Opening Statement



Wednesday 22 May 2013

Has Rob Ford Finally Cracked?

Chronology: Latest news update links usually added towards bottom of blog

Kulture Kult Ink presents :

Why a School Edition blog on Mayor Ford? Recently I have included his continually unravelling story under the Union News, Party Politics, In Other News + even the Kulture Kult Ink sections of my teacher news digests. It's now time to move the latest scandal, the Rob Ford crackhead allegations here to a separate blog.


Rob Ford! He`s the man!

True, the Rob Ford story since he was elected Mayor 3 years ago could fit under my regular news digest subtitles. It's a municipal story, with Queens Park implications. He is certainly a pinko + left wing hating meanie more so than most we have suffered within the Tory blue Ontario mindset. He certainly loves to kick union butt. He's a big favourite on the front pages of the neo right wing Toronto Sun. He is also an embarrassment to our fair city, and a big joke around the world as his antics continue to go viral.


Ha ha! Pinkos ...... get it ..... ? .... ha .... ha ..... er ....

Rob Ford blames his latest scandal on a conspiracy against him as Mayor. Ho hum! This time he blames the Toronto Star, Canada's largest circulation daily newspaper, for all appearances, a liberal one at that. Liberal? Doubtful! No matter. Recall his inauguration? Hockey commentator + loud mouth buddy boy Don Cherry showed up in a joke "pinko" jacket making cracks throughout the ceremony taunting Fords political opposition to the max while the big boy laughed! It's unclear to me who viscerally hates who the most: Ford or the  left? It's a which came first enigma; the chicken or the egg.

My blog is leftie, so to speak. I admit I have often gladly revelled in his misery. Here is the man who stripped our city worker contracts, privatized many of our services, and has made numerous hurtful demeaning racist + sexist jokes while in office. He's seemingly broken every rule at city hall at least once, including our City Hall Ethics code, which Ford claimed he hadn't even read.

For three years I have wondered how long his bullying arrogance and foul deceits could continue unabated. We saw him elected Mayor with an intensely mindless " No Gravy Train" mantra. We have watched as he then senselessly destroyed years of careful city + community planning, study and work intended to move our city into the 21st century as a world class city.


In the end, and I hope it comes soon ... hope springs eternal  .... we can now only watch as Mayor Rob Ford becomes his own worst enemy. With scandal after scandal his incredulous unwavering popularity is unravelling. Ford can blame his downfall on his leftie opponents, but in reality none of us could do as much damage to his reputation as he is doing now himself, as he most unfortunately drags our city down with him.

Ford has pleaded innocent before. He has then been caught red handed, apologized + continued on his merry way, business as usual. Other times he has against all odds wiggled his way out of a tight situation on a technicality or some ridiculous good old boy excuse. One hopes we are seeing the final curtain fall on this sad story. Maybe, maybe not.


At any rate I will now be posting the news of Rob Fords latest crack scandal here so it doesn't waste concern in my news blog digests alongside our other more worthy teacher and union matters. OK, I admit, it's morbidly fascinating to watch. Perhaps you might also consider the blog a tribute to his sheer madness as well as that of those whom he constantly fools, scandal after scandal after scandal. God help us all! Seems nobody else will .....

IN THE NEWS

Latest links in large!


Cracked or cooked ....

The CBC provides us with a Rob Ford time line to help follow the story. My links begin with the allegation and continue down the page. See the time line @ His Story!

Rob Ford: Crackhead? The Toronto Star allegations @ Cocaine?

Lawyers discuss differences in Canadian + US libel law. US news can make bold accusations, while the Canadian news must tread more lightly. See the video @ libel law video

Could the video be faked? Apparently not @ Cell phone video

Six figure fundraisers start on line in race to buy + release the cellphone video of Rob Ford allegedly smoking crack while uttering homophobic obscenities and racial slurs @ on line

Huffington Blogger questions the morality of contributing to the fund @ $$$$$?????

A description of what can be seen in the video, with a transcript of Rob's comments. If I was rich I think I'd buy it as a public service. Enough is enough. Donate @ Donations


Updated media still shot: Only 1 face blotted out!

Surprise! Ford denies allegations!Claims the Toronto Star is out to get him. Police will investigate the allegations. Other community leaders comment @ Pipe dreams?

A Toronto Star column rebutting Ford's Toronto Star allegations. Hmmm. Read @ DiManno

The Toronto Star insists Mayor Rob Ford should resign for his own good and that of the city @ Toodle loo?

Right winger columnist Margaret Wente at Toronto's "national" newspaper, the Globe + Mail says Ford has got to go @ Toodle too!

The Toronto Sun is miffed Ford remains silent + evasive on the issue @ Toodle three?

