“Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner”
The old man in the hat
Rob Ford. If you don’t recognize the name, you must not watch TV, have an internet connection, no Facebook and no Twitter account. Lucky you.
Mr. Ford is mayor of Toronto, that fair, magical city, in a province that recently joined us folks down east, as being dependant on the federal government for transfer payments. Howdy neighbour. So we hear that maybe you need some help with an intervention. Too bad those of you without cable will miss out on “must watch” reality TV!
Seriously, Mr. Ford’s behaviour raises all sorts of interesting dilemmas. Mr. Ford has publicly admitted, after many months of denial, of smoking crack cocaine, once, and being seriously intoxicated with alcohol on other occasions. He has adamantly insisted that he does not have a substance abuse problem and is not addicted to any chemical substance. Mr. Ford has also been accused of keeping company with individuals of a less than sterling reputation, before and during his time as mayor. He has also refused to resign, and sees no reason why he should do so. The voters of Toronto seem to be of a mixed opinion with some continuing to support the mayor and others demanding his immediate removal.
I recently listened to a CBC interview of a gentleman from Toronto that opined that Mr. Ford’s personal, after hours activities were his business, period. The interviewee voiced the view that Mr. Ford had done a bang up job of “fixing” a broken city, and that despite all the hoohha, he was the only current individual suitable in Toronto to get the job done.
Hmm. One would think that the office of the Mayor of Toronto might be seen as a prestigious position and the individual occupying said position might be considered a role model. One might think that constantly lying about personal behaviour may leak over into lying during work and professional interactions with staff, voters and those who do business with the city. One might go so far as to venture that consuming illegal substances, that in some corners of the city fuel violence, sends a message that no parent or grandparent wants to hear.
Is it right, no matter how much public good that Mr. Ford accomplishes if in so doing he destroys himself, his family and his office?
Is to forgive the same thing as to tolerate? Has the nature of shame changed, or has it disappeared entirely?
That ancient philosophical question remains, does the ends justify the means?
Some have justified the mayor’s response and attitude by citing that never before in history has any individual, including our politicians, been subject to 24 hour scrutiny with cellphones, Facebook and Twitter. Hmm. Guess they don’t remember Polaroid cameras, “rubbering” and two party phone lines!
Whatever Mr. Ford decides to do, I can only suggest that the current situation can not be healthy and I hope that Mr. Ford considers that the damage that he is doing to the public and to himself can not carry on.
Comments: theoldmaninthehat@sissonridge.ca
