Rob Ford, mayor of Toronto UPDATES

cybercoma · March 23, 2016

Also, "on mourning"

http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/feminist-current/2016/03/on-death-rob-ford-and-mourning-abusive-men

Boges · March 23, 2016

I once knew a guy who owned an NBA team, in Los Angeles no less, and he was racist af. Coaching a black football team doesn't clear him of the things he said and it sure as hell doesn't mean he can't be racist.

Donald Sterling never coached any players.

Rue · March 24, 2016

Rob Ford was not spoiled Slick but I appreciate your blunt assessment and MJs.

Rob Ford loathed himself for being unable to live up to his father's expectations. Spoiled no. You want spoiled look at Trudeau. You want someone who felt that no matter what he did it was not good enough, look at Ford.

Ford was to politics what Chris Farley was to comedy. It was edgy, played out, self loathing, suicidal.

His addictions, wife and child abuse, all part of a complex series of dysfunction he was brought up on.

That man died hating himself.

He was full of flaws. Many. I believe his public office means in death as was with life, he must bare the negative comments. Its his cross to bare so to speak.

However he was an everyman. People saw in him the part of themselves that feels ridiculed, unappreciated, overwhelmed by taxes and bureaucracy,.

People saw in him not just his flaws and self destruction but that vulnerability we all feel but don't like to admit.

I say leave his wife and kids alone.

jacee · March 24, 2016

Rob Ford was not spoiled Slick but I appreciate your blunt assessment and MJs.

Rob Ford loathed himself for being unable to live up to his father's expectations. Spoiled no. You want spoiled look at Trudeau. You want someone who felt that no matter what he did it was not good enough, look at Ford.

Ford was to politics what Chris Farley was to comedy. It was edgy, played out, self loathing, suicidal.

His addictions, wife and child abuse, all part of a complex series of dysfunction he was brought up on.

That man died hating himself.

He was full of flaws. Many. I believe his public office means in death as was with life, he must bare the negative comments. Its his cross to bare so to speak.

However he was an everyman. People saw in him the part of themselves that feels ridiculed, unappreciated, overwhelmed by taxes and bureaucracy,.

People saw in him not just his flaws and self destruction but that vulnerability we all feel but don't like to admit.

I say leave his wife and kids alone.

I agree.

He was a tortured and sad man, addicted and angry, and he never got a second chance at life sober.

His wife and kids have to live with that.

We can leave them alone.

He's gone.

.

cybercoma · March 25, 2016

His wife is finally free from the man who she had to call the cops on because he abused her.

Cruze · March 25, 2016

The best thing about Rob was that he cared.

He was not a polished politician,but he never forgot his roots.

I will miss you Rob, RIP

cybercoma · March 25, 2016

You're right about that. He was a rich kid who hated the poor all of his life.

WestCoastRunner · March 25, 2016

It would be great if his wife came out as an advocate for addiction and domestic violence but she certainly has no obligation.

Given her tendency to hide from the public it won't happen but can you imagine the impact she would have. Perhaps she needs treatment herself before she can put herself under public scrutiny. But this could be a turning point for her.

Edited March 25, 2016 by WestCoastRunner

rotary · March 26, 2016

It would be great if his wife came out as an advocate for addiction and domestic violence but she certainly has no obligation.

Given her tendency to hide from the public it won't happen but can you imagine the impact she would have. Perhaps she needs treatment herself before she can put herself under public scrutiny. But this could be a turning point for her.

Well if she does choose to come out in public, at least she will have had time to recover from the latest black eye he may have laid on her.

GostHacked · March 28, 2016

Rob Ford the 'every man' was known to hang out with crack dealers. And possibly was involved in the murder of one of those crack dealers.

bjre · March 28, 2016

Rob Ford is the best politician in Canada that I known since the day I came to Canada in more than 10 years.

No one is better than him.

He did a lot of things for most citizens.

What others blame him is for his private life, which is not harmful to public at all.

Because drugs are painkillers, it is very possible that Rob Ford used it was just for releaf himself from pain caused by cancer.

The most evil people are those who keep saying Rob Ford is bad, those people are simply for their own interest and harm to public interest. And they can not tolerate anyone do and good things for public.

And if someone do as toronto stars do to send some camera man to their own home day and night, who know what will be found for their own private evil side.