This National Post article lists the reasons why the allegations might be fake @ Fake?


Rob Ford laying low, misses his regular radio talk show @ MIA

Some Ford funnies to lighten the load @ Cracked

Macleans article on the Ford Zone notes the confusion and ridicule over the mayors antics, here in Toronto, and indeed in international news, as the stories go viral. Ford always denies everything. It`s always just lefties who are out to get him. When he is finally caught red handed doing something wrong he sheepishly admits it`s true after all. He says he`s sorry, then continues business as usual. Truth is he`s basically given up on governance and the city is floundering. A very interesting read: The Ford Zone!


Hmmmmmmm. So which isn`t it this time Rob .... booze .... drugs .... both?

Ford allegations embarass Toronto as the story makes headlines + the talk show ciruit stateside. It's tarnishing the cities claim of being a world class city @ Mr. International News

Here's a mouldie Oldie: Rob Ford wife beater? It remains a particularly disturbing incident even though the charges were dropped. As the article notes Fords Follies date way back even before this domestic violence 2008 allegation. The part about his sister's druggie death is odd too, especially considering the most current stories about Rob smoking crack. Some charges stick. Some don't. See @ domestic assault +threat?

Rob Ford was arrested + charged with DUI [Driving Under the Influence] back in Florida in 1999 after drinking a "couple of litres" of wine with his wife. He refused a breath test claiming he wasn't drunk. Police searched him and found marijuana in his back pocket. Although the story came out during his mayoral election campaign, he still won by a landslide. Go figure. Read @ Little ol' wine drinker + driver Rob!

Vice.com Toronto declared him the greatest mayor of all time. They thought he was finally going to get fired for the Don Bosco football donation scandal. Think again! Careful if you are offended by salty language + references, this article is very ... er ... Fordian @ Vice's Greatest Mayor


Mayor Rob Fords Toronto that is .....

A must read: Huffington Post Canada tells the "Rob Ford Story" with videos, photos, a time line and commentary! Soon to be a "made for t.v." movie?!? Read first @ The Rob Ford Story

Now the TCDSB has kicked Ford out as Don Bosco Secondary School's "football coach" for being a poor role model. The decision has been pending for sometime and is probably not related to the recent scandal. The parents, teachers and school admin petitioned for him to be removed and have been patiently waiting for the TCDSB to take action. Bosco will be the second school Ford has been forced to leave. He is now shopping around again offering other TCDSB schools $10,000 to let him be their football coach. Money talks! Wow! See @ Heave Ho!

Mayor Ford is still on the run ... well more like the waddle ... refusing to speak to a very concerned city about the latest allegations for nearly a week now. His angy brother Doug gives a press conference telling the media to stop harassing him. Bizarre! See the video @ Doug Ford speaks

The sound of silence @ CP24

Finally, Rob denies all? Why so long? He's denied things in the past, then got caught red handed afterwards. It stretches the imagination. Watch the video @ Denial video

Ford unexpectedly fires his long time aide + Chief of Staff as the crack scandal seems to be blowing sky high + out of control. Who will anchor the big boy back to reality now that he is gone? Does this sound like a man on crack? Read @ Mark Towhey

The Toronto Sun reports it was because he told him to go to rehab! Boy, in the Sun?!? The right must figure he's finally become too much of a liability, popular or not! Would you invite this man in for pretzels and beer?. Actually I know somebody who did! Later! For now read @ Rehab


How about this time ...? Well, you'll need to catch him red handed first!

What is Fords press strategy? Does he have one? See @ in the news

Read about the Rob Ford and Mike Harris connection @ 905

See the Harper Fordfest connection @ R is 4 Right


Ford 80's: Rob in Gr.11 sporting a "shag"; a very popular haircut in some circles!

Usually staid Globe + Mail prints an "Investigative" report on the Ford Families drug history @  Back in the day?

Party dudes? Photos of the Ford gang in the 1980's @ Pix!


Doug in Gr.11: Is that a "Thor" or a "Hercules" shag haircut? Inquiring minds want to know!

Is big brother Doug the "head" of the Ford household? He responds to news reports he was a hashish dealer in the 1980's @ Pretty hopped up!

Why did the Globe + Mail choose to publish the "Ford Family Story"? Editorial explains, and notes they are the most powerful family in Toronto @ Ford Family

Media angles: Why is the usually staid Canadian press running with these tabloid stories unlike in years past? There's a lot of players involved in the Ford news game. IMHO the Fords just can't stop being buffoons. However it's happening at a number of other levels too. Consider this one Gawker, Star + Globe

Will Doug sue the Globe + Mail @ Defamation?

