Those partisan supporters of Ford just don't get it.

[-TSS-]

I wish we in Helsinki had a mayor who is always high. Couldn't be deterioration to the current non-entity on the job.

[ReeferMadness]

Hmm... this is what happened when I hit the "Quote" button - it's almost like it's implying you had nothing to say....

I as many others liked his platform compared to the alternatives. Looking up those items now is hardly chronologically relevant. Were they headlined in the campaign? In the years running for and elected to council from 2000 ? Many slurs are cast on candidates in elections. There was an obvious opposition out to get him and sour grapes prevail in losing to an opponent of a differing bent. Were these items you reference now of note then? Nope.

Such matters were not in the the publics eye as you would attempt to make out. Any negative baggage that could be, would be used by the other candidates at campaign time and I point out there were many fronts attacking Ford from the Left. That muckraking goes with an election. Ford won handily over the likes of E Heath manager Smitherman.

Wow. Now I'm really confused.

Are you saying that the media, the same ones that we're constantly told have a left wing bias are at fault for failing to tell you that your candidate was a piece of shit?

Are you telling me that you, as a self-described political junky couldn't find any negative information on Rob Ford? Maybe Toronto didn't have the internet in 2010?

Maybe what you're really saying is that you and your cohort (like most Canadians) followed the election like the NHL playoffs, cheering on your team. Although you claim to have weighed the pros and cons, it sounds like what you really did was look for the pros and discount any cons you may have tripped over as partisan slurs. At least, I hope that's what happened. Because the alternative is far less appealing.

The alternative is that Gord Perks is dead on. The alternative is that a lot of people who voted for Rob Ford knew exactly what they were getting. They just didn't care whether it was true or not. There were stories he beat his wife but they didn't want to know. They didn't care if he abused drugs. They didn't care if he drove drunk. They didn't care if he had a violent streak or a history of association with street gangs. They didn't care if he made racist comments or was a homophobe or sneered at homeless people. And they especially didn't care that he lied about it all because it just made it easier to ignore. The alternative is that your friends and neighbors were so wrapped up in their greed for tax cuts and their desire to strike at the "Toronto elite" and their vindictiveness at perceived union excess that they voted for this caricature of a politician. And they got exactly what they deserved. Too bad about everyone who didn't vote for him but got him anyway.

If I can sit in British Columbia and dig up dirt in 20 seconds, I'm sure there are lots of things that his neighbors know that I'll never hear.

You might wish to familiarize yourself with his time as a politician. You seem to be focused on what you can find as exposed denigration of Ford of late which is damning, but not what was attributed to Ford in the years from 2000. The Toronto Star his current antagonist was then his supporter.

Rob Ford was elected in 2000. Much of what I've listed above was in the news. If you didn't know, you probably didn't want to know.

[ReeferMadness]

So you think a large number of the 47% that voted for him are racist homophones?

That's an admittedly disturbing possibility but I've never been to Toronto. So I don't know.

I will say that it's inconceivable that none of these people know what kind of man they were getting when they voted. But hey, they got their tax cuts.

He's done much for the black community. I challenge you to find an example of outright racism and not just a verbal lapse, that happened pre-election. Are you purposely ignoring that Ford hails from a multicultural part of the city?

Not at all. Are you telling me that you can't have racists in a multicultural part of the city?

BTW, you seem to be ignoring that I haven't called him a racist - I was quoting one of his fellow councillors.

Regarding Ford being litigious. This is a recent development. He didn't even sue the Star when they reported he assaulted a football player even though the player in question denied the story was accurate.

He also didn't threaten to sue Gord Perks for saying he is racist and homophobic. Perks' story was printed November 8. Are you contending that he only became litigious between November 8 and the 14th when he started threatening to sue his former employees? Or is it perhaps a bit more likely that he's only going to threaten to sue people he thinks he can intimidate because he knows they lack the resources to go to court?

So, again, why hasn't he threatened to sue Perks for libel? My guess is that he knows that Perks could assemble a Rose Bowl-sized parade of people who would line up to testify about things he's said. But that's just a theory - I'm open to other suggestions.

[Boges]

My guess is that he had bigger problems this week then being accused of being a racist to deal with Perks.

[jacee]

One would think John Tory would be that answer. But then again his aspirations to become the province's leader were derailed by single issue wedge politics as well.

