Anyone in the public eye exerts some influence and as a result, the public has a right to judge whether that influence is positive or not. In Ford's case it clearly isn't. It's perfectly normal for an electorate to hold its leader(s) to a high standard, and it's the fact that Toronto had failed so miserably in this regard that has piqued the world's interest in the fat man.

Caesar, like caesar's wife should be above reproach. They should at least be intelligent enough to know how to behave.

Yes, this exactly.

Compare London's mayor to Toronto's for a moment. Boris is perceived as a buffoon, perhaps some of the time as an embarrassing fool - but he's at least in part cultivated that image of himself, and plays up to it by poking fun at himself. Ford, on the other hand, is perceived as an embarrassing fool in spite of his efforts to ensure people take him seriously. He doesn't seem to understand that he is a laughing-stock, and cannot see that he is unable to function as an effective ambassador for the city while he's such a mess.

If he's such dangerous political property that the Santa Claus Parade begs him not to attend, and the Argonauts put out a statement disowning him after he wore a replica kit on TV, that's a fair indication that he has lost the authority to govern.

You're right, come to think of it and the pattern is depressingly similar. Lazy fat drunks devoid of reality and who think they're big shots. It might be the fact that few if any actually travel beyond their provisional borders so have little comparative experience to provide them with feedback.

"Heretofore, Canada was to America what Sweden is to the rest of Europe, but commanding less respect."

Heh!

http://www.theguardian.com/commentis...to-mayor-drugs

It's a good thing they didn't make the Grey cup then, cos you know he would have gone, as the numero uno fan.

Go Ti-Cats Go

well, since you're on the topic, I think it's another illustration of how the mayor is unable to fulfil his civic duty that the mayor of Hamilton declined to make the traditional bet with the mayor of Toronto over the outcome of the recent CFL game. Ford's reputation would besmirch that of the whole city of Hamilton by association. That's another sad reflection on the arrogant selfishness of a man who claims to represent the interests of a city he cannot speak for in public.

What utter nonsense.

Politicians actively seek the power to govern the people, to influence events and to have the authority to create or amend laws and to lead their communities based on the democratic process.

As such the minimum they need to display is the moral authority that comes from actually obeying the laws that already exist, even if they wish to change them. How can you expect people to respect any laws that you introduce as a politician if you cant respect the laws that others have passed in your position of authority in the past.

While atheletes dont set out to be, and perhaps should not be regarded as role models simply because they can run fast or kick a ball well, politicians set out with the express intent of being elected on the basis of being seen as someone that the public should have trust in to represent and lead them.

It's "The Rob Ford/Chris Farley Mashup Everyone’s Been Waiting For", apparently.

I misread that as Chris Farlowe, was hoping for Yesterday's Papers and Out of Time.

This is all starting to become unseemly now. The media, especially the smug and sanctimonious American media are starting to come across as bullies picking on someone who’s obviously having some really distressing and painful issues. They’re even starting to make me feel sorry for the fat slob.

pfft, I don't feel sorry for him.

I said starting, its not going to go very far.

That brought back memories

I have his 'Stormy Monday' LP, I might dig it out.

To do what?