Is there a trend today with faux protestors?

[dewline]

Because these two stories breaking today have got me thinking:

CBC: Rob Ford's friend 'Dave' made calls to mayor's radio show
Repeat calls came from current Ford staffer David Price

Huffington Post: Trudeau Protest Was Manned By Tory Interns And Organized By PMO

Comments

[tartysuz.livejournal.com]

The Conservative Reform Alliance Party (CRAP) has a long history of this.

Calls to fake radio listeners:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2001/03/18/jaffer_mp010318.html

Robocalls commissioned by fake people:
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/03/13/elections-commissioner-wants-charges-laid-over-pierre-poutine-robocalls/

Fake voters:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2012/03/08/robocalls_voting_irregularities_in_eglintonlawrence_say_liberals.html

Fake citizenship broadcast:
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/02/02/kenney-refuses-to-apologize-for-fake-citizenship-broadcast-blames-bureaucrats/

I think what you have here are populists that aren't actually popular and compensate by inventing supporters.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Points about the historical record to date well taken.