Robbie, authorize the police to release the:
UNEDITED 911 POLICE TAPES
"Fat f*cking chance, you bitches."
You … bitches! Don’t you f---ing know? I’m Rob f---ing Ford, the mayor of this city
- Thread starter fuji
- Start date
UNEDITED 911 POLICE TAPES
"Fat f*cking chance, you bitches."
From what I've been reading, that's quite possible and would be much worse than what Ford did. Time will tell."You … bitches! Don't you f--king know? I'm Rob f--king Ford, the mayor of this city!"
This alleged quote and the title of this thread are apparently wishful delusional bullshit.
I think Blair should take a CBC executive in to listen to the tapes and then they can offer a retraction and apology to Ford.
Oh, the irony. I predict he will do more good in the community in one week than you ever will. Useless.I predict Ford is just a mean-hearted slob
Awfully quiet in here all of a sudden. Where did all you pathetic, bloodthirsty geniuses go? Truth got your tongue?
Nothing wishful about it. That's totally who that guy is. Haven't you watched any of the youtube videos of this clown?"You … bitches! Don't you f--king know? I'm Rob f--king Ford, the mayor of this city!"
This alleged quote and the title of this thread are apparently wishful delusional bullshit.
Any human being who isn't hopelessly caught in cross party rhetoric can 100% see Ford shitting on the 911 operator. To me it's not the sin that some people think it is. To me it's the incredible weasel-ness of pretending he was frightened when he was just pissed off by this CBC trickster being on his terra firma, and instead of being WHO HE REALLY IS, which is a short-tempered whackjob, and telling her a) Get the fuck off my property cunt! (Bitch!?) or b) Can we please do this later and could you get off my property?....he smiled, smiled, haha yes, haha (fucking cunt) and then called 911, which is for EMERGENCIES, not for...please get the cops to take this cunt away.
(I could insert some commentary about one of the bus stops along the way to fascism is when the tricksters of the culture are no longer laughed at, but executed, but hey, no one's listening on this board.)
I think it's totally fair game for him to have said a) or b), but all the rest of the right wing hysteric defences of this are just so tiresome. Don't you understand he's had death threats! Even Worthington has a piece today calling him out. What's amazing is how many morons on here keep saying it happened another way, when THE CBC AIRED EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. He's smiling away, and he ain't trapped. He's....just.....pissed.
Someone on another board made a very smart point, which if his daughter was really in the car or close to him, his first priority if she really was scared would have been for Ford to simply say "It's okay honey, it's just fun."
As James t. kirk mentioned, this will be his final moment. His career is now over. It's one thing to have disappointed some of the people who voted for you, it's another to come across as the thin skinned nut crybaby. Ironically, David Miller seems much tougher than him by comparison. Typical of bullies once they're unmasked.
So releasing the tapes will be anti-climatic, because he's already shown who he really, really is.
It's over for him.
The truth is in the unedited 911 police tapes......not what in Chief "Boss Blair" hath proclaimed nor in what police-lapdog Robbie avers.Awfully quiet in here all of a sudden. Where did all you pathetic, bloodthirsty geniuses go? Truth got your tongue?
"Make it all go away Billy", lick, lick lick.
"Don't worry my little lap-puppy. I proclaim you innocent and the case closed. I'm looking at 200 new officers for next year."
Robbie WILL NEVER authorize the release of the tapes.
All but the lap-puppies know why.
I agree that he should take a CBC executive to listen to the UNEDITED tapes. Fat f*cken chance that he will. He hath proclaimed the case fully covered up and closed."You … bitches! Don't you f--king know? I'm Rob f--king Ford, the mayor of this city!"
This alleged quote and the title of this thread are apparently wishful delusional bullshit.
I think Blair should take a CBC executive in to listen to the tapes and then they can offer a retraction and apology to Ford.
"Make it all go away".
