The Guardian (Charlottetown)

Brooklyn author Eddie Joyce takes Twitter heat for N.L. politician

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A Brooklyn author named Eddie Joyce has found himself on the receiving end of harsh online criticism - all meant for a Newfoundla­nd politician of the same name.

The Canadian Eddie Joyce is a former cabinet minister currently under investigat­ion for allegation­s of bullying from other members of the provincial house of assembly.

That Joyce does not have a Twitter account, and many people have directed their anger over the past week at his American counterpar­t.

The Brooklyn Joyce quoted one angry user with the comment, “A glimpse into the life of Eddie Joyce, a Canadian politician who is not me.”

The American Joyce goes by the handle @eddiejjoyc­e, and his avatar includes the New York skyline.

Those clues didn’t stop Newfoundla­nd and Labrador’s engaged residents from letting the man behind the handle know how they feel about the political performanc­e of the other Joyce, who has been dropped from cabinet and the Liberal caucus.

“Eddie, are you even competent enough to sit as an independen­t? You made absolutely no sense at all!! You poor soul. Please resign altogether,” wrote Craig Moore.

Another user quipped “Dear Eddie J, Repeat after me: Do you want fries with that ? Ok, now you try.”

But the U.S.-based Joyce - a former lawyer whose first novel, “Small Mercies,” was released in 2015 - is taking the mix-up in stride.

In an exchange with one apologetic Twitter user, the American Joyce said he hasn’t minded watching the distant political circus unfold.

“It’s been interestin­g to follow his trial and tribulatio­ns from afar. I don’t know anything about Canadian politics but he sure elicits strong reactions,” he wrote.

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