Wayner
December 2, 2011 / 11:53

Brilliant!

Cheers!

Mississauga Phil
December 2, 2011 / 12:43

Yeah, but the Star twists everything to it's own viewpoint. I'm no fan of Ford, but if I were a public figure, I'd have no time for the star either.....see Freddi P's blog post on the Star's story: The face of education, is it too white? An extremly underqualified teacher cried racism when he did not get a promotion and the star agreed. My cousin is in this idiots class and she tells me he's one of the worst teachers she's ever had.

Cambo
December 2, 2011 / 13:05

I agree with Phil.

There's fair reporting, and then there's The Star's twisted and warped view. Anything Blue (which itself is ironic), they hate. Just because it's Blue- and not because it makes sense.

I refuse to pay for the Star, as I find their rhetoric tiring, old and nothing better than "News of the World" in England. There are much better papers out there with more middle-of-the-road reporting.

Catchacoma
December 2, 2011 / 13:06

I knew it, I just knew I should not have tuned in the Russell Peters Christmas. What a piece of crap show. The skits were so bad it made me squirm. I do not know how he gets away as a headliner.

elvis
December 2, 2011 / 13:09

I see both sides. They have the right to freedom of the press. I don't know if being on a list to receive notifications and/or press releases from the mayor's office is a violation of that right. Honestly, I could go either way.

Write this down. elvis is sitting on the fence.

Bob Loblaw
December 2, 2011 / 14:48

@catchacoma...so trew..I tuffed it out for 18 minutes then switched to the chicken channel...It was better...
If I had a Bottle of Pine-Sol close by I would have chugged It...

Mississauga Phil
December 2, 2011 / 15:10

@ Toronto Mike - I do agree that in terms of press releases and such it has to be an even field. That being said, the Star is supposed to be fair and balenced and they are niether. If Ford is expected to play nice, should the Star be held to a similar standard??

I feel like I'm defending Rob Ford and I really don't want to do that, but The Star is far too self serving, they warp the news to fit their viewpoint.

MrFascination
December 2, 2011 / 15:20

It's Funny How All The Same People Don't Like Rob Ford..

Rob Ford Has Made Plenty Of Mistakes... But His Idea's For The Most Part Are Right. Their Is Plenty of Gravy, He's Just Going About The Wrong Way Of Finding It.

As For The Toronto Star... They Are The Direst Of Players - And When Someone Give It Back To Them They Cry The Blues - That's Why I Cancelled My Subscription.

Cheryl
December 2, 2011 / 15:32

Well, I think it's Rob Ford's choice if he doesn't want to talk to the Star. That's what it is. Hey, this is freedom. Go Habs.

Mississauga Phil
December 2, 2011 / 15:36

@ Mr Fascination - The first place the gravy should have been cut is in councillors salaries and expense accts. These people try to claim gifts for their families as expenses.

MrFascination
December 2, 2011 / 15:45

Mississauga Phil, Your Right... What Also Makes Me Laugh And When Ford Asks The Different Departments To Cut Their Own Budgets By 10%.. Of Course They Come Back With Less The Answer "Oh We Can Only Find 2-3%"!!! - Of Course These People Have Gotten Use To The Gravy So They Don't See How Good They Have It. They Have NO IDEA What The Private Sector Has To Deal With... Trust me, I'm A Business Owner And I've Had To Cut More Than 10% In The Past Few Years - More Like 30-40%.

Have A Private Auditor Come In And Look. Believe Me They Will Find More Than 10%.

J9
December 2, 2011 / 16:12

I agree with Toronto Mike, the TO Star should get official notices from the City of Toronto's office.

As a politician, there will be plenty written about you that you do not like, on a personal level. However, city politics is not about you, the individual. You, the individual, should not have the power to block access to public information. Strikes me as a bit of an abuse of power.

And if you think the TO Star is biased, what does that make the Sun? All newspapers have some sort of editorial/political slant.

Jacob
December 2, 2011 / 16:13

The Star should probably act more maturely, but if Rob Ford treated them better they may have treated him better.

