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[Oppo]

Also, I'd just like to point out: NO hospital or doctor would release any medical information at all unless they had written consent from the patient, or they would jeopardize legitimately being sued and have their medical license reviewed. Any and all reports are the work of Rob and Doug.

So cynicism is still in order, with these two.

 

[winjet81]

If he's been in pain for months and his father died of colon cancer in 2006, then he only has himself to blame for not being checked for cancer early and often. How fucking stupid can you be?

And I say this as a son who saw his father ignore a year of pain and then die shortly after of liver cancer that had metastasized from his colon.

 

[thabiz]

plus who gets admitted for a tumor. i thought they schedule a biopsy and send you home.

 

[somuchwater]

plus who gets admitted for a tumor. i thought they schedule a biopsy and send you home.

A) He says he's in "unbearable pain"
B) Digging out a sample from your abdomen is more painful/complicated than you might think, especially for a man of Rob's size.
C) They keep people there if they think there's a chance they'll need to be rushed into surgery.

 

[thabiz]

he had the biopsy on the spot? wow. pays to be the mayor. i would have had to wait a month.

 

[Palmer_v1]

Just reading the title, I thought for sure this was going to be a brain tumor that could somehow explain his bullshit.

Alas.

 

[somuchwater]

Also, I'd just like to point out: NO hospital or doctor would release any medical information at all unless they had written consent from the patient, or they would jeopardize legitimately being sued and have their medical license reviewed. Any and all reports are the work of Rob and Doug.

So cynicism is still in order, with these two.

Yeah, I still don't get this. So you're saying Doug and Rob paid off a doctor to say whatever they wanted him to?

 

[Divvy]

Yeah, I still don't get this. So you're saying Doug and Rob paid off a doctor to say whatever they wanted him to?

No he's saying that the family would have sanctioned the news getting out with the doctors deliberately versus handling the matter privately.

 

[thabiz]

please respect our privacy. btw, heres Rob's entire medical history.

Something isnt right here. i can feel it.

 

[jstripes]

So what you're saying is that Rob Ford is literally gambling his life to become Mayor? How did he know in advance the tumor was treatable?

Remember a few months ago when Doug said Rob went to the doctor because he "broke his little toe", and how he wanted to "put off surgery on it until after the election"?

(He was never spotted with any visible limp or foot pain.)

No he's saying that the family would have sanctioned the news getting out with the doctors deliberately versus handling the matter privately.

This is the same team that held a press conference to announce a bomb threat at city hall.

Any publicity is good publicity, "folks".

 

[Oppo]

Divvy's got it. There's a reason we're hearing about this now.

That's why I'm sort of anxiously looking at that 2pm deadline today to see if Doug announces that he'll run in his stead.

They got poll numbers the day before Rob said he went to the hospital. I have no doubt he's really sick. But I do think he's been sitting on this, thinking he could 'ride it out' for another month (it's been 3, by his own admission). If their tracking said they were down, which everyone else has been saying (Tory in the lead) then they could have decided to do a craszy hail mary type move, and switch to Doug. Remember that Doug had his eye on provincial government before the party basically excommunicated him because of Rob's shit, so a mayoralty might be more attractive to that asshole at this point.

Then again I thought the faux rehab was a brilliant and cynical PR stunt, and yet the Fords squandered it utterly.. who knows.

 

[somuchwater]

Yeah, so, here's what you people are saying:

1) Rob was experiencing abdominal pain.
2) He either left it, knowing full well that he has led an unhealthy life and his father died quite quickly from colon cancer, deciding to get it checked later for the purposes of winning the election, KNOWING FULL WELL THAT HE COULD DIE BY DELAYING THINGS.
3) OR, he instead secretly got the mass in his abdomen checked out, and then learned it was benign, found a way to hush up all the health care workers involved in finding out something like that, then decided to go public with it already knowing the results and having the doctors play along and pretend like they're discovering it for the first time.

You see how insane that sounds? It's nuts. There's good reason to be skeptical of Rob Ford - very good reason, in fact - but that doesn't mean it's reason to concoct scenarios worthy of 9/11 truthers.

