First of all Senator McCarthy had absolutely nothing to do with Hollywood or any hearings on Hollywood. Those were held in the House, not the Senate and they were held several years before McCarthy began to speak out. All of McCarthy's efforts were directed at investigating communist influences the US State Dept and the US Dept of Defense. As the Venona files released in the early 1990s and the release of KGB archives has shown, McCarthy was correct in his concerns about Soviet spies in these federal agencies. McCarthy could have cared less about Hollywood. It was not on his scope.
Second. I would reference Ayn Rand who did testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee on Communist (actually pro-Stalin) influence in Hollywood. She confirmed it was there but pointed out that it was the right of these individuals to express their views. But she also pointed out that even though they have that right, no one else should be compelled to pay those people to express those views. i.e., the very concept of a Blacklist is nonsense. If I don't want to hire you because of your political views, or I don't want to pay to see your film because of your views, it is perfectly within my rights to do so. If you have the courage of your convictions it should not matter to you if I "blacklist" you by withholding my money or patronage.
Damn right. The left screams about these tactics even as they are actively engaged in boycotting Walmart, Rush and setting up trouble for Savage. My right to vote with my wallet and make my feelings known are just as legitimate as their right yet I am to be shamed for it and accused of cencorship among other things.
F*** the hypocrites!