The Bookie
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Now, do you believe the Star?
http://www.thestar.c...lic_editor.html
By: Kathy English Public Editor, Published on Thu Oct 31 2013
To anyone who somehow believed the Toronto Star would ever, ever “make up” its explosive story about Mayor Rob Ford and the ‘crack cocaine’ video, I am trying to resist the urge to say ‘I told you so.’Can’t though because indeed, I did tell you so.
I told you two of the Star’s investigative reporters had viewed the video – three times.
I told you the Star reported responsibly in the public interest on the existence of the video and its contents.
In the nearly six months since the Star first reported on the video showing Mayor Rob Ford smoking what appears to be crack cocaine and making racist and homophobic slurs, I heard from hundreds of people who questioned the truth of the story and the ethics of the Star’s reporting. So many demanded “proof,” refusing to believe without concrete evidence of that video’s existence.
Some rejected my responses and took their complaints to the Ontario Press Council, leading to a recent hearing into the Star’s reporting on the video. Even after we were vindicated by the council ruling that the Star had “followed appropriate journalistic guidelines” the disbelievers continued, telling us the OPC’s decision did not prove the truth of the Star’s reporting.
Now of course we have verification from Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair that the video exists.This week, police recovered hard drive files that contain “video images which appear to be those images which were previously reported in the press.”
And further, said Blair, “It’s fair to say the Mayor is depicted in the video.”
To those disbelievers: Do you believe the Star now?
Not surprisingly, the Star’s newsroom was elated by this important vindication, some of us even teary-eyed. To be clear, this was not a time of gloating but rather immense, professional pride and some measure of relief that the Star is no longer alone (with Gawker editor John Cook) in defending the truth about the mayor and the “crack cocaine” video.
I expect there’s not a journalist in this news organization that has not been forced in recent months to defend the Star outside in their wider community. I’ve had to do so often, even in my yoga class, where I repeatedly explained to classmates that the story is true, the Star’s reporters saw the video three times …
“We’ve been accused of a conspiracy,” Editor Michael Cooke said. “The Star came under attack from countless Ford supporters who have always been betrayed and let down by the mayor.
“Well, the story is either true or it isn’t. And if it isn’t true, that means Toronto’s police chief is in on that conspiracy.”
Cooke was justifiably proud of his newsroom, most especially the investigative reporters whose professional reputations have been unfairly questioned by the disbelievers all these months.
“This story is not over yet. But it’s a grand day for diligent, honest and brave investigative reporting by Toronto Star journalists,” he said. “We mustn’t forget that this is a sad story. Mayor Ford long ago made the journey from comedy to tragedy.”
This critical development resonates beyond the Star’s newsroom and this community.
As Publisher John Cruickshank told the reporters and editors gathered around large-screen TV monitors following Blair’s press conference, the official verification of what the Star has long known and stood by was not just vindication for the Star’s newsroom: “This was a victory for journalism.”
“This is a great day for journalism and for those people of our city who have been uncertain about what they believe,” Cruickshank later told me, revealing that the Star has indeed faced some “defections” among subscribers for its vigorous reporting on the Ford video.
“We pressed on; we never backed down because we knew our reporting was the truth. We have always known this was journalism beyond reproach,” he said. “This is what ethical and excellent journalism is all about.”
To be clear, many Star readers have strongly supported this news organization’s great efforts to report responsibly in the public interest and hold the mayor of Canada’s largest city to account.
To that end, I’m heartened by the words of Kati Smith, whose email of support was the first to land in the public editor box minutes after Blair’s press conference.
“A BIG thank you from a Torontonian who has never once doubted the Star’s coverage on all things Rob Ford,” Smith said. “I am certain I am not alone in my appreciation for the job you have done.
“Thank you for being steadfast tin soldiers!”
Indeed, you can believe this: The Star will always soldier on to bring you the truth.
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one more - an interesting take on the Harper connection to all of this
HARPER, FORD AND THE VIDEO: REFLECTIONS OF A FORMER COP REPORTER
http://warrenkinsell...r-cop-reporter/
October 31st, 2013, 3:01 pm
A few weeks ago, I wrote this:
“There is no way on God’s green earth — none — the RCMP, and/or the Canadian law enforcement/intelligence community, would have let Harper get that close to Ford if the latter was facing an imminent criminal charge, or proof of involvement in a serious crime.
The RCMP’s Protective Policing Service is sworn to protect the prime minister in every way.
…So why would the Mounties allow Stephen Harper anywhere near Rob Ford?
Because they have formed the opinion that, lawsuits or not, the infamous crack video is — as its owner later told that same Toronto newspaper and U.S. website — “gone.”
Pictures say more than words. The Harper-Ford picture says plenty.
Namely, the video is gone, baby, gone.”
The full column is here.
Now, as the entire world knows, Toronto’s Chief of Police today all-but-said that his force now possessed the video. It was big, big news.
