Toronto Mayor Rob Ford in purported video smoking crack cocaine!(Gawker, also T.Star)

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He also has not explained why he fired his Chief of Staff.

Holy shit people.

I heard the CBC make the same leap this afternoon in a "...surely it must be linked to the video of mayor Ford allegedly smoking crack" comment. Really? Where's your corollary?

Nobody on this board knows if it is true. Nor does any journalist save the three that have watched the tape.

The fact of the matter is that if we had a charismatic, attractive white mayor with broad appeal we wouldn't be hearing about this. But people are picking up pitchforks to see the red-faced buffoon get crucified. It's disgusting.

This is coming from someone who thinks the mayor is a shameful disaster. The only thing he has ever done right is denounce the Toronto Star, but hey...two wrongs don't make a right.

Let's respect and support due process.
 
The situation within the mayor's office came to a head on Wednesday when it was learned Ford had been dumped from his cherished job as head coach of the Don Bosco Eagles — a senior high school football team.

According to the source, Ford wanted to have the players and coaches over to his house for a get-together.

Towhey, the source said, told staff not to get involved in organizing any such party and told Ford not to drag others into the imbroglio.
That's when the situation came to a head?
 
That's when the situation came to a head?

That's when it got personal

Holy shit people.

I heard the CBC make the same leap this afternoon in a "...surely it must be linked to the video of mayor Ford allegedly smoking crack" comment. Really? Where's your corollary?

Nobody on this board knows if it is true. Nor does any journalist save the three that have watched the tape.

The fact of the matter is that if we had a charismatic, attractive white mayor with broad appeal we wouldn't be hearing about this. But people are picking up pitchforks to see the red-faced buffoon get crucified. It's disgusting.

This is coming from someone who thinks the mayor is a shameful disaster. The only thing he has ever done right is denounce the Toronto Star, but hey...two wrongs don't make a right.

Let's respect and support due process.

What due process? He isn't being indicted in any crimes, nor is he under investigation by the police.

And if he wasn't a idiot with a history of alcohol abuse and doing idiotic things under the influence without recompence, people wouldn't be so willing to believe this story and want to see it play out?

You don't say
 
http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/23/rob-ford-told-to-go-to-rehab

"Mayor Rob Ford fired his chief of staff Thursday after growing tired of Mark Towhey urging him to go to rehab, the Toronto Sun has learned.

Towhey was walked out of the mayor’s office by City Hall security and at least one councillor said his firing was “football” related.

But a source familiar with the situation told the Sun Towhey had been pushing Ford for a long time to deal with his “personal problems.”"
 
Holy shit people.

I heard the CBC make the same leap this afternoon in a "...surely it must be linked to the video of mayor Ford allegedly smoking crack" comment. Really? Where's your corollary?

Nobody on this board knows if it is true. Nor does any journalist save the three that have watched the tape.

The fact of the matter is that if we had a charismatic, attractive white mayor with broad appeal we wouldn't be hearing about this. But people are picking up pitchforks to see the red-faced buffoon get crucified. It's disgusting.

This is coming from someone who thinks the mayor is a shameful disaster. The only thing he has ever done right is denounce the Toronto Star, but hey...two wrongs don't make a right.

Let's respect and support due process.

No when you fire public staff you are expected to state why unless it's confidential. That's some basic transparency even Harper would do.

Looking at the updates to the story, it looks like I, the CBC, and every media outlet and a lot of people were correct. His dismissal was related to the scandal. Seriously, was it that a big of a mental leap to make? It's a reasonable conclusion.
 
Holy shit people.

I heard the CBC make the same leap this afternoon in a "...surely it must be linked to the video of mayor Ford allegedly smoking crack" comment. Really? Where's your corollary?

Nobody on this board knows if it is true. Nor does any journalist save the three that have watched the tape.

The fact of the matter is that if we had a charismatic, attractive white mayor with broad appeal we wouldn't be hearing about this. But people are picking up pitchforks to see the red-faced buffoon get crucified. It's disgusting.

