bit each day with the current generation so it'd be nice to see it applie dproperly in an "intelligent" exchange of thoughts and ideas
Ian W, Charlotte NC (Tuesday, September 16, 2008 11:03 PM)"

Uh, Ian, you spelled "their" wrong no less than 4 times in your post. Is your spell check broken?

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

P.B. in Los Angeles — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:55:46 GMT

So many people forget what General Patton wanted to do following the Nazi surrender to ensure Western control over Soviet behavior, and there is but one reason "The Wall" ultimately came down, and that single reason is, the B-2 Spirit Bomber. The Soviets had just finished spending over $100 billion dollars on an early warning defense system that the B-2 rendered useless, and they couldn't even feed their people. That equates to: Cold War game over. Had the public supported what both Patton and MacArthur proposed following the respective Japanese and Nazi surrenders, the Soviets would have been held in check, the Cld War would never have taken place, and Viet Nam never would have happened - We all forget, sometimes, how hindsight is indeed 20/20.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Phoebe McPhersonn — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 02:08:04 GMT

Reading through the comments, I felt sad. Sad that two people died without a fair trial. I believe the Rosenbergs were guilty; however, at the same time I believe their sentences were decided before the trial took place and it was only an excuse in futility. Whether they deserved the death penalty will be argued for many more years and few will be swayed from their opinions by this new release of facts or any future release.

I do wish they we, as US citizens, would expend as much energy on todays problems as we do on yesterdays. It would be wonderful to see more comments on solutions to todays' serious issues. As a nation we are facing economic problems, enviromental problems, social issues, crime and violence issues, education problems - the list goes on and on and on. Most of the people who responnded to this article seem to be intelligent and to care about injustice; I would hope that each of them spends an equal amount of time addressing solutions to todays' problems.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

jessica S, Naples, FL — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 07:52:56 GMT

Julius Rosenberg did not have the right to act on his belief that we'd all be better off if Russia and our allies ALL shared our nuclear bomb secrets.

Considering his belief, I cannot say I disagree with him, however he was not President of America, he was not Congress, he did not represent any legislative body himself that qualified him to make the decision to singularly equalize the playing field. As a citizen he likely didn't even have half the story correct.

The world is made up of all types of people. Julius Rosenberg sounds to me more like a megalomaniac than a spy. I believe the defense showed that the documents in question didn't accurately portray atomic secrets anyway.

So, America executed a few more innocents. WHAT ELSE IS NEW? Could it be back then (I was 11 years old and up to 3 years prior, lived next door to the Rosenbergs in Knickerbocker Village)we Americans were so effectively brainwashed that we believed our country was saintly? I can recall learning how bad the Russians were, I recall Communist accusations and job losses, but above everything, America could do no wrong. We were subjected to brainwashing 24/7 and never suspected this until less than a decade ago.

If I think about it, our government was able to make us believe anything it cared to make us believe. This is a feeling from 50-55 years ago; it's not the same today, no matter how bad things get. The only problem with revealing secret documents now is that we cannot bring Ethel Rosenberg back and apologize to her for the mistake that was made.

Remember the sister-in-law, Ruth Greenglas, who changed her testimony from that which she gave to the Grand Jury? Obviously she did this to save her own behind. Take a clue from this situation. She slept well and lived a long life, to age 83. Her husband went to jail, then rejoined her 10 years later. Think of this situation when you have to choose between right and wrong. Again, the wrong triumphs!

PS ... Knickerbocker Village seems to have been some sort of common residence for Jewish intellectuals, educators, and progressive thinkers in the 1940's and 1950's. There were probably many members of the Commmuist Party living in this community at the same time the Rosenbergs lived there. The culture of KV didn't change until years later when many of the Jewish families decided to move to the suburbs like Queens, Levittown, New Jersey, etc.

The Rosenberg saga remains in the minds of all who lived through the trial and execution. Most who remember the Rosenbergs are strongly against capital punishment - a surprise to no one.....

