Because I Got High - Afroman
Hey big news world, yesterday (November 5th, 2013) Mayor Rob Ford of Toronto has finally admitted that he used Crack Cocaine...once...probably a year ago...when he was in a drunken stupor. Quite frankly the man has had no choice but to publicly admit to his indiscretions because late last week the police gave notice that they were in possession of the infamous video that allegedly shows Ford smoking Crack Cocaine. But the admission and subsequent apologies to the people of Toronto came in bits and pieces. Initially the incrimination of the video was still denied by Ford until/unless he could see it for himself - although we all saw police video/stills surveillance of shady gas station package exchanges between Ford and a known drug dealer. Maybe it was day-old donuts in that bag?
During his weekly radio show on Sunday (November 3rd), Ford insisted that the police release the video so that he can see it. He claimed to be unaware that he was ever video-taped - really? In this day and age with "Big Brother" watching all of us and our movements on the street and in the stores as part of a large security sweep, we are all aware that we are being photographed everywhere except perhaps in our own homes and hopefully private spaces like washrooms and change rooms. Rob Ford did apologize for some of the publicly drunken episodes that he had previously denied and promised to get help for his drinking or at least remain sober and professional out in public. Many disappointed people tuned in to hear that he was stepping down as mayor while he sought help for his alcohol problems. He remained adamant that he was elected as mayor and was a good one and intended to continue as one. Amazingly his approval rating went up among the people of Toronto???
The mayor's brother and every present side kick (Doug Ford), dropped another bomb shell when he demanded that the Chief of Police step down because he has a bias against the Mayor. As a city councilor he is overstepping his bounds in making this kind of statement. Chief of Police Bill Blair's comment that he was disappointed when he viewed the video is what has the Ford feathers ruffled - it gave the video more credibility if a person of such high ranking can be disappointed at its existence. The media is not picking on the mayor and neither is the Chief of Police (or the mayor may have had charges pressed against him for any one of his publicly drunken episodes, distracted driving (reading while zipping along the Gardner highway). The mayor has made it abundantly clear that he has a bias against the Toronto Star newspaper however. And as a man in his position, he is very unavailable to the media in general - so they pounce when the opportunity presents.
Surprisingly, it was later that same day that seemingly unscripted and unplanned the mayor stopped in front of reporters camped outside his office and stunned the media and the public with the admission that he did indeed once in a drunken stupor a year ago smoke crack cocaine. Black outs when drinking are a serious concern, engaging in that type of criminal and dangerous behaviour when drunk is equally disconcerting. We know that isn't his only encounter with over-indulging in alcohol - maybe the other times that weren't video-tapped involved crack cocaine as well and he can't remember. He told the media that he wasn't lying before, they just didn't ask the right question. Semantics my friend and bull shit too! There is video of him denying that he ever used Crack Cocaine - what question was asked that prompted that response.
With bated breath, Torontonians and late night comedy show hosts waited for Rob Fords' planned announcement that same afternoon. The country and the world hoped to hear that the Mayor would at least step down for a time to deal with his personal demons and addictions before moving on to effectively perform his job. I mean if he can make poor decisions like engaging in criminal behaviour when drunk - how can he possibly be respected as a head of the largest city in the country? But no, the announcement wasn't much more than a stepping stone to his next election campaign and more "sincere" apologies. I have to question whether there would ever have been an apology or admission to either the public drunkenness or use of illegal drugs if the video hadn't surfaced? With countless denials for inappropriate behavior over the years and apologies and admissions only coming with tangible proof I highly doubt it. He is a classic example of only being sorry that he got caught. Is an apology ever enough? Ask anyone who has lost a loved one at the hands of a drunk driver. As to Rob Ford, if you want to dismiss the bad choices of the past as being inconsequential so should the positive be put in that same discarded baggage. His planned press conference of the afternoon of November 5th, 2013 is just another verbal example of Rob Ford's sense of entitlement in the belief that he is above the law!
Of course between the planned and impromptu responses to the media, Rob Ford called in to a local radio talk show to defend himself but used the alias of "Ian". Not confirmed by the mayor, it is up to personal interpretation but it is suspicious for sure. Certainly fits with the lying, deceitful character of the mayor. Judge for yourself I suppose.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/did-mayor-rob-ford-call-radio-show-claiming-131527399.html
Then there was the media parked at his house who got a snootful of what is presumed to be Rob Ford's dry-cleaning as he used the hand holding the dirty laundry to forcibly push reporters "off' his driveway. You could literally see his blood pressure rise as he used his bulk to move the media away and his voice got louder and his tone angrier. "What don't you understand? Get off my property". There is a fine line as a public figure between private and public life. There is a less fine line between legal and illegal activity. And a lie is always a lie!
This story is not over. There is speculation of additional video tapes and there may be wire taps released to the media soon. Rob Ford continues to be not a regional or even national embarrassment but he has the whole world laughing. And not as a brilliant Canadian comic like John Candy or Leslie Nielsen!
For more information on this story - according to me:
What is the Price of Life? and The Rob Ford Follies
http://pinkpantherfancanada.blogspot.ca/2013/06/what-is-price-of-life-and-rob-ford.html
DownsizinDownsizing an Upsizing World
http://pinkpantherfancanada.blogspot.ca/2012/05/downsizing-upsizing-world.html
Credit where credit is due:
ca.news.yahoo.com
The Toronto Star
Theo Moudakis - editorial cartoonist
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