Rock, Paper, Scissors

The rise of Rob Ford in Toronto is confusing.  The man is clearly anti-transit, anti-arts, anti-city, anti-humane.  Is this a triumph of stupidity over reason?  Of selfishness over care?  Of crassness over thoughtfulness?

It's funny. I always wondered how the heck Julius Caesar could have won power in ancient Rome.  Clearly, he was an egotistical punk, willing to do anything to gain power and, clearly, those who knew him would have been smart enough to know that.  Now, unlike Rob Ford, Caesar was brilliant, don't get me wrong.  There's not a lot to compare the two.  But a violent punk, nonetheless.

Could it be that the liberal factions in Rome were split then just as the liberal factions in Toronto are split right  now?  Could it be that there were too many reasonable voices and not one strong voice around which we could all rally?  Watching this happen in Toronto makes me think that, perhaps, split liberal factions was one of the factors that allowed Caesar to power and helped the Republic devolve into an Empire.

What devolution will we experience in Toronto, if Mr. Ford gets into office, I wonder?

I would call for the leading liberal candidates to come together.  I know you believe your platforms have little in common but compared to Rob Ford, folks, you are all, practically, running the same campaign.  I have no idea how you could choose among you.  Play a game of rock, paper, scissors if you have to, but pick a leader, get behind her or him, and win this fight against Rob Ford.

I know; I know.  Some of you will have to put personal considerations and personal ambitions behind.  But if you don't, you run the risk of damaging that very thing you are running to protect.  And, when Ford leaves, there will be more of a mess to clean up.  So, come on.  You can do it, folks.  Rock, paper, scissors.