Rob Ford is entering rehab
April 30, 2014 7:23 PM Subscribe
Following a new (audio) tape of Rob Ford drunk and swearing at a bar and a new (video) tape of his smoking crack in his sister's basement both earlier this week, the Toronto Mayor has announced that he will be taking a leave from his campaign to attend rehab.
His lawyer, Dennis Morris, confirms the leave without details on the timing.
Newstalk 1010 is covering the issue live.
CBC coverage.
National Post article
Gawker has some still photos.
The National Post and Newstalk are saying that leave will be 30 days.
Karen Stintz, councillor and mayoral opponent, has called for an apology for what Ford has said about her.
His lawyer, Dennis Morris, confirms the leave without details on the timing.
Newstalk 1010 is covering the issue live.
CBC coverage.
National Post article
Gawker has some still photos.
The National Post and Newstalk are saying that leave will be 30 days.
Karen Stintz, councillor and mayoral opponent, has called for an apology for what Ford has said about her.
Actually, it looks more like your standard weed pipe- but at this point, what is he going to say?
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:25 PM on April 30, 2014
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:25 PM on April 30, 2014
John Tory just called on Rofo to resign from mayor and resign from the campaign, in a pretty bland statement.
Thanks maudlin!
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:25 PM on April 30, 2014
Thanks maudlin!
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:25 PM on April 30, 2014
Latest: Ford enraged at Muzik nightclub when #bieber asked if he had any crack cocaine. A wild ugly time. Kevin Donovan story breaking soon.
ROLL UP THE BORDERS. WE HAD A GOOD RUN. CANADA IS OVER.
posted by maudlin at 7:27 PM on April 30, 2014 [31 favorites]
ROLL UP THE BORDERS. WE HAD A GOOD RUN. CANADA IS OVER.
posted by maudlin at 7:27 PM on April 30, 2014 [31 favorites]
I am mainly confused that Bieber and Ford go to the same places at all. That is just...head explodes.
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:29 PM on April 30, 2014 [17 favorites]
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:29 PM on April 30, 2014 [17 favorites]
> but at this point, what is he going to say?
At this point, we should be impressed he's capable of stringing words together at all.
posted by ardgedee at 7:30 PM on April 30, 2014 [6 favorites]
At this point, we should be impressed he's capable of stringing words together at all.
posted by ardgedee at 7:30 PM on April 30, 2014 [6 favorites]
So will this be the bump John Tory needs to get out of third place?
posted by maudlin at 7:34 PM on April 30, 2014
posted by maudlin at 7:34 PM on April 30, 2014
Man am I glad I got transferred to a new branch at work last month. My old co-workers were all Ford supporters. They're going to be apoplectic tomorrow.
posted by spoobnooble II: electric bugaboo at 7:35 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by spoobnooble II: electric bugaboo at 7:35 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
As a friend pointed out on twitter, it would be unwise for us to gloat. We're basically one short rehab stint and a tearful apology away from a Ford re-election.
posted by erlking at 7:36 PM on April 30, 2014 [11 favorites]
posted by erlking at 7:36 PM on April 30, 2014 [11 favorites]
I think he's only seeking help right now because 1) Doug, his chief enabler, has been out of town for a few days and 2) His other enabler, Joe Warmington, told him about the audio recorded Monday that he couldn't even remember.
I don't think Ford comes back from this. If he does, he will be at or below his current polling numbers. The Newstalk guys are already salivating over Tory making up ground as the reasonable right wing candidate.
posted by maudlin at 7:39 PM on April 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
I don't think Ford comes back from this. If he does, he will be at or below his current polling numbers. The Newstalk guys are already salivating over Tory making up ground as the reasonable right wing candidate.
posted by maudlin at 7:39 PM on April 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
Just a gentle reminder - Rob Ford is an addict and deserving of compassion and empathy. The idiot tools who voted him in, however, need to be reminded, and often, that their political ideals are a sham and that they will be used by the powerful, again and again, to put into high office incompetents helpless to stop the pillaging.
posted by Slap*Happy at 7:40 PM on April 30, 2014 [67 favorites]
posted by Slap*Happy at 7:40 PM on April 30, 2014 [67 favorites]
So here's the part I don't (or maybe choose not to) understand.. Drug possession is still a crime in Canada, is it not? Not that Ford's misbehavior has been limited to possession, but are we not even pretending any more that laws apply equally to the poor and the rich?
posted by Nerd of the North at 7:40 PM on April 30, 2014 [10 favorites]
posted by Nerd of the North at 7:40 PM on April 30, 2014 [10 favorites]
You know what this reminds me of in a way? John Mccain suspending his campaign because of the financial crisis.
However you try to spin it, you'll always be tarred with "I cannot walk and chew gum at the same time".
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:41 PM on April 30, 2014
However you try to spin it, you'll always be tarred with "I cannot walk and chew gum at the same time".
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:41 PM on April 30, 2014
audio recordings of an apparently drunk Mayor Ford conversing with patrons at an Etobicoke bar.
NO COKE BARS! NO! NO!
posted by vrakatar at 7:41 PM on April 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
NO COKE BARS! NO! NO!
posted by vrakatar at 7:41 PM on April 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
Ford is also a politician who has made life harder for people who struggle with addictions - heck, he has made life more difficult for marginalized people in Toronto in general. It makes it difficult to scrounge up compassion.
posted by erlking at 7:42 PM on April 30, 2014 [27 favorites]
posted by erlking at 7:42 PM on April 30, 2014 [27 favorites]
Rob Ford is an addict and deserving of compassion and empathy.
Can we still be mad at him for the lying, bullying, and other stuff?
posted by Celsius1414 at 7:43 PM on April 30, 2014 [33 favorites]
Can we still be mad at him for the lying, bullying, and other stuff?
posted by Celsius1414 at 7:43 PM on April 30, 2014 [33 favorites]
Give him a break. Don't vote for him anymore...but give him a break.
Nah- for some time now we've had to put up with his denial, his belligerence, his bullying, his brother's arrogance, his general incompetence, and the embarrassment he has created for himself and the city. And there is still roughly 30% of the electorate that would vote for him.
I don't wish to gloat, but the time to gracefully step aside and get help has long past. He needs to go away and stay away. This needs to be his rock bottom.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:43 PM on April 30, 2014 [28 favorites]
Nah- for some time now we've had to put up with his denial, his belligerence, his bullying, his brother's arrogance, his general incompetence, and the embarrassment he has created for himself and the city. And there is still roughly 30% of the electorate that would vote for him.
I don't wish to gloat, but the time to gracefully step aside and get help has long past. He needs to go away and stay away. This needs to be his rock bottom.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:43 PM on April 30, 2014 [28 favorites]
Yeah, this is far from over. The rehab/changed man card might be the last one he has to play, but it's a doozy.
posted by yellowbinder at 7:44 PM on April 30, 2014
posted by yellowbinder at 7:44 PM on April 30, 2014
Michael Cooke of the Star is on CP24 right now. According to Goldsbie: "Michael Cooke on CP24: "The rumour is that one of the [three videos for sale] is a sex tape." He said it."
posted by maudlin at 7:46 PM on April 30, 2014
posted by maudlin at 7:46 PM on April 30, 2014
So will this be the bump John Tory needs to get out of into third place?
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:46 PM on April 30, 2014
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:46 PM on April 30, 2014
Film me smoking crack once, shame on you. Film me smoking crack twice...
posted by Behemoth at 7:49 PM on April 30, 2014 [6 favorites]
posted by Behemoth at 7:49 PM on April 30, 2014 [6 favorites]
Latest: Ford enraged at Muzik nightclub when #bieber asked if he had any crack cocaine. A wild ugly time. Kevin Donovan story breaking soon.
there's a terrible beauty in this, but can we please connect it to foreign temp-workers as well and bring down the whole Federal govt while we're at it?
posted by philip-random at 7:49 PM on April 30, 2014 [7 favorites]
there's a terrible beauty in this, but can we please connect it to foreign temp-workers as well and bring down the whole Federal govt while we're at it?
posted by philip-random at 7:49 PM on April 30, 2014 [7 favorites]
The big mystery, the question I keep coming back to every time a new embarrassing photo or video surfaces - how on earth does that man's shirt stay tucked in?
posted by davebush at 7:50 PM on April 30, 2014 [30 favorites]
posted by davebush at 7:50 PM on April 30, 2014 [30 favorites]
Film me smoking crack once, shame on you. Film me smoking crack twice...
Looks like the Globe may have...
(•_•)
( •_•)>⌐■-■
(⌐■_■)
...cracked the case.
YEEAAAAHHHHHHH
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:54 PM on April 30, 2014 [44 favorites]
Looks like the Globe may have...
(•_•)
( •_•)>⌐■-■
(⌐■_■)
...cracked the case.
YEEAAAAHHHHHHH
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:54 PM on April 30, 2014 [44 favorites]
maudlin: Latest: Ford enraged at Muzik nightclub when #bieber asked if he had any crack cocaine. A wild ugly time. Kevin Donovan story breaking soon.
Wait, this is a real teaser for real news, or is it some sort of satire that is just a shade away from reality?
posted by filthy light thief at 7:54 PM on April 30, 2014 [4 favorites]
Wait, this is a real teaser for real news, or is it some sort of satire that is just a shade away from reality?
posted by filthy light thief at 7:54 PM on April 30, 2014 [4 favorites]
Can anybody point me to a basic, non-snarky explanation of events? As an American who hasn't paid too much attention to this situation until now (except to laugh at it) I'm genuinely curious why he's still in office.
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:55 PM on April 30, 2014
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:55 PM on April 30, 2014
From the Monday night audio: Mayor Rob Ford appears to say on the audiotape: "Is that your wife? Get a shot right now or I'll fucking rape her."
I'm getting a real case of emotional vertigo as I swing between sympathy and disgust tonight.
posted by maudlin at 7:56 PM on April 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
I'm getting a real case of emotional vertigo as I swing between sympathy and disgust tonight.
posted by maudlin at 7:56 PM on April 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
Newstalk guy is reading of Ford's formal statement tonight. He's taking leave from campaign and office. Announcer: "A really great statement -- if he had released it a year ago. The damage he's done over this time ..."
posted by maudlin at 7:58 PM on April 30, 2014
posted by maudlin at 7:58 PM on April 30, 2014
Ford enraged at Muzik nightclub when #bieber asked if he had any crack cocaine. A wild ugly time. Kevin Donovan story breaking soon.
Is this a real thing?
posted by empath at 8:01 PM on April 30, 2014
Is this a real thing?
posted by empath at 8:01 PM on April 30, 2014
I was just reminded of how the Ford circus seems to provide a new, even-more-outrageous spectacle whenever Harper is having difficulties. Probably it's just coincidental timing, but all the same I really hope we don't lose focus on the Unfair Elections Act etc.
posted by erlking at 8:04 PM on April 30, 2014 [5 favorites]
posted by erlking at 8:04 PM on April 30, 2014 [5 favorites]
BlahLaLa, here are three Rob Ford timelines.
Essentially, he's in office because he hasn't been convicted or resigned. There isn't really another way to get him out of office, if I remember right.
My flash died 20 minutes after posting this and I can't get it back. Goodbye listening to the radio!
posted by Lemurrhea at 8:05 PM on April 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
Essentially, he's in office because he hasn't been convicted or resigned. There isn't really another way to get him out of office, if I remember right.
My flash died 20 minutes after posting this and I can't get it back. Goodbye listening to the radio!
posted by Lemurrhea at 8:05 PM on April 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
how on earth does that man's shirt stay tucked in?
Shirt garters.
And I seriously can't tell if the Bieber thing is The Onion or not-The Onion
posted by benito.strauss at 8:07 PM on April 30, 2014 [6 favorites]
Shirt garters.
And I seriously can't tell if the Bieber thing is The Onion or not-The Onion
posted by benito.strauss at 8:07 PM on April 30, 2014 [6 favorites]
The pipe is getting all the attention, but that audio tape, wow. There is just so much wrong in there - homophobia, dissing Hrudak, racism, misogyny, basically admitting he doesn't have a chance and just wants to move to California, voting Green. The guys laughing are probably the guys recording him.
It's over.
posted by Flashman at 8:09 PM on April 30, 2014 [5 favorites]
It's over.
posted by Flashman at 8:09 PM on April 30, 2014 [5 favorites]
Daniel Dale is retracting that rape comment I quoted above: CORRECTION: It is not clear that the "rape" comment was uttered by Rob Ford, and it might well be someone else. I apologize for the tweet. The original tweet has been deleted.
posted by maudlin at 8:09 PM on April 30, 2014
posted by maudlin at 8:09 PM on April 30, 2014
Audio transcript, for those of you like me who don't have great hearing. Or don't want to loudly air nsfw content.
posted by Lemurrhea at 8:10 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Lemurrhea at 8:10 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
Can anybody point me to a basic, non-snarky explanation of events? As an American who hasn't paid too much attention to this situation until now (except to laugh at it) I'm genuinely curious why he's still in office.
Well, you know how that guy George W. Bush was US President even though he mangled the english language and ... oh wait, you wanted a "non-snarky" explanation.
Okay, here's something I wrote a few years back on the subject. It got a bit tiring explaining to non-Torontonians how the Ford thing happened, but hopefully this will summarise things in a semi-poetic fashion:
"Because Ford spoke to an anger in the outer boroughs of Toronto who felt alienated by the downtown core, whom they view as a moneyed elite.
"Because Toronto was amalgamated against peoples' wishes in 1997, pitting three large car-dependent cities (Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke) against a smaller but comparatively wealthier and politically progressive urban core.
"Because voters were angry with previous mayor David Miller's caving in to striking garbagemen, an event that left parks stuffed with garbage for weeks.
"Because voters couldn't be bothered to research Ford's history of racist remarks, boorish behaviour, and his overall "everyman" image which masks his wealthy, well-connected background.
"Because Ford promised to cut taxes, including the annual $60.00cdn tax on car-owners, and cut spending at City Hall because he insisted there was an orgy of union-led waste going on ("Stop The Gravy Train").
"Because Ford's main competitor, George Smitherman, put on a lousy, incoherent campaign whose most prominent platform angle was "I'm not Rob Ford". Because a third candidate, Joe Pantalone, split the vote against Ford, even though he had no profile outside of his own downtown ward.
"Because voters on the left wing assumed that Torontonians were going to come to their senses at the last minute and not vote for Ford out of some vague notion of common sense.
"And because politics in Canada are finally swaying in the direction of American politics, where voters are polarised on hard right versus hard left, suburb versus city, rich versus poor; where money is the only value worth discussing, and entertainment value is more important than ethics or morality; where the short term splurge will always win out over long term-planning; where smashing up an old wreck of a political and social infrastructure like a child with an old toy seems so much more fun than trying to repair it.
"Ergo: Rob Ford."
posted by spoobnooble II: electric bugaboo at 8:12 PM on April 30, 2014 [46 favorites]
Well, you know how that guy George W. Bush was US President even though he mangled the english language and ... oh wait, you wanted a "non-snarky" explanation.
Okay, here's something I wrote a few years back on the subject. It got a bit tiring explaining to non-Torontonians how the Ford thing happened, but hopefully this will summarise things in a semi-poetic fashion:
"Because Ford spoke to an anger in the outer boroughs of Toronto who felt alienated by the downtown core, whom they view as a moneyed elite.
"Because Toronto was amalgamated against peoples' wishes in 1997, pitting three large car-dependent cities (Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke) against a smaller but comparatively wealthier and politically progressive urban core.
"Because voters were angry with previous mayor David Miller's caving in to striking garbagemen, an event that left parks stuffed with garbage for weeks.
"Because voters couldn't be bothered to research Ford's history of racist remarks, boorish behaviour, and his overall "everyman" image which masks his wealthy, well-connected background.
"Because Ford promised to cut taxes, including the annual $60.00cdn tax on car-owners, and cut spending at City Hall because he insisted there was an orgy of union-led waste going on ("Stop The Gravy Train").
"Because Ford's main competitor, George Smitherman, put on a lousy, incoherent campaign whose most prominent platform angle was "I'm not Rob Ford". Because a third candidate, Joe Pantalone, split the vote against Ford, even though he had no profile outside of his own downtown ward.
"Because voters on the left wing assumed that Torontonians were going to come to their senses at the last minute and not vote for Ford out of some vague notion of common sense.
"And because politics in Canada are finally swaying in the direction of American politics, where voters are polarised on hard right versus hard left, suburb versus city, rich versus poor; where money is the only value worth discussing, and entertainment value is more important than ethics or morality; where the short term splurge will always win out over long term-planning; where smashing up an old wreck of a political and social infrastructure like a child with an old toy seems so much more fun than trying to repair it.
"Ergo: Rob Ford."
posted by spoobnooble II: electric bugaboo at 8:12 PM on April 30, 2014 [46 favorites]
I'm getting a real case of emotional vertigo as I swing between sympathy and disgust tonight.
No valid reason for sympathy. Rob Ford is a poison, and he's continuing to screw around the city by not immediately resigning from the office and the campaign. A year ago he should have went. If he and his entire disgusting family won't step away from politics for now and forever, I hope he.....well, can't say that.
posted by TimTypeZed at 8:13 PM on April 30, 2014 [4 favorites]
No valid reason for sympathy. Rob Ford is a poison, and he's continuing to screw around the city by not immediately resigning from the office and the campaign. A year ago he should have went. If he and his entire disgusting family won't step away from politics for now and forever, I hope he.....well, can't say that.
posted by TimTypeZed at 8:13 PM on April 30, 2014 [4 favorites]
This guy is totally gonna get banned for life from the NBA.
posted by valkane at 8:14 PM on April 30, 2014 [12 favorites]
posted by valkane at 8:14 PM on April 30, 2014 [12 favorites]
Latest: Ford enraged at Muzik nightclub when #bieber asked if he had any crack cocaine. A wild ugly time. Kevin Donovan story breaking soon.
That's the sort of Canadian scandal I, an ignorant American, would dream up.
posted by Area Man at 8:15 PM on April 30, 2014 [8 favorites]
That's the sort of Canadian scandal I, an ignorant American, would dream up.
posted by Area Man at 8:15 PM on April 30, 2014 [8 favorites]
I feel like there's a horrible joke to be made here relating the potentially exploding whale to Rob Ford's career, but I don't know what it is and it would be an offensive fat joke anyway, so I'm just going to meta-make it by mentioning it and hope no one realizes that this makes me a hypocrite.
posted by jacquilynne at 8:16 PM on April 30, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by jacquilynne at 8:16 PM on April 30, 2014 [4 favorites]
Kevin Donovan is on NewsTalk right now. Expect background and maybe some detail about Bieber and Muzik.
posted by maudlin at 8:16 PM on April 30, 2014
posted by maudlin at 8:16 PM on April 30, 2014
Rob Ford's statement to the press/public:
Tonight I want to take some time to speak from my heart to the people of Toronto. It's not easy to be vulnerable and this is one of the most difficult times in my life. I have a problem with alcohol, and the choices I have made while under the influence. I have struggled with this for some time.posted by Lemurrhea at 8:18 PM on April 30, 2014
Today, after taking some time to think about my own well-being, how to best serve the people of Toronto and what is in the best interests of my family, I have decided to take a leave from campaigning and from mhy duties as Mayor to seek immediate help.
I have tried to deal with these issues by myself over the past year. I know that I need professional help and I am now 100% committed to getting myself right.
When Bieber asked Ford for crack, Ford was angry, went into a bathroom, then emerged an hour later incoherent and rambling.
posted by maudlin at 8:18 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by maudlin at 8:18 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
Giorgio Mammolitti says he will run if Rob Ford doesn't.
That...would be pretty great, actually. Keep Tory from locking up the right.
posted by Lemurrhea at 8:20 PM on April 30, 2014
That...would be pretty great, actually. Keep Tory from locking up the right.
posted by Lemurrhea at 8:20 PM on April 30, 2014
Oh please not Mammolitti. I'd almost rather stick with Ford.
posted by yellowbinder at 8:22 PM on April 30, 2014
posted by yellowbinder at 8:22 PM on April 30, 2014
Mammo is a drooling incompetent. He'd be a welcome addition to the race: he'll suck up maybe five percent of the conservative vote, which is five percent Tory won't get.
posted by mightygodking at 8:31 PM on April 30, 2014
posted by mightygodking at 8:31 PM on April 30, 2014
Giorgio Mammolitti- the man whose personality issues turned out not to have been the result of a brain tumor.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 8:32 PM on April 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 8:32 PM on April 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
"a new (video) tape of his smoking crack in his sister's basement"
Hey Rob... never put salt in your eyes!
posted by markkraft at 8:35 PM on April 30, 2014
Hey Rob... never put salt in your eyes!
posted by markkraft at 8:35 PM on April 30, 2014
Ford is also a politician who has made life harder for people who struggle with addictions - heck, he has made life more difficult for marginalized people in Toronto in general. It makes it difficult to scrounge up compassion.
Not really, because we're better than he is. We have the compassion he lacks. So, you know, score one for us.
I hope that this was truly a decision made out of the need for help, but the cynic in me notes that if he does a 4-week program, he'll have a solid four months of "I got clean now let's get Toronto clean" campaigning to do, plus his brother keeping his name in the news on a regular basis. He's going to walk out of rehab in better shape, looking healthier... I dunno. Like I said I hope this is true. I suspect it is a cynical campaign ploy and he's going to a Beverly Hills style 'rehab' centre.
I feel sorry for the guy who is obviously battling severe demons. I have no pity for the politician who is utterly incompetent and should have done the honourable thing a year ago.
Mammo might take some of Tory's votes yeah, but I really wonder how big the overlap of "Might vote Stintz or Tory" is amongst the centristy-rightish. Chow's pretty much got the leftist vote sewn up just because she's Olivia Chow. Mammoliti takes some votes from Tory, but I'm really more interested to see how Tory/Stintz pans out, and whether that becomes a problem for Chow. What I mean is, I think either Tory or Stintz are going to drop out I'm really curious to see how that works out. (More likely Stintz, and some of her supporters will go Chow, some will go Tory, is my guess.)
It's also possible Mammo's just grandstanding; he'll campaign a bit then throw his support behind Tory, paying forward for some favour (MPP?) down the road.
I think at the end of the day it's going to come down to Chow, Ford, and Tory being the only meaningful candidates on the ballot. And Stintz is going to make a difference somewhere but who knows where or how. Maybe she can persuade mushy centrists to vote for Chow because transit? I dunno I'll stop now.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:38 PM on April 30, 2014
Not really, because we're better than he is. We have the compassion he lacks. So, you know, score one for us.
I hope that this was truly a decision made out of the need for help, but the cynic in me notes that if he does a 4-week program, he'll have a solid four months of "I got clean now let's get Toronto clean" campaigning to do, plus his brother keeping his name in the news on a regular basis. He's going to walk out of rehab in better shape, looking healthier... I dunno. Like I said I hope this is true. I suspect it is a cynical campaign ploy and he's going to a Beverly Hills style 'rehab' centre.
I feel sorry for the guy who is obviously battling severe demons. I have no pity for the politician who is utterly incompetent and should have done the honourable thing a year ago.
Mammo might take some of Tory's votes yeah, but I really wonder how big the overlap of "Might vote Stintz or Tory" is amongst the centristy-rightish. Chow's pretty much got the leftist vote sewn up just because she's Olivia Chow. Mammoliti takes some votes from Tory, but I'm really more interested to see how Tory/Stintz pans out, and whether that becomes a problem for Chow. What I mean is, I think either Tory or Stintz are going to drop out I'm really curious to see how that works out. (More likely Stintz, and some of her supporters will go Chow, some will go Tory, is my guess.)
It's also possible Mammo's just grandstanding; he'll campaign a bit then throw his support behind Tory, paying forward for some favour (MPP?) down the road.
