Barbwire by Barbano: Harry Potter, Spartacus & Alfred E. Neuman

Alfred E. Neuman,
Commie Threat

In its November, 2002, edition, Harper's Magazine published some letters from the FBI's 35 files on Mad Magazine, "all of which were compiled between 1955 and 1971 during J. Edgar Hoover's tenure as director. Ed Norris, who publishes a newsletter for Mag Magazine collectors called The MAD Panic, obtained the letters through the Freedom of Information Act last year," Harper's noted. Here are excerpts.

Dear Mr. Hoover:
My 14 year-old son has been reading Mad for several years. The entire magazine is "too cleverly" filled with Communistic intent...Satire is one thing, but disrespect to our American heritage and our way of life, in these days when our survival is at stake, is startling to see...the leaders of our country are made to look like fools. In the October 1959 issue, YOU are ridiculed!

I pointed out my feelings to my son, and he said "Write to Mr. J. Edgar Hoover. If he agrees with you, I'll go along with you. Otherwise, let's forget it." Therefore, Mr. Hoover, it is imperative that I receive a reply from you...

Dear Mr. Hoover:
We have a committee in Fond du Lac for "Citizens of Decent Literature" of which I am the chairman...Many of our teachers feel that "Mad" magazine is catering to Communistic principle. I know the articles leave you with a doubt as to what's what. We are certain you could clarify the matter...Also, do you have any material available that deals with pornographic literature? If so, would you please send us some, as we so want to broaden our field.

Dear Mr. Hoover:
There are no advertisements and no photographs in the entire magazine. It costs millions of dollars to produce this type of magazine and the single-copy cost is only 25 cents, which leads me to believe that someone is subsidizing the cost of this publication...

This magazine attacks every phase of our American way of life...I feel (it) is a diabolical form of Red Propaganda used to infiltrate the minds of our Teenagers to destroy our American way of life. A word used at the bottom of the first page by their own admission is a good way to describe what they are doing: Satiric.

Dear Mr. Hoover:
Could you please send me a list of magazines published in our country with a communistic slant? A group was told last evening that Alfred E. Neuman, an editor and writer for MAD magazine, was an avowed Communist. Is he?

Dear Mr. Hoover:
Does the Constitution require that we permit Communist publications such as this to undermine and defame our nation's purpose and strength? We have refined our laws to such an extent that, under the guise of freedom of the press, Communist writers are given a free hand to serve their purpose of bringing about the downfall of our nation. Will you take action to clean up these media?

Dear Sirs,
During an Anti-Communism Study Course at Sylvania Heights High School, the speaker named Mad magazine as a "Communist front" publication, giving as her authority a Naval Training Unit film she had seen.

Please tell me whether it is true that the magazine is a front for Communists, subtly influencing our youth away from good American ideals; or whether it is just the satiric comedy it appears to be panning the foibles of humanity wherever they're found.
Our PTA wishes to take up the cudgel against Mad, and I want to ensure it's the right information we have.

Dear Sir,
I have written to the agency before, and now find it wise to write to you concerning the matter at hand. Some of my teachers say that Mad magazine is communistically written. I would like to know if this is true.

Thank you very much.

P.S. I am still interested in becoming an agent for the FBI.

The following was submitted by a sixth-grade class:

Dear Mr. Hoover,
It has been said in our area of Indianapolis that Mad Magazine either is Communist-controlled or has Communist articles. We would like your help in clearing up this rumor. If it is true, we shall take action against the sale of this magazine. If it is not true, we shall feel free to buy it.

Could you please explain the truth to us?