Doug Ford immediately hits the Toronto TV news circuit. Its a pretty well scripted response. Lots of weasel words, just plain folk references + red  herrings if you listen and watch carefully. He's a natural. Doug Ford can be a much more scary neo con than Doug. He has a brain, so to speak. One of his first initiatives on city council was to try to sell off a long planned harbour lands community project to developers who promised to throw in a big Ferris wheel. Lotsa folks were pretty excited and impressed!  Dougs definately got potential. He's made his provincial political aspirations clear too. Tim Hudak is hoping he can help the PC's break into the Toronto 416 ridings.


Doug + Rob: More balls than brains? The Team Ford Radio Show!

Global TV's one on one interview with Doug is @ Doug goes on the offensive

Dougs CP24 interview with host Steven LeDrew is divided into two parts @ One and Two

Doug Ford insists the news allegations [or should we say leaks?] are a part of a political attack against him + his brother. Quite possibly. That doesn't mean they aren't true though. One hardly seems to need to to make up stories about these 2. Plus they are hardly strangers to making political attacks themselves. What comes around goes around? It's called karma ... Doug's @ Sun News

Moody's to the rescue? Toronto keeps its Aa1 Financial rating. Budget is on track. Hmm @ Aa1

Ford video hawkers suddenly missing. The plot thickens @ MIA

How are the brothers Ford Nation supporters responding @ keepin' the faith?

Mick Jagger can't resist a Ford crack or two during the Rolling Stones Saturday night show in Toronto @ Tumbling Dice?



NEWS FLASH: Ford Bros live on 1010 Talk radio 1-3pm Sunday. First hour was basically a good old boy show, Rob calling the media "maggots" + named the city councillors who voted against a Toronto casino. The bros boasted at length about their accomplishments. Rob did not address the crack allegations in any detail. Doug promised fireworks after Rob left at 2pm. There were 3 live phone calls for Rob in the last 5 minutes all from angry outraged backers. Afterwards a retired drug cop called up to say he'd never heard of Doug during the 1980's.

Rob Ford call the media "maggots on his talk radio show. A good idea? Whew! He's going to need a new Chief of Staff + close personal adviser el pronto 4 sure @ Maggots?

Then again, Sun article claims Ford doesn't heed his advisers anyway. This may well be his Achilles heel. Numerous recent incidents are noted @ Just Rob!

Doug Ford denies dealing drugs. Rob claims video doesn't exist. Wonder if he bought it himself?!? It seller seems to have gone missing all of a sudden. The media is digging into this now. Meantime he's a brief overview of the show @ The Rob + Doug Show


Doug Ford seems ambivalent about the Toronto Sun coverage but ..... has he read it lately?

Police homicide officers investigation allegedly swirls over the mysteriously disappearing Ford crack video. The original owner dead. Another fellow in photo shot down. Ford seems increasingly confident + belligerent that the video doesn't exist. Read @ Too Far Fetched?

Warren Kinsella asks: Why is the Ford crack video a part of a police investigation involving homicide officers? What to do? See @ Homicide?!

More questions as the plot thickens @ Kinsella

[One wonders: Is Warren just an interested by-stander? Shhhh ... ]

Incomplete denials + lotsa Ford huffing and puffing: How did the crack video go poof? Also vote in the poll! Did Rob Ford smoke crack??? Read + vote @ Vote!


Google Trends tracks the widespread world interest in the Rob Ford story by how many times his name is being searched. So far he's beat Obama, Harper + Lady Gaga @ World Renowned!

Rob Fords polling numbers hold steady among Torontonians despite scandals. Olivia Chow could still kick his butt in an election though @ Popularity holds!

Two more key Ford staffers, his communications director and press secretary resign! Mayor claims they had better job offers. I bet! Co-incidental or what eh? Read more @ Bye Rob!


Spokesman Christopoulus: Yeah ... um ... I got a better job. That's why I'm leaving!

Mayor Ford hires his former Bosco football coaching assistant and other football players to work in his office @ Go team go!

Coffees on! Rob's newbie press team has a lot on the plate during their first day on the job @ Good overview

Toronto Star reviews Mondays resignations. A video of Robs incredulous response + press apology is also included @ Overview

Videos of Robs media "apology", comments on the staff resignations + what his staff knew about the video @ See 4 yourself


What to do next?!?

Toronto Star reports there may be 3 copies of the video. A Ford aide + former coaching buddy David Price had info on the video. Said he thought he might know where it was. Chief of Staff Towhey, since then dismissed contacted police. Didn't want anyone to get killed. Police interviewed both. More @ News crack!

Homicide detectives interviewed @ Shooting

2 men shown in still shot from alleged Ford crack video identified. One dead, one wounded in shoot out two months ago in downtown Toronto night club district. Report + photo @ Hmmm!