This is coming from someone who thinks the mayor is a shameful disaster. The only thing he has ever done right is denounce the Toronto Star, but hey...two wrongs don't make a right.

Let's respect and support due process.

Since when do we ignore things of this magnitude when it comes to our politicans We heard all about Adam Giambrone's dirty laundry when he was TTC Chair, and he might be considered a bit more handsome and far more well spoken than Ford. I don't think looks have anything to do with it. The press will chew you apart if you have a misstep in your personal life, or in the political arena.

CBC is citing unnamed sources (see what I posted on the last page) and what was just posted above this. I guess you can entirely discredit the CBC source unless they give a name, but it seems the likelihood of there being a link is strong.

And he knows the media attention is at its peak right now. Anything he does is going to be looked at carefully. Firing your CoS after not meeting with the press for well over a week, and then giving no explanation why the CoS was let go. It's odd behaviour to say the least. Even Doug Holyday was at a loss for words.
 
Holy shit people.

I heard the CBC make the same leap this afternoon in a "...surely it must be linked to the video of mayor Ford allegedly smoking crack" comment. Really? Where's your corollary?

Nobody on this board knows if it is true. Nor does any journalist save the three that have watched the tape.

The fact of the matter is that if we had a charismatic, attractive white mayor with broad appeal we wouldn't be hearing about this. But people are picking up pitchforks to see the red-faced buffoon get crucified. It's disgusting.

This is coming from someone who thinks the mayor is a shameful disaster. The only thing he has ever done right is denounce the Toronto Star, but hey...two wrongs don't make a right.

Let's respect and support due process.

Well it's not just CBC, multiple news agencies are now saying that he was fired shortly after telling Rob to go to rehab.

Look, we don't have Rob's medical records, or tons of video showing this - but we know with a pretty solid amount of certainty that Rob has a substance abuse problem. And as a public figure, especially a politician, a substance abuse problem directly affects his constituents. The more information we can get, the better.

In regards to his shaming regarding his appearance... well, not really in the best taste - I agree, and I generally have pretty mixed feelings about it. I think when it's lighthearted (this isn't even my final form, I swear, gets me every time) it's one thing - when there is malice behind it, it's another. Regardless, while personal attacks are generally disagreeable, I think Rob would have more support if he wasn't a genuinely gross person full of ignorance and prejudice. That doesn't defend the malice, but I think it defends the lack of people coming to his support when he gets picked on.
 
No when you fire public staff you are expected to state why unless it's confidential. That's some basic transparency even Harper would do.

Looking at the updates to the story, it looks like I, the CBC, and every media outlet and a lot of people were correct. His dismissal was related to the scandal. Seriously, was it that a big of a mental leap to make? It's a reasonable conclusion.

I agree with everything you've said, except the immediate assumption toward the cause of the dismissal.

Was it related to constant urges for rehab? Probably, dude is a train wreck. The bigger problem (as you said) is that it has been obfuscated and needs to be a part of public record.

My issue is that I believe there are too many mental leaps being made here by people who aren't properly informed. It's really easy to get on the blame train and come down on this guy. His conduct leaves me with the impression that he probably deserves it (I don't know him) but let's wait until we have facts. And if we don't get them, let's investigate it without giving drug dealers any money.

Basically, a lot of people are ignoring the "allegedly" qualifier.
 
CBC is citing unnamed sources (see what I posted on the last page) and what was just posted above this. I guess you can entirely discredit the CBC source unless they give a name, but it seems the likelihood of there being a link is strong.

I didn't know this, or see your post. Thank you. I agree with how you've contextualized it.

Look, we don't have Rob's medical records, or tons of video showing this - but we know with a pretty solid amount of certainty that Rob has a substance abuse problem. And as a public figure, especially a politician, a substance abuse problem directly affects his constituents. The more information we can get, the better.
I think Rob would have more support if he wasn't a genuinely gross person full of ignorance and prejudice. That doesn't defend the malice, but I think it defends the lack of people coming to his support when he gets picked on.

Great point. When a community wants to demonize someone it's very easy to move from complaints about policy opprobriums into accusations of lifestyle improprieties and physical shortcomings.

