The Car Crash that is Mayor Rob Ford

[lljkk]

Anyone else glued to this story?

[Trooperslane]

Yy. If it was a movie you'd think it was far fetched. The guy is comedy gold

[TensionWheelsCoolHeels]

It's just painful to watch. And infuriating. Why he hasn't resigned/stepped down is just bizarre. He's a particularly odious man IMO.

[lljkk]

Ego as big as his waistline, Tension?
I know I should reserve my pity for the residents of Toronto.
Maybe it will galvanise some to pay more attention to politics.

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

I think there's a weird trend going on that, thankfully, hasn't made it to the UK yet. Senior politicians behaving seriously badly in their personal life and thinking that by saying 'nobody's perfect' it lets them off the hook. Shameless. Two of the candidates for Mayor of NYC this year took the same line. One of them, Weiner, had been caught sexting, had to resign once and, when caught at it again appeared in front of the cameras saying 'anyone can make a mistake... let's put it behind us'. Fortunately, the electorate didn't agree.

[fourbythree]

Can't he be sacked? Surely someone must have some authority?

[TensionWheelsCoolHeels]

You would think so four, wouldn't you? It does raise the question as to why there doesn't appear to be some mechanism which meant he couldn't just keep making an utter arse of himself remain in office under these circumstances. But then it's not very different elsewhere either. There was the Scottish MSP recently convicted of domestic abuse/violence, who also couldn't be automatically sacked either despite his conviction. The MPs caught fiddling their expenses who all served out their time, stepped down and will get their generous pensions/severance payments etc. This mayor is just the latest in a long line of chancers, hanging on to their position despite the overwhelming evidence that they aren't fit to do so.

[lalalonglegs]

He is marvellous. I especially enjoyed his excuse for smoking crack: he probably had smoked it but was so drunk he couldn't be sure.

In a way, this paragraph from a BBC report is more damning than his, he claims, occasional drug use:

"Police documents released on Wednesday quoted Ford associates as saying that the mayor had driven drunk, used racially abusive language, threatened staff, consorted with a woman suspected of being a prostitute and made a sexual proposition to a female staff member."

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Nah, this guy's an amateur. Blair got away with murder and profiteering.

[MurderOfGoths]

It sounds like the plot to a cheap comedy, it's so over the top.

[claig]

I wonder if these type of things are more common than we think.

This week we have heard about the Co-op person and drugs.

[Talkinpeace]

Paul Flowers is our own home grown equivalent

[SoldAtAuction]

Sometimes I'm glad I don't live in Toronto anymore.
He has done some good things, but Jesus Murphy, he has done some stupid shit too.
I don't agree with his political views, but this is beyond being on the right or left. This is a person not being straight up, and that's not good enough.

[MummyBeerest]

Ohh this man. Van down by the river.

[FixItUpChappie]

I find it so embarrassing. How ridiculous that he can't be ousted somehow - he's admitted to illegal activity during his term as mayor...surely that is in breech of some oath or something he would have taken??!

I would have though Torontonians progressive enough to have avoided voting for such a twat. Sadly disappointed

[lemonpoppyseed]

Imagine living here. I live just west of downtown. He was very clever with his election campaign, and appealed to the suburban voters. Now we are stuck with him .

It does seem to be an absolute car crash of a story. The man is obviously in need of serious help.

And don't let our crazy politics put you off. Toronto is a lovely city - definitely worth a visit.

[DalekInAFestiveJumper]

Lemonpoppyseed, I've got friends in Texas who would be willing to take him off your hands, but only if you'll accept Ted Cruz in trade. ;)

I have to agree, Toronto is a lovely place to visit. Heck, given the chance, I'd move there in a heartbeat, Rob Ford and all.

[madwomanintheatt1c]

We had to get the Boris quotes out at work today, to try and distract attention from Ford - we were pondering why he's still here, and someone suggested he's an old fishing buddy of Harper. What's he got on him, then?!........

[MooseBeTimeForSnow]

What I don't get is that when you're in such a high profile position (or want to be), you just shouldn't. How shitfaced do you need to get to forget you smoked crack?

We can feel the warm glow of appreciation for Mayor Nenshi from Calgary all this way "oop North".

[madwomanintheatt1c]

Ahhhhh, super-nenshi! We love!

[SoldAtAuction]

I'm in Halifax, we hat a cat run in our last mayoral race

[BeCool]

cognito I give you Boris Johnson. Having two children as a result of affairs whist a married father of 4 I believe - no one has battered an eye.

He'll probably lead the Conservatives before too long.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

To be fair sold the cat was one of the better candidates.

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

It's just unbelievable. And embarrassing.

There are however some seriously funny political cartoons and jokes making the rounds. I know it's not really a laughing matter but by god they are funny.