I think at the end of the day it's going to come down to Chow, Ford, and Tory being the only meaningful candidates on the ballot. And Stintz is going to make a difference somewhere but who knows where or how. Maybe she can persuade mushy centrists to vote for Chow because transit? I dunno I'll stop now.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:38 PM on April 30, 2014
Holy crap, that Bieber thing is actually real.
posted by figurant at 8:39 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by figurant at 8:39 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
Holy shit for serious? Cite?
(also shouldn't Bieber be under arrest for failing to appear in court or was that all smoothed out or what?)
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:40 PM on April 30, 2014
(also shouldn't Bieber be under arrest for failing to appear in court or was that all smoothed out or what?)
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:40 PM on April 30, 2014
This is according to the editor (I think?) at The Star, who's on NewsTalk as I type, although I'm guessing this segment will be over shortly.
posted by figurant at 8:42 PM on April 30, 2014
posted by figurant at 8:42 PM on April 30, 2014
Having just been to Toronto, I think I know what caused this: it's the closing of two lanes of the Gardiner, isn't it?
posted by nubs at 8:43 PM on April 30, 2014 [5 favorites]
posted by nubs at 8:43 PM on April 30, 2014 [5 favorites]
it's the closing of two lanes of the Gardiner, isn't it?
Well, supposedly the latest video was taken on Saturday. At that point, the entire Gardiner was closed.
posted by one more dead town's last parade at 8:44 PM on April 30, 2014
Well, supposedly the latest video was taken on Saturday. At that point, the entire Gardiner was closed.
posted by one more dead town's last parade at 8:44 PM on April 30, 2014
fffm, the full Bieber story should be in The Star tomorrow morning.
posted by maudlin at 8:44 PM on April 30, 2014
posted by maudlin at 8:44 PM on April 30, 2014
Also I have to say I really do hope he's (Ford, not Bieber) entering real rehab, with time and therapy that will help him with some serious introspection, so that he understands when he comes out that the only correct thing to do is resign from politics completely and deal with his stuff.
I am so looking forward to reading The Star tomorrow you have no idea. I mean it's so surreal, it's like a rejected pitch from a late night talk show creative meeting or something.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:45 PM on April 30, 2014
I am so looking forward to reading The Star tomorrow you have no idea. I mean it's so surreal, it's like a rejected pitch from a late night talk show creative meeting or something.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:45 PM on April 30, 2014
Speaking of Kids in the Hall:
Also, Scott Thompson's latest podcast features an interview with Carlie Ritch, a dominatrix who is running against Rob Ford.
posted by markkraft at 8:51 PM on April 30, 2014 [5 favorites]
Dave Foley @DaveSFoley 3h
Rob Ford taking leave of absence to seek help with substance abuse. This could mean he's taking time off to find a new dealer.Also, Scott Thompson's latest podcast features an interview with Carlie Ritch, a dominatrix who is running against Rob Ford.
posted by markkraft at 8:51 PM on April 30, 2014 [5 favorites]
Mammolitti is an idiot. Last week when the whole Toronto Community Housing Corporation thing blew up (for those of you who weren't playing along at home, a damning omsbudman report came out that led to the CEO, who was a Ford appointee, getting fired), Mammolitti claimed the report was a left-wing conspiracy or some such thing. I have no fears about him running because he'll never win.
I'm actually hoping Ford won't drop out of the election, because I think we might need him to keep Tory from winning. As things stand, my prediction is that the race will be between Chow and Tory with Ford in third place, garnering less than 20% of the vote. If Ford quits... the whole picture could change. I don't want Tory to win. He'd be a better mayor than Ford has been, but then so would a broken food processor. Chow would be a good mayor and Soknacki is my second pick.
posted by orange swan at 8:51 PM on April 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
I'm actually hoping Ford won't drop out of the election, because I think we might need him to keep Tory from winning. As things stand, my prediction is that the race will be between Chow and Tory with Ford in third place, garnering less than 20% of the vote. If Ford quits... the whole picture could change. I don't want Tory to win. He'd be a better mayor than Ford has been, but then so would a broken food processor. Chow would be a good mayor and Soknacki is my second pick.
posted by orange swan at 8:51 PM on April 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
there's a terrible beauty in this, but can we please connect it to foreign temp-workers as well and bring down the whole Federal govt while we're at it?
Can we somehow work in the Humpback whale thing as well, where Harper/his cronies got them taken off the endangered species list in order to clear a legal roadblock to running tankers down the coast?
posted by jokeefe at 8:52 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
Can we somehow work in the Humpback whale thing as well, where Harper/his cronies got them taken off the endangered species list in order to clear a legal roadblock to running tankers down the coast?
posted by jokeefe at 8:52 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
the Humpback whale thing as well, where Harper/his cronies got them taken off the endangered species list
I try to be cynical about the Conservative government, but it's really hard to be cynical enough.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 8:56 PM on April 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
I try to be cynical about the Conservative government, but it's really hard to be cynical enough.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 8:56 PM on April 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
'Going to rehab' seems like an easy way of dodging questions in the short term. Going after RoFo in that time could be seen like kicking a man when he's down, to his supporters. And, indeed, it may be the only card he has left.
I'm still convinced that the cops will sink him before the election. They've got the goods. So far, they've been holding to a much higher prosecutorial standard than you or I would get, but after extending RoFo that courtesy and the chance to resign without the Court telling him to do so, RoFo and DoFo then shit on the cops, making it personal. As such, it's easy for the cops to say 'Oh yeah?', not worry about a conviction, and 'merely' ruin RoFo at a politically expedient opportunity.
I could be wrong, but I really don't think so. These new recordings may not even matter.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:59 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'm still convinced that the cops will sink him before the election. They've got the goods. So far, they've been holding to a much higher prosecutorial standard than you or I would get, but after extending RoFo that courtesy and the chance to resign without the Court telling him to do so, RoFo and DoFo then shit on the cops, making it personal. As such, it's easy for the cops to say 'Oh yeah?', not worry about a conviction, and 'merely' ruin RoFo at a politically expedient opportunity.
I could be wrong, but I really don't think so. These new recordings may not even matter.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:59 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
For any Americans playing at home- Giorgio Mammolitti = Councilman Jamm.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 9:09 PM on April 30, 2014 [23 favorites]
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 9:09 PM on April 30, 2014 [23 favorites]
For background, Rob Ford's favourite club is Muzik. The owner of Muzik provides free alcohol to guests at the annual "Ford Fest" party. It's open to everyone, so that's a lot of drinks. The other week the city decided to ban all-ages electronic dance parties at city-owned buildings at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds, where, coincidentally, Muzik is located.
posted by maledictory at 9:10 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by maledictory at 9:10 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
OK, the Bieber story is up. And it's not really about Bieber.
Mayor Rob Ford’s latest spiral into substance abuse began on St. Patrick’s Day weekend just over a month ago, with a party at an exclusive Toronto club that helped provide booze to the past two Ford Fests.posted by maudlin at 9:11 PM on April 30, 2014 [4 favorites]
On March 15, the Saturday just before St. Patrick’s Day, the mayor took four men he had met outside city hall back to his house, ordered a party bus, took them down to Muzik nightclub and proceeded to drink to excess, according to eyewitnesses to the evening.
Ford disappeared into the washroom at one point, and emerged close to an hour later appearing heavily impaired, babbling that his wife and children do not like him and “I am in over my head.” ...
On March 15, an hour before he disappeared into a washroom at Muzik, Ford ran into pop star Justin Bieber in a common area of the exclusive nightclub near Toronto’s waterfront, according to witnesses. Ford tried to shake Bieber’s hand and became enraged when Bieber jokingly asked him, “Did you bring any crack to smoke?”
Security ushered Ford back to his party booth, where he was entertained, along with the four men, by three paid party hostesses. The Star has been unable to reach Bieber for comment.
maledictory: For background, Rob Ford's favourite club is Muzik.
For bonus fun, read this in Stefon's voice.
"This club has everything. Crack, booze, crack..."
posted by tonycpsu at 9:14 PM on April 30, 2014 [13 favorites]
For bonus fun, read this in Stefon's voice.
"This club has everything. Crack, booze, crack..."
posted by tonycpsu at 9:14 PM on April 30, 2014 [13 favorites]
You know things are bad when an (alleged *cough*) criminal like Bieber makes fun of you for criminal acts.
posted by Yowser at 9:14 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Yowser at 9:14 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
Aren't recovering addicts told to change the "people, places, things" they were around during their addiction? Seems like staying in office would be a relapse trigger, so maybe after he's been through treatment he'll have enough self-awareness to step down and pursue some other career.
posted by Jacqueline at 9:16 PM on April 30, 2014
posted by Jacqueline at 9:16 PM on April 30, 2014
Unless Ford gets clean very soon, his substance abuse issues will kill him within the next five years. So I hope he really does go to rehab. The initial detox stage will at least make it clear to him how much of a problem he really has.
posted by orange swan at 9:17 PM on April 30, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by orange swan at 9:17 PM on April 30, 2014 [4 favorites]
Just a gentle reminder - Rob Ford is an addict and deserving of compassion and empathy.
No no no no no.
Any compassion and empathy I might toss his way for his addiction (something I have personal experience with) is drowned out by his disgusting racism, misogyny, and homophobia.
It hasn't been mentioned in this thread explicitly so let's get it on the record: Rob Ford is on tape saying he'd "like to jam" mayoral candidate Karen Stintz.
Also he is recorded saying he can't support Ontario Conservative Party leader because he supports "all the gays."
Mark my words: he is using his admission of addiction to garner sympathy and bury the disgusting comments about Stintz.
Note, absolutely no remorse for his statement about her or his wildly homophobic remarks. But then, he has been saying those things for years and nobody calls him on it.
He is a putrid excuse of rich white male privilege and I have no compassion or sympathy for him whatsoever, addict or not. (Again, both my parents are alcoholics and I've personally struggled with addiction, so I don't say this lightly.)
posted by dry white toast at 9:21 PM on April 30, 2014 [45 favorites]
No no no no no.
Any compassion and empathy I might toss his way for his addiction (something I have personal experience with) is drowned out by his disgusting racism, misogyny, and homophobia.
It hasn't been mentioned in this thread explicitly so let's get it on the record: Rob Ford is on tape saying he'd "like to jam" mayoral candidate Karen Stintz.
Also he is recorded saying he can't support Ontario Conservative Party leader because he supports "all the gays."
Mark my words: he is using his admission of addiction to garner sympathy and bury the disgusting comments about Stintz.
Note, absolutely no remorse for his statement about her or his wildly homophobic remarks. But then, he has been saying those things for years and nobody calls him on it.
He is a putrid excuse of rich white male privilege and I have no compassion or sympathy for him whatsoever, addict or not. (Again, both my parents are alcoholics and I've personally struggled with addiction, so I don't say this lightly.)
posted by dry white toast at 9:21 PM on April 30, 2014 [45 favorites]
(If I wasn't clear, I meant the city decided to ban dance events, but Muzik gets to stay—now with less competition).
posted by maledictory at 9:23 PM on April 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by maledictory at 9:23 PM on April 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
Armchair pyschologist in me:
Ford probably isn't just addicted to alcohol and drugs, but also to power and notoriety. The latter is probably inescapable for someone so recognizable. I unfortunately don't have very high hopes for his recovery.
posted by mantecol at 9:36 PM on April 30, 2014
Ford probably isn't just addicted to alcohol and drugs, but also to power and notoriety. The latter is probably inescapable for someone so recognizable. I unfortunately don't have very high hopes for his recovery.
posted by mantecol at 9:36 PM on April 30, 2014
Ford clearly has an entire raft of personal issues. He probably needs a year in a residential rehab treatment facility, followed by a few years of intensive counselling.
posted by orange swan at 9:48 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by orange swan at 9:48 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
Just a gentle reminder - Rob Ford is an addict and deserving of compassion and empathy.
Yeah, just like the addict who cleaned out everything valuable from a friend's house where he'd been given a place to crash deserved more compassion and empathy.
I don't think so. After a certain point where all the compassion and empathy you've given has resulted in you simply getting fucked over and lied to again and again, the *last* thing an addict like Ford needs is more of the empathy stuff from the ordinary people/voters in his life. That time for Rob Ford is long gone, and it's deeply wrong to expect anyone who's not a professional counselor to offer him "compassion and empathy" at this point.
posted by mediareport at 9:50 PM on April 30, 2014 [18 favorites]
Yeah, just like the addict who cleaned out everything valuable from a friend's house where he'd been given a place to crash deserved more compassion and empathy.
I don't think so. After a certain point where all the compassion and empathy you've given has resulted in you simply getting fucked over and lied to again and again, the *last* thing an addict like Ford needs is more of the empathy stuff from the ordinary people/voters in his life. That time for Rob Ford is long gone, and it's deeply wrong to expect anyone who's not a professional counselor to offer him "compassion and empathy" at this point.
posted by mediareport at 9:50 PM on April 30, 2014 [18 favorites]
So is Canadian law enforcement on the honor system or what?
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 9:55 PM on April 30, 2014 [10 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 9:55 PM on April 30, 2014 [10 favorites]
If someone is an asshole outside of their drug addiction, do you really have to be compassionate about their drug addiction? Unless he was a real sweetheart before he found drugs, I'm pretty sure it's ok to dislike this man, from what I've seen, even if he successfully gets sober. Because chances are, he will still be an asshole, just a sober asshole.
There appear to be a lot of other people in the world deserving of one's compassion, in other words.
The husband knew a guy in high school who was a real jerk and a bully. The guy got in a car accident and survived but ended up in a wheelchair. Everyone at the school started talking about how inspirational his story was, and how proud they were of him, but according to the husband, he was still as much of an asshole as before. It was now just harder for him to beat the shit out of others. Reports are, 25 years later, he's not changed, despite all the love and support. Why waste compassion on a guy like that?
posted by emjaybee at 9:57 PM on April 30, 2014 [6 favorites]
There appear to be a lot of other people in the world deserving of one's compassion, in other words.
The husband knew a guy in high school who was a real jerk and a bully. The guy got in a car accident and survived but ended up in a wheelchair. Everyone at the school started talking about how inspirational his story was, and how proud they were of him, but according to the husband, he was still as much of an asshole as before. It was now just harder for him to beat the shit out of others. Reports are, 25 years later, he's not changed, despite all the love and support. Why waste compassion on a guy like that?
posted by emjaybee at 9:57 PM on April 30, 2014 [6 favorites]
Mammo is a drooling incompetent. He'd be a welcome addition to the race: he'll suck up maybe five percent of the conservative vote, which is five percent Tory won't get.
Not only that, but he'd have to give up his council seat to run for mayor... so, a good-news story all around!
posted by Crane Shot at 9:59 PM on April 30, 2014
Not only that, but he'd have to give up his council seat to run for mayor... so, a good-news story all around!
posted by Crane Shot at 9:59 PM on April 30, 2014
Not only that, but he'd have to give up his council seat to run for mayor... so, a good-news story all around!
Nope. He could run for mayor for a bit, withdraw, register to run again for his Council seat and be re-elected. Which is exactly what he did in 2010. We're not getting rid of him so easily.
posted by dry white toast at 10:02 PM on April 30, 2014
Nope. He could run for mayor for a bit, withdraw, register to run again for his Council seat and be re-elected. Which is exactly what he did in 2010. We're not getting rid of him so easily.
posted by dry white toast at 10:02 PM on April 30, 2014
Well, this guy is running in Ward 7 against Mammoliti. Electing a sane councillor in that ward would be nice for them and us. Sadly, Ward 11 has Nunziata running unopposed, so we're probably stuck with her.
posted by maudlin at 10:07 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by maudlin at 10:07 PM on April 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
I thought you weren't supposed to run for office in the first year that you are getting sober
posted by thelonius at 10:13 PM on April 30, 2014
posted by thelonius at 10:13 PM on April 30, 2014
Remember how Ford's crack buddies ended up murdered? What has happened to that investigation?
posted by Nelson at 10:28 PM on April 30, 2014 [6 favorites]
posted by Nelson at 10:28 PM on April 30, 2014 [6 favorites]
Mr. Ford’s sister, Kathy, who has admitted in media interviews to being a drug addict, is sitting in front of her brother. In the last of three clips, Mr. Ford is holding the pipe and speaking to his sister.
OMG, Dennis and Dee run Toronto.
posted by dirigibleman at 10:32 PM on April 30, 2014 [5 favorites]
OMG, Dennis and Dee run Toronto.
posted by dirigibleman at 10:32 PM on April 30, 2014 [5 favorites]
He's an addict, which sucks, but he's also an addict whose bad behaviour has corrupted the political process and made it that much harder to govern. Millions of people's lives have been affected. He should have resigned a long time ago, and I think it's a pity that he didn't have the decency to do so.
posted by Joe in Australia at 10:53 PM on April 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Joe in Australia at 10:53 PM on April 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
"Give me five or six months, and if you don't see a difference, I'll eat my words."
— Rob Ford, Nov 19, 2013.
posted by furtive at 10:59 PM on April 30, 2014 [7 favorites]
— Rob Ford, Nov 19, 2013.
posted by furtive at 10:59 PM on April 30, 2014 [7 favorites]
He can do whatever is in his power to destroy the public infrastructure and no one bats an eye. Hit a few rocks and it's the end of the world. Crack smoking is the least objectionable thing I've learnt about Rob Ford.
posted by telstar at 11:25 PM on April 30, 2014 [14 favorites]
posted by telstar at 11:25 PM on April 30, 2014 [14 favorites]
assuming that this is finally the end of the man's political ambitions (and you know what they say about assumptions), here's to Rob Ford, definitely NOT fragile ...
posted by philip-random at 11:27 PM on April 30, 2014
posted by philip-random at 11:27 PM on April 30, 2014
So is Canadian law enforcement on the honor system or what?
The consequences for doing drugs are highly dependent on your wealth and social class.
posted by ceribus peribus at 11:27 PM on April 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
The consequences for doing drugs are highly dependent on your wealth and social class.
posted by ceribus peribus at 11:27 PM on April 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
Someone really needs to do a Requiem for a Dream / Ford Nation mashup video.
posted by benzenedream at 11:29 PM on April 30, 2014
posted by benzenedream at 11:29 PM on April 30, 2014
Fucker is still probably going to win the election. And The prime ministry. Because Toronto is no longer reality, it's a David lynch film.
posted by happyroach at 12:27 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by happyroach at 12:27 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
And then he will rule Godzilla-like over the East, hittin' rox and on chix. Rooooaaaaaooowaaahaooow!
posted by telstar at 12:45 AM on May 1, 2014
posted by telstar at 12:45 AM on May 1, 2014
I guess it's outrageous that a public official uses illegal drugs, but it looks to me like plain old alcohol is his biggest problem.
posted by thelonius at 12:46 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by thelonius at 12:46 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
White privilege would appear to be the most powerful drug in this scenario.
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:48 AM on May 1, 2014 [11 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:48 AM on May 1, 2014 [11 favorites]
There appear to be a lot of other people in the world deserving of one's compassion, in other words.
I still have empathy for him and sincerely hope he finds help in recovery. Compassion for others isn't a zero sum game. His behavior is generally deplorable, but it's up to me how I respond to it. His entire political life is like he's been trolling us. He seems to feed on negative attention. I'm fine with making fun of the guy, because he's earned it. Beyond that, I do hope his recovery effort is sincere enough that he drops out of politics, for the benefit of him and especially the rest of us.
posted by krinklyfig at 2:18 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
I still have empathy for him and sincerely hope he finds help in recovery. Compassion for others isn't a zero sum game. His behavior is generally deplorable, but it's up to me how I respond to it. His entire political life is like he's been trolling us. He seems to feed on negative attention. I'm fine with making fun of the guy, because he's earned it. Beyond that, I do hope his recovery effort is sincere enough that he drops out of politics, for the benefit of him and especially the rest of us.
posted by krinklyfig at 2:18 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'd bet everything I own on this: the second he "comes back", from whatever, he will start using his addiction as a cudgel. Anytime someone says something about his many misdeeds (whether personal of professional, and there is little space between the two), he'll respond with "I've admitted my problems, I've sought treatment. Maybe you're perfect..."
Councillor Kristin Wong-Tam said it best: rehab won't cure his racism, misogyny, homophobia, and tendencies to break the law.
posted by dry white toast at 5:04 AM on May 1, 2014 [17 favorites]
Councillor Kristin Wong-Tam said it best: rehab won't cure his racism, misogyny, homophobia, and tendencies to break the law.
posted by dry white toast at 5:04 AM on May 1, 2014 [17 favorites]
Fucker is still probably going to win the election. And The prime ministry. Because Toronto is no longer reality, it's a David lynch film.
Nonsense. Ford won't win this election, and no way will the Conservative Party back him in any provincial or federal election. He's finished politically.
Over on the IHTWOMRF page, Neil Flagg (who runs the page) is labelling John Tory a "ghoulish opportunist" for calling for Ford's resignation. Do you know what's ghoulish, Neil? Urging a racist, homophobic, misogynist, law-breaking, violent, and dangerously addicted man to stay in office because you think it might save you some tax dollars.
posted by orange swan at 5:04 AM on May 1, 2014 [5 favorites]
Nonsense. Ford won't win this election, and no way will the Conservative Party back him in any provincial or federal election. He's finished politically.
Over on the IHTWOMRF page, Neil Flagg (who runs the page) is labelling John Tory a "ghoulish opportunist" for calling for Ford's resignation. Do you know what's ghoulish, Neil? Urging a racist, homophobic, misogynist, law-breaking, violent, and dangerously addicted man to stay in office because you think it might save you some tax dollars.
posted by orange swan at 5:04 AM on May 1, 2014 [5 favorites]
What I've learned from this whole escapade is that Toronto exists in some kind of Bizarro Canada that only bares a passing resemblance to the country I know.
posted by tommasz at 5:36 AM on May 1, 2014
posted by tommasz at 5:36 AM on May 1, 2014
Giorgio Mammolitti = Councilman Jamm
You got Mammed
posted by Beardman at 6:02 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
You got Mammed
posted by Beardman at 6:02 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Neil Flagg (who runs the page) is labelling John Tory a "ghoulish opportunist" for calling for Ford's resignation. Do you know what's ghoulish, Neil? Urging a racist, homophobic, misogynist, law-breaking, violent, and dangerously addicted man to stay in office because you think it might save you some tax dollars.
What about just crossing your fingers he'll stay in the race to split the vehicle registration tax-hating vote? Because if that's wrong, I don't want to be right.
posted by cotton dress sock at 6:11 AM on May 1, 2014
What about just crossing your fingers he'll stay in the race to split the vehicle registration tax-hating vote? Because if that's wrong, I don't want to be right.
posted by cotton dress sock at 6:11 AM on May 1, 2014
National Post is reporting the comment maudlin was talking about as:
posted by saturday_morning at 6:12 AM on May 1, 2014
FORD: Is that your, is that your wife?So yeah. Wow.
HIGH PITCHED VOICE: Yeah.
FORD: Get her a shot right now or I’ll fucking break her—
posted by saturday_morning at 6:12 AM on May 1, 2014
If Ford wins then the rest of Canada must go to Toronto and wall it off.
posted by Grimgrin at 6:16 AM on May 1, 2014
posted by Grimgrin at 6:16 AM on May 1, 2014
I wonder if Marion Barry is going to be on Ford's campaign staff now.
posted by playertobenamedlater at 6:18 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by playertobenamedlater at 6:18 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
So is Canadian law enforcement on the honor system or what?
