[bornagainbiking]

I believe it is in extremely poor taste for the comedy crew to attend his private residence. I have always enjoyed these skits but everyone I have had the pleasure of seeing was in a public forum or in the office of the victim of the Prime Minister or Provincial Premiers.
He lives in a normal home in a regular neighbourhood and yes he is the Mayor and subject to the perks or hassles. But, not his family. For security the PM and other political leaders have secure homes and security details. To keep out the whackos.
The main point is that they identify his home and the location was put it on national T.V.
The man has had serious death threats, and probaly has concerns for the safety and security of his children.
A line has been crossed and I believe it would be just plain polite for the CBC to admit to a grave error. Salvage a bad decision. Someone was not too bright to sign off on that one.
I suggest that should they contact him and plan something for City Hall he would probably be more than willing. Kiss and make up.
But seriously imagine first thing in the morning before your Tim Hortons coffee on the way to work. That is a sin.
Did anyone notice he is the Mayor of the largest city in Canada and was drining himself in his small CUV type vehicle.
All things considered, yes we need a sense of humour but it is only funny if both parties think so. He has the a right to be concerned and upset.
Would these actors wisheverone to know where they live and make it easier for stalkers and kooks. Can you say SECURITY $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Aylmer]

Agreed, but before you cry bloody blue murder, know that canada411 (http://www.canada411.ca/res/4169015511/R-Ford/146342271/Map.html) also has his address.
If I can find his home with a public website, a Wikipedia page and 30s to kill, I'm sure the wackos could too without the help of National Television.


And as unpleasant a surprise as it may have been for Mr.Ford, I think he overreacted. Sure, it might have startled or scared him, but they were brandishing a microphone, not an AK-47. No one's been hurt with the possible exception of his pride. But as a politician, that's an occupational hazard.

[Gerrard]

he's the gift that keeps on giving. for comedians.

[freeweed]

Agreed, but before you cry bloody blue murder, know that canada411 (http://www.canada411.ca/res/4169015511/R-Ford/146342271/Map.html) also has his address.
If I can find his home with a public website, a Wikipedia page and 30s to kill, I'm sure the wackos could too without the help of National Television.

The fact that we live in a free and open society, where phone numbers and addresses are public information, is no excuse for stalking and/or harassment.

Yes, someone *could* look this up. I'm sure there is only one "Robert Ford" in all of metro Toronto, it's a pretty rare name after all. Posting it on the national news is extremely poor taste. Our politicians and celebrities generally can live amongst the common people because in my country, we don't go around harassing them in their personal lives. The CBC is desperately trying to be like the US media here.

Ford's a pompous ass and deserves all the derision he gets but that doesn't justify crossing this particular line in my books.

[PoscStudent]

Does he live in a skyscraper?

[samne]

Im definitely no Ford supporter, but definitely poor taste and crossed the line from that "reporter".

I think we do a pretty good job at leaving politicians private lives out of the spotlight. This was just stupid.

[The_Architect]

A few things here:

1. CBC had tried to do this at City Hall, but media has been incredibly blocked out there, so they resorted to other methods of reaching him.

2. Rob Ford drives an SUV with a personalized plate that says "ROB FORD".. He's not exactly subtle and anybody with eyes would know where he lives.

3. He invited the media over to his house when he was hosting a barbeque, so it's not like they were invading on his private space like nobody has before..

4. He straight up lied. He said they attacked him in the dark. The video showed it was light out. He said they were scaring his daughter. He was in his car and the daughter was nowhere to be seen, so if anybody scared her, it was him. He said she ran up to him shouting "We've got you Ford!", which was proven to be a lie.

5. It was famous Canadian TV personality wearing outrageous attire in a character she's been doing since Mulroney. I know Ford only watches anything American, but come on, there's no way he didn't recognize her. Not to mention she had a camera crew and probably sound crew following behind her. There is no way he could have mistaken this for a legitimate threat on his life.

tl;dr: Rob Ford is an absolute tool with no sense of humour.

Pictured: Big security threat..
http://www.cbc.ca/75/images/margprincesswarrior.jpg

What a joke of a mayor we have.

[drew]

Im definitely no Ford supporter, but definitely poor taste and crossed the line from that "reporter".

I think we do a pretty good job at leaving politicians private lives out of the spotlight. This was just stupid.


^ it's supposed to be stupid. It's a woman dressed as a warrior for cripes sake, with a camera crew (complete with bright light) and microphone!

All this shows is that Ford does not watch This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and probably has a very limited sense of humour. From what I have seen of him, he strikes me as the kind of person who doesn't watch the CBC at all.

The great thing about politicians in Canada (at least thus far) is that they are approachable and accessible enough to do these kinds of gags, that at the end of the day, are all in good humour.

We need to be able to take the piss, so to speak, with our public figures in Canada.

If this guy doesn't want to be approached by reporters, and the zany characters from a comedy show, he probably should have declined becoming a mayor.

IMO, he came across as a big baby in this circumstance.

[MrOilers]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Blackjebus/rob-ford.jpg

[samne]

^ it's supposed to be stupid. It's a woman dressed as a warrior for cripes sake, with a camera crew (complete with bright light) and microphone!

All this shows is that Ford does not watch This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and probably has a very limited sense of humour. From what I have seen of him, he strikes me as the kind of person who doesn't watch the CBC at all.

The great thing about politicians in Canada (at least thus far) is that they are approachable and accessible enough to do these kinds of gags, that at the end of the day, are all in good humour.

