Rob Ford: Dispute erupts at council meeting

[brooklynite]

Source: Toronto Star

An unprecedented council meeting descended temporarily into chaos on Monday, when Mayor Rob Ford and Councillor Doug Ford got into a screaming match with spectators.

The dispute was ignited about two hours into the meeting, when Ford rose from his seat and walked toward the back of chambers with a member of his staff, who appeared to be filming members of the public seated there.

...snip...

Doug Ford got into a stand off with one man, calling him a "punk." The councillor, who earlier accused the members of the public gathered for the meeting of being union supporters, told the crowd, "Why don't we get the real people of Toronto here?"

...snip...

Councillor Pam McConnell, who is barely five-feet tall, was knocked from her feet as Rob Ford charged through council chambers during the melee.

Read more: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/11/18/rob_ford_council_proposal_to_curb_mayors_power_moves_ahead.html

---

...and it's only Monday.

&feature=player_embedded

[jtuck004]

1. Man, that would be worth moving to Canada to watch.

Well, that and the health care program created by adults who aren't trying to make corporations healthier than working people.

At least their politics appear to be entertaining, instead of just bitter and mean. And their Saturday Night Live skits funnier.

[mac56]

2. Please proceed, Mayor.

[closeupready]

3. The jokes really ARE writing themselves, at this point.

What a clown.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. I agree with Ford on one thing

There should be a snap election. This is about Ford, not the office of mayor.

I think I would vote for Kermit the Frog over Rob Ford, but I don't live in Toronto.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

13. And what if he were re-elected?

Rob Ford was not a political unknown in Toronto, his reputation as an uncouth psychopath was well established. The issue in Toronto is that local politics are so throughly broken and the divide between the original city and amalgamated suburbs so caustic that many voters feel there is nothing left to do but vote for the "FUCK YOU" candidate.

Virtually everyone I have met who voted for Rob Ford didn't see themselves as voting for this guy:



They were just raising a middle finger to a city government they had lost all faith in.

[Jack Rabbit]

18. Well, Senator, they've had their little joke now

. . . and it isn't funny. Are they still laughing in Toronto?

If there is reason to have no faith in the Toronto city government, what makes anybody think the Council will strip Ford of specific powers? Even if they did, that would be further reason to have no faith in the city council. They would just have to restore those powers, assuming any mayor would actually need them, once a healthier man becomes mayor.

I don't where Rob Ford stands on this or that issue, but this isn't about politics. From where I sit, Ford looks like a sick man who needs to take a long vacation. For his sake as well as the sake of Toronto, he should step down or be removed.

Doesn't the council have any way to remove him without resorting to a snap election?

If they need a snap election, given what you have said, I certainly hope a candidate emerges who will be worth electing. Flipping the bird at city government by electing a clown mayor, whether or not he can help being a clown, is not a good way to conduct city business.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

27. The people who are laughing don't consider themselves part of Toronto,

so much as they consider themselves to be under enemy occupation.

[Blue Owl]

5. Soon he'll be livin' in a VAN down by the RIVER

[Divernan]

15. Playing this jagoff in a film is a role made for Chris Farley! RIP, Chris.

[ColumbusLib]

29. It is uncanny

How much this man looks like Chris Farley

[Crowman1979]

6. Uh yeah, I think somebody better call the Premier of Ontario ASAP!

Especially when the provincial parliament is only a few blocks away. Hell, call the Lieutenant-Governor while you're at it.

[KamaAina]

7. Now, now, people.

Why don't we all sit down, smoke some crack, and discuss this like rational adults?

[christx30]

9. Smoking crack is ok

as long as you are a raging alcoholic with anger issues. Now, if you're pardon me, I'm going to an "all you can eat" place for lunch.

[nolabear]

8. Looked to me like he was heading for someone else and she gave up the body.

And you do NOT want to get in that man's way.

Honestly, he needs a time out for about a year.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

11. His brother was threatening people in the gallery at the time.

"I apologize if anyone was offended that I ran to assist my brother who I thought was in an altercation"

Seriously....he said that.

[nolabear]

12. Oh well that explains everything.

There are TWO of them!

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

10. Been watching/listening for two hours. Amazing

They are too fucking polite to this asshole up there.

[pa28]

16. Sounded to me like he was gunning for some hecklers in the audience.

Sometimes you need to forget about process. They should run the guy into rehab for his own good and let the rest work itself out.

[freshwest]

17. NO CHARGES?! 'Pam McConnell, who is barely five-feet tall, was knocked from her feet'

What would have happened if a regular citizen had done this there?

What's up, Canada?

[Comrade Grumpy]

19. Everything isn't a fucking crime. Sorry.

[polly7]

24. ugh ....

and this fool wants to be Prime Minister.

*'ing idiot.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

14. Ford: "You have just attacked Kuwait"

"You all were warned. I will do everything in my power to defeat you in the next election"

[ReRe]

20. Bobby Monnahan....

.... nailed this guy on SNL. Did everyone see it?

[Riftaxe]

22. This one?

[ReRe]

23. Yeah...

... that one. Thanks for adding the link.

[Riftaxe]

21. First Andy Kaufman, and now

it appears Chris Farley also faked his own death and has moved to Toronto....

[47of74]

25. The guy is a walking Charlie Foxtrot

I was going to say "the dude is a..." but that would be disrespectful to The Dude.

[gopiscrap]

26. that guy is such a buffoon

[tom_kelly]

28. Jack Layton

Unfortunately, my friend Jack isn't here to watch this. In fact I don't think it would be going on if it was. Its been a while since he was mayor but he was, and still is rest his soul, a positive difference maker.

[Monk06]

30. This guy is destroying Harper's chances in the next election. We should be thanking him.

He is the image of the average Tory voter stripped of all restraint. Boorish, illiterate and deeply hateful toward minorities and working people.

Typical son of a connected Tory grey beard who got ahead through his father's political connections and a lucrative family business, which the dumb ass inherited through his family's holding company. He never built or accomplished anything on his own.

He's also a failed football player who was fired from both high school coaching jobs he held for abusive behavior toward his players. He has had anger management issues for a very long time.