Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Friday, May 24, 2013

Rob Ford throws gasoline on the fire at city hall

At a time when he most needs trusted advice and the steady hand of a chief of staff familiar with his peculiarities, Mayor Rob Ford fired his office boss Thursday, apparently in a fit of anger.

Go figure.

While city councillors pleaded for stability and calm assurance from the chief magistrate, Ford tossed the city another grenade — the unprecedented spectacle of security staff escorting the mayor’s top political aide from city hall, cameras rolling, reporters in tow.

“It’s a train wreck in a very vulnerable time,” observed Councillor Jaye Robinson, taking time out of chairing the community development and recreation committee.

The bone of contention between Ford and the departing Mark Towhey, reports Robinson, is apparently a disagreement over, yes, football. She then observes that “football” has been a running theme in the mayor’s term of office — and a constant source of controversy.

But, in football, you don’t change the quarterback who brought you season-long success on the eve of a big playoff game — unless you are reckless or desperate.

Mayor Ford seems to be both — dodging reporters, refusing to tell the public details of why he’s dismissed as “ridiculous” allegations a video captured him apparently smoking crack cocaine at an Etobicoke home in the last six months.

On Day 7 of the crisis of confidence, instead of resting, the issue exploded into new realms, leaving city councillors flummoxed.

Councillors paraded to the mass of media microphones outside the mayor’s office to call on Ford to come clean and admit the drug use, or come strong and deny it with unequivocal force.

Instead, the mayor threw gasoline on the fire.

Most reporters assumed the Towhey firing had to do with his handling or mishandling of the mayor’s response to the crack cocaine allegations. Did he disagree with the mayor, object to the mayor’s stance, or object too strenuously to the statement issued by the mayor’s brother on Wednesday — a performance routinely panned by experts in communications and crisis management?

How could “football” play into the upheaval, especially in light of Ford dismissal from the thing he loves above all else? It is inconceivable that the silence over the crack issue isn’t at the root of Towhey’s dismissal; but it is also inconceivable that a mayor with Ford’s financial resources would have to go to a random house to score crack cocaine — and be foolish enough to be videotaped indulging. Yet, that is the evidence awaiting authentication or strong denial.

For seven days we’ve received neither. Two Toronto Star reporters who’ve seen the video say they believe it is Rob Ford and it sure looks like he’s doing crack. Adding to the intrigue is this: The celebrity website Gawker.com now reports it has tried and failed to contact the source of the video since Sunday — casting doubt on whether the offer to sell the video for $200,000 is still on the table.

Gawker has raised more than $158,000 with a few days to go in the online campaign to gather the funds.

Councillor Jaye Robinson is not prone to exaggeration, nor flights of fancy. She’s struggled with Mayor Ford’s turbulent regime, considered quitting his executive committee more than once, but managed to stay on the team, breaking ranks only on matters of deep conscience or political self-preservation.

So when she describes the atmosphere at city hall as a “crisis,” or “continuing controversy,” “unsettled,” and “upheaval” you get the picture. As such, the Towhey firing is “ill-timed,” Robinson said Thursday. A mayor’s office, already critically understaffed, Robinson said, is without their leader.

It’s not that Towhey was any kind of mastermind; or Ford’s indispensable appendage. He rubbed many city councillors the wrong way. An unyielding bulldog, much like the mayor, he too often acted as if Ford was a premier with party power and discipline. Councillors complained of being threatened and disrespected. Few will be shedding tears over his dismissal.

But he was the mayor’s guy from the election campaign — someone Mayor Ford held on to, even though Towhey famously clashed with the mayor’s brother, Councillor Doug Ford. He was also the third chief of staff in 30 months.

What is the plan? Is there one? Is the mayor listening to any advice he’s received?

There is a fine line between steadfast and stubborn, resolute and recalcitrant, an ox and an ass. The mayor crossed over a long time ago in the minds of many; one or two more days of ducking the illegal drug use issue and even Ford Nation will be shaken.

If Mayor Rob Ford were a hostage taker, police negotiators would be wasting their time trying to talk him out of it. They would have to call in the SWAT team. And with all options exhausted, Ford is the type of person who would choose suicide by cop rather than back down.

From everything emanating out of city hall this week, it appears Mayor Ford is prepared to risk going out in a blaze of glory.

What sustains him is this: he’s beaten the odds many times before. He just may think himself invincible.

Original Article
Source: thestar.com
Author: Royson James

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