Big Guy · March 28, 2016

He admittedly contributed to the illegal drug trade in Toronto. He purchased crack that he smoked thereby providing another market to encourage the illegal drug trade. Good riddance!

Smoke · March 29, 2016

He admittedly contributed to the illegal drug trade in Toronto. He purchased crack that he smoked thereby providing another market to encourage the illegal drug trade. Good riddance!

What a callous comment from someone who is always trying to portray himself as someone who is morally "above" everyone else on this message board. I guess nobody from Big Guy's family has ever been caught up in drugs. I guess Big Guy's family is perfect in every way. What a cad.

Boges · March 29, 2016

He admittedly contributed to the illegal drug trade in Toronto. He purchased crack that he smoked thereby providing another market to encourage the illegal drug trade. Good riddance!

I'm sure you wouldn't say that about any other addict. Especially those that are set to use the upcoming safe injections sites that the public will be footing the bill for.

March 29, 2016

I'm sure you wouldn't say that about any other addict. Especially those that are set to use the upcoming safe injections sites that the public will be footing the bill for.

I think I would be hard on any public official that was an abusive, addict, harming the reputation of the city and putting the public at risk. Are you opposed to centralized sites, that provide a safe and clean location for the poorest addicts while also offering access to help for those wishing to seek it?

Edited March 29, 2016 by Guest

Boges · March 29, 2016

I think I would be hard on any public official that was an abusive, addict, harming the reputation of the city and putting the public at risk. Are you opposed to centralized sites, that provide a safe and clean location for the poorest addicts while also offering access to help for those wishing to seek it?

Seamus O'Regan: Critical of him?

Never said I wasn't opposed to Harm Reduction sites. I suppose if the alternative is people dying of AIDS and leaving needles on the street, pragmatism prevails.

But it's hypocritical to heap condemnation on public figures who suffer from addiction but then feel the government should provides methods for addicts to keep their addiction going in a safe manor.

Edited March 29, 2016 by Boges

Big Guy · March 29, 2016

What a callous comment from someone who is always trying to portray himself as someone who is morally "above" everyone else on this message board. I guess nobody from Big Guy's family has ever been caught up in drugs. I guess Big Guy's family is perfect in every way. What a cad.

Methinks No! Big Guy's family is far less than perfect in every way and because of that, none will lay in state and/or honored as someone who did something special for a city. They will, and have been, laid to rest just like normal people.

You honor a public official when he/she brings pride those he represents - not one who makes his city a laughing stock around the world. You honor statesmen - not buffoons.

March 29, 2016

Seamus O'Regan: Critical of him?

...

But it's hypocritical to heap condemnation on public figures who suffer from addiction but then feel the government should provides methods for addicts to keep their addiction going in a safe manor.

Really? Do you think that's an apples to apples comparison? If there is evidence of Seamus purchasing illegal substances, being involved with criminal gang members, repeatedly beating family members, getting wasted at the office and on the job, going on major TV shows to further embarrass his riding, I may change my tune about him. However, as far as I know, Seamus was just drinking too much at the end of the day and it bothered him.

I support addicts getting help along with safe sites that offer access to help. I don't support using the addiction as an excuse for one's actions. Rob should be commended for eventually seeking treatment, but that doesn't erase the spousal abuse and embarrassing mess he created for the city.

Edited March 29, 2016 by Guest

Boges · March 29, 2016

Really? Do you think that's an apples to apples comparison? If there is evidence of Seamus purchasing illegal substances, being involved with criminal gang members, repeatedly beating family members, getting wasted at the office and on the job, going on major TV shows to further embarrass his riding, I may change my tune about him. However, as far as I know, Seamus was just drinking too much at the end of the day and it bothered him.

I support addicts getting help along with safe sites that offer access to help. I don't support using the addiction as an excuse for one's actions. Rob should be commended for eventually seeking treatment, but that doesn't erase the spousal abuse and embarrassing mess he created for the city.

So because Seamus had addiction issues with a legal substance, it's cool? I'm not casting judgement on either. Just they're both public officials that faced addictions issues, one dealt with it poorly the other didn't seem to. Of course he didn't have the media monitoring everything he did.

