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Post by CentreHice on May 17, 2013 10:28:55 GMT -5
Toronto StarLeft-wing witch hunt aside..... If there isn't something to this "crack video" story...Ford should be able to sue the Star for millions...for libel and slander. And those two reporters will, of course, lose their jobs. If, however, somebody's willing to pay these criminals for it, and it's legit (in terms of Ford doing what's alleged)...then Ford is as good as done. It's either one or the other. If the video is real, the only other thing that could save Ford is if his camp buys it...and destroys it. Then he could have them arrested for blackmail, and they won't take that risk. They, apparently, want the cash so they can get out of town and start a new life. Um...yeah, right. Interesting, nonetheless.
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Post by jkr on May 17, 2013 12:45:42 GMT -5
I'm not a Rob Ford fan but this seems like too much. It couldn't possibly be true - could it? The Star is taking a huge chance.
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Post by Cranky on May 17, 2013 13:23:20 GMT -5
I support Ford but this will make it past tense in a real hurry.
If it is him, then it brings lack of judgement to a completely different level. If not, then he should sue the Star out of existence. And in this kind of allegation, I wont accept any "can't reveal my sources".
Edit...
okay so I comment and search the net for the video and get NADA. Simple question, WHERE IS THE VIDEO? All we have is the word of a rag that will do and say ANYTHING to get rid of Ford (and Harper). That photo means absolutely nothing. A "voice" allegedly caught by a phone is under the best of times, piss poor quality and means absolutely nothing. Only the video counts. And why the "appears to be Ford" statement by the reporter? Is it or isn't it?
What makes me think that we will never see a video and it's going to be the Star's "word" against the "Fords bought the video" conspiracy?
WHERE IS THE VIDEO?
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Post by franko on May 17, 2013 14:26:52 GMT -5
does anyone really care about the Ford/media soap opera?
well, outside well-healed Toronto?
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Post by Cranky on May 17, 2013 14:51:22 GMT -5
Actually I do. This would transcend a soap opera into a fundamental issue of democracy and certain agenda mongering passing as "press".
Do we really want to have those that buy ink by the barrel or scream their loudest destroying careers and democracy as they see fit?
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2013 14:53:24 GMT -5
I'm trying to find the video, too. How a newspaper can claim evidence of an event without supplying it to the public is beyond irresponsible.
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Post by Cranky on May 17, 2013 15:09:49 GMT -5
So far, it doesn't exist. All we have as proof is a Ford head on a fat guy (who needs a neck!) as "proof".
What really irks me is not Ford or this soap opera. It's the ability of the press to shape the news and get away with it. If there is no video, this would bring it to a completely different level if they manage to sell this without any repercussions.
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Post by CentreHice on May 17, 2013 17:45:16 GMT -5
The video is on the cell phone of the informant. He's trying to sell it to a buyer....apparently he wants six figures.
Both the Toronto Star reporters sat in a car and watched it three times.
That's why they're likely taking this big gamble....
I don't know....just reporting what I've heard, read.
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Post by sergejean on May 17, 2013 20:02:21 GMT -5
I know this is the non-hockey portion of the forum but this reminds me of François Gagnon from LaPresse who broke a story about an alleged Kovalev interview in an obscure Russian newspaper. He suposedly had "the tape" but we're yet to see it.
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Post by CentreHice on May 17, 2013 20:32:13 GMT -5
In this case, both reporters say they watched the actual cell phone video 3 times. They just didn't buy it. I wonder if these informants figured that prospective buyers would watch the video, not buy it, but still report on it. They'd still hold all the cards though, as it'd be a hollow story without the video to fill it in.
So, if those reporters are lying....wow....I can't think they'd ever work in journalism again.
And if they're not lying, and the video is destroyed somehow....they'll still look like fools. Unemployed fools.