He seems like a shockingly poor candidate for mayoral responsibility and in my opinion displays catastrophically bad social judgement. I absolutely agree that there is overwhelming evidence that he struggles with substance abuse to some degree.

It will be an interesting few weeks. Hopefully some accountability can be enforced without ransom-style video auctions.
 
The fact of the matter is that if we had a charismatic, attractive white mayor with broad appeal we wouldn't be hearing about this. But people are picking up pitchforks to see the red-faced buffoon get crucified. It's disgusting.
In the US, the media went after Mark Sanford and Anthony Weiner. Not sure about their charisma -- though neither is quite the gaffe factory Ford is - but they're more conventionally attractive than Ford. Didn't help either one, really.

Anything on the scale of politicians smoking crack tends to get the media's attention.

And really, the chance that Ford's chief of staff, a man experienced in PR/crisis management, was fired for something besides this issue, is vanishingly remote.
 
This is nothing short of amazing. I can't remember the last time we Canadians had this kind of live-action political train-wreck occurring before our eyes.

When Rae Days were introduced maybe? It was funny watching the provincial NDP win that election and then promptly alienate their base (the unions).

This though, is on a whole other level.
 
This guy needs to step down. He's an embarrassment to not only Toronto, but Canada as a whole.

How he was even elected to begin with escapes my mind, with his short sited and unsustainable policies.
 
When Rae Days were introduced maybe? It was funny watching the provincial NDP win that election and then promptly alienate their base (the unions).

This though, is on a whole other level.


Sponsorship scandal? Nah, that was pretty boring

Quebec corruption stuff is pretty crazy though
 
In the US, the media went after Mark Sanford and Anthony Weiner. Not sure about their charisma -- though neither is quite the gaffe factory Ford is - but they're more conventionally attractive than Ford. Didn't help either one, really.

Anything on the scale of politicians smoking crack tends to get the media's attention.

And really, the chance that Ford's chief of staff, a man experienced in PR/crisis management, was fired for something besides this issue, is vanishingly remote.


Elliot Spitzer too
 
Ford's executive committee is writing him a letter today, asking him to address the charges against him.

Here is my prediction:

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Ford finally made a statement.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/05/24/toronto-ford-newser.html

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has vehemently denied allegations that he was seen on a cellphone video smoking what appeared to be crack cocaine.

"I do not use crack cocaine," Ford told a jam-packed news conference at Toronto City Hall. "Nor am I an addict of crack cocaine."

The beleaguered mayor said it was "business as usual at city hall" and gave no indication that he has any intention of leaving the job.

Ford has dodged the media for the past week ever since the U.S.-based gossip website Gawker broke the story, with a reporter claiming to have seen the video. That was followed a few hours later by a report in the Toronto Star claiming two of its reporters had seen the same video.

Ford said he could not comment on a video "that I have never seen or does not exist."

"It is most unfortunate, very unfortunate, that my colleagues and the great people of this city have been exposed to the fact that I have been judged by the media without any evidence."

Ford said that the last week has taken "a great toll on my family" and that the reason he has previously refused to speak about the allegations was on advice from his solicitor, who told him "not to say a word."

On Wednesday, Ford was dumped as head coach of the Don Bosco Eagles senior football team — a role that he treasured. During the news conference he said he wished the high school team "great success for their upcoming season."

Ford refused to answer questions at the end of his short statement and left the room.
He has chosen his words carefully. Instead of saying "I have never smoked crack", he is saying "I do not use crack".

edit: Also just saw an interesting interview from a city councilor on CP24. He was basically saying that he should resign, but if he doesn't, we will run the city without him. He has no merit anymore, so it won't matter if he is formally in office or not. I'll see if I can find it.

edit2: You can find the video of Ford on the front page of CP24: http://www.cp24.com/
 
Now my Twitter feed is lighting up with people joking about Ford buying the tape himself.