Ford is still under investigation by the Toronto Police Service. So, we'll find out.
posted by beau jackson at 6:28 AM on May 1, 2014
Ford is still under investigation by the Toronto Police Service. So, we'll find out.
posted by beau jackson at 6:28 AM on May 1, 2014
The Vancouver Sun speculates: Is there a sex tape? But seriously, what item said earlier. Thirty days isn't going to cut it; the problems are life-long deep. Oh, and the person is feel sorriest for in this whole mess is Rob's wife Renata.
posted by Quiplash at 6:31 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Quiplash at 6:31 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
I wish I knew enough to have the answers, but instead I'll ask questions: Will this new evidence put him on a faster track to becoming a convicted criminal? And if convicted, would he be allowed to hold public office ever again?
posted by mantecol at 6:46 AM on May 1, 2014
posted by mantecol at 6:46 AM on May 1, 2014
I have boundless sympathy for Renata, my god. Their home life must be a horrorshow, and getting out of it would be a feat, given the kids and his money and thug connections...
posted by cotton dress sock at 6:46 AM on May 1, 2014
posted by cotton dress sock at 6:46 AM on May 1, 2014
The Globe & Mail says they paid $10,000 for the stills from the video. That's chump change - you could barely buy a used minivan with it. Your suburban crack dealer could probably find that much money under his sofa cushions. It's not just that there's actually a market for Ford pipe-huffing pics... it's embarrassing that the glut of them has driven the price so low.
posted by Mary Ellen Carter at 6:52 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Mary Ellen Carter at 6:52 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
Will this new evidence put him on a faster track to becoming a convicted criminal?
I wouldn't think so. Firstly, there's nothing criminal on the video that the police haven't already seen in last year's crack video. Second, I don't think people are usually charged or convicted of drug possession based only on video in which they're apparently smoking the drug.
posted by beau jackson at 7:10 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
I wouldn't think so. Firstly, there's nothing criminal on the video that the police haven't already seen in last year's crack video. Second, I don't think people are usually charged or convicted of drug possession based only on video in which they're apparently smoking the drug.
posted by beau jackson at 7:10 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
It doesn't really matter how many days you stay, or what kind of rehab you go to, if you don't actually want to get better.
posted by thelonius at 7:31 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by thelonius at 7:31 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
the person is feel sorriest for in this whole mess is Rob's wife Renata.
Yyyyeah, but unless their marriage was arranged and they only met at their wedding, ya gotta think she knew what she was getting into. I mean, you know Rob Ford, you know that marrying him means being hitched to a abusive buffoon who's always on the goofballs. Expecting otherwise is like marrying Arnold Schwarzenegger and thinking he's not going to keep right on cruising for plo chops.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 7:33 AM on May 1, 2014
Yyyyeah, but unless their marriage was arranged and they only met at their wedding, ya gotta think she knew what she was getting into. I mean, you know Rob Ford, you know that marrying him means being hitched to a abusive buffoon who's always on the goofballs. Expecting otherwise is like marrying Arnold Schwarzenegger and thinking he's not going to keep right on cruising for plo chops.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 7:33 AM on May 1, 2014
Ford is still under investigation by the Toronto Police Service. So, we'll find out.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: The fact that Ford has not yet been arrested, after literally going on international television for the purpose of admitting to and/or committing crimes, shows that he never will be, or at a minimum will have to be voted out of office first.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:34 AM on May 1, 2014
I've said it before and I'll say it again: The fact that Ford has not yet been arrested, after literally going on international television for the purpose of admitting to and/or committing crimes, shows that he never will be, or at a minimum will have to be voted out of office first.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:34 AM on May 1, 2014
Chow: Angry and disappointed that once again he's making hurtful remarks against women, Stintz. Once against TO's making international headlines for bad reasons. It's obvious that Ford is a sick man, that he has a serious drug addiction, substance abuse problems. She's sure everyone will join that he will, as a person, recover from his illness and addiction.
However, as a mayor, it's too late, he had his chance. Last year everyone said he needed to take responsibility, he didn't do so. Now it's too late. That's why in October the city will render a verdict and we'll have a new mayor.
Q: Should he resign now?
A: (didn't catch it perfectly - kind of waffling)
Q: What about his statement that he'd rather lose to you?
A: It doesn't matter, it's up to the city/voters, his comments are offensive. A mayor needs to treat everyone in the city with dignity. He hasn't, it's about time we had one who does.
Q: What about the "it's a personal problem" argument?
A: We wish him all the recovery in the world, but it's too late, he had his chance. He should have stepped aside last year.
Q: ???
A: Throughout the campaign, I said Ford needed to pack up his circus. But I've also been clear to go against his policies, and that's what important. Something about children, and job creation.
Q: Do you think 30 days is enough?
A: I know his letter to the city didn't say when he'll return.
Q: ??? - something about 30 days.
A: Let's focus on what matters - not being able to get on the bus, overcrowding on the bus, not being able to get a job, kids not having anything to do after school. Practical issues that the city needs to deal with, why we need a new mayor.
Q: Won't it be a distraction from the policies if Rob Ford stays in the race?
A: I'm not getting distracted. I know what the mayor's office needs to do.
CBC cuts out as she steps off, issuing a Cantonese statement, seemingly to Cantonese press.
Here is her email statement.
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:42 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
However, as a mayor, it's too late, he had his chance. Last year everyone said he needed to take responsibility, he didn't do so. Now it's too late. That's why in October the city will render a verdict and we'll have a new mayor.
Q: Should he resign now?
A: (didn't catch it perfectly - kind of waffling)
Q: What about his statement that he'd rather lose to you?
A: It doesn't matter, it's up to the city/voters, his comments are offensive. A mayor needs to treat everyone in the city with dignity. He hasn't, it's about time we had one who does.
Q: What about the "it's a personal problem" argument?
A: We wish him all the recovery in the world, but it's too late, he had his chance. He should have stepped aside last year.
Q: ???
A: Throughout the campaign, I said Ford needed to pack up his circus. But I've also been clear to go against his policies, and that's what important. Something about children, and job creation.
Q: Do you think 30 days is enough?
A: I know his letter to the city didn't say when he'll return.
Q: ??? - something about 30 days.
A: Let's focus on what matters - not being able to get on the bus, overcrowding on the bus, not being able to get a job, kids not having anything to do after school. Practical issues that the city needs to deal with, why we need a new mayor.
Q: Won't it be a distraction from the policies if Rob Ford stays in the race?
A: I'm not getting distracted. I know what the mayor's office needs to do.
CBC cuts out as she steps off, issuing a Cantonese statement, seemingly to Cantonese press.
Here is her email statement.
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:42 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Yyyyeah, but unless their marriage was arranged and they only met at their wedding, ya gotta think she knew what she was getting into. I mean, you know Rob Ford, you know that marrying him means being hitched to a abusive buffoon who's always on the goofballs. Expecting otherwise is like marrying Arnold Schwarzenegger and thinking he's not going to keep right on cruising for plo chops.
What. Maybe have a think about this one again.
posted by cotton dress sock at 7:42 AM on May 1, 2014
What. Maybe have a think about this one again.
posted by cotton dress sock at 7:42 AM on May 1, 2014
"Once I'm done, I'm done. I'm going to California."And if California doesn't want him? Then he'll travel up and down the coasts, like that huge garbage barge that couldn't find a dock.
posted by octobersurprise at 7:45 AM on May 1, 2014 [3 favorites]
And then he'll finally be incinerated in Brooklyn and buried on Long Island? That works.
posted by Chrysostom at 7:47 AM on May 1, 2014
posted by Chrysostom at 7:47 AM on May 1, 2014
Once I'm done, I'm done. I'm going to California.
posted by neroli at 7:51 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by neroli at 7:51 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Councillor Kristin Wong-Tam said it best: rehab won't cure his racism, misogyny, homophobia, and tendencies to break the law.
That's because KWT is a hell of a badass (and my councillor yay!).
Also, yeah, his poor wife. What sheer unadulterated hell has she been going through and how much worse is it going to get for her?
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:53 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
That's because KWT is a hell of a badass (and my councillor yay!).
Also, yeah, his poor wife. What sheer unadulterated hell has she been going through and how much worse is it going to get for her?
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:53 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Re whether his wife "knew what she was getting into", I should note that in the book Crazytown it was reported that her previous marriage broke down, in part, over her drinking. Ford's arrest for impaired driving in Florida occurred while they were on vacation together, shortly before their engagement. She was herself later arrested, while married to Ford, for impaired driving. (I don't know anything about any alleged abuse prior to the marriage, though I don't think it would detract from my sympathy).
posted by maledictory at 8:00 AM on May 1, 2014
posted by maledictory at 8:00 AM on May 1, 2014
Glad to see Chow's statement focused first on his offensive comments towards Stintz.
I've seen some members of the media think out loud about the fact that Chow probably has her eye on some of Ford Nation, so her remarks are probably a bit calculated with that in mind.
Yes, believe it or not, in the Venn diagram of Toronto voter preferences, there is some intersection between Chow's personal appeal and the opinions of Ford voters.
posted by dry white toast at 8:04 AM on May 1, 2014
I've seen some members of the media think out loud about the fact that Chow probably has her eye on some of Ford Nation, so her remarks are probably a bit calculated with that in mind.
Yes, believe it or not, in the Venn diagram of Toronto voter preferences, there is some intersection between Chow's personal appeal and the opinions of Ford voters.
posted by dry white toast at 8:04 AM on May 1, 2014
And if California doesn't want him? Then he'll travel up and down the coasts, like that huge garbage barge that couldn't find a dock.
Alas, there are a number of inland folks that might well throw him a parade.
posted by Celsius1414 at 8:08 AM on May 1, 2014
Alas, there are a number of inland folks that might well throw him a parade.
posted by Celsius1414 at 8:08 AM on May 1, 2014
Doug Ford:
This is one of the toughest days of my life, but in saying that I have a sense of relief - as an older brother, I'm relieved that Rob's faced his problems and decided to seek professional help. Not easy for anyone to do, especially when you're the mayor.
I encouraged my brother to take this time for himself and for the sake of his family. Many people believe they can handle any problem by themselves. But sometimes you need the help of family/friends/professionals. Rob was very emotional when he told me 'the hardest thing about this is he knows he let people down, he let his friends/family/colleagues/supporters/people of Toronto down.'
I told Rob that everyone knows someone who's faced these challenges and I know they'll wish him well and a speedy recovery. I also believe that of people who disagree politically.
[emotionally choked up]I love my brother, I'll continue to stand by him, please keep him in your prayers. In the interests of his family, I'll ask the media to respect his privacy.
*walks away, no questions*
posted by Lemurrhea at 8:09 AM on May 1, 2014
This is one of the toughest days of my life, but in saying that I have a sense of relief - as an older brother, I'm relieved that Rob's faced his problems and decided to seek professional help. Not easy for anyone to do, especially when you're the mayor.
I encouraged my brother to take this time for himself and for the sake of his family. Many people believe they can handle any problem by themselves. But sometimes you need the help of family/friends/professionals. Rob was very emotional when he told me 'the hardest thing about this is he knows he let people down, he let his friends/family/colleagues/supporters/people of Toronto down.'
I told Rob that everyone knows someone who's faced these challenges and I know they'll wish him well and a speedy recovery. I also believe that of people who disagree politically.
[emotionally choked up]I love my brother, I'll continue to stand by him, please keep him in your prayers. In the interests of his family, I'll ask the media to respect his privacy.
*walks away, no questions*
posted by Lemurrhea at 8:09 AM on May 1, 2014
I'm reminded of an interview Mary Walsh gave shortly after she ambushed Ford in-character as Marg Delahunty (kind of a long-standing tradition in Canadian politics at this point, a rite of passage almost). She talked about how, when she found herself in Ford's presence, she discovered she was afraid of him. Something about him frightened her, she said. I believe she said that Ford is the only person she's ever felt afraid of while in-character - a remarkable statement, as she's been doing this kind of thing for, what, 20 years or more now? She talked about how, encountering him, her mind just went blank, and she could only repeat the phrase "Mr Ford! I came all the way from Newfoundland to talk to you!" over and over, and how the clip would never have seen the light of day because her performance was so poor - because Ford seemed like such a violent bully that she froze up. Except, of course, Ford decided to call 911 on a CBC cameraman and a famous comedian in granny glasses and a fuchsia leotard and it blew up
I guess my point is: Ford is pretty clearly a violent misogynist homophobic bully lacking any self-awareness and any fellow-feeling for others - and the transcript of this video is just the latest evidence that Walsh's instincts were probably correct. The drugs are not the problem. His toxic personality is the problem.
posted by erlking at 8:13 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
I guess my point is: Ford is pretty clearly a violent misogynist homophobic bully lacking any self-awareness and any fellow-feeling for others - and the transcript of this video is just the latest evidence that Walsh's instincts were probably correct. The drugs are not the problem. His toxic personality is the problem.
posted by erlking at 8:13 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
As someone with extensive training and experience in the field of chemical dependency counseling, 30 days for Rob Ford - or anyone with his perceived history of addiction, really - is a joke. He needs 90 days inpatient rehabilitation minimum followed by another 90 to 270 days (depending on his specific needs) living in a controlled sober environment. 30 days will barely clear the fog out of his head, if it even accomplishes that. It's also fairly obvious that he's not attending rehab because he wants to but rather because he feels it's an escape, an easy out. There's no reason whatsoever to believe that Ford is seeking help because he thinks he needs it.
OK, so if he does go for this long stint in rehab (whether for honest or calculating reasons) is there no point under Can/Ont/Tor law at which he could be removed for, I don't know, dereliction of office?
posted by psoas at 8:16 AM on May 1, 2014
OK, so if he does go for this long stint in rehab (whether for honest or calculating reasons) is there no point under Can/Ont/Tor law at which he could be removed for, I don't know, dereliction of office?
posted by psoas at 8:16 AM on May 1, 2014
More playing for sympathy from Doug. More complete indifference to the racist, sexist, homophobic things Rob has said. Of course, the logical assumption is that Doug holds similar attitudes.
I'm relieved that Rob's faced his problems and decided to seek professional help. Not easy for anyone to do, especially when you're the mayor.
When asked by Star reporter Daniel Dale in January if Rob Ford should get help, Doug replied "Help for what? He doesn't have a problem. The only one that has a problem is you."
posted by dry white toast at 8:17 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
I'm relieved that Rob's faced his problems and decided to seek professional help. Not easy for anyone to do, especially when you're the mayor.
When asked by Star reporter Daniel Dale in January if Rob Ford should get help, Doug replied "Help for what? He doesn't have a problem. The only one that has a problem is you."
posted by dry white toast at 8:17 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
OK, so if he does go for this long stint in rehab (whether for honest or calculating reasons) is there no point under Can/Ont/Tor law at which he could be removed for, I don't know, dereliction of office?
If he were to actually go to rehab for as long as that, the election would be over, he would lose, and it would be moot anyway.
posted by dry white toast at 8:18 AM on May 1, 2014
If he were to actually go to rehab for as long as that, the election would be over, he would lose, and it would be moot anyway.
posted by dry white toast at 8:18 AM on May 1, 2014
IIRC, He can be removed if he misses three consecutive (monthly) council meetings.
posted by maledictory at 8:19 AM on May 1, 2014
posted by maledictory at 8:19 AM on May 1, 2014
OK, so if he does go for this long stint in rehab (whether for honest or calculating reasons) is there no point under Can/Ont/Tor law at which he could be removed for, I don't know, dereliction of office?
Yes, if he misses meetings for 3 months in a row.
posted by jacquilynne at 8:20 AM on May 1, 2014
Yes, if he misses meetings for 3 months in a row.
posted by jacquilynne at 8:20 AM on May 1, 2014
But what on earth would be the point?
The election is less than six months away. There are four Council meetings remaining in this term. So he would miss three, and then Council would boot him in their last meeting before he's up for re-election anyway???
It is a moot point of discussion.
posted by dry white toast at 8:26 AM on May 1, 2014
The election is less than six months away. There are four Council meetings remaining in this term. So he would miss three, and then Council would boot him in their last meeting before he's up for re-election anyway???
It is a moot point of discussion.
posted by dry white toast at 8:26 AM on May 1, 2014
/me shrugs.
I was just answering the question not really advocating for it to happen.
The only point would be symbolic, I guess. It would be nice for the history books to show he really did have to stop being our mayor, not just because he failed to win re-election but because he was so epically craptacular at it that he had to be thrown out on his ear.
On the other hand, if he fails to win the election, at least it becomes obvious that the voters don't want him and he doesn't have a mandate.
posted by jacquilynne at 8:30 AM on May 1, 2014
I was just answering the question not really advocating for it to happen.
The only point would be symbolic, I guess. It would be nice for the history books to show he really did have to stop being our mayor, not just because he failed to win re-election but because he was so epically craptacular at it that he had to be thrown out on his ear.
On the other hand, if he fails to win the election, at least it becomes obvious that the voters don't want him and he doesn't have a mandate.
posted by jacquilynne at 8:30 AM on May 1, 2014
Unfortunately at this point it's empty symbolism. A year ago, turfing him out was a realistic option. Stripping his powers was really the best they could do by the point council did anything.
Plus booting him out gives him Instant Martyr status which is something his core supporters would lap up like you wouldn't believe.
The best outcome for Ford--and Toronto, and his family--is for him to have a moment of clarity in rehab, exit public life permanently, and work on his issues.
Even if he dries out and stays dry (which isn't addressing any of the other substance (ab)use problems he seems to have), he looks like a very unhealthy man with not many years left. I hope he's able to use them to repair some of the damage he's caused.
More likely he'll come out of 30 days of celebrehab, claim everything is fixed and he's good now, and any questions about his past substance abuse are now irrelevant. And he and Tory (again, I think, with Stintz as the confounding factor) will battle for second place after Chow.
On the other hand, if he fails to win the election, at least it becomes obvious that the voters don't want him and he doesn't have a mandate.
I don't think he has enough honest self-regard to make that logical step. When (please, God I don't believe in, when) he loses the election, it'll be because of the downtown elites and the fags and the left wing media conspiracy because I went to rehab like a good boy and got all cleaned up! puff puff pass.
IOW, after more thinking about it, in no way do I believe he's doing real rehab (unless he's doing it at CAMH, which I doubt). He's going to do resort style celebrity rehab which (obviously) doesn't really have much effect on people. He'll be back to drinking/etc within a couple months; contemporary photo/videos of that would definitely cost him the election.
If he does win the election, I'm moving. I don't know where, but I am getting out of this city if he's mayor again.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:40 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
Plus booting him out gives him Instant Martyr status which is something his core supporters would lap up like you wouldn't believe.
The best outcome for Ford--and Toronto, and his family--is for him to have a moment of clarity in rehab, exit public life permanently, and work on his issues.
Even if he dries out and stays dry (which isn't addressing any of the other substance (ab)use problems he seems to have), he looks like a very unhealthy man with not many years left. I hope he's able to use them to repair some of the damage he's caused.
More likely he'll come out of 30 days of celebrehab, claim everything is fixed and he's good now, and any questions about his past substance abuse are now irrelevant. And he and Tory (again, I think, with Stintz as the confounding factor) will battle for second place after Chow.
On the other hand, if he fails to win the election, at least it becomes obvious that the voters don't want him and he doesn't have a mandate.
I don't think he has enough honest self-regard to make that logical step. When (please, God I don't believe in, when) he loses the election, it'll be because of the downtown elites and the fags and the left wing media conspiracy because I went to rehab like a good boy and got all cleaned up! puff puff pass.
IOW, after more thinking about it, in no way do I believe he's doing real rehab (unless he's doing it at CAMH, which I doubt). He's going to do resort style celebrity rehab which (obviously) doesn't really have much effect on people. He'll be back to drinking/etc within a couple months; contemporary photo/videos of that would definitely cost him the election.
If he does win the election, I'm moving. I don't know where, but I am getting out of this city if he's mayor again.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:40 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
also I am still angry that the words "Rob Ford sex tape" occur in that order in my brain
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:41 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:41 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
also I am still angry that the words "Rob Ford sex tape" occur in that order in my brain
Just add "There is no possibility that a..." at the beginning and "...exists in this particular universe, thank everything that is holy" at the end.
posted by Celsius1414 at 8:46 AM on May 1, 2014 [3 favorites]
Just add "There is no possibility that a..." at the beginning and "...exists in this particular universe, thank everything that is holy" at the end.
posted by Celsius1414 at 8:46 AM on May 1, 2014 [3 favorites]
Yyyyeah, but unless their marriage was arranged...
Of course it was an arranged marriage, I've seen Game of Thrones, I know how these things work. Man, the politics of fantasy kingdoms like Westeros and Canada are all kinds of screwed up.
posted by happyroach at 8:48 AM on May 1, 2014 [3 favorites]
Of course it was an arranged marriage, I've seen Game of Thrones, I know how these things work. Man, the politics of fantasy kingdoms like Westeros and Canada are all kinds of screwed up.
posted by happyroach at 8:48 AM on May 1, 2014 [3 favorites]
I've tried. Oh God how I have tried.
Also one wonders if (it's the OPP now, right? not Metro) the cops are holding off on the perp walk until after the election on purpose. RoDoFo would have no trouble spinning it as persecution and mustering elector support if it happened before the election, and I suspect the cops are sensitive to that.
Perp walking him out of his election night losing party, however, would be delicious.
If Canada's anything like Westeros, Ford's Robert Baratheon without any of the redeeming qualities.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:50 AM on May 1, 2014
Also one wonders if (it's the OPP now, right? not Metro) the cops are holding off on the perp walk until after the election on purpose. RoDoFo would have no trouble spinning it as persecution and mustering elector support if it happened before the election, and I suspect the cops are sensitive to that.
Perp walking him out of his election night losing party, however, would be delicious.
If Canada's anything like Westeros, Ford's Robert Baratheon without any of the redeeming qualities.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:50 AM on May 1, 2014
Ivor Tossell in the Globe: "Rehabilitation is not redemption."
posted by maudlin at 8:51 AM on May 1, 2014
posted by maudlin at 8:51 AM on May 1, 2014
Hey, why's everyone talking about me?
posted by Rob Ford Sex Tape at 8:54 AM on May 1, 2014 [25 favorites]
posted by Rob Ford Sex Tape at 8:54 AM on May 1, 2014 [25 favorites]
Neil Flagg (who runs the page) is labelling John Tory a "ghoulish opportunist" for calling for Ford's resignation. Do you know what's ghoulish, Neil? Urging a racist, homophobic, misogynist, law-breaking, violent, and dangerously addicted man to stay in office because you think it might save you some tax dollars.
What about just crossing your fingers he'll stay in the race to split the vehicle registration tax-hating vote? Because if that's wrong, I don't want to be right.
I hoped the same thing above. But I suppose there's nothing morally wrong with hoping Ford simply leaves his name on the ballot while remaining in rehab to get the treatment he needs.
posted by orange swan at 8:56 AM on May 1, 2014
What about just crossing your fingers he'll stay in the race to split the vehicle registration tax-hating vote? Because if that's wrong, I don't want to be right.
I hoped the same thing above. But I suppose there's nothing morally wrong with hoping Ford simply leaves his name on the ballot while remaining in rehab to get the treatment he needs.
posted by orange swan at 8:56 AM on May 1, 2014
Ivor Tossell in the Globe: "Rehabilitation is not redemption."
Everyone with more than two brain cells knows that.
But they're going to be selling rehab=redemption to the mushier outskirts of Ford Nation, so..
I hoped the same thing above. But I suppose there's nothing morally wrong with hoping Ford simply leaves his name on the ballot while remaining in rehab to get the treatment he needs.
No way is he going to take it off until after rehab, if at all. He's not spending 6 months in rehab (unfortunately). It's going to be a 30-day vacation after which he'll pronounce himself all cured, and then right back to campaigning.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:58 AM on May 1, 2014
Everyone with more than two brain cells knows that.