1. Ford was wrong.Sorry. Ford was right. He has received death threats and threats to his children. Some morons show up at his house and he's in the wrong? Are you fucking kidding me? No public figure of any political stripe should be bothered at their home. City Hall... great..... any other public space where he is appearing.....great. CBC crossed the line and should be the apologist here. Anyone who thinks it is o.k. to confront this guy at his home is a certified fucking whack job.
What we should be talking about is the 1.1 billion dollars of taxpayer money we give to this shithole broadcaster that nobody watches for anything other than hockey.
2. His kids have not received death threats
3. Harper invited 22 minutes into 24 Sussex Drive
4. I like the CBC and I don't watch hockey.
The let Mayor McCheese agree to release the 911 tapes.There are reports that on the 911 call you can hear a girl crying in the background. Still funny to you?
If there's any kids crying, my bet is because she was terrified of the old man's legendary temper.
I am not claiming that quote would be completely out of character and impossible to believe.Nothing wishful about it. That's totally who that guy is. Haven't you watched any of the youtube videos of this clown?
I am saying that I believe Blair and the other police sources who claim that this quote is bullshit.
There is plenty of real material to attack Ford with and fawning over a fantasy quote is delusional wishful thinking.
lol...1. Ford was wrong.
2. His kids have not received death threats
3. Harper invited 22 minutes into 24 Sussex Drive
4. I like the CBC and I don't watch hockey.
She really is great.You hit it right on the nail's head. Consider how many public figures over the years that have been ambushed by this comedy show. I cannot remember anyone not taking it in good humour.
Can't imagine a similar show and character getting away with a similar schtick in the US of A.
She really is great.
Can't imagine a similar show and character getting away with a similar schtick in the US of A.
I can.
http://youtu.be/KKh0P9o6y18
TORONTO - Turns out it’s not just This Hour Has 22 Minutes that’s the comedy show — but the whole CBC network.
Even though the journalistic community is laughing at them, there is nothing funny about the systematic and erroneous attacks on Mayor Rob Ford and an apparent lack of respect for the truth.
When you report sources saying the mayor “turned on the dispatcher, yelling: “You … bitches! Don’t you f---ing know? I’m Rob f---ing Ford, the mayor of this city!” and it’s not true, you had better get on your knees and beg for forgiveness.
Instead, the arrogant Mother Corp is digging itself in even deeper.
Even after Chief William Blair came out with a statement clearing the mayor of saying anything remotely similar to what they reported and continued to push, they are still clinging to their nonsensical assertion that Ford called 911 operators “bitches.”
“The content of those conversations has been misrepresented by what are claimed to be ‘several anonymous sources,’ presumably from within the TPS, in which case I have to set the record straight,” wrote the chief. “I have listened to the three emergency calls. The mayor did not use the word “bitches,” attributed to him by those ‘several anonymous sources.’ The mayor did not describe himself as the original account claimed.”
So you think the next thing coming from the CBC would be an apology to Mayor Ford and to their audience. Instead, spokesman Chris Ball wrote “we have multiple, credible, well-placed sources within TPS, including a dispatcher, we are reporting what was told to us.”
They need Marg Delahunty back in the loop and her laugh track.
“Multiple, credible, well-placed sources within the TPS, including a dispatcher?”
More well placed than the chief?
Rule One in sourced journalism is you don’t ever reveal sources. So by saying, multiple, credible and well-placed sources you are dangerously close to exposing them.
It also puts the chief in a position where he will have no choice but to internally investigate to see who the hell is making a mess of the integrity his 911 unit.
And by identifying a dispatcher, it puts him or her on the line in a way that could result in criminal charges.
Not nice when it’s up to the organization to vet what it airs or prints. Once you decide to go with a source’s information, you own it. Hanging out sources does not take the CBC off the hook. If the sources were wrong, those who chose to go with them must resign.
This whole affair must have journalistic icon Knowlton Nash spinning in his grave and he’s not even dead. There are so many great CBC journalists who deserve better representation.
Now the CBC, which has not ever produced this taped call and not indicated if it ever even heard it, must bring forward signed accounts from these “multiple, credible and well-placed sources and this dispatcher” who can prove the mayor and the chief of police are lying.