Pissing off the media is a good way to have their knives out against you.

Irvine
December 2, 2011 / 17:23

@MissPhil:

Sorry Phil, I can't buy your argument. Sure, the Star is biased but so is the Toronto Sun, Globe and Post. Ford is cutting out The Star because he dislikes that the newspaper espouses "left wing" ideals. This is partisan politics and it's payback. And it's petty.

Quite honestly, I find Rob Ford to be one big loser. Here is a man that stated specifically that there would be no layoffs or no cutbacks to services. It was an outright lie. His avoidance of Gay Pride was just stupid politics. You're the mayor of a major city, your job is to embrace and represent ALL citizens. His excuse that he traditionally goes to the cottage is apparent bullshit too. I read numerous articles that Ford was around on the long weekend in years past. Let me say it for you dude. He ignored gay pride because he really doesn't like associating with "fags". Rather than admit the truth he makes up some nonsense about going to see his family.

When you sign up for the job of mayor of a major city, you should expect to butt heads with the media. That's to be expected when you're a public figurehead for a major city & a politician.

But you see man, Ford deserves this. I've seen countless snippets of Ford on Youtube & on the news. He's an arrogant, bellicose asshole that doesn't respect people. He excludes huge swaths of the the citizens in Toronto & it WILL be his undoing. Rob Ford is a one term mayor, I guarantee it. Ford is Mr Slogan, using the same old tired rhetoric we've heard before "Stop the Gravy Train". What gravy train? Toronto is a city that's in a state of decay. There hasn't been money in the system since Harris downloaded the provincial governments costs on to the municipalities. Ford's "fix" for Toronto is like having a lung cancer patient switch to "menthol lights".

Finally, before I'm accused of being a "left wing pinko", let me assure you I am not. I'm a self employed, free market Calgary that believes in small government. I believe in the privatization of most government services (including transit). But I EXPECT ALL politicians to carry themselves with class & decorum.

Funny, just a few days ago we had a giant debate on the rising rudeness of people. Everyone agreed. Yet they take no issue with Rob Ford who is a rude, in your face bully. Great example for your kids. The leader of their city is a loud belligerent asshole

As for the comments about Rob Ford being fat. He is not fat. He is overly obese. You can hear him breathe when he's on the Mic and he can barely keep his eyes open. He should maybe consider the effects of his lifestyle & the costs to the public health care system. Some of us "right wing" dudes still believe in personal responsibility.

Teena in Toronto
December 2, 2011 / 17:40

Ford is a clown :(

jason
December 2, 2011 / 17:44

This isn't about politics . The Star lied about Ford hitting kids. I wouldn't speak to them either

Cheryl
December 2, 2011 / 18:37

Again it's Ford's choice if he wanted to go to gay pride or not. Why should people care if he was there or not. Go Habs.

Irvine
December 2, 2011 / 19:30

@Cheryl. The CEO isnt required to attend the company Christmas party. They do. Pride is a huge festival and tax generator for Toronto. Maybe you dont work in the corporate world but i do. Its a little thing called optics

elvis
December 2, 2011 / 19:57

Funny Irvine - you don't care about your own optics.

Argie
December 2, 2011 / 21:05

I agree with Elvis, Irv should love Ford. He's the anti-politician - and I think its great. He doesn't endorse the lifestyle of the unhappy and sexually confused pride crowd so why should he attend???

You have to respect the fact he speaks his mind. Yes, he's a bad public speaker, he's fat and clearly looks uncomfortable on TV but his mandate has been to balanced the budget (something the previous commie mayor had no clue on how to do).

Si Irv, you may love your gay muslim mayor but I'll take our fat, Christian conservative mayor here in Toronto. Now, we're both happy, right?

Tee
December 2, 2011 / 22:11

The Star complaining to the Integrity Commissioner reminds me of a story about a kettle and a pot. The Star endorsed Stephane Dione before the writ was even dropped and they have the audacity to complain about integrity?

If the big corporation Torstar apologizes for their libel against a private citizen, than they can again receive access that other media receive.

Besides freedom of the press means freedom from the press (lefties always complain about freedom from religion).