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Post by jkr on May 17, 2013 20:36:06 GMT -5
Well, in the Gagnon situation (I don't know how he kept his job or credibility after that)...he only heard about a tape....he never heard it. In this case, both reporters say they watched the actual cell phone video 3 times. They just didn't buy it. I wonder if these informants figured that prospective buyers would watch the video, not buy it, but still report on it. Still, it's only a story without the video. So, if they're lying....wow...it's even worse. And if they're not lying, and the video is destroyed somehow....they'll still look like fools. Unemployed fools. I don't think they'll get fired. The reporters say they have been working on this story for about 18 months & have the full support of the paper. This video seems to be only part of the story. |
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Post by CentreHice on May 17, 2013 21:38:22 GMT -5
As a libertarian, I rather have whacked political parties freely babbling then goosestepping to 1984 left or right fascism. Agree. But you can't have elected officials on crack. I mean, I'm sure many get away with ridiculous things....but if found out, they usually pay the price. It's hit The National tonight. Two reporters will be appearing on the CBC to talk about what they saw in the video and why they decided to go ahead with it. That's like saying, "All in!" |
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Post by franko on May 17, 2013 21:46:19 GMT -5
until the video comes out it's just "purported" and "alleged". . . and fodder for the news beat . . . the left will say "see what kind of mayor we have" and the right will say "we'd like to see what kind of mayor you claim we have".
if he decides to run again it will be even more of a circus than what is happening in the Senate!
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Post by Cranky on May 18, 2013 1:54:45 GMT -5
Agree. But you can't have elected officials on crack. I mean, I'm sure many get away with ridiculous things....but if found out, they usually pay the price. I absolutely, resolutely agree. I would be the first to throw him under the bus....and seesaw back and forth like I was trying to get out of a snow bank. As for the Star, it has nothing but it's pulling the bank idiom of "too big to fail". You make it such a huge story and the truth does not matter anymore. |
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Post by Cranky on May 18, 2013 2:00:02 GMT -5
if he decides to run again it will be even more of a circus than what is happening in the Senate! Isn't that the point of all this? Do you believe that a continues rotation of stories and lawsuits are by accident? My problem is that I seem to be one of the lonelier voices that this as a serious usurpation of democracy. If you can run smear campaigns to change the politician you don't like, then we are crippling democracy in the name of agendas ...and loudest, boldest, most conniving screamers. |
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Post by Skilly on May 18, 2013 8:21:20 GMT -5
if he decides to run again it will be even more of a circus than what is happening in the Senate! Isn't that the point of all this? Do you believe that a continues rotation of stories and lawsuits are by accident? My problem is that I seem to be one of the lonelier voices that this as a serious usurpation of democracy. If you can run smear campaigns to change the politician you don't like, then we are crippling democracy in the name of agendas ...and loudest, boldest, most conniving screamers. Smear campaigns and deny deny deny are what the Conservative Party of Canada has lived on for the past decade. Now it's turning the other direction. Politics in Canada is akin to bullying. It was a US media outlet that decided to break the story. From what I understand, Gawker (?) editor (not a reporter , the editor in chief) saw the video; the price was too high for what they usually pay for things. He heard the Toronto Star refused to pay $40,000 for the video. Would we be less appalled if our media started paying crooks for "news"? If Rob Ford is doing crack, it is an unsavory bunch he is doing it with. Now since the story broke, they want $200,000. If Rob Ford is not the person in this video, I'll expect a lawsuit at the minimum, .... I don't know Ford, but he strikes me as a man who if innocent would fight and take down each and every "accusation" , not stand and merely say "this is ridiculous". |
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Post by HABsurd on May 18, 2013 10:54:08 GMT -5