If they don’t, the head of the CBC news, the producers who signed off on it and the reporter should all be removed.
Anything short of a smoking gun being displayed immediately makes it difficult to imagine how its OK with the CBC brass to abuse a mayor of Toronto.
It’s a scandalous disgrace.
Meanwhile, the chief did the right thing here. He was, sources say, in Chicago for the first day of the mess but dove in to get the truth as soon as he returned. He has not said anything about an internal investigation but you can be sure it did not go over well with him that there is this kind of tomfoolery going on inside the TPS. I would not want to be that dispatcher.
Also in play for the chief is his understanding there were some in the Ford camp feeling this was an orchestrated police smear campaign, stemming from the tough budget battle.
The mayor and several of his supporters, I am told, were appreciative the chief set the record straight and now believe this may have been nothing more than shoddy journalism and reported gossip.
But really this story is about a lot more than just unprofessional reporting. This story is about the War on Ford and how far some will stoop to win it.
Leaking this information to a reporter was vicious. But reporting it without having heard the tape was egregious.
Unless the CBC today can have this dispatcher come forward and play a tape to back up everything they have reported, they are wrong and should immediately apologize and take immediate action to shore up with is left of their integrity.
Otherwise they are nothing but a punchline.
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/10/28/cbcs-comedy-of-errors
Even though the journalistic community is laughing at them, there is nothing funny about the systematic and erroneous attacks on Mayor Rob Ford and an apparent lack of respect for the truth.
When you report sources saying the mayor “turned on the dispatcher, yelling: “You … bitches! Don’t you f---ing know? I’m Rob f---ing Ford, the mayor of this city!” and it’s not true, you had better get on your knees and beg for forgiveness.
Instead, the arrogant Mother Corp is digging itself in even deeper.
Even after Chief William Blair came out with a statement clearing the mayor of saying anything remotely similar to what they reported and continued to push, they are still clinging to their nonsensical assertion that Ford called 911 operators “bitches.”
“The content of those conversations has been misrepresented by what are claimed to be ‘several anonymous sources,’ presumably from within the TPS, in which case I have to set the record straight,” wrote the chief. “I have listened to the three emergency calls. The mayor did not use the word “bitches,” attributed to him by those ‘several anonymous sources.’ The mayor did not describe himself as the original account claimed.”
So you think the next thing coming from the CBC would be an apology to Mayor Ford and to their audience. Instead, spokesman Chris Ball wrote “we have multiple, credible, well-placed sources within TPS, including a dispatcher, we are reporting what was told to us.”
They need Marg Delahunty back in the loop and her laugh track.
“Multiple, credible, well-placed sources within the TPS, including a dispatcher?”
More well placed than the chief?
Rule One in sourced journalism is you don’t ever reveal sources. So by saying, multiple, credible and well-placed sources you are dangerously close to exposing them.
It also puts the chief in a position where he will have no choice but to internally investigate to see who the hell is making a mess of the integrity his 911 unit.
And by identifying a dispatcher, it puts him or her on the line in a way that could result in criminal charges.
Not nice when it’s up to the organization to vet what it airs or prints. Once you decide to go with a source’s information, you own it. Hanging out sources does not take the CBC off the hook. If the sources were wrong, those who chose to go with them must resign.
This whole affair must have journalistic icon Knowlton Nash spinning in his grave and he’s not even dead. There are so many great CBC journalists who deserve better representation.
Now the CBC, which has not ever produced this taped call and not indicated if it ever even heard it, must bring forward signed accounts from these “multiple, credible and well-placed sources and this dispatcher” who can prove the mayor and the chief of police are lying.
If they don’t, the head of the CBC news, the producers who signed off on it and the reporter should all be removed.
Anything short of a smoking gun being displayed immediately makes it difficult to imagine how its OK with the CBC brass to abuse a mayor of Toronto.
It’s a scandalous disgrace.
