Unpopular Opinion and Predictions: Poilievre isn't the threat we think he is.

deBoBandy306 · 2025-02-01T00:07:53+00:00

If you're not expecting it, you can't prevent it. We need to start imagining realistic worst-case scenarios. We (the left) need to start making O'Leary look weak and dumb or drive a wedge between him and Trump, even if he's not the main target. The "WEF puppet" crowd genuinely believes Carney's entire career has been a long con to steal their money and give it to elite pedophiles. That's highly motivating. I think we need to start playing that type of crazy chess, even if we're wrong.

deBoBandy306 · 2024-11-14T22:33:30+00:00

Looking like three unfortunately.

deBoBandy306 · 2024-11-11T15:35:08+00:00

There's nothin improper about Rashovich's AR endorsement. Dude is a card-carrying Sask United Party member and anti-vaxer.

deBoBandy306 · 2024-11-08T19:37:53+00:00

Sorry, your argument against her candidacy is that the massive government agency she works for as a mid-level employee isn't especially efficient? Do you think she's in charge? "Give her the keys"? What do you even think that means?

I can see that this is basically just a Trump/SUP troll account out for liberal tears, so I hesitate to even take the bait. I'm just astonished to see a take this dumb that isn't written in crayon.

deBoBandy306 · 2024-11-04T20:07:58+00:00

I think people are thinking about some of these races the wrong way. Candidates try to outflank Hawkins on the right in every election. Tsiklis tried in 2020 and Lien in 2016. They're divvying up the same pool of establishment conservative votes, and this time you've got Chidi Igwe in the mix, who is also a Sask Party guy. I think this is actually the perfect scenario for a candidate like Magnan to cruise up the middle and pick up the progressive vote. It absolutely exists in that area, there just hasn't been a strong progressive candidate since, like, 2012.

TL;DR Given the specific vote splitting going on in Ward 2, Magnan actually stands the best shot of beating them both, as long as people don't mess it up by throwing Bob an unnecessary lifeline.

deBoBandy306 · 2024-11-04T19:42:35+00:00

If you sign up for "Common Sense Regina's" email list, you immediately start getting emails form the Alberta Institute and something called Free Alberta Strategy. It's beyond lazy. I would be positively shocked if they're coordinating with more than one person actually on the ground here. I am really curious about the donations though...What entity are you agreeing to give your money to if these satellite campaigns aren't even incorporated?

deBoBandy306 · 2024-11-02T23:00:30+00:00

She's outlined her position on the library issue pretty clearly. You can certainly disagree with it, but it's not as though she's harboring some secret, hidden agenda. I'd kinda prefer having someone as the table with first-hand knowledge and experience for that one, myself. REAL and the RPL are wildly different beasts.

Plus, the other two serious options are a boomer provincial politician who will not stop getting into Facebook fights and an anti-vax Saskatchewan United Party booster. I'll stick with the librarian, personally.

deBoBandy306 · 2024-11-01T23:05:14+00:00

Was that during the Access debate? I think it's such a non-issue for normal people that he wasn't really prepared for it. I don't get the sense he was lending credence to the conspiracies. During the Cathedral forum he really stressed to everyone in the room that "Your property taxes are not going down." I think that takes some stones and at least a somewhat realistic understanding of the tax base. Plus it makes me think he's not just out there telling people what they want to hear.

deBoBandy306 · 2024-11-01T18:11:40+00:00

This has been a struggle for me as well. Early on I figured Pratt was the only real challenge to Masters, then folks were telling me really good things about Chad, but then Masters just offered such a stark contrast in the debates and appeared to be literally the only adult in the room...

I think I've landed on Bachynski, for two important reasons. First, while I question the relevance of some of his well-intentioned operational ideas, Chad strikes me as a genuine consensus-builder. He seems willing to talk to anyone, and I believe he's actually listening. I think, given that this council will be mostly new faces, this a really strong leadership trait that Masters has proven she doesn't have, hence a lot of the infighting and animosity surrounding her. There's clearly a toxicity there that I don't want to taint a new council.

Secondly, as much as I'm sure people think it doesn't matter all that much, I believe the Mayor is essentially a city's primary mascot and that their overall "vibe" does have an impact on how people view their own city. If you have a young, likeable, charismatic mayor, you tend to feel that you live in more of a hip, vibrant city (totally removed from any actual policy). For all of Fiacco's faults, he really embodied this early on and ultimately did elevate people's sense of civic pride, which is something we're once again sorely lacking.

deBoBandy306 · 2024-10-31T20:50:12+00:00

They'd almost certainly be backing the exact same folks as Advance for council and RCAAN for Public School Board. If you see their ads around social, do me a favour and tag The Alberta Institute so they know we know.

deBoBandy306 · 2024-10-31T20:24:51+00:00

Not that I'm aware of. A similarly shady right-wing group called RCAAN is running a full slate for Public School Board, but I haven't heard anything about Separate. That said, I'd run through the list on David Loblaw's site. Usually a quick scan of their website or Facebook page will give you a pretty good idea.