An issue - funding religious schools - that Tory created and stubbornly stuck with despite the advice of his campaign staff ... kinda bullheaded like Ford, seems to me.

BTW Tory also talks about rampant government waste, he just does so sans the bluster of the likes of Ford.

He looks better in a suit too.

[Mighty AC]

In 2008 the US public voted for a man that does not exist because they wanted change and imposed their desire for change on a human.

The same thing happened in Toronto although Ford's fall has been much more spectacular than Obama's.

Really, Tim? Are you really comparing Rob Ford to Barrack Obama??

Please proceed and develop your thesis for us. Explain and elaborate how these guys are really the same.

This should be good.

I don't think Tim is claiming that Obama and Ford are the same. The two mean are obviously polar opposites. However, it seems that in desperation for change people can turn politicians into something they're not nor even claim to be.

Obama was handed a tough economic and political situation while carrying Superman-like expectations; disappointment was inevitable. Ford was the opposite of David Miller and the public, jonesing for change, was willing to overlook the problem signs. The similarity is that in both cases unrealistic expectations were heaped on the two men. The differences though are endless.

[Black Dog]

So you think a large number of the 47% that voted for him are racist homophones?

He's done much for the black community. I challenge you to find an example of outright racism and not just a verbal lapse, that happened pre-election. Are you purposely ignoring that Ford hails from a multicultural part of the city?

St. Patrick's day 2012. Wasted, he calls a cab driver a "Paki" and talked to said cabbie with a mock South Asian accent.

[CanuckleSandwich]

I'd like some evidence that he's a racist.

Don't just throw pejoratives around because it suits your narrative. There are plenty of apt ones that could apply.

Ford's failings have certainly derailed a conservative movement in the city.

Beyond Ford's behaviour the narrative of him being elected is a simple Suburb vs. Urban divide.

Why else would Ford's insistence on a Scarborough subway cause so many, including the provincial government, to flip flop?

There are still plenty of conservatives left. Stintz, Minnan-Wong, John Tory come to mind.

I voted for this jackass and it was a vote against the establishment. With or without the crack video, I wouldn't vote for him again.

[Mighty AC]

Why else would Ford's insistence on a Scarborough subway cause so many, including the provincial government, to flip flop?

It's always been a bad idea to build subways in low density areas. Ford just happened to be so popular that it forced those who win their jobs in a popularity contest to bend to his will for a while. Thankfully in the most recent Ipsos poll less than a quarter of Torontonians want Ford to remain on the job.

[ReeferMadness]

I don't think Tim is claiming that Obama and Ford are the same. The two mean are obviously polar opposites. However, it seems that in desperation for change people can turn politicians into something they're not nor even claim to be.

Obama was handed a tough economic and political situation while carrying Superman-like expectations; disappointment was inevitable. Ford was the opposite of David Miller and the public, jonesing for change, was willing to overlook the problem signs. The similarity is that in both cases unrealistic expectations were heaped on the two men. The differences though are endless.

Oh, I see.

So, when you're saying that Ford claimed he was something he was not, that would mean he was claiming to be honest, hard-working, down-to-earth, sober, law-abiding and non-violent.

And when Obama was claiming to be something he was not, I assume you thought he was claiming to be a miracle-worker who could somehow convince a bunch of knuckle-draggers who really don't want government to do anything to cooperate with him to make his country better.

Yes, I can see how comparing these two individuals shows your keen, brilliant political mind. I'm sure I haven't even done your insight justice. Please feel free to elaborate.

[ironstone]

It's impossible to defend Rob Ford's behavior in here but I can't help but feel that if he was on the political left,this story would not get anywhere near the attention it does now.Ford clearly has his personal demons to deal with but to the best of my knowledge,he isn't being accused of ripping off the taxpayers to enrich himself.A quick search on the CBC website shows 278 hits for Liberal Joe Fontana............and 10800 for Rob Ford!How about all the rampant corruption within the province of Quebec?I think this is much worse than what's going on with Ford(who should at the very least take a leave of absence).It seems to me that when it comes to political scandals,big or small,if you are from the Liberals or NDP that seems to ensure a certain amount of protection from the mainstream media.Here in Ontario we have what is perhaps the most inept,corrupt government in all of Canada and there is barely anything written about it in the papers when compared to what are really minor scandals involving the Conservatives.