 

[somuchwater]

Anyway, it seems like Rob is withdrawing and Doug is running, so the news can't be good. Terrible news for the Ford family. Heart goes out to them. Cancer ain't no joke.

 

[BajiBoxer]

Yeah, so, here's what you people are saying:

1) Rob was experiencing abdominal pain.
2) He either left it, knowing full well that he has led an unhealthy life and his father died quite quickly from colon cancer, deciding to get it checked later for the purposes of winning the election, KNOWING FULL WELL THAT HE COULD DIE BY DELAYING THINGS.
3) OR, he instead secretly got the mass in his abdomen checked out, and then learned it was benign, found a way to hush up all the health care workers involved in finding out something like that, then decided to go public with it already knowing the results and having the doctors play along and pretend like they're discovering it for the first time.

You see how insane that sounds? It's nuts. There's good reason to be skeptical of Rob Ford - very good reason, in fact - but that doesn't mean it's reason to concoct scenarios worthy of 9/11 truthers.

Not sure how a crazy drug and alcohol addicted, dishonest, politician who is desperate to hold onto power doing something incredibly stupid for political gain would be equivalent to 9/11 truther conspiracies.

 

[Oppo]

1) Rob was experiencing abdominal pain.
2) He either left it, knowing full well that he has led an unhealthy life and his father died quite quickly from colon cancer, deciding to get it checked later for the purposes of winning the election, KNOWING FULL WELL THAT HE COULD DIE BY DELAYING THINGS.
3) OR, he instead secretly got the mass in his abdomen checked out, and then learned it was benign, found a way to hush up all the health care workers involved in finding out something like that, then decided to go public with it already knowing the results and having the doctors play along and pretend like they're discovering it for the first time.

No, none of those. Not sure what's hard to understand here. (#3, "hush it up"? like I said nothing would get out without his permission)

- after he supposedly went to rehab, Rob started experiencing pain in his gut; he may or may not have been checked out ("the "broken toe?"); didn't talk about it either way
- he's trailing in the election solidly
- he checked himself into the hospital a day after what was probaby a decisive poll result; may or may not be coincidence
- he RELEASED specifics about his medical condition - didn't need to do that, and wouldn't, if it didn't serve a narrative they were trying to build
- TODAY is the last day Doug can announce

Therefore, given their previous chicanery (*which is extensive), is it really so hard to believe that this very real medical issue is being used as a pivot, to have Doug run for Mayor and then Rob can run again for City Counciller, once he gets better or at least knows what is up with his condition?

I don't find it hard to believe. At all. Consider the history. They are totally incapable of shame.

edit - note that we don't know it's cancer yet, there's no biopsy results

 

[BigJonsson]

Wow

 

[Divvy]

Whelp, I wasn't a believer of the theories put forth, but now....

 

[thabiz]

they've played this city like a fiddle for years.

if doug wins im moving.

 

[Divvy]

they've played this city like a fiddle for years.

if doug wins im moving.

It would be a good time to join my people in Hongcouver

 

[gutter_trash]

I hope Canada's mayor recovers fully. Stay in health!

 

[jstripes]

Yeah, so, here's what you people are saying:

1) Rob was experiencing abdominal pain.
2) He either left it, knowing full well that he has led an unhealthy life and his father died quite quickly from colon cancer, deciding to get it checked later for the purposes of winning the election, KNOWING FULL WELL THAT HE COULD DIE BY DELAYING THINGS.
3) OR, he instead secretly got the mass in his abdomen checked out, and then learned it was benign, found a way to hush up all the health care workers involved in finding out something like that, then decided to go public with it already knowing the results and having the doctors play along and pretend like they're discovering it for the first time.

You see how insane that sounds? It's nuts. There's good reason to be skeptical of Rob Ford - very good reason, in fact - but that doesn't mean it's reason to concoct scenarios worthy of 9/11 truthers.

The Fords are cunning, but they're not very smart.

 

[mackaveli]

He withdraws from mayor race.

On CBC.ca but no article yet.