We need to be able to take the piss, so to speak, with our public figures in Canada.

If this guy doesn't want to be approached by reporters, and the zany characters from a comedy show, he probably should have declined becoming a mayor.

IMO, he came across as a big baby in this circumstance.


Well if its supposed to be stupid it succeeded.

I dont think you can write this off as not having a sense of humour or unapproachable. A persons home is there home, no matter what kind of position they have. I might have thought less of it if she were on the sidewalk, but she trespassed.

I dont know who that woman is and I think most people dont either.

[niwell]

Rob Ford's home is not exactly a regular residence in a regular neighbourhood. He's staged media and promotional events in his backyard. Many times.

Regardless of whether or not this was in bad taste, calling 911 was clearly not an appropriate response.

[samne]

Rob Ford's home is not exactly a regular residence in a regular neighbourhood. He's staged media and promotional events in his backyard. Many times.

Regardless of whether or not this was in bad taste, calling 911 was clearly not an appropriate response.

I dont know why Im defending this guy.

Theres a difference between an event invitation and just dropping in unexpectedly.

In hindsight, sure he couldve taken the higher ground and not called the cops. But, he doesnt know who they are and lets face it he's got a lot enemies.

[KnoxfordGuy]

To me it was all in good fun. It was for a comedy show, not hard hitting news. Rob Ford is just a cold humorless person that doesn't watch Canadian TV and wants to be American. Mary Walsh aka Marg Delahunty warrior princess is awesome and I would be pumped if she cam up and started talking to me. It's just too funny people!

[The_Architect]

I dont know who that woman is and I think most people dont either.

Just because you don't know who she is doesn't mean "most people" don't..

Anybody who has actually strayed away from the regular American broadcasts in the past 25 years knows who she is.

This is basically like Stephen Colbert or Jon Stewart getting 911 called on them by the mayor of New York City.

[Wharn]

Just because you don't know who she is doesn't mean "most people" don't..

Anybody who has actually strayed away from the regular American broadcasts in the past 25 years knows who she is.

Personally I found her skits irritating as a kid and I still find them irritating. I think most people know her only as "that woman from 'This Hour Has 22 Minutes'". Can't blame Ford for not knowing her, since I never really watched that show either (I was always more of an Air Farce fan).


This is basically like Stephen Colbert or Jon Stewart getting 911 called on them by the mayor of New York City.

The difference is... Colbert is actually funny and people actually watch his show.

[niwell]

I dont know why Im defending this guy.

Theres a difference between an event invitation and just dropping in unexpectedly.

In hindsight, sure he couldve taken the higher ground and not called the cops. But, he doesnt know who they are and lets face it he's got a lot enemies.

As I said I'm not defending her showing up in front of her house. But it's pretty obvious this was a news crew (plus it was not dark as Ford stated) so calling an emergency number is pretty unwarranted. If he really wanted to call the police there is a non-emergency number - after all he was safely inside by this point. It sounds trivial but abuse of the 911 system is a major issue.

[kool maudit]

let's not overestimate the profile of our cancon heroes now. i wouldn't know this woman from adam were she to show up at my house, and were she to identify herself as being from "this hour has 22 minutes," i'd be able -- at best -- to form a fuzzy recollection of an annoying-seeming cbc advert featuring a comic songs about joe clark (or whatever).

[drew]

The difference is... Colbert is actually funny and people actually watch his show.

^ This Hour Has 22 Minutes is consistently funny. Enough people must watch it, since it has been on the air for about a hundred years.

I would be willing to bet Stephen Colbert would give his left nut to get the kind of access to politicians like THH22M has here in Canada. Hopefully obvious DB's like this Ford guy don't ruin it for the rest of us.

[Aylmer]

I dont know why Im defending this Guy.

Then join the dark side! (we've got cookies)


In hindsight, sure he couldve taken the higher ground and not called the cops. But, he doesnt know who they are and lets face it he's got a lot ennemies.

Enemies... Such as princess warriors with camera crews and interview microphones?

Seriously - the only thing Marg could be a threat to is a sweatshirt.

Had it been a guy dressed as a mugger or something, I could understand (even though the camera crew would seem a bit odd), but instead he was approached by a 50-some year old dressed up to look like a 'princess warrior' with a full CBC camera crew and lights in plain day... Come on.

[yaletown_fella]

Never heard of that woman so I guess I don't have the right to say if I would object to her illegally trespassing on my property.

Most other politicians are "approachable" because they're media whores.

Ford ran for more selfless reasons; to fight corruption and stand up for taxpayers.

Although I'm not a huge fan of the money spent on the pointless initiative of removing bike lanes I think his family deserves privacy.

Many kids bash him due to their own misfortunes. People need to get a life.

[niwell]

Most other politicians are "approachable" because they're media whores.

Ford ran for more selfless reasons; to fight corruption and stand up for taxpayers.



Those are rather odd statements. This doesn't have too much to do with the incident in question, but Rob Ford extensively promoted his approachability while running for office. The whole "you can call me anytime" thing. Of course this has changed dramatically now that he is mayor.

And you could easily attribute the second statement to David Miller, albeit replacing "taxpayers" with "citizens". Saying selfless things is pretty easy you know?

[The_Architect]

Ford ran for more selfless reasons; to fight corruption and stand up for taxpayers.

So what does he do? Make backroom deals and meetings with developers about the Portlands, and cuts services.

Good work there Rob!

He ran because he's a blowhard who wants power. Him and his idiot brother.