But they're going to be selling rehab=redemption to the mushier outskirts of Ford Nation, so..
I hoped the same thing above. But I suppose there's nothing morally wrong with hoping Ford simply leaves his name on the ballot while remaining in rehab to get the treatment he needs.
No way is he going to take it off until after rehab, if at all. He's not spending 6 months in rehab (unfortunately). It's going to be a 30-day vacation after which he'll pronounce himself all cured, and then right back to campaigning.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:58 AM on May 1, 2014
> Yyyyeah, but unless their marriage was arranged and they only met at their wedding, ya gotta think she knew what she was getting into. I mean, you know Rob Ford, you know that marrying him means being hitched to a abusive buffoon who's always on the goofballs.
I think that regardless of whether we've written off Rob Ford's potential for redemption, remaining hitched to him will probably continue to withhold opportunities for his wife to clean herself up.
Being a major politician's wife is miserable at best: the ones who survive intact tend to be the ones able to approach it like a wartime field commander. Being the wife of possibly the most famous and politically powerful drug addicts in the world, one bouncing from scandal to embarrassing scandal has to be a horrifying thing to wake up to every morning.
And no, there is no way she could have foreseen things turning out like this. No more than you could have.
posted by ardgedee at 8:59 AM on May 1, 2014
I think that regardless of whether we've written off Rob Ford's potential for redemption, remaining hitched to him will probably continue to withhold opportunities for his wife to clean herself up.
Being a major politician's wife is miserable at best: the ones who survive intact tend to be the ones able to approach it like a wartime field commander. Being the wife of possibly the most famous and politically powerful drug addicts in the world, one bouncing from scandal to embarrassing scandal has to be a horrifying thing to wake up to every morning.
And no, there is no way she could have foreseen things turning out like this. No more than you could have.
posted by ardgedee at 8:59 AM on May 1, 2014
Wondering - at what point will the word "tape" stopped being used when referencing video shot by a phone?
posted by davebush at 9:06 AM on May 1, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by davebush at 9:06 AM on May 1, 2014 [3 favorites]
An interesting point: Rob Ford has not actually said he's going to rehab. (He's said he's "taking a leave ... to seek immediate help".)
posted by parudox at 9:07 AM on May 1, 2014
posted by parudox at 9:07 AM on May 1, 2014
Shirt garters.
this to me remains the most shocking revelation in this thread
posted by elizardbits at 9:09 AM on May 1, 2014 [5 favorites]
this to me remains the most shocking revelation in this thread
posted by elizardbits at 9:09 AM on May 1, 2014 [5 favorites]
Many reporters have noted today that they're still waiting for information about where he will be seeking help and for how long.
It is my strong belief that we never will hear where because he won't actually enter any treatment. He will disappear for some amount of time, return and announce himself cured.
In fact, more likely: in the next few weeks there will be a news item about Rob being arrested for DUI in some place like Florida.
posted by dry white toast at 9:10 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
It is my strong belief that we never will hear where because he won't actually enter any treatment. He will disappear for some amount of time, return and announce himself cured.
In fact, more likely: in the next few weeks there will be a news item about Rob being arrested for DUI in some place like Florida.
posted by dry white toast at 9:10 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
Wondering - at what point will the word "tape" stopped being used when referencing video shot by a phone?
Stop trying to make "vid" happen!
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:14 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Stop trying to make "vid" happen!
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:14 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
The City Manager says that if Ford misses three meetings, his seat will be declared vacant. Important caveat: Council can (and frequently does) adopt a resolution excusing the Mayor or other councillors from the three-meeting rule. I would expect they would do that here.
posted by dry white toast at 9:15 AM on May 1, 2014
posted by dry white toast at 9:15 AM on May 1, 2014
Waiting for the inevitable opera to be written for the next Fringe theatre festival circuit. Renata would be a killer diva role.
posted by Quiplash at 9:22 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Quiplash at 9:22 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
An interesting point: Rob Ford has not actually said he's going to rehab. (He's said he's "taking a leave ... to seek immediate help".)
Oh, well then in that case my previous comments in spades. Dude ain't gonna do jack shit, he's just going to disappear for a month and come back same as ever. It's not like lying about where he's been (or can be, or can't be) is something new to him.
Important caveat: Council can (and frequently does) adopt a resolution excusing the Mayor or other councillors from the three-meeting rule. I would expect they would do that here.
Realpolitik says they can't do anything but. Kicking out the mayor while he's in rehab? Ford victory in October, and a bunch of councillors losing their seats.
Renata would be a killer diva role.
Boy howdy it would be fascinating to see this whole story told entirely from her POV.
If she gets out of this awful marriage--I really hope she gets out and gets whatever help she needs--her inevitable autobiography is going to be incredible reading.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:25 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Oh, well then in that case my previous comments in spades. Dude ain't gonna do jack shit, he's just going to disappear for a month and come back same as ever. It's not like lying about where he's been (or can be, or can't be) is something new to him.
Important caveat: Council can (and frequently does) adopt a resolution excusing the Mayor or other councillors from the three-meeting rule. I would expect they would do that here.
Realpolitik says they can't do anything but. Kicking out the mayor while he's in rehab? Ford victory in October, and a bunch of councillors losing their seats.
Renata would be a killer diva role.
Boy howdy it would be fascinating to see this whole story told entirely from her POV.
If she gets out of this awful marriage--I really hope she gets out and gets whatever help she needs--her inevitable autobiography is going to be incredible reading.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:25 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
I think it most likely that Crown Council (what the prosecutor's office is called in Canada) is insisting on an absolutely airtight case from the police. Neither the Toronto cops, nor the provincial ones have been able to do that yet, despite a seeming wealth of evidence and at least a year of investigation by the top criminal units of both forces. There has already been accusations on all sides of political interference. The Crown, I'm sure, wants to be squeakier than clean on this one.
posted by bonehead at 9:30 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by bonehead at 9:30 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
>Just a gentle reminder - Rob Ford is an addict and deserving of compassion and empathy.
What a load of baloney. This guy has a responsibility to the public, and is treating it like a farce. He deserves hate and more hate, and maybe some shame. I have known addicts that would never act like this guy.
He is a cavalier asshole. I have no empathy for him.
posted by jjmoney at 9:35 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
What a load of baloney. This guy has a responsibility to the public, and is treating it like a farce. He deserves hate and more hate, and maybe some shame. I have known addicts that would never act like this guy.
He is a cavalier asshole. I have no empathy for him.
posted by jjmoney at 9:35 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Rob Ford the Politician is a cavalier asshole.
Rob Ford the Person is a cavalier asshole who is suffering from a disease.
It's easily possible to have nothing but contempt for the one while having compassion for the other. As said above, it's not a zero-sum game.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:37 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
Rob Ford the Person is a cavalier asshole who is suffering from a disease.
It's easily possible to have nothing but contempt for the one while having compassion for the other. As said above, it's not a zero-sum game.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:37 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
You know you have a problem when, in comparison to you, Justin Bieber appears to be an insightful, sober, responsible member of society.
posted by orange swan at 9:41 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by orange swan at 9:41 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
sober
By every meaning of the word, no less.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:50 AM on May 1, 2014
By every meaning of the word, no less.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:50 AM on May 1, 2014
For any Americans playing at home- Giorgio Mammolitti = Councilman Jamm.
OK, I am American, and the only thing I thought of when I read that was the KLF.
So now I have to go one turtle further down the stack: who is Councilman Jamm? The character on "Parks and Rec," or an actual person?
posted by wenestvedt at 9:59 AM on May 1, 2014
OK, I am American, and the only thing I thought of when I read that was the KLF.
So now I have to go one turtle further down the stack: who is Councilman Jamm? The character on "Parks and Rec," or an actual person?
posted by wenestvedt at 9:59 AM on May 1, 2014
The character on Parks and Rec.
And yes, the analogy is perfectly apt.
posted by dry white toast at 10:00 AM on May 1, 2014
And yes, the analogy is perfectly apt.
posted by dry white toast at 10:00 AM on May 1, 2014
>Just a gentle reminder - Rob Ford is an addict and deserving of compassion and empathy.
This is good point that's not really worth fighting about...unless someone is suggesting that "having compassion" for Rob means finding excuses for his bullshit. He merits all of the criticism and contempt that is being heaped upon him.
posted by beau jackson at 10:01 AM on May 1, 2014
This is good point that's not really worth fighting about...unless someone is suggesting that "having compassion" for Rob means finding excuses for his bullshit. He merits all of the criticism and contempt that is being heaped upon him.
posted by beau jackson at 10:01 AM on May 1, 2014
Wondering - at what point will the word "tape" stopped being used when referencing video shot by a phone?
That phone you dial when you call someone?
posted by Celsius1414 at 10:08 AM on May 1, 2014 [3 favorites]
That phone you dial when you call someone?
posted by Celsius1414 at 10:08 AM on May 1, 2014 [3 favorites]
I still can't get over (although it really shouldn't be a surprise) his statement; no apology to Stintz, or anyone else really. Copious use of the word "I". Passive-aggressive self-congratulation. Boastful ("I will conquer this") where it should be contrite.
Go, Rob Ford. Go, and never come back to Toronto politics.
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:13 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Go, Rob Ford. Go, and never come back to Toronto politics.
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:13 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Oh, and no acknowledgement of drug use or abuse.
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:15 AM on May 1, 2014
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:15 AM on May 1, 2014
So I'm sitting here on my break at work and a women who works in another department comes in and asks what I'm reading. I tell her and she's all who cares, none of it affects his job, it's all media doing this. I said it does bleed into his job and she's all no I hear he's doing an awesome job. I say some more things and she says, doesn't matter he won't get re-elected. I say you'd hope so but that's not a foregone conclusion. Then she says 'Well that will tell you something won't it'. And I replied, "Yeah that people are idiots."
And then she walks away in a huff muttering something about not caring.
She's a nice enough lady but man this convo just really changed what I think of her. I can't help it. I just don't understand how people can think that a person with all these problems is a good person to being heading up a major Canadian city and that this is just all okay.
wtf. I just don't get it!!!
posted by Jalliah at 10:16 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Edward Keenan:
This is the part where we’re all supposed to express our sombre best wishes for Rob Ford ...posted by maudlin at 10:16 AM on May 1, 2014 [4 favorites]
Well, fuck that.
The Good Ship Compassion sailed a long time ago, and rather than take an easy ride on it a year ago when friends and foes alike encouraged him to seek help and come back to fight another day, Rob Ford—with the vocal encouragement of many members of his family—decided to subject this city to his recklessness; his crass racist/homophobic/sexist bullcrap; his brazen criminal actions and associations; his bald-faced lies and his absurd fantasy impression of himself as Supermayor. Faced with an outpouring of confusion and concern and support, he decided to drag out his grinding of Toronto the Good’s name into the muck at the bottom of the pigsty that is his id. He took the Rob Ford Meltdown Tour on the road and put it on international TV, making a joke of everyone who ever supported him or trusted him.
Now he wants to tell us how much he appreciates our “ongoing support and encouragement.” Fuck that, too. ...
At what point will the word "phone" stop being used to describe a portable computing device with multiple functions, of which telephone is among the least used?
posted by rocket88 at 10:17 AM on May 1, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by rocket88 at 10:17 AM on May 1, 2014 [4 favorites]
Oh I forgot the thing that really made me all grr inside. I said something about his misoganistic comments and she replied, "Oh that sort of stuff doesn't matter...men are men."
posted by Jalliah at 10:17 AM on May 1, 2014
> That phone you dial when you call someone?
And hang up when the call is over.
posted by Space Coyote at 10:18 AM on May 1, 2014
And hang up when the call is over.
posted by Space Coyote at 10:18 AM on May 1, 2014
> wtf. I just don't get it!!!
Last night as the news was breaking, a guy I know was going on about how he'd still vote for Ford because "they're all corrupt, but Ford is the least corrupt." That's how far the bar has been lowered, and perfect anecdotal evidence of how Ford is a symptom of much larger problems.
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:21 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Last night as the news was breaking, a guy I know was going on about how he'd still vote for Ford because "they're all corrupt, but Ford is the least corrupt." That's how far the bar has been lowered, and perfect anecdotal evidence of how Ford is a symptom of much larger problems.
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:21 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
I still can't get over (although it really shouldn't be a surprise) his statement; no apology to Stintz, or anyone else really.
He will try to say it was because of the alcohol. No, the alocohol is the tide that breaks the dyke holding back the well-documented misogynistic, racist, homophobic attitudes he holds and has held for years.
posted by dry white toast at 10:22 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
He will try to say it was because of the alcohol. No, the alocohol is the tide that breaks the dyke holding back the well-documented misogynistic, racist, homophobic attitudes he holds and has held for years.
posted by dry white toast at 10:22 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Edward Keenan for The Grid does quite a good job of speaking to the dichotomy of hoping the best for Rob Ford the person while being so completely fucking done with Rob Ford the mayor.
posted by orange swan at 10:25 AM on May 1, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by orange swan at 10:25 AM on May 1, 2014 [3 favorites]
personally I do have compassion and sympathy for Rob Ford only in the sense that his brother is clearly a very dangerous enabler and bully that he cannot stand up to. he only made the decision to step away while his brother was out of town. the most lucid and honest we've seen the mayor is when Doug is not around to whip him back into shape.
that situation is truly tragic, and that tragedy ripples out over the GTA. so while Rob Ford is a fuckhead and should be laughed out of office, there is more sadness to this story than meets the eye, even when the spotlight is shining on him as brightly as it is right now.
posted by oog at 10:36 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
that situation is truly tragic, and that tragedy ripples out over the GTA. so while Rob Ford is a fuckhead and should be laughed out of office, there is more sadness to this story than meets the eye, even when the spotlight is shining on him as brightly as it is right now.
posted by oog at 10:36 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
The thing is, Rob Ford has made it about culture. This is one reason why Ford Nation sticks with him and seemingly no amount of cognitive dissonance can shake them loose or convince them otherwise. He is "their guy" and everyone else is a downtown latte-sipping bicycle-riding pinko. The us-them-ism is even right there in the name: "Ford Nation."
posted by erlking at 10:36 AM on May 1, 2014
posted by erlking at 10:36 AM on May 1, 2014
Canada has jumped the shark. I mean, this season's storylines? Having Bieber make fun of Ford at a party? No one believes this plotline, Canada writers. What is a middle-aged crack-smoking creeper doing at parties with a degenerate teenaged pop star? Obviously the Rob Ford storyline is played out and they just need to write the character off the show if they've got to do "special guest star" storylines just to keep him plot-relevant. What's next, Robin Sparkles and Rob Ford play hockey while drunk? Stephen Harper has a very special storyline with Alan Thicke where he learns about the dangers of drinking cough syrup? Martin Short takes a bad acid trip where he believes he's the Cat in the Hat?
You used to be my favorite show, Canada, the sort of uplifting escapism that let me believe in a better world with socialized health care and strategic maple syrup reserves and cops in silly hats (on horses, of all things), without ever descending into Sorkin-esque drivel so common to left-leaning political shows, but now it's like you're just rehashing the Marion Barry years on D.C. but with more insane plotlines and a conservative lean as some kind of a "twist."
And, look, Canada, nobody likes the Stephen Harper storyline either. I mean, "Oooooooh, I'm a tool of Big Oil and moneyed interests!" is like the most overdone politics storyline on television. People watch you for political HOPE, Canada, not for more depressing dystopian visions of the future. We have America: Red vs. Blue for that.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:38 AM on May 1, 2014 [41 favorites]
You used to be my favorite show, Canada, the sort of uplifting escapism that let me believe in a better world with socialized health care and strategic maple syrup reserves and cops in silly hats (on horses, of all things), without ever descending into Sorkin-esque drivel so common to left-leaning political shows, but now it's like you're just rehashing the Marion Barry years on D.C. but with more insane plotlines and a conservative lean as some kind of a "twist."
And, look, Canada, nobody likes the Stephen Harper storyline either. I mean, "Oooooooh, I'm a tool of Big Oil and moneyed interests!" is like the most overdone politics storyline on television. People watch you for political HOPE, Canada, not for more depressing dystopian visions of the future. We have America: Red vs. Blue for that.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:38 AM on May 1, 2014 [41 favorites]
Well, if Toronto can't be a shining example, at least we're a horrible warning. This is what an indifferent and/or willfully ignorant electorate can do to a political state.
posted by orange swan at 10:45 AM on May 1, 2014 [5 favorites]
posted by orange swan at 10:45 AM on May 1, 2014 [5 favorites]
The Good Ship Compassion sailed a long time ago
I rarely find myself disagreeing with Keenan, but he's way off the mark here.
The point, the entire purpose of compassion, is that it doesn't sail away. That all humans are deserving of compassion. That doesn't mean we must excuse their terrible actions, or that they get a tabula rasa, or that we forget what they have done.
Ford is a terribly, terribly broken man suffering from a severe mental illness. For that, he deserves compassion.
For his lies, for his mismanagement of the city, for his bullying, for all of his Public Life stuff--oh sure, for those? No compassion.
But if he'd come out and said he had I dunno, diabetes or early-onset Alzheimers, or whatever, there would be no question at all about extending compassion for that medical condition.
Addiction is a mental disease and needs to be addressed by society as no different than any other disease: sometimes curable, often fatal, but usually treatable and manageable.
I have warring biases here: visceral loathing and outrage for Ford and his anti-knowledge bullying misogynistic and (hitting closer to home) homophobic behaviour versus an intimate knowledge of mental illness that makes you do stupid and terrible things.
But at the end of the day, he is damaged. How much of that was externally imposed, and how much he is a willing victim of his own limitations, is a question we could probably still be asking in twenty years. That he has inflicted that damage on a city of millions of people is, obviously, a severe and immediate problem.
I guess what it boils down to for me is this: "You've been a terrible person to a lot of people. You've done a lot of things you need to be held to account for. You cannot escape or evade the consequences of your actions, which will probably include jail time. But we can still hold compassion for you, as a human being, and the wasted potential that you once had."
that situation is truly tragic, and that tragedy ripples out over the GTA. so while Rob Ford is a fuckhead and should be laughed out of office, there is more sadness to this story than meets the eye, even when the spotlight is shining on him as brightly as it is right now.
Yes, exactly. "All happy families are the same" etc. There is a tragedy here that goes far, far deeper than his antics in the flying saucer. His wife, children... what hell have they had? What hell and torment does he live with every day that this slide into addiction seemed like a reasonable reaction?
I'm not saying in any way we should excuse him for anything (and lest you get the wrong impression I'm voting for Chow barring any weird developments). All I'm saying is, when he's at home, he's just a dude with a (serious) drinking and (probably pretty serious) substance abuse problem. There's thousands of him in this city. Some of them live in cardboard boxes, some of them live in mansions, and all of them need help and respect and compassion for their problems, as well as assistance in finding true clarity and objectivity in understanding how their actions have affected others.
If he does a 12 step program*, I can't remember which step it is, but one wonders how he would go about making amends.
* Again, I think if anything he's going to enter celebrihab and sit on his ass for a few weeks.
People watch you for political HOPE, Canada,
His name, we hope, is Justin Trudeau. Probably with a last-minute assist from Thomas Mulcair.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:48 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
I rarely find myself disagreeing with Keenan, but he's way off the mark here.
The point, the entire purpose of compassion, is that it doesn't sail away. That all humans are deserving of compassion. That doesn't mean we must excuse their terrible actions, or that they get a tabula rasa, or that we forget what they have done.
Ford is a terribly, terribly broken man suffering from a severe mental illness. For that, he deserves compassion.
For his lies, for his mismanagement of the city, for his bullying, for all of his Public Life stuff--oh sure, for those? No compassion.
But if he'd come out and said he had I dunno, diabetes or early-onset Alzheimers, or whatever, there would be no question at all about extending compassion for that medical condition.
Addiction is a mental disease and needs to be addressed by society as no different than any other disease: sometimes curable, often fatal, but usually treatable and manageable.
I have warring biases here: visceral loathing and outrage for Ford and his anti-knowledge bullying misogynistic and (hitting closer to home) homophobic behaviour versus an intimate knowledge of mental illness that makes you do stupid and terrible things.
But at the end of the day, he is damaged. How much of that was externally imposed, and how much he is a willing victim of his own limitations, is a question we could probably still be asking in twenty years. That he has inflicted that damage on a city of millions of people is, obviously, a severe and immediate problem.
I guess what it boils down to for me is this: "You've been a terrible person to a lot of people. You've done a lot of things you need to be held to account for. You cannot escape or evade the consequences of your actions, which will probably include jail time. But we can still hold compassion for you, as a human being, and the wasted potential that you once had."
that situation is truly tragic, and that tragedy ripples out over the GTA. so while Rob Ford is a fuckhead and should be laughed out of office, there is more sadness to this story than meets the eye, even when the spotlight is shining on him as brightly as it is right now.
Yes, exactly. "All happy families are the same" etc. There is a tragedy here that goes far, far deeper than his antics in the flying saucer. His wife, children... what hell have they had? What hell and torment does he live with every day that this slide into addiction seemed like a reasonable reaction?
I'm not saying in any way we should excuse him for anything (and lest you get the wrong impression I'm voting for Chow barring any weird developments). All I'm saying is, when he's at home, he's just a dude with a (serious) drinking and (probably pretty serious) substance abuse problem. There's thousands of him in this city. Some of them live in cardboard boxes, some of them live in mansions, and all of them need help and respect and compassion for their problems, as well as assistance in finding true clarity and objectivity in understanding how their actions have affected others.
If he does a 12 step program*, I can't remember which step it is, but one wonders how he would go about making amends.
* Again, I think if anything he's going to enter celebrihab and sit on his ass for a few weeks.
People watch you for political HOPE, Canada,
His name, we hope, is Justin Trudeau. Probably with a last-minute assist from Thomas Mulcair.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:48 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
Or to put it another way: look at the hell he's put us through in a couple of years.
Now imagine decades of that tied inside his family.
Here's hoping he learns something positive.
(Then of course we need to deal with DoFo; one hopes and prays he's just as implicated in the OPP investigation and we can just get rid of both of them.)
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:51 AM on May 1, 2014
Now imagine decades of that tied inside his family.
Here's hoping he learns something positive.
(Then of course we need to deal with DoFo; one hopes and prays he's just as implicated in the OPP investigation and we can just get rid of both of them.)
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:51 AM on May 1, 2014
You used to be my favorite show, Canada
On behalf of all my fellow latte-drinking, bicycle-riding, CBC-loving, health-care system adoring, gay-marrying, pinko lefty countryfolk I apologize. We used to have a whole superiority complex thing going with all those crazy Americans down south who didn't understand the purpose of a health care system and let people die in the streets to save a few dimes on taxes, but now? Our collective heads are hung in shame. *weeps quietly, mops up tears with flag*
posted by jokeefe at 10:56 AM on May 1, 2014 [8 favorites]
On behalf of all my fellow latte-drinking, bicycle-riding, CBC-loving, health-care system adoring, gay-marrying, pinko lefty countryfolk I apologize. We used to have a whole superiority complex thing going with all those crazy Americans down south who didn't understand the purpose of a health care system and let people die in the streets to save a few dimes on taxes, but now? Our collective heads are hung in shame. *weeps quietly, mops up tears with flag*
posted by jokeefe at 10:56 AM on May 1, 2014 [8 favorites]
Our collective heads are hung in shame.
You were the chosen one! It was said that you would provide a haven against the Neo-Libs, not join them! You were to bring balance to North America, not leave it in darkness!
No really, I may need a sane couch to crash on if things keep up here.
posted by Celsius1414 at 11:01 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
You were the chosen one! It was said that you would provide a haven against the Neo-Libs, not join them! You were to bring balance to North America, not leave it in darkness!
