Mayor Rob Ford's Toronto

[voxpopulicosmicum]

So we can personally attack Ford but not UT members? I thought any personal attacks were not allowed?

How is a factual description of the subject of this thread a "personal attack"?

public figure and mostly accurate description

Please describe any inaccuracies so that I may correct them. Never let it be said that I'm not diligent about accuracy (except when I use the phrase "some people say", which the federal government has told us is a magical phrase that allows a person to say anything about anyone).

[TrickyRicky]

Well at the least Vox I hope you can translate some of that passion into working for real change. You have a gift for words, while I post on this forum predominately so that I don't forget how to write in the english language.

For the record I am not a Ford support and have not nor ever will vote for him and vocally criticism him on a regular basis. That said, for those of you who utterly hate Ford and think that he is only in office because 40% of your fellow citizens are idiots and buffoons, I suggest you re-consider your paradigm. That line of reasoning is one of THE strategic errors of the leadership and brain-trusts that would stand to oppose Ford. It is to me an UTTER failure of understanding of the mechanisms that underpin human behaviour and dynamics. So I say learn and learn well from Ford (yes you have a LOT to learn from him) if you want him to not be re-elected and for a man like him to never be elected in this city again.

[voxpopulicosmicum]

TirckyRicky -- Unfortunately, I don't think that "real change" (in a positive sense) will be possible without first making the lives of most people much, much worse. I don't treally have the stomach for making people's lives worse, so I am left to either (1) work very hard to possibly achieve superficial change (which is how I spent my earlier years) or, (2) keep my head down and accept that I'm not going to be able to change anything, but I can at least spread my cynical (if truthful) toxins in cyberspace just so I can't be accused (by whom?) of allowing this horrible state of affairs go unnoticed.

I'm not saying that I don't believe in the good motives of some people -- even some politicians -- who are working, or have worked, for positive change. I just don't see their efforts as leading to "real change". It's how I knew in July, 2008 that Barack Obama would not actually change anything: because he was going to win the election. I thought Miller might have accomplished "real change". I continue to believe he accomplished some positive change but I also think he purposefully limited his efforts in order to foster a broader constituency. Notwithstanding his caution, the nonsensical anti-Miller backlash was sufficient evidence of a powerful constituency that can and will act in manifold ways to hinder "real change".

So I don't disagree that it is a mistake, from a political perspective, to write-off Ford and his supporters as idiots. But Ford was a known entity before the election, and -- politics aside -- I don't really have the patience to engage people who were willing to ignore, or happy to support, Ford's record. Yes, of course such people are entitled to a voice in our political system. But that's the problem. If that's the level of discourse necessary to be part of the political system, then why would I take part in the political system?

To illustrate the meaninglessness of my life: Back in November or December the federal Conservative Party plead guilty to a number of Elections Act violations, and I listened to a Conservative Party spokesman tell his dutiful CBC interviewer that the convictions proved that the Conservative Party was innocent. This same "black-is-white" mode of argument is repeated every day in respect of small and large issues by all levels of government. What good does it do to spend decades studying economics, politics and law if it can all be undone by a simple, unsubstantiated denial of fact?

We live in the circumstances that Orwell and Kafka predicted.

[Ak2809]

People thought they were electing a small c conservative, and are now realizing that this is what conservatives are all about.

[voxpopulicosmicum]

Such vitriol! I see Ford as more of a friendly buffoon, a lovable oaf, a charming scoundrel. Think of Falstaff. Sure, Prince Hal might make a better king, but which one would you rather hang out with?

Based only on the scant evidence we have, I have to say that, if I were Rob Ford's wife, I would probably disagree with you. Think long and hard about that while you make light of Ford's character flaws (although this may not mean anything if you've never experienced the pain of watching a loved one be on the receiving end of an abusive relationship).

[canmark]

HuffingtonPost has a quiz, Rob Ford: How Much Do You Really Know About Toronto's Mayor?

There are 12 questions in the quiz and you are timed. I got 8/12 in 1:52.

[gabe]

9/12 in 1:48, I know enough to not vote for him.

[nfitz]

Oh my ... You got 12 out of 12 in 1:08 ... I have to confess there were some lucky guesses there though ...

What can I say ... I'm obsessive ...

[Filip]

You got 12 out of 12 in 1:07

[GenerationW]

11/12 in 1:07. Don't remember his father.

[Torontovibe]

http://www.thestar.com/news/cityhall...-atwood-is-god

Shouldn't that be Rob F%#king Ford: The Opera?

11/12 in 1:40

[adma]

Based only on the scant evidence we have, I have to say that, if I were Rob Ford's wife, I would probably disagree with you. Think long and hard about that while you make light of Ford's character flaws (although this may not mean anything if you've never experienced the pain of watching a loved one be on the receiving end of an abusive relationship).

My mother (who *isn't* a foaming anti-Forder BTW) saw Rob & Renata on TV for New Year's Eve, and noted the telling lack of physical contact. She knows abusive situations.

[nfitz]

My mother (who *isn't* a foaming anti-Forder BTW) saw Rob & Renata on TV for New Year's Eve, and noted the telling lack of physical contact. She knows abusive situations.

Ford camp seems to keep implying that Renata is the abusive alcoholic though. Did the body language support that?

[EMP1729]

Any chance this happens here?

"In baffling move, B.C. mayor quits after one month in office..."
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1111636

[Automation Gallery]

Any chance this happens here?

"In baffling move, B.C. mayor quits after one month in office..."
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1111636

I doubt it, if anything he will be "throwing a wrench into the works" of the next municipal election