Rob Ford, mayor of Toronto UPDATES

[BubberMiley]

Exactly !! If the Star didn't have such a track record of trashing Ford at every opportunity they would have more credibility.

Can you, with a straight face, say that Ford's behaviour hasn't warranted the Star's reporting? If the video eventually comes out and it's verified to obviously be Ford, would you still think the Star responded unethically by saying what they saw after CNN and Gawker had already reported on it?

I wouldn't defend this type of (alleged) behaviour but I'd vote for Ford just see the Star's heads explode.

You'd sacrifice the city to give the Star more material to sell papers? Interesting choice. Edited May 24, 2013 by BubberMiley

[BubberMiley]

Ignoring the press is just not right especially when your chief of staff walks out and now is being quoted as saying Ford needs help.

Actually, his chief of staff didn't walk out---he was fired. He made a point of making it clear he didn't walk out, because walking out in such a situation would be like abandoning the city. He also wasn't "quoted" as saying that he was fired for telling Ford to walk away and seek help. That quote is hearsay from an anonymous source.

[Black Dog]

Exactly !! If the Star didn't have such a track record of trashing Ford at every opportunity they would have more credibility.

So all the dumb, self-destructive and comical s**t this mayor does is somehow the media's fault?

In fact, IMO people are going over to Ford's side because they are fed up with this type of journalism and turning people off. I wouldn't defend this type of (alleged) behaviour but I'd vote for Ford just see the Star's heads explode.

Idiots who take that approach get the kind of government they deserve.

[Boges]

Idiots who take that approach get the kind of government they deserve.

But then you have people on Council that clearly are voting for against things simply because Ford is for it. The vote not to expand Woodbine was clearly a vote against Ford and not for the good of the city.

Both sides play petty politics.

Edited May 24, 2013 by Boges

[Black Dog]

But then you have people on Council that clearly are voting for against things simply because Ford is for it. The vote not to expand Woodbine was clearly a vote against Ford and not for the good of the city.

It was a 40-4 vote that included Ford loyalists. The casino issue was one with bipartisan concerns attached.

[Boges]

It was a 40-4 vote that included Ford loyalists. The casino issue was one with bipartisan concerns attached.

That was for the Downtown Casino likely run by an American Casino Company.

There was a 24-20 vote after to deny expanding Woodbine. Woodbine is in the Ford's backyard, the economically depressed area Rexdale. Woodbine is already a great employer for the region.

The City Staff recommended expanding Woodbine, there's already lots of gambling going on there, AND if a casino gets built in Vaughan or Markham instead of the one downtown it'll be in direct competition with Woodbine and/or Rama.

There's no logical reason to vote against expanding that facility unless you just want to stick it to the Ford's. They actually have the largest parcel on undeveloped land in the city and a large faction of council would like to keep it empty.

Edited May 24, 2013 by Boges

[Black Dog]

That was for the Downtown Casino likely run by an American Casino Company.

There was a 24-20 vote after to deny expanding Woodbine. Woodbine is in the Ford's backyard, the economically depressed area Rexdale. Woodbine is already a great employer for the region.

The City Staff recommended expanding Woodbine, there's already lots of gambling going on there, AND if a casino gets built in Vaughan or Markham instead of the one downtown it'll be in direct competition with Woodbine and/or Rama.

There's no logical reason to vote against expanding that facility unless you just want to stick it to the Ford's. They actually have the largest parcel on undeveloped land in the city and a large faction of council would like to keep it empty.

Isn't that where the Woodbine Live megaproject that Ford was touting was supposed to go?

Anyway, this is a digression, but I'm curios to know why you think giving poor people from an economically depressed part of town access to more ways to piss their money away is good for the city.

[scribblet]

So all the dumb, self-destructive and comical s**t this mayor does is somehow the media's fault?

Idiots who take that approach get the kind of government they deserve.

His actions are not the fault of the media, but the harassment and vendetta by one paper in particular is problematic. The media is relying on a lot of anonymous sources, innuendo and supposition. They can fling a lot of mud on the basis of allegations with no solid proof. It becomes a circus and really, I feel sorry for anyone being hounded like that.

[Boges]

Isn't that where the Woodbine Live megaproject that Ford was touting was supposed to go?

