So ummm...Rob Ford

[Fishheadjoe]

The lack of any response from the Federal Conservatives speaks volumes as to the power of Ford nation in the GTA.
No one at the federal level has spoken publically about Ford's antics, for fear of alienating the GTA right, which is Ford's power base.
I think that's pretty telling in and of its own!
I also find it to be somewhat curious that Toronto's council, after having stripped Ford of much of his power, have actually given Ford a platform to criticize, without real ramifications.
And expect the criticism to start really soon as the "new" council has already decided to raise taxes above what Ford had proposed prior to the debacle.
He's got almost of year to hammer his opponents, prior to the next civic election. As in most places, money talks. I expect our next civic election to be highly entertaining!
Fishheadjoe

 

[iamlowsound]

The lack of any response from the Federal Conservatives speaks volumes as to the power of Ford nation in the GTA.

No one at the federal level has spoken publically about Ford's antics, for fear of alienating the GTA right, which is Ford's power base.

I think that's pretty telling in and of its own!

I also find it to be somewhat curious that Toronto's council, after having stripped Ford of much of his power, have actually given Ford a platform to criticize, without real ramifications.

And expect the criticism to start really soon as the "new" council has already decided to raise taxes above what Ford had proposed prior to the debacle.

He's got almost of year to hammer his opponents, prior to the next civic election. As in most places, money talks. I expect our next civic election to be highly entertaining!

Fishheadjoe

You just hit the nail on the head, quite hard, with a large hammer.

lowsound

 

[Ayce]

Sometimes I wish I was still there. This could get interestink. (Now where's that popcorn eating smilie?)

 

[bmc]

The lack of any response from the Federal Conservatives speaks volumes as to the power of Ford nation in the GTA.
No one at the federal level has spoken publically about Ford's antics, for fear of alienating the GTA right, which is Ford's power base.
I think that's pretty telling in and of its own!
I also find it to be somewhat curious that Toronto's council, after having stripped Ford of much of his power, have actually given Ford a platform to criticize, without real ramifications.
And expect the criticism to start really soon as the "new" council has already decided to raise taxes above what Ford had proposed prior to the debacle.
He's got almost of year to hammer his opponents, prior to the next civic election. As in most places, money talks. I expect our next civic election to be highly entertaining!
Fishheadjoe

Actually, Jason Kenney did speak up two days ago. And, considering that Harper will not let any of his people talk to the press without prior approval, you can consider Kenney's statement reflects Harper.

Invalid Link Removed

I think Kenney's statement is more in response to a CBC report that pointed out how the Conservatives were jumping all over Trudeau for smoking pot and remaining silent on Fat Boy.

 

[iamlowsound]

Actually, Jason Kenney did speak up two days ago. And, considering that Harper will not let any of his people talk to the press without prior approval, you can consider Kenney's statement reflects Harper.



Invalid Link Removed



I think Kenney's statement is more in response to a CBC report that pointed out how the Conservatives were jumping all over Trudeau for smoking pot and remaining silent on Fat Boy.

It is widely thought that Kenney broke rank when he commented on Ford, Nigel Wright too. At the moment, it appears as though Kenney is starting to gear up for a leadership run and he is looking to distance himself from Harper on issues where they differ, while still holding the party line. There are several reasons to think this, the main one being that his riding association has almost $2 million in reserves and he can use that money for a leadership bid when Harper steps down.

lowsound

 

[bmc]

How is a clown mayor going to affect the sale of resources that everyone needs? The combined GDP of the prairie provinces is slightly larger than Ontario. The population is one third of Canada. How does Ford affect us? He doesn't. Nobody over here I talk to is embarrassed. The world needs our resources and food, they don't give a hoot that a clown is mayor when they need oil.

King maker? What you trying to say, that for sure the next pm will be NDP? Because the mayor of TO smokes crack? That's funny.

Spit it out how world wide jokes will fiscally hurt Canada? In the end, show me the money.

You say it will hurt Canada but have yet to give an example how. How will it hurt exports that in fact are all that matter. People need the stuff we have and a crack smoking mayor won't change that.

MARION BERRY look him up. Mayor of DC, arrested with crack red handed and returns to politics! In DC!!

I don't think this will have any impact on Canada at all. It may increase tourism to Toronto since the mayor endorses black market sale and use of narcotics.

Berlusconi, GWB, Chavez were all mental giants in their own right. Were some citizens embarrassed by them? Of course.

Not sure where you got the idea someone suggested this will have an economic impact on Canada.

 

[bmc]

It is widely thought that Kenney broke rank when he commented on Ford, Nigel Wright too. At the moment, it appears as though Kenney is starting to gear up for a leadership run and he is looking to distance himself from Harper on issues where they differ, while still holding the party line. There are several reasons to think this, the main one being that his riding association has almost $2 million in reserves and he can use that money for a leadership bid when Harper steps down.

lowsound

I think you're spot on with this.

 

[iamlowsound]

I don't think this will have any impact on Canada at all. It may increase tourism to Toronto since the mayor endorses black market sale and use of narcotics.



Berlusconi, GWB, Chavez were all mental giants in their own right. Were some citizens embarrassed by them? Of course.



Not sure where you got the idea someone suggested this will have an economic impact on Canada.

Ford spoke at a dinner for business investment last night and was LAUGHED at. Not a good sign for investment in the city.

lowsound

 

[bmc]

Money talks and if there is a business opportunity in Toronto, the economic climate is positive, federal politics stable, I can't see it. Ford has been stripped of a lot of powers. Despite his antics, he is pro business. Sure he's a fool.

