Insult can always be found by those who know what they're looking for

Dear Ford Nation:

Some of you are outraged over my Friday column/blog in which I listed 10 reasons why I like Mayor Rob Ford, judging by the online comments posted to it.

None of them have anything to do with the way he runs the city, which seems to be a particularly sore point with y’all, but it was no oversight on my part.

By listing personal reasons for liking him – he looks uncomfortable in a suit, for instance - instead of his achievements in office, The Nation seems to think my column was only a vehicle for insulting Ford.

If I had used his accomplishments, the list would have ended at two, or maybe three at most.

He deserves credit for reducing the spendthrift culture at city hall and presiding over a fair and amicable resolution of contract negotiations with the city’s unionized workforce earlier this year.

The Nation would count the privatization of a big chunk of Toronto’s garbage collection as an achievement, but not me.

I can't think of anything else. The list is short when the mayor can't entice enough councillors into his tent to get any of his key initiatives passed.

Most of my reasons for liking Ford are the same things that allow him to connect with the public; he’s an ordinary guy with foibles and weaknesses, not given to glib oration or sifting the complexities of municipal finance.

Unlike many Nation members, I know Ford personally and spent a lot of time in his office, shooting the breeze with him and Andrew Pask, his executive assistant at the time, when he was a city councillor and I was a city hall reporter.

I was as welcome in the offices of Ford and his fellow traveler Doug Holyday as I was in the lairs of pinkos like Howard Moscoe, the late Jack Layton or David Miller because I learned to never hold the politics of the people I covered against them.

I knew Ford’s shirt tail had a tendency to not remain tucked in, and that he kept a roll of toilet paper on his desk to blow his nose, instead of tissue, from up-close observation.

And his frequent blowups and colorful quotes about his council colleagues made him fun to cover.

It’s why I feel affection for him and sincerely hope he can finish out his term and run for re-election, instead of getting turfed from office over the football donation fiasco.

The last time I talked to Ford was last winter, at an unexpected meeting on St. Clair Ave. We walked along the street chatting like the old friends we are, with my hand on his shoulder.   

Even though he never talks to The Star, he told me he’d talk to me on the record any time, because he thinks of me as a friend, and not an enemy.

I suspect Rob did not take offense to my column, because he knows better and has a more refined sense of humour about himself than he lets on.

But maybe he did; I was not invited to the Ford barbeque.

As for Ford Nation, keep on believing that the enemy is anyone whose worldview differs from yours. It’s what I love about you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Steve]

Ford is everyday people. That is what pulls people towards him. He has warts, he has the ability to stick his foot in it. He comes across as Joe average. He is Joe average. His wealth is not part of his makeup.
Its the rabid hate filled leftovers that despise him.. Why? because he represents a genuine threat to their little council kingdoms..... Their entitlements..
Ford has something they will never possess in that he really does look out for the little guy.. That's why I will vote for him again. Without a doubt the best thing to hit Toronto in many decades. And many.. Many many thousands of voters feel just the way I do and will vote him in again.
Much to the sheer horror of the leftovers.
Go Ford!

[dittomuch]

The problem is you came off disingenuous rude and like a jerk. They were underhanded compliments and I lost respect in you for falling to the lowest common denominator. I think it showed a complete and total lack of class and put you on par with Royson James and you can be more than that. You kept your head above the line for so long it hurt to see you pander to the lowest common denominator it was something I would have expected from a tabloid. I can't answer for Ford Nation as I don't consider myself a Ford supporter but the article was a vehicle for insulting the man clear as day. Please don't spit on my cupcake and call it icing we understand you had to pander to your pay masters and lack the ability to have control over your own work.

[dittomuch]

As an aside, you were invited to the BBQ, we were all invited to the BBQ. I don't believe you are so special as to need a private invitation. Beyond that the man offered to speak to you on the record out of respect and rather than just ask him for an interview you chose to be a dick. Reap what you sow Joe!

[LaryOly]

Since when is writing an article in praise of the mayor, who happens to have been a personal friend of yours for many years, NOT considered to be biased journalism?

[Louis]

Language is limping along enough in the Star, hobbled by seemingly absent editing, and journalists who violate the most basic rules of grammar (and sometimes spelling). In the name of all that's good, please don't say "y'all" ever again. We are not the United States. And we are certainly not the southern United States.

[Beer and Whiskey Party]

I wasn't outraged by the 10 reasons for liking Ford...it was more the lousy writing that annoyed me.

[Ara]

You may have your own opinions regarding the mayor, however, at this point you're using your power it to your advantage. There's a reason why many disliked the column last week and that's because you've used your job to be quite condescending. However, this is the media and what you say should have some form of review prior to being published. You should have some common sense and, more importantly, respect as to what you're writing. Who says you're the better person when speaking this way about someone.

My stance isn't in favour of the mayor. It's in regards to equality and people treating one another with respect and dignity. Whether I agree with him or not, this was completely not the best of moves.

Within these last two columns, you're openly stating that he's inferior in every way possible. Use your ability to reach the masses for the good and instill proper values instead of speaking your mind on such negativity. The mob appreciates the media for what it makes them believe and you're taking into account all the things he's done wrong. Whether the mayor or a friend, it's not fair to focus on negativity when there are many other factors that should be taken to account.

All are entitled to what they think about someone. But, to take it to this degree? Simply wrong. When you posted that column/blog, it was a cowardice method of doing so. Hiding behind your words to voice your opinion doesn't send any other message across besides your negative nature. This doesn't make you a better person. In fact, it reflects poorly against you. To go back to my earlier point, who knows your flaws. Since you're not under the spotlight like the mayor, does that give you the right to belittle others? All people in this world have skeletons in their closet and hiding behind a brick wall - the media - makes your column foolish and says a lot about you.

Let's see if you'll give this the time of day. Your sarcasm and demeaning tone means nothing to those who can see through it. And, quite frankly, I'm almost 95% sure you wouldn't even finish reading this, let alone reply to it. That last 5% is there to hope that there is some sort of decency in you to accept what you've done and maybe, just maybe, reply publicly.

You're the reason humanity has lost faith in itself. How does THIS make anything better. As I said earlier, you have the ability to move masses; use it for the greater good, not trying to make someone look foolish.

[Justin Flontek]

You forget one very important ting Rob Ford doesn't like to play by the rules. He skips out on work to coach foot ball, amongst using other city resources and he drives while using his cell, or reading. I'm sorry, but the guy obviously thinks he's above the law.

[JC]

I'm tired of the 'connecting with the average joe' argument, just as I am of the snickering comments about toilet paper. I think these are distractions from the blunt reality that this guy is totally unsuited for this job and it's pathetic that apparently the majority of voters seem to disagree. Confronted with the bullying, lack of attendance and leadership, the elitist attitudes about conflict laws and the rules of the road, when voters smile and think 'that should shake up those pinkos!', it shows politics relegated to the level of a Judge Judy show. You may or may not have agreed with Miller on various issues, but at least for the most part the man is a professional. I find this man an embarrassment.

[Tabber]

You buffoons! He admits he likes the guy, and yet you jump all over him. So I have to conclude that there's no pleasing you - legitimate criticism isn't allowed, apparently, and neither is pointing out Ford's good points. Make up your freakin' minds - or do you just like to complain? You (the posters) have just done your man yet another disservice by demonstrating that you just don't get it, and why should I vote for someone whose supporters don't understand the simplest of things? Answer: I shouldn't, and I won't.

[Chris]

Wow, that is so not the reason I took issue with the original article... but I AM NOT FORD NATION.