In his dramatic press conference, Chief Blair said this:
“As a result of the evidence that was seized on June 13, [2013,] at the conclusion of Project Traveller, a number of electronic devices, computers, telephones and hard drives were seized and all of the devices that have been seized have been subject to forensic review and examination by members of the Toronto Police Service intelligence unit computer technology section.”
And:
“On October the 29th, on Tuesday of this week, we received information from our computer technology section that in the examination of a hard drive that had been seized on June 13, they were able to identify a number of files that had been deleted and that they were able to recover those files.”
Get that? They get the hard drive that everyone on the planet has been looking for on June 13, 2013 – and, 138 days later – the army of cops working this file decide to, you know, take a look.
Do you believe that? I sure don’t.
I mean, if it’s true, it certainly explains why the RCMP had no objection when PMO was planning that September press conference, doesn’t it? Toronto cops didn’t tell them, because Toronto cops didn’t know what they had.
But – having a been a cop reporter, way back when – I don’t believe for a New York Minute that Toronto forensic types didn’t go over that hard drive with a nit comb back in June. If they didn’t do that, they all deserve to be fired for gross incompetence. I mean, it was only the most sought-after video in the world.
Something smells, here. And, if the Commissioner of the RCMP wasn’t on the blower to Chief Blair after his little press conference – saying something like: “Did it occur to you to check all the evidence you possessed before we put the Prime Minister of Canada beside the target of a criminal investigation? Did you, perchance, have the Prime Minister under surveillance when you apparently had your mayor under surveillance? Planned to tell us about that?”
It wouldn’t be a happy conversation.
Right about now, somewhere between Ottawa and Calgary, Stephen Harper is – justifiably – kicking some Mountie behinds. He’s saying: “When were morons going to tell me that you were okay with me standing beside a guy who was under police investigation at the time I was standing beside him? Oh, and also that he was on a video or two, smoking crack? When were you guys planning to tell me that?”
See where I’m going with this? After 138 days, Toronto cops didn’t know what they had? I rather doubt it.
So why didn’t they tell the RCMP?
Your guess is as good as mine. That part I don’t understand, at all.
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also, here's a link to an electronic version of the 24 page afternoon special that the Toronto Sun put out today:
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When I heard about this this morning, I debated posting an article about it in the Harper/Duffy thread. Funny how this Ford scandal seems to keep returning to the news whenever things aren't going so well for Stevie.
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That is a good review. Does a better job of saying some of the feelings I had on the first couple listens.
I finally got around to listening to the new mix of In Utero that came out last month. Pretty good. Always been my favourite of their albums. The new version is more noticeable in some places than in others. Pretty Ape has cleaner vocals and the guitar sounds more powerful, and Milk It (favourite track) breathes a bit deeper. On the other hand, All Apologies comes out sounding cheesier, which I guess explains why that and Heart Shaped Box were remixed by Litt on the original release.
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Most pundits speculated that it would be unlikely that Vanek would be able to match his current average in a new deal and it's extremely unlikely that Buffalo would give him $7.5 mil + per season. Conversely, coupled with their new building, it's possible the Isles see a 5 or 6 year deal at this price doable for Vanek.
Additionally, even if the Islanders aren't able to sign him, this sends two signals out to the FA market:
1. They're willing to spend big on the right players.
2. They've officially moved out of rebuild mode and want to make all-in runs at the Cup.
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Wow, reading this thread you'd think Vanek had already signed in Minnesota. Let's see what happens.
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also, a new video from Kutiman, who did an album of youtube mashups a few years back.
Sights & Sounds of Tokyo:
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I gave Reflektor two listens today and thought it was great, probably an 8.5. Promising, since every previous album of theirs has gotten better on repeat listens. Joan of Arc was the standout for me so far.
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It is 2013 right? Just heard an ad on cbc: "Come check out the new CBCMusic trip hop channel ... the smooth sounds of modern electronica .... you'll be inspired to, just chill out."
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Longest thread ever? I don't remember, but some of the Bertuzzi ones were pretty extensive, but there were so many, I don't think any single one was over 200 pages...
There's this Bieksa thread, it's at 327 pages, mostly thanks to Canucklelion being very stubborn:
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There are children who are now in grade school who are younger than this thread
They too will cheer for Alex.
Anyways, I'm curious where Burr will land when he returns to the lineup.
I get the feeling that Torts would like to keep him away from the Sedins on a regular basis. More than anything that was AV's signature move during his time here, but also I think it might have been a mistake to always go back to that arrangement. After 2011 teams were figuring them out - I'd like to see it employed sporadically, like after a penalty kill or a mid-game injury. Santorelli, Hansen, possibly even Jensen with the Sedins; plus they will be periodically split up.
But anyways, in a fully healthy lineup, where does Burrows fit? I'd like to see a 2nd of Burr-Kes-Kass, with Kass entering the zone/digging the puck out of the corner, Kes shooting, Burr scraping the rebounds out of the gutter.
