Ross Shiel, Staff Reporter

Young and looking to meet with others on the Internet? Then you might follow the over 50 million people worldwide who have registered with social networking website www.Hi5.com.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and her predecessors, P.J. Patterson and Edward Seaga, are not natural members of the Hi5 social group, but pranksters are apparently impersonating them on the site.

Each has his or her own profile, under the names 'Portia', 'Percival-James' and 'Edward', respectively, linking them to hundreds of 'friends'.

"I am reluctant, but must say that the way that our people have been voting over the years is in itself a backward system," read a journal entry from 'Percival-James', who implores young people to choose their own vote independently.

There is a second Hi5 profile for Mr. Patterson, which is more offensive in content, and does not link to the other three.

Mr. Patterson's office did not return a comment, while Jamaica House press officer, Lincoln Robinson, said Mrs. Simpson Miller's profile was "not even satirical, it's just sheer abuse".

No action

Mr. Seaga, Mr. Patterson's former political rival and Hi5 'friend', said the Edward profile was unauthorised but that he would not take action against it. He said he would like corrections made to his profile, which includes an improbable interest in socialist literature.

"If you weren't being impersonated then you wouldn't be worth impersonating," he shrugged. "People impersonate me all the time."

A picture caption on Edward's site, which accompanied a photograph of Mr. Seaga shaking hands with Mr. Patterson, said: "Wonderful memories ... we sat at opposit (sic) sides of the house but we still respected each other at the end of the day."

It was unclear, based on the photo comments from 'friends' on Hi5, how aware persons were that 'Edward', 'Portia' and 'Percival-James' were impersonating the nation's leader and former leaders.

"A man with character, intelligence, the epitome of a true leader and a man who has class. I am proud to be his friend and it was an honor (sic) to be led by him," said 'Percival-James' friend 'Kameka'.

'Nordia' seemed more sceptical: "... A really PJ dis - or somebody a use him photo? Mi kno sey PJ nuh have no time fi hi5 ..."

Since persons can register anonymously on Hi5, whose San Francisco head office did not return phone and email enquiries, the identity of the prankster or pranksters may be secret.

Of the three leaders, 'friends' seem to have made clear their preference for 'Percival-James'. He led with 607 friends while 'Edward' trails with 230. With 100 friends 'Portia' has some catching up to do.

However, Mrs. Simpson Miller may take comfort in knowing that nobody has taken time to post a profile of Opposition Leader Bruce Golding.

- ross.sheil@gleanerjm.com