Liberal/NDP Coalition via Facebook?

Okay, I got by far the weirdest "Recommended Pages" suggestion from Facebook today... Facebook suggested that since I "like" Jack Layton's page (which is no secret, I respect the guy) that I might want to consider "liking" Michael Ignatieff's fan page. Why? Here's precicely what it said...

You catch that?  "Many who like Jack Layton like him". Isn't that interesting... many of Jack Layton's fans are also Michael Ignatieff fans. So it wouldn't be a stretch to suggest that NDP supporters are also Liberal supporters, would it not?

Of course, this little screen shot helps verify something that we've all know for a long time... that NDP supporters are also CBC supporters. I mean, it's not like NDPers would bother to listen if it wasn't left leaning...

ON PC Leadership... what's a blogger to do?

Haven't had much time to get into it, but I do have to say that the race is getting interesting. And the wooing has begun in earnest!

First off was a phone call I got a little while back, which actually gave me quite a shock... I answered my cell, and low and behold, who's on the line? "Hello, this is Randy Hillier calling"! Turns out he'd been reading a couple of my blog posts, and well, umm, let's just say he wanted to chat! I must say I was impressed, nice guy, honest and forthright, no guff. We chatted for a bit about various issues, rumours, and I let him know straight out why I felt hesitant to consider supporting him... that while John Tory was too far at one end of the "conservative" political spectrum for many, likewise he to was too far on the other end. Basically different guy, but pretty much the same problem, only in reverse. Again though, I was indeed impressed that he'd take the time to call me, so I will at least give him some consideration as the campaign gets under way. For all those who want to take a look, Randy's website is here.

Then there's the wooing from the local "Hudakites" as one of them has come to calling themselves. A sit down with my "official" local organizer for Team Tim, and an invite to a breakfast this morning... which I totally forgot about since I barely slept last night! (irony... I didn't think I could get up early enough to go, and then I did wake up with plenty of time because I couldn't sleep... but forgot about it anyway, grrr...) To be honest, I think I'm leaning in Tim's direction, because I think he's the guy who's got the best stuff to beat the Liberals... perhaps not this time around, (I honestly don't know if anyone can after we wasted an entire year's worth of effort) but able to rebuild and revitalize and prepare us to eventually govern again... maybe even keep McGuinty to a minority in 2011. I think the numbers are there to do just that, but I think it would take a youthful and energetic guy like Hudak to pull it off. Tim's website is here... but a word of advice guys? Swap out the goofy looking pic of Tim in the top left corner... certainly there's got to be a better one you can use somewhere!

I haven't heard much from the Klees Kamp yet, other than the rah-rah from fellow blogger Darryl Wolk. Since I really know nothing about Frank (again, I've not really followed Provincial politics all that much) I figured I'd look him up. Right off the bat, the thought came to mind that honestly, he doesn't "look" like a Premier to me, but that's just superficial, so I looked a little deeper at his positions. I must say, on strictly a policy level, I must say I like what little I've read so far. We're pretty much on the same page on healthcare and education, as I've always been a big supporter of tax credits for private education, having gone to a Christian school myself. I wholeheartedly disagree with critics of such a plan, who say that doing so will defund the public system... I think they're being dishonest with their false-dilemma arguments. Frank will be getting a close second look during this campaign. His website is here.

Also had a Facebook invite from an Elliot supporter, from an organizer who I really respect, so of course, I'll have to at least give her a good look. Her website is by far the slickest website of the crowd... oh man, it just rocks. Everything you could want to see is right there, all well laid out, and at the bottom, you've got all the links to all the virtual campaign tools you need... YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, Facebook. Seriously, looks like someone was paying attention to the Obama campaign... here's hoping they get tapped for the 2011 campaign website, whoever wins this thing. I really don't know much about Christine herself, so I'll comment as I learn more... but her site has got my attention, which is exactly what a campaign site is supposed to do.

So, as the title says... what's a blogger to do? All of a sudden, I'm interested in provincial politics again...

Layton rockets past Dion on Facebook!

LOL... looks like all the Liberal fretting yesterday couldn't stop the Smiling Jack Express train... Jack Layton officially shot past Dion last night for having the highest number of supporters on Facebook, and just kept right on chugging.  The current numbers for Jack are 11,677, versus 11,496 for Stephane Dion... a difference of 180. (not bad when you consider that he was down by 54 as of 5:00pm last night... that's 230 additional supporters in less than a day!)