Anyway, this is a digression, but I'm curios to know why you think giving poor people from an economically depressed part of town access to more ways to piss their money away is good for the city.

That's not the issue. Gambling addicts will find a way to get their fix. They can already go to Woodbine to gamble. At least Table games are a little fairer than one-armed bandits. But even if the goal is to get rid of Woodbine and its 7,500 jobs, people can drop all their money playing scratch and sniff, Pro-Line or online. It's naive to thing that blocking this casino will stop an addict from gambling.

A full-fledged Casino would attract people to the location. It's right next to airport, people might go to the Casino and instead of going for the $35 buffet, they'll go to some of the local eateries across the street or go to the Woodbine Mall, which from what I hear, is dying.

But yeah it is a digression, I just believe Ford opponent are starting to do what the GOP are doing in the US with Obama. If Ford's for it, they're against it, regardless of the practicality of the proposal.

Edited May 24, 2013 by Boges

[Boges]

He speaks! Denied he does crack and that he's an addict. Didn't want to comment on a video he's never seen.

I wonder if people will leave him alone for a bit now, I doubt it.

Edited May 24, 2013 by Boges

[Black Dog]

"I do not use crack cocaine." Which doesn't rule out past crack cocaine use.

Also says he's not addicted to crack (which is something most addicts would also say).

Kept silent so far on the advice of lawyers (so why talk now? Did they buy the tape?)

Talks about football, leaves without taking questions.

Another Fordian performance.

Edited May 24, 2013 by Black Dog

[Boges]

He spoke now because the Executive Committee drafted a letter pleading with him to say something. He probably risked them all resigning en masse if he didn't deal with it.

Edited May 24, 2013 by Boges

[Black Dog]

He spoke now because the Executive Committee drafted a letter pleading with him to say something. He probably risked them all resigning en masse if he didn't deal with it.

But the implication was that there were legal reasons for him not speaking previously. I don't think this was spurred on by the letter.

[Boges]

I'm not sure, they're the only allies he has left. But who knows. You could tell his language was very lawyered up. We'll hear more during his radio show on Sunday I suppose.

Here's the Letter.

May 24, 2013

Open Letter to Toronto

As Members of Toronto's Executive Committee, we would like to assure all Torontonians that the City's business continues without interruption. Committees are at work, community meetings are going forward and constituent issues are being resolved. Toronto's government from City Council to Standing Committees to everyday neighbourhood issues is moving forward.

Nevertheless, the City needs continuity and leadership.

We ask the Mayor to definitively address the allegations before him. The allegations need to be addressed openly and transparently. We are encouraging the Mayor to address this matter so that we can continue to focus on serving the people of Toronto.

Sincerely

Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday

Toronto City Councillor

Ward 3 Etobicoke Centre

Peter Milczyn

Toronto City Councillor

Ward 5 Etobicoke-Lakeshore

Jaye Robinson

Toronto City Councillor

Ward 25 Don Valley West

Cesar Palacio

Toronto City Councillor

Ward 17 Davenport

Gary Crawford

Toronto City Councillor

Ward 36 Scarborough Southwest

Michael Thompson

Toronto City Councillor

Ward 37 Scarborough Centre

Edited May 24, 2013 by Boges

[Black Dog]

I'm not sure, they're the only allies he has left. But who knows. You could tell his language was very lawyered up. We'll hear more during his radio show on Sunday I suppose.

The other way to look at the letter is his allies laying down some cover for him to come out and make a statement late on a Friday (where news stories go to die, not that this one will). I dunno. I do know his denials are pretty empty given his past history of flat out lying.

[Bryan]

Unless and until the video shows up, there's no reason for him to answer anymore questions about it. If he's lying, we'll find out soon enough.

[Black Dog]

Unless and until the video shows up, there's no reason for him to answer anymore questions about it. If he's lying, we'll find out soon enough.

Yeah, now he can focus on his crack smoking in peace.

[BubberMiley]

It's impressive at least that he chose not to lie and say he has never smoked crack. It sounds like he's making an effort to quit.

[WWWTT]

His actions are not the fault of the media, but the harassment and vendetta by one paper in particular is problematic. The media is relying on a lot of anonymous sources, innuendo and supposition. They can fling a lot of mud on the basis of allegations with no solid proof. It becomes a circus and really, I feel sorry for anyone being hounded like that.

