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Morning Brew: Rob Ford's conflict trial wraps up, a bevy of Magders, couriers protest TRL book launch, more muscle for Ford Fest, and a Toronto quiz for Hollywood
The Ford trial or, to use its Twitter hashtag, #fordcourt is officially over a full day ahead of schedule. Contrary to what many expected, the mayor was present before the judge yesterday morning to hear lawyer Clayton Ruby make his final arguments to Justice Charles Hackland.
Ruby argued that Ford deliberately broke provincial conflict-of-interest rules to avoid repaying $3,150 in charitable donations made to his football foundation, referencing nine other times in the seasoned politician's career when he had correctly abstained. Ford's lawyer, Alan Lenczner, said the mayor had made an honest mistake and questioned council's authority to make the mayor pay in the first place. A verdict is due in a few weeks.
Turns out there are actually three Paul Magders of note in Toronto. There's Paul Magder the furrier who fought to stay open on Sundays; Paul Magder, the son of said furrier, and Paul Magder the plaintiff in the Rob Ford conflict of interest trial. Let's not forget, of course, the outlaw Robert Ford who killed Jesse James and Robert Ford the poet, diplomat and Companion of the Order of Canada.
A group of bike couriers gathered outside the launch of former Attorney-General Michael Bryant's book 28 Seconds: A True Story of Addiction, Tragedy and Hope at the Toronto Reference Library yesterday in protest at the tone of the book. Courier Darcy Allan Sheppard died on Bloor Street West after an incident involving the politician, a story which forms the basis of the work.
Looks like this year's Ford Fest is going to be a whopper. The Star reports the mayor's mother, Diane Ford, has hired private security to keep the peace at the annual backyard shindig of council's famous brothers. No-one seems to know exactly how many people will show up, but indications are more than 4,000 Torontonians will grab a hot dog at the public event.
Finally, what's your Toronto IQ? The U.S.-based Hollywood Reporter, a top show-business magazine (so I'm told), has a special quiz on its webpage for cinema fans heading to TIFF. According to the Globe and Mail, the test (only available with a subscription) includes the classic "what's a toque" and a question about double-doubles. Because nothing says Canada to the world like a giant coffee corporation.
IN OTHER NEWS:
- Human torso confirmed as Liu Guahuang's, four weeks after her disappearance [Globe and Mail]
- Prisoner considered dangerous allowed to walk out of Toronto courtroom [Globe and Mail]
- Etobicoke schools locked down after man used pellet gun to scare pigeons [The Star]
- 2 teens charged with vandalizing bus shelters [CBC]
Image: "Flowers on Orphanage Mews" by jer1961 in the blogTO Flickr pool.
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Let's face it: If this were occurring right now with a politician with some level of acumen and awareness, it would likely be a non-issue and quickly resolved, but because of Ford's stubbornness and inability/unwillingness to do things by the book, it's become a spectacle putting his lack of refinement and ineptness on display.
I almost feel bad for the guy, but then I remember that he's my mayor and this city can't afford to have somebody this far in over his head representing it.
So when the ford nation cries that the money is a small amount and this is a waste of time. Clearly the judge disagrees with you. I was pretty sure that Ford was going to get off, but the judges statements at the end of the day, has made it clear that anything can still happen.
This sort of stuff is what happens when you let your anger take over your senses, and hopefully out of something this terrible some good can come by teaching people not to lose control over small altercations.
http://youtu.be/RFISP_PrhFo
No one is guilt free, but certain;y the person who took another's life with wantant disregard for not only that life but those in your car and on the side walk - Bryant did 100 km/h on the wrong side of the street, bouncing Al off of poles, tree's and finally the mail box.
This is to say nothing of the fact that Bryant wasn't breathalized simply because he claimed to have not drank and given the opportunity to freshen up before he let loose two separate PR firms to get out "the right story" and diminish any credibility the victim my have had.
Let's hope this never happens to you or someone you care about.
No matter your position, all victims have families and friends - regardless of their job or station in life - and maybe your soul would be best served to remember that.
http://youtu.be/o8UKQW225gI
Having a family isn't a viable reason to escape the responsibilities of getting yourself killed.
Like I said, this was a tragedy and everyone is a victim in it. Bryant has to live with having killed someone for the rest of his life, and I doubt that it being in self defence gives him much comfort. Sheppard lost his life. I just think the actions of the bike couriers to go after Bryant after all this has happened is just shameless. The guys been through enough, so leave him alone. If there is anything they should have learned from all this it's to let things go and not get so angry.
I generally try to avoid feeding the trolls - which are rife when Al's name pops up - but I do have to insist you remove your head from your ass. I'm not asking that you accept the decisions Al made. In fact, I may not agree with them myself. However, I'm sure that if your mother/sister/brother/friend/hell any human was rammed by a car while riding a bicycle you'd be a little less forgiving of someone with enough maturity and education - and understanding of the legal system - to make a clear decision or at the very least, avoid killing someone. There are many other bad decisions Bryant could have made without killing anyone. And in fact, if he were anyone else most people would be wondering how - given he was driving 100 km/h on the wrong side of a busy street with his driver side tires rubbing the curb - more people weren't killed.
I hope for all of you you never have to find yourself defending your dead friend endlessly in a local news comments section. Have some fucking respect!
The poor guy who has to live with killing someone has decided to turn a profit from it. Poor guy.