The Toronto Star hits a new low in its attack on Rob Ford

[scribblet]

Wow, if you thought that the Toronto Star had any ethics at all this should dispel that notion

As Ford says: The arrogance of the Toronto Star to think that they can tell Toronto voters how to vote is unbelievable.

Read more: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2010/09/24/jonathan-kay-the-toronto-star-hits-a-new-low-in-its-attack-on-rob-ford/#ixzz10TYJbKsB'>http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2010/09/24/jonathan-kay-the-toronto-star-hits-a-new-low-in-its-attack-on-rob-ford/#ixzz10TYJbKsB

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2010/09/24/jonathan-kay-the-toronto-star-hits-a-new-low-in-its-attack-on-rob-ford/

For a while now, the Toronto Star has been using every trick in the book to get George Smitherman elected mayor of Toronto — including publishing an apparently bogus story about Ford beating up a football player. Now, Bob Hepburn, the newspaper’s “Director of Communications & Community Relations” has put out a special plea on the newspaper’s op-ed pages on Thursday asking everyone in the election to quit — except for Ford and Smitherman — so the latter would have a chance to beat the former.

Well, at least Hepburn was being honest about what he wanted. What came today was worse — and more misleading for Star readers. On Friday’s front page, the Star broke news of “the latest Toronto Star-Angus Reid poll” showing that “the high number of undecideds suggests Ford’s 13-point lead is surmountable. The Sept. 14 and 15 survey found that 39% of decided voters supported Ford, followed by Smitherman at 26%, Joe Pantalone at 13%, Thomson at 11% and Rossi at 8%.”

Wow — sounds like Ford’s support, once near 50%, is eroding, right? … Until you realize that the poll is in fact slightly less recent than a poll released almost a week ago for CTV Toronto, CP24 and The Globe & Mail. That poll gave Ford 46%, Smitherman 21%, and Joe Pantalone 17%.

Who knows what’s next for The Star? Perhaps grotesque columns in which they compare the act of voting in Ford with a traumatic sexual experience akin to date rape? Oh wait …

[Michael Hardner]

Ford has more than enough dirt on him without needing the football charge... check out his Wikipedia page for multiple radical slurs, DUI, assault, drug convictions.... leaving out that he looks like Chris Farley.

[Wild Bill]

Ford has more than enough dirt on him without needing the football charge... check out his Wikipedia page for multiple radical slurs, DUI, assault, drug convictions.... leaving out that he looks like Chris Farley.

Even if that were true it doesn't excuse the Star, Michael! This is typical of what they've pulled many times over the years. It's the reason why I've never had any respect for that newspaper.

[Michael Hardner]

Even if that were true it doesn't excuse the Star, Michael! This is typical of what they've pulled many times over the years. It's the reason why I've never had any respect for that newspaper.

Well, it is true - and why doesn't the Star have the right to tell people who to vote for when every paper does it ?

Worry not - Ford can't lose by the way...

[nicky10013]

What about AM640? I was listening to some woman's radio show yesterday who was opining about the star's liberal bias. Some guy calls in saying how is Ford going to pay for his nutjob promises and that pulling streetcars off the road is stupid and she hangs up on him.

What about the National Post and the Toronto Sun who have been cheerleading? No complains against those papers yet they're engaged in the exact same type of activity. What a pile of garbage.

[Michael Hardner]

What about AM640? I was listening to some woman's radio show yesterday who was opining about the star's liberal bias. Some guy calls in saying how is Ford going to pay for his nutjob promises and that pulling streetcars off the road is stupid and she hangs up on him.

What about the National Post and the Toronto Sun who have been cheerleading? No complains against those papers yet they're engaged in the exact same type of activity. What a pile of garbage.

When I called in to 640 to talk about Harris during his last election, the host spent the whole time asking me questions about McGuinty without letting me make my points - then it was off to commercial... bye bye Michael.

For the record, I don't like The Star either but saying that their behavior is unbelievable is not true. It's very believable.

[Bitsy]

As Ford says: The arrogance of the Toronto Star to think that they can tell Toronto voters how to vote is unbelievable.

Why is it considered arrogance for a Canadian newspaper to support a candidate? This happens all over the US, from the newspapers in the smallest of towns to the papers in our largest cities.

[Shady]

Ford has more than enough dirt on him without needing the football charge... check out his Wikipedia page for multiple radical slurs, DUI, assault, drug convictions.... leaving out that he looks like Chris Farley.