[yaletown_fella]

^^ I think most of us knew the Portlands would never materialize so who cares.

Also, it's pretty safe to say that most municipalities in N.A are cutting services.

I bet there are lots of legitimate reasons to dislike Ford but more than often not I think it's people venting about their own shortcomings.

[The_Architect]

^^ I think most of us knew the Portlands would never materialize so who cares.

Also, it's pretty safe to say that most municipalities in N.A are cutting services.

I bet there are lots of legitimate reasons to dislike Ford but more than often not I think it's people venting about their own shortcomings.

1. It doesn't matter if people knew it was stupid, it still showed signs of corruption and backroom deals.. The exact thing Ford wanted to stop. As long as he's the only one doing it right?

2. His promise was to cut taxes without cutting services. Those exact words. He had no idea what he was talking about and the people of suburban Toronto were duped by a blowhard with a catchy slogan.

[ozonemania]

If Rob Ford didn't know who Marg Delahunty was, all it shows is his ignorance. Really no excuse for this ignorance within the Canadian political context. You as a citizen may not know who she is, but you're not a Canadian politician.

Her act in my view has always been a rite of passage for prominent Canadian politicians -- a litmus test of sorts for Canadians to view their politicians for who they are.

Assuming for a moment that the 22 Minutes crew was wrong in approaching Rob Ford in the manner that they did... that doesn't somehow vindicate Rob Ford.

He's a public figure, he signed up for this job and got it. Head of the largest and most important city in Canada, he needs to suck it up and embrace the full responsibilities of being the Toronto mayor.

He can't pick and choose his responsibilities, he can't punch in at 9 and punch out at 5, he can't shun away large portions of the population because he deems it inconvenient or unsavory.

If he can't handle a situation as simple as Marg Delahunty, then maybe he should just step aside for someone who can.

[cormiermax]

For those who don't know Marge Delahunty, here's a clip of her with the former PM.

8CptXVdqprE

Now even though Ford isn't my mayor, iv gotta say this ticks me off. The fact that he doesn't know who she is yet he's been involved in politics for years is just sad. And the fact that he called the police is just crazy.

My question is how was this guy ever voted in?

[Rico Rommheim]

What a moron. Really, this is moronic behaviour on his part. And, he had the chance to spew whatever policy he wanted on a national platform, instead he sulked like a child and decided to call the pigs.

[MolsonExport]

He's a big feller but he can't seem to man up.

[halifaxboyns]

I love Marg - she was one of my favorite characters. Was so much fun going to see that show when I lived in Halifax.

[kw5150]

I would have lauged my FACE off if she was on my front lawn in the morning. Was it kind of bad taste for them to show up? Maybe, but he did react kind of strange.

Has Ford made a lot of enemies?? If he has, that is his problem for being such an idiot on TV. He wont last long.

[earl69]

I'm ashamed that my tax dollars go towards this shitty show.

[cormiermax]

I'm ashamed that my tax dollars go towards this shitty show.

You obviously don't watch it enough to have an opinion, or have a poor sense of humour.

[freeweed]

You obviously don't watch it enough to have an opinion, or have a poor sense of humour.

Or different people have different tastes.

I know, all of us on the Internet might need our heart medications after that bombshell, but - it's actually possible, or so I hear.

[vid]

Personally I found her skits irritating as a kid and I still find them irritating. I think most people know her only as "that woman from 'This Hour Has 22 Minutes'". Can't blame Ford for not knowing her, since I never really watched that show either (I was always more of an Air Farce fan).

You find 22 Minutes irritating... but watch Air Farce?

I call bullshit.

^^ I think most of us knew the Portlands would never materialize so who cares.

Those who care are the people who don't want their elected leaders to waste time and money investigating proposals that "most of us knew would never materialize".

In the late 1990 and early 2000s, my city's council spent millions looking at a very similar development to your Portlands (it was called Portside) and the corruption was so rampant that by the following election, almost every single councillor lost their job! The whole thing was so full of corruption that most of them ended up embroiled in lawsuits, and the city manager was fired. The project's cancellation and its legal issues cost us several million dollars (and we're 1/25th the size of Toronto) and took 5 years to clean up. Our infrastructure deficit is equal to our actual budget. We've had bridges and fire stations condemned because of it, and now we have to spend millions more to fix things that were put off over a decade ago. The long term plan to fix their neglect extends to 2025 and has a price tag of about a billion dollars. These would have been prevented with routine fixes a decade ago that were put off to "save money for taxpayers". We're paying very high rates now to make up for the low rates of the past. We basically cut ourselves out of prosperity.

Rob Ford is seriously fucking over Toronto. I say this as someone who had a Rob Ford-esque personality as mayor in the 1990s. Torontonians should be thankful that Hudak didn't get elected a couple weeks ago. The combination of a mayor like Fort and a premier like Hudak is a city destroyer. We lost almost 10% of our population and most of our large employers between 1995 and 2003. It would have started several years earlier if Bob Rae hadn't been sending so much government money up here.

[earl69]

You obviously don't watch it enough to have an opinion, or have a poor sense of humour.

I have seen the show many times. Thanks for assuming I have not, and that I do not have a sense of humour, bud.

