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Election talk (16)
Fri, 2011-04-29 20:24
#1
Election talk (16)
Fri, 2011-04-29 20:26
#2
Now John Ibbitson is saying the Star has endorsed Jack. I will only believe it when I see it, but wow.
Fri, 2011-04-29 20:44
#3
Layton's Sunday sprint:
he sure isn't leaving himself much time for rest stops!
Fri, 2011-04-29 20:44
#4
Sun does smear job on Layton. All over twitter.
Re: massage
Fri, 2011-04-29 20:48
#5
I just got a tweet that Sun TV is reporting that Layton was found in a massage parlor that was suspected of being a bawdyhouse in 1996, according to police reports, although no charges were laid. What is going on???
Fri, 2011-04-29 20:49
#6
@davidakin David Akin
Sun News Network: Former vice squad says Jack Layton was found naked in massage parlour in 1996. On Sun News Network now.
15 minutes ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet
replies ↓
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tara_lyons tara
@
@davidakin Seriously? That's all you and the Conservative propaganda machine can come up with? ha ha ha
4 minutes ago Favorite Retweet
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lilooet lilooet
@
@davidakin hahahah journalist? You're a fucking hack. That is seriously weak and pretty low. Do you tell your kids about your job? #elxn41
5 minutes ago Favorite Retweet
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thelieisacake thelieisacake
by Maiseach
@
@davidakin Trash tabloid journalism at it's finest. At least the National Enquirer was recommended for a Pulitzer. No chance for you clowns.
8 minutes ago Favorite Retweet
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leanwich Sean Ledwich
@
Why r u not using the word "gay"? That's what Sun is doing, no? @davidakin Jack Layton was found naked in massage parlour in 1996. #suntv
8 minutes ago Favorite Retweet
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northernut northernut
@
@davidakin why did the breaking news go off air?
8 minutes ago Favorite Retweet
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thelieisacake thelieisacake
@
@davidakin Trash tabloid journalism at it's finest. At least the National Enquirer was recommended for a Pulitzer. No chance for you clowns.
8 minutes ago Favorite Retweet
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Monlezup Monlezup
@
@davidakin this is such an obvious hatchet job. Especially after the Ignatieff Iraq crap. I'm shocked at you.
8 minutes ago Favorite Retweet
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MichaelJMo Michael J Morris
@
@davidakin Media knows no bounds to find "dirt" on someone who does not fit their mould. And Leyton is now latest prime target.
Fri, 2011-04-29 20:50
#7
Fri, 2011-04-29 20:51
#8
RosieBarton Rosemary Barton
Chow:In the last hours of this election, this is nothing more than a smear campaign in an attempt to question my husband's character.
Rosemary Barton
RosieBarton Rosemary Barton
Chow;No one was more surprised than my husband when the police informed him of allegations of potential wrong doing at this establishment
Fri, 2011-04-29 20:53
#9
This is pretty weak. If this was such a strong story, then this would have come out long, long ago. The Sun is grabbing at straws, desperate to smear Layton at any cost.
Fri, 2011-04-29 20:54
#10
Still, the timing couldn't be worse.
Fri, 2011-04-29 20:55
#11
glen_mcgregor Glen McGregor
"A Kleenex that is saturated". I am speechless.
3 minutes ago Favorite Retweet
Smear news said the person leaving the room was asian and holding a saturated kleenex.
And of course denial that there was masturbation involved.
I am sure there will be legal action.
I suppose it is inconceivable that a person who gave an oil massage would want to wipe the oil off their hands.
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:05
#12
So Sun News has a "thing" for Layton's "thing" then? I guess they have no interest in becoming anything more than Fox News North. Why am I not surprised, seeing as there have been so many self-hating conservative homophobes.
Well, I'm pleased the NDP seems to understand how to monitor twitter better than since I recall reading Chow releasing a statement via a Lawyer (not on her twitter page though) about this being an obvious smear campaign.
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:09
#13
This could hurt Layton or it could get him some sympathy for an obvious smear job. Either way, I think it just makes Sun TV look worse than they already did.
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:09
#14
Sun News Network is certainly earning it's nickname as Fox News North. I expect nothing less from the propaganda wing of the Cons.
