In the post-election analysis at The Greenhouse today (and specifically, the embarrassingly low 41% turnout), one of our associates said that he had a dilemna while voting:
- he didn't like any of the local candidates.
- he wanted to exercise his right to vote.
- voting for a "joke" candidate wasn't an option, what with the aforementioned "glorious four-year plan to purge homelessness."
- he didn't want to spoil his ballot, since he preferred not to appear illiterate.
So, he went to the voting registration desk, and requested that he officially decline his ballot. As you can imagine, it took the volunteers at the desk more than a little while to find the proper response in their official handbook. At the end, though, my colleague was able to successfully decline his vote without abusing his voting privileges.
My buddy MJ heard this story, too, and thought about it for a second.
"You know," he said, "you'd think it would be easier than that, since all our ballots were de-Kleined a few years ago."
If I didn't know that he actually reads this blog every couple of months, I would totally be taking credit for that line right now.
Showing posts with label Alberta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alberta. Show all posts
3.3.08
It's like the Oscars, but with less politics.
Greetings, all! I'm camped out in front of the monitor right now, with a bowl full of popcorn, watching the results of the provincial election roll in. Will the Ed Stelmach government emerge victorious? Or will they only win 60% of the seats? Yes, anything truly can happen tonight.
There were some interesting side notes to the election campaign (besides the fact that it happened, which I found very surprising when I heard about it yesterday). For instance, I direct you to the Green Party candidate for Edmonton-Whitemud. She sums up her biography as follows: "The following terms represent who and what moved her to do so: tears and hope, community building, polar bears, connectedness, learning, commitment and responsibility, service, God."
One of those things is not like the other.
On the other side of the spectrum, we have the Wild Rose Alliance Party... whose website has been unavailable for the entire day. Whoops. Regardless, they're the amalgation of two parties which thought the Alberta Tories weren't right-wing enough. Well, it's one thing to accuse the Conservatives of overtaxation, but how else does that get reflected in their policies? Contrary to what you might expect, dealing with the downtrodden is a big point in their agenda. In fact, they've got a plan for eliminating the homeless problem in Alberta within four years.
...hm. Four years. That doesn't seem like a long time to build the social support network, does it?
They don't go into further details, but I suspect that their intended methods haven't been used in a long time. In fact, I suspect that they consider that to be one of their best features. In all honesty, the sociologist in me is kind of curious to see what would happen if they won... but I'm reasonably certain their methods will remain hypothetical for a few more years.
Ah, well. Regardless of the outcome, I'll still go to work tomorrow, and...
What the?
Well, what do you know. In the time it took be to write the last two paragraphs, the Conservatives went ahead and won the whole thing.
The polls closed forty-three minutes ago.
Come on, Albertans. I don't mind if you elect yet another PC government... but could you at least try to put on a little show for the crowd once in a while?
There were some interesting side notes to the election campaign (besides the fact that it happened, which I found very surprising when I heard about it yesterday). For instance, I direct you to the Green Party candidate for Edmonton-Whitemud. She sums up her biography as follows: "The following terms represent who and what moved her to do so: tears and hope, community building, polar bears, connectedness, learning, commitment and responsibility, service, God."
One of those things is not like the other.
On the other side of the spectrum, we have the Wild Rose Alliance Party... whose website has been unavailable for the entire day. Whoops. Regardless, they're the amalgation of two parties which thought the Alberta Tories weren't right-wing enough. Well, it's one thing to accuse the Conservatives of overtaxation, but how else does that get reflected in their policies? Contrary to what you might expect, dealing with the downtrodden is a big point in their agenda. In fact, they've got a plan for eliminating the homeless problem in Alberta within four years.
...hm. Four years. That doesn't seem like a long time to build the social support network, does it?
They don't go into further details, but I suspect that their intended methods haven't been used in a long time. In fact, I suspect that they consider that to be one of their best features. In all honesty, the sociologist in me is kind of curious to see what would happen if they won... but I'm reasonably certain their methods will remain hypothetical for a few more years.
Ah, well. Regardless of the outcome, I'll still go to work tomorrow, and...
What the?
Well, what do you know. In the time it took be to write the last two paragraphs, the Conservatives went ahead and won the whole thing.
The polls closed forty-three minutes ago.
Come on, Albertans. I don't mind if you elect yet another PC government... but could you at least try to put on a little show for the crowd once in a while?
22.5.07
Rivalry squared.
My old partners in wordcount, the Edmowrimos, are holding a design contest. Over the years, they have developed a mascot of sorts: the literary ninja. This year, the call went out for ideas to put on T-shirts, bumper stickers, pens, etc. Since I'm horrible with visual art, I thought I'd pass this one by.
However... remember that six-hour drive I took this weekend? This idea leapt into my brain around hour number two, and refused to let go -- for which I'm grateful. Behold:
Honestly, I love this so much, I'm considering slapping a "Vote for Denton" sign at the bottom of it. If nothing else, it would treat us to a press conference where a councillor for a city named Medicine Hat says that ninjas are silly.
But that's only half the story. Really, this couldn't possibly be complete without the following:
Forget bumper stickers -- I think this is the closest I've ever come to wanting a tattoo.
Your thoughts?
However... remember that six-hour drive I took this weekend? This idea leapt into my brain around hour number two, and refused to let go -- for which I'm grateful. Behold:
Honestly, I love this so much, I'm considering slapping a "Vote for Denton" sign at the bottom of it. If nothing else, it would treat us to a press conference where a councillor for a city named Medicine Hat says that ninjas are silly.
But that's only half the story. Really, this couldn't possibly be complete without the following:
Forget bumper stickers -- I think this is the closest I've ever come to wanting a tattoo.
Your thoughts?
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