Sounds like you are echoing the "victim card" that Doug Ford has been trying to deal out at every opportunity he gets!

Lets get something straight here scribblet,when you play the political game as the Ford brothers have,such as trying to look good by using your own out of pocket money to pay for your employers costs(city of Toronto),you're just sticking your neck way out just begging to get stepped on!

The Ford brothers,since entering politics,have been on the edge of breaking the law with their political games.

I wouldn't shed one freekin tear to see those two go down in flames,or go up in smoke !

WWWTT

[WWWTT]

Unless and until the video shows up, there's no reason for him to answer anymore questions about it. If he's lying, we'll find out soon enough.

Don't hold your breath my friend!

Big rumour going on around now that Ford has purchased the video!

Explains why he has not come out and said anything for a while.

Also explains why the seller of the phone tape can not be reached for several days now.

As I hear more,I will provide the links.

Till then,it's only a rumour.

WWWTT

[WWWTT]

For those here who think that's it's only the Toronto Star that is trying to bury the Ford brothers,guess again!

There seems to be quite the lineup more than happy to have their piece!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/globe-investigation-the-ford-familys-history-with-drug-dealing/article12153014/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=Referrer%3A+Social+Network+%2F+Media&utm_campaign=Shared+Web+Article+Links

WWWTT

[Guest American Woman]

I don't see people defending him so much as their defending the concept of innocence without proof. Without evidence, the Star allegations (and Gawker as well) is barely more than tabloid drivel. Many includng myself have said on this thread that if the evidence comes out and a conclusive video is produced Ford is in big trouble. But no evidence has been produced. I simply want to see something to substantiate and proove the allegations made (by an organization with an obvious agenda to destroy Ford) before making judgement.

Agreed. The idea that someone of questionable character can simply show a video to a couple of reporters who cannot verify the authenticity of it, a video that very well may never see the light of day, and the reaction is what it has been is quite remarkable - and scary, IMO. It appears as if we no longer require proof before judging/condemning.

As I've said, I have no idea if it's true or not, but it's odd that people would call out people for "defending him" as they persecute without proof.

I keep reading in post after post that Ford has not come out and denied it, too, in spite of the fact that I provided a quote of him clearly denying it. So what does it matter whether he repeats it a thousand times or not? Why should he? He has denied it. EOS. Or at least it should be. Why he should be required to repeatedly give these characters the time of day is beyond me. Why anyone would give such a video any credence under the circumstances is difficult to understand.

[scribblet]

Totally agree. IMO, unless the video in question surfaces Ford should go on running the city. Let the voters decide next year. If he did buy the video what proof would he have that there are no copies floating around.

I like a quote from Christie Blatchford's column in the NP this morning.

“My understanding,” he wrote, “is that one of the most fundamental rules of good journalism is to always — always — obtain a corroborating source for any material allegation before a story is published.

“Furthermore, when someone’s personal reputation is at stake, simple human decency if not journalistic professionalism, ought to dictate particular care in sourcing any allegations, since informants may have many and diverse motives other than a pristine dedication to the truth for feeding a juicy story to a journalist.

“The Star has very conspicuously run, without any form of corroboration, a story it obtained from a couple of professional criminals, and unless I am missing something, I find it appalling that such a practice can be passed off as good journalism.”

Mr. Bogue is correct about much and maybe all of that, I think.

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2013/05/24/christie-blatchford-3/

Edited May 25, 2013 by scribblet

[eyeball]

It's hard to disagree with the assessment of an informant's motive but I'm left wondering where Christie Blatchford and all this journalistic integrity was when people were using cartoon drawings of mobile chemical weapons labs as a justification to go to war? Didn't she feast on that juicy story too?

[Spiderfish]

Big rumour going on around now that Ford has purchased the video!

Well, we might as well put our complete trust in a rumor, why stop now?

Explains why he has not come out and said anything for a while.

Also explains why the seller of the phone tape can not be reached for several days now.

Maybe the lightbulb has finally gone off and they have come to the realization that being drug dealers and drawing massive attention to themselves was possibly not such a brilliant thing to do.