 

[CreeperBlocks]

CBC: Ford out of Mayor Race

Breaking Now

 

[Oppo]

I FUCKING KNEW IT

http://www.blogto.com/city/2014/09/rob_ford_is_out_of_the_toronto_election_race/

Rob Ford won't be mayor come October. Just days after entering hospital for treatment on a tumour in his abdomen, Doug Ford has decided to step up and replace his brother's name on the ballot.

Earlier today, Doug told the Toronto Sun's Joe Warmington there would only be one member of the family on the mayoral ballot, nixing the possibility that Doug would add his name beside his brother's as a contingency plan. "It would be too confusing," he said.

Polls have shown that Doug presents a less attractive option for voters. The latest Forum Research poll placed Rob at 21 percent, 19 percentage points behind John Tory.

ASSHOLES

he better get his ass kicked. I think people are sick of them anyways. but I just KNEW IT.

SUCH assholes, those two.

 

[somuchwater]

No, none of those. Not sure what's hard to understand here. (#3, "hush it up"? like I said nothing would get out without his permission)

- after he supposedly went to rehab, Rob started experiencing pain in his gut; he may or may not have been checked out ("the "broken toe?"); didn't talk about it either way
- he's trailing in the election solidly
- he checked himself into the hospital a day after what was probaby a decisive poll result; may or may not be coincidence
- he RELEASED specifics about his medical condition - didn't need to do that, and wouldn't, if it didn't serve a narrative they were trying to build
- TODAY is the last day Doug can announce

Therefore, given their previous chicanery (*which is extensive), is it really so hard to believe that this very real medical issue is being used as a pivot, to have Doug run for Mayor and then Rob can run again for City Counciller, once he gets better or at least knows what is up with his condition?

I don't find it hard to believe. At all. Consider the history. They are totally incapable of shame.

edit - note that we don't know it's cancer yet, there's no biopsy results

Right - all of which is predicated on the idea that an incredible narcissist and someone obsessed with being "the people's mayor" chose to voluntarily risk his life as an election stunt. Sorry dude. It's still an insane, totally implausible theory.

Edit: I should add that this narrative makes no sense. Doug has way way less chance of winning than Rob does. He has basically no chance. So, now Rob Ford will go back to being a councillor (or just be sick or worse) and there will be no great Ford legacy. Why does this make sense to you?

 

[anaron]

If you had a family member who had to deal with cancer you wouldn't wish it on anyone.
Maybe if you had some personal and very emotional hatred for them idk.

Doubt most people feel like strongly enough about this guy to wish something so terrible on him.

Good god. Again, never said as much. I have lost people due to cancer and would never wish it on anyone.

 

[jstripes]

Our long political nightmare is (sort of) over.

It must be really, really serious if it caused Rob to bow out. This is the guy who said "nothing" would stop him.

There's no way Doug's gonna win. Even Ford supporters think he's creepy and untrustworthy.

 

[Oppo]

Right - all of which is predicated on the idea that an incredible narcissist and someone obsessed with being "the people's mayor" chose to voluntarily risk his life as an election stunt. Sorry dude. It's still an insane, totally implausible theory.

Edit: I should add that this narrative makes no sense. Doug has way way less chance of winning than Rob does. He has basically no chance. So, now Rob Ford will go back to being a councillor (or just be sick or worse) and there will be no great Ford legacy. Why does this make sense to you?

apology not accepted, but think what you like.

I even think Rob doesn't give a fuck about his life. He doesn't. He's a really weird dude. His family pushes him to do practically everything.
\
for the record, I don't think he "chose to risk his life", that's your read. I don't think he thought he was in mortal peril until this week. He had some pain he was ignoring.

 

[Divvy]

Right - all of which is predicated on the idea that an incredible narcissist and someone obsessed with being "the people's mayor" chose to voluntarily risk his life as an election stunt. Sorry dude. It's still an insane, totally implausible theory.

Edit: I should add that this narrative makes no sense. Doug has way way less chance of winning than Rob does. He has basically no chance. So, now Rob Ford will go back to being a councillor (or just be sick or worse) and there will be no great Ford legacy. Why does this make sense to you?

