Women's equality and Canadian espionage

Written and circulated January 11, 2005

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RE: EQUITY, SECURITY, CIVIL RIGHTS

Please allow me to clarify my previous posts [to Toronto Women's Call to Action] and reframe the argument I am making for gender equity.

I have questioned the possibility of government moles and other behind-the-scenes control in the gender equity movement.

I have also suggested that government security bodies have long been engaged in not only observing - but also actively infiltrating and manipulating, women's organizations, as well as manipulating community activism and interfering with social progress, in general. 

I have met many women, who have experienced RCMP surveillance. Even renowned Canadian singer Rita MacNeil was on their blacklist ('RCMP spied on Rita MacNeil, feminists in 1970s').

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Wake up - the spying never stopped. Various indicators suggest, to me, that unseen forces are at work - yet most people still find it difficult to conceive of intelligence spies and plants. Even other activists are trusting and gullible, in this respect.

I have several reasons for believing that government security bodies do keep abreast of women's activism, and do deter or mould developments, as necessary.

Here's why I think so:

1)      I have heard of cases where the RCMP wiretaps progressive women's groups, particularly those with queer women and they kept files on each individual. (Why? Were/Are they a threat to society and security, or just the Status Quo?)

2)      I myself believe I have been under government surveillance and harassment for several years.
(I was threatened with RCMP investigation in December 1997, and have since had countless strange happenings and harassing incidents.)

3)      Someone I know personally was under surveillance by RCMP and CSIS during the 1970s for having different, innovative ideas for how government could function more effectively, while strengthening the participation and involvement of women. This person's PhD thesis in Political Science examines theories and phenomena around women's empowerment in Canada.

1. She was subsequently accused of being a 'Communist.' There were attempts to fire her, despite her clearly positive work on women's behalf. Then, what happened? Identifiable women of colour, who 'fit into the system,' started heading up women's organizations. This disenfranchised Caucasian / white feminists, and thereby pitted gender against race. (A Divide and Conquer strategy, perhaps?)

2. Her case and the surveillance issue were to go before the House of Commons. Friends, neighbours, and others, had been asked to co-operate in the surveillance; but some refused.
   
   (Sadly, in our current times, no one would have the nerve, nor personal ethics, to stand up to the RCMP and CSIS.)
   
   
   

4)      I share surprisingly similar views and ideas with the person mentioned above re: innovating government and the participation of ‘minorities’ (ie, women, people of colour, queers/LGBT, etc), so I'm not surprised that, for different reasons, the surveillance and harassment I seem to have been under for 3+ years has escalated to similarly drastic proportions.

(Note: Other than being the same gender, this individual and I are located very differently as people. Yet we share a common belief in strong nation-building and socio-environmental responsibility.)

5)      Today's advanced technologies have vastly improved government's ability to surveille and profile people, as well as infiltrate and influence groups (organizations, institutions, media outlets, and so on). Heck, anyone and their tiny cellphone can record pics/videos/audio – think what the government can do.

- People's commitment to ethical conduct has also steadily deteriorated in Canada. Pressing people into service and exploiting their need or desire to earn a buck isn't that hard, nowadays.

So let me get back to a basic question: What is the point of gender equity?

- Is it that women don't want to be asking for handouts or favours?

- Shouldn't women be equally involved in decision-making processes, have equal access to resources, and help plan how these are used?

- Don't women contribute greatly to communities, the nation, and so on?

- Aren't women equally capable of being holistic thinkers and problem-solvers, who can contribute to and improve social, environmental, economic progress and stewardship?

Women are half the population. Things will not improve unless women are actively involved and represented in governance. But how will this happen, when: 1) we're not looking at the bigger picture (burdened and overwhelmed, as many of us may be), and 2) we're not even following fair, open, or democratic methods within this group?

Below are several links. One article touches on how Sheila Copps was basically shunted to the side by her peers and fellow candidates during the Liberal leadership campaign. To the credit of the NDP, they had no problem in electing a female party leader in Audrey McLaughlin (1989 to 1995). No need for rat-race politics and sexist snubbing.

'Politically Incorrect' - Arthur Weinreb

http://www.torontofreepress.com/2003/weinreb072803.htm

I'm not necessarily pro-Sheila Copps. But I think it says a lot about the state of sexism in all levels of Canadian government, never mind talking about the Liberal party, whom people still naively favour and who is bringing about Canada's undoing. Politically-speaking, women in Canada are *not* moving ahead: we're falling behind.

Canada is falling behind in women's representation.

 http://www.equalvoice.ca/facts.cfm

Article below reminds one of the less glorious aspects of war, one which Canada is complicitly supporting.

'Violence against women: The unacknowledged casualties of war' - Irene Khan

http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/12/17/opinion/edkhan.html

Men are equal victims of convenient ideologies and propaganda. See 'Support Our Troops' (bottom of page). http://bestoftheblogs.com/2004_12_18_bestof.html#110338035710078623

If being on this gender equity list, or participating in this group, is about toeing the line and obeying rank-and-file positioning, progress will be limited. Exactly what the government would like. Sure, there may be a few minor achievements, here and there, but overall, nothing much is likely to change.

See article by Naomi Klein about NGOs toeing the line: http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0620-06.htm

Also, if you feel having women in positions of power is important - regardless of their politics - all I can say is: Hello, Condoleezza Rice.

Canada is rapidly solidifying its position alongside the United States and their political and military agendas. If you still don't believe that our government is actively observing, eavesdropping in on, and controlling women's groups using well-versed and even well-established operatives, you may want to think again.

XXX

http://oneadventure.blogspot.com

ps – I’ve been looking into computer hardware (routers) to shield my internet activities. But I’m quickly discovering that data mining and eavesdropping by security bodies are extremely advanced and insidious. All telephone calls and faxes from Canada to overseas have been automatically recorded for over 30 years. Now, I’m sure it’s within Canada. The right to dissent is shrinking by the day.

Covert entry: the inside story of the CSIS and the 'unholy ghost'

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0MKY/is_19_26/ai_n6066038/