Monday, July 18, 2011

Rob Ford: The Man Who Would Eat Toronto















(click pic to enlarge)

They say it's a hard city to love. When I moved here a few years ago my friends in Montreal said I'd absolutely hate it. That they didn't call it Hogtown for nothing eh? And that I'd probably die of boredom.

But actually I've become rather fond of this big old town on the lake, and some of the people who call it home. So I really hate to see how Rob Ford and his right-wing hogs are trying to rip its guts out.

I still can't believe that a grubby homophobe could be mayor of the most diverse city in the world. I can't believe how a crass millionaire could have the indecency to deny help to some of the city's most vulnerable people.

Once again, Mayor Rob Ford was the lone member on City Council to vote against grant money earmarked to HIV/AIDS related programs.

The vote capped two days at council that saw Ford vote against six other community development grants programs that improve the lives of the city’s seniors, immigrants, the poor and the disabled.


I can't believe that in the 21st Century a mayor of a modern city is encouraging people to use cars instead of public transit, and declaring war on bikes. When Toronto is choking in its own fumes. And has the highest rate of car/bike collisions in Canada.

I can't believe that so many people were suckered by the Fordzilla's gaseous emissions about stopping the "Gravy Train." And how he was just the man to do it...
 















When in fact there is no "Gravy Train." And he doesn't know what he's doing.

But that isn't stopping him from trying to change Toronto beyond recognition.

This week’s dizzying blitz of proposed service cuts sets up another round of daily offerings, starting Monday — an orchestrated raid with one main goal: the sacking of Toronto the Good, Toronto the Beautiful, Toronto the Caring, Toronto the Livable.

I can't believe that it has come to that. I can't believe it has come to this.

Chaleff-Freudenthaler wrote in the complaint that Ford “accosted” him outside the council chamber. Speaking in an “aggressive tone,” Chaleff-Freudenthaler wrote, Ford told him to be “prepared” for something Ford didn't identify.

Chaleff-Freudenthaler wrote that he sought to “de-escalate the situation” by declining to “engage” with Ford, but that Ford continued to speak threateningly. Eventually, Chaleff-Freudenthaler wrote, Ford told him that he “should be careful because ‘what goes around comes around.’”


And this from the gang that didn't hesitate to use dirty tricks during the last election. Remember?













Oh boy. As I said before I'm a Montrealer eh? I'm just visiting. But if the good people of Toronto want to save their city they better get cracking.

Take to the streets. March on City Hall. Call in the cops. Sign a petition. Do what they have to do to drive the Fordzilla and his right-wing goons from office.

And if they do I'll be there to help them. Because it's a horrible thing to see a great city dying. This is a Canadian tragedy, and enough is ENOUGH. 

The hogs are on a rampage.

And the lights are going out...


2 comments:

  1. This is how amalgamation ruins cities. Toronto, Ottawa and Winnipeg have voted in right wing clowns, Ford being by far the worst, thanks to these "cities" now encompassing far-flung suburbs and edge of suburbia rural areas.

    Those living in those areas don't bother enjoying the perks of urban life (restaurants, theatres, museums, libraries, universities and colleges, public transportation, parks, etc), not even for an occasional weekend. For them, all these key services that make cities great are just "gravy". And that's fine that they feel that way. But they shouldn't be voting for Mayor and Council of a city they don't even bother enjoying or living in.

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  2. hi Beijing...I agree with you completely. Allowing the suburbs to dictate to the people who live downtown is just a race to the bottom, and in my view completely undemocratic.
    If anyone started a move to de-amalgamate, or secede, I would join it in a flash...

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