This is a result of a continuing series of implausible and insane things surrounding these families happening over the course of the last three years. If you told me four years ago that there would be a series of ancient wrestlers showing up at city hall threatening to beat up, or arm wrestly the mayor I would have laughed at you. Now everything is possible, hooray!

 

[jstripes]

There's something unsatisfying about it ending like this. It's very anti-climactic, compared to his term in office. Going out with a whimper, instead of a bang.

I would have preferred to see him soundly beaten on election night.

I even think Rob doesn't give a fuck about his life. He doesn't. He's a really weird dude. His family pushes him to do practically everything.

This is exactly it. His family knew he had an addiction problem for years, one that would have eventually killed him, but kept denying it and enabling him until the second crack video surfaced. Only then did they send him to rehab, when it started to affect polling numbers.

His family keeping his medical problems a secret and using them as a PR stunt is entirely plausible.

 

[Zombie James]

Our long political nightmare is (sort of) over.

It must be really, really serious if it caused Rob to bow out. This is the guy who said "nothing" would stop him.

There's no way Doug's gonna win. Even Ford supporters think he's creepy and untrustworthy.

This pretty much seals it for Tory unless Chow can do something significant in the next month and a half. Don't remember which poll it was I saw a while back, but Doug is less liked than Ford in virtually all areas.

 

[somuchwater]

apology not accepted, but think what you like.

I even think Rob doesn't give a fuck about his life. He doesn't. He's a really weird dude. His family pushes him to do practically everything.
\
for the record, I don't think he "chose to risk his life", that's your read. I don't think he thought he was in mortal peril until this week. He had some pain he was ignoring.

And so within that short space of time, he concocted an elaborate scheme to embarrass Doug in a race he can't win, and he can go back to being the councillor for Ward 2? Still completely nutso.

The only plausible thing I can think of is that Ford had an epiphany that all he really wants to do is help people fix potholes, and he can do that better as a councillor. Even then, the idea that Doug and Mikey Ford would go along with this cunning ploy that leaves the entire family in a worse position just beggars belief.

 

[Oppo]

And so within that short space of time, he concocted an elaborate scheme to embarrass Doug in a race he can't win, and he can go back to being the councillor for Ward 2? Still completely nutso.

The only plausible thing I can think of is that Ford had an epiphany that all he really wants to do is help people fix potholes, and he can do that better as a councillor. Even then, the idea that Doug and Mikey Ford would go along with this cunning ploy that leaves the entire family in a worse position just beggars belief.

I am honestly failing to understand your argument here. I just can't parse it. scheme to embarrass Doug...? potholes? Sorry. I just don't understand what you are saying.

 

[Pseudonumb]

This is a really sad day, and it's pretty low to suggest that someone got a "convenient" illness. This isn't like playing sick to get out of the math quiz. Two hospitals have seen the tumor, it merited a biopsy and he has family history.

So you might not like him, or his policies. But to go into conspiracy theories that this was some fakeout to get his less popular brother on the ticket both flies in the face of common sense and common decency.

 

[Dyno]

Edit: I should add that this narrative makes no sense. Doug has way way less chance of winning than Rob does. He has basically no chance. So, now Rob Ford will go back to being a councillor (or just be sick or worse) and there will be no great Ford legacy. Why does this make sense to you?

It makes perfect sense if you understand the Ford family. The top priority is for Robbie to keep his job as a politician. It's his life and he hasn't been able to do anything else. The Fords must now believe that Rob cannot take Toronto but he can take Etobicoke. Doug running for mayor is nothing but a ploy to boost Rob. Doug's heart isn't in running for mayor but since they've blown all this money he may as well use the airtime he's going to get.

The focus is not for Doug to be mayor but for Rob (and thus the Fords) to stay in Toronto politics.

 

[Pedrito]

They're showing on tv a bunch of people literally running across city hall to sign up for Doug Ford before the deadline. Such a circus.

Anyway, get well soon Rob I guess.