Toronto. Built. Ford. Tough.

kyle
December 2, 2011 / 22:32

@Tee
yes, freedom of the press means freedom from the press, but Ford is not a member of the press, he is the head of the municipal government. can't pick and choose who you serve.

Rick C in Oakville
December 2, 2011 / 23:17

The Star is reaping what hey have sown. I've never seen a politician targeted directly like Ford has been by the Star, Now Magazine and the left media. Miller never was never poked this personally, by the Sun. Looks good on them.

Jacob
December 3, 2011 / 01:06

Rick C: Whenever I flipped through a copy of the Sun while waiting for a burger, it was filled with bile towards Miller and his administration.

Although, I suppose they had a bit of trouble picking on Miller personally. He was an upstanding citizen, well spoken, and a decent role model.

Romy
December 3, 2011 / 03:50

@Irvine

You make excellent points. Well said.

Tee
December 3, 2011 / 08:23

@kyle
Ford is serving the people, not the corporate interests of Torstar

Freddie P.
December 3, 2011 / 08:37

@Irvine and Romy
I love what Ford is doing, it shows balls and conviction. The Star gets away with too much.
Romy if it was a lefty Mayor doing this to the Sun you'd be blowin' buckets of groin glue.
One more point, if garbage collectors getting triple time on Remembrance Day wasn't enough "gravy" for ya, then your head's up your ass.

Suburb Steve
December 3, 2011 / 08:59

Mike, not surprising you would disagree with any decision that Rob Ford makes. But, do you agree with the Star printing blatant lies and character assassination?

Corey
December 3, 2011 / 10:12

@ Romy - Irvine didn't make excellent points at all. Coming down on Ford for being a "loud belligerent asshole" practically made me spray my morning coffee everywhere. I don't think there's a louder, more belligerent poster around than Irvine.
"I read numerous articles that Ford was around on the long weekend in years past." Really? Cite them, because I didn't read any. I did read a lot of online articles on the Gay Pride thing, and one thing I noted was whatever the source, be it cbc.ca, thestar.com, or the torontosun.com, the overwhelming majority of comments supported Ford in his decision. "Optics" on this one didn't hurt Ford one bit. The hysterical minority of people pissing and moaning about him not attending would never vote for Ford anyway. Everyone else couldn't have cared less.

So Irvine, I assume you're one of those that believe since Ford didn't attend that one event, he's "excluded" the gay community (what a fragile community that must be!). What are the other "huge swaths" of Toronto's population that he's excluded?

On the subject at hand, the Star had a boner for George Smitherman. They ran a very deliberate, frankly shocking campaign against Ford in which all of their high profile columnists repeatedly attacked him, bordering on smearing him. When the dust settled, their horse lost, and they've been bitter ever since.

I'm certain that Rob Ford is an unpleasant person who I wouldn't want to spend time with. He doesn't seem to have an ounce of media savvy, and can't speak off the cuff. He projects an awkward, nervous energy that makes people uncomfortable. He's fat and sweaty. It seems to me that these traits are what everyone ends up focusing on, and really have absolutely no relevance to his duties as Mayor of Toronto.

Cheryl
December 3, 2011 / 12:36

Well, who cares if Ford was at the Gay Pride Parade or not. No big deal. Why should we care. Go Habs.

Marie
December 4, 2011 / 09:25

Here is another viewpoint on this from the Toronto Sun
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/11/10/levy-press-freedom-for-all-at-city-hall

Ajax Mike
December 4, 2011 / 12:29

@Marie

...which again misses the point. Politicians are welcome to avoid/ignore journalists that they feel slighted by. Freedom of speech and all that.

The problem, as has been stated many times above, is that Ford is turning his personal dislike into Public Policy. Not including the city's most popular paper on public press releases and the like is just petty.

twins from bolton
December 4, 2011 / 13:43

Ford is responsible for "babysitting" Toronto which has been happening since I lived there in 1999. Other Mayors in the past - spend, spend & MORE spend.

He's trying to have a budget that works with his "cuts" for USELESS, OVERPAID & EXTRA staff everywhere.

