Rob Ford Transgressions Thread

[Daradon]

While I agree that the onus is on Gawker and/or the Star to produce some proof, thinking that Ford's camp may have bought the tape is hardly a conspiracy theory. If there really is a tape, it's a very possible scenario, and even a few of the first reports SAID that Ford's camp was contacted with the option of buying it.

But yeah, this is pretty shoddy journalism, if you can even call it that. But that seems to be what passes nowadays. Don't like Ford, and even that still from the 'tape' looks pretty sketchy, but if this story falls apart people should pay at the Star and Gawker. Maybe even a libel suit or something.

It is kinda funny how personally CC is taking it though.

[savemedrzaius]

Pretty interesting article describing the history of Rob Ford's siblings.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...ticle12153014/

“If [Doug] wasn’t going out, someone would go down to the house and pick it up and bring it down to the Royal York Plaza,” said “Sheila,” adding that she was an RY Drifter who bought small quantities of hash from Mr. Ford, and knew him to supply street-level dealers. “If Doug wasn’t around, people … would sell it for him. It was an operation.” The quantities that Mr. Ford handled were, at times, substantial. “Michael” said he remembered buying hash from Doug Ford at least half a dozen times – before he found a cheaper source – and that each time he bought between one-quarter and one-half of a pound. He said that a quarter-pound sold for between $400 and $425.

[Senator Clay Davis]

A QP of hash for $425? So what year is that, or maybe I just need to get Doug Ford as my dealer. What a steal!

[oilyfan]

Before people jump in with their "smear campaign" comment. This is the background of the G&M article.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commu...ticle12152740/

This weekend, The Globe and Mail is publishing an extensive examination of the Toronto Ford family’s decades-old connection to illicit drugs. We are doing so with utmost caution, journalistic rigour and legal scrutiny – ultimately believing that Torontonians and, more broadly, Canadians need to understand the background of the most politically powerful family in the country’s biggest city.

We have approached Rob and Doug Ford several times to speak to the allegations. A senior Globe editor visited Doug Ford, privately, to explain the purpose of our research. Doug Ford rebuffed our entreaties, and aggressively threatened legal action.

Our investigation has been ongoing since late 2011. The reporters were sent back multiple times to find more witnesses, corroborate details and further authenticate information provided in previous interviews. We decided to publish their work this week, given the intense public interest around the Ford family and alleged substance abuse. After Rob Ford spoke to the media on Friday afternoon, carefully saying he does not use crack cocaine and is not addicted to crack cocaine, a group of senior editors met again, reviewed the story, and concluded again that it is in the public interest to publish. Indeed, we felt it would be irresponsible not to share this information with the public at this time.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by oilyfan

Before people jump in with their "smear campaign" comment. This is the background of the G&M article.

This weekend, The Globe and Mail is publishing an extensive examination of the Toronto Ford family’s decades-old connection to illicit drugs. We are doing so with utmost caution, journalistic rigour and legal scrutiny – ultimately believing that Torontonians and, more broadly, Canadians need to understand the background of the most politically powerful family in the country’s biggest city.
Quote:
We have approached Rob and Doug Ford several times to speak to the allegations. A senior Globe editor visited Doug Ford, privately, to explain the purpose of our research. Doug Ford rebuffed our entreaties, and aggressively threatened legal action.
Quote:
Our investigation has been ongoing since late 2011. The reporters were sent back multiple times to find more witnesses, corroborate details and further authenticate information provided in previous interviews. We decided to publish their work this week, given the intense public interest around the Ford family and alleged substance abuse. After Rob Ford spoke to the media on Friday afternoon, carefully saying he does not use crack cocaine and is not addicted to crack cocaine, a group of senior editors met again, reviewed the story, and concluded again that it is in the public interest to publish. Indeed, we felt it would be irresponsible not to share this information with the public at this time.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commu...ticle12152740/

Rob Ford has already been tried and convicted in The Court Of Public Opinion.

The meat of it will follow, ala reporting like seen in the G&M today, soon enough.

At some point, there's just too much to deny.

Cowperson

[chemgear]

Man, this reminds me of the whole unravelling of Lance Armstrong. All I await is the claim from somebody that the Globe and Mail research is just "hearsay".

[octothorp]

Fascinating to read the Globe & Mail's reasoning and defense for publishing. I posted about libel laws and how it might relate to the Star a couple pages back, but as careful as the Star was in what they actually said, the G&M is doubly careful. The editor's letter basically addresses the key points of the responsible communication on matters of public interest defense, and the article itself goes out of its way to describe how every attempt to get comments from all sides were made.

