Thursday, June 20, 2013
Tired of voting for rats?
Despite an over-indulgence of cat postings of late, I could not resist this story from Mexico.
The Guardian tells the story of Morris the cat's bid to become mayor of the Mexican city of Xalapa, the capital of the state of Veracruz. They say that this has now turned into a social media phenomenon with a serious message about political disenchantment:
"Morris has become an expression of how fed up people are with all the parties and a political system that does not represent us," said Sergio Chamorro, the owner of the furry black-and-white candidate whose first campaign slogan was: "Tired of voting for rats? Vote for a cat."
The Facebook page for the Candigato (gato means cat in Spanish) now has more than 130,000 "likes" – far more than those accrued by any of the candidates registered to stand in the Xalapa election, and more too than those of Veracruz's current governor. Mexico will hold local elections in around half of the country on 7 July.
Morris's Facebook page and website are filled with artwork, videos and slogans sent in by supporters from all over Mexico and beyond. Spin-off Twitter accounts have sprouted too, beyond the control of Chamorro and the small group of thirty-something professionals who have run Morris's campaign since his popularity took off earlier this month.
Apparently Morris has started a trend. Larry the cat may well stage a coup in Number 10 Downing Street.
The Guardian tells the story of Morris the cat's bid to become mayor of the Mexican city of Xalapa, the capital of the state of Veracruz. They say that this has now turned into a social media phenomenon with a serious message about political disenchantment:
"Morris has become an expression of how fed up people are with all the parties and a political system that does not represent us," said Sergio Chamorro, the owner of the furry black-and-white candidate whose first campaign slogan was: "Tired of voting for rats? Vote for a cat."
The Facebook page for the Candigato (gato means cat in Spanish) now has more than 130,000 "likes" – far more than those accrued by any of the candidates registered to stand in the Xalapa election, and more too than those of Veracruz's current governor. Mexico will hold local elections in around half of the country on 7 July.
Morris's Facebook page and website are filled with artwork, videos and slogans sent in by supporters from all over Mexico and beyond. Spin-off Twitter accounts have sprouted too, beyond the control of Chamorro and the small group of thirty-something professionals who have run Morris's campaign since his popularity took off earlier this month.
Apparently Morris has started a trend. Larry the cat may well stage a coup in Number 10 Downing Street.
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I think I've seen a woodcarving of Larry on the auction site, word on the street is that it was inspired by Peter's blog
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161049395173?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161049395173?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
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