It's time Ford took a Stance & increase property taxes to other areas in the GTA.

My taxes have MORE than doubled since 2000, with less amenities & I'm NOT complaining. That's the economy for YA.

Ford is just doing his job & media don't like it, but too bad as they listen to the readers.

Corey
December 4, 2011 / 21:11

@ajax mike

how many important stories related to the running of the city of Toronto has the Star missed out on?

Corey
December 4, 2011 / 23:16

Toronto Mike - maybe you'll reply to my question, since your namesake in Ajax hasn't.

Romy
December 5, 2011 / 09:09

@Freddiep

Sorry, I should have elaborated more. Specifically, I think Irvine is absolutely correct in his pointing out of the fact that: "You're the mayor of a major city, your job is to embrace and represent ALL citizens."

THAT's the job you ran for. It's not your personal fiefdom. You have to deal with people you don't like and do some things you don't enjoy (like talking to journalists who rip you or shaking the hand off a representative of Toronto's Pride Week). Sorry Rob. Be a big boy. It's not dad's company or your own private venture. It's a public job. You're the mayor of one of the biggest and most diverse cities in North America. You were elected to represent ALL of the people of Toronto.

Even Stephan Harper wouldn't (I don't think) tell his staff not to contact the CBC when he was holding a press briefing because he didn't like something a reporter said, or refuse to shake the hand of some politician or representative of a cause he didn't agree with at a governmental reception. Harper is a lot of things, but I have no doubt he respects the office and tries to do it the justice it deserves.

Rob Ford doesn't. He carries on like a spoiled boy who is used to getting everything he wants. When he doesn't, he throws his toys out of the crib.

"Balls and conviction.." How about ill-thought out and immature?

Fodder for your podcast. Have a nice day.

Corey
December 5, 2011 / 11:23

@ Toronto Mike.  I would argue that it is precisely the point.  The Toronto Star has not been prevented from reporting on the goings on at City Hall, or writing op-ed pieces about the current city administration.  It might be somewhat less convenient for them (i.e.: they are no longer being "spoonfed" to use Levy's term) but it's hardly proven to be much of an obstacle for them.  In reality, it's simply an embarrassment for John Honderich.  If Ford had issued a full media blackout except to the Toronto Sun, I'd be worried.  That might demonstrate "flagrant disregard" for the Charter of Rights and Freedom, but that's not what's happening here.  This is obviously symbolic posturing against the Star which is probably childish, but to the Star I'd say, "You reap what you sow."

Mississauga Phil
December 5, 2011 / 13:48

The posting from the Sun that Marie shared is very enlightening. I don't ever recall the Star complaining when Miller's people shut the Sun out, nor does the sun run front page stories about current politicians not returning calls.

Does anyone remember when journalists actually had to dig to get thier stories?? You'd never have a watergate now because the mainstream media is too afraid of the reprocussions from politicians/big business if they dig too deep.

I think both the media and the politicians need to remember that they are supposed to work for the PEOPLE, not themselves.

Being a mayor/councillor/primier is supposed to be a life of public service, not a life of filling the bank accounts of you and your friends....

Rick C in Oakville
December 5, 2011 / 22:10

If what I heard on CFRB today is true, the Star got it wrong again, not fully investigating the story before jumping to print on the UFC bullying story with Doug Ford. Why don't they just give up and save themselves the embarassment as they slide into oblivion.

Justin
December 31, 2011 / 11:23

Would Ford be obligated to send his press releases to the National Enquirer, or would they, like most other baseless tabloids, have to come to city hall and pick up that release?

Well... The Toronto Star is our local National Enquirer

Barbas
January 9, 2012 / 13:10

All the people can said anything about Rob Ford, but remember YOU VOTE FOR HIM yes you!!! he won the election in 15 minutes with BIG MAYORIT, now like ALL the politician he @#$%^ you up, and you and you!!! The solution to this problem(2), First like any boss Solution 2 go cry in the back room and take it like a man, and wait for next time and vote with caution... my opinion, oh by the way I live in Vaughan.