Torontonians Rising to the Challenge Presented by Mayor Ford's Fascism

Although I don't live in Toronto, I am riveted to and outraged by stories of those who abuse their power. As discussed in my previous post, that is precisely what is transpiring in 'the big smoke' under the direction of Rob Ford and his acolytes.

Fortunately, however, people are fighting back. Despite the fact that the meeting to unjustly fire Gary Webster will take place behind closed doors, citizens are planning to show up at City Hall:

Community organizer Dave Meslin, who is part of one group calling on people to attend the meeting, said the frustration and anger among transit riders on Facebook and Twitter is “unlike anything I’ve seen before.”

“That’s because this goes beyond a simple debate about policy,” Meslin said. “This is now a debate about procedure, about governance, and about whether the City of Toronto uses evidence or ideology to make decisions.”

Meslin said firing Webster will create “a climate of fear” among the city’s senior staff, which “will effectively silence all our experts across the city.”

For those who live in Toronto and want more information, Meslin has started a Facebook page.

Good luck to all people who believe in the primacy of reason over ideology.

Fascism Spreads To Toronto

Although Canada will likely never see executions for wrong-thinking, the career equivalent of such is very much evident in Toronto, under the benighted 'leadership' of Rob Ford and his cabal of retrogressive 'thinkers' and Ford loyalists (aka TTC Commissioners Norm Kelly, Vince Crisanti, Frank Di Giorgio, Denzil Minnan-Wong and Cesar Palacio).

A special meeting of the commission has been called to discuss one thing: the fate of TTC general manager Gary Webster, expected to result in his termination. His 'crime'? Refusing to surrender his integrity by endorsing Ford's obsession with subway extensions that Toronto neither needs nor can afford. Webster's termination will send a strong message that the job requirement for city staff members has changed from that of offering the best and most impartial advice on the issues to being sycophantic toadies doing the bidding of their political masters.

For a full accounting of the situation, I highly recommend today's editorial in The Star.

How the aforementioned councillors can even pretend to be representing the best interests of their constituents instead of their own venal political ambitions is beyond me, but like another man of integrity, Munir Sheik, I suspect people will remember Gary Webster long after the people acting like fascist thugs are political dust.

Contemporary Fascism: Harper Government Suppression Of Information Continues Unabated

In reviewing some of the traditional hallmarks of fascism, it is frightening to observe so many of them on the Canadian landscape, not the least of which is the Harper muzzling of federal scientists, who can no longer talk about their discoveries without government permission.

Do these other characteristics of fascism look familiar?

1. Watch for signs of extreme nationalism. One of the key components of fascism is a heavy emphasis, by the government, on patriotism and national pride, often through propaganda. Pride is often encouraged above all else, especially in the military.

2. See if there is denial of civil rights. In fascist regimes, civil rights are often ignored or not adhered to. The people under the leadership of the fascist leader are persuaded to allow drastic reductions of civil rights for the good of the state.

3. Note if there is censorship of the media. Key to the definition of fascism is control of public information. In fascism, the media is either run by the government, controlled by the government or in cooperation with the government through corruption.

4. Look for signs that religion and government are strongly linked. Fascist regimes use religion as a propaganda tool to influence citizens and gain their admiration.

5. Recognize if there is suppression of organized labor. Fascist government are often placed into power by the corporate powers of a nation. The government provides for the corporate interest and either disallows to heavily suppresses the laborers in order to keep business on their side.

6. Take note of any suppression of free expression. Part of the definition of fascism is the government's need to control the thoughts and actions of the citizens. To achieve this, fascist regimes will limit freedom of expression by disallowing the arts and free speech. High levels of education are also sometimes discouraged or eliminated.

For further reading on a very worrisome trend, I highly recommend this article by Nick Fillmore.

Oh, one more thing, and I suppose I state the obvious here: I have nothing but bottomless contempt for all of the Conservative backbenchers and ministers without whose collaboration this insidious assault on our rights and freedoms could not be taking place.

Heather Mallick on Vic Toews

Heather Mallick offers an entertaining yet perceptive analysis of the Twitter woes afflicting the man who would be our Lord and Master in today's Star that is well-worth reading. Her opening reads thus:

As Public Safety Minister Vic Toews demands an investigation into how the story of his alleged infidelities, love child and subsequent divorce ended up on Twitter, I am demanding a different investigation entirely.

How did a man like Toews find not one, but possibly three women who found him attractive enough to go the distance, so to speak? I would have thought it would be just the long-suffering one, Lorraine, to whom he was married for more than three decades.

A good question indeed.

Some Good News About Lucene Charles

Having attended a rally this afternoon in support of Lucene Charles, I was pleased to learn that things are starting to look up for her. Her deportation order, which was supposed to be put into effect on Monday, has received a six-month stay by a federal judge. You can read the full details here.

If you haven't already done so, please consider signing this petition as well.

The Parliamentary Pitbull

Doesn't John Baird ever get tired of hearing himself harangue?

Tories Unleash Attack Dog To Divert Attention From Poor Vic

Who could have anticipated this coming?