Rob Ford, mayor of Toronto UPDATES

[The_Squid]

The latest video that was released shows Ford definitely on something, but it's not alcohol.... No slurring of speech, he seems to be talking even faster... That's not drunk, it's high...

[Spiderfish]

Yes: it's okay for other journalists to report on what they've heard from a source without identifying the source or verifying the source's words with some kind of proof, but it's not okay for journalists to report on having viewed a video wihout presenting the video itself.

I just think there's a standard of proof one should attian when the story has the potential outcome to ruin someone's career and destroy their personal life, especially when the organization breaking the news has a known bias against the individual. I'm not saying it's not legal or that they don't have a right to do it, it's just not something I would have chosen to do. I'm also not saying they shouldn't have run the story, they did have the opportrunity to purchase the video. It comes down to morals and ethics and what you are comfortable with...and they were obviously comfortable with their approach so good on them for getting their story out. And as I said, I feel somewhat relieved knowing that at least some of the allegations have been confirmed (by Ford himself), and the reporters likely do as well.

[Icebound]

"....investigative journalism ... is distinct from apparently similar work done by police, lawyers, auditors, and regulatory bodies in that it is not limited as to target, not legally founded and closely connected to publicity...".

...from Wikipedia quoting media theorist Hugo de Burgh.

This is a man who is supposed to be the leader for 2.8 million people. He is supposed to provide inspiration and leadership in times of peril. Wouldn't it have been an international spectacle if Toronto received a 9-11 type disaster during a Ford "episode"?

It definitely IS the job of investigative journalism to uncover the character of this person. Their disclosures led to the further investigations that have got us to where we are. That is what good investigative journalists do. They put their reputations on the line with the truth, or they soon would become the guys chasing ambulances for the tabloids.

Yes, we all sympathise with the fallible man. But when the fallible man is leading 2.8 million people, investigative journalism has the duty to inform them.

[Topaz]

So who is the guy he wanted to murder??? The editor of the Star??

[brian66]

Ontario's Muni Minister talks about whether province will jump into Toronto mess.

The link is to an audio link from a media scrum.

http://looniepolitics.com/spotlights/ontario-municipal-affairs-minister-jeffrey-media-scrum-question-period-november-6-2013/

[Icebound]

The entire Rob Ford story in 2 minutes and 50 seconds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNhsaPi79z0

[On Guard for Thee]

Well, technically this video isn't the one that was talked about months ago. The previous video apparently doesn't have anything on it that police have determined was an issue. And one certainly can't tell from a video what somebody is smoking. But beyond that, their :truth" telling still isn't an acceptable practice of trial in the court of public opinion, without a shred of actual evidence. Like I said earlier, present the video and get on with it, or shut up about it. The six month dead horse discussions were ridiculous.

What the hell are you talking about, he already admitted to smoking crack. That's a criminal offense btw.

[Boges]

Apparently $5000 was paid to buy a video that just confirms what we already knew.

Piling on much?

[bleeding heart]

Apparently $5000 was paid to buy a video that just confirms what we already knew.

Piling on much?

I think any well-known public figure would receive this sort of attention, given the sheer craziness of the antics.

Incidentally, watching Mayor Ford stutter helplessly, obviously without (or without using) prepared remarks, was something I found quite unpleasant. He seemed lost, despairing. Now I'm feeling sorry for the guy. I guess I have no stomach for genuine humiliation.

Edited November 8, 2013 by bleeding heart

[bleeding heart]

..............

Edited November 8, 2013 by bleeding heart

[Black Dog]

No, the media behaved in a completely irresponsible way. You don't ask somebody to resign, and at the sametime, withhold the actual evidence for said resignation.

The "media" never had the video so they were not witholding anything. Nor do I recall anyone asking Ford to resign prior to this week.

My issue from the very beginning was either release what was said to have existed, or shut up about it. You can't have it both ways.

You claimed the video did not exist. There was no equivocation from you on that score.

It goes against every pretext of fair and just process. Responsible journalism breaks the story, when you actually have the evidence.

They had the evidence: first hand viewing of the video by two reporters.

But the media was out to get Ford from day one. They never accepted his win as legitimate, and the sought to undermine his legitimacy from the very beginning, not matter the cost.

I don't think it was the media pouring booze down Ford's throat or lighting the pipe for him. Of course, it's worth remembering that he had forfeited his political legitimacy long before that through his own bullying and incompetence in his dealings with council.

[Black Dog]

Ford's apparently not going into work today.

So it's business as usual for him.

[Black Dog]

Oh and Ford's mother and sister went on CP24 last night to defend him.

Some highlights:

“He has a problem,” Diane Ford told CP24 host Stephen LeDrew. “He has a weight problem. He’s got a huge weight problem. And he knows that and I think that is the first thing he has to attack.”

Yup. Priority one for sure.

