Humorless Politics Thread

[Flood]

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford admits to smoking crack

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has admitted to smoking crack cocaine, saying he had done so in a "drunken stupor".

Mr Ford made the confession to reporters at city hall on Tuesday, saying he had taken the drug about a year ago but was not an addict.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24824651

[Flood]

Amazeballs



Bonus:

Why Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Can Admit To Smoking Crack And Still Win Reelection

[daveB from Oakland]

He'll always be the mayor of a Van Down by The River in my heart.

[gravy boat]

He'll always be the mayor of a Van Down by The River in my heart.

Oh...that's great.

[Bryan]

Cut to tomorrow and Ford will be angry that everyone's still talking about this. "The past is the past! I said I was sorry!"

[Steve of Bloomington]

His approval rating went up after the Crack thing.

http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2013/11/01/mayor_rob_fords_approval_rating_ticks_upward_with_news_of_crack_video.html

[Bryan]

In general, his approval ratings are totally insane, but there is some doubt as to the accuracy of the widely-reported claim that his poll numbers rose after the police confirmed the existence of the crack video.

For those interested in getting into the data analysis, check out the cut-rate Canadian version of Nate Silver on the subject.

[daveB from Oakland]

Rob Ford seems like the kind of guy who'd try and get a cut of the profits if the crack video was put up for sale.

[Bryan]

I know what you mean. He's a total sleaze, but for all his many, many faults, I don't think there's ever really been a suggestion that they guy is trying to line his pockets.

[Bryan]

FOTs, please forgive my endless blather and know-it-alliness on this subject. I've been fascinated with this guy for years, and am just over the moon that he's finally getting widespread attention.

[Steve of Bloomington]

Don't apologize, it is pretty fascinating.

[cavorting with nudists]

Listen to the tunes that get Mayor Ford pumped up for Hockey Night here:

http://songza.com/listen/hockey-night-with-mayor-rob-ford-MayorRobFord/

[effecT]

Don Vito rides again:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/11/07/mayor_rob_ford_caught_in_video_rant.html

[Bryan]

There was a completely hideous interview last night with Ford's mother and sister (neither of whom have ever made a public appearance before) in which it was sickeningly obvious that his whole family is in complete denial, and enabling his behaviour. We already knew this about his thuggish city councillor brother Doug.

Previous to this interview, his sister Kathy was best known for being involved with the KKK, getting shot in the head by a white supremacist drug dealer, and having an ex-husband who broke into the family home threatening the entire Ford clan over drug debts.

Interested parties can find it here: http://www.cp24.com/

As hilarious as Ford is, it is almost a sure thing that this will only end with him in jail or dead.

[Bryan]

And regarding the "murder rant video" I think it's completely possible that he's goofing around. It seems like it was recorded around the time he met Hulk Hogan, and his repeated use of "brother" is very Hogan-esque. He's obviously out of his mind on booze and (probably) coke, but I think he could just be getting carried away bragging rather than making serious threats.

Besides that, he routinely acts almost that aggressively in City Council chamber. I did not find this video particularly shocking, but I think it may be the thing that finally starts to erode his support with his base.