[bornagainbiking]

We are in serious times and for example the Canada Post (Postal) labour situation had a member show up at a corporate executive's home with a weapon. So Mr. Ford has pissed off many people with his proposed cuts, so I would be leery to any strangers near my home.
So he invited media to his house on his terms, when an unwanted person comes on your property it is a criminal offense and you have a legal right to a sense of security. He calls the shots who he wants to attend and when.
I just ask put yourself in his shoes, you are wandering out ot your car to drive to work and some lady in a gladiators outfit approaches you with a fake ??? Sword. Not your average morning after kissing the wife and kids good bye.
I also repeat my observation you will note from the video post with John Chetien that is definitely Parliment hill.
It is an unwritten rule a persons home is sacred and if you want the same consideration, respect the personal territory. That is why you seldom see even during the hardest fought election campaingns they never involved the family nor the home turf.
CBC must admit that they were totally out of bounds and apologize.

[That_Chris]

I really hope he gets a fine for misusing 911.

He could have just as easily been a gutless media fearing blowhard by calling the police and not tying up 911 for people who actually have a legitimate reason.

And don't rag on Marg Delahunty, she's a national icon.

But then again, so's Margaret Atwood, and we've seen how well Rob knows her.

[vid]

One of Thunder Bay's police officers repeatedly crank called 911 on Christmas to make racist and sexist jokes at operators and he has been suspended with pay for a few years now. :rolleyes:

Crank calling 911 pays more than winning the lottery it seems.

[gammell]

3. He invited the media over to his house when he was hosting a barbeque, so it's not like they were invading on his private space like nobody has before..
I love this point because now I can't help but picture media figures as actual vampires. Invite them in once and it becomes a permanent invitation.

[niwell]

It gets better. Much, much better:


Rob Ford accused of verbally attacking 911 dispatchers
CBC News


Toronto’s 911 dispatchers are accusing the city’s mayor, Rob Ford, of calling them "bitches" and hurling a string of profanity at them during an emergency call early Monday.
.
.
In the video of the encounter, Ford seems at first to be playing along, but becomes increasingly agitated, asking, “Can I go to my car please?”

Ford eventually walked back inside his home and called 911 — not once, but twice.

Several police sources tell CBC News that Ford asked for police assistance but became agitated as he waited, and called back to ask when officers would arrive.

Sources say Ford turned on the dispatcher, yelling: “You…bitches! Don’t you f--king know? I’m Rob f--king Ford, the mayor of this city!”




http://ca.news.yahoo.com/rob-ford-accused-verbally-attacking-911-dispatchers-094333713.html

[Acajack]

If Rob Ford didn't know who Marg Delahunty was, all it shows is his ignorance. Really no excuse for this ignorance within the Canadian political context. You as a citizen may not know who she is, but you're not a Canadian politician.

Her act in my view has always been a rite of passage for prominent Canadian politicians -- a litmus test of sorts for Canadians to view their politicians for who they are.

Assuming for a moment that the 22 Minutes crew was wrong in approaching Rob Ford in the manner that they did... that doesn't somehow vindicate Rob Ford.

He's a public figure, he signed up for this job and got it. Head of the largest and most important city in Canada, he needs to suck it up and embrace the full responsibilities of being the Toronto mayor.

He can't pick and choose his responsibilities, he can't punch in at 9 and punch out at 5, he can't shun away large portions of the population because he deems it inconvenient or unsavory.

If he can't handle a situation as simple as Marg Delahunty, then maybe he should just step aside for someone who can.

It could be that Rob Ford, like many Canadians, gets his "national" news mainly from American sources. In this case he wouldn't know CBC personalities like her.

In any event, while I probably wouldn't have ambushed a politician at home had I been the CBC and all of this was in questionable taste for sure, Mr. Ford clearly overreacted and to say that he didn't know who this was and thought he was in danger is hard to believe when Delahunty had a mike and was accompanied by a cameraman with the CBC logo on the camera.

[armorand93]

It could be that Rob Ford, like many Canadians, gets his "national" news mainly from American sources. In this case he wouldn't know CBC personalities like her.

In any event, while I probably wouldn't have ambushed a politician at home had I been the CBC and all of this was in questionable taste for sure, Mr. Ford clearly overreacted and to say that he didn't know who this was and thought he was in danger is hard to believe when Delahunty had a mike and was accompanied by a cameraman with the CBC logo on the camera.

I watch the BBC. :) plus anyways, American news is CRAP!!!

[SteelTown]

P5t-r2OHoWU

Looks really dark outside lol

[kool maudit]

I watch the BBC. :) plus anyways, American news is CRAP!!!




this mere switching of neo-colonial powers is an interesting form of patriotism.

[freeweed]

this mere switching of neo-colonial powers is an interesting form of patriotism.

I think you're reading a little too much into the fact that Fox News sucks. :P

The BBC is widely known as having a far more international focus than anything that comes out of North America. English-speaking people from all sorts of non-colonial places watch it for this very reason.

[MolsonExport]

“You…bitches! Don’t you f--king know? I’m Rob f--king Ford, the mayor of this city!”



Woah. That's deep.

Rob is now fucking Ford.

http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2011/08/18/li-ford-cp-01131657.jpg
CBC

[Calgarian]

What a classy guy you elected Mayor in Toronto.

[The_Architect]

What a classy guy you elected Mayor in Toronto.

It was Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough, I swear! :(

[peterprinciple]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjHJ_snG3RI
song for Torontonians over Rob Ford.

[Wharn]

You find 22 Minutes irritating... but watch Air Farce?

I call bullshit.


First of all, let me re-iterate that I watched these shows as a kid, or more accurately as a middle-school student. Haven't tuned into either one in years, although occasionally I run across Youtube clips. Secondly, I didn't say all of 22 Minutes was irritating, I just said her skits specifically. Actually come to think of it I find them all painfully unfunny now.