I think that if we resort using Wikipedia to determine the backgrounds and history of politicians, we're all in serious trouble. I cite this quote from the great Michael Scott of The Office.

"Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject. So you know you are getting the best possible information."

[Michael Hardner]

I think that if we resort using Wikipedia to determine the backgrounds and history of politicians, we're all in serious trouble. I cite this quote from the great Michael Scott of The Office.

It's a great one-stop shop for information, sourced by the public and most often accurate. None of the things I read there were things I hadn't seen before, nor were any of them false.

Let's see... Rob Ford accused of calling a counsellor Gino boy, Rob ejected from MapleLeaf Gardens for obnoxious behavior, accused of assaulting his wife, drunk driving, possession of drugs, also lying about that (oops, I forgot I had that joint), etc. etc. etc.

Are either of you going to deny that Ford is a boorish lout who behaves inappropriately under intoxication ? I didn't think so. But go ahead and post another video of some Democrat somewhere hitting somebody....

Now the punch line:

It doesn't matter. Toronto has forgiven him and is repeating the Bob Rae/Michael Harris habit of following a leftie with a rightie. I would never vote for such a loud mouthed twit as Ford but I do hope he succeeds as mayor.

[Topaz]

I've seen Rob Ford on TV and it looks like he may be elected but if he doesn't lose that weight, he may not see the end of his term. Being mayor is very stressful and I would think he may have diabetes, with that much weight on him. Just an observation.

[Shakeyhands]

Wow, if you thought that the Toronto Star had any ethics at all this should dispel that notion

As Ford says: The arrogance of the Toronto Star to think that they can tell Toronto voters how to vote is unbelievable.

Hahahaha... The National Post... Hahahahaha... The Sun Chain Hahahahaha... Any one of a multitude of crappy AM Stations... Hahahahaha... Fox News Hahahahaha... CTV Hahahahaha...

[Shwa]

I think that if we resort using Wikipedia to determine the backgrounds and history of politicians, we're all in serious trouble. I cite this quote from the great Michael Scott of The Office.

WIN!!!

Although, if not wikipedia then where else? Rob Ford's website? Well it does have a sense of truthiness...

[Oleg Bach]

FORD is a bit to fat - arrogant - overly privledged..and probably a toxic energy sucking parasite...BUT - do we really want Slitherman the supposed gay guy..who likes his designer drugs...and who has not made peace with his brother because of some past real or imagined offence...well................we have the big piggy Ford who refuses to spend public money - which might be a problem in the future - and we have the homosexual party boy who I am sure is not the pillow biter ..and that little educated Italian guy....and the nice feminist eccentric lady that dropped out prematurely..

You have to remember just like McGinty and his G gang debacle..that mayors and premiers are front guys..at present the nasty banking judical class have choosen Ford as a henchman - and HE will take the job and do the dirty work of de-gayification..

[scribblet]

There's a difference, the Star outright lied about Ford and now has a note at the head of the original article that says: "This material subject to legal complaint by Rob Ford."

Agree about wiki. it can be and is edited by people with an agenda, check out the recent edits about Ford.

[Michael Hardner]

There's a difference, the Star outright lied about Ford and now has a note at the head of the original article that says: "This material subject to legal complaint by Rob Ford."

Agree about wiki. it can be and is edited by people with an agenda, check out the recent edits about Ford.

Really ? What was the lie ?

Meh... why ask you when I can ask Google.... let's see..

The Torontoist

Ok, according to this post, Scirbblet is correct here. It seems that a July article said that Ford assaulted someone, and it seems that they were unable to find evidence that that was correct. I was unaware of this latest controversy.

[Black Dog]

There's a difference, the Star outright lied about Ford and now has a note at the head of the original article that says: "This material subject to legal complaint by Rob Ford."

If it was a lie and they were caught, they'd probably pull it down and issue a retraction. If they are willing to risk a legal fight, perhaps they feel their side of the story is strong enough to withstand a legal challenge. If they were simply reporting the story as told to them, they have a legitimate defense: no conspiracy required. After all, the most damning thing about Ford is the truth: he's a disaster looking for a place to happen.

Unfortunately, I doubt the mud slinging in papers like the Star and online will hurt Ford: his followers, after all, can't read.