Meanwhile, the chief did the right thing here. He was, sources say, in Chicago for the first day of the mess but dove in to get the truth as soon as he returned. He has not said anything about an internal investigation but you can be sure it did not go over well with him that there is this kind of tomfoolery going on inside the TPS. I would not want to be that dispatcher.
Also in play for the chief is his understanding there were some in the Ford camp feeling this was an orchestrated police smear campaign, stemming from the tough budget battle.
The mayor and several of his supporters, I am told, were appreciative the chief set the record straight and now believe this may have been nothing more than shoddy journalism and reported gossip.
But really this story is about a lot more than just unprofessional reporting. This story is about the War on Ford and how far some will stoop to win it.
Leaking this information to a reporter was vicious. But reporting it without having heard the tape was egregious.
Unless the CBC today can have this dispatcher come forward and play a tape to back up everything they have reported, they are wrong and should immediately apologize and take immediate action to shore up with is left of their integrity.
Otherwise they are nothing but a punchline.
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/10/28/cbcs-comedy-of-errors
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The let Mayor McCheese agree to release the 911 tapes.
If there's any kids crying, my bet is because she was terrified of the old man's legendary temper.
His daughter wasn't crying because of the CBC crew...
Most six year old girls are gonna cry when their Dad is going yelling and screaming....
Chief Bill Blair's statement
"While it is not my practice to comment on 911 calls made to TPS emergency operators, serious allegations have been made about what was said during a series of three calls involving the mayor, and whether there was any abuse of the 911 service.
"I'm concerned that this may have created confusion with the public about whether to call 911 or not. I cannot allow that to happen. Public safety is too important. Let me be clear. Anyone who has concerns for their safety, or the safety of their family, should call 911 without hesitation.
"I also feel it is necessary to set the record straight about the conversations. There have been no complaints by any members of the TPS about the 911 conversations.
"The content of those conversations has been misrepresented by what are claimed to be 'several anonymous sources,' presumably from within the TPS, in which case I have to set the record straight. I have listened to the three emergency calls. The mayor did not use the word 'bitches,' attributed to him by those 'several anonymous sources.' The mayor did not describe himself as the original account claimed.
"Emergency calls involve people who are under stress, trying to communicate with emergency operators. Those operators work under great pressure, trying to get vital information from people, who are extremely anxious, so the proper police resources can be deployed. Our emergency operators are extremely well trained, equipped to deal with the most difficult situations. What is most important, above all else, is that public safety is protected."
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/10/28/ford-toronto-police.html
Ford didn't berate Toronto 911 staff: police chief
Toronto police Chief Bill Blair has waded into the controversy surrounding Mayor Rob Ford and his 911 calls earlier this week.
In a statement released late Friday afternoon, Blair is adamant that the mayor did not call 911 operators "bitches" as was reported by CBC News on Thursday.
"The content of those conversations has been misrepresented by what are claimed to be 'several anonymous sources,' presumably from within the [Toronto Police Service], in which case I have to set the record straight. I have listened to the three emergency calls. The mayor did not use the word '*****es,' attributed to him by those 'several anonymous sources,' " the statement reads.
Blair goes on to say that "the mayor did not describe himself as the original account claimed."
The account Blair is referring to is a CBC News report that said the mayor turned on the dispatcher involved in one of his calls and said: "You … bitches! Don't you f--king know? I'm Rob f--king Ford, the mayor of this city!"
Blair said he was taking the unusual step of commenting on the calls because "serious allegations have been made about what was said during a series of three calls involving the mayor, and whether there was any abuse of the 911 service."
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/10/28/ford-toronto-police.html
Blair says Ford did not insult police dispatchers
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair says Rob Ford did not call police dispatchers "bitches" during three emergency 911 calls he made moments after a crew from a comedy TV show arrived unannounced at his home.
The Toronto mayor had been accused of verbally harassing 911 dispatchers in an emergency call after a crew from CBC's "This Hour Has 22 Minutes" ambushed him as he was exiting his Etobicoke home.
