Saturday, November 23, 2013

Rob Ford the Role Model

For those who want to tenaciously cling to position and power:

"Toronto mayor admits he bought illegal drugs" by Rob Gillies |  Associated Press, November 14, 2013

TORONTO — Toronto Mayor Rob Ford admitted during a heated City Council debate on Wednesday that he bought illegal drugs while in office, but adamantly refused to step down despite calls from nearly every councilor to take a leave of absence and get help.

‘‘I’m most definitely keeping this job,’’ the 44-year-old Ford said, insisting he was ‘‘a positive role model for kids.’’

Then he's still smoking crack!

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But he then turned defiant, saying he was not an addict and rebuffing suggestions from council members that he seek help....

Although it was a stark demonstration of his political isolation, the vote was merely symbolic....

Ford later tried to move a motion directing all council members to undergo ‘‘hair drug and alcohol testing’’ by Dec. 1, but the council chair quickly ruled the motion out of order.

Ford then suggested that many council members are on drugs and they all know stories about each other. But, he added, ‘‘I’m not a rat.’’

Outside City Hall, hundreds of protesters chanted ‘‘resign!’’ while organizers of Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade asked that Ford not walk in the procession this year.

Ford’s refusal to step down has confounded the City Council, where many members agree that his erratic behavior — from public drunkenness to threatening to kill someone in a videotaped tirade — has consumed Toronto’s politics and undermined efforts to tackle other challenges.

He's just being a positive role model for kids.

But with no clear legal path to force him out, the council is grasping for ways to shunt the larger-than-life leader aside and govern without him until next year’s municipal elections....

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Related: Mayor Rob Ford fights back 

Looks like his head is bobbing and weaving.

"The votes capped another frenzied week of twists and turns in a scandal that has consumed Canada’s largest city and financial capital for months. In interviews with police, former staffers accused the mayor of frequently drinking, driving while intoxicated, and making sexual advances toward a female staffer. Ford stirred up further controversy and even offended Toronto’s football team when he wore a team jersey while making a profanity-laced statement about the allegations."

His mood swings with flash of remorse were on full display? What other drugs is he on?

"Mayor Rob Ford of Toronto loses vote, temper; Councilors strip most power from defiant leader" by David Crary |  Associated Press, November 19, 2013

TORONTO — The City Council voted Monday to strip scandal-plagued Mayor Rob Ford of many of his powers after a heated debate in which he knocked over a female councilor....

Ford called the effort a ‘‘coup d’etat’’ and vowed an ‘‘outright war’’ in the next election.

Toronto has been abuzz with the Ford melodrama since May, when news outlets reported that he had been caught on video smoking crack cocaine.

The debate on the motion became heated after Ford paced around the council chamber and traded barbs with members of the public.

Security was asked to clear the chamber and a recess was called. Members of the public chanted ‘‘Shame! Shame!’’ at the mayor.

Ford charged at the gallery at one point and knocked over Councilor Pam McConnell, then picked her up.

Another councilor asked Ford to apologize.

Ford said he was rushing to the defense of his brother, Councilor Doug Ford.

Visibly shaken after Ford ran her over, McConnell, a petite woman in her 60s, said she never expected the chaos that broke out.

‘‘This is the seat of democracy, it is not a football field. I just wasn’t ready. Fortunately, the mayor’s staff was in front — they stopped me from hitting my head against the wall. I just need to sit down,’’ McConnell said....

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Is that setting a good example for kids?

Related: Wild and crazy mayors

He even picked up an endorsement!

Also seeHow about AmeriCanada?

Kind of already are.