Category Archives: Politics

Engagement Doesn’t Equal a Guaranteed Win

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By Jason Menard

Perhaps the term engagement gets a bad reputation because we’ve been so bad at defining what it means. I have some suggestions, but the one thing I do know is that engagement does not mean the equivalent of a guaranteed win.

It’s a topic that I think we’ve discussed almost ad nauseam, with little sense of resolution. But that may be a result of not truly understanding what engagement is, socially and politically.

That’s the problem with using empty, Biz-Speak-type words. They’re too open to interpretation and allow arguments to persist in an environment devoid of parameters. I have been quite vocal in my dislike of the term engagement, but the truth is that I really just dislike the way it’s been defined – or undefined as the case generally is. Continue reading →

Worst Hyperbole Ever?

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By Jason Menard

Worst council ever? One could argue that. Hyperbolic and misleading statement? Most definitely.

Our main local newspaper, The London Free Press, recently posted a Tweet that read, “Do we really have the worst council ever? Poll results going to city hall seem to suggest it” with a link to its article — on that leads with the vaguely referenced, “They don’t call it London’s worst council for nothing.”

Could this be London’s worst council? Possibly? It certainly has been one riddled with negativity. But worst ever? I don’t know if you can make that claim using anything but anecdotal evidence.

And to use the poll referenced here as ‘proof’ is just inflammatory and irresponsible. Continue reading →

Politics is Wasted on the ‘Young’

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By Jason Menard

Politics is wasted on the young — mentally young, that is.

Before I get accused of being ageist, let me clarify that statement by saying that the real bane of political discourse is immaturity — and manifests itself across all demographics.

I know socially and politically mature teenagers and I know middle-aged people who are childlike in their application of socio-political thought. Political maturity isn’t about age; it’s about a willingness to learn and a willingness to accept that we’re not infallible. Continue reading →

Who Defines Better?

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By Jason Menard

Today, former elected representative Glen Pearson posted his latest statement on voter apathy and the need for citizens to be “better” to ensure that we get “better” representation.

But who defines better?

It was an interesting monologue (I wouldn’t say it’s designed to spark a conversation because, well, he doesn’t allow comments on his citizen engagement-focused blog.) But missing are the answers to two questions: better for whom? And does everyone really want this version of better? Continue reading →

Wanted: The Truth Behind Mayor Wanted

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By Jason Menard

The less I know about the person or persons behind the Mayor Wanted ad, the more I’m concerned.

First, a quick rundown. Earlier today, a job posting and subsequent Mayor Wanted Web site was launched ostensibly as a “job opening” for the position of City of London.

In and of itself, it was fine… until we got to the end.

What initially concerned me most, at first, was the “for community support email mayorwanted@gmail.com and we will connect you with Londoners who care deeply about the future of our city.”

I’m one of those Londoners. So I was interested. Who are these people? Who decides who they connect to.

And the answer — or lack thereof — is where I get nervous about how this information is being used. Continue reading →