It's very difficult to defend anything RoFo did. I don't even want to try. But it seems many that knew him were very supportive of him. There's a reason he won that Ward easily even though he was dying of cancer. And it's not just angry white Trump like supporters either.

cybercoma · March 29, 2016

Seamus O'Regan: Critical of him?

What a stupid comparison. Seamus wasn't a crack addict. Wasn't questionably involved in the murder of a dealer. Didn't fight tooth and nail against recovery programs and other harm reduction programs. Didn't leave rehab and go right back to drinking. Didn't have the cops called on him because he was beating the crap out of his wife. Your comparison is crap.

Boges · March 29, 2016

Not the first to make it.

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/04/seamus-oregan-lucky-to-not-face-same-scrutiny-as-ford

People say it must be pointed out Ford’s issues of alcohol and crack were more serious, but I see addictions and the fallout from them all the same.

It’s not time to take political advantage.

Brother Doug Ford was “surprised” Trudeau did exactly that since his own mother, Margaret, has been open about past drug and alcohol problems and other dark chapters, including a divorce from former prime minister Pierre Trudeau.

“This stuff is not fun and I wish Seamus a speedy recovery,” Doug said. “I saw this with George Smitherman, who with support was able to come back and become deputy premier. Mr. Trudeau should know we are proud of Rob’s recovery and we hope it goes well for Seamus, too.”

People have rough patches. Some pounce on that. Some don’t. Some are pounced on. Some not.

And it is pretty hypocritical that someone that was facing addiction issues was so critical of Ford himself.

https://mobile.twitter.com/SeamusORegan/status/539285110903033856

https://mobile.twitter.com/SeamusORegan/status/401381378228748288

Look, I'm not saying having a drinking problem is the same. But it seems only the person who was the focal point of the media is being targeted as pathetic person.

I remember there was an NDP MP that was a petty thief. When he admitted his "problems" people we were supposed to show him sympathy right?

Edited March 29, 2016 by Boges

cybercoma · March 29, 2016

The problem wasn't his addiction. The problem was him being a damned hypocrite by shutting down harm reduction programs and by using his addiction as a means for sympathy without ever intending to clean up. He did harm to the city of Toronto and that's the problem rather than his addictions.

eyeball · March 29, 2016

What others blame him is for his private life, which is not harmful to public at all.

Because drugs are painkillers, it is very possible that Rob Ford used it was just for releaf himself from pain caused by cancer.

Rob Ford: A drug consumer who supports prohibition

The hypocritical clash of values between his private and public life are what placed him amongst the most harmful politicians in Canada's history.

taxme · April 3, 2016

Rob Ford is the best politician in Canada that I known since the day I came to Canada in more than 10 years.

No one is better than him.

He did a lot of things for most citizens.

What others blame him is for his private life, which is not harmful to public at all.

Because drugs are painkillers, it is very possible that Rob Ford used it was just for releaf himself from pain caused by cancer.

The most evil people are those who keep saying Rob Ford is bad, those people are simply for their own interest and harm to public interest. And they can not tolerate anyone do and good things for public.

And if someone do as toronto stars do to send some camera man to their own home day and night, who know what will be found for their own private evil side.

Ford was a good man, maybe no angel, but he was for the people. And that is what has been overlooked, his good side. He has done a lot of things for people living in poverty and hell holes. Those people who worked their hardest to condemn the man are jealous people who only wanted to find the bad points about Ford. Outfits like the Toronto Star and the liberal establishment hated the guy because he made them look like a bunch of useless tax grabbing, more government socialists. They worked every day to demonize the man. Can anyone pick a council member in Toronto who did more then Ford? Canadians lost a man that was not a politician but a peoples man. For that he was hated. The people who have to say something bad about Ford is because they have allowed the liberal media to influence them, and instill in them the same hatred that they had for Ford. These people never seem to get it that when the media goes after someone, as they did with Ford, that person has to be one of the good guys.

Canada has lost a true conservative patriot.

GostHacked · April 3, 2016

Rob Ford demonized himself through various actions, like seeking drugs and opposing safe sites.

The safe sites do a few things, if people have a safe place to go, then you will have a reduction in the harm to the general population with regards to used needles being left out and about. It gives addicts a way out of the addiction via these safe sites that provide counseling.

Ford interrupted many other council members during sessions. even bowled one of the female council members down one time.

He had a habit that contradicted his public perception.

You don't have to look to hard to find Ford's shortcomings.