Rob Ford, mayor of Toronto UPDATES

[BubberMiley]

You think it's impossible that drug dealers would have contacts who would know how to fake such a video? If drug dealers can have contact with the mayor of Toronto, I don't think contact with a "qualified professional" (ie: someone with the know-how) is far-fetched.

Please, please, please. Just show one. Show a fake video of a person doing something they didn't do and saying something they didn't say. Come on. If there's a "qualified professional" that can do it, they've done it. Please, so I don't have to keep asking. You keep ignoring the question and then saying it's possible. I really honestly want you to show me it can be done.

I'm begging now.

[Black Dog]

I am under the impression the video does not exist (stated that several pages back). I am simply stating that a video of Ford smokin crack can be faked as it looks like that was part of this plan. Check the link from Black Dog.

As much as Ford has his own issues, this looks like a set up of some kind. So what is the political motivations behind faking such a video?

We now have more questions than answers.

I think you misunderstand what happened. The video ol' Slurpy was to be a part of was to be an obvious fake designed to discredit the other, "real" video.

Nothing about this aspect of the story reflects on the existence or veracity of the other video.

[Guest American Woman]

You shouldn't speak for other people, especially after the numerous times you've gotten bent out of shape about others supposedly speaking for you.

Ummmm. The question mark at the end makes it a question, not a statement. I'm asking him if that's what he thinks.

Having said that, he never once said anything is impossible. He has been saying all along that it's very highly unlikely. And it is, but some people seem to have a difficult time grasping that concept.

I didn't say he did say anything is impossible. Again. Question mark = asking. Some people apparently have a difficult time grasping that concept.

[Boges]

I don't know why you guys don't find this debate tiresome now. We're no closer to having definitive evidence a video exists or not, than we did the day the story broke.

The fact the police didn't outright deny they have the video isn't evidence it exists. And if they do have it and are waiting for some trial, then how many months or years will it take for that to be public knowledge.

Yet we find today that the mayors poll numbers are actually on an uptick.

Edited June 27, 2013 by Boges

[Black Dog]

I don't know why you guys don't find this debate tiresome now. We're no closure to having definitive evidence a video exists or not, than we did the day the story broke.

The fact the police didn't outright deny they have the video or not isn't evidence it exists. And if they do have it and are waiting for some trial, then how many months or years will it take for that to be public knowledge.

Yet we find today that the mayors poll numbers are actually on an uptick.

In one poll against a group of hypothetical opponents. None of these mean bupkis.

[Boges]

In one poll against a group of hypothetical opponents. None of these mean bupkis.

I would agree. But it's all anyone has to gauge his popularity by.

The worst news Ford got this week is actually that John Tory is thinking of running.

Edited June 27, 2013 by Boges

[Guest American Woman]

I don't know why you guys don't find this debate tiresome now. We're no closer to having definitive evidence a video exists or not, than we did the day the story broke.

I don't think it's a question of whether or not the video exists. I believe that a video exists. What that video is actually of is the question. Or perhaps it no longer exists - but I believe in it's one-time existence, let's put it that way.

The fact the police didn't outright deny they have the video or not isn't evidence it exists. And if they do have it and are waiting for some trial, then how many months or years will it take for that to be public knowledge.

Would you be surprised if it's never public knowledge?

Yet we find today that the mayors poll numbers are actually on an uptick.

I never thought this issue would have an effect regarding those who like Ford. Edited June 27, 2013 by American Woman

[guyser]

The fact the police didn't outright deny they have the video isn't evidence it exists. And if they do have it and are waiting for some trial, then how many months or years will it take for that to be public knowledge.

Probably within a year and a half. Fords name is acknowledged to be on some of the taps. But then again, these dealers were probably talking politics...yea thats the ticket...politics.

[Black Dog]

I would agree. But it's all anyone has to gauge his popularity by.

The worst news Ford got this week is actually that John Tory is thinking of running.

Not sure how that's an issue. Is Tory a popular figure on the right? He supports the revenue tools for transit, can't imagine that washes with Ford nation. Also: he's a perennial loser.

[GostHacked]

Nobody with half a brain would be fooled that Slurpy is Rob Ford. He looks like he checks in at least around 150 pounds less. He also has a different face.

You'd be amazed what can be accomplished with low quality video and some angle work and video editing tweaking.

But the other side of that article shows that there was an attempt to do a video using someone other than Ford.

And you would be surprised what people will believe, most of us here have some brains and are not THAT easily fooled (I could be wrong). Who knows about the rest of the population that does not visit a site like this.

77 Pages is a lot to spend on a mayor, Harper does not even get this kind of attention.

[GostHacked]

I think you misunderstand what happened. The video ol' Slurpy was to be a part of was to be an obvious fake designed to discredit the other, "real" video.

Nothing about this aspect of the story reflects on the existence or veracity of the other video.

Understood. I did not completely read the article.

[Boges]

Not sure how that's an issue. Is Tory a popular figure on the right? He supports the revenue tools for transit, can't imagine that washes with Ford nation. Also: he's a perennial loser.

I would agree but perhaps he can establish himself in the centre better than any potential candidate.

His name is mud in the rest of the province because of his failure to unseat Dalton McGuinty and his very Toronto-centric transit policy. But those weaknesses might help him in Toronto.

He also has a bully pulpit every weekday from 4-7 on the radio.

[Black Dog]

I would agree but perhaps he can establish himself in the centre better than any potential candidate.

His name is mud in the rest of the province because of his failure to unseat Dalton McGuinty and his very Toronto-centric transit policy. But those weaknesses might help him in Toronto.

He also has a bully pulpit every weekday from 4-7 on the radio.

Yeah, i think if it's a three-way race between Chow Tory and Ford, things would get interesting with votes being split left and right. To say nothing of wildcards like Karen Stintz.

