Image via Wikipedia
It’s amazing what some people are willing to sacrifice just to be able to throw back a few beers by the lake.
Newly elected Toronto mayor Rob Ford could use some political protection from his American cousins right about now.
The mayor, in his infinite wisdom, has decided to skip this year’s Pride Parade in order to maintain a family tradition of partying it up in Cottage Country.
Naturally this has moved him to the top of the hit list of many, if not all, gay rights activists in Toronto. Since he took office, the outspoken mayor of the Canadian megacity has refused every olive branch extended his way by the gay community.
This Jack Frost routine of freezing out an entire segment of the population could be considered political suicide for a mayor who is still getting his feet wet in a melting pot community. Prior to the 1990s, Toronto’s mayors have always spurned the Pride Parade, despite the racist overtones of such action.
But the world has changed and the parade is now an event of choice for many sponsors hoping to grab some of the millions in tourist revenue the event brings in annually. And this mainstream acceptance has brought out the politicians.
Tolerance can reap monetary and political benefits, under the right circumstances.
It’s too bad Mayor Ford refuses to accept this.
Pride Week is a 10-day festival that kicks off Thursday.
The mayor said he still may attend other Pride-related events, but first has to “check his schedule”.
As it stands, Rob Ford could use this American political item…
Related articles
- Toronto Mayor Shuns Pride and The Gay Community (therainbowpost.com)
- Toronto mayor to skip Pride (macleans.ca)
- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford to skip pride parade to go to family cottage (theglobeandmail.com)
- Ford’s family defends decision to skip Pride Parade (cbc.ca)
Doug Ford: Political Genius Or Wingnut?
In this day and age, it’s safe to say people are desperate for strong, dynamic leadership to guide them to a new age of prosperity.
If one Toronto political leader has his way, that new age will be funded in the most unlikely of ways.
“Picture this. You’ve just finished an important dinner at harbour 60 with business associates and you want to get back to Mississauga. You head down into a privately built tunnel with mahogany walls and the smoothest asphalt known to mankind. It will be the world’s first full-service luxury tunnel.”
The tunnel in question is but one component of Councillor Doug Ford of Etobicoke North‘s master plan to combat the city of Toronto’s projected $774 million budget deficit. While his big brother the mayor was busy pissing off the city’s entire gay population by skipping their Pride festivities last week, Councillor Ford was unveiling his plans for the future.
Never mind thinking outside the box, Doug Ford prefers to think “off the reservation”, as they say!
“Now let’s say you get a flat tire. How about a Hooters tow truck that serves wings? Or if you happen to be a successful entrepreneur who’s grown the economy and expanded the tax base, then you could take a private off-ramp right to your front door.”
A Hooters tow truck that serves wings? Will the Hooters girls driving the truck be licensed mechanics as well?
While I support Councillor Ford’s zeal and uniqueness (his office is decorated to resemble a sports bar and he drinks a custom blend of Coke with double the syrup!), I don’t think the road to a new Camelot should detour to a private tunnel.
But what do I know? I don’t even like Hooters wings.
Related articles
→ 4 Comments
Posted in Editorial, Life, Postaweek2011, Social Commentary, Terrible Things, Uncategorized
Tagged Doug Ford, Etobicoke North, Mayor, Mississauga, Rob Ford, Toronto