Still, the fact that Seeger, MacColl, and others supported Stalin, is certainly a matter worthy of discussion. To my way of thinking, the facts are the facts, and shouldn't be withheld from an obituary.

I think no less of Seeger and MacColl because they were Communists, at least for part of their lives. I think it's proof of their idealism - and their ability to think "outside the box," if you will.

I spent my three years of military service studying East German Communists; and I developed a real respect for them, despite their Wall and other security procedures. Communism may be a failed ideal, but we have much to learn from this often-noble experiment.

-Joe-