I watch the BBC.

Seconded. The level of quality in British programming is miles ahead of what our hapless state broadcaster can put together. I might consider watching the CBC again if they had a Canadian version of Top Gear with an unrestrained Clarkson-esque presenter who can say whatever the hell he (or she) wants without being put on a leash by the Politically Correct overseers. They can improve from there, but that would be the baseline.

It was Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough, I swear! :(

Funny how when Miller was running the show, Toronto tried to convince everyone that suburban disenfranchisement was nonexistant, and the entire city was living as one big, happy family under the same socialist roof. Now that Ford is [somewhat] in control, they can't differentiate fast enough. Talk about a schizophrenic city- Londoners never went around blaming wards for electing the Witch-Queen of Fanshawe. Actually, to tell you the truth, I'm glad the downtowners are getting so pissed off with Ford. I think it's a good thing, because it means that we might actually be able to fight for de-amalgamation without having them beat down new proposals.

[caltrane74]

hey, I voted for the gay guy!

[LeftCoaster]

Ford?

[Calgarian]

Seconded. The level of quality in British programming is miles ahead of what our hapless state broadcaster can put together. I might consider watching the CBC again if they had a Canadian version of Top Gear with an unrestrained Clarkson-esque presenter who can say whatever the hell he (or she) wants without being put on a leash by the Politically Correct overseers. They can improve from there, but that would be the baseline.



CBC is ok, I think they are getting better too. I like their news broadcast (less entertainment and more news than Global or CTV) and I like watching Strombo.

Canada doesn't need a Top Gear, we get British humour, unlike our neighbours to the south. That is possibly the best show on TV! the American version sucks, never seen the Ausi version...

[Mister F]

an unrestrained Clarkson-esque presenter who can say whatever the hell he (or she) wants without being put on a leash by the Politically Correct overseers.
Yeah it would be nice if CBC had someone like that. Someone like, oh let's say, Mary Walsh?

Okay, Mary Walsh may not be everybody's cup of tea, but to suggest that she and other CBC personalities are "put on a leash by the Politically Correct overseers" is just laughably wrong.

Anyway, calling 911 over Marg Warrior Princess...twice! I'd say I'm surprised but nothing Rob Ford does surpises me. And this is just the beginning, we have 3 more years of his antics to look forward to. I'm convinced he's going to be remembered as the worst mayor in the city's modern history and will be a cautionary tale for decades to come.

[LeftCoaster]

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/299787_10150347286788842_6290748841_8131022_1735021566_n.jpg

[armorand93]

I think you're reading a little too much into the fact that Fox News sucks. :P

The BBC is widely known as having a far more international focus than anything that comes out of North America. English-speaking people from all sorts of non-colonial places watch it for this very reason.

BBC: 22 minutes of international news un-biased, 8 minutes of weather and British commercials (thus why i watch it!)

CNN: 10 minutes of worthless news, 3 minutes of extremely loud Head-On commercials, repeat

FOX NEWS: I'm surprised the Fox and Friends dont have a Fuhrer yet...

[Rico Rommheim]

BBC: 22 minutes of international news un-biased, 8 minutes of weather and British commercials (thus why i watch it!)

CNN: 10 minutes of worthless news, 3 minutes of extremely loud Head-On commercials, repeat

FOX NEWS: I'm surprised the Fox and Friends dont have a Fuhrer yet...

accurate summary I reckon.

[earl69]

Just watched the news report regarding this shit show. My opinion is that many folks in Toronto and abroad are foaming at the mouth at this matter to make their mayor look bad for the simple fact that he is conservative. Just calling a spade a spade.

PS. Don't ever bring Nenshi into this debate. Get over your love affair with him.

[Wharn]

Canada doesn't need a Top Gear, we get British humour, unlike our neighbours to the south. That is possibly the best show on TV! the American version sucks, never seen the Ausi version...

The Australian one is... interesting. Lots of emphasis on heavy-duty 4-wheel drive vehicles doing ridiculous things. "ROIT, T'DAI WE'R GEN' SEE IF THE TAYOTA LAND CRUISA CAN JUMP 56 CROCS AND SURVOIVE A POOL OF STINGRAYS". Still way better than the American one.

I kinda wish the British top gear would do a Canada special, like have a race from Windsor to Halifax or something like that. I'd like to see what Clarkson would think of mini-London and the Imperial Capital. Actually, speaking of which...

Yeah it would be nice if CBC had someone like that. Someone like, oh let's say, Mary Walsh?

Okay, Mary Walsh may not be everybody's cup of tea, but to suggest that she and other CBC personalities are "put on a leash by the Politically Correct overseers" is just laughably wrong.