Got a link to that dinner story? We're loving this train wreck, from afar.

Brian

 

[petrus61]

Has Ford been accused of anything illegal other than smoking some crack? I haven't followed too closely. Was he accused of misappropriating public funds or some kind of theft?

 

[bmc]

Has Ford been accused of anything illegal other than smoking some crack? I haven't followed too closely. Was he accused of misappropriating public funds or some kind of theft?

You know, with a user name like Petrus61, you completely distract me. Why didn't you go with Petrus45, Petrus82 or Petrus05?

No charges have been laid, which is curious. Video of him smoking crack, denying repeatedly that he never did drugs, police surveillance reports of him meeting at gas stations and meeting with a known drug dealer. He has changed his story repeatedly and is in complete denial of any problem. He has recently said that he's getting professional help, which now turns out to be a personal trainer to lose weight.

You know, what people do in their spare time is their own business. While Ford continually prides himself on saving taxes for his constituents, there's more t being an effective mayor. I wouldn't feel comfortable knowing that if there was a major catastrophe in my city, that the mayor was junked up and hammered. Which, seems like a frequent event. The police have statements from staff who have seen him down a bottle of vodka while driving. Stats show that people like that are a risk n the road. Rob's response is along the lines that everybody does it so ***.

 

[Fishheadjoe]

I was aware that Kenney had recently spoken out, but given his position vs the PM, I didn't give it much thought.
Yes, Ford was laughed at last night, only he had cracked (LOL) a joke that was appropriate given the circumstances.
In the long run, I think that city council has done Ford a favour. He can criticize with impunity, claim to have had his hands tied and let everyone know what he would have done differently, should he have been able to hold power.
And the gravy train comments are starting to come up again. A full 4 days after Ford was de-clawed, council has put forth a motion to increase taxes beyond what Ford claims he would have done. Talk about loading Ford's gun during an election year!
As I said before, it's gonna be an interesting year!
Fishheadjoe

 

[petrus61]

You know, with a user name like Petrus61, you completely distract me. Why didn't you go with Petrus45, Petrus82 or Petrus05?

No charges have been laid, which is curious. Video of him smoking crack, denying repeatedly that he never did drugs, police surveillance reports of him meeting at gas stations and meeting with a known drug dealer. He has changed his story repeatedly and is in complete denial of any problem. He has recently said that he's getting professional help, which now turns out to be a personal trainer to lose weight.

You know, what people do in their spare time is their own business. While Ford continually prides himself on saving taxes for his constituents, there's more t being an effective mayor. I wouldn't feel comfortable knowing that if there was a major catastrophe in my city, that the mayor was junked up and hammered. Which, seems like a frequent event. The police have statements from staff who have seen him down a bottle of vodka while driving. Stats show that people like that are a risk n the road. Rob's response is along the lines that everybody does it so ***.

I figured if I chose an off vintage, I would be less distracting

I agree about not feeling comfortable having a cracked up public official in command in the midst of some catastrophic event, but it sure is entertaining.

 

[Ayce]

It's a case of setting an example and leaving a legacy. If RF said "Everybody does it, so ***", then that's calling the kettle black, as I've seen many things (crackheads in the stairwells, drunks in the lobbies, etc.) while I was managing buildings in TO. (Rainbow Village, no less!) Those in public service need to set a good example, not follow the lowlifes. This is the legacy Ford will leave, not any of the good things he may have done for the city.

Here, we have water problems, but our Mayor decided building a new "Justice Center"(Police station & Courts) was more important. This will be his legacy, and he won't be remembered as a great Mayor, unless he gets the water system fixed. (We recently had a boil water order, and I didn't hear anything about it until it was lifted.) He may still be considered a good Mayor, though, by those that wanted the Justice center.
Legacies can be hard to fix, once they get busted. Ask Mel Lastman.

 

[bmc]

I figured if I chose an off vintage, I would be less distracting
.

61 is a legendary vintage. Like 45, 82, 05.

 

[petrus61]

I know...it's the only one I'm fortunate enough to have cellared. Future college tuition for the little one and what not.

Edit: Formerly cellared. A relative is storing it appropriately for me along with a stupid collection of large format Grand Cru's. I have a reoccurring nightmare that I will one day attend a holiday party in which he blind pours it for all the guests by "accident".

 

[96tbird]

I d



Not sure where you got the idea someone suggested this will have an economic impact on Canada.

Really. Zilt says it will affect Canada. I say how? If it isn't economic hurt, then it is of no importance. I am challenging him to explain how it hurts us. He says it will and I say show me the money.

If BUSINESS people EVER actually paid attention to political scientists, commerce would not carry on. Now that I'm 50, I look back at when I was 23 and listening to 50 year olds telling me that all that counts is the money. I didn't believe them. Turns out its correct.

Ford in no way will affect Canadian industry. Media courting politicos to comment is not unsolicited commentary. It's a dog on a bone. Soon enough a bone with more meat will appear.

 

[bmc]

Marois, on the other hand, could affect the economy of Quebec.

 

[Ayce]

Marois, on the other hand, could affect the economy of Quebec.

That needs it's own thread, and will be shut down quickly. Anything to do with her will get real political, real fast.

 

[bmc]

I know...it's the only one I'm fortunate enough to have cellared. Future college tuition for the little one and what not.

Current price is around $13,000 a bottle. Keep it in that cool dark place. A good friend recently sold a 1989 Domaine Romani Conti La Tache for $26,000.

Good for you mate.

Apologies for hijack.