Not much else to this story now, if the guy with the tape has gone quiet. It's all you can ask of Ford, even if it's a week too late. I wonder if he'll take legal action against the Star, or Gawker. I mean, this is a pretty big blow to public imagine if it's not true.

edit: Also just saw an interesting interview from a city councilor on CP24. He was basically saying that he should resign, but if he doesn't, we will run the city without him. He has no merit anymore, so it won't matter if he is formally in office or not. I'll see if I can find it.

The city has been running without him since the circus of meetings they had for the budget a couple of years ago, where he kept speakers waiting until 4am instead of rescheduling the next day.. and frequently hounded speakers with Mammoliti as the watch dog. That's basically when he lost council support and has never had it since. He lost out on his idiotic transit vision. Lost out on the casino. Had to tone down his NFL pitch he was so high on. And of course he continues to be the only one voting NO on many issues. All those 33-1 votes look so silly.

But yeah, the city will be fine without him. Being Mayor just gives you a larger platform and it lets you be the face of the city. It doesn't give you any more power in council, which is where the city is managed.
 
"No evidence...aside from that picture of me smoking crack. ...and years of me clearly acting like a crackhead. "

To be fair, I never suspected his actions were because of crack. I just thought he was drunk out of his mind. Photo evidence and personal experience of people seeing him at parties would seem to corroborate that.
 
It took him a week to put out a statement he could have very much put out the next day.

Either he used this time to buy out whoever made the video or destroy the evidence. /conspiracy
 
Has anyone noticed that the Crackstarter is up to $166,070? I really hope a) it hits the numbers needed and b) the guy with the phone sells it to Gawker.
 
Has anyone noticed that the Crackstarter is up to $166,070? I really hope a) it hits the numbers needed and b) the guy with the phone sells it to Gawker.

Whoever owns the video should have gone to CBC, showed the video to them, said it could be theirs for $500k and would have walked out with the money. The national enquirer pays more for pics of celebrity babies.
 
He fucking bought the file, I just bet. It's not like the Ford family is hard up for cash.

Has anyone noticed that the Crackstarter is up to $166,070? I really hope a) it hits the numbers needed and b) the guy with the phone sells it to Gawker.

The video is gone as I am certain the ford family bought it. It's the only reason it took him so long to respond. They had to get the cash and maneuvre a way to get it to crack dealers with no trace.

Too bad, would have been nice to see it.

I knew the crackstarter would not pan out.
 
Whoever owns the video should have gone to CBC, showed the video to them, said it could be theirs for $500k and would have walked out with the money. The national enquirer pays more for pics of celebrity babies.

Yeah but this is a drug dealer, and they are publicly funded. As much as I hate Ford, I wouldn't stand for that.
 
Whoever owns the video should have gone to CBC, showed the video to them, said it could be theirs for $500k and would have walked out with the money. The national enquirer pays more for pics of celebrity babies.

The CBC wouldn't have paid for it.
National Enquirer sure - but no real news organization pays for stories.
 
I don't think there's enough evidence to suggest Ford bought him out. Gawker hasn't been in contact with the source since SUNDAY and Ford started acting weird and suspicious on Monday. I think he would have been more confident had he bought it already. If he bought it he obviously paid a lot more than $200k, the reason the dealers contacted Gawker/Star was because they didn't want Ford to have it.
 
I don't think there's enough evidence to suggest Ford bought him out. Gawker hasn't been in contact with the source since SUNDAY and Ford started acting weird and suspicious on Monday. I think he would have been more confident had he bought it already. If he bought it he obviously paid a lot more than $200k, the reason the dealers contacted Gawker/Star was because they didn't want Ford to have it.


I wonder if they went to Ford first, asked for 1million, and when he balked, they went to the media in order to make Ford sweat a little.

Ford made contact again and negotiated so he could maintain his [im]plausible deniability.

Well never get to see the video, which sucks, because it would not only do damage to Ford, but the entirety of the neuveau-right that infests our country.
 
I wonder if they went to Ford first, asked for 1million, and when he balked, they went to the media in order to make Ford sweat a little.

Ford made contact again and negotiated so he could maintain his [im]plausible deniability.