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:14
#15
Um, don't people generally get nekkid while receiving messages?
If the media tries to run with this it will demonstrate once and for all that Canada's democratic experiment is over. Might as well just get it over with and put a crown on Stevie boy's head. Maybe he'll be invited to the next royal wedding.
And if the Canadian people are dumb enough to (ahem) swallow this load and change their vote accordingly we deserve whatever we get.
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:18
#16
Goods gods, has Canadian politics sunk to this level of American style sleaze politics. The funny thing is is that this is not America where cheap gossip decides elections. I don't believe it for a minute, but even if it was true as long as no one under age or unwilling was invovled no one will care! As long as Jack showed results when it comes to governing he could reverse hangbang the entire cheerleadering squads of the Toronto Argnuts and the Montreal Aluwettes and no one would care as long as they were paying less for gas amoung other positive policies.
Also wheather the cons were behind this or not this will blow back against them as people will assume they were behind it. I knew the sun news network was desperate for viewers but this is pathetic. Clearly they did not know about the unspoken rules in Canadian politics between Journalist and politicians that you never touch someones sex life, it is off limits.
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:20
#17
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:22
#18
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:23
#19
I'm posting some of the tweets I am seeing -- unless anyone thinks I shouldn't
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:26
#20
This story is all over Twitter but does not yet seem to have made it into the MSM (apart from being broadcast on Sun TV). I suspect the other networks are just waiting for some kind of confirmation, and then it will be wall-to-wall all weekend. 
While this certainly has the potential to backfire, this is a distraction the NDP could have done without while trying to close the deal. The reaction on Twitter is overwhelmingly negative (ie against Sun TV) but I wonder if Joe and Jane Frontporch will react the same way.
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:26
#21
One of the reasons for the NDP rise is that Canadians are tired of such negative campaigning. I think this might have no effect, or possibly even help Layton if it further disgusts people with attack politics. Ultimately, I don't think, last minute "gotcha" moments change a great deal. IIRC, someone revealed that GWB had once had a DWI a few days before the 2000 election, a more serious revelation, and I don't believe it had a significant effect on his support.
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:27
#22
Statement from Olivia Chow:
Sixteen years ago, my husband went for a massage at a massage clinic that is registered with the City of Toronto. He exercises regularly; he was and remains in great shape; and he needed a massage.
I knew about this appointment, as I always do.
No one was more surprised than my husband when the police informed him of allegations of potential wrong doing at this establishment. He told me about the incident after it happened.
Any insinuation of wrongdoing on the part of my husband is completely and utterly false, which is why after 16 years and 8 election campaigns that my husband has campaigned in, this has never been an issue.
In the last hours of this election, this is nothing more than a smear campaign in an attempt to question my husband's character. This is another reason why politics in this country need to change and on Monday, Canadians will have their chance to do just that.
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:28
#23
Boom Boom
Um, don't people generally get nekkid while receiving messages?
Another reason not to use a webcam - it might be on while someone is messaging you. 
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:29
#24
I too think it probable that this will backfire. It will just reinforce (yet again) how sleazy these Straussian bastards are.
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:31
#25
Um, don't people generally get nekkid while receiving messages?Another reason not to use a webcam - it might be on while someone is messaging you.
Doh! Got me. 
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:32
#26
The story is now up on the Toronto Sun site here.
I have never read a more disgusting piece of yellow journalism.
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:36
#27
A lot of the newswomen on Sun are not fully clothed. Oops - that's a typical Sun headline.
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:40
#28
This is like when the McGuinty Liberals tried to slime Cheri DiNovo. The backlash against the Liberals was significant, and Cheri trounced the Liberal candidate. Canadians will react badly to an attempt to slime one of their favorite politicians.
Fri, 2011-04-29 21:48
#29
dgardner Dan Gardner
"...how media react to stories like this." No, Brian. How some journalists react. Leave the rest of us the hell out of it.
Fri, 2011-04-29 22:01
#30
I am sick to my stomach after reading that Sun story. They go out of their way to call Layton a "john" several times, and there are lots of other gratuitous references. I cannot believe that Canadian politics and journalism has sunk to this level.
