Regading your dad still fighting the cold war. It's the US media (I guess you're American?) that had brainwashed your dad. The notion that Western media are presenting a balanced picture has never been true. They simply ignored anything that didn't fit the template of what was considered "common wisdom" - but the common wisdom came from guess who? The Government, the Establishment, and anyone else whose interest was in making sure any form of Socialism was eradicated.

If you're interested in learning more about how the US and other Western countries brainwash the masses through media (I don't mean the obvious Faux News stuff - but mianstream media), then google "political economy tradition of mass media and sociology" - look for the European sources on it. American academics are Herman and Chomsky of course, but there other researchers from earlier years. Google "Frankfurt school mass media brainwashing" that should pull up some materials too.