I don't think it adds a lot to the case against Rob Ford, but it really does provide fascinating background.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

But keep believing the conspiracies, of Ford buying the video, and doing some clever wordsmithing and whatever, and then magically flipping the conspiracy theory accusations to the people that are arguing against your point.

Have fun with that Mikey err Mustard. Maybe you'll want to throw some sheeple references in there just for fun.

First I think it would take a fool not to realize that was a very carefully scripted document that had likely been past his lawyers a couple of times over. The wording was very deliberate, which is something that has to be expected regarding the incident. After that the guy is well connected and has a great deal of funds at his disposal, it would be odd if he didn't try and buy a tape if one existed.

Also you continually state how you are not sticking up for the guy but then your posts all seem to have that common theme where it is the Star or gawker that is trying to railroad the guy. I am not saying that they don't have an issue with him being mayor because they obviously do, but he has done himself so few favours during his life in public office that I am more than willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Honestly, I think that the most logical explanation is often the most correct and in this case the most logical explanation is significant damage control after getting caught using illegal drugs in the past... not that the guy is an alcoholic who fired his chief of staff for calling him an alcoholic who requires treatment in private. No offense is meant by this because I enjoy reading some of your opinions but it seems like the web of the "it could be this" becomes so convoluted that it doesn't make much logical sense.

If the stories about his brother are in fact accurate (and the Globe and Mail isn't a "rag" so I am tempted to think that they are), it puts him in close proximity to drug dealers throughout his past and when the person who has stuck up for you the most has apparent links to dealing drugs in the past then there are some question marks that legitimately arise.

[Slava]

Wow, I hope the Star was taking notes because that's how you run a smear piece! I suppose the idea is that he knew people who were involved with marijuana (OMG!!!!) so clearly he smoked crack? Afterall, we all know its a gateway drug!

I loved how the actual connection is buried at the end where they say Rob Ford was uninvolved in the drugs, but he wasn't a very good football player. Then he didn't love the family business. Hardly anything to be concerned about. Oh and they found a joint in his pocket once...earth-shattering.

I've got no idea whether Ford is a good mayor, or a bad one. I just couldn't say. He makes for fantastic GIFs though and is generally amusing to me as a Calgarian. That said, this article has nothing to do with anything and is a cheap way to sell papers.

[Bobblehead]

Really? "Nothing to do with anything"?

It is about Rob Ford's brother - a Toronto councillor and large piece of Rob Ford's inner circle. And it mentions how others implicated are also involved in unclear positions in Toronto's government.

It doesn't add much to Rob Ford's current scandal, but it does create a whole new batch of troublesome questions for the current administration and trouble for the Ford family.

[oilyfan]

Originally Posted by Slava

Wow, I hope the Star was taking notes because that's how you run a smear piece! I suppose the idea is that he knew people who were involved with marijuana (OMG!!!!) so clearly he smoked crack? Afterall, we all know its a gateway drug!

I loved how the actual connection is buried at the end where they say Rob Ford was uninvolved in the drugs, but he wasn't a very good football player. Then he didn't love the family business. Hardly anything to be concerned about. Oh and they found a joint in his pocket once...earth-shattering.

I've got no idea whether Ford is a good mayor, or a bad one. I just couldn't say. He makes for fantastic GIFs though and is generally amusing to me as a Calgarian. That said, this article has nothing to do with anything and is a cheap way to sell papers.

Nothing to do with anything? The mayor's closest advisors were involved in dealing drugs, hash is still illegal, and that has nothing to do with his competence to run the largest city in Canada?

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by oilyfan

Nothing to do with anything? The mayor's closest advisors were involved in dealing drugs, hash is still illegal, and that has nothing to do with his competence to run the largest city in Canada?

well if it's true it was 30 years ago and he was a punk. so not sure it has anything to do with competence today and if any people in the world love to give second chances...

[oilyfan]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

well if it's true it was 30 years ago and he was a punk. so not sure it has anything to do with competence today and if any people in the world love to give second chances...

In that case Doug Ford should just admit it and ask for forgiveness, should be no problem.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Really? "Nothing to do with anything"?

It is about Rob Ford's brother - a Toronto councillor and large piece of Rob Ford's inner circle. And it mentions how others implicated are also involved in unclear positions in Toronto's government.

It doesn't add much to Rob Ford's current scandal, but it does create a whole new batch of troublesome questions for the current administration and trouble for the Ford family.

Sure, out mentions others like Price who worked at an institutional money manager and was 'hardworking'. Its a complete witch hunt.

Originally Posted by oilyfan

Nothing to do with anything? The mayor's closest advisors were involved in dealing drugs, hash is still illegal, and that has nothing to do with his competence to run the largest city in Canada?