Well never get to see the video, which sucks, because it would not only do damage to Ford, but the entirety of the neuveau-right that infests our country.

I don't think he went to Ford first, I mean the prospect of recording the video and going straight to Ford just sounds very unlikely. I also don't think Ford would refuse buying it if it came to that situation.

Ford hurts the right by his incompetence more than any drug allegation would do. I don't think Hudak or Harper are on crack, but Trudeau does look like he's high on something lol
 
If you live in Rexdale him smoking crack and doing other drugs has pretty much been known for a while. The rumors have been going around this area years before he was mayor. I am not surprised at all.

That said, the video will never come out. Remember I said that. If their "source" vanished, it means someone else paid him off. Period. People living in government housing around here will never turn down $200,000. On top of that, if he is in the drug dealer, his crack and or coke connection probably does not like the possibility of him getting caught, or any chance of him being named. It would mean huge heat from the police.

Don't get your hopes up about the tape. I want to be wrong, but I won't be.

Moreover, if you live in the Kipling Dixion area and are a drug dealer, you are below a middle man. They are all idiots, complete and utter, brainless idiots. They will not know how to send video anonymously, won't know how to follow instructions, won't know how to get wired money.
 
Haha Ford wouldn't buy it. If he did, it would be a very bad move.

1. It would eventually leak that he bought the tape
2. The person who has the video has likely made backups
3. Ford buying the video wouldn't stop the drug dealer from re-selling it to Gawker and making extra cash.
 
He can deny it, then this bomb drops now:

http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/globe-investigation-the-ford-familys-history-with-drug-dealing/article12153014/?service=mobile

This investigative report reveals that:

Doug Ford, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s brother, sold hashish for several years in the 1980s.
Another brother, Randy, was also involved in the drug trade and was once charged in relation to a drug-related kidnapping.
Their sister, Kathy, has been the victim of drug-related gun violence.
 
If you live in Rexdale him smoking crack and doing other drugs has pretty much been known for a while. The rumors have been going around this area years before he was mayor. I am not surprised at all.

That said, the video will never come out. Remember I said that. If their "source" vanished, it means someone else paid him off. Period. People living in government housing around here will never turn down $200,000. On top of that, if he is in the drug dealer, his crack and or coke connection probably does not like the possibility of him getting caught, or any chance of him being named. It would mean huge heat from the police.

Don't get your hopes up about the tape. I want to be wrong, but I won't be.

Moreover, if you live in the Kipling Dixion area and are a drug dealer, you are below a middle man. They are all idiots, complete and utter, brainless idiots. They will not know how to send video anonymously, won't know how to follow instructions, won't know how to get wired money.

Okay, I'll remember that you made the same prediction that just about everyone else on the planet is making.
 
Oh just for lulz, story made Rachel Maddows show last night. I never paid much attention to local politics when I was back home, but at what point can he be removed from office and by whom?
 
Only the combined prayers of "Ford Nation" will be able to keep the papers from reporting these terrible, terrible lies.

Hang in there, Fords.
 
Oh wow


The Globe is saying the Police interviewed a senior staffer in Rob Ford's office who submitted a tip relating to the video and a homicide........possibly the address of the original person holding the video who may have been murdered and robbed of it

Good lord, whats next
 



http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/toronto-police-spoke-to-mayor-fords-senior-staffer-after-tip-linked-killing-to-alleged-drug-video/article12163629/


If you are at your 5 article limit, use the Globe and Mail mobile app


"The informant in the mayor’s office purported to know the address and unit number where the video was being held.

They went on to say that the video originally belonged to an individual who may have been killed for its potentially valuable contents, according to a source."
 
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/toronto-police-spoke-to-mayor-fords-senior-staffer-after-tip-linked-killing-to-alleged-drug-video/article12163629/


If you are at your 5 article limit, use the Globe and Mail mobile app


"The informant in the mayor’s office purported to know the address and unit number where the video was being held.

They went on to say that the video originally belonged to an individual who may have been killed for its potentially valuable contents, according to a source."
Okay this is too crazy now.
 
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