JOEY
4
THE TORONTO COLUMN
Toronto is known for its beautiful skyline, rigorous night life, and disastrous sports teams. But as of late, the headlines surrounding the capital of Ontario is focused on its major, Rob Ford. I’m sure that you’ve at least heard some of the rumors surrounding Ford’s personal life, but let’s recap what we know. The public is well aware of Mayor Ford’s drug scandal as various videos have been released depicting Ford smoking crack-cocaine. He also released a statement admitting the incident, referring to it as a “one time thing”, a “lapse in judgement” and something that will never happen again.
Well Toronto, surprise, surprise! Your mayor is at it again! Videos and pictures have been released of Ford clearly smoking crack-cocaine not too long ago. Following the release of the recent videos and pictures, Mayor Ford – who is in the middle of campaigning to be re-elected – released a statement in which he addresses his substance abuse problem with alcohol, and that he would be taking a 30 day leave of absence to work on his issues. Despite this heart-warming statement from Toronto’s mayor, there was no mention of crack-cocaine.
Confused?
Most people were.
The public has knowledge of Ford abusing the crack-cocaine drug, yet Mayor Ford never addresses it. The truth to the public is very simple – Mayor Ford smokes crack-cocaine. It is not a statement that requires much pondering. We have the knowledge of his drug abuse stupors from various videos and pictures, which have been released by valid sources like the Toronto Police. But is our knowledge of Mayor Ford’s drug abuse justified? Well, to know something is to first believe in something. We believe that the Toronto Police would tell the public the truth, so if they release evidence that shows that Toronto’s Mayor is guilty beyond reasonable doubt, then our knowledge is justified.
But what truth lies within the mind of Toronto’s famous mayor? Does he truly believe that the Toronto media – or specifically The Toronto Star – is out to get him? Does he truly believe that the only issue he is dealing with is with alcohol? And if he genuinely believes that he does not have a problem with drug abuse, than is that not the sole truth to him? What some people do not understand is that truth is relative. What may be true to one person may not be true to another.
It is quite the sticky situation.
Despite all the evidence – videos, pictures, personal confessions – the truth to Rob Ford remains that he is clean. What is scary is that Rob Ford has repeatedly said he does not have a drug abuse problem.
And to know something, is to first believe in something.
If Toronto’s mayor does not believe that he does not have a substance, then he doesn’t have the knowledge to know he has a problem. If this is his thought process, then in his mind, it is justified. And ultimately, this is the truth to Rob Ford. Imagine it: one of the biggest metropolitan cities in the entire world – being run by a crack head.
Yes, it is quite a sticky situation indeed.
Joey Ozamiz
6