Something tells me that nobody employed at the CBC would get away with one of the following Clarkson comments without antagonizing the Overly Sensitive Canadians' CBC PC Brigade:


"“The only person to ever look good in the back of a 4-seater convertable was Adolf Hitler”
“The Suzuki Wagon R should be avoided like unprotected sex with an Ethiopian transvestite”
“I don’t understand bus lanes. Why do poor people have to get to places quicker than I do?”
“I think the problem is that it’s French. It’s a surrendermonkey.” (Renault Clio)
"The Hyundai has to die because it's made in Korea, a country where they eat dogs. I'm not joking; over there, a dog is not just for Christmas. There should be some left over for Boxing Day too."
"The Morris Marina was the unpleasant log laid by British Leyland after communism had cracked, like an itchy red blanket, over the shop floor" (criticizing communism is always taboo at the CBC)
"“This is the Renault Espace, probably the best of the people carriers. Not that that’s much to shout about. That’s like saying 'Ooh good I’ve got syphilis, the BEST of the sexually transmitted diseases.'" (Imagine if the same were said about the Dodge Caravan, a terrible car, but one that half of Canada unfortunately happens to drive-- never mind what syphilis carriers would think)


And the list of these goes on, and on, and on. Clarkson's leash is about a mile long, but the end results are good. He's funny, and if people have a problem they can deal with it or switch off the TV. Mary Walsh on the other hand... good at making Ford look like a moron (fits the CBC's agenda anyways), but does she have a long leash free from PC interference? Well...

http://cdn1.hark.com/images/000/002/072/2072/original.jpg

[vid]

"“The only person to ever look good in the back of a 4-seater convertable was Adolf Hitler”
“The Suzuki Wagon R should be avoided like unprotected sex with an Ethiopian transvestite”
“I don’t understand bus lanes. Why do poor people have to get to places quicker than I do?”
“I think the problem is that it’s French. It’s a surrendermonkey.” (Renault Clio)
"The Hyundai has to die because it's made in Korea, a country where they eat dogs. I'm not joking; over there, a dog is not just for Christmas. There should be some left over for Boxing Day too."
"The Morris Marina was the unpleasant log laid by British Leyland after communism had cracked, like an itchy red blanket, over the shop floor" (criticizing communism is always taboo at the CBC)
"“This is the Renault Espace, probably the best of the people carriers. Not that that’s much to shout about. That’s like saying 'Ooh good I’ve got syphilis, the BEST of the sexually transmitted diseases.'" (Imagine if the same were said about the Dodge Caravan, a terrible car, but one that half of Canada unfortunately happens to drive-- never mind what syphilis carriers would think)


I don't see any of these things really being banned in Canada. Don Cherry has pretty much called professional hockey players he dislikes "faggot" and gotten away with it, and he is the highest paid government employee in the country. (He makes, like, 10 times what Stephen Harper does). Rob Ford has made similar racist comments against Asians and he was elected mayor of our largest city. He said that if a cyclist gets killed in an accident on the street, it is always the cyclists fault for being there.

You're over-reacting just like Rob Ford did. I used to hate left wingers for being so offended at things (like the recent controversy about Dire Straits mockingly using the word faggot in a song that came out 30 years ago) but when it comes to over-reacting and misdirected outrage, right wingers have proven to be equally adept.

You are basically arguing for entertainers to say and do anything they want, while criticizing an entertainer for saying and doing something she wanted. There are people who find Top Gear distasteful and unfunny because of Clarkson's commentary (I'm not one of them, btw; I am intelligent enough to laugh at jokes and still take seriously the issues they're mocking. I once looked at "baked in stone ovens" on a bread bag and my first thought was "like the Jews!"), and you're no different than they are. You're just on the opposing team in the same sport.

I find jokes about Koreans eating dog funny because I know that most Koreans, especially young ones, no longer eat dog and actually find it disgusting. The dangerous aspect of that joke, however, is that most people don't know that. There are cannibalistic tribes in Papua New Guinea that no one ever makes fun of and Europeans look at our unwillingness to eat horse with amusement.

BTW, the consort to our head of state has more than topped all of those.

[Xelebes]

Mary Walsh's movies are much better than her TV skits, to be honest. Never liked her on TV.

[caltrane74]

This whole incident is going down in Canadian Tales of Lore.

Lines going down in history

"You Bitches"


"Do you know who I am?"

"I'm Rob - Fucking - Ford"

"The Mayor of this City"

[Rico Rommheim]

The Australian one is... interesting. Lots of emphasis on heavy-duty 4-wheel drive vehicles doing ridiculous things. "ROIT, T'DAI WE'R GEN' SEE IF THE TAYOTA LAND CRUISA CAN JUMP 56 CROCS AND SURVOIVE A POOL OF STINGRAYS". Still way better than the American one.



Hahahah! brilliant.

[Wharn]

I don't see any of these things really being banned in Canada. Don Cherry has pretty much called professional hockey players he dislikes "faggot" and gotten away with it, and he is the highest paid government employee in the country. (He makes, like, 10 times what Stephen Harper does). Rob Ford has made similar racist comments against Asians and he was elected mayor of our largest city. He said that if a cyclist gets killed in an accident on the street, it is always the cyclists fault for being there.

The comments aren't necessarily "banned", but Don Cherry gets into hot water a lot more than Clarkson does, and I believe this is because Canadians tend to be overly sensitive. For example: sure, Cherry calls hockey players "faggots" (although I think "pukes" was the specific word used), but then the entire press is in an uproar the next day and every gay rights activist and casual hockey fan alike is calling for an apology. Clarkson calls politicians he doesn't like "gay", he calls mushy cars "gay", and generally anything he views as weird or awkward is "gay". It's hardly front-page news the next day in Britain, because people just don't care. Point is the CBC (and really the press in general; remember the "Pinkos on Bikes" fiasco?) has responded to Cherry's un-PC comments far more harshly than the BBC has to Clarkson's, which is what I was getting at.


You are basically arguing for entertainers to say and do anything they want, while criticizing an entertainer for saying and doing something she wanted.