[BubberMiley]

You'd be amazed what can be accomplished with low quality video and some angle work and video editing tweaking.

Please amaze me. Please. All you've offered so far is fake mermaid documentaries. I've seen Obama singing "Call Me Maybe," but halfway through I figured out that it wasn't real.

[guyser]

Please amaze me. Please. All you've offered so far is fake mermaid documentaries. I've seen Obama singing "Call Me Maybe," but halfway through I figured out that it wasn't real.

I do wish those who stick by the fake is possible line would put up just one video as you have asked.

This is the same as the psychics thread, no one could post even a single instance where psychics solved any crime, yet they held steadfast to the idea that they have.

Pretty transparent that they want to believe, but that they really shouldn't

[scribblet]

Yeah, i think if it's a three-way race between Chow Tory and Ford, things would get interesting with votes being split left and right. To say nothing of wildcards like Karen Stintz.

If just Chow, Tory and Ford ran, I'd say Chow would win. If Ford or Tory ran alone, it would be a close race, I think Tory could win ( or Ford) against Chow, but no doubt there will be other contenders.

I know Tory lost the election over the voucher issue but to me, he's really a centrist and the more I listen him when I can, the more I respect his views. I believe he's a man of integrity and would make a splendiferous Mayor of Toronto.

Does he really support additional 'revenue tools' i.e. higher taxes for transit ?

[Boges]

Does he really support additional 'revenue tools' i.e. higher taxes for transit ?

He's on the board of directors of Civic Action Alliance

http://www.civicaction.ca/board-directors

They've been big advocates for the Metrolinx Big Move.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1187795/groundbreaking-support-for-civicaction-s-pledge-to-get-a-move-on

TORONTO, June 20, 2013 /CNW/ - With gridlock the leading local issue in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), elected officials from 80% of GTHA municipalities have joined nearly 2000 residents and pledged to tackle the problem through CivicAction's Your32 campaign.

The broad show of support is expected to grow as the issue moves front and centre at Queen's Park. The Ontario government will soon be assessing Metrolinx's recommended Investment Strategy of how to pay for the benefits that will come from The Big Move. CivicAction is encouraged by the number of politicians from across political lines that are committed to taking action on this issue. See the full list below.

"Politicians are acting, and not just because their constituents want them to act," said John Tory, Chair of CivicAction. "The pledge is bringing residents and elected officials together, and I encourage everyone to make their voice heard by visiting www.your32.com today."

The big thrust is the idea that without the Big Move, people's commutes would be up to 32 minutes longer in the future. According to them. Edited June 27, 2013 by Boges

[Spiderfish]

Nobody with half a brain would be fooled that Slurpy is Rob Ford. He looks like he checks in at least around 150 pounds less. He also has a different face.

Well...you were convinced that Ford was guilty of the murder of Anthony Smith...I guess complete dedication to an idea without examining other possiblilities can distort one's perception of facts.

This is way worse than smoking crack, killing the guy who videotaped you doing it, and invading a house and assaulting the people inside to find out where the video is.

I guess we can throw another silly accusation out the window.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/man-pleads-guilty-in-shooting-death-linked-to-rob-ford-controversy/article12856164/?cmpid=rss1

[Topaz]

A couple days ago, I saw on the news that Ford went to Gay Pride event?? Is that true?? If so, he must know he needs to straighten up and fly right and the fed.finance minister did say he did talk to his good friend.

[WWWTT]

We may not see Tory run as mayor

http://warrenkinsella.com/2013/06/toronto-needs-a-mayor-why-i-cant-support-john-tory/

WWWTT

[WWWTT]

Here's a possible scenario of where the video went.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2013/06/27/nisar-hashimi-anthony-smith-shooting-plea.html

WWWTT

[Signals.Cpl]

Here's a possible scenario of where the video went.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2013/06/27/nisar-hashimi-anthony-smith-shooting-plea.html

WWWTT

Or maybe it never existed...

[Black Dog]

Or maybe it never existed...

You should read the thread and see why this is the least likely of all possible scenarios.

[Signals.Cpl]

You should read the thread and see why this is the least likely of all possible scenarios.

What are the scenarios? Anything with concrete facts? Ive seen a man being harassed based on a video that allegedly exists yet only a small handful of people claim to maybe have seen someone who MIGHT have been him in a video where he might have been holding something that looks like possibly a crack pipe... What I find hilarious is the group of people who see him as guilty because there "is a video" and when the video does not surface they find him guilty because the video "disappeared" yet few bother to think that the video might have never existed...

[Black Dog]

What are the scenarios? Anything with concrete facts? Ive seen a man being harassed based on a video that allegedly exists yet only a small handful of people claim to maybe have seen someone who MIGHT have been him in a video where he might have been holding something that looks like possibly a crack pipe... What I find hilarious is the group of people who see him as guilty because there "is a video" and when the video does not surface they find him guilty because the video "disappeared" yet few bother to think that the video might have never existed...

Three separate people report seeing a video with a guy that looks and sounds like Ford smoking what appears to be crack. The TPS reportedly heard talk about the video on wiretaps before the story broke. These strongly suggest that a video exists. Now, if you want to debate whether the video was authentic, that's obviously something we can't determine. But IMO the possibility that three reporters from two separate news outlets were out and out lying about the existence of a video is an even more fantastical scenario than the video existing.

Obviously, the video hasn't turned up. But we knew from the get go that it would be dicey.

Here's the other thing people keep forgetting: the reason the notion that Ford might dabble in drugs is far from implausible given his history. If it was Gregor Robertson or Naheed Nenshi being accused of smoking crack, people would probably be a bit more skeptical. In Ford's case there's a lot of smoke there that has nothing to do with his politics and everything to do with his track record.