No really, I may need a sane couch to crash on if things keep up here.
posted by Celsius1414 at 11:01 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Jamie Strashin from CBC: Just spoke with Doug Ford, who said that the Mayor will be immediately attend a 30-day inpatient treatment at "one of the best facilities in North America", declining to provide the location.
posted by dry white toast at 11:02 AM on May 1, 2014
posted by dry white toast at 11:02 AM on May 1, 2014
More: Reports that Rob Ford flew to Chicago this morning from Buttonville Airport in a private plane. Dig that privilege.
posted by dry white toast at 11:03 AM on May 1, 2014
posted by dry white toast at 11:03 AM on May 1, 2014
Then of course we need to deal with DoFo
Doug isn't running for re-election to his council seat in October, so I think he's done politically too. Unless, heaven forbid, he decides to take over his brother's run for mayor, but even then he won't win.
posted by orange swan at 11:07 AM on May 1, 2014
Doug isn't running for re-election to his council seat in October, so I think he's done politically too. Unless, heaven forbid, he decides to take over his brother's run for mayor, but even then he won't win.
posted by orange swan at 11:07 AM on May 1, 2014
Maybe we should just eliminate the position of Mayor from Toronto's municipal government and let the city council manage everything. Jobs that can be done by absent drug addicts should be the first ones downsized in this economy.
posted by ceribus peribus at 11:14 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by ceribus peribus at 11:14 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
Reports that Rob Ford flew to Chicago this morning from Buttonville Airport in a private plane.
Maybe he flew out on the 420 Express with his pal, Biebs.
posted by valkane at 11:21 AM on May 1, 2014
Maybe he flew out on the 420 Express with his pal, Biebs.
posted by valkane at 11:21 AM on May 1, 2014
Doug isn't running for re-election to his council seat in October, so I think he's done politically too. Unless, heaven forbid, he decides to take over his brother's run for mayor, but even then he won't win.
Doug's got his eye on an MPP seat. Remains to be seen whether the provincial Tories will laugh him out of the room or pretend to listen first.
More: Reports that Rob Ford flew to Chicago this morning from Buttonville Airport in a private plane. Dig that privilege.
Provides an interesting talking point for his opponents: he wouldn't even stay in Canada for his rehab.
Maybe we should just eliminate the position of Mayor from Toronto's municipal government and let the city council manage everything. Jobs that can be done by absent drug addicts should be the first ones downsized in this economy.
Eh, there's a utility in a ceremonial leadership position--cutting ribbons and kissing babies and so on. There's also a significant utility in having someone who (theoretically) provides leadership and general legislative direction for the council.
I don't see much difficulty with separating those roles, however. One could have The Mayor who is sort of Toronto's Ambassador and opens shopping malls or whatever, and council could elect its own leader from within its ranks. Would probably lead to a succession of centrist mayors leading much more of a coalition- and consensus-based council, which I can only think is a good thing.
At that point it really doesn't matter who is elected as mayor--shades of President of the Galaxy from HHGTTG here.
I wrote about this on my blog a while back
Also, well: Relevant.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:29 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Doug's got his eye on an MPP seat. Remains to be seen whether the provincial Tories will laugh him out of the room or pretend to listen first.
More: Reports that Rob Ford flew to Chicago this morning from Buttonville Airport in a private plane. Dig that privilege.
Provides an interesting talking point for his opponents: he wouldn't even stay in Canada for his rehab.
Maybe we should just eliminate the position of Mayor from Toronto's municipal government and let the city council manage everything. Jobs that can be done by absent drug addicts should be the first ones downsized in this economy.
Eh, there's a utility in a ceremonial leadership position--cutting ribbons and kissing babies and so on. There's also a significant utility in having someone who (theoretically) provides leadership and general legislative direction for the council.
I don't see much difficulty with separating those roles, however. One could have The Mayor who is sort of Toronto's Ambassador and opens shopping malls or whatever, and council could elect its own leader from within its ranks. Would probably lead to a succession of centrist mayors leading much more of a coalition- and consensus-based council, which I can only think is a good thing.
At that point it really doesn't matter who is elected as mayor--shades of President of the Galaxy from HHGTTG here.
I wrote about this on my blog a while back
Also, well: Relevant.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:29 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Or Governor-General, really.
posted by dry white toast at 11:31 AM on May 1, 2014
posted by dry white toast at 11:31 AM on May 1, 2014
They are less popular than the Port Hope nuclear dump site with the provincial conservatives at the moment. The Fords have rather thoroughly burned that bridge, and with that, most of Doug Ford's higher aspirations.
I suspect Harper won't return their calls either right now. His future is likely limited anyway, barring a major miracle. It will be fun to see how Jason "Who Me? Run for Leadership?" Kenney with handle them in the future, given his comments that Rob Ford needed help last year.
posted by bonehead at 11:32 AM on May 1, 2014
I suspect Harper won't return their calls either right now. His future is likely limited anyway, barring a major miracle. It will be fun to see how Jason "Who Me? Run for Leadership?" Kenney with handle them in the future, given his comments that Rob Ford needed help last year.
posted by bonehead at 11:32 AM on May 1, 2014
I don't blame Ford for choosing an out-of-country rehab facility. He does need to get away from the media circus. Checking himself in at CAMH would hardly be conducive to that.
They are less popular than the Port Hope nuclear dump site with the provincial conservatives at the moment. The Fords have rather thoroughly burned that bridge, and with that, most of Doug Ford's higher aspirations.
Yes. Doug does seem to be less of an addict than Rob, but he's tainted by his support of him, and he also lacks Rob's superficially affable manner. He's finished in Toronto, and he has no chance of ever being elected on the federal or provincial level.
posted by orange swan at 11:34 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
They are less popular than the Port Hope nuclear dump site with the provincial conservatives at the moment. The Fords have rather thoroughly burned that bridge, and with that, most of Doug Ford's higher aspirations.
Yes. Doug does seem to be less of an addict than Rob, but he's tainted by his support of him, and he also lacks Rob's superficially affable manner. He's finished in Toronto, and he has no chance of ever being elected on the federal or provincial level.
posted by orange swan at 11:34 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
The point, the entire purpose of compassion, is that it doesn't sail away.
I don't disagree with you here (or with the way you've described Ford), but what does this really mean in this context? I think I have compassion for Ford, in the sense that I wish he'd get the help he needs, but beyond that, how are we, the vast majority of us who can have little to no effect on Ford's actions, supposed to be compassionate to this man? By declining to mock someone who's taken every opportunity to turn his career and his office into a punchline? Or by simply remembering to speak gravely of the matter and always insisting that he deserves compassion?
I mean, yes, Rob Ford seems to be a deeply damaged man as much as anything else, but he's also a damaged man who has made a career of inflicting his damage on everyone else around him. And I think there's a point where it isn't any longer incumbent on spectators or constituents to keep his damage foremost in mind.
I just don't understand how people can think that a person with all these problems is a good person to being heading up a major Canadian city and that this is just all okay.
I translate such conversations (some of which I have with people about Sarah Palin or my local politicians) as "I can't defend X and I may not even like her (or him), but I won't criticize them because I believe they dislike the same things I dislike." The attitude can be found across the political spectrum, of course, but it seems to present most vocally around people like Palin or Ford.
Our collective heads are hung in shame. *weeps quietly, mops up tears with flag*
Buck up, Canada. You still have two-fours, maple syrup, The Beachcombers, William Shatner, and that really cool building in Ottawa.
posted by octobersurprise at 11:37 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
I don't disagree with you here (or with the way you've described Ford), but what does this really mean in this context? I think I have compassion for Ford, in the sense that I wish he'd get the help he needs, but beyond that, how are we, the vast majority of us who can have little to no effect on Ford's actions, supposed to be compassionate to this man? By declining to mock someone who's taken every opportunity to turn his career and his office into a punchline? Or by simply remembering to speak gravely of the matter and always insisting that he deserves compassion?
I mean, yes, Rob Ford seems to be a deeply damaged man as much as anything else, but he's also a damaged man who has made a career of inflicting his damage on everyone else around him. And I think there's a point where it isn't any longer incumbent on spectators or constituents to keep his damage foremost in mind.
I just don't understand how people can think that a person with all these problems is a good person to being heading up a major Canadian city and that this is just all okay.
I translate such conversations (some of which I have with people about Sarah Palin or my local politicians) as "I can't defend X and I may not even like her (or him), but I won't criticize them because I believe they dislike the same things I dislike." The attitude can be found across the political spectrum, of course, but it seems to present most vocally around people like Palin or Ford.
Our collective heads are hung in shame. *weeps quietly, mops up tears with flag*
Buck up, Canada. You still have two-fours, maple syrup, The Beachcombers, William Shatner, and that really cool building in Ottawa.
posted by octobersurprise at 11:37 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Of note: The Ford family business, Deco Labels, has an office in Chicago, the destination of his flight this morning.
posted by dry white toast at 11:40 AM on May 1, 2014
posted by dry white toast at 11:40 AM on May 1, 2014
I read him as a bully who is repeating the bulling he himself got from his parents and older sister and brothers. He was raised in family where there were few consequences for bad behaviour or personal excess. We should have the same compassion, in my view, for Rob Ford that we would have for an abuser who was themselves a victim of abuse.
posted by bonehead at 11:42 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by bonehead at 11:42 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
As someone with experience with CAMH (in- and outpatient), they take patient privacy pretty damn seriously. The media circus would not be allowed to intrude, I think.
That being said the waiting lists for the residential substance abuse programs at CAMH are pretty long--I think there are only 48 beds. (Located in the new buildings on the west side of the Queen St campus).
Or Governor-General, really.
Pretty much, yes. Include on the Council ballot a Mayor-at-Large who wears the chain and goes on the trade/tourism junkets and leave the business of running the city to the elected representatives who actually know what they're doing. Or just have Council appoint someone from a shortlist of suggestions by the people via the ballot process. I dunno. Either way, separate the executive and ceremonial functions.
I mean, yes, Rob Ford seems to be a deeply damaged man as much as anything else, but he's also a damaged man who has made a career of inflicting his damage on everyone else around him. And I think there's a point where it isn't any longer incumbent on spectators or constituents to keep his damage foremost in mind.
It's a conflicted situation. I don't know if it needs to be foremost in mind, but it needs to be in the top 10. Especially when we consider that the damage caused by his disease is probably the root cause of a lot of the damage he's done. Again, that excuses nothing.
Of note: The Ford family business, Deco Labels, has an office in Chicago, the destination of his flight this morning.
Oh that's fucking rich. I hope the Star or the Mop & Pail (or even, God help me, the Post) plants a couple photographers outside the office to see how often/if he goes there.
We should have the same compassion, in my view, for Rob Ford that we would have for an abuser who was themselves a victim of abuse.
I personally think we should have compassion for abusers, too, but I think I'm getting axegrindy about that particular subject here so I'm going to walk away from it.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:45 AM on May 1, 2014
That being said the waiting lists for the residential substance abuse programs at CAMH are pretty long--I think there are only 48 beds. (Located in the new buildings on the west side of the Queen St campus).
Or Governor-General, really.
Pretty much, yes. Include on the Council ballot a Mayor-at-Large who wears the chain and goes on the trade/tourism junkets and leave the business of running the city to the elected representatives who actually know what they're doing. Or just have Council appoint someone from a shortlist of suggestions by the people via the ballot process. I dunno. Either way, separate the executive and ceremonial functions.
I mean, yes, Rob Ford seems to be a deeply damaged man as much as anything else, but he's also a damaged man who has made a career of inflicting his damage on everyone else around him. And I think there's a point where it isn't any longer incumbent on spectators or constituents to keep his damage foremost in mind.
It's a conflicted situation. I don't know if it needs to be foremost in mind, but it needs to be in the top 10. Especially when we consider that the damage caused by his disease is probably the root cause of a lot of the damage he's done. Again, that excuses nothing.
Of note: The Ford family business, Deco Labels, has an office in Chicago, the destination of his flight this morning.
Oh that's fucking rich. I hope the Star or the Mop & Pail (or even, God help me, the Post) plants a couple photographers outside the office to see how often/if he goes there.
We should have the same compassion, in my view, for Rob Ford that we would have for an abuser who was themselves a victim of abuse.
I personally think we should have compassion for abusers, too, but I think I'm getting axegrindy about that particular subject here so I'm going to walk away from it.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:45 AM on May 1, 2014
I learned about the Amalgamation of Toronto today. I'd always kind of wondered how an awesome place like Toronto could elect someone like Rob Ford after all the progressive things that happened there, with their subways and their bike infrastructure and Toronto is in Canada, after all. I'd heard that he was elected because of the suburban voters but I didn't quite understand. However reading about the Amalgamation of 1998 and how it expanded the boundaries of Toronto so that Toronto is now the fifth largest city in North America and how 75% of Tornotonians did not want Amalgamation to occur puts it into perspective. It is as if the state of Massachusetts decided that the city of Boston should now include Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville, and Newton, and then despite overwhelming local opposition did it anyway. No wonder Toronto has messed up politics.
posted by GregorWill at 11:46 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by GregorWill at 11:46 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
GregorWill, it should be clear: the shift in local electoral math that led to Ford's election was exactly what the people who bequeathed amalgamation to us had in mind. Those people being Mike Harris and the provincial Conservatives who ran the province in the late 90s. They deliberately sought to take power away from the downtown, left-leaning political base of Toronto.
Rob Ford is the apotheosis of Harris's vision.
posted by dry white toast at 11:51 AM on May 1, 2014 [11 favorites]
Rob Ford is the apotheosis of Harris's vision.
posted by dry white toast at 11:51 AM on May 1, 2014 [11 favorites]
I mean, it's entirely possible that he's flying to whatever treatment facility he's allegedly attending from Chicago, since he would be spotted at Pearson going anywhere in two seconds. Nonetheless, I remain sceptical.
posted by dry white toast at 12:04 PM on May 1, 2014
posted by dry white toast at 12:04 PM on May 1, 2014
I agree with Ed Keenan, and I am not saying that because he's friends with my husband. I didn't know he was that Ed until late last year.
I guess I should give Rob Ford the meagerest credit for finally establishing to my family back home in the South, that yes, Canada is a real place, and yes, they have cities.
posted by Kitteh at 12:44 PM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
I guess I should give Rob Ford the meagerest credit for finally establishing to my family back home in the South, that yes, Canada is a real place, and yes, they have cities.
posted by Kitteh at 12:44 PM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Just a gentle reminder - Rob Ford is an addict and deserving of compassion and empathy.
Another resounding FUCK NO.
Rob Ford is a "high-functioning" substance-abuser (for some low but still measurable standard of functioning). Had he stayed a city councillor, or just the titular head of a sticker plant, he could sustain this lifestyle indefinitely, til some accident or brush with mortality scares him straight. Just another rich party-boy.
But no. Elected to a position well above his competence, there is of course increased pressure, and increased scrutiny. Well, duh.
His biggest disability is that he was apparently born without the capability to feel shame. He can't even fake it. It might be genetic.
Ford won't win this election, and no way will the Conservative Party back him in any provincial or federal election. He's finished politically.
Well, here's hopin'. But it would be too little too late. Ford's election was not some electoral fluke. Please, please never forget that the Conservative party put their electioneering A-team to work on Ford's first mayoral campaign. The Con's pet pollster was Ford's campaign manager. Never forget the depths of amoral calculation and scheming that helped put this buffoon front and center. Who needs competence to run Canada's largest city, as long as he tilts Conservative, amirite?
posted by Artful Codger at 3:54 PM on May 1, 2014 [4 favorites]
Another resounding FUCK NO.
Rob Ford is a "high-functioning" substance-abuser (for some low but still measurable standard of functioning). Had he stayed a city councillor, or just the titular head of a sticker plant, he could sustain this lifestyle indefinitely, til some accident or brush with mortality scares him straight. Just another rich party-boy.
But no. Elected to a position well above his competence, there is of course increased pressure, and increased scrutiny. Well, duh.
His biggest disability is that he was apparently born without the capability to feel shame. He can't even fake it. It might be genetic.
Ford won't win this election, and no way will the Conservative Party back him in any provincial or federal election. He's finished politically.
Well, here's hopin'. But it would be too little too late. Ford's election was not some electoral fluke. Please, please never forget that the Conservative party put their electioneering A-team to work on Ford's first mayoral campaign. The Con's pet pollster was Ford's campaign manager. Never forget the depths of amoral calculation and scheming that helped put this buffoon front and center. Who needs competence to run Canada's largest city, as long as he tilts Conservative, amirite?
posted by Artful Codger at 3:54 PM on May 1, 2014 [4 favorites]
People watch you for political HOPE, Canada,
His name, we hope, is Justin Trudeau. Probably with a last-minute assist from Thomas Mulcair.
I don't know. I feel like that Trudeau is the definition of cynicism. Haven't liked him since he inaugurated his political career at his father's funeral, and he's done little since to inspire confidence. But I've voted strategically since I dropped my first ballot, and I'll do it again. I'd vote for Mulcair faster than a heartbeat if I didn't live in a stupid riding.
posted by cotton dress sock at 4:18 PM on May 1, 2014
His name, we hope, is Justin Trudeau. Probably with a last-minute assist from Thomas Mulcair.
I don't know. I feel like that Trudeau is the definition of cynicism. Haven't liked him since he inaugurated his political career at his father's funeral, and he's done little since to inspire confidence. But I've voted strategically since I dropped my first ballot, and I'll do it again. I'd vote for Mulcair faster than a heartbeat if I didn't live in a stupid riding.
posted by cotton dress sock at 4:18 PM on May 1, 2014
I know we do not vote for party leaders. I am usually a reluctant Liberal, is all.
posted by cotton dress sock at 4:25 PM on May 1, 2014
posted by cotton dress sock at 4:25 PM on May 1, 2014
Me too. I bleed orange but sometimes you have to vote red to prevent blue so..
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 4:43 PM on May 1, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 4:43 PM on May 1, 2014 [4 favorites]
We need electoral reform so bad.
posted by kaspen at 5:18 PM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by kaspen at 5:18 PM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
This is what KILLS me. Even if you (hah) ignore the crack; the lying; the drug-dealing, bedbug wielding BFFs; the drinking; the racism; the misogyny; the very frequent domestic disturbances; the public tomfoolery — things the rest of us chumps would be turfed for in an instant —you still have an epic simpleton of a mayor who voted against the interests of the city's most vulnerable at every turn, and cannot understand basic things like conflicts of interest. He rails constantly against so-called "gravy" and yet gleefully incurs millions in penalties for cancelled contracts just because he hates driving behind streetcars. He unabashedly holds fundraisers in the 905, rebating donations to his campaign with Toronto tax dollars. He is constantly absent from work. He commandeers city buses to transport his football team. He hires staff without due process and all they seem to do is coach football and fetch vodka. I am beyond flabbergasted. This dumbass should be unelectable and yet here we are. Mike Harris, I hate you.
posted by emeiji at 7:31 PM on May 1, 2014 [13 favorites]
posted by emeiji at 7:31 PM on May 1, 2014 [13 favorites]
Reports that Rob Ford flew to Chicago this morning from Buttonville Airport in a private plane.
Serious question: How would a self-confessed crack smoker get past Immigration? Isn't USCIS supposed to deny him admission to the U.S.?
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 7:55 PM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
Serious question: How would a self-confessed crack smoker get past Immigration? Isn't USCIS supposed to deny him admission to the U.S.?
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 7:55 PM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
Somebody commented on the UrbanToronto forum: "Bicycle = elitist. Private jet = regular guy".
posted by Crane Shot at 8:01 PM on May 1, 2014 [13 favorites]
posted by Crane Shot at 8:01 PM on May 1, 2014 [13 favorites]
That's because all the regular guys can totally picture themselves in a private jet. (with blonde and bottle as well) But on a bicycle? Nevaaaaar!
posted by telstar at 8:21 PM on May 1, 2014 [5 favorites]
posted by telstar at 8:21 PM on May 1, 2014 [5 favorites]
Whoa. Dealer says #RobFord beat up pal Lisi, used n-word on same night he smoked crack. Friday's @TorontoStar A1.
posted by maudlin at 8:34 PM on May 1, 2014
posted by maudlin at 8:34 PM on May 1, 2014
Ford supporters may argue that the dashed word was used in an in-group, friendly kind of way about Eugene Jones: Close-up of tomorrow's Star front page.
posted by maudlin at 8:39 PM on May 1, 2014
posted by maudlin at 8:39 PM on May 1, 2014
I think it's hilarious that you have a drunken, drug addicted lout consorting with criminals and making a mockery of the legislature, but the big question is did he use a particular six-letter word? Because that would just be wrong.
posted by Joe in Australia at 9:52 PM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Joe in Australia at 9:52 PM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
That Star article... my word. Short, but just pow! biff! bam! everywhere.
I just want it to be October already so we can turf him out in no uncertain terms.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:00 PM on May 1, 2014
I just want it to be October already so we can turf him out in no uncertain terms.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:00 PM on May 1, 2014
Online version of Toronto Star article
I think it's hilarious that you have a drunken, drug addicted lout consorting with criminals and making a mockery of the legislature, but the big question is did he use a particular six-letter word? Because that would just be wrong.
-sigh- Ford genuinely thinks he's down with the street, and in context it wasn't used as a slur, so he'll get a pass for using it. So yes it's beyond ridiculous to focus on that, relative to everything else. But it makes for an easy, outrage-stoking article.
Maybe Lisi could man up, press assault charges, and do the city of Toronto a huge, huge favour. Criminal conviction is about the only legislated way to remove a sitting mayor from office.
posted by Artful Codger at 5:34 AM on May 2, 2014
I think it's hilarious that you have a drunken, drug addicted lout consorting with criminals and making a mockery of the legislature, but the big question is did he use a particular six-letter word? Because that would just be wrong.
-sigh- Ford genuinely thinks he's down with the street, and in context it wasn't used as a slur, so he'll get a pass for using it. So yes it's beyond ridiculous to focus on that, relative to everything else. But it makes for an easy, outrage-stoking article.
Maybe Lisi could man up, press assault charges, and do the city of Toronto a huge, huge favour. Criminal conviction is about the only legislated way to remove a sitting mayor from office.
posted by Artful Codger at 5:34 AM on May 2, 2014
Maybe Lisi could man up, press assault charges, and do the city of Toronto a huge, huge favour.
That, or roll on him in the extortion case. All it would take is Lisi admitting that he did what he did on Ford's orders to recover the original crack tape and we've got a ball game.
posted by saturday_morning at 5:35 AM on May 2, 2014
That, or roll on him in the extortion case. All it would take is Lisi admitting that he did what he did on Ford's orders to recover the original crack tape and we've got a ball game.
posted by saturday_morning at 5:35 AM on May 2, 2014
> Serious question: How would a self-confessed crack smoker get past Immigration? Isn't USCIS supposed to deny him admission to the U.S.?
He has never confessed in a legal setting, to the best of my knowledge. Evidence may proliferate and his pose with a crack pipe might be put on the front page of the newspaper, but without the law getting involved, his record's spotless. That would be the critical difference between his and Nigella Lawson's examples.
If RoFo has drunk driving on his record in the U.S. or Canada, that absolutely can be used as grounds to forbid his re-entry. Then again, Justin Bieber's many confrontations with the law doesn't seem to have affected his transit between our countries, and he's got a record longer than what's been used to ban foreign-born black and Hispanic men from the U.S. for life. So, yeah, it still circles back to arbitrary (capricious, if you're not feeling charitable) enforcement.
posted by ardgedee at 5:36 AM on May 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
He has never confessed in a legal setting, to the best of my knowledge. Evidence may proliferate and his pose with a crack pipe might be put on the front page of the newspaper, but without the law getting involved, his record's spotless. That would be the critical difference between his and Nigella Lawson's examples.
