Your daily HWB update

[sabotabby]

I hope no one is sick of me posting constantly on this, but really, the Rob Ford crack scandal has done such wonders for my mood that I can't help myself.

Yesterday, after picking up the first round of rock star t-shirts, I sat out on my porch with a friend and tossed around conspiracy theories. Later on that evening, I tossed around a few more conspiracy theories with chickenfeet2003 over dinner and wine before hitting the truly excellent Figaro's Wedding (which, naturally, had a Rob Ford crack joke in there as well). Tossing around conspiracy theories about the Fords seems to be all anyone does in Toronto these days, and it seems like the more implausible the idea, the more likely it will be proven correct in the Star by the following morning.

If you don't live here, if you haven't, like me, lived here for 15 years and come to know the city as a nice place to live but not very exciting on a day-to-day basis, I don't think you can imagine how much bloody fun we're all having. Note that this scandal has not rocked the Honourable Wife-Beater's support at all; he retains about 34% support among the public. Olivia Chow would clean the floor with him in an election, but she's yet to announce formally that she's running.

This is no exaggeration: I wake up every day with my radio timed to the 8 am news on CBC, then I take care of the cats and bounce downstairs to read the latest updates. Sometimes I don't even make it downstairs; I scan Facebook on my phone for any exciting developments. Some of you know how hard it is to get me up in the morning. This has done it.

Today's updates:

There's been a new arrest in the murder of Anthony Smith. It seems increasingly likely that Smith had the original video and was killed for it—either by the Fords' allies in the police department or organized crime, or by rival drug dealers who realized its value.

Obviously, Ford was lying when he said that there was no video. If there currently is no video, it's because he destroyed it.

Interesting commentary on the potential that this scandal could lead to the de-amalgamation of Toronto. (Spoiler: It won't. And I'm not sure that's even a good idea—lefty sacrilege, I know, but I have a certain attachment to Scarborough and the hopes that it will ultimately benefit from the megacity.)

I will be at the rally to demand Ford's resignation this Saturday. In a massively ironic twist, I don't actually want Ford to resign. The best thing that could happen would be for him to hang on stubbornly by his teeth, further fracturing the Sensible Right and the Crazy Right, ruining Tim Hudak's chances in the next provincial election, exposing how deep the criminal rabbit hole goes among the city's rich elite, and, most of all, ensuring that Future Mayor Chow wins by a nice wide margin.

Comments

[icedrake.livejournal.com]

Hey, I used to live on Dixon Rd! No crack-smoking, though.

[sabotabby]

I work in Scarborough and I swear to God there's not as much crack smoking there as there apparently is at City Hall.

[joxn.livejournal.com]

No need to apologize. The universe is working in your favor for once :-)

[sabotabby]

Schadenfreude is a lovely thing.

[bcholmes.livejournal.com]

I think you mean "Schadenford".

[sabotabby]

GRAVYDÄMMURUNG!

[cdaae.livejournal.com]

How could it not be fun?

...And it's so much cheaper than crack, too!

[sabotabby]

I know. And I can follow the story without wearing pants.

(Not really. I have to generally wear clothes when I go visit T-shirt Guy.)

[lienne.livejournal.com]

I love you so much. Every time I see an update on this thing (mostly from fuckyeahtoronto on tumblr, for some reason), I think of you (in fact I am reading this post right now because I checked my flist to see if you'd seen this one, which it seems you have). I am glad it is providing you with such entertainment! <3

[sabotabby]

*Joins fuckyeahtoronto*

I mean, as if I spend any time on Tumblr. But.

[radiumhead.livejournal.com]

I wonder what happens to the crackstarter money now?

[sabotabby]

They're going to give it a month and then donate it to CAMH.

[ltmurnau.livejournal.com]

My wife is loving this too, even though we have no connection to Toronto! (got an uncle in Orangeville though)

Two more resignations this morning, a policy advisor and an executive assistant!
Soon no one will be left.
It's becoming obvious that there is or was a video, and Ford knew that.

You raise an interesting point about how Ford's support is undiminished among the 34% hard-core, but I don't know if these people supporting him come what may are Crazy Right, or "Jus' Plain Folks" who see in him the solution to their perceived disenfranchisement - populism swept in from the suburbs (yes, he came from a wealthy suburb and the family business is worth millions, but from a suburb for all that).
What would be the connection between him and Tim Hudak?
I also understand Ford was assisted into power, if not emplaced, by some Federal Conservative machine money and people - perhaps the thread will unravel out towards Ottawa too.
But probably not.

[sabotabby]

I think it's a combination of Crazy Right and Jus' Plain Folks. The former are still in denial that there's a crack video, and actually seeing the video won't shake them of their denial. The latter know that there's a crack video and just don't give a shit. It's a pity, because they're the ones hurt by his policies—including drug policies.

Dougie has provincial ambitions and plans to run as part of Hudak's team in the next election. Hudak, thus far, has not severed ties with him. I'd love it if this went to the Feds too.

[outcastspice.livejournal.com]

There's a rally on Saturday? What time? Nathan Phillips square?

[sabotabby]

Yep, Nathan Phillips Square. They're asking people to come before noon to make lots of noise when the Old City Hall clock chimes.

[outcastspice.livejournal.com]

Cool, thanks for the info.

[coconuthead.livejournal.com]

I would never hear about this if you didn't tell me -- and I LOVE hearing about it. Keep up the good work!

[sabotabby]

Hah, thanks. I am very happy that I was regularly blogging about HWB before the crack scandal so my international friends have some backstory.

[kryss-labryn.livejournal.com]

Me too. This is hilarious!! In a "Glad I'm not in a town run by this moron" way. XD

[elsewhereangel.livejournal.com]

Kind of enjoying the crack scandal from afar. I grew up w a very criminal and wildly popular mayor. It was not terribly uncommon to hear things like: "he might be in the mob but at least he gets things done." puts a tear in my eye ;)

[sabotabby]

An efficient criminal would be fine. I voted for one in the last municipal election. It's the fact that he's a terrible mayor with terrible policies that's the issue.

[ironed_orchid]

I hope you were all wearing your new t-shirts while discussing conspiracy theories.

[sabotabby]

No, but I'll at least be wearing mine come the demo. Which is the main reason I'm going to the demo.

[kryss-labryn.livejournal.com]

In a massively ironic coincidence, on Saturday I will be out looking under rocks for fossils. In particular tetrapods, the "missing link" between fish and land vertebrates, from around 300 million years ago.

I'll let you know if I spot Ford.

[sabotabby]

Is he even a vertebrate? Are we sure?

(Also ZOMG SO COOL!)