Ok, let's have a chat about Sam Merulla and Terry Whitehead. #HamOnt

In yesterday’s @TheSpec, Sam Merulla shared his conspiracy theory that a social media cabal with ties to the NDP is waging a campaign against the “old-timers” on #HamOnt City Council - that new councillors are “puppets on strings” of this cabal. https://www.thespec.com/news/council/2020/09/19/im-sick-and-tired-of-it-eroding-decorum-a-concern-at-hamilton-city-hall.html

Terry Whitehead claims “activists” are “stealing too much of the limelight” and that “We know who they are; we know who they’re joined with, and we know politically their associations.” “Councillors know the difference between activists and the balance of community members.”

(As if activists aren't community members. As if "activists" aren't simply residents of #HamOnt like anyone else)

Ok. Who holds the most influence over #HamOnt City Hall? Activists? Twitter users? The NDP?

By far the most powerful group in #HamOnt politics are the developers, homebuilders, construction companies and construction sector unions who, more than any other group, donate to election campaigns.

Councillors like Merulla and Whitehead owe their entire careers in politics to this lobby and the thousands in campaign cash they donate. And for most of two decades, they've returned these favours through the decisions they make at City Hall.

Neither of them would still have a job if not for these transactions. Imagine how easy it would be to keep your job if every four years, millionaires donated thousands of dollars to ensure you stay employed.

The part I find really funny is that Sam Merulla thinks it takes any level of organizing to whip up anger about #HamOnt City Council.

Did Twitter let 24 Billion litres of sewage leak into the harbour, and then cover it up, then threaten to retaliate against the whistleblower?

Did the local NDP stand back and do nothing while Pride was violently attacked by religious extremists, then laugh in the faces of the people who were attacked?

Did activists hire a neo-nazi to work in the City’s IT department?

Did a cabal of NDP social media keyboard morons cover up a report identifying serious dangerous flaws in the design of the Red Hill Parkway?

Inventing a ridiculous conspiracy theory while punching a tennis ball in your basement is a lot easier than admitting you’re just really bad at your job.

On one hand, Merulla says social media is just filled with “keyboard morons” spreading misinfo, on the other hand, he posts this kind of paranoid conspiracy, apparently not at all sensing the irony in typing out the words “keyboard morons”.

Ok, so social media is Sam’s problem. But remember when a traditional media outlet asked about his intimidating & abusive conduct towards a sm. biz owner? “This reporting is brutal!” “Let me talk to your boss!” “If you air this story, it won’t end well!” https://www.chch.com/a-kitchener-business-has-filed-a-complaint-against-hamilton-councillor-sam-merulla/

What does Sam have to say about other traditional media, like @TheSpec? “I’ve defunded the Spectator! They’re irrelevant to the vast majority of Hamilton! Infiltrated by keyboard moron NDP operatives!”

Got it man. All media is the problem, whether social or traditional. You hate anyone for trying to hold you or your council colleagues accountable in any way, and anyone not acceding to your delusional demand for a legacy you don’t deserve.

Sam and Terry would love us all to buy their framing: that they abuse, intimidate and insult residents presenting at City Hall because they’re just defending “regular” Hamiltonians from this onslaught of activists (who aren’t community members by the way.)

For decades politicians like Sam, Terry, Tom, Chad, Lloyd & every Mayor have primarily served the interests of the developers, homebuilders, construction companies and construction sector unions who keep them in power. There’s your “cabal”, and your “puppets on strings”.

The next municipal election will be held Monday, October 24, 2022. #HamOnt