Police sources told CBC News that Ford became agitated while waiting for assistance and lost his temper in a subsequent phone call to the dispatchers.
In the call, Ford allegedly shouted: "You … bitches! Don't you f--king know? I'm Rob f--king Ford, the mayor of this city!"
Blair released a statement on Friday confirming that no one on the police force had issued a complaint about the calls.
"The content of those conversations has been misrepresented by what are claimed to be 'several anonymous sources,' presumably from within the TPS, in which case I have to set the record straight," Blair said.
"I have listened to the three emergency calls. The mayor did not use the word 'bitches,' attributed to him by those 'several anonymous sources.' The mayor did not describe himself as the original account claimed."
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/lo...says-blair-111028/20111028?hub=TorontoNewHome
Police chief comes to aid of Ford over 911 call controversy
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair has come to the defence of Rob Ford, issuing a statement that backs the mayor’s version of what took place during calls to emergency operators this week.
Mr. Ford has apologized for losing his cool in a conversation with a 911 dispatcher, acknowledging that in his frustration he used profanities that he now regrets. As part of that apology he said that he used the “F-word,” but denied a CBC report that he used “the bitch word,” in his calls to the dispatcher on Monday morning.
In a statement issued late Friday, Chief Blair said he felt the need to comment because of the “serious allegations” that are being made.
“The content of those conversations has been misrepresented by what are claimed to be ‘several anonymous sources,’ presumably from within the TPS, in which case I have to set the record straight,” the statement reads. “I have listened to the three emergency calls. The mayor did not use the word ‘bitches,’ attributed to him by those ‘several anonymous sources.’ The mayor did not describe himself as the original account claimed.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...ord-over-911-call-controversy/article2217981/
Ford didn’t use B-word in 911 call, police chief says
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair has listened to the tapes and says Mayor Rob Ford did not use the word “bitches” when he called 911 earlier this week.
“The content of those conversations has been misrepresented by what are claimed to be ‘several anonymous sources,’ presumably from within the TPS (Toronto Police Service), in which case I have to set the record straight,” he wrote in a statement released late Friday afternoon. “I have listened to the three emergency calls. The mayor did not use the word ‘bitches,’ attributed to him by those ‘several anonymous sources.’ The mayor did not describe himself as the original account claimed.”
http://www.thestar.com/news/article...use-b-word-in-911-call-police-chief-says?bn=1
"While it is not my practice to comment on 911 calls made to TPS emergency operators, serious allegations have been made about what was said during a series of three calls involving the mayor, and whether there was any abuse of the 911 service.
"I'm concerned that this may have created confusion with the public about whether to call 911 or not. I cannot allow that to happen. Public safety is too important. Let me be clear. Anyone who has concerns for their safety, or the safety of their family, should call 911 without hesitation.
"I also feel it is necessary to set the record straight about the conversations. There have been no complaints by any members of the TPS about the 911 conversations.
"The content of those conversations has been misrepresented by what are claimed to be 'several anonymous sources,' presumably from within the TPS, in which case I have to set the record straight. I have listened to the three emergency calls. The mayor did not use the word 'bitches,' attributed to him by those 'several anonymous sources.' The mayor did not describe himself as the original account claimed.
"Emergency calls involve people who are under stress, trying to communicate with emergency operators. Those operators work under great pressure, trying to get vital information from people, who are extremely anxious, so the proper police resources can be deployed. Our emergency operators are extremely well trained, equipped to deal with the most difficult situations. What is most important, above all else, is that public safety is protected."
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/10/28/ford-toronto-police.html
Ford didn't berate Toronto 911 staff: police chief
Toronto police Chief Bill Blair has waded into the controversy surrounding Mayor Rob Ford and his 911 calls earlier this week.
In a statement released late Friday afternoon, Blair is adamant that the mayor did not call 911 operators "bitches" as was reported by CBC News on Thursday.