While many folks have a "Who cares?" attitude about this, a lot more people, including the folks who run these pages, know better.  Though Facebook is hardly a reliable poll, it says something interesting about where the hearts and minds of today's youth are.  In the past, the Liberal Party could count on the youth of Canada as being solidly in their camp in terms of support.  Today's young people though, are a whole lot more politically savvy than most people give them credit for.  They're also becoming more selective when it comes to throwing their support to any individual or party.  As such, there's been a HUGE resurgence in the last few years of support for both the NDP and the Conservative Party amongst young people.  In years past, it was getting rare to see a conservative leaning campus club in many of our Universities.  Today, most major schools have one, and many are strong and growing.

In fact, one commenter on this blog yesterday, thinking that they were mocking me, only served to prove my point.  He (she?) pointed out that I hadn't mentioned the fact that Mr. Harper is third in the Facebook supporters race, with only 10,195 supporters.  Well, thanks for proving my point!  The fact that Mr. Harper even has 10,195 young people who are willing to fly the Conservative banner on Facebook attests to the very fact that conservatism is alive and well amongst the youth of this country!  (though obviously, there's still lots of work left to be done)

Anyway, the fact that Layton has managed to pass Dion, right on the eve of a by-election, is yet another embarrassing blow to the formerly almighty Liberal machine.  It exposes the fact that the support amongst youth that they once could count on is no longer solid... and perhaps serves as a reminder that Mr. Dion is not the "leader" that Liberals hoped he would become.

Congrats again to Mr. Jack Layton on his astonishing resurgence, at a time when many people we beginning to speculate on the NDP becoming politically irrelevant.  Though it's just on Facebook right now, it could well be an indicator of things yet to come.

Liberal Facebook users are worried!

Been watching over the last few days, and it looks like Jack Layton is, or should I say WAS, about to pass Stephane Dion for having the greatest number of Facebook supporters.

I say WAS because it looks like the Liberals have gone into panic mode, trying to make sure that embarrasing event doesn't happen... I've been watching, and I've seen Dion's supporter numbers spike in the last hour. Looks like some young Liberals have gotten the word out and had their friends jump on board quick. I can almost picture the desperate e-mails and text messages that must have gone out...

"Help us save Mr. Dion from Facebook embarrassment! Quick, log on to your Facebook and sign on as his supporter now, before Jack Layton can catch up!!!"

An hour ago, Jack was only 22 supporters away... now Dion, or should I say his paniced young supporters, have opened up that gap to 30.

Still, I don't think the lead will hold much longer. Watch the all the fun for yourself right here!

Instant Update: Right after posting this, I saw Dion's numbers tick up another four supporters... looks like I was right, they're really worried!!!

Here's where they were at @ 2:59pm EDT...

UPDATE @ 3:42pm: Oh yea, REAL worried, it's been another 45 minutes, and Dion's got already another 13 supporters.

One commenter told me to "give my head a shake" if I thought this was of any sort of importance. Symbolicly, it's really important, as the Liberal Facebook users have proven today. They know that if Layton passes Dion, it'll be embarrassing, and that piece of news will be spread far and wide, and that's not a good thing right before a series of by-elections. So yes, ree, it is important... I know it, and members of both the Opposition parties know it. So there.

Facebook Blocked in Ontario Government Offices

Queen's Park has blocked all access to Facebook from Government of Ontario computers..."The province has quietly banned bureaucrats, political staffers and most MPPs from accessing the popular Facebook website from government computers.

To the surprise of thousands of Ontario government employees as well as Liberal aides, MPPs, and cabinet ministers, the 21 million-member social networking tool is now off limits."

Well, to be honest, I'm considering partially blocking it here at work... let's just say I've caught a couple of people on it during business hours. It may also be a "risk mitigation" move, to help prevent a leak that was sure to occur, before it occured. (you know, "Loose lips sink ships" and all)

h/t to Warren (May 3, 2007 posting)

Facebook: An Illuminati Plot?

LOL... so what do I do? Do I do nothing? Do I delete my account? Do I run away screaming and trembling in fear?

Someone has done some digging, and has put together a new consipiracy theroy that the monumentally popular Facebook is in reality a CIA/DoD/Illuminati front, developed for the sole purpose of collecting as much information on as many people as they possibly can, for use by the United States Government.

Is it true? Who knows... but do I really care? Watch me all you want, I have nothing to hide... that is, if there's any truth to the accusation.

h/t to LC