Isn't that the point of all this? Do you believe that a continues rotation of stories and lawsuits are by accident? My problem is that I seem to be one of the lonelier voices that this as a serious usurpation of democracy. If you can run smear campaigns to change the politician you don't like, then we are crippling democracy in the name of agendas ...and loudest, boldest, most conniving screamers. Smear campaigns and deny deny deny are what the Conservative Party of Canada has lived on for the past decade. Now it's turning the other direction. Politics in Canada is akin to bullying. It was a US media outlet that decided to break the story. From what I understand, Gawker (?) editor (not a reporter , the editor in chief) saw the video; the price was too high for what they usually pay for things. He heard the Toronto Star refused to pay $40,000 for the video. Would we be less appalled if our media started paying crooks for "news"? If Rob Ford is doing crack, it is an unsavory bunch he is doing it with. Now since the story broke, they want $200,000. If Rob Ford is not the person in this video, I'll expect a lawsuit at the minimum, .... I don't know Ford, but he strikes me as a man who if innocent would fight and take down each and every "accusation" , not stand and merely say "this is ridiculous". Yes it was the US media site gawker.com that primarily pushed the story. Further they have started the Rob Ford Crackstarter to raise the $200k . Interested on how the story is viewed internationally, the story has received the Taiwanese animation treatment. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 18, 2013 11:26:34 GMT -5
Smear campaigns and deny deny deny are what the Conservative Party of Canada has lived on for the past decade. Now it's turning the other direction. Politics in Canada is akin to bullying. It was a US media outlet that decided to break the story. From what I understand, Gawker (?) editor (not a reporter , the editor in chief) saw the video; the price was too high for what they usually pay for things. He heard the Toronto Star refused to pay $40,000 for the video. Would we be less appalled if our media started paying crooks for "news"? If Rob Ford is doing crack, it is an unsavory bunch he is doing it with. Now since the story broke, they want $200,000. If Rob Ford is not the person in this video, I'll expect a lawsuit at the minimum, .... I don't know Ford, but he strikes me as a man who if innocent would fight and take down each and every "accusation" , not stand and merely say "this is ridiculous". Yes it was the US media site gawker.com that primarily pushed the story. Further they have started the Rob Ford Crackstarter to raise the $200k . Interested on how the story is viewed internationally, the story has received the Taiwanese animation treatment. The Taiwanese just saw and opportunity the same way we see those opportunities. There will never be an end to "Rob-Ford-must-go". If he isn't a crack user then they'll probably try another angle. Like, all the times he sold dope disguised as a nun. Whatever ... Question for Torontonians. Is Rob Ford doing a good job as mayor? That's the bottom line for me ... not this witch hunt kind of BS. Has he had time to do his job with all the BS swirling around him? Cheers. |
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Post by CentreHice on May 18, 2013 11:30:17 GMT -5
On "The National" last night, the editor of Gawker said he's seen the video and that it's undeniably Mayor Rob Ford in a well-lit room, smoking crack.
Echoed by the Star reporter, Robyn Doolittle, who also saw the video. She said they decided to run with the story, AFTER Gawker broke it on-line. The Star was sitting on it til then.
An elected official caught on video consorting with criminals, engaging in a "criminal activity"....doesn't that go above and beyond whether or not he's doing a good job as mayor? And as addictive as crack is, that HAS to affect your brain/judgment.
I agree with Skilly's statement that if Ford is truly innocent, he'd be saying a lot more than just, "It's ridiculous..." to such a serious accusation.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 18, 2013 11:47:16 GMT -5
Well, if he's guilty, he's guilty. Why hasn't there been any legal action to this point?
Cheers.
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Post by CentreHice on May 18, 2013 12:15:35 GMT -5
Story just broke on Thursday. The rock is just starting to roll downhill, I think.
And if he's innocent, there will be huge winning lawsuits from the Ford camp.