"The content of those conversations has been misrepresented by what are claimed to be 'several anonymous sources,' presumably from within the [Toronto Police Service], in which case I have to set the record straight. I have listened to the three emergency calls. The mayor did not use the word '*****es,' attributed to him by those 'several anonymous sources,' " the statement reads.
Blair goes on to say that "the mayor did not describe himself as the original account claimed."
The account Blair is referring to is a CBC News report that said the mayor turned on the dispatcher involved in one of his calls and said: "You … bitches! Don't you f--king know? I'm Rob f--king Ford, the mayor of this city!"
Blair said he was taking the unusual step of commenting on the calls because "serious allegations have been made about what was said during a series of three calls involving the mayor, and whether there was any abuse of the 911 service."
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/10/28/ford-toronto-police.html
Blair says Ford did not insult police dispatchers
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair says Rob Ford did not call police dispatchers "bitches" during three emergency 911 calls he made moments after a crew from a comedy TV show arrived unannounced at his home.
The Toronto mayor had been accused of verbally harassing 911 dispatchers in an emergency call after a crew from CBC's "This Hour Has 22 Minutes" ambushed him as he was exiting his Etobicoke home.
Police sources told CBC News that Ford became agitated while waiting for assistance and lost his temper in a subsequent phone call to the dispatchers.
In the call, Ford allegedly shouted: "You … bitches! Don't you f--king know? I'm Rob f--king Ford, the mayor of this city!"
Blair released a statement on Friday confirming that no one on the police force had issued a complaint about the calls.
"The content of those conversations has been misrepresented by what are claimed to be 'several anonymous sources,' presumably from within the TPS, in which case I have to set the record straight," Blair said.
"I have listened to the three emergency calls. The mayor did not use the word 'bitches,' attributed to him by those 'several anonymous sources.' The mayor did not describe himself as the original account claimed."
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/lo...says-blair-111028/20111028?hub=TorontoNewHome
Police chief comes to aid of Ford over 911 call controversy
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair has come to the defence of Rob Ford, issuing a statement that backs the mayor’s version of what took place during calls to emergency operators this week.
Mr. Ford has apologized for losing his cool in a conversation with a 911 dispatcher, acknowledging that in his frustration he used profanities that he now regrets. As part of that apology he said that he used the “F-word,” but denied a CBC report that he used “the bitch word,” in his calls to the dispatcher on Monday morning.
In a statement issued late Friday, Chief Blair said he felt the need to comment because of the “serious allegations” that are being made.
“The content of those conversations has been misrepresented by what are claimed to be ‘several anonymous sources,’ presumably from within the TPS, in which case I have to set the record straight,” the statement reads. “I have listened to the three emergency calls. The mayor did not use the word ‘bitches,’ attributed to him by those ‘several anonymous sources.’ The mayor did not describe himself as the original account claimed.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...ord-over-911-call-controversy/article2217981/
Ford didn’t use B-word in 911 call, police chief says
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair has listened to the tapes and says Mayor Rob Ford did not use the word “bitches” when he called 911 earlier this week.
“The content of those conversations has been misrepresented by what are claimed to be ‘several anonymous sources,’ presumably from within the TPS (Toronto Police Service), in which case I have to set the record straight,” he wrote in a statement released late Friday afternoon. “I have listened to the three emergency calls. The mayor did not use the word ‘bitches,’ attributed to him by those ‘several anonymous sources.’ The mayor did not describe himself as the original account claimed.”
http://www.thestar.com/news/article...use-b-word-in-911-call-police-chief-says?bn=1
Seems like the truth will set the Mayor free.
He has every right to tell someone who is trespassing to get off his property but he didn't choose confrontation while being on tape and called the cops instead. Nothing wrong with that.
He's guilty of losing his cool but really now, nothing else. He's not the most calm or cool cucumber out there, but he's only human.
He has every right to tell someone who is trespassing to get off his property but he didn't choose confrontation while being on tape and called the cops instead. Nothing wrong with that.
He's guilty of losing his cool but really now, nothing else. He's not the most calm or cool cucumber out there, but he's only human.