 

[somuchwater]

I am honestly failing to understand your argument here. I just can't parse it. scheme to embarrass Doug...? potholes? Sorry. I just don't understand what you are saying.

What you seem to be suggesting is that this medical issue was used by the Fords to their advantage, as they have with other strange happenings in the past.

The advantage is now that: Doug is running for Mayor, a race which he will lose; Ford is either going to councillor for Ward 2 or, god forbid, live out his days before an imminent demise; and that the Ford legacy is now toast.

So you're essentially putting forward an elaborate or cunning scheme invented by the Fords that leaves the Fords in a worse place than they were before.

I HATE Rob Ford as a politician. But I also hate theorizing that seems completely implausible and off-base. It's just that kind of thinking that lets people think Ford is out for the little guy or that he's a great politician - it represents a disconnect between a perception and the way things actually are.

 

[Simon Belmont]

It's a testament to how crazy his term has been that there's a whole 'Cui bono" contingent here on GAF, but come on: People get sick everyday, and nobody has the handbook on how to deal with it perfectly.

 

[Dr.Acula]

I could see Rob getting this diagnosis three months ago and sitting on it, and him being under observation by health care professionals during this period, and only formally announcing his treatment as he's going in for it and trying to spin it as "I just found out." But him dropping out puts a damper on that theory.

It's funny if Rob goes to the council spot and drops his nephew (?) out of the race and Doug takes over the mayor slot. The ultimate admission that they're just in it for the spot light.

So we're gonna get back bench Rob again, grandstanding, and biding his time for a comeback four years from now.

Great.

Edit: the thing about this "not making sense as a scheme" doesn't necessarily rule out a scheme. The Fords like making moves and scheming, even if they're not very good at it. Clandestine meetings and drops and comings and goings and odd voting patterns all the time. I really thing Ford does random shit, becomes the mayor and then in his mind goes "look how smart I am," and keeps doing random shit.

"Imma hide 'ere, dem a look dere."

 

[somuchwater]

It makes perfect sense if you understand the Ford family. The top priority is for Robbie to keep his job as a politician. It's his life and he hasn't been able to do anything. The Fords must now believe that Rob cannot take Toronto but he can take Etobicoke. Doug running for mayor is nothing but a ploy to boost Rob. Doug's heart isn't in running for mayor but since they've blown all this money he may as well use the airtime he's going to get.

The focus is not for Doug to be mayor but for Rob (and thus the Fords) to stay in Toronto politics.

Okay, this is a lot more reasonable. It still really stretches the imagination to think that people as obviously dumb as the Fords could have done this, though.

 

[Simon Belmont]

I feel like Doug is just doing the Mayoral Race version of the end of Cool Runnings. He knows he's not going to win, but he'll be damned if a Ford doesn't at least finish.

 

[Oppo]

It's funny if Rob goes to the council spot and drops his nephew (?) out of the race and Doug takes over the mayor slot. The ultimate admission that they're just in it for the spot light.

Already happening. Nephew is already out.

This is a really sad day, and it's pretty low to suggest that someone got a "convenient" illness. This isn't like playing sick to get out of the math quiz. Two hospitals have seen the tumor, it merited a biopsy and he has family history.

So you might not like him, or his policies. But to go into conspiracy theories that this was some fakeout to get his less popular brother on the ticket both flies in the face of common sense and common decency.

I am not for a second suggesting the illness is not real. Nor do I think that Rob thought he was in any sort of mortal peril until this week.

I am absolutely suggesting that they have decided to use this unfortunate news politically, as leverage and a narrative, to possibly keep the brother in power.

What you seem to be suggesting is that this medical issue was used by the Fords to their advantage, as they have with other strange happenings in the past.

The advantage is now that: Doug is running for Mayor, a race which he will lose; Ford is either going to councillor for Ward 2 or, god forbid, live out his days before an imminent demise; and that the Ford legacy is now toast.

So you're essentially putting forward an elaborate or cunning scheme invented by the Fords that leaves the Fords in a worse place than they were before.