Sister Kathy insisted the mayor does not have a drinking problem, but conceded she has asked him to leave her house at least once when he was too intoxicated.

“It depends what you want to consider an alcoholic,” she said. “Robbie does not drink every night and he does not drink one. When Robbie drinks I think he just goes full tilt.”

"It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is."

Diane Ford laid out a five-point plan to help get her son back on track: Get a driver, do something about his weight, get an “alcohol” detector in his car to prove he is not driving under the influence, to take a look at the company he keeps, and to see a counsellor.

Because that's something people who don't have drinking problems need?

[Boges]

I think any well-known public figure would receive this sort of attention, given the sheer craziness of the antics.Incidentally, watching Mayor Ford stutter helplessly, obviously without (or without using) prepared remarks, was something I found quite unpleasant. He seemed lost, despairing. Now I'm feeling sorry for the guy. I guess I have no stomach for genuine humiliation.

I think many feel sorry for Ford now, he's obviously got problems. Then you have his mom and sister coming out saying all his problems centre around his weight.

I'd like to think he's hit rock bottom this week. Unless of course some evidence comes out that in the video he was ACTUALLY threatening to kill the guy who was, you know killed, in that video. Which at this point is a gigantic leap in logic.

[Black Dog]

I think many feel sorry for Ford now, he's obviously got problems. Then you have his mom and sister coming out saying all his problems centre around his weight.

I'd like to think he's hit rock bottom this week. Unless of course some evidence comes out that in the video he was ACTUALLY threatening to kill the guy who was, you know killed, in that video. Which at this point is a gigantic leap in logic.

I don't think this saga has a bottom.

[Boges]

I don't think this saga has a bottom.

Well clearly he's made some crappy friends. You know the kind that'll video tape him doing incriminating stuff then trying to sell it to the media. If he continues to keep the same company, then yeah he'll deserve to continue to get what he's getting.

One wonders if he's in debt to some of the shady characters that have clearly made his time as mayor difficult and walking away from it won't be as easy as just, walking away from it.

[Black Dog]

Well clearly he's made some crappy friends. You know the kind that'll video tape him doing incriminating stuff then trying to sell it to the media. If he continues to keep the same company, then yeah he'll deserve to continue to get what he's getting.

One wonders if he's in debt to some of the shady characters that have clearly made his time as mayor difficult and walking away from it won't be as easy as just, walking away from it.

Crappy friends, crappy family, crappy choices. But some people still blame the media.

[Boges]

Crappy friends, crappy family, crappy choices. But some people still blame the media.

I do think paying for yesterday's video is a bit much. It adds very little to the story. It's just piling on at this point. And it sets a precedent that the media will now PAY for embarrassing videos of the mayor.

[Black Dog]

I do think paying for yesterday's video is a bit much. It adds very little to the story. It's just piling on at this point. And it sets a precedent that the media will now PAY for embarrassing videos of the mayor.

Oh I dunno. I mean, it does offer us a window into the depth of his substance abuse problems. He sure didn't look drunk to me.

[Boges]

It sounded, to me, like he was trying to do an old school Pro Wrestling bit.

Blatch's thoughts

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2013/11/07/christie-blatchford-purchase-of-rob-ford-video-sends-canadian-journalism-racing-to-the-bottom/?fb_action_ids=10151959263916311&fb_action_types=og.likes

Edited November 8, 2013 by Boges

[Black Dog]

It sounded, to me, like he was trying to do an old school Pro Wrestling bit.

Yeah. While coked to the gills.

[Black Dog]

As for buying the videos: don't papers often pay for video or audio of news stories? For example, if someone videotapes a police shooting or a gas plant explosion, would they not receive compensation?

[BubberMiley]

I do think paying for yesterday's video is a bit much. It adds very little to the story. It's just piling on at this point. And it sets a precedent that the media will now PAY for embarrassing videos of the mayor.

I guess they learned their lesson from everyone questioning their integrity when they didn't buy the last video. But what other choices did they have? Completely ignore it, or say they saw it but didn't buy it again.

[Boges]

I guess they learned their lesson from everyone questioning their integrity when they didn't buy the last video. But what other choices did they have? Completely ignore it, or say they saw it but didn't buy it again.

Who questioned their integrity for not buying the video the last time?

I thought a lot of people questioned the Gawker guy doing a Online Fundraiser to try and get the video.

I also the impact of seeing a video of the mayor smoking a crackpipe is much different than a video of the mayor acting drunk, high or whatever the week he's already admitted he has a massive drinking problem and he has used crack.

Edited November 8, 2013 by Boges

[BubberMiley]

Blatch's thoughts

Yes, by Blatch's standards, the only ethical thing to do is completely ignore him. The Star was wrong not to buy the first video because then they didn't have concrete evidence to go along with their story, but the Star was also wrong to buy this video because she has made up a new history of Canadian journalism where no one has ever made any money providing the news media with material. Edited November 8, 2013 by BubberMiley