Why do people in Toronto elect such morons as David Miller?Why do people in Toronto elect such morons as Lastman an and Ford?
This piece in The Ottawa Citizen nails it pretty well:
http://bit.ly/vhDXvi
("Hello, 911? I'm being annoyed by a nearly-60-year-old woman in a glittery bathing suit, big glasses and bright red lipstick. Help!")
Poor fellow. As he observed at a subsequent press conference, he did nothing wrong. Nothing.
If you raised your eyebrows over a questionable use of 911 services, lower them immediately. If you cast aspersions on his deficiency in the humour department, take them back.
Because the man is clearly innocent. That was evident from the moment his wide eyes took in the blazing spectacle of Marg. He had no idea, he told us later, who she was.
Indeed, how could he? Walsh's Marg is pure CBC. Evil CBC. Pinko CBC.
And it's an article of faith among red-blooded Canadian neo-cons everywhere that the CBC is an instrument of the liberal devil, one you must never, ever watch, listen to or in any way support. (Except, of course, for Coach's Corner, when Don Cherry gets to rail against pinkos and pukes. That's OK.)
So you can't expect someone like Ford to know that the CBC has shows that try (sometimes even successfully) to puncture political posturing with satirical skewers. Nor is Ford alone in his lack of awareness.
With its official birthday next Wednesday, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is currently celebrating its 75th anniversary, although not everyone in Canada is raising a congratulatory glass. The CBC, long - and unfairly - viewed as a mouthpiece for the left, has become one of the Canadian right's favourite bugbears.
For the life of me, I don't understand it. True, I lack conservative sensibilities, but it still strikes me that the network bends over backward to provide balance, especially in its news and current affairs programming, the jewel in its crown.
Whether it's Kevin O'Leary on the glories of capitalism or freethinking contrarian Rex Murphy on just about anything, the CBC offers opinion over a range that emphatically includes the right. And as for its news reporting and current affairs coverage, from TV's Peter Mansbridge and the skilled National correspondents to radio's Anna Maria Tremonti and her Current contributors, I defy anyone to find defensible evidence of bias.
What I do see, however, is a broadcaster that has given this country an honourable tradition stretching from Matthew Halton's wartime reportage, to Norman De-Poe's rasping political exegeses, to Barbara Frum's penetrating interviews (reincarnated in the work of Kathleen Petty, recent host of Ottawa Morning and The House); a broadcaster that has reached out and penetrated the nation's vast diversity, interpreting us and our issues to one another; a broadcaster that has always taken its public mandate reverentially. The CBC does things no commercial broadcaster could ever dream of doing.
Sure, you might justifiably criticize the corporation, past and present, for specific programs or personalities ("comedies" that were never funny, eye-glazing specialinterest shows, Hinterland Who's Who interludes, Foster Hewitt); for recent programming desperation, misbegotten and doomed attempts to woo new audiences while alienating old; for excessive advertising on the main nightly newscast and pointless commercial imports - clearly responses to savaged budgets.
But all that misses the point. It misses it as much as your average neo-con complaining that Princess Marg's latest antics are another example of wasted taxpayer dollars - as if Crown corporations didn't operate at arm's length, and as if production teams shouldn't enjoy creative independence, even when you don't like the results.
No, the point is simply this: the CBC is Canada's public broadcaster, period. That means it belongs to us - all of us - even when it makes decisions with which we disagree.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/belongs+Ford/5625856/story.html#ixzz1cAodihmf
http://bit.ly/vhDXvi
("Hello, 911? I'm being annoyed by a nearly-60-year-old woman in a glittery bathing suit, big glasses and bright red lipstick. Help!")
Poor fellow. As he observed at a subsequent press conference, he did nothing wrong. Nothing.
If you raised your eyebrows over a questionable use of 911 services, lower them immediately. If you cast aspersions on his deficiency in the humour department, take them back.
Because the man is clearly innocent. That was evident from the moment his wide eyes took in the blazing spectacle of Marg. He had no idea, he told us later, who she was.