Really? What exactly does this tell you about his competence? The only thing it tells you about Rob Ford is that he played football, maybe hung onto some high school success a little too long and rode the pine when he got to University. Otherwise...big deal? Its all 'evidence' that is 20-30 years old. I have no idea how any of that is relevant to the alleged crack video.

[oilyfan]

Originally Posted by Slava

Sure, out mentions others like Price who worked at an institutional money manager and was 'hardworking'. Its a complete witch hunt.



Really? What exactly does this tell you about his competence? The only thing it tells you about Rob Ford is that he played football, maybe hung onto some high school success a little too long and rode the pine when he got to University. Otherwise...big deal? Its all 'evidence' that is 20-30 years old. I have no idea how any of that is relevant to the alleged crack video.

I guess this will be a question for the voters in Toronto

[Slava]

Originally Posted by oilyfan

I guess this will be a question for the voters in Toronto

Lol, oh he's done. I don't know anything about Toronto politics and I have no idea whether Ford is actually good/bad at his job, but the only way he wins is if he's running against terrible opponents.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Really? "Nothing to do with anything"?

It is about Rob Ford's brother - a Toronto councillor and large piece of Rob Ford's inner circle. And it mentions how others implicated are also involved in unclear positions in Toronto's government.

It doesn't add much to Rob Ford's current scandal, but it does create a whole new batch of troublesome questions for the current administration and trouble for the Ford family.

Yet....that was their very reasoning for "releasing" the story at this time.

We decided to publish their work this week, given the intense public interest around the Ford family and alleged substance abuse.

The whole thing has taken on the stench of a witch hunt... its embarrassing and ugly...and the media and all else involved should be ashamed.....particularly the Star.

[smoothpops]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toront...doug-ford.html

See, that's how you deny something. Not by hiding behind legalese like Rob did. I still don't believe Doug, and his claims that the G&M is out to get him. Personally, i don't think he needs to lose his job or anything I just find it damning that he's the only person defending his brother. The whole world is in a giant conspiracy (except CC and Melbridgeman) against them, just like when the ganged up on Lance armstrong.

Damn those journalists with their lack of character, they (and us) should all strive to have the honest track records of Rob Ford.

[Minnie]

The man has acted the fool for years now and flounced around like a rutting elephant in most of his dealings, from all appearances. He's made a fool of himself more times than can be counted, made a fool of his family, reduced them to lying for his sorry arse, covering up his apparent vast stupidities and just generally acted like no rules or conventions in this world apply to him. Then he's gone on to blame that behaviour on everyone except himself, where the fault truly lies. Perhaps it's drugs, perhaps it's alcohol, perhaps it's some sort of psychological disorder - who knows?

I haven't a lot of sympathy for him at the moment. He has to have known that at some point, his stupidity would catch up to him and become known. Yet he still carried on, same as ever. Is there a witch hunt? Eh, perhaps there is. Regardless, he's brought every ounce of this, media attention included, upon himself through his actions over the years. One doesn't bathe oneself in honey, and dance naked under a full moon within a circle of hungry bears and then expect the bears not to try for a bite. He has brought all this upon himself. No one else needs answer for it, but him.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Minnie

The man has acted the fool for years now and flounced around like a rutting elephant in most of his dealings, from all appearances. He's made a fool of himself more times than can be counted, made a fool of his family, reduced them to lying for his sorry arse, covering up his apparent vast stupidities and just generally acted like no rules or conventions in this world apply to him. Then he's gone on to blame that behaviour on everyone except himself, where the fault truly lies. Perhaps it's drugs, perhaps it's alcohol, perhaps it's some sort of psychological disorder - who knows?

I haven't a lot of sympathy for him at the moment. He has to have known that at some point, his stupidity would catch up to him and become known. Yet he still carried on, same as ever. Is there a witch hunt? Eh, perhaps there is. Regardless, he's brought every ounce of this, media attention included, upon himself through his actions over the years. One doesn't bathe oneself in honey, and dance naked under a full moon within a circle of hungry bears and then expect the bears not to try for a bite. He has brought all this upon himself. No one else needs answer for it, but him.

Doug Ford is a better politician than Rob Ford, but both are buffoons. I actually don't see why so many conservatives support them. Besides being hateful towards the left, he lacks the sensible conservative traits of hard work, discipline and self-reliance. He grew up with a silver spoon and still behaves like a spoiled teenager. His rants and whining when he doesn't get his own way in council are that of a spoiled 13 year old.

I realize a lot of people out west aren't familiar with Rob Ford and the Ford family (which has alleged links to organized crime going back generations). Most of the time if there is a rumour that a mayor is doing drugs or hanging out with drug dealer, it would be ridiculous, but with Rob Ford, it's not actually as much of stretch as it would be it most cities.