Unsolicited

I've received three lengthy e-mails from a person, claiming to represent an organisation with a mission to encourage people to participate in politics.

Nothing in the first inspired me. The second was threatening. The third was more of the same.

They were all wordy. But the second was most revealing. I was informed my name would be posted on Facebook, to inform people of my response or lack thereof.

It was quite succinct.

This morning I was informed Roger Clowater had attended the gathering and several others indicated the inclement weather had prevented their attendance.

The next event is a rally in the Newmarket Town Square complete with candles, sparklers and music,poetry and a look at people who are really involved.

I won't be there . Nor do I thank them for the "invitation".

Many Germans probably felt obliged to join the Nazi Party with "invitations" like that.

We don't usually see those kinds of techniques here until elections are underway.

Representatives of the police, firefighters and the Green Party send out questionnaires. The questions indicate the answers required. We are informed the response will be rated and membership will be informed which candidate is most friendly to their interest and deserving of support.

It's something else Professor Robert McDiarmid of York University didn't find when compiling figures to prove inordinate influences in municipal elections.

In the 2003 election, an unknown party in Aurora used a huge white recreation vehicle with banners on either side, naming people to vote for and others not to.

It made the rounds a couple of week-ends before the election and on election day.

Unlike modern day terrorists, nobody ever took responsibility for that particular high level act of democratic participation.

We had never seen the likes of it in Aurora politics before. I think it was a sign of things to come.

Not good things