It's interesting that a Canadian politician should have captured the incredible amount of attention he has in the U.S. and around the world. He has made front page coverage, and often the lead story in CNN, ABC, Fox, and many other outlets.
In some ways it's easy to see why it's such a media circus. Based purely on Ford's actions, he seems to add something ridiculous to the story every day. If a new allegation of drunken or drug induced stupor isn't being raised, he's using profanity about oral sex or some other insane rant.
Another reason we've been hanging on every word is our perception of Canadians. This just doesn't seem to meld with our idea of a society that you would accidentally bump into on the street only to have them apologize to you.
But aside from the pure entertainment of this man's public meltdown, and his almost comedic attempts to break the Canadian stereotype, there are other reasons we should care.
I lived in Canada for a few years and still follow the news there. I have a real fondness for the people and the place. Many of the stereotypes we hold are true, while many others truly aren't.
The ideal of a progressive thinking, racist free country that cares about social safety nets may be true in general for some regions of the country, but in other regions they are truly not. KKK chapters and other white supremacy groups do exist in Canada (mainly in more rural areas), gun rights advocates put up many of the same arguments as they do in the U.S. (although they don't have the 2nd amendment to cling onto), the ruling conservative party has made it pretty much their mission to support fossil fuel production at all costs, and politicians from strong right leaning political parties make speeches that sound like they could have been written by Karl Rove himself.
Rob Ford is one of those conservatives. He has run on a platform of cutting government spending and cutting taxes. He has attacked government spending on infrastructure and social safety nets. He is a conservative's conservative.
What is interesting is the under-reported story here in the U.S. It's the lack of desire by other right wing politicians in Canada to disavow him.
It has made headline news in Canada that the opposition leader from the Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau, has admitted to using marijuana since becoming a member of parliament. The conservative movement has been working very hard to make hay of the situation for months. Trudeau has helped, and also not helped his cause by stating his position that marijuana use should be legalized.
Then comes along Rob Ford who makes Trudeau look like a saint in comparison.
Now the conservatives are in a tight position. In spite of Rob Ford's ridiculous behavior, he still enjoys huge support from large numbers of the electorate in Toronto. By attacking Ford, the conservatives risk ostracizing a large number of their base in Canada's largest city.
By not attacking him, they undermine their tough on drugs stance, and look hypocritical for their scathing attacks on the leader of an opposition party.
The middle ground they have tried to walk is to condemn Ford's actions, but in a very muted way.
Why I find this interesting, and relevant to us in America, is that the Republicans usually tout moral superiority on almost every issue. Whether it's economic or social, they support causes in a black and white way that leaves no room for compromise. And yet just like in Canada, they are willing to forgive almost any offence by one of their own, that they would impeach or imprison anyone from a different political leaning than there own for committing.
Basically what I am saying is that when it comes to political insanity, we are not alone.
When you meet a progressive thinking person from Canada, don't just feel admiration, also feel some empathy. They are in many ways in the same boat.
Wed Nov 20, 2013 at 8:36 AM PT: I just read a editorial on a Canadian new site that was quite interesting. It gives a different perspective, but one related to my diary.
Also interesting is some of the comments. Some of them give a clear, and unfortunate look at how some of our northern neighbors view us.
http://www.cbc.ca/...