I was only supporting their right to say anything- not do anything. Sure, they can do almost anything, but I draw the line at private (or state-endowed) property. I don't remember Clarkson heading over to Ken Livingstone's house, nor do I remember Don Cherry going to lambast Stu Grimson at his house. Sure, Mercer paid a visit to the cuddly Mr. Harper in 24 Sussex, but that was after a mutual agreement. So where did they get the idea for trying to pull a prank on a politician at his private residence? I wouldn't approve of Ezra Levant doing this to Dalton McGuinty for a Sun News stunt, and I don't approve of Walsh doing it to Rob-Fucking-Ford for a 22 Minutes stunt either. Simple as that.


BTW, the consort to our head of state has more than topped all of those.

But there's a difference- he's not funny.

[WIGS]

This whole incident is going down in Canadian Tales of Lore.

Lines going down in history

"You Bitches"
"Do you know who I am?"
"I'm Rob - Fucking - Ford"
"The Mayor of this City"

It's the best quote from a Toronto mayor since the Mel Lastman days:
"What the hell would I want to go to a place like Mombasa for?...I just see myself in a pot of boiling water with all these natives dancing around me."

[Mister F]

I can't believe a thread about the mayor of Toronto getting ambushed by someone in a warrior princess costume has people accusing characters like that of being muzzled by "politically correct overseers". This is the network of Rick Mercer, who went skinnydipping with Bob Rae. George Stroumboulopoulos, one of the best interviewers on tv. The whole cast of 22 Minutes, who, funny or not, makes fools of politicians of all stripes right to their faces. Does that happen on BBC (it might, I'm genuinely curious now).

Jeremy Clarkson gets in trouble in the media all the time. But the difference between him and Don Cherry is that Clarkson says what he says for comedic effect, to get a rise out of people. And even if you disagree with him, he's funny. OTOH, Cherry is completely serious and means what he says.

[MolsonExport]

“I was frustrated. If I offended someone, I apologize,” he told reporters. “Maybe I shouldn’t have used the F-word. I apologize.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/torontos-rob-ford-verbally-abusive-but-reports-of-911-profanity-inaccurate-source/article2215608/


Maybe?


Ford is totally in over his head as Mayor. The stress is showing.

[ssiguy]

If a plitician is at a political or civic event or at work then they are fair game.
This was at the man's home and he has a right to be pissed. It's not his lack of humour but rather her lack of taste.
Everyone has a right to privacy and going to someone's home just to try to boost your ratings is childish and in extremely poor taste.

[new age]

Do we judge the lack of taste of 22 Min more, or that of the Toronto voter. Both are protected by charter rights, bad taste or not.

[earl69]

Do we judge the lack of taste of 22 Min more, or that of the Toronto voter. Both are protected by charter rights, bad taste or not.

Both are also extremely annoying.

[pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce]

Self-loathing Canadians, Rob fucking Ford...I'm so glad I don't have to listen to sh*t like this anymore.

[Vaillant]

this thread should be in toronto section not in Canada!

[NBNYer]

TYT's take on this


qLMLUn9XhWo

[YYCguys]

this thread should be in toronto section not in Canada!

Well, doncha know that Toronto IS Canada? :haha:

[Andy6]

This whole incident is going down in Canadian Tales of Lore.

Lines going down in history

"You Bitches"


"Do you know who I am?"

"I'm Rob - Fucking - Ford"

"The Mayor of this City"

So it doesn't matter if he actually said any of this, which apparently he did not?

I'm eagerly awaiting the episode in which Mary/Marg accosts the CBC's beloved Mayor Nenshi early in the morning at his home.

[caltrane74]

If he didn't say it he can release the tapes.

Prove us left-wingers wrong.

[Wharn]

Self-loathing Canadians, Rob fucking Ford...I'm so glad I don't have to listen to sh*t like this anymore.

Like Maple Syrup, Canada's evil oozes across the globe. You cannot escape its irritating stickyness; once touched, you are forever bound to it.


http://smoothjazzy.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/dontforget.jpg

[rousseau]

I'm eagerly awaiting the episode in which Mary/Marg accosts the CBC's beloved Mayor Nenshi early in the morning at his home.
Maybe that might happen if Nenshi was a spluttering cretin seemingly incapable of telling the truth about anything?

That Ford was elected to office is a real black eye for Toronto, and testament both to how weak his rivals were and how much of a disconnect there is between downtown and the suburbs. But here's the thing: Toronto is beginning to sense fear, and the wolves are circling. I really think the city is going to do a very non-Canadian thing and eat him alive. Which, in compensation for the embarrassment of having him as mayor, should at least be quite entertaining.

Like Molson Ex says, Ford is in way over his head. He functions best as a one-trick demagogue sneering from the sidelines, not as the leader of a large and complex entity of competing interests and factions. He'd thought the wave of suburban resentment he rode in on would make for smooth sailing (sorry, surfing), but now that he's encountering opposition he's completely flummoxed.

He deserves all of the opprobrium he gets.

[bulliver]

So it doesn't matter if he actually said any of this, which apparently he did not?


If he didn't say it, then why did he apologize for his remarks?

[Andy6]

As I understand it, he apologized for using the a form of the word f*** once in one of the conversations. According to Chief Blair and Ford himself, and as I recall to unnamed sources cited by the Globe & Mail, he did not call anyone a bitch or say anything like "I am Rob F***ing Ford" or any of the things that the CBC story attributed to him, and which were gleefully tweeted around the world by various people, including certain friends of mine who were almost delirious with excitement over the "revelation".

This CBC article, while headlined so as to suggest that only the "bitches" comment is being denied, seems accurate enough in terms of describing what is being denied.

link (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/10/28/ford-toronto-police.html)

[Xelebes]

TYT's take on this


qLMLUn9XhWo

Anyone else not able to get the audio on this working?