Hopefully enough people will connect the dots between this and the Patrick Muttart imbroglio (ie strategist who was still on CPC payroll also advising SunTV).
Fri, 2011-04-29 22:12
#31
Hm what a surprise the headline makes it as the top headline on the Star's website hmmmmmm
Not good not good
Fri, 2011-04-29 22:17
#32
I wonder if the Star will now retract its rumoured endorsement of Jack?
We can only hope that there will be a blowback from this along the lines of the reaction to the PC "Face" ads against Chretien in 1993, but somehow I doubt it.
Fri, 2011-04-29 22:20
#33
I just got a tweet that Sun TV is reporting that Layton was found in a massage parlor that was suspected of being a bawdyhouse in 1996, according to police reports, although no charges were laid.
But did Layton get?
Fri, 2011-04-29 22:22
#34
I just got a tweet that Sun TV is reporting that Layton was found in a massage parlor that was suspected of being a bawdyhouse in 1996, according to police reports, although no charges were laid.
But did Layton get?
Not funny.
Fri, 2011-04-29 22:23
#35
I tend to think that if anything this will backfire. The timing especially could cause a backlash.
P.S. if you don't think that financial and corporate interests had a hand in this, you'd be rather naive.
Fri, 2011-04-29 22:25
#36
I wonder if the Star will now retract its rumoured endorsement of Jack?
We can only hope that there will be a blowback from this along the lines of the reaction to the PC "Face" ads against Chretien in 1993, but somehow I doubt it.
Absolutely. I don't think this one will backfire because all you need is the headline to form an impression
Geez
Fri, 2011-04-29 22:31
#37
Shades of A Very British Coup, no?
These games have been played for decades; at least it isn't financial.
Fri, 2011-04-29 22:32
#38
People this isn't designed for anyone to believe it! it's designed to make you sick of politics, get depressed and stay home on monday, the only way it works is if you let it.
Fri, 2011-04-29 22:36
#39
Exactly - and lots of people will, sadly
Fri, 2011-04-29 22:42
#40
Just have some faith in the Canadian character, and maybe we can stir up some righteous anger back at these guys. There is no reason to think this won't backfire, this wasn't Harper's 12th dimensional chess, this was some right wing trolls working for a network with anemic ratings trying a desperate ploy.Exactly - and lots of people will, sadly
Fri, 2011-04-29 22:43
#41
People this isn't designed for anyone to believe it! it's designed to make you sick of politics, get depressed and stay home on monday, the only way it works is if you let it.
Amen.
Fri, 2011-04-29 22:45
#42
I was rather surprised by Sun media's outing the Conservative operator planting fake Iraq photo of Iggy. Now it all makes sense of why Sun did that several days ago - it was to prepare to run this story two days before the election.
Same thing happened to Robert Chisholm in Nova Scotia, when a newspaper disclosed a few days before election that he had a DWI record twenty years before. Instead of NDP winning the election, the Conservatives came into power. But that was a DWI, and Chisholm had earlier denied any prior criminal conviction.
Fri, 2011-04-29 22:45
#43
remind
Lunn (or Lund) had a prostitute working in his office for 6 months while Harper has a convicted fraudster in the PMO, and SUN and the Star print this crap.
That people are surprised this happened is amazing, knew something was coming, they were/are in a corner.
It is the week end, hockey is happening and most people do not give a shit.
Fri, 2011-04-29 22:46
#44
Sixteen years ago? This is the best that the Cons or Libs can come up with? Even if it is true, its still 16 years ago -even an individual's driving privileges record only goes back five years and a poor credit record only six.
This election has backfired on Steve. He made it about him, not the Conservative Party. He forced a dull unimaginative election on Canadians and dared Canadians not to vote for him.Canadians have swarmed to Jack Layton due to his personality. This 'surge' isn't about the NDP, its about Jack. Voters will vote NDP because they trust Jack Layton.
Smearing his character is the desperate act of a fearful elite used to holding on to power by deceit and in-your-face bullying. They are desperate because the Canadian people have called their bluff.
Fri, 2011-04-29 22:53
#45
Hm what a surprise the headline makes it as the top headline on the Star's website hmmmmmm
Not good not good
It may, but I don't think so. It seems very clear in the story that