[Argus]

Maybe this episode will forge a new alliance of high-road politicians.... we can only hope.

And who, in Toronto, do you imagine would be willing to take this high road? I haven't noticed, among the cast of characters, anyone familiar with that route.

[Argus]

Speaking of tragedy, it will be a terrible loss if Coyne's brilliant, genius, crystalline insight is lost amongst the detritus of sensationalism.

Coyne? Andrew Coyne? (cough-cough) Seriously? It's hard to think of a more dislikeable person amongst the country's major media opinion makers. Conrad Black, by comparison, is a sweet and gentle soul without a hint of bias in his columns.

[Argus]

One would think John Tory would be that answer. But then again his aspirations to become the province's leader were derailed by single issue wedge politics as well.

BTW Tory also talks about rampant government waste, he just does so sans the bluster of the likes of Ford.

You mean he talks like a political weasel, like they all do?

[Argus]

You know, you're probably right. Here's a way we can test it.

Why don't you stand up in front of a racially mixed crowd and say "You Orientals work like dogs". "I think you're trying to take over".

But that wasn't either the context, or, from my memory of the incident, the intent.

He was, in fact, complimenting them and saying, basically, they work so hard compared to others they're going to be in charge one day.

I think Ford is a buffoon but nobody who spends as much time and effort with and on behalf of minorities can honestly be accused of racism due to one statement, especially given he's known for putting his foot in his mouth.

I recall Jean Chretien once saying his Filipino cabinet minister 'looks like a Chinese' in response to someone asking about Chinese in his cabinet. He also said he likes black people because of their 'big white smiles'. There were other stupid comments of that nature but no one seemed to have decided he was a candidate for cross burning.

[Argus]

Except Obama isn't an inept, crack smoking, drunkard.... The comparison is extremely tenuous and silly at best.

Well, he's inept.

[cybercoma]

Coyne? Andrew Coyne? (cough-cough) Seriously? It's hard to think of a more dislikeable person amongst the country's major media opinion makers.

Margaret Wente? Ezra Levant?

You're not trying very hard.

[Argus]

Margaret Wente? Ezra Levant?

You're not trying very hard.

Okay, I'll give you Ezra but I wasn't thinking of Sun news. I like Margaret. What's wrong with her?

[ironstone]

http://ezralevant.com/2013/12/story-of-two-mayors.html

Apart from Sun News,is any other news outlet talking about this story?

[BubberMiley]

Apart from Sun News,is any other news outlet talking about this story?

Uh... all of them. But that won't stop Ezra Levant from continuing to complain that people are amazed at the complete humiliating failure of Rob Ford.

"The better question is why no one is freaking out at the "vicious" Star for writing about this mayor?

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/10/29/london_ont_mayor_fontana_committed_to_trial_on_fraud_charges.html

[cybercoma]

Okay, I'll give you Ezra but I wasn't thinking of Sun news. I like Margaret. What's wrong with her?

Margaret Wente doesn't even take Margaret Wente seriously. She's the newspaper version of Shady.

[Argus]

Margaret Wente doesn't even take Margaret Wente seriously. She's the newspaper version of Shady.

I think you judge columnists more by your assessment of their ideological purity than the quality of their writing.

[Black Dog]

I think you judge columnists more by your assessment of their ideological purity than the quality of their writing.

Wente is a shit writer. Lazy (how many times has she been busted for plagiarism at this point?) contrarianism at its worst. Not Ezra-bad, but pretty awful. oh and since we're talking terrible writers without regard for their ideological bent, Heather Mallick is bloody awful as well.

[guyser]

It's impossible to defend Rob Ford's behavior in here but I can't help but feel that if he was on the political left,this story would not get anywhere near the attention it does now.

So true, no one has written a thing about the gas plant scandal, a formidable Left wing story widely ignored by everyone.

[jacee]

So true, no one has written a thing about the gas plant scandal, a formidable Left wing story widely ignored by everyone.

Dalton had the brains to resign and fade into oblivion.

It's Ford's continuing drug-addled delusions of grandeur that make him so interesting, like watching a train wreck replayed over and over again.

.

Edited December 16, 2013 by jacee