The National Post's endorsement of Rob Ford is a fascinating mix of intelligence and idiocy all wrapped up in one editorial. Focused on the the need for fiscal reform, the endorsement makes no bones about revealing the editorial board's disdain for David Miller and his "legacy" of overspending, but offers only a pathetically half-hearted review of the many numeric errors and inconsistencies in Ford's economic plan for Toronto. In fact, the one example given of a Ford gaffe is his misquotation of the cost of the Jarvis bike lanes. "He has repeatedly claimed the bike lanes on Jarvis Street cost $6-million, for instance; ill-advised as they are, they cost 1% of that." This is really only the most trivial example of Ford's numbers not adding up, and, while we're at it, does anybody really think that the Jarvis bike lanes were ill-advised anymore?

Having already formally endorsed George Smitherman, the Star nevertheless has an article entitled "Ford or Smitherman? Neither." Although that may sound like the beginnings of an article in support of Joey Pants, what's on offer is actually a comparison of the two leading candidates that ranges from the superficial (physique/appearance, favourite food) to the engaging (best campaign asset, tough life experience).

Staying with the Star for a second, I suppose the paper's editors are worn thin from municipal election coverage right now. Otherwise, why would they lead (the online section) with a stale story about the TTC's Subway information screens, which was originally published on Thursday?

On to other matters... The LCBO is set to stock a $115 per-bottle beer. Toronto Life reports that Samuel Adams Utopias "is made of a blend of several strong beers that have been aged for up to 15 years in casks that once held bourbon, port or cognac. The process of blending the beers has been likened to the making of a fine brandy. Also like a fine brandy, it's rare: only 40 bottles of the brew will be sold here." I think I'd take a $100+ bottle of brandy over the beer, but that's just me.

And now for a little archive-mining. With the Guggenheim's YouTube exhibit garnering tons of international press, Toronto-based filmmaker Josh Raskin's short film "I Met the Walrus," which is an official jury selection at the exhibit, is once again getting in the spotlight. About a 14-year-old's experience interviewing John Lennon in 1969, we've covered the formerly Oscar nominated film here, here and here (in order of publication date).

Photo by syncros in the blogTO Flickr pool.