Anonymous anti-Ford ads jump from online to the grounds of Queen's Park

First there were ads that popped up online asking "Rob Ford for Mayor?" and declaring "Arrested and jailed. Ford lacks the judgment needed for Toronto." they were bought anonymously through Google. Sombody  mischievously added thestar.com below the statement, but the Star had nothing to do with it. In fact, given the Ford campaign's tactic of using a perceived persecution of him to solicit funds, odds are at least even it was a Ford supporter. The ads were scrubbed but not before getting a bit of buzz.

A smear, undoubtedly, but it is true Ford was arrested and later convicted of drunk driving in Florida in 1999. If he was held in a cell even briefly, you could argue the "jailed" part, but it wouldn't get past our copy desk.

But overnight actual physical signs sprang up at Queen's Park that take defamation to the next level. Ford's name doesn't appear but, before the phrase "for mayor!", there are concise and libellous allegations about domestic violence, substance abuse and racial views. The signs have been taken down.

It's a peculiar electoral form of vandalism. And, given Rob Ford's ability in this campaign to absorb attacks and sometimes gain from them, likely fruitless. But expect more as we get closer to Oct. 25.

UPDATE: 680 News is reporting there were about 10 of the signs, along University Ave.

Comments

[Greg Endergy]

Wow, can the Rob Ford hatred grow any farther than it already is? I fear how divided this city will become should the big man win. Here's an amazing depiction of the man behind the Ford: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atzux1Fkqis

[Melissa]

Is this serious?? " but the Star had nothing to do with it. In fact, given the Ford campaign's tactic of using a perceived persecution of him to solicit funds, odds are at least even it was a Ford supporter."

Since when did news, especially a large media org like The Star become reports of assumptions? I'm so tired of this kind of reporting. And I"d probably be more inclined to vote for someone else, had The Start reported on someone else, and not on Rob Ford for every article.

[StarHater]

The Star accusing Ford supporters for something The Star is doing.
Why does this paper exist, again?

[Blazingcatfur]

Blaming Ford supporters? This is low even for the bottom dwellers at the Star.

[KD]

To suggest that Ford himself was behind the campaign, by implying that it was likely a Ford supporter, is a new low for The Star in this campaign.

Why wait for the weekend before the election to come out with our "official" endorsement of Smitherman? It's blatantly obvious where The Star stands, so why wait?

And no, I'm not a Ford supporter - I'm among the 1/3 or so of the electorate that's still undecided.

[Sko]

"If he was held in a cell even briefly, you could argue the "jailed" part, but it wouldn't get past our copy desk."

But "The adds were scrubbed but not before getting a bit of buzz." referring to advertisements as "adds" got past the copy desk.

Tsk, tsk.

[letsfindthetruth]

The Star needs to start worrying about its business model I think. You are after all running a business and not a 'pressure group'.. remember?

[Chevrolet]

I wonder if the signs are the work of one of the people who put all the time, energy and expense into producing the anti-Ford Youtube videos that get about 67 views.

[John Smithers]

haha, the sings are funny, because they're true.

[VPC]

I'm confused. How could these signs possibly be offensive to Ford?

If they don't refer to Ford (because they don't name Ford, and Ford says he's not a racist, wife-beating drunk-driver), then by definition they're not offensive to Ford. If, on the other hand, Ford is a racist, wife-beating drunk-driver, then the signs are supportive (they advocate and, again, they're not offensive to Rob Ford.

[mrsunray44]

I attended the City TV debate and Mr. Smitherman supporters were chanting the same comments that appeared on the signs. They only stopped when another political supporter started to chant Smitherman drug addict. I am sure that the people chanting these disgusting smears were Smitherman supporters because they were carrying Smitherman signs. Since this was done at the entrance I would assume that these actions would have been on camera. I think Mr. Smitherman had better try to control his staff! Surely he cannot control the city of Toronto if he can not even control his own staff. This is aman who is noted for his abusive manner!
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontomayoralrace/article/805939—toronto-election-a-look-at-each-candidates-personality
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20060512/smitherman_drug_addiction_060512/20060512?hub=TorontoHome
http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/09/07/15268941.html?comments_page=5&id=15268941#/news/torontoandgta/2010/09/07/pf-15268936.html