If RoFo has drunk driving on his record in the U.S. or Canada, that absolutely can be used as grounds to forbid his re-entry. Then again, Justin Bieber's many confrontations with the law doesn't seem to have affected his transit between our countries, and he's got a record longer than what's been used to ban foreign-born black and Hispanic men from the U.S. for life. So, yeah, it still circles back to arbitrary (capricious, if you're not feeling charitable) enforcement.
posted by ardgedee at 5:36 AM on May 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
Justin Bieber's many confrontations with the law doesn't seem to have affected his transit between our countries
Justin Bieber Detained by Immigration Officials at LAX
posted by Chrysostom at 6:28 AM on May 2, 2014
Justin Bieber Detained by Immigration Officials at LAX
posted by Chrysostom at 6:28 AM on May 2, 2014
Heh. I wasn't aware of that, it only happened last weekend. So it took underage drinking, reckless driving, and a pending DUI to slow his entry into the US, but it sounds like he was still admitted.
Anyway, this is a Rob Ford thread...
posted by ardgedee at 6:34 AM on May 2, 2014
Anyway, this is a Rob Ford thread...
posted by ardgedee at 6:34 AM on May 2, 2014
And a serious follow-up question: Can we petition Canada Border Services Agency to not let Ford back in again, specifically because of his DUI charge in Florida in 1999?
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 6:50 AM on May 2, 2014
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 6:50 AM on May 2, 2014
No, keeping people with criminal convictions out of a country only works for visitors. They have to let Canadians come home, that's basically what citizenship means -- even if no one else wants you, we have to put up with you.
posted by jacquilynne at 6:52 AM on May 2, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by jacquilynne at 6:52 AM on May 2, 2014 [3 favorites]
And a serious follow-up question: Can we petition Canada Border Services Agency to not let Ford back in again, specifically because of his DUI charge in Florida in 1999?
The U.S. has more than enough problems to deal with. We don't need Rob Ford being forced to stay here on top of everything else.
posted by Area Man at 7:23 AM on May 2, 2014
The U.S. has more than enough problems to deal with. We don't need Rob Ford being forced to stay here on top of everything else.
posted by Area Man at 7:23 AM on May 2, 2014
Latest Forum poll had slates with and without Ford. Top three with Ford: Chow 33, Tory 27, Ford 22.
Two thirds of the city thinks Ford should resign. And if he isn't in the race: Chow 34, Tory 32.
The city wants a Daddy. And it looks as if we'll get Hudak for premier soon now that we're getting a spring election. Thanks, Harris!
posted by maudlin at 8:03 AM on May 2, 2014
Two thirds of the city thinks Ford should resign. And if he isn't in the race: Chow 34, Tory 32.
The city wants a Daddy. And it looks as if we'll get Hudak for premier soon now that we're getting a spring election. Thanks, Harris!
posted by maudlin at 8:03 AM on May 2, 2014
The prospect of having neo-con ideologues in charge at every level of government is beyond horrifying. Rob Ford could be the least of our problems soon.
posted by Crane Shot at 10:32 AM on May 2, 2014
posted by Crane Shot at 10:32 AM on May 2, 2014
And it looks as if we'll get Hudak for premier soon now that we're getting a spring election. Thanks, Harris!
That, I won't blame Harris for. I'll blame Horwath and her stupid fucking grandstanding over a budget the NDP could have written, it's so far left (yay).
Horwath can't win a minority government let alone a majority. Wynne is tarnished by GasPlantGate. Hudak is going to divide and conquer and then I'm going to live as a hermit in the woods.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 1:45 PM on May 2, 2014 [2 favorites]
That, I won't blame Harris for. I'll blame Horwath and her stupid fucking grandstanding over a budget the NDP could have written, it's so far left (yay).
Horwath can't win a minority government let alone a majority. Wynne is tarnished by GasPlantGate. Hudak is going to divide and conquer and then I'm going to live as a hermit in the woods.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 1:45 PM on May 2, 2014 [2 favorites]
So depressed that the nightmarish Ford-Hudak-Harper neo-con hat-trick looks likely to happen. I just hope it'll be short-lived, and, in not too long, we'll have Mayor Chow and Prime Minister Trudeau.
posted by erlking at 1:52 PM on May 2, 2014
posted by erlking at 1:52 PM on May 2, 2014
No, no, no. No trifecta. No hat trick. No Hudak. No. Chow please. And Wynne.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:39 PM on May 2, 2014
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:39 PM on May 2, 2014
Chow's a probable, but Wynne's dead in the water. Which is unfortunate, because I think she's probably been the most efficient and businesslike premier we've had for as long as I remember premiers.
Trudeau's also a probable, but he's got some a big shoes to fill and some tall hurdles to clear before he's ruling with a majority Parliament. (I think Lib minority, NDP as HMLO is probably most likely. Or possibly a Liberal-NDP coalition.
It's not like there isn't going to be another major political party marriage again soon. The only question is if the (federal) NDP are going to merge with Libs or Greens.
But we're ranging far afield and that's my fault so.
Anyone got some crack?
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:11 PM on May 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
Trudeau's also a probable, but he's got some a big shoes to fill and some tall hurdles to clear before he's ruling with a majority Parliament. (I think Lib minority, NDP as HMLO is probably most likely. Or possibly a Liberal-NDP coalition.
It's not like there isn't going to be another major political party marriage again soon. The only question is if the (federal) NDP are going to merge with Libs or Greens.
But we're ranging far afield and that's my fault so.
Anyone got some crack?
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:11 PM on May 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
Interesting. You really thing that there is going to be a party merger soon? That's news to me. The climate in this country seems so very hostile to party merger that it's perceived almost as legally illegitimate. Perhaps I don't know the whole picture but I'd be surprised if something like this happens in then next few years. The party leaders are VERY invested in the success of their own independent parties.
posted by beau jackson at 7:30 PM on May 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by beau jackson at 7:30 PM on May 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
"Perceived as legally illegitimate" seems odd, seeing as there was just a major party merger in 2003.
posted by Chrysostom at 7:40 PM on May 2, 2014
posted by Chrysostom at 7:40 PM on May 2, 2014
Yeah, but that was just the Alliance going back to its fold. Which got friendlier to it, in any case. AFAIK the Greens are too fiscally weird for the NDP, whose base see no real difference between the Liberals and the Conservatives. As for a coalition, maybe after the fact, but I agree that the parties are too concerned with survival to even nominally support a coordinated grass-roots Anyone But Harper effort, though voters might try again. Who knows where Quebec will go. The rural areas outside of Quebec are surer (blue), I think. I reckon it'll be another series of dark winters. Change imo will take a) con supporters dying off and b) getting serious about reform, absolutely.
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:16 PM on May 2, 2014
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:16 PM on May 2, 2014
No. The NDP and the Liberals will not merge. You really can't underestimate how much the two parties dislike each other.
posted by dry white toast at 8:20 PM on May 2, 2014
posted by dry white toast at 8:20 PM on May 2, 2014
No, they won't merge. You don't see them possibly forming a coalition, though, after an election, to mitigate resentment?
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:25 PM on May 2, 2014
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:25 PM on May 2, 2014
A political coalition to form a government, sure. But that's just about the political reality of a given situation. Nothing to do with mitigating resentment. Even if they're governing together, the backbiting will be something to see.
posted by dry white toast at 8:29 PM on May 2, 2014
posted by dry white toast at 8:29 PM on May 2, 2014
Very likely. I guess I would kind of like some party somewhere, at some level, to at least appear to try to mitigate my resentment.
(Seriously, Andrea Horwath, wtf.)
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:56 PM on May 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
(Seriously, Andrea Horwath, wtf.)
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:56 PM on May 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
What do you bet Robbie is holed up at his brother's house in Chicago?
posted by Bartonius at 9:05 PM on May 2, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Bartonius at 9:05 PM on May 2, 2014 [2 favorites]
What do you bet Robbie is holed up at his brother's house in Chicago?
All the money in my pockets.
(For the record, Hotmail Lawyer "confirmed" that Ford has entered a registered treatment facility. Take that for what it's worth.)
posted by dry white toast at 9:09 PM on May 2, 2014
All the money in my pockets.
(For the record, Hotmail Lawyer "confirmed" that Ford has entered a registered treatment facility. Take that for what it's worth.)
posted by dry white toast at 9:09 PM on May 2, 2014
Wynne's dead in the water
By which you mean leading in the latest polls?
posted by one more dead town's last parade at 9:11 PM on May 2, 2014 [2 favorites]
By which you mean leading in the latest polls?
posted by one more dead town's last parade at 9:11 PM on May 2, 2014 [2 favorites]
What do you bet Robbie is holed up at his brother's house in Chicago?
Can't you just imagine the media blitz if Ford gets photographed out partying in Chicago?
posted by orange swan at 4:37 AM on May 3, 2014
Can't you just imagine the media blitz if Ford gets photographed out partying in Chicago?
posted by orange swan at 4:37 AM on May 3, 2014
By which you mean leading in the latest polls?
Polls taken the day after a snap election is called don't bear a lot in common with the eventual reality, IMHO.
Six weeks of attack ads from left and right talking about the gas plants will change those numbers. Hudak's going to be premier as of June 12.
Can't you just imagine the media blitz if Ford gets photographed out partying in Chicago?
I can and it is delicious.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:35 AM on May 3, 2014
Polls taken the day after a snap election is called don't bear a lot in common with the eventual reality, IMHO.
Six weeks of attack ads from left and right talking about the gas plants will change those numbers. Hudak's going to be premier as of June 12.
Can't you just imagine the media blitz if Ford gets photographed out partying in Chicago?
I can and it is delicious.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:35 AM on May 3, 2014
Polls taken the day after a snap election is called don't bear a lot in common with the eventual reality, IMHO.
The latest poll I could find (Ekos: OLP 34.7, PCPO 31.6, ONDP 22.2) is from May 1, at which point Horwath had not announced her decision.
posted by one more dead town's last parade at 7:42 AM on May 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
The latest poll I could find (Ekos: OLP 34.7, PCPO 31.6, ONDP 22.2) is from May 1, at which point Horwath had not announced her decision.
posted by one more dead town's last parade at 7:42 AM on May 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
Fair enough. I don't think that "If there were an election tomorrow who would you vote for?" polls are terribly accurate either. And again, six weeks of attack ads will change those numbers. A 3.1 spread isn't exactly much of a hurdle for Hudak to get over.
What was the margin of error on the poll?
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:48 AM on May 3, 2014
What was the margin of error on the poll?
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:48 AM on May 3, 2014
It looks like the margin of error is 2.7 points, but it doesn't seem like Hudak is in majority territory, especially if, over the next month and a half, he opens his mouth and words come out.
posted by one more dead town's last parade at 7:59 AM on May 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by one more dead town's last parade at 7:59 AM on May 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
So 2.7 points could easily change your numbers to OLP 32, PCPO 34.3. Or close enough, math is hard.
He may not be in majority territory, but he is very much in minority territory. Not that with a minority he'd be able to go to Onley and claim he has the support of the house to be Premier--the Libs and NDP would never support him.
Except that would trigger another election, and another $90MM wasted. Which I don't think Wynne would want. Horwath on the other hand...
Course there's always the possibility Wynne gets another minority govt with NDP holding the balance (over her head).
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:18 AM on May 3, 2014
He may not be in majority territory, but he is very much in minority territory. Not that with a minority he'd be able to go to Onley and claim he has the support of the house to be Premier--the Libs and NDP would never support him.
Except that would trigger another election, and another $90MM wasted. Which I don't think Wynne would want. Horwath on the other hand...
Course there's always the possibility Wynne gets another minority govt with NDP holding the balance (over her head).
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:18 AM on May 3, 2014
Well, her budget's out there; she's got to campaign on it, and it's not just attack ads that are kicking at it. Between Harris/Harper etc and the state of the economy, the common weal has been sufficiently drained for people to only give a shit about their own, and Horwath's 'lack of confidence' argument obviously wasn't chosen arbitrarily, it will resonate with people.
Some people on lefty forums (who think Horwath is a sellout) have been saying they'd vote PC just to stick it to Wynne's Liberals. Which again, wt everloving f.
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:45 AM on May 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
Some people on lefty forums (who think Horwath is a sellout) have been saying they'd vote PC just to stick it to Wynne's Liberals. Which again, wt everloving f.
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:45 AM on May 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
I figure the attack ads will be over the gas plant thing; tabling a new budget is something Wynne could easily do post-election. Horwath can't really argue against a budget that could have walked directly out of NDP HQ. Which is why this is all just grandstanding on her part. Maybe she thinks whether its a PC or Lib minority gov't, she'll then have the balance of votes and can call the shots.
Hasn't been working out well for her so far.
Some people on lefty forums (who think Horwath is a sellout) have been saying they'd vote PC just to stick it to Wynne's Liberals. Which again, wt everloving f.
It's the lefty version of 'fuck you I got mine.' They're also complete idiots for saying shit like that, and I'd bet cash money they walk into the voting booth and vote NDP or Lib.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:00 AM on May 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
Hasn't been working out well for her so far.
Some people on lefty forums (who think Horwath is a sellout) have been saying they'd vote PC just to stick it to Wynne's Liberals. Which again, wt everloving f.
It's the lefty version of 'fuck you I got mine.' They're also complete idiots for saying shit like that, and I'd bet cash money they walk into the voting booth and vote NDP or Lib.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:00 AM on May 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
Sure, a new budget could be announced, but this one's already out there for people to chip away at, and it's now a liability. NDP ads for sure will go on about the gas plant, but they've also called this budget out for vote-buying and hypocrisy. Newstalk 1010 etc will go on about the deficit (and the gas plant, and .. oh man, yeah, pass me that pipe). You're probably right about those voters, and probably about another Liberal minority.
(Sorry, done with my opining!)
posted by cotton dress sock at 9:13 AM on May 3, 2014
(Sorry, done with my opining!)
posted by cotton dress sock at 9:13 AM on May 3, 2014
but they've also called this budget out for vote-buying and hypocrisy.
Which is hypocrisy in and of itself. Were Horwath Premier (oh please God no), this budget, virtually unchanged, is exactly what would have come out of her office.
Wynne was counting on NDP support to get the budget passed, so she wrote an NDP budget.
Horwath had a brainfart and decided to trigger an election.
Sigh.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:23 AM on May 3, 2014
Which is hypocrisy in and of itself. Were Horwath Premier (oh please God no), this budget, virtually unchanged, is exactly what would have come out of her office.
Wynne was counting on NDP support to get the budget passed, so she wrote an NDP budget.
Horwath had a brainfart and decided to trigger an election.
Sigh.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:23 AM on May 3, 2014
Hey look: Rob Ford turned back from entering the US in Chicago last week rather than be denied entry.
So we actually have no idea where he is. Perhaps that's best for everyone.
Great line from Hotmail Lawyer: He's still checked in to rehab (just not where they said he was), it's not like he's at a baseball game in Los Angeles. Which is...an oddly specific comment.
posted by dry white toast at 4:55 AM on May 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
So we actually have no idea where he is. Perhaps that's best for everyone.
Great line from Hotmail Lawyer: He's still checked in to rehab (just not where they said he was), it's not like he's at a baseball game in Los Angeles. Which is...an oddly specific comment.
posted by dry white toast at 4:55 AM on May 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
Also, for all Ford bitches about the amount of resources the police have spent tailing him, it really tells you something that Ford has only ever faced any kind of legal consequences for his actions in the US, where his status doesn't matter (DUI and pot possession arrests in Florida and now being denied entry by Customs).
posted by dry white toast at 4:58 AM on May 6, 2014
posted by dry white toast at 4:58 AM on May 6, 2014
Which is...an oddly specific comment.
What are the odds that at the moment that sentence was composed, he was at or preparing to attend an Angels game?
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 5:27 AM on May 6, 2014
What are the odds that at the moment that sentence was composed, he was at or preparing to attend an Angels game?
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 5:27 AM on May 6, 2014
What are the odds that at the moment that sentence was composed, he was at or preparing to attend an Angels game?
I'm offering 2:1.
posted by Theta States at 5:58 AM on May 6, 2014
I'm offering 2:1.
posted by Theta States at 5:58 AM on May 6, 2014
What are you offering on whether he's doing rehab at all, or just hiding out for thirty days and then claiming he did?
There's only a handful of residential facilities in Ontario, wouldn't be difficult for a couple journalists to check if he's in any of them.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 6:00 AM on May 6, 2014
There's only a handful of residential facilities in Ontario, wouldn't be difficult for a couple journalists to check if he's in any of them.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 6:00 AM on May 6, 2014
What are you offering on whether he's doing rehab at all, or just hiding out for thirty days and then claiming he did?
2:1 odds are that when his lawyer said "It’s not like he’s at a baseball game in Los Angeles or something." that he was simultaneously texting RoFo telling him to cancel his plans for the game ASAP because that'd be embarassing.
posted by Theta States at 6:35 AM on May 6, 2014
2:1 odds are that when his lawyer said "It’s not like he’s at a baseball game in Los Angeles or something." that he was simultaneously texting RoFo telling him to cancel his plans for the game ASAP because that'd be embarassing.
posted by Theta States at 6:35 AM on May 6, 2014
If I had cash, I'd bet cash money that in the next thirty days we get a picture of him in a bar or at a sportsball game, beer in hand.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 6:53 AM on May 6, 2014
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 6:53 AM on May 6, 2014
There's only a handful of residential facilities in Ontario, wouldn't be difficult for a couple journalists to check if he's in any of them.
I very much doubt that the rehab facilities are going to confirm or deny whether they have Ford or any other patient! That's a total violation of patient confidentiality.
posted by orange swan at 7:12 AM on May 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
I very much doubt that the rehab facilities are going to confirm or deny whether they have Ford or any other patient! That's a total violation of patient confidentiality.
posted by orange swan at 7:12 AM on May 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
If I had cash, I'd bet cash money that in the next thirty days we get a picture of him in a bar or at a sportsball game, beer in hand.
...and that he'll then claim that it wasn't beer in the can, but pop...
posted by orange swan at 7:41 AM on May 6, 2014
...and that he'll then claim that it wasn't beer in the can, but pop...
posted by orange swan at 7:41 AM on May 6, 2014
The Toronto Sun, which I refuse to link to, is claiming that Rob Ford may be at a treatment facility in Guelph, Ontario. Neither the facility or the Ford camp will confirm it.
posted by orange swan at 8:01 AM on May 6, 2014
posted by orange swan at 8:01 AM on May 6, 2014
And then Doug will jump into to insist that it was diet pop.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:01 AM on May 6, 2014
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:01 AM on May 6, 2014
I said upthread on the day the story broke that Ford would be arrested for DUI somewhere while supposedly off getting treatment. The odds of that seem smaller now, but only because he was denied entry to the US, which is the only place he's ever gotten in trouble for his blatantly illegal and dangerous behaviour. My money is still very much on him seen doing something that is not rehab during this time.
posted by dry white toast at 8:10 AM on May 6, 2014
posted by dry white toast at 8:10 AM on May 6, 2014
Doug is sitting on Rob's seat at Council today. What an indescribable tool.
posted by dry white toast at 8:13 AM on May 6, 2014
posted by dry white toast at 8:13 AM on May 6, 2014
Doug said Rob is "feeling great" in rehab. As someone on Twitter pointed out, then it's not working. Of course, what's he going to say?
posted by dry white toast at 8:14 AM on May 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by dry white toast at 8:14 AM on May 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
Rob Ford not actually in the US for rehab?
This is my surprised face.
posted by Kitteh at 8:15 AM on May 6, 2014
This is my surprised face.
posted by Kitteh at 8:15 AM on May 6, 2014
It wouldn't surprise me if Ford is at the Homewood facility in Guelph. It was the first place I thought of when he announced he was going to rehab. There are persistent rumours that Elvis Presley was a patient back in the day.
Anyway, I'll keep my eyes open for him in an around Guelph (although I don't frequent a lot of dance clubs or crack houses)
posted by rocket88 at 9:26 AM on May 6, 2014
Anyway, I'll keep my eyes open for him in an around Guelph (although I don't frequent a lot of dance clubs or crack houses)
posted by rocket88 at 9:26 AM on May 6, 2014
Yeah, Homewood is my first thought too. I know someone who stayed there (for other reasons), and they said it was a remarkably healing experience.
Then again, they have more self-reflection than a rock, so beating Ford there.
Homewood is, if memory serves, a bunch of buildings with lots of open area. A photographer with a telephoto lens should be able to capture whether Ford is there or not.
(For a normal human being that would be a gross invasion of privacy. He made himself and his problems a public issue, which makes them fair game.)
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:14 AM on May 6, 2014
Then again, they have more self-reflection than a rock, so beating Ford there.
Homewood is, if memory serves, a bunch of buildings with lots of open area. A photographer with a telephoto lens should be able to capture whether Ford is there or not.
(For a normal human being that would be a gross invasion of privacy. He made himself and his problems a public issue, which makes them fair game.)
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:14 AM on May 6, 2014
A photographer with a telephoto lens should be able to capture whether Ford is there or not.
I hope any photographer stalking a rehab facility is publicly shamed and slapped with a restraining order.
posted by Theta States at 10:35 AM on May 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
I hope any photographer stalking a rehab facility is publicly shamed and slapped with a restraining order.
posted by Theta States at 10:35 AM on May 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
I hope any photographer stalking a rehab facility is publicly shamed and slapped with a restraining order.
The thing is, we have no reason to believe Doug when he says Rob is in rehab. They've lied about everything else so far. If RoFo wants privacy, all he has to do is resign his seat and take his name off the ballot. Until then, we absolutely have the right to know whether he's being truthful about this. Especially given the high likelihood that they're going to spin some kind of "redemption" narrative if and when he returns.
posted by Crane Shot at 10:42 AM on May 6, 2014
The thing is, we have no reason to believe Doug when he says Rob is in rehab. They've lied about everything else so far. If RoFo wants privacy, all he has to do is resign his seat and take his name off the ballot. Until then, we absolutely have the right to know whether he's being truthful about this. Especially given the high likelihood that they're going to spin some kind of "redemption" narrative if and when he returns.
posted by Crane Shot at 10:42 AM on May 6, 2014
Worth noting: the suggestion about Homewood came from Joe Warmington, the Ford camp's mouthpiece at the Toronto Sun. And the story's "sources" somehow spoke up about an hour after the story about Ford being denied entry to the US broke.
That sounds like about the right amount of time for a Ford family member to google "alcohol rehab near Toronto", call Joe, and have him get the story on the website.
So, continue to put me in the unconvinced column. I really have no reason as yet to believe anything the Ford family says about anything.
(Ugh, I hate being this cynical. It's not that I don't want the Rob Ford as a person to get help. I'm just struggling to imagine that he is capable of the level of self-reflection to have any chance at getting sober)
posted by dry white toast at 10:45 AM on May 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
That sounds like about the right amount of time for a Ford family member to google "alcohol rehab near Toronto", call Joe, and have him get the story on the website.
So, continue to put me in the unconvinced column. I really have no reason as yet to believe anything the Ford family says about anything.
(Ugh, I hate being this cynical. It's not that I don't want the Rob Ford as a person to get help. I'm just struggling to imagine that he is capable of the level of self-reflection to have any chance at getting sober)
posted by dry white toast at 10:45 AM on May 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'm fine with just assuming they're lying assholes without invading other people's privacy to prove it.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:46 AM on May 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:46 AM on May 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
I agree that no private citizen's privacy should be invaded or compromised.
Rob Ford, however, is not a private citizen; he made himself a public figure, which would still entitle him to privacy about his personal life and habits, but then he went and made those things public. He's fair game.
Also, he's not at Homewood or anywhere else. He's hiding at a friend's cottage downing a 24 every day and counting the days until he can start campaigning again.
