I got an invite from Damien to join the “Take Enda With You” FaceBook network.
Darragh had a few reservations about joining and articulates them quite well.
The nub of his post is
This country needs people that do. Not just say they will but actually do. It deserves a decent healthcare system, a higher standard of education but also charismatic, trustworthy leaders who are seen to be willing to connect with people, to be honest in their dealings and to get the job done. I don't believe Enda is someone who is getting the job done.
I joined the group and I'm linking to the website. It may not make a difference but in some senses it's better than doing nothing.
Will you?
I have a slightly different angst about this FaceBook group. In fact I’m worried about FaceBook in general. If the revenue is quite happy to use FaceBook profiles to examine your affiliations and acquaintances which other organisations will do the same?
I know of one lady in Canada who cancelled her FaceBook profile because Social Welfare was tracking her online movements in order to detail her associations and other information. Originally when I heard this I was sceptical but a bit of a Google revealed the FaceBook trap.
The Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance (Welfare) and the Ministry of Children and Families are using FaceBook, MySpace and other public domains to find evidence of: * Undisclosed co-habitation (living with someone) * Spending beyond what is provided by the ministry * Casual employment * Leaving the province for more than 30 days * Gifts, pets and other income They are using this information, based on postings on personal websites, to deny welfare and disability pensions. Anyone on long-term disability or involved in collection action or the Canada Revenue Authority should also be aware. Information posted on sites like FaceBook is not private!
My only use of FaceBook was limited to people I played scrabble with.
So, not only am I not going to join the “Take Enda With You” group, I’m cancelling my FaceBook profile entirely.
I know it wouldn’t stop a determined effort to unearth my associations and affiliation but why make it easy. After all isn’t that the whole point of FaceBook?
EDIT I have attempted to remove my FaceBook profile as detailed here, but so far no success 
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My mother has been giving me very good advice from the age of 4 - "paper never refused ink". What she means is simple - never write anything that you're not prepared to stand by. I've always tried to remember that, and especially online.
My personal use of facebook and bebo and my blog are in line with that - if I can't defend it I try not to do it or say it.
I'd never claim to be an expert or a voice on politics - I find it difficult enough to be a voice on me - but I do stand by what I believe on what Ireland needs and the type of image that FG and Enda Kenny present.
I don't believe that he's the man that we need to lead us. No doubt he does a good job, is a nice man and believes in a brighter future for Ireland, but he's not showing that. Not enough for me, anyways.
http://www.stalltheball.com/index.php/2008/04/08/deactivate-versus-delete
It's buried in the FAQ when you login. Apparently this is a recent addition, previously you would have to jump through hoops to get rid of your profile.
Darragh re. the motherly wisdom, good advice that. I try to adhere to it myself but sometimes it's easy to get carried away :)