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

kangroo@tstt.net.tt — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 09:02:06 GMT

Ian Charlotte.,NC
When you can speak the language properly,then you
criticise. : It'd ; does not exist in English.

K.A., Trindad

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

S Ayers, Fort Worth — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 13:39:27 GMT

Amazing... arm chair quarterbacking all these years later and you can bet you still don't have ALL the information... Unless someone here has access to the complete transcripts, tapes and other evidence, this one is a closed case and should be left as such.

I can assure you, there are more important issues to be dealt with in the current era without rehashing old and closed cases.. Look at Dallas.. How many CURRENT prisoners are innocent?

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Ted, Indianapolis, IN — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:44:10 GMT

N.B.
Read the authobiography of Pavel Sudoplatov, he has a chapter about his involvement of those that sold the secrets to the Russian. He was KGB general that received all the information. He asserted that Rosenberg were not involved.

Ted,

Indianapolis, IN

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

aa, lincoln, tx — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:40:41 GMT

after reading the article and then most of the comments, I can only attest: "the more I know the human beings, the more I love my dog..."

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Matt, Auberry, CA — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:30:55 GMT

What about the Venona intercepts? They alone proved that the Rosenbergs were involved with espionage, and were thus guilty. Too bad it was still an active program at the time of the trial, otherwise the intercepts would've been introduced as evidence. Too bad the last spy, Ted Hall, wasn't arrested, as his wife has been interveiewed and she admitted that he was a spy for the NKVD (Stalin's secret police-later known as the KGB). His motive: "humanitarian." Both believed that if the USSR had the bomb, the less likely there would be a war between the U.S and the Soviets. WRONG. Get over it: the Party's been over since 1989-91, and Soviet archives (and their control, Feklisov) admit the Rosenbergs' guilt.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

John Doe, Seattle, WA — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:04:42 GMT

Ethel was innocent. Ruth perjured to save her hubby's ass. And her own. The Russians have stated that they received worthless information, nothing that could've built a bomb. The fastest trial and conviction of one innocent scapegoat and her egomaniacal husband.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

E Baranosky — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 01:35:38 GMT

Joe McCarthy was the one who was anti american,
and should have been executed for crimes against
the constitution

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Quentin M. Dart, Playas, Ecuador (US Citizen retired) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:40:37 GMT

The Rosenburgs according to KBG files were given medals as Heros of the Solviet Republic, the highest awards that can be given to a civilian

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Steve Huntley Il — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:33:54 GMT

I agree with the conclusions of Louis Nizer in his book "THE IMPLOSION CONSPIRICY"
The Rosenbergs were indeed guilty, but the sentence of death was inappropriate.
The death sentence has not been subsiquently utilized, even in spying cases of greater severity.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Heather, Orlando, Florida — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:58:59 GMT

The unadulterated arrogance and foolishness represented in these comments has been extremely entertaining. Thank you. I am, however, extremely disturbed by the lack of spelling and grammar skills displayed here.

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Nick Smith, Cleveland, OH — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:31:55 GMT

A couple of those responding mention the Venona Intercepts. I think the rest of them should be decrypted (deciphered?) for additional information on the shadow wars of the 1940s. I think Julius was guilty; I'm less certain about his wife. What seems to be certain is that many of those who conducted high level espionage went unpunished. I wonder how many of them were under suspicion but never bothered?

Secret documents released in Rosenberg spy case

Dave H, Cincinnati, Ohio — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:23:20 GMT

Well, the main fact missing here is that 12 honest men/women acting in good faith decided that the evidence against was enough to warrant a guilty verdict. If they were or weren't really isn't up for use to decide, a Jury of their peers heard the evidence presented, and heard the defense, and decided their guilt.

I will admit, the Rosenberg case was gone before I was born and other than the history books I don't know anything about it or the McCarthy era, but at the time there was a 'clear and present danger' to our nation by a nation that had sworn to eradicate anyone who did not think the same way they did.

And at the time the USSR prohibited all forms of religion so saying that the Rosenberg's were singled out because of being Jewish (as one person tried to say) doesn't really hold anything more than opinion.