Toronto Municipal Election Thread 2014

[Boges]

dp

Edited August 31, 2014 by Boges

[Boges]

I get worked up about this because I am a first generation Canadian. I don't have my parents accent but when I'm around extended family I do slip into an accent.

I'm not intending to mock at all.

I'm not saying that's the same as what Ford did but imitating accents don't always mean cultural insensitivity. Often it's the exact opposite.

Edited August 31, 2014 by Boges

[Boges]

dp

again

Edited August 31, 2014 by Boges

[Bob Macadoo]

I get worked up about this because I am a first generation Canadian. I don't have my parents accent but when I'm around extended family I do slip into an accent.

I'm not intending to mock at all.

I'm not saying that's the same as what Ford did but imitating accents don't always mean cultural insensitivity. Often it's the exact opposite.

Yes this can be understood. You were raised in it. My accent becomes more pronounced when I am home.....but it is my dialect.....if an inlander came in imitating it......that would be offensive.

[Boges]

Yes this can be understood. You were raised in it. My accent becomes more pronounced when I am home.....but it is my dialect.....if an inlander came in imitating it......that would be offensive.

Depends on the context. Regarding Jamaican patois, people who genuinely like Reggae might imitate but have respect for it.

[On Guard for Thee]

Depends on the context. Regarding Jamaican patois, people who genuinely like Reggae might imitate but have respect for it.

Why would you bother making so may apologies for a complete and utter asshole?

[Bob Macadoo]

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2014/08/30/john_torys_smarttrack_doesnt_live_up_to_its_name.html

Only a city conditioned to believe anything — whose politicians are accordingly willing to say anything — could embrace a contraption like SmartTrack as uncritically as Toronto appears to be doing.

So is Tory dumb or is he a populist panderer to the Ford degree? Is there a politician out there who will tell us the medicine is bitter?

[Boges]

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2014/08/30/john_torys_smarttrack_doesnt_live_up_to_its_name.html

So is Tory dumb or is he a populist panderer to the Ford degree? Is there a politician out there who will tell us the medicine is bitter?

Smart track is pragmatic. Serves a lot of people for less.

Tory is anything but dumb.

Edited August 31, 2014 by Boges

[Boges]

Why would you bother making so may apologies for a complete and utter asshole?

Him being an asshole is a different debate. I'm just saying he wasn't being racist in that video.

[jacee]

It's not the point.

Is using an accent that isn't your own always wrong?

Yes it is the point under discussion, whether Ford's use of patois was appropriate.

He carried it off rather well.

.

[jacee]

But he's screwed up here:

/toronto_residents_upset_by_unsolicited_emails_from_rob_ford_campaign

She figures the Rob Ford campaign likely got her email address from a list of residents who signed up to receive an e-newsletter published periodically by the mayors office. Meighan, who says she has already made a complaint to the citys ombudsman, put her email address on the e-newsletter list when David Miller was mayor, but never unsubscribed.

...

John Mascarin, a lawyer specializing in municipal law and local government, said if the Rob Ford campaign is using the email addresses of citizens who contacted the mayors office for non-election purposes, the practice could constitute a breach of the citys code of conduct for councillors.

The code states that councillors cannot use city facilities, equipment, supplies, services or other resources for any election campaign or campaign-related activities.

The Ford bros continue to think that as politicians, they get to use taxpayer money, resources and ... email lists ... for their own personal gain.

They are not that stupid. It's not 'a mistake':

They nailed Karen Stintz for doing the same thing.

They are just liars and rounders trying to get away with whatever they can. Sleazebags.

.

Edited August 31, 2014 by jacee

[Bob Macadoo]

Smart track is pragmatic. Serves a lot of people for less.

Tory is anyway dumb.

Yet its using the "same old" funding technique that Tory has poo-poo'd so often when he had his radio soapbox. Announce big.....promise impossible......complete little......and offload to tax increases when no one is looking.

[Keepitsimple]

But he's screwed up here:

/toronto_residents_upset_by_unsolicited_emails_from_rob_ford_campaign

She figures the Rob Ford campaign likely got her email address from a list of residents who signed up to receive an e-newsletter published periodically by the mayors office. Meighan, who says she has already made a complaint to the citys ombudsman, put her email address on the e-newsletter list when David Miller was mayor, but never unsubscribed.

...

John Mascarin, a lawyer specializing in municipal law and local government, said if the Rob Ford campaign is using the email addresses of citizens who contacted the mayors office for non-election purposes, the practice could constitute a breach of the citys code of conduct for councillors.

The code states that councillors cannot use city facilities, equipment, supplies, services or other resources for any election campaign or campaign-related activities.

Yes - I saw the same article this morning but I looked at it another way. First - all this lady had to do was unsubscribe - and that's the end of it. But as usual, the Star took this whining person and put her on the front page - another page in the daily "knock Ford" Star routine. What these Dumbos don't understand is just like the last Mayor race, every time the Star makes over-the-top accusations, it plays into the Ford campaign - that the elite media led by the Star are out to get him! It blew up in their face before - and it's starting to blow up again by the look of recent polls. If the Star wants Tory or Chow, they won't do it with these phoney outrage stories that are only lapped up by the downtown elite. On election day, it's the common folk who can more easily be mobilized to vote. The elite don't take kindly to door-to-door canvassing. It's fun to watch.

[Big Guy]

.... What these Dumbos don't understand is just like the last Mayor race, every time the Star makes over-the-top accusations, it plays into the Ford campaign - that the elite media led by the Star are out to get him! It blew up in their face before - and it's starting to blow up again by the look of recent polls.