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2013 12:20:59 GMT -5
Story just broke on Thursday. The rock is just starting to roll downhill, I think. And if he's innocent, there will be huge winning lawsuits from the Ford camp. Clever tactic either way. Unfortunately, the masses adopt "Guilty until proven not guilty" so it's possible that a lot of people believe that Ford is up to no good whenever something new keeps popping up. At this rate, the more they smear his name, the likelier he won't win a re-election even if all allegations turn out false. Regardless whether or not Ford was smoking crack, he loses. |
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Post by Cranky on May 18, 2013 12:27:06 GMT -5
Gawker's motto is......Todays Gossip is Tomorrows News. Never ever heard of Gawker before. But now, everyone has. Net value change is probably several millions on this story alone, real or not.
Regardless, even if not true, this ends Ford. If I was him and this was a lie, I would sue the Star into oblivion. Of course the left would cry about "freedom of speech" like their lives were at stake.
BTW, for you people who are outside the Center Of The Universe, there is a very well paid poverty industry ion Toronto center. Never mind very well healed and politicized unions and white, limousine liberal elite$. To them, Ford is the DEVIL, in capitals. He not only doesn't represent them in any way, he interferes with their cognitive dissonance about the world and who should speak for it and run it.
Anywho.....regardless, Ford does not know how to play the victim. He doesn't know how to fight those who are really, really good at it and will NEVER stop. He is politically dead one way or the other.
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Post by Cranky on May 18, 2013 12:34:03 GMT -5
Yes it was the US media site gawker.com that primarily pushed the story. Further they have started the Rob Ford Crackstarter to raise the $200k . Interested on how the story is viewed internationally, the story has received the Taiwanese animation treatment. WOW, "news" presented in cartoon format? Really? Cartoons? And these guys are eating our lunch? Excuse me, please leave the room........I'm going to play pitch and catch with a hand grenade....... |
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Post by Cranky on May 18, 2013 12:41:22 GMT -5
Story just broke on Thursday. The rock is just starting to roll downhill, I think. And if he's innocent, there will be huge winning lawsuits from the Ford camp. Clever tactic either way. Unfortunately, the masses adopt "Guilty until proven not guilty" so it's possible that a lot of people believe that Ford is up to no good whenever something new keeps popping up. At this rate, the more they smear his name, the likelier he won't win a re-election even if all allegations turn out false. Regardless whether or not Ford was smoking crack, he loses. ABSOLUTELY AGREE. If this isn't true and this isn't the very bottom, the complete perversion of democracy, then I don't know what is. I have been in Greece five times in the last 18 months. I use to know and got re-acquainted with politics there. Laughable. Tragic. Laughable. This would make them model citizens in comparison. |
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Post by Cranky on May 18, 2013 12:51:37 GMT -5
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Post by seventeen on May 18, 2013 15:39:37 GMT -5
If that 20 things set of stories have some truth to them, it would appear that Mr. Ford is not averse to getting drunk and if so, his judgement would certainly be impaired. It may not be a long jump from alcohol abuse to abuse of more serious drugs. Makes the story seem more reasonable than when I first heard it, and thought it was mudraking and a journalist's attempt to gain attention, without doing due diligence.
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Post by CentreHice on May 18, 2013 15:44:40 GMT -5
From listening to those who have seen the video, it would appear that, in this latest instance, the evidence is there....it just hasn't been bought.
I wonder who will get to it first.
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2013 20:16:49 GMT -5
From listening to those who have seen the video, it would appear that, in this latest instance, the evidence is there....it just hasn't been bought. I wonder who will get to it first. So it's legal to sell possibly incriminating evidence. I'll keep that in mind next time I want to blackmail a politician. |
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Post by CentreHice on May 18, 2013 21:36:03 GMT -5
From listening to those who have seen the video, it would appear that, in this latest instance, the evidence is there....it just hasn't been bought. I wonder who will get to it first. So it's legal to sell possibly incriminating evidence. I'll keep that in mind next time I want to blackmail a politician. Unless they've contacted Ford with a "pay us or we go public", I don't think it's blackmail. In this case, it's more like the Watergate "deep throat" scenario. Not sure if "deep throat" was paid by the Washington Post or not. |
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