[MolsonExport]

I suppose now that Osama, Saddam and Moammar are gone....


Rob Ford named ‘worst person in the world’ by Keith Olbermann

“Toronto’s Rob effing Mr. Ford, the mayor of this effing city, today’s effing worst person in the effing world.”


http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/10/31/rob-ford-named-worst-person-in-the-world-by-keith-olbermann/

Somebody throw Rob-fucking-Ford a life-saver. The guy is drowing in a pile of poo of his own making.

[Taeolas]

So I wonder how many Marge, Warrior Princess + CBC Crew costumes are going to visit Rob's house tonight?

[caltrane74]

911 - Emergency Response, better make sure they have all hands on deck tonight. It's gonna be wild.

[MolsonExport]

Going viral already.

http://www.joeydevilla.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/rob-fucking-ford-for-mayor.jpghttp://www.joeydevilla.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/rob-ford-call-911.jpg
Joeydevilla.com

http://gruesomeviews.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/robkong.png?w=549&h=593
Gruesomeviews.com

Release the damned 911 call tapes already. If Ford is correct, then doing so will put this whole mess behind him. But of course...

[floobie]

I just saw the clip on the news. I can't say I think very highly of Ford as a Mayor... but I'm with him on this one. I'd be pretty damn irritated if that woman barged onto my property and proceeded to be as annoying as possible, and it was all being filmed. It's one thing to bug a politician in public... but I think everyone has the right to privacy at their private residence. And I really don't give a shit if he used some "offensive" language during the 911 call. It wouldn't matter at all if anyone else did that. I mean, do you think Nenshi never swears over the phone or something?

[caltrane74]

I just saw the clip on the news. I can't say I think very highly of Ford as a Mayor... but I'm with him on this one. I'd be pretty damn irritated if that woman barged onto my property and proceeded to be as annoying as possible, and it was all being filmed. It's one thing to bug a politician in public... but I think everyone has the right to privacy at their private residence. And I really don't give a shit if he used some "offensive" language during the 911 call. It wouldn't matter at all if anyone else did that. I mean, do you think Nenshi never swears over the phone or something?

It's not the swearing that has people upset, it's his misguided sense of entitlement that is pissing people off. (and the lying about the kid too!!)





DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM, YOU BITCHES????

I'M ROB -FUCKING FORD????

THE MAYOR OF THIS CITY????? WTF??

Just because you're mayor your entitled to special treatment by emergency responders?

Give me a break.

[floobie]

It's not the swearing that has people upset, it's his misguided sense of entitlement that is pissing people off. (and the lying about the kid too!!)





DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM, YOU BITCHES????

I'M ROB -FUCKING FORD????

THE MAYOR OF THIS CITY????? WTF??

Just because you're mayor your entitled to special treatment by emergency responders?

Give me a break.

Well that I can get behind. And, given the sort of person he seems to be, I'm not at all surprised. Still, the only criticism I've been seeing of that "incident" has been of him swearing. It always bugs me when someone in the public eye is caught swearing or generally being human and imperfect (getting slightly drunk, smoking weed, or something harmless), and everyone blows it completely out of proportion and they have to release some ridiculous apology, as if what they did was akin to punching a puppy or something.

[yaletown_fella]

I'm now told the media made up the entire phone conversation. I wouldn't be suprised either way.

[The_Architect]

The criticism is about the person holding the top position in our city's government showing how much of an unprofessional buffoon he is.

No mayor should 1. Overreact this badly to a comedy act that has been around for 20 years and 2. Abuse his city employees like that.

[MonkeyRonin]

I just saw the clip on the news. I can't say I think very highly of Ford as a Mayor... but I'm with him on this one. I'd be pretty damn irritated if that woman barged onto my property and proceeded to be as annoying as possible, and it was all being filmed. It's one thing to bug a politician in public... but I think everyone has the right to privacy at their private residence.


Perhaps if the Fords ran a more transparent administration and would actually talk to the media (beyond the Sun) it wouldn't have come to this.

[Wharn]

I suppose now that Osama, Saddam and Moammar are gone....

http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/10/31/rob-ford-named-worst-person-in-the-world-by-keith-olbermann/


I can't believe this asshat would pick some bumbling Canadian mayor as the Worst Person in the World when people like Robert Mugabe, Kim Jong Il and Than Shwe are still hanging around. What really gets me is he has the gall to criticize Beck for being an ostentatious dipshit (which he is) only to turn around and do the exact same thing, only this time with a Liberal spin.

Perhaps if the Fords ran a more transparent administration and would actually talk to the media (beyond the Sun) it wouldn't have come to this.

Kinda like how McGuinty dodges the media every time there may be serious questions (remember the Mississauga gas plant)? Anyways, the Fords don't like talking to the media because whenever they're not saying something stupid, the media will just distort it anyways, as Bill Blair just pointed out.

[manny_santos]

So I wonder how many Marge, Warrior Princess + CBC Crew costumes are going to visit Rob's house tonight?

Rob Ford doesn't seem like the kind of guy to allow trick-or-treaters. His house will be the one with all the outdoor lights turned off and no decorations. Every neighbourhood has one of those.

[MolsonExport]

^that's because he already ate all the halloween candy.

[Chadillaccc]

Ford is a goof and a moron. He started freaking out and screaming "do you know who I am? blah blah" as if he's something. He would be nothing without the people that support him.