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Face/Off - AV=Travolta, Torts=Cage
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Yeah well my crystal ball also ran out of batteries.
Seriously not so serious though, I remember seeing the poster for Hot Tub Time Machine a few years back before it came out and turning to my friend and saying "Look at that piece of sh!t! Looks terrible." Wound up being one of the best movies of the year.
Retardo comedies have a section of my heart, always will, but This is the End was a true mess, and not the hot kind.
As always, your mileage may vary.
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This is the End - 2/10
Awful. My laptop battery died right at the climactic scene and now I can't be bothered to see how it ends. Total mess of a movie.
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here's the first page of that Morrissey bio
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Funny, I was actually really disappointed with the 2nd one. And pleasantly surprised with the last one... Maybe my expectations just changed?
Yeah, everyone's different. I was disappointed with #2 when I first saw it, but rewatched earlier this year in anticipation of the 3rd and it was much better than I remembered. Doubt I'll bother rewatching that, the only scene in the movie that got an lol out of me was Ken Jeong singing Hurt at karaoke.
Anyways - Captain Phillips, 7.5/10. Fairly mediocre movie but Paul Greengrass's direction elevated it, I love his shaky handheld camera style, and the script did a surprisingly good job of humanizing the Somalians to ensure the story shows both sides of the equation.
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The Hangover Part III - 5/10 (generous)
Terrible, I'd say don't bother watching it but just to prove how bad it is I dare you to watch it.
It was truly, truly terrible. How the F--- do you have a movie called 'The Hangover' without an actual Hangover?
The only way I can see giving it respect if it's a meta-trolling job from the creators, like "Hey, remember how much guilty pleasure you got from watching those two other movies? Well, here's what the hangover from that feels like, now sit still for the next two hours and watch this piece of sh!t."
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Spent an excellently lazy holiday Monday afternoon on the couch watching this classic on youtube. 8.5/10
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The problem is the Sedins. They always play together. This gives you little line combos.
Put Daniel and Kesler together. Give Henrik the two hardest working players on the team on his wings.
Burrows - Henrik - Hansen
Daniel - Kesler - Higgins
Booth - Santorelli - Kassian
Sestito - Richardson - Weise
Similar to the mold of Pittsburgh. Give your best player (Sid) two weaker linemates that he can elevate, and give your weaker center (Geno) the best winger.
Kunitz = Burrows
Dupuis = Hansen
Neal = Daniel
Higgins/Kassian = Jokinen/Bennett
Agree with this....
1) Higgins and Hansen are as studly as third lines get - and are the same two guys who helped propel this team to a top scoring team - 40 point players on the 3rd liner is exceptional production. What they don't have is a 57% faceoff guy on the fourth line - but there are two guys with that kind of faceoff proficiency still on the UFA market - and two other centers already on the roster who I wouldn't trade for Lapierre. Richardson Steckel Santorelli or Richardson Smithson Santorelli imo could be as good a fourth line as this team has ever had. Higgins Schroeder Hansen also has the ability to be as good a third line as this team has ever had.
Raffi Torres continues to be one of the most over lamented players in Canucks lore (as are all the other former Canucks that should all still be here) - and yet for all the talk of lost secondary scoring, Torres scored 14 goals and 29 points here in 80 games - while Higgins who replaced him at 3LW had 18 goals and 43 points in 71 games and was at a 20 goal pace last year - and that is his production while dealing with infections that caused him to lose 12 pounds in the midst of that production.
Higgins is an upgrade to the scoring depth, Hansen has steadily improved his offensive production.
2) I'd take Garrison over Ehrhoff anyday - score from the point as opposed to the rush - a far superior defensive blueliner. Ehrhoff is one of the more over-rated nostalgia cases on CDC. Not having Salo makes a difference - he was the best '5th' man in the NHL - but at the same time, imo the combination of an improving Tanev and Stanton has the potential to be as good as the Ballard/Rome pairing that the Canucks had prior to the cap drop - which people tend to forget took place.
3) Raymond broke his back, Booth blew out his knee, etc. Kesler went from scoring 41 goals to the curse of Jeff O'Neill, hobbling and scoring 22, squeezing his stick, trying to force his production and generally never satisfying those 'beast mode' expectations.
Yeah a tweak or two would be nice - but a fourth line upgrade isn't what all the complaining on CDC revolves around.
Adding a top 6 forward is not only a cap space pipe dream, but it also contradicts what oh so much of the complaining around here is based upon - the idea of a young player or two getting a shot to develop and produce on this roster. I'm fine with taking a chance on Schroder, Kassian and possibly Jensen.
....as well as this.
To keep it from tl:dr territory, let's do our best to work with what we have in this abyss of a salary cap season!
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Tom Hanks: The Movie - 10/10
Toronto mayor Rob Ford allegedly caught smoking crack cocaine on video
in Off-Topic General
Posted
Nah, checkout LC's posts at the bottom of the prev. page, he's just mocking Common Sense (I think).