the lemur
Senior Member
When I asked him if he knows the cost difference in building subways, LRT and streetcar, he said the cost was about the same for all three. (which of course, we all know is wrong) He wants to see subways built in Scarborough and not downtown, which he thinks has too many subways already. Here is the kicker, when I asked him, when do you use public transit, he replied, NEVER! SO why does he want subways? Because Ford says streetcars will get in the way of his huge car and slow down traffic. Subways run underground, so he can avoid them. It's like this guy was brainwashed at the Rob Ford training camp.
It is so hilarious, and sad, when Fordites reveal their near-complete lack of familiarity with existing transit. I've seen his supporters insist on points regarding where subways should be built and how they should be funded, but when they're pressed on details of where transit is currently congested or asked whether they would ride the subway they're advocating, they'll say things like 'I never take transit' or (I'm not making this one up) 'I do not ride with the unwashed'. So basically they feel entitled to dictate where and how others should get around even if they themselves know nothing of the experience
What I'm curious about is how does a well educated person get so badly informed? He does not watch Sun TV or read the Toronto Sun. He does not listen to talk radio. In fact he does not watch or listen to any English language media. All the media he watches, hears and reads is Chinese. He hates Olivia Chow and David Miller yet he does not know why but he tells me, everybody at his Chinese church, hates them too. Was he brainwashed at church? How does somebody who watches no English media get these views and so badly informed about the issues? Are there Chinese right wing media outlets spewing Ford's toxic views and misinformation?
I have talked to 4 friends/acquaintances, who all seem to be rational, intelligent people, yet they support Ford. After discussing the issues it was clearly apparent that all of them were badly informed. Is that just coincidence? It amazes me to see what hoops people will jump through, to justify voting for Ford. In the end, when you present a credible argument about something one would think is indefensible, like Ford buying drugs from thugs or driving drunk, they just say, "I don't care". If these people were high school drop outs working at McDonald's, I could understand but these people are all well educated, very well paid professionals. Seriously, it's just mind blowing and frustrating to see that people like this, still support Ford and think he's a "nice guy".
I think a lot of people avoid exposure to the media, especially print media, because reading opinion pieces and editorials actually confuses them. As in, news, sports, entertainment and weather are factual information ... but what's this other stuff? Why are there two or more articles in which people say different things about the same subject? Aren't newspapers supposed to write what I expect to see and what confirms my bias?
Many people also lack the curiosity to find out what is actually happening in politics and what different politicians stand for. It's much easier to go along with opinions you pick up from friends and never question them. Then when you've picked up your off-the-rack opinion, don't worry about defending it when you're being challenged on it, because that's too much mental effort.
People like this are actually living in the world of Orwell's 1984, with its 'rubbishy newspapers containing almost nothing except sport, crime and astrology'.