...

The main priority of any newspaper is to sell papers. The more papers sold, the more they can charge for advertising and the greater the profits.

If Ford was defeated, with his proclivity for controversy, would the circulation of the Star increase, decrease or stay about the same?

If Ford was re-elected, with his proclivity for controversy, would the circulation of the Star increase, decrease or stay about the same?

[On Guard for Thee]

Yes - I saw the same article this morning but I looked at it another way. First - all this lady had to do was unsubscribe - and that's the end of it. But as usual, the Star took this whining person and put her on the front page - another page in the daily "knock Ford" Star routine. What these Dumbos don't understand is just like the last Mayor race, every time the Star makes over-the-top accusations, it plays into the Ford campaign - that the elite media led by the Star are out to get him! It blew up in their face before - and it's starting to blow up again by the look of recent polls. If the Star wants Tory or Chow, they won't do it with these phoney outrage stories that are only lapped up by the downtown elite. On election day, it's the common folk who can more easily be mobilized to vote. The elite don't take kindly to door-to-door canvassing. It's fun to watch.

I think the way RoFo stumbles from one calamity to the next, we all pretty much know who the "Dumbo" is. Without the Star we may never have known just how much of a dumbo he really is.

[Keepitsimple]

I think the way RoFo stumbles from one calamity to the next, we all pretty much know who the "Dumbo" is. Without the Star we may never have known just how much of a dumbo he really is.

I've made my point. As I said, I think the Star is helping the Ford campaign. We'll know in the next poll or two. There's a very large constituency that doesn't like to see someone kicked when they're down.....and they tend to get out and vote. Call RoFo and his brother Dumbos - but don't be surprised if it backfires. Anyway, we'll see. Like I said, it's fun to watch.

[On Guard for Thee]

I've made my point. As I said, I think the Star is helping the Ford campaign. We'll know in the next poll or two. There's a very large constituency that doesn't like to see someone kicked when they're down.....and they tend to get out and vote. Call RoFo and his brother Dumbos - but don't be surprised if it backfires. Anyway, we'll see. Like I said, it's fun to watch.

I think that whole "kicked when they're down" thing is a total misnomer. They put themselves down by being stupid. Especially RoFo. I can't imagine a more blatant waste of sympathy.

[jacee]

I've made my point. As I said, I think the Star is helping the Ford campaign. We'll know in the next poll or two. There's a very large constituency that doesn't like to see someone kicked when they're down.....and they tend to get out and vote. Call RoFo and his brother Dumbos - but don't be surprised if it backfires. Anyway, we'll see. Like I said, it's fun to watch.

If Ro and Do Fo don't want bad press, they should stop stealing email lists from the mayor's office.

.

[Keepitsimple]

If Ro and Do Fo don't want bad press, they should stop stealing email lists from the mayor's office.

.

You're missing the point. They don't really mind the bad press at all - it keeps them in the news - and as I said, for a large constituency of active voters, the Star's constant drumming on these guys just gets their back up. I'm only pointing out the reality of the situation.......as you and On Guard scratch your heads, wondering why the polls reflect momentum for Ford, just keep that in mind. Oh by the way, I agree these brothers are a piece of work.....but very street smart.

[kimmy]

I get worked up about this because I am a first generation Canadian. I don't have my parents accent but when I'm around extended family I do slip into an accent.

I'm not intending to mock at all.

I'm not saying that's the same as what Ford did but imitating accents don't always mean cultural insensitivity. Often it's the exact opposite.

I have read about this. It's a real phenomenon that's been researched to some degree. It's not even a conscious choice, it's a subconscious mechanism in the same vein as body language. People adapt their speech to the group they're in as a way to build rapport. Peoples' social behaviors are pretty interesting and highly complicated. More is going on than we consciously realize.

I had this experience myself when I was living in Ottawa and was at a party where there were a bunch of French-Canadians. I had been talking with them, and suddenly realized that I was mimicking their cadence. I suddenly felt quite embarrassed and hoped they wouldn't think I was making fun of them, but I hadn't been doing it on purpose at all.

-k

[kimmy]

Serious question for Ford supporters...

Do you guys really think Ford is the best choice for Toronto, or is there some other reason you want him to win?

Like, are you just hoping he wins because it will make liberals mad?

Do you enjoy the notoriety and international attention he brings to Toronto?

Do you just want Jimmy Fallon to have enough material to keep his show going for a few more years?

-k

[On Guard for Thee]

I've enjoyed a lot of laughs from the likes of Fallon, Letterman, et al as they lampoon RoFo so I'm all for keeping him in office. However I don't live there. If I did and was depending on business opportunities I might just be a little concerned as to just how that notoriety and international attention is affecting investment. Not everybody might be happy about spending a lot of money in a city with a couple of buffoons in charge who bring constant ridicule to their office.

[jacee]

You're missing the point. They don't really mind the bad press at all

No you're missing the point.

What they did was illegal.

Oh by the way, I agree these brothers are a piece of work.....but very street smart.

Ya "street smart" ... as in 'crooks'.

[guyser]

Ford lives in a largely Jamaican area of the GTA.

Not a chance in hell he does. Lives in Mr Whitey neighbourhood

[Boges]

Not a chance in hell he does. Lives in Mr Whitey neighbourhood

He lives in North Etobicoke. Maybe he's in a posh part of it. But it's an area of Toronto that's full of Jamaicans.