Gawker donations reach $200,000 for the Ford crack video but where is it? See @ MIA!

National Post questions if the PC's would be wise running Doug Ford as a candidate in the next provincial election. He had been their great hope of a Tory 416 breakthrough. Now? Read @ Doug Ford PC?


Ford Bros: Tweedle Dumb + Tweedle Dee

Premier Wynne muses about Rob Ford and life in the public eye @ Raw video

A day in the life: How Rob Ford spent his 44th birthday @ More woe!

Office tip: Fords staff knew about the video. Now Deputy Mayor is suggesting it might be a fake. Rob says it doesn't exist. Much confusion persists @ Is there or isn't there?!?

Worth repeating: Could the Iphone video be faked? Apparently not @ Cell phone video

Could the Iphone video be faked? Apparently yes @ Fakin it !

Rob Fords "Pity Party" about people always unfairly picking on him is a textbook case of bad crisis management. Read more @ Pity Party

Wrestlers crack jokes about Rob Ford @ Plausible Deniability?

Staunch Ford boosters at Toronto Sun turned down the crack tape. Would take it in a minute if they could get it now! The media builds them up. The media knocks them down. The difference here is that the Ford Bros were once the Ontario right wings great hope for a popular peoples choice breakthrough, at least with Doug if Rob couldn't hold it together. Now? Read @ Turnabout


Citizen Party: Happy B'day Mayor Ford! Please resign!

A good recap of the Rob Ford crack crisis to date is @ Cracking up?

Crackgate?!? Emails, telephone records from Fords fired + resigned office staff allegedly ordered destroyed!! The Toronto Star investigates @ Crackgate

Is Toronto suffering from Ford Fatigue in dealing with important municipal issues while Mayor Ford continues to dodge his personal ones? Read @ Ford Fatigue

Mayors announcement on Toronto flash floods drowned out by questions about the crack scandal. Rob dodges out. Deputy mayor and a city councillors have a few things to say about Rob though @ Flash Flood

Mayor Ford allegedly spills beans to his staff on where the video recording is! Read @ What video?!?

Ford policy adviser resigns + a personal assistant leaves Mayor Rob Ford's office. That's 5 in the last 2 1/2 weeks. The office was understaffed to start with, as a part of Rob's cost cutting measures. Now it's key staff that's leaving. One wonders how the mayor's office will be able to carry on city business let alone assist the mayor as he's embroiled in scandal after scandal. It's also interesting to note the Ford brothers strategy. When something is going down in the office, Doug comes out to make an announcement about something or other to divert the medias attention from Rob. They remain virtually camped outside the office. More to follow!


Toronto burns while the mayor fiddles about!

Premier Wynne twitters that she is watching the situation carefully. Will the province intervene? Could it dissolve council + call a municipal election?

Doug Ford tells her to mind her own scandals @ Toronto Sun

New Forum Provincial Poll: 60% feel Doug Ford would not make a good candidate for Provincial Conservative [PC] MPP. 48% believe the Ford scandals are hurting party leader Tim Hudaks PC brand. Read more @ Forum

PC party Tim Hudak leader distances himself from Doug Ford. He's no longer lauding him as a conservative candidate in the next provincial election @ PC's: Bye! Bye!

Here's the latest Toronto street graffiti, spotted on a wall in Kennsington market @ Mr. Crackhead Pipe?

The Crack-o-meter measures how high the odds are that Rob Ford will crack + lose his cool. Also included is the "Slurpy" story. Ford fans planned to try to disseminate a fake Ford crack video with a look-a-like named "Slurpy". It was supposed to discredit allegations a real video exists. Unfortunately, "Slurpy" had second thoughts of getting involved in the imbroglio. I kid you not. See both stories + more @ Toronto Life


Who is the real "Slurpy". Where is he? More news coverage about the Rob Ford Doppelganger @ "Slurpy"

A very strange visit to apt.1703 - 320 Dixon Ave. where the crack video is/ was allegedly stashed. Drug dealers apparently angry about all the attention + publicity. The video will never surface. The reporters visit was recorded + can be seen @ Apt 1703

Rob ends May claiming everything is fine. Whew! Could've fooled me! Imagine that! Read @ Jus' dandy!

We can end May on a fun note by learning some "Gravy Train Music", a new genre featuring songs about Rob Ford @ Sing!

This Rob Ford blog continues on June 1st. See you there!

STAY TUNED ...

This blog is brought to you by Kulture Kult Ink: A division of my David Chiarelli: School Edition Blog.

COMMENT BELOW:

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Correction: The Toronto Star is a propagandist arm of the Liberal Party.

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