Rita McNeil: Communist threat or sweet, sweet Cape Breton songstress?

Question

It appears that the Canadian government has been tracking and/or infiltrating feminist organizations (of which Rita McNeil* was a part)since the 1970s. The reason for tracking this and similar "left-wing" groups was the search for communists and communist sympathizers.

*Rita McNeil is a well-known singer from Canada's East Coast who is known for her gentle, sweet character, down-home charm, and affection for the disaffected/unrepresented--notably, for her work with Canada's East Coast coal miners, most of whom are male.

Do you think that governments should be able to track and monitor people affiliated with certain groups?

Answer 1

Almost all governments do this, even the most benign.

It's interesting that while leftist organisations are routinely targetted, right wing group often are not, which has led to some very serious social problems.

For example, while Rita McNeil and her dangerous feminist buddies were under the watchful eye of the government, Timothy McVeigh and HIS friends were just doing what they came naturally.

Naturally to a whacked out right wing nut job with mass murder in his heart.

So basically, counter productive or what.

Cheers :-)

Answer 2

I'm pretty much against all forms of governments spying on their citizens regardless of reasons or ideologies

Answer 3

Craziness!

Your question reminds me of some great song lyrics, though...

In the town of Springhill, Nova Scotia,

down in the heart of the Cumberland Mine,

there's blood on the coal and the miners lie

in the roads that never saw sun nor sky.

Roads that never saw sun nor sky...

Answer 4

And all this time I thought McCarthyism had died along with McCarthy. Communists no longer pose any threat to anyone. They're wrong, but they're not evil anymore, just really annoying.

Now, if she had been affiliated with a street gang, a neo-n**i group, or the Westboro Baptist Church, I'd be OK with it.