tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9021851682736515743.post4416232692237000722..comments2023-11-03T08:25:53.462-04:00Comments on what fresh hell is this?: Some Things to Learn from Egypt by Alex SniderAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802154503675431075noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9021851682736515743.post-25903275014899495792011-02-15T09:07:49.460-05:002011-02-15T09:07:49.460-05:00And, with regards to the Toronto election, the hig...And, with regards to the Toronto election, the high voter turnout in the 'burbs sends a message that, even though amalgamation was and is a terrible experiment, they also have a say and they're saying they felt ignored by the last government -- an important thing for the next Toronto-friendly candidates to keep in mind.Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14802154503675431075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9021851682736515743.post-6331494361640953212011-02-15T08:18:51.268-05:002011-02-15T08:18:51.268-05:00Conservative support is so ridiculously low that i...Conservative support is so ridiculously low that it really wouldn't take much for the Liberals to pull their heads out of their asses (well, I guess it would as they've had years to do so). I was more aiming for just showing up to vote to send the message that, even if the conservatives won again because of vote splitting, Canadians are at least paying attention. The apathy is killing us.Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14802154503675431075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9021851682736515743.post-7025960777702902482011-02-15T01:57:20.944-05:002011-02-15T01:57:20.944-05:00Increasing voting participation doesn't always...Increasing voting participation doesn't always lead to better results...<br /><br />"Ford was elected mayor with 380,201 votes (47%) over Smitherman's 287,393 (35.6%) and Pantalone with 94,840 (11.7%). The voter turnout was around 52% of registered voters, the highest in Toronto's post-amalgamation history." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Ford)<br /><br />Though 52% being considered a statistical high is embarrassing.<br /><br />Nevertheless, I do agree with you. I can easily name 10-15 people who were pro-Smitherman/Pantalone, but couldn't find the time to go vote.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16043502978076392272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9021851682736515743.post-71074961858628728122011-02-14T22:03:47.574-05:002011-02-14T22:03:47.574-05:00True enough, I should have qualified that further ...True enough, I should have qualified that further by putting it into context in terms of the Canadian experience with police. I don't mean to diminish or marginalize the fear and oppression that police states create.Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14802154503675431075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9021851682736515743.post-400058688077742472011-02-14T21:34:24.033-05:002011-02-14T21:34:24.033-05:00Great post, Al.
It seems that apathy is an unfortu...Great post, Al.<br />It seems that apathy is an unfortunate cause of having the freedoms that we do.<br /><br />I will, however, always disagree that Toronto became a police state. It was an unfortunate situation, but luckily Toronto at it's worst is not comparable to police states such as Syria, where literally ANY government opposition could get you put away for a very long time.EthanDRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00086122442914506270noreply@blogger.com