I HATE Rob Ford as a politician. But I also hate theorizing that seems completely implausible and off-base. It's just that kind of thinking that lets people think Ford is out for the little guy or that he's a great politician - it represents a disconnect between a perception and the way things actually are.

I'm not calling it a good plan, or an advisable one, and I don't think Doug can win either. But yeah, this is how I see it. They are shameless. Just utterly shameless. The evidence for this behaviour is sky high. I wish I was as optimistic as you but we've had years of this. Fucking years of shenanigans. So no, I just wouldn't put it past them. I know it's a shitty thing to say but I can't come to any other conclusion. i.e. he has no other reason to actually talk in detail about his medical problem if it didn't serve his brother's new narrative.

 

[Jeffolation]

The sooner that disgusting family is out of office/the country and employed over at fox news the better.

 

[jstripes]

This is a really sad day, and it's pretty low to suggest that someone got a "convenient" illness. This isn't like playing sick to get out of the math quiz. Two hospitals have seen the tumor, it merited a biopsy and he has family history.

So you might not like him, or his policies. But to go into conspiracy theories that this was some fakeout to get his less popular brother on the ticket both flies in the face of common sense and common decency.

I'm not saying it was convenient. I'm saying they likely knew about it months ago and wanted to keep it on the down low until after the election.

That gamble didn't pay off.

Now they're changing course and trying to play it for sympathy votes. Doug now coming out, to carry on his brother's "honour and legacy".

 

[thabiz]

It makes perfect sense if you understand the Ford family. The top priority is for Robbie to keep his job as a politician. It's his life and he hasn't been able to do anything. The Fords must now believe that Rob cannot take Toronto but he can take Etobicoke. Doug running for mayor is nothing but a ploy to boost Rob. Doug's heart isn't in running for mayor but since they've blown all this money he may as well use the airtime he's going to get.

The focus is not for Doug to be mayor but for Rob (and thus the Fords) to stay in Toronto politics.

100% truth. this was all done so rob can get his council seat back.

 

[Dr.Acula]

Let's be fair, running for, and participating in council isn't very physically demanding. He's not operating heavy machinery. Layton ran for PM with cancer. Ford isn't dropping out of politics, he's dropping out a mayor's race he's losing to run for his old council spot. If he were #1 in the polls he would still be in it. I would vote for a politician undergoing a few months of chemo without reservation, it's not like they're starting centre for the Raptors.

 

[gutter_trash]

Let's be fair, running for, and participating in council isn't very physically demanding. He's not operating heavy machinery. Layton ran for PM with cancer. Ford isn't dropping out of politics, he's dropping out a mayor's race he's losing to run for his old council spot. If he were #1 in the polls he would still be in it. I would vote for a politician undergoing a few months of chemo without reservation, it's not like they're starting centre for the Raptors.

Rob Ford for Prime Minister

 

[jstripes]

As for Doug, sure, he doesn't have the whole crack scandal baggage to contend with, but he has the "Dick Cheney" stink all over him.

 

[Dyno]

So you might not like him, or his policies. But to go into conspiracy theories that this was some fakeout to get his less popular brother on the ticket both flies in the face of common sense and common decency.

Then why the switch from mayor to councillor? Why not just drop out entirely and focus on your health? City Councillor - that is a busy, busy job. You communicate directly with the people in your ward and take all kinds of meetings.

Too sick to be mayor but still good enough for councillor? I don't buy it for a minute. This is all about using his ongoing medical issues for political purposes. He can't win the whole city so he's retreating back to his Etobicoke stronghold using the sickness as a weird excuse and a sympathy play.

This is a family of manipulators and liars.

 

[Divvy]

Let's be fair, running for, and participating in council isn't very physically demanding. He's not operating heavy machinery. Layton ran for PM with cancer. Ford isn't dropping out of politics, he's dropping out a mayor's race he's losing to run for his old council spot. If he were #1 in the polls he would still be in it. I would vote for a politician undergoing a few months of chemo without reservation, it's not like they're starting centre for the Raptors.

Yup, hell you could basically replace him with a dipping bird aimed at the "nay" vote button