And any journalist asking for proof of the rehab stay is going to get the full RoDoFo treatment of "How DARE you I am suing!"
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:57 AM on May 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
Rob Ford, however, is not a private citizen; he made himself a public figure, which would still entitle him to privacy about his personal life and habits, but then he went and made those things public. He's fair game.
Also, he's not at Homewood or anywhere else. He's hiding at a friend's cottage downing a 24 every day and counting the days until he can start campaigning again.
And any journalist asking for proof of the rehab stay is going to get the full RoDoFo treatment of "How DARE you I am suing!"
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:57 AM on May 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
According to Sun reporter Don Peat, Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti just claimed a "number" of councillors "would like to see (Rob Ford) dead & die of this ailment".
I'm thinking Mammoliti will be voted out in October as well. One of the few upsides of this whole brouhaha is that a number of politicians have made it easy for voters to earmark them as unfit to hold public office. Anyone who is still defending Rob Ford at this point shouldn't be elected to anything.
posted by orange swan at 10:58 AM on May 6, 2014
I'm thinking Mammoliti will be voted out in October as well. One of the few upsides of this whole brouhaha is that a number of politicians have made it easy for voters to earmark them as unfit to hold public office. Anyone who is still defending Rob Ford at this point shouldn't be elected to anything.
posted by orange swan at 10:58 AM on May 6, 2014
Mammo will not be mayor, and if he is a councillor after October I will be both surprised and dismayed.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:04 AM on May 6, 2014
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:04 AM on May 6, 2014
Unfortunately, when it comes to local councillors, name recognition is pretty much everything. Mammo will be back.
posted by Crane Shot at 11:07 AM on May 6, 2014
posted by Crane Shot at 11:07 AM on May 6, 2014
Rob Ford, however, is not a private citizen; he made himself a public figure, which would still entitle him to privacy about his personal life and habits, but then he went and made those things public. He's fair game.
Absolutely, but if you're aiming a telephoto lens over the walls of a rehab facility you're not poking into just Rob Ford's affairs, is what I'm saying.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 11:11 AM on May 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
Absolutely, but if you're aiming a telephoto lens over the walls of a rehab facility you're not poking into just Rob Ford's affairs, is what I'm saying.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 11:11 AM on May 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
Lemurrhea, I was gonna post that but you beat me to it! :)
posted by Kitteh at 11:50 AM on May 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Kitteh at 11:50 AM on May 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti just claimed a "number" of councillors "would like to see (Rob Ford) dead & die of this ailment".
By definition true, since zero is a number.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 12:25 PM on May 6, 2014
By definition true, since zero is a number.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 12:25 PM on May 6, 2014
Ma'am Litty's buffoonery is by no means new to his constituents. Most voters' interest in local politics is so low that incumbency (and the name recognition that goes with it) is 80% of the battle. Unless you do something to really piss off residents, enough that they raise a big stink about it, a Council seat is yours for as long as you want it.
posted by dry white toast at 12:37 PM on May 6, 2014
posted by dry white toast at 12:37 PM on May 6, 2014
Fucking 'ell, not only is Doug sitting in Rob's seat at Council, he (or someone) taped his name over Rob's on the name plate.
I think it's pitchfork time.
posted by dry white toast at 12:41 PM on May 6, 2014
I think it's pitchfork time.
posted by dry white toast at 12:41 PM on May 6, 2014
Mayor Doug?
There is another thing Doug Ford won’t talk about – whether or not he would run for mayor if Rob Ford drops out of the race.posted by Theta States at 12:42 PM on May 6, 2014
“I have no comment on that,” Doug Ford told the Sun last Friday.
“Our family is committed to serving the people.”
That’s a “never say never” answer if I’ve ever heard one.
What if this was a House Of Cards style power grab for the mayoral office all along???
posted by Theta States at 12:44 PM on May 6, 2014
posted by Theta States at 12:44 PM on May 6, 2014
Apparently it was Mammoliti who put the "Doug" sign there. And he was seen removing it later, presumably after saying to himself, "who put this here?!?"
posted by Crane Shot at 12:46 PM on May 6, 2014
posted by Crane Shot at 12:46 PM on May 6, 2014
Ms. dry white toast has been saying all along that Doug will slide into Rob's candidacy. The signs say "Ford For Mayor" after all.
Just to be clear, he will get destroyed, and I'll enjoy watching it.
Doug Ford: The only man who could make me feel sympathetic towards Rob Ford.
posted by dry white toast at 12:47 PM on May 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
Just to be clear, he will get destroyed, and I'll enjoy watching it.
Doug Ford: The only man who could make me feel sympathetic towards Rob Ford.
posted by dry white toast at 12:47 PM on May 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
Hey, as has been pointed out, those Rob Ford bobbleheads the Ford campaign is selling as a fundraiser look more like Doug than like Rob, and they won't have to replace most of their signs.
Doug can bring on a run for mayor if he likes. I shall greatly enjoy seeing him get stomped at the polls October 27.
Or, even better... Doug takes over Rob's campaign, then Rob comes back and says, "Hey, that's my seat," and Doug says, "You didn't save it," and then they both run for mayor and attack each other.
posted by orange swan at 12:59 PM on May 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
Doug can bring on a run for mayor if he likes. I shall greatly enjoy seeing him get stomped at the polls October 27.
Or, even better... Doug takes over Rob's campaign, then Rob comes back and says, "Hey, that's my seat," and Doug says, "You didn't save it," and then they both run for mayor and attack each other.
posted by orange swan at 12:59 PM on May 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong just claimed on Twitter that he just spoke to Rob Ford:
"Just spoke with Rob Ford. I told him I hope he gets better. He seemed to be in good spirits. He's working out."
Doug Ford also said something the other day...that Rob was "doing great, losing weight". You'll recall the last time he sought "professional help", he got a personal trainer. The Ford family may seriously still think he just needs to be in better shape.
posted by dry white toast at 1:07 PM on May 6, 2014
"Just spoke with Rob Ford. I told him I hope he gets better. He seemed to be in good spirits. He's working out."
Doug Ford also said something the other day...that Rob was "doing great, losing weight". You'll recall the last time he sought "professional help", he got a personal trainer. The Ford family may seriously still think he just needs to be in better shape.
posted by dry white toast at 1:07 PM on May 6, 2014
So another viable alternate theory to place odds on is that Rob is at a "Fat Farm" if you'll excuse the ugly term.
posted by dry white toast at 1:13 PM on May 6, 2014
posted by dry white toast at 1:13 PM on May 6, 2014
From The Frantics, early 80s...
Leader: Hello, everyone. Welcome to Weight Watchers. Have we all been good this week?posted by Theta States at 1:48 PM on May 6, 2014 [1 favorite]
People: Well, you know...
Leader: We have someone graduating tonight, I'm sure he will be an inspiration to us all. Tell us how much you lost, Clint.
Clint: Eighty pounds.
Leader: Eighty pounds, that's wonderful, and you're keeping it off with the diet?
Clint: Well, mainly with the substitutions.
Leader: The substitutions?
Clint: Yeah, you know, one milk portion equals one scotch, one bread portion equals one scotch...
Leader: But Clint, but Clint, what about your balance, your fruits and your vegetables?
Clint: Bloody Mary and a stick of celery.
Or, even better... Doug takes over Rob's campaign, then Rob comes back and says, "Hey, that's my seat," and Doug says, "You didn't save it," and then they both run for mayor and attack each other.
I imagine the race looking something like this.
posted by Celsius1414 at 2:12 PM on May 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
I imagine the race looking something like this.
posted by Celsius1414 at 2:12 PM on May 6, 2014 [2 favorites]
I can see how it will go now. During rehab Rob Ford dies of a "heart attack" (suspicious types think OD), and Doug Ford immediately steps in. He gets the sympathy vote, and sweeps the election. Rob Ford's wife shows up at the victory party with some strange pies.
Now all we've got to do is get Martin to get off his ass and finish writing the thing.
posted by happyroach at 2:17 PM on May 6, 2014
Now all we've got to do is get Martin to get off his ass and finish writing the thing.
posted by happyroach at 2:17 PM on May 6, 2014
Rob Ford must have gone to a terrible football camp if it was anything like this.
But a "captain of industry" and a professional athlete are also there so it must be a good place.
And they let him keep his cell phone to call reporters, and his constituents so he can keep working for the taxpayers of Toronto.
posted by Flashman at 4:57 AM on May 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
But a "captain of industry" and a professional athlete are also there so it must be a good place.
And they let him keep his cell phone to call reporters, and his constituents so he can keep working for the taxpayers of Toronto.
posted by Flashman at 4:57 AM on May 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
Whatever he's doing, I think we can now say pretty convincingly that it's not rehab.
posted by dry white toast at 5:38 AM on May 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by dry white toast at 5:38 AM on May 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
The treatment centre treats “addictions to alcohol and other things” and is “worth every penny.”
I bet he wonders why every addict doesn't just fly a charter jet to a posh rehab facility, dry out for a few weeks, and then come back and be mayor? Buncha lazy bums out there...
“I think alcohol is the worst drug of all. It makes you do things that you would never do or say things that you wouldn’t,” he said.
ummmmm
While in self-imposed temporary exile, the mayor admitted he’s in kind of a working rehab.
“I asked for my calls sheets and I am making calls to constituents,” he said. “I am getting help but I still want to help.”
ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
posted by Theta States at 6:04 AM on May 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
I bet he wonders why every addict doesn't just fly a charter jet to a posh rehab facility, dry out for a few weeks, and then come back and be mayor? Buncha lazy bums out there...
“I think alcohol is the worst drug of all. It makes you do things that you would never do or say things that you wouldn’t,” he said.
ummmmm
While in self-imposed temporary exile, the mayor admitted he’s in kind of a working rehab.
“I asked for my calls sheets and I am making calls to constituents,” he said. “I am getting help but I still want to help.”
ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
posted by Theta States at 6:04 AM on May 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
Like one week in to rehab, and he's already trying to lay down his own brilliant golden-boy redemption narrative.
It's the exact same fashion that he layed out his Saviour Of Toronto narrative. Boasted it, ignored naysayers (Truth Tellers,) and then repeated it at every moment possible.
posted by Theta States at 6:41 AM on May 7, 2014
It's the exact same fashion that he layed out his Saviour Of Toronto narrative. Boasted it, ignored naysayers (Truth Tellers,) and then repeated it at every moment possible.
posted by Theta States at 6:41 AM on May 7, 2014
I suppose it's not actually surprising that Rob Ford didn't even wait until the end of his stint in rehab to start laying the redemption groundwork for his continuing campaign.
Just imagine Jon Stewart not spit-taking from a coffee mug here.
posted by jacquilynne at 6:45 AM on May 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
Just imagine Jon Stewart not spit-taking from a coffee mug here.
posted by jacquilynne at 6:45 AM on May 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
“I think alcohol is the worst drug of all. It makes you do things that you would never do or say things that you wouldn’t,” he said.
"Crack is the best," he continued. "When I hit that pipe I become invincible. I can be mayor, and hang with my gangasta homies, and my heart beats like 200 times a minute and I am literally biting the heads off of puppies. Once I get off the sauce with the help of my football camp buddies I'll be back in Toronto and better than ever."
posted by Nelson at 7:35 AM on May 7, 2014
"Crack is the best," he continued. "When I hit that pipe I become invincible. I can be mayor, and hang with my gangasta homies, and my heart beats like 200 times a minute and I am literally biting the heads off of puppies. Once I get off the sauce with the help of my football camp buddies I'll be back in Toronto and better than ever."
posted by Nelson at 7:35 AM on May 7, 2014
Called it. He's doing celebrihab. Might as well be going to Lindsay Lohan's treatment centre.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:44 AM on May 7, 2014
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:44 AM on May 7, 2014
Fuck Rob Ford. Fuck Doug Ford. Why don't they just take a dump on the Toronto coat of arms and get it over with?
posted by The Card Cheat at 7:54 AM on May 7, 2014
posted by The Card Cheat at 7:54 AM on May 7, 2014
Do you suppose Rob Ford will still be in favor of mandatory drug testing for city councillors (and willing to pay the costs himself) when he gets out of "rehab"?
posted by ceribus peribus at 7:57 AM on May 7, 2014
posted by ceribus peribus at 7:57 AM on May 7, 2014
(Actually, why can't the public insist on mandatory drug tests? Is it because noone in politics would pass?)
posted by ceribus peribus at 7:59 AM on May 7, 2014
posted by ceribus peribus at 7:59 AM on May 7, 2014
Because it's a totally unacceptable invasion of privacy in almost every job? Testing airline pilots for drugs is one thing, there's a safety issue at hand.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:01 AM on May 7, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:01 AM on May 7, 2014 [3 favorites]
Ah, that makes sense. Forgive me, my thinking has been skewed by pre-employment drug testing in the States.
posted by ceribus peribus at 8:30 AM on May 7, 2014
posted by ceribus peribus at 8:30 AM on May 7, 2014
You know, for a minute there I really could have believed that Rob had seen the bottom coming up and was truly deciding to put his health and recovery before personal or political ambitions.
This situation is way more of a mess than I could have imagined, which just shows how naive I am.
Doug won't deny wanting to run for mayor, even WHILE he's managing his brother's campaign? What does he hope becomes of Rob, personally and politically?
Well I hope that Rob enjoys football camp I guess. I don't think we'll be rid of this shit until after the election, unless we read an obituary, which sadly seems to be where Rob is heading.
posted by beau jackson at 9:18 AM on May 7, 2014
This situation is way more of a mess than I could have imagined, which just shows how naive I am.
Doug won't deny wanting to run for mayor, even WHILE he's managing his brother's campaign? What does he hope becomes of Rob, personally and politically?
Well I hope that Rob enjoys football camp I guess. I don't think we'll be rid of this shit until after the election, unless we read an obituary, which sadly seems to be where Rob is heading.
posted by beau jackson at 9:18 AM on May 7, 2014
No way is Ford in a provincially-funded rehab program because he wouldn't be able to get in immediately and it's almost certain that he wouldn't be taking calls on his cell and wandering the streets.
But there are several private facilities in the area that will take your tens of thousands up front and offer you a "rehab" program. Example. Note the list of amenities.
You would think he'd have to stay as an inpatient for at least the minimum length of the program, but if he's using the washroom of a Junction Timmy's as a change room, they must be giving him a very long leash.
posted by maudlin at 9:35 AM on May 7, 2014
But there are several private facilities in the area that will take your tens of thousands up front and offer you a "rehab" program. Example. Note the list of amenities.
You would think he'd have to stay as an inpatient for at least the minimum length of the program, but if he's using the washroom of a Junction Timmy's as a change room, they must be giving him a very long leash.
posted by maudlin at 9:35 AM on May 7, 2014
Warmington said he was not able to verify Ford's location or confirm that the mayor is actually undergoing addiction treatment.
"I was taking him at his word," Warmington said. "I don't have any reason to not believe it, but he wouldn't tell me [his location]."
NO REASON WHATSOEVER
posted by Theta States at 9:38 AM on May 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
"I was taking him at his word," Warmington said. "I don't have any reason to not believe it, but he wouldn't tell me [his location]."
NO REASON WHATSOEVER
posted by Theta States at 9:38 AM on May 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
Example. Note the list of amenities.
I have difficulty taking seriously any 'rehab' centre that offers reiki as a treatment. There's a reason they're called Resort facilities; it's an all-in resort without booze.
I doubt he's there though, he'd probably have needed to detox and they do that offsite. But that is exactly the sort of place I expect him to be.
Two Tim Hortons employees and a local teenager told CBC News they saw Ford at a Tim Hortons in the Junction neighbourhood of Toronto's west end.
Security footage should be able to clear that up right quick.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:59 AM on May 7, 2014
I have difficulty taking seriously any 'rehab' centre that offers reiki as a treatment. There's a reason they're called Resort facilities; it's an all-in resort without booze.
I doubt he's there though, he'd probably have needed to detox and they do that offsite. But that is exactly the sort of place I expect him to be.
Two Tim Hortons employees and a local teenager told CBC News they saw Ford at a Tim Hortons in the Junction neighbourhood of Toronto's west end.
Security footage should be able to clear that up right quick.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:59 AM on May 7, 2014
Timmy's has every incentive not to release private security footage or even to entertain the public's curiosity about whether or not a particular person was a customer on a particular day.
posted by beau jackson at 10:20 AM on May 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by beau jackson at 10:20 AM on May 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
You would think he'd have to stay as an inpatient for at least the minimum length of the program
Depends on the program structure. At CAMH there are in- and outpatient programs for substance recovery. I think the inpatient programs are about achieving sobriety (or close to; CAMH as an institution takes a harm reduction strategy rather than a cold turkey one), and the outpatient ones are more like support groups.
Timmy's may indeed have those incentives. Cops don't (if it's relevant to the investigation).
Point being, if Ford is chilling at a Timmy's in the Junction then he has lied to us yet again, and we the public need some proof.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:34 AM on May 7, 2014
Depends on the program structure. At CAMH there are in- and outpatient programs for substance recovery. I think the inpatient programs are about achieving sobriety (or close to; CAMH as an institution takes a harm reduction strategy rather than a cold turkey one), and the outpatient ones are more like support groups.
Timmy's may indeed have those incentives. Cops don't (if it's relevant to the investigation).
Point being, if Ford is chilling at a Timmy's in the Junction then he has lied to us yet again, and we the public need some proof.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:34 AM on May 7, 2014
Rob Ford walking in to a Tim Horton's and no one snapping a photo with their phone? I don't believe THAT. Probably just his like-a-look.
posted by Theta States at 10:42 AM on May 7, 2014
posted by Theta States at 10:42 AM on May 7, 2014
oh man...
Was it transcribed wrong or was that last sentence a giant bowl of word salad?
“You guys got to slow down,” Doug Ford told reporters at City Hall Wednesday. “You’re putting all the other patients in jeopardy, the doctor called me, they asked, ‘Please tell the media to stop.’I am so confused. Stop WHAT? How are patients in jeopardy?
“This is not about just Rob, this is about all the other patients. You can’t put their jeopardy at stake here of their recovery.”
Was it transcribed wrong or was that last sentence a giant bowl of word salad?
Asked if the mayor is really talking rehab seriously, Ford said “of course he is.”posted by Theta States at 10:50 AM on May 7, 2014
The whole statement doesn't make sense. Tell "the media" to stop what? How is "the media" harming other patients? As written, it reads like Doug Ford quoting a doctor that Doug Ford made up. Next time, Doug Ford should write down the statement from the doctor that sounds like Doug Ford made him up, have someone proofread and edit the statement, and then read out the statement. But I guess that isn't really Doug Ford's style, or the style of the doctor whose statement sounds like it was made up by Doug Ford.
posted by frimble at 10:58 AM on May 7, 2014
posted by frimble at 10:58 AM on May 7, 2014
Point being, if Ford is chilling at a Timmy's in the Junction then he has lied to us yet again, and we the public need some proof.
I agree that we have the right to ask questions about his whereabouts and the nature of his program, since he's still getting paid while on this leave, and given Doug's propensity for intentionally misleading the public and the sad possibility that this is all political theatre and not a sincere attempt at sobriety.
posted by beau jackson at 11:03 AM on May 7, 2014
I agree that we have the right to ask questions about his whereabouts and the nature of his program, since he's still getting paid while on this leave, and given Doug's propensity for intentionally misleading the public and the sad possibility that this is all political theatre and not a sincere attempt at sobriety.
posted by beau jackson at 11:03 AM on May 7, 2014
Now Doug is telling the press that it was him at the Timmy's, not Rob. He also says that he hung out and took pictures with people for 15 minutes. He says the teenager who saw him was mistaken. I guess that means that she imagined a surly looking Ford entering the place in a black suit and exiting the washroom in grey sweats.
posted by maudlin at 11:31 AM on May 7, 2014
posted by maudlin at 11:31 AM on May 7, 2014
I very much doubt that the rehab facilities are going to confirm or deny whether they have Ford or any other patient! That's a total violation of patient confidentiality.
True -- the confidentiality protects the just and unjust alike. Many years ago, I worked for a women's shelter (although not with the clients directly -- I worked funding and PR). It was an open secret among all the staff that one of the regular visitors there was married to a prominent Canadian politician who was touted at the time as a possible future prime minister. The politician kept his personal life under close wraps and so far as I know, no journalist ever reported that he physically abused his wife regularly. I am pleased to say he is now retired from politics and even more pleased to say he is now divorced.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 1:12 PM on May 7, 2014
True -- the confidentiality protects the just and unjust alike. Many years ago, I worked for a women's shelter (although not with the clients directly -- I worked funding and PR). It was an open secret among all the staff that one of the regular visitors there was married to a prominent Canadian politician who was touted at the time as a possible future prime minister. The politician kept his personal life under close wraps and so far as I know, no journalist ever reported that he physically abused his wife regularly. I am pleased to say he is now retired from politics and even more pleased to say he is now divorced.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 1:12 PM on May 7, 2014
Yeah that kind of privacy is paramount, lest people be discouraged from reaching out to those services.
posted by Theta States at 1:44 PM on May 7, 2014
posted by Theta States at 1:44 PM on May 7, 2014
Addiction treatment expert: "someone asked me today if my bullshit meter went off, and I have to say it's been wringing fairly constantly."
Man, out of the litany of sins the Fords have committed against the public trust, the most pernicious has to be how irretrievably stupid they must think voters are.
posted by dry white toast at 3:43 PM on May 7, 2014 [2 favorites]
Man, out of the litany of sins the Fords have committed against the public trust, the most pernicious has to be how irretrievably stupid they must think voters are.
posted by dry white toast at 3:43 PM on May 7, 2014 [2 favorites]
Man, out of the litany of sins the Fords have committed against the public trust, the most pernicious has to be how irretrievably stupid they must think voters are.
Tragically, in the case of Ford Nation, they're right. But their error lies in the fact that they think Ford Nation is about four times as large as it actually is.
One member of Ford Nation is trying to raise $5000 to rent a billboard for a month in order to show support for Rob Ford. I visit the page about twice a week to have a good laugh at the fact that, so far, he's raised all of $17 from two backers, whom I'd guess to be the original poster and his mom.
posted by orange swan at 4:56 PM on May 7, 2014
Tragically, in the case of Ford Nation, they're right. But their error lies in the fact that they think Ford Nation is about four times as large as it actually is.
One member of Ford Nation is trying to raise $5000 to rent a billboard for a month in order to show support for Rob Ford. I visit the page about twice a week to have a good laugh at the fact that, so far, he's raised all of $17 from two backers, whom I'd guess to be the original poster and his mom.
posted by orange swan at 4:56 PM on May 7, 2014
True -- the confidentiality protects the just and unjust alike.
Absolutely. But since he is almost certainly not in actual rehab...
Shades of Amy Winehouse come to mind. I hope he wakes up before he ends up where she id.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 5:15 PM on May 7, 2014
Absolutely. But since he is almost certainly not in actual rehab...
Shades of Amy Winehouse come to mind. I hope he wakes up before he ends up where she id.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 5:15 PM on May 7, 2014
on the other hand he now has a theme song for his campaign
they tried to make me go to rehab...
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 4:38 AM on May 8, 2014
they tried to make me go to rehab...
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 4:38 AM on May 8, 2014
But Mayor Ford insisted Wednesday he is in a rehab centre that could cost as much as $100,000 and is working on his recovery, following recorded rants and alleged drug and alcohol use last week.Ladies and gentlemen, your Average Joe Mayor.
[...]
“It’s worth every dime, every dime,” said Ford. “A hundred grand is cheap. It’s a steal.”
posted by Theta States at 6:04 AM on May 8, 2014
I was against Ford being forcibly removed from office last November because I thought it contravened the electoral process and set a bad precedent, but now I believe we should have done it. This is an extreme case, and the necessity for getting Ford out of office outweighs the vanishingly slight chance that any future mayor could be removed from office by partisan coup.
