Thread by @MGarneu

@Canadian_Zero

I went to the peepeecee rally in #yxe on Wednesday.

It was a free BbQ with the leader attending and it was well publicized on social media.

Here are my observations.

First it was poorly organized. They obviously weren't experienced organizers 1/

It took almost a full hour to get 150 through the food line. And sanitation was not front of mind. There were no tongs, just open bowls of chips and veggies that every urchin of which I saw none wash their hands beforehand dipped eagerly into. 2/

Running the line down both sides of the table would have been an obvious solution to the delays, as would have not making the early arrived have to wait until a set time to indulge. Most of the people were there a good 45 minutes before they began serving
3/

Anyway enough about the volunteers. They did their best with little guidance.
Crowd size. I'll be generous at 150. Half the room was four tables you could eat at with 16 chairs per table.

The front half of the room was 6 rows of chairs 14 per row. 4/

There were less than a dozen of us standing in the periphery.

Demographics:
There was one candidate who is a Brazilian immigrant and seems like a great guy.. he and his immediate family was around six of 8 people in the room that stood out as a visible minority 5/

The other were two young women who appeared Phillipino perhaps who left in a bit of a huff after the immigration portion of the speech. They walked out at the 13 minute mark and didnt come back. 6/

I work with people of all backgrounds in my career, and as such I am a pretty good judge of social economic standing for people I encounter. Other than candidates, the crowd was universally white, universally blue collar or blue haired. 7/

Nothing wrong with blue collar, but the glaring omission was those noticeably absent from demographics that would be professionals, entrepreneurs, and beyond the CBC reporter the public service. It was held in a University riding in a relatively affluent neighborhood. 8/

What was telling to me, was that the food line passed in front of the auction table a dozen items for bid. Signed Oilers Jersey, bbq set, food processor, signed Roughrider helmet etc. Of 12 items 4 got a bid. All 4 just one bid. 150 rabid supporters passed by. 9/

Yet only 4 people were willing to put their own money up to raise money for the party and receive an item of value in return. I was hoping to photograph it but an organizer swept them in the middle of the max speech. I wanted to wait to the end to pass judgement on it. 10/

So as for the speeches, I applaud the candidates for putting their names forward and enduring the scrutiny and sacrifice required to run for public office. A couple of them were good people, a couple others blatantly opportunists. (Payent, Friesen) 11/

Max was the same speech we heard several times, with predictable dog whistles and pandering. He at least had more passion this time than in November when he mailed it in. CBC reporter left after around 8 minutes of it, several goons pulled out their phones and followed her 12/

Out in what appeared to be in a harassing fashion, although I stayed inside and didnt see the outcome of it.

End of a long thread, sorry to say folks. Max isnt trump, and he isn't riding a populist wave to an unlikely unorthodox victory. Support even here in the heartland 13/

The birthplace of Reform and the Saskatchewan Party, is near nonexistent and appears stillborn outside the Twitter bubble of a few hundred people who just retweet each other and clap themselves on the back over memes.
Vote with your heart, but use your brain. 14/

If you live in ridings like #yxe grassland, or university and you vote PPC, you wont make a difference in the outcome. If you live in Regina Wascana and your vote could make the difference between Ralph getting the boot or another term him please consider carefully in October 15/

If you are likewise a patriot in other parts of the country, do your research on how the polls are shaping up in your riding. Above all else, #TrudeauMustGo. The #libcon narrative is foolishness. One term prime minister. Let's make it happen.

16/16 finà

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