Edited September 25, 2010 by Black Dog

[M.Dancer]

.... leaving out that he looks like Chris Farley.

Does he?

[scribblet]

Ha! Brilliant.

By the way: Rob Ford is a fuckin' moron and if you support him, you are too. Just a lil' FYI.

That is 'brilliant', if that's what you consider brilliant then you standards are pretty low, to say the least.

The Star continued it's lies even after the Ford's so called victim refuted it.

I'm rootin' for Ford just to see how apoplectic these Council cretins will get. IMO people are supporting Ford because they've had enough of the status quo and these loony toons running city hall.

this is off topic, but it shows another case of the Star's spin and omissions.

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2010/09/24/liberal-spin-machine-runs-aground-on-harpers-un-speech/

[Black Dog]

I'm rootin' for Ford just to see how apoplectic these Council cretins will get. IMO people are supporting Ford because they've had enough of the status quo and these loony toons running city hall.

I fail to see how electing a complete and utter cretin helps matters. I believe the expression is "cutting off your nose to spite your face."

Here's some more outrageous slander on Ford: y kant Rob add?

Edited September 25, 2010 by Black Dog

[August1991]

Gooooooooooooooooooooal !

(Soccer commentator mode)

Goal? Far from it.

Newspapers endorse candidates all the time (The TO Sun and Christie Blatchford in the Globe have been all up on Ford's jock for a while now). BFD.

By the way: Rob Ford is a fuckin' moron and if you support him, you are too. Just a lil' FYI.

Sorry BD. I read that linked Toronto Star article and it struck me as presumptuous. If I understand properly, Bob Hepburn was telling other candidates to leave the race so that Ford would lose. We are far from a newspaper endorsing a candidate and informing readers of the editorial board decision.

I think the G&M published an editorial endorsing Harper in the last federal election. The editorial didn't tell Dion to drop out of the race so that Harper would win. Heck, the G&M's editorial endorsement is mere window dressing compared to the rest of their articles about federal Conservatives.

I fail to see how electing a complete and utter cretin helps matters.

Compared to electing supposed geniuses, I wonder how things would change.

Obama, the Harvard Law graduate, how is that working out?

[Shady]

I fail to see how electing a complete and utter cretin helps matters.

I'm pretty sure that George Slitherman isn't going to be elected. Thus, your worry is unfounded.

[scribblet]

I'm pretty sure that George Slitherman isn't going to be elected. Thus, your worry is unfounded.

:lol:

[Black Dog]

Sorry BD. I read that linked Toronto Star article and it struck me as presumptuous. If I understand properly, Bob Hepburn was telling other candidates to leave the race so that Ford would lose. We are far from a newspaper endorsing a candidate and informing readers of the editorial board decision.

It's an opinion piece, not a position piece (AFAIK The Star hasn't endorsed anyone officially). Are writers of opinion pieces no longer allowed to hold opinions in your world?

I think the G&M published an editorial endorsing Harper in the last federal election. The editorial didn't tell Dion to drop out of the race so that Harper would win. Heck, the G&M's editorial endorsement is mere window dressing compared to the rest of their articles about federal Conservatives.

Your point?

Compared to electing supposed geniuses, I wonder how things would change.

Obama, the Harvard Law graduate, how is that working out?

Electing a smart person doesn't guarantee good governance. Electing a loud and proud member of the intellectual underclass is a sure recipe for disaster.

Edited September 26, 2010 by Black Dog

[Black Dog]

I'm pretty sure that George Slitherman isn't going to be elected. Thus, your worry is unfounded.

You know, if there's one thing that Rob Ford and his supporters should be especially ashamed of (there are many reasons, actually), it's that they are going to force a lot of decent people to sully themselves by voting for Smitherman just in hopes of avoiding a Rob Ford win.

[Michael Hardner]

Electing a smart person doesn't guarantee good governance. Electing a loud and proud member of the intellectual underclass is a sure recipe for disaster.

That`s an interesting question.

My experience with leaders is that the good ones bring whatever their best skills are to use in leadership. While you can`t have an utter dolt as a good leader, I don`t think Ford qualifies as that. A good leader can bring listening and compromise into play to succeed.

Being able to connect in people is a more important skill than being able to do binomial factoring in your head. As such, Rob Ford`s plain-talking everyman ... uh ... aspect (routine ? veneer ? act ?) is connecting with people right now.