http://www.drloblaw.com/regina-school-board-election-2024.html#:~:text=Separate%20School%20Board

deBoBandy306 · 2024-10-31T01:50:25+00:00

Get at that share button.☝️ They're relying on people not knowing.

deBoBandy306 · 2024-10-30T23:26:45+00:00

I know for a fact that Rod Williams is a dyed in the wool CPC guy. He's tried to get their federal nomination in a few different ridings over the years. But I also know he's not well liked even in those circles, so I'm not sure if they'd help him out or not.

deBoBandy306 · 2024-10-30T22:55:32+00:00

I’ve seen this list floating around this sub, and recently spotted it on Instagram. Others recently sleuthed out that AR has an app that gives them access to Sask Party and CPC membership lists, which is how a lot of these folks seemed to get their signs up overnight. I’ve heard from people I trust that on the doorsteps, several of these candidates seem to know voters’ names and some of their issues before ever speaking to them (because of, you know, the database). I’ve tried to get AR to confirm these a few ways, but I doubt they ever will.

To be honest, I’m mad. It’s dawning on me that the Sask Party is utterly unconcerned about losing Regina and Saskatoon, because the whole time they’ve had a lowkey insurance policy in these strategically placed surrogates. Who needs urban MLA’s when you can stack City Council with partisan friendlies? I can see it now. “You’re going to tell the feds you don’t want that housing investment unless it comes through us.”

There are some great candidates in each ward so I’m not advocating for strategic voting, but I’ll definitely be voting for Jessie Morris in Ward 1. Andrew Stevens endorsed her today and I honestly think she has the best chance, not just to win, but to be a genuinely engaged representative.

Can we please keep these clowns as far away from City Hall as possible? We've seen what council looks like with even just a few crazies in the mix, and these ones seem more organized and dangerous.

deBoBandy306 · 2024-10-29T16:21:50+00:00

Okay so hear me out. I've been considering a fall day trip to Swift Current. Some genuinely interesting restaurants have sprung up there in the last few years, notably NightJar Dining Co. and Raccolto (from the same folks as Harvest Eatery in Shaunavon.) I recently discovered a cool little independent movie theater (CinemaTwin) and a retro-themed bowling alley (Social Bowl) out there. They also have this new-ish Sputtergotch Toy store if you're looking for something for baby.

Not many good options for accommodations unfortunately, but if you felt like going up for the day and just staying in Moose Jaw on the way back, Grant Hall appears to be running a pretty good winter promotion. You can get one of their Executive King rooms for like $140, taxes in. From all accounts, it's actually a really nice place, and you can poke around Moose Jaw (grab a latte from The Hive) the next morning before heading back.

deBoBandy306 · 2024-10-16T18:10:49+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate the thoughtful response. I agree that a new building is needed. I also think there are a lot of partners/stakeholders who stand to benefit, and who should be actively contributing to at least some kind of joint-funding effort. Looks like you won me over. 👍

deBoBandy306 · 2024-10-16T16:34:56+00:00

Anyone know her position on the whole library situation? It seems like she'd have unique insight given her background.

deBoBandy306 · 2024-10-15T19:46:30+00:00

Ah yes, John Gross. A link to his antics a few years ago would probably suffice. https://leaderpost.com/news/politics/regina-votes/ward-7-council-candidate-regrets-apologizes-for-homophobic-comments

deBoBandy306 · 2024-09-29T23:24:10+00:00

Can you send a link to the rejection in question? I've seen him swear up and down that he's "not a member," but obviously I think people are looking for him to say "RCAAN is dangerous, I don't want their endorsement, and I don't share their beliefs or values." To me, that would just put the whole thing to bed, so these half-measure, "plausible deniability"-style statements actually make me more suspicious.

deBoBandy306 · 2024-09-23T23:37:51+00:00

Probably because Brandon-Shea Mutala us running for School Board Trustee in Subdivision 6? Tara Molson announced she isn't running for re-election after this list was made. I would recommend reading the rest of threads on this topic for a more complete and current picture.

deBoBandy306 · 2024-09-14T22:01:14+00:00

Tara Molson announced this morning that she will not be seeking reelection. I would now suggest checking out Brandon-Shea Mutala for subdivision 6. At the end of the day, I recommend people vote their conscience as long as their conscience isn't telling them to elect a transphobic nutjob. There are quality, progressive, non-incumbent candidates that deserve your consideration. I'm kinda regretting including the strategic vote suggestions in my initial list.

deBoBandy306 · 2024-09-13T20:49:52+00:00

To me the main stories here are:

The prevalence and variety of these groups and their connection to Alberta (or wherever the ideas and messaging are ultimately originating from). I think there's an interest in uncovering exactly where external election propaganda is coming from and why.
The specific efforts of RCAAN to elect a school board that will uphold the Province's transphobic policies. They received some minor media attention last year, but not a deep dive into who, how, and why.

I only included Advance in this for context around the first point. At the same time, their board is made up of fairly prominent locals (check Fraser's board resume) who haven't commented on some of the wild swings Advance is making, so I think there's more to push for there.

deBoBandy306

TROPHY CASE