It's a little late now, though, because the Fords will fight the matter to the Supreme Court if they have to, so at this point we just have to grit our teeth and wait out the nearly six months before we can go to the polls.
posted by orange swan at 8:43 AM on May 8, 2014
It's a little late now, though, because the Fords will fight the matter to the Supreme Court if they have to, so at this point we just have to grit our teeth and wait out the nearly six months before we can go to the polls.
posted by orange swan at 8:43 AM on May 8, 2014
I can't believe it's still six months away. I can't believe I think he still has a chance at reelection. I can't believe this fucking city.
And, as people are pointing out on Twitter, it's not like these clowns turn into a group of philosopher kings when Rob's not around; they just voted to cover bus shelters with audio and video advertisements, and the vote wasn't even close.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:37 AM on May 8, 2014
And, as people are pointing out on Twitter, it's not like these clowns turn into a group of philosopher kings when Rob's not around; they just voted to cover bus shelters with audio and video advertisements, and the vote wasn't even close.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:37 AM on May 8, 2014
A friend of mine just said this on facebook:
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:19 AM on May 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
I think he's at a high-end weight-loss program (spa type) and that is why he has no phone restrictions, is saying it is "like football camp" and is "coming back a few pounds lighter".Would certainly explain a lot, especially his unfettered access to a telephone.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:19 AM on May 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
It looks as if the Ford that student saw at Timmy's the other day was Doug after all. He does have a generally meaner look than Rob, so no wonder the student felt too intimidated to take a picture.
posted by maudlin at 2:49 PM on May 8, 2014
posted by maudlin at 2:49 PM on May 8, 2014
I've heard Doug and Rob together say at least four times that Rob is either losing weight or working out like crazy.
So yeah, I'm going with weight-loss program. I've said this is in large part about playing the public for suckers. But it may just be that the Fords collectively continue to be so deeply in denial that they still cling to the idea that he just needs to be in better shape.
posted by dry white toast at 8:32 PM on May 8, 2014
So yeah, I'm going with weight-loss program. I've said this is in large part about playing the public for suckers. But it may just be that the Fords collectively continue to be so deeply in denial that they still cling to the idea that he just needs to be in better shape.
posted by dry white toast at 8:32 PM on May 8, 2014
Rob Ford doesn't want to give up drinking or crack, he's not going to waste 100 thousand dollars on an election he's drunkenly conceded (pre-crack video and damning audio release) he's probably going to lose anyway, and he's too much of a publicity hound not to tell the world exactly what is this "amazing" rehab centre with the "captain of industry" and the professional athlete (how could he forget about the washed-up former child star?). Like Rob Ford would care about the privacy of anybody else there? He'd *love* to look out and see the satellite CTV and CBC trucks staked out, just for him. Most likely, he's holed up in a cottage somewhere, waking and baking, slugging cheap vodka and watching TSN.
posted by Flashman at 8:49 PM on May 8, 2014
posted by Flashman at 8:49 PM on May 8, 2014
A new video of (seemingly drunken) belligerence, and promises of rehab proof.
posted by Lemurrhea at 9:48 AM on May 9, 2014
posted by Lemurrhea at 9:48 AM on May 9, 2014
Well, it's Friday and they haven't released anything so... more lies.
How stupid are these people?
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:12 AM on May 9, 2014
How stupid are these people?
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:12 AM on May 9, 2014
Nah they gotta wait for end-of-day Friday, otherwise it won't get forgotten by Monday.
posted by Lemurrhea at 10:53 AM on May 9, 2014
posted by Lemurrhea at 10:53 AM on May 9, 2014
This is both rather shocking and not terribly surprising.
Loaded behind the wheel of his Cadillac Escalade, high on his Jimmy Kimmel interview, Mayor Rob Ford is winding through the streets of his city.posted by maudlin at 5:53 PM on May 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
It’s two days after Ford’s celebrated appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, two months before rehab.
In the course of this March 5 night, Ford will bring together two of his closest felon friends, beating one and accepting drugs from another; go on a racist tirade; and boast that he often has sex with “girls” in front of his wife, according to an account of the evening. He will suggest one man could have sex with her, a source has told the Star, recalling Ford’s words.
(The information for this story comes from interviews and from the Star’s review of audio tape that captures a portion of the evening. The Star did not pay for the tape. Ford could not be reached by the Star for comment, as has been the case since the Star began its investigation more than a year ago. His lawyer Dennis Morris would not comment on the majority of the allegations in this story. Ford is said to be in a rehab program seeking help for alcohol addiction. The Star has heard that Ford has been spotted at three different rehabs in the past week, including CAMH in Toronto, Homewood in Guelph and Greenstone in Bala, about a 40-minute drive from the Ford family cottage.) ...
(And yeah, Doug disappeared today without ever making a statement about Rob being in rehab. Not that surprising, either.)
posted by maudlin at 5:54 PM on May 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by maudlin at 5:54 PM on May 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
... and the CBC says they have confirmed with Rob's doctor that he is in rehab. Details to come.
No word on what's happening with his wife and his poor damn kids.
posted by maudlin at 5:56 PM on May 9, 2014
No word on what's happening with his wife and his poor damn kids.
posted by maudlin at 5:56 PM on May 9, 2014
CBC report: their reporter has talked to a doctor at a licensed treatment facility "somewhere in North America". Ford has been there since late last Thursday. He was there two days, then transferred to a hospital for fours days. Now he's back at the facility under a doctor's care.
posted by maudlin at 6:03 PM on May 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by maudlin at 6:03 PM on May 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
The idea that this man is STILL asking for my vote makes me almost physically ill. This is it, right? Surely he's finally finished now?
posted by Crane Shot at 6:23 PM on May 9, 2014
posted by Crane Shot at 6:23 PM on May 9, 2014
Everything he has done and said wrong will now be explained away by him being an addict. He can say "I've gotten treatment, I'm all better it won't happen again." Shame is not in his vocabulary.
posted by dry white toast at 8:01 PM on May 9, 2014
posted by dry white toast at 8:01 PM on May 9, 2014
The Rule of Ford:
There's always more, and it's always worse.
posted by dry white toast at 8:01 PM on May 9, 2014 [2 favorites]
There's always more, and it's always worse.
posted by dry white toast at 8:01 PM on May 9, 2014 [2 favorites]
I hate to say it, but DoFo's use of the CBC to get the news out was a stroke of political genius.
They have good factcheckers, for one. And trusted all across Canada.
That being said, I don't think I'm going to fully believe this until there's either a photo, or an (authenticated) copy of his discharge records available to the public.
There's always more, and it's always worse.
This may have been posted upthread, but: here's some worse.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:51 AM on May 10, 2014 [2 favorites]
They have good factcheckers, for one. And trusted all across Canada.
That being said, I don't think I'm going to fully believe this until there's either a photo, or an (authenticated) copy of his discharge records available to the public.
There's always more, and it's always worse.
This may have been posted upthread, but: here's some worse.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:51 AM on May 10, 2014 [2 favorites]
The popularity of Rob Ford (both within Toronto and in the 905, where a lot of his campaign donation money is coming from) is a sign of something seriously broken in democracy. (see also: Palin, Sarah)
posted by spoobnooble II: electric bugaboo at 7:10 AM on May 11, 2014
posted by spoobnooble II: electric bugaboo at 7:10 AM on May 11, 2014
Exclusive: The Beaverton has a video of Rob Ford NOT smoking crack!
Satire, for the record.
posted by Lemurrhea at 10:14 PM on May 11, 2014
Satire, for the record.
posted by Lemurrhea at 10:14 PM on May 11, 2014
How is it even remotely legal for 905ers to donate to a political campaign that is entirely within 416/647?
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:52 AM on May 12, 2014
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:52 AM on May 12, 2014
I could be missing something, but this document from Election Canada does not seem to say anything about only being permitted to donate to candidates from your own riding/municipality. As far as I can see, you can give to whomever you like, as long as you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
This is true in the States, as well. I live in Pennsylvania, but have donated to a number of candidates in other states.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:06 AM on May 12, 2014
This is true in the States, as well. I live in Pennsylvania, but have donated to a number of candidates in other states.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:06 AM on May 12, 2014
Oh look, the Fords lobbied the bureaucracy for a business customer (G&M, possible paywall). Without saying that they were business customers.
posted by Lemurrhea at 9:39 AM on May 12, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Lemurrhea at 9:39 AM on May 12, 2014 [1 favorite]
Holy crap, nice investigative reporting G&M.
posted by Theta States at 12:35 PM on May 12, 2014
posted by Theta States at 12:35 PM on May 12, 2014
hmmm was the story a non-starter? I see it's off the G&M front page, and wasn't picked up by other outlets like The Star, NP, Sun, etc.
posted by Theta States at 6:09 AM on May 13, 2014
posted by Theta States at 6:09 AM on May 13, 2014
I could be missing something, but this document from Election Canada does not seem to say anything about only being permitted to donate to candidates from your own riding/municipality.
Elections Canada's rules have no bearing on municipal elections. They are only responsible for administering federal elections for the House of Commons. Each municipality sets their own rules about donations limits, guided by the laws of the relevant province, since municipalities are creatures of the province.
posted by dry white toast at 2:25 PM on May 13, 2014
Elections Canada's rules have no bearing on municipal elections. They are only responsible for administering federal elections for the House of Commons. Each municipality sets their own rules about donations limits, guided by the laws of the relevant province, since municipalities are creatures of the province.
posted by dry white toast at 2:25 PM on May 13, 2014
Thanks for the clarification, dry white toast, that's what I was unsure about. So, does anyone have a link to the relevant regulations for Toronto/Ontario?
posted by Chrysostom at 6:55 PM on May 13, 2014
posted by Chrysostom at 6:55 PM on May 13, 2014
Unless there's something more specific to TO, it would be this: Municipal Elections Act, s. 70(3).
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:07 PM on May 13, 2014
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:07 PM on May 13, 2014
Rob Ford Escapes From Rehab
(Complete with huffing from the National Post)
posted by bonehead at 9:08 AM on May 14, 2014
(Complete with huffing from the National Post)
posted by bonehead at 9:08 AM on May 14, 2014
Take with a grain of salt pending photographic evidence:
Rob Ford turns up in Bracebridge
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 11:55 AM on May 16, 2014
Rob Ford turns up in Bracebridge
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 11:55 AM on May 16, 2014
Your daily reminder that Doug Ford is an asshole.
posted by The Card Cheat at 1:17 PM on May 17, 2014
posted by The Card Cheat at 1:17 PM on May 17, 2014
On the bright side, he's getting called out for it by Bob Rae and many others, and Griffin Centre seems to be getting a flurry of donations and supportive messages.
posted by maudlin at 3:17 PM on May 17, 2014
posted by maudlin at 3:17 PM on May 17, 2014
The Card Cheat: "Your daily reminder that Doug Ford is an asshole."
Holy shit, I've been to a lot of really terrible community forums, but I've never been to one that is so BLATANTLY full of assholes. What the hell, Toronto? People are at least a little more coded when they're assholes at community forums around here.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 3:49 PM on May 17, 2014
Holy shit, I've been to a lot of really terrible community forums, but I've never been to one that is so BLATANTLY full of assholes. What the hell, Toronto? People are at least a little more coded when they're assholes at community forums around here.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 3:49 PM on May 17, 2014
Rob Ford Sightings In Bracebridge Brings Excitement To Small Town. Includes photo, summary of random highlights from Rob Ford's career.
posted by Nelson at 5:10 PM on May 17, 2014
posted by Nelson at 5:10 PM on May 17, 2014
Griffin Centre seems to be getting a flurry of donations and supportive messages.
I'm terrible at remembering to be charitable, but this is the third time I've made a donation to something because Doug Ford is an asshole. I wonder how much money he's raised for causes he despises over the years.
posted by jacquilynne at 5:15 PM on May 17, 2014 [2 favorites]
I'm terrible at remembering to be charitable, but this is the third time I've made a donation to something because Doug Ford is an asshole. I wonder how much money he's raised for causes he despises over the years.
posted by jacquilynne at 5:15 PM on May 17, 2014 [2 favorites]
Eyebrows, meanwhile on the other side of Toronto, a neighbourhood is rallying to save a family emergency shelter from being ousted and the building turned into condos. Don't you dare take our shelter away! YES in our back yard! These people are our neighbours! Go develop somewhere else! Etc. So the Toronto you have admired does still exist.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:33 PM on May 17, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:33 PM on May 17, 2014 [1 favorite]
Leslieville represent.
posted by The Card Cheat at 8:12 PM on May 17, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by The Card Cheat at 8:12 PM on May 17, 2014 [1 favorite]
RoFo - obviously not in rehab
DoFo - bigoted against yet another minority group
RaFo - where the fuck is he?
Come on OPP, get your act together and arrest all these fucktards so we can move on.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 12:35 PM on May 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
DoFo - bigoted against yet another minority group
RaFo - where the fuck is he?
Come on OPP, get your act together and arrest all these fucktards so we can move on.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 12:35 PM on May 19, 2014 [1 favorite]
I've given up on Ford getting arrested for anything. It sounds like the cops were regularly tailing Ford as he drove bombed out of his mind and they wouldn't even pull him over for that. I guess we're supposed to believe that they didn't want to jeopardize any *cue X-Files music* LARGER ONGOING INVESTIGATION, but...c'mon. Ford will walk, because that's how rich, politically-connected white men roll.
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:54 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:54 AM on May 20, 2014 [2 favorites]
I'm not so sure he'll walk.
I think basically it goes like this:
All three boys were involved in dealing drugs in high school. They never stopped, empire grew, Lisi is the bagman. Meaning the OPP has a very wide net to cast before they can start bringing charges.
I'm pretty sure once those charges come Lisi will roll over faster than a fast thing and give the OPP all those last details will fall into place and we'll see arrests across the city.
My personal fantasy is both RoFo and DoFo being perp-walked out of City Hall.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 2:25 PM on May 20, 2014
I think basically it goes like this:
All three boys were involved in dealing drugs in high school. They never stopped, empire grew, Lisi is the bagman. Meaning the OPP has a very wide net to cast before they can start bringing charges.
I'm pretty sure once those charges come Lisi will roll over faster than a fast thing and give the OPP all those last details will fall into place and we'll see arrests across the city.
My personal fantasy is both RoFo and DoFo being perp-walked out of City Hall.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 2:25 PM on May 20, 2014
Full disclosure: I typed those words hoping that one day I would have to eat them.
posted by The Card Cheat at 2:27 PM on May 20, 2014
posted by The Card Cheat at 2:27 PM on May 20, 2014
Don't worry I'll cook 'em up nice for you.
I'm afraid of having to eat mine.
What I really want to know is how they duped the CBC into believing they were talking to a real substance abuse treatment program? Patients are never allowed out unsupervised, if at all, in the early stages of treatment. Plus the cellphone use.
Hope you're having a nice time at the cottage, Rob, you bigoted homophobic lying shitbag fuck.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 2:29 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'm afraid of having to eat mine.
What I really want to know is how they duped the CBC into believing they were talking to a real substance abuse treatment program? Patients are never allowed out unsupervised, if at all, in the early stages of treatment. Plus the cellphone use.
Hope you're having a nice time at the cottage, Rob, you bigoted homophobic lying shitbag fuck.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 2:29 PM on May 20, 2014 [1 favorite]
I've been to the Muskokas, they are beautiful, so I bet he's having a swell time indeed.
The rehab center in there costs about $20k, right? So if he spent $100k on rehab, we have to factor in the private jet that took him to Chicago and back, the limousine ride up North, the catering, etc...
posted by Theta States at 12:57 PM on May 21, 2014
The rehab center in there costs about $20k, right? So if he spent $100k on rehab, we have to factor in the private jet that took him to Chicago and back, the limousine ride up North, the catering, etc...
posted by Theta States at 12:57 PM on May 21, 2014
And the booze, hookers and drugs. Don't forget to factor in the drugs.
posted by ceribus peribus at 1:21 PM on May 21, 2014
posted by ceribus peribus at 1:21 PM on May 21, 2014
Don't forget the fall girl: "Rob Ford's escalade impounded in cottage country, a 36 yr old woman (lone occupant) charged with impaired driving. Full report at 6"
posted by maudlin at 2:11 PM on May 21, 2014
posted by maudlin at 2:11 PM on May 21, 2014
(They don't say whether the car was found on a grassy knoll. *cough*)
posted by maudlin at 2:12 PM on May 21, 2014
posted by maudlin at 2:12 PM on May 21, 2014
You cannot make this shit up: "Lee Anne MCROBB, 36 years of age from Muskoka Lakes Township has been charged with: Impaired Driving. Drive Over 80mgs. She is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice located in Bracebridge on June 17, 2014."
posted by maudlin at 2:16 PM on May 21, 2014
posted by maudlin at 2:16 PM on May 21, 2014
A cam in Bracebridge recorded yesterday. Apparently, this is the woman arrested.
So here's an interesting set of facts (stolen from this reddit thread):
Ford is apparently at the Greenstone clinic, owned by Shawn Leon, a real estate developer, who was himself convicetd of cocaine trafficing 18 years ago. The "clinic" is upscale, but seems to offer legitimate addiction counciling.
posted by bonehead at 8:28 AM on May 22, 2014
So here's an interesting set of facts (stolen from this reddit thread):
Ford is apparently at the Greenstone clinic, owned by Shawn Leon, a real estate developer, who was himself convicetd of cocaine trafficing 18 years ago. The "clinic" is upscale, but seems to offer legitimate addiction counciling.
posted by bonehead at 8:28 AM on May 22, 2014
"Executive Health Care" = celebrihab that does not a whole lot.
He's not in rehab, he's at a fucking spa.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:35 AM on May 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
He's not in rehab, he's at a fucking spa.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:35 AM on May 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
Apparently the clip above was recorded by a local reporter who just happened to be in the store at the time Ms. Mcrobb walked in. Here's part 2, filmed minutes after McRobb's "attack" on the reporter.
Edit to add: store means the towing company where the car was impounded. McRobb was truing to get some of her belongings back from the car.
posted by bonehead at 9:44 AM on May 22, 2014
Edit to add: store means the towing company where the car was impounded. McRobb was truing to get some of her belongings back from the car.
posted by bonehead at 9:44 AM on May 22, 2014
"McRobb drove me drunk. Rob drove me drunk. Lisi drove me drunk. And somehow I'm the one in jail. This is bullshit. #RobFord #TOpoli"
Just one of the many choice tweets from @RobFordEscalade
posted by rocket88 at 11:13 AM on May 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
Just one of the many choice tweets from @RobFordEscalade
posted by rocket88 at 11:13 AM on May 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
As a rule, stunt twitter accounts are dumb and one-note, but whoever is writing Rob Ford's Escalade is doing a masterful job of it.
posted by jacquilynne at 11:29 AM on May 23, 2014
posted by jacquilynne at 11:29 AM on May 23, 2014
Anyone interested in a friendly over/under as to how long it takes a post-'rehab' substance use video to surface, and/or RoFo is found drunk in public again? Clearly the rehab centre does great work if this McRobb person met him there and was then found near his cottage in his car welllll over the legal limit of BAC, and 100% over the limit if you're in rehab.
My bet is under three weeks. And he still won't drop out of the campaign.
But man I bet he's having fun sitting on the dock at the cottage and drinking 24s all day.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:56 AM on May 24, 2014
My bet is under three weeks. And he still won't drop out of the campaign.
But man I bet he's having fun sitting on the dock at the cottage and drinking 24s all day.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:56 AM on May 24, 2014
I'll take that bet. I predict a triumphant self-applauding post-rehab speech, followed by at least 3 weeks of thunderous campaigning until any hard evidence of partying turns up.
posted by Theta States at 12:42 PM on May 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Theta States at 12:42 PM on May 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
Like I said, just friendly--I'm not exactly swimming in money. Say, $5 to the mayoral campaign of the winner's choice? Or a small donation to CAMH rehab programs?
Clock starts when he announces he's out of rehab. Sound good?
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:58 PM on May 26, 2014
Clock starts when he announces he's out of rehab. Sound good?
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:58 PM on May 26, 2014
$5 to rehab program, addiction counselling or mental health services of the other's choice.
And yes. I am already cringing in anticipation to the awkward triumphs he will build in to his own post-rehab announcement.
posted by Theta States at 6:00 AM on May 27, 2014 [1 favorite]
And yes. I am already cringing in anticipation to the awkward triumphs he will build in to his own post-rehab announcement.
posted by Theta States at 6:00 AM on May 27, 2014 [1 favorite]
Rob Ford will be back to work in 4 or 5 weeks, Doug Ford says
posted by Chrysostom at 12:35 PM on May 27, 2014
posted by Chrysostom at 12:35 PM on May 27, 2014
You have to wonder what kind of rehab centre is like "Yeah sure go to a bar for your birthday that's not gonna lead to backsliding at all."
posted by Lemurrhea at 6:05 AM on May 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Lemurrhea at 6:05 AM on May 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
And once again Team Ford makes sure to point out he was drinking diet soda, because they may actually be more delusional than he is.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:44 AM on May 29, 2014
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:44 AM on May 29, 2014
While I readily believe he was just drinking diet soda, it still seems innapropriate. Can't you just have gone to a steakhouse for your birthday instead?
If I was an addict known for my binging in certain locations, wouldn't it be best to discourage me from returning to those places where I habitually binged?
Rob Ford will be back to work in 4 or 5 weeks, Doug Ford says
Oh god, this won't end well.
posted by Theta States at 6:14 AM on May 30, 2014
If I was an addict known for my binging in certain locations, wouldn't it be best to discourage me from returning to those places where I habitually binged?
Rob Ford will be back to work in 4 or 5 weeks, Doug Ford says
Oh god, this won't end well.
posted by Theta States at 6:14 AM on May 30, 2014
Oh, yeah, I'm not saying they're lying as such, it's just the continued fixation on convincing people that their alcoholic, drug-using, abusive, incompetent, pathological liar mayor is going to drop a few inches from his waistline.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 6:19 AM on May 30, 2014
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 6:19 AM on May 30, 2014
The mayor has been a patient at the GreeneStone rehabilitation centre in Bala, Ont., for alcohol-related treatment since early May.
Now that we've confirmed he is in Bala, Ontario, I can now post this: Bill From Bala.
And if you go through there, right next to the Key To Bala is the very adorable Balacade arcade!
And ugggh:
Coun. Ford added that his brother cannot come back too soon, as the city is spending large amounts of money without any supervision.
posted by Theta States at 6:22 AM on May 30, 2014
Now that we've confirmed he is in Bala, Ontario, I can now post this: Bill From Bala.
And if you go through there, right next to the Key To Bala is the very adorable Balacade arcade!
And ugggh:
Coun. Ford added that his brother cannot come back too soon, as the city is spending large amounts of money without any supervision.
posted by Theta States at 6:22 AM on May 30, 2014
Oh, yeah, I'm not saying they're lying as such, it's just the continued fixation on convincing people that their alcoholic, drug-using, abusive, incompetent, pathological liar mayor is going to drop a few inches from his waistline.
Oh yes, and their weird fixed story about how Ford being thinner is the keystone in his redemption narrative. Look at him! He's healthy! He did it, for YOU, Toronto!
posted by Theta States at 6:24 AM on May 30, 2014
Oh yes, and their weird fixed story about how Ford being thinner is the keystone in his redemption narrative. Look at him! He's healthy! He did it, for YOU, Toronto!
posted by Theta States at 6:24 AM on May 30, 2014
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posted by maudlin at 7:23 PM on April 30, 2014 [4 favorites]