Indeed, how could he? Walsh's Marg is pure CBC. Evil CBC. Pinko CBC.
And it's an article of faith among red-blooded Canadian neo-cons everywhere that the CBC is an instrument of the liberal devil, one you must never, ever watch, listen to or in any way support. (Except, of course, for Coach's Corner, when Don Cherry gets to rail against pinkos and pukes. That's OK.)
So you can't expect someone like Ford to know that the CBC has shows that try (sometimes even successfully) to puncture political posturing with satirical skewers. Nor is Ford alone in his lack of awareness.
With its official birthday next Wednesday, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is currently celebrating its 75th anniversary, although not everyone in Canada is raising a congratulatory glass. The CBC, long - and unfairly - viewed as a mouthpiece for the left, has become one of the Canadian right's favourite bugbears.
For the life of me, I don't understand it. True, I lack conservative sensibilities, but it still strikes me that the network bends over backward to provide balance, especially in its news and current affairs programming, the jewel in its crown.
Whether it's Kevin O'Leary on the glories of capitalism or freethinking contrarian Rex Murphy on just about anything, the CBC offers opinion over a range that emphatically includes the right. And as for its news reporting and current affairs coverage, from TV's Peter Mansbridge and the skilled National correspondents to radio's Anna Maria Tremonti and her Current contributors, I defy anyone to find defensible evidence of bias.
What I do see, however, is a broadcaster that has given this country an honourable tradition stretching from Matthew Halton's wartime reportage, to Norman De-Poe's rasping political exegeses, to Barbara Frum's penetrating interviews (reincarnated in the work of Kathleen Petty, recent host of Ottawa Morning and The House); a broadcaster that has reached out and penetrated the nation's vast diversity, interpreting us and our issues to one another; a broadcaster that has always taken its public mandate reverentially. The CBC does things no commercial broadcaster could ever dream of doing.
Sure, you might justifiably criticize the corporation, past and present, for specific programs or personalities ("comedies" that were never funny, eye-glazing specialinterest shows, Hinterland Who's Who interludes, Foster Hewitt); for recent programming desperation, misbegotten and doomed attempts to woo new audiences while alienating old; for excessive advertising on the main nightly newscast and pointless commercial imports - clearly responses to savaged budgets.
But all that misses the point. It misses it as much as your average neo-con complaining that Princess Marg's latest antics are another example of wasted taxpayer dollars - as if Crown corporations didn't operate at arm's length, and as if production teams shouldn't enjoy creative independence, even when you don't like the results.
No, the point is simply this: the CBC is Canada's public broadcaster, period. That means it belongs to us - all of us - even when it makes decisions with which we disagree.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/belongs+Ford/5625856/story.html#ixzz1cAodihmf
Ford could sue the CBC and demand a retraction and apology but he doesn`t want to drag this on.
The drama queens are the ones who still make this the top story of the day and front page news, especially the ones fawning over a fantasy quote.
Clearly some have an agenda to attack Ford but there is no shortage of real material to use and stooping to a wishful fantasy quote is outrageous.
The CBC crossed the line going to his home and Ford over-reacted by calling 911.
Neither is a particularly big deal to me.
I think Ford should have just told them to leave and if they didn`t immediately leave, he should have just ignored them and proceeded as if they were not there.
If she happened to get knocked over and stepped on or run over or have her arm crushed in his van door, too bad. :biggrin1:
The drama queens are the ones who still make this the top story of the day and front page news, especially the ones fawning over a fantasy quote.
Clearly some have an agenda to attack Ford but there is no shortage of real material to use and stooping to a wishful fantasy quote is outrageous.
The CBC crossed the line going to his home and Ford over-reacted by calling 911.
Neither is a particularly big deal to me.
I think Ford should have just told them to leave and if they didn`t immediately leave, he should have just ignored them and proceeded as if they were not there.
If she happened to get knocked over and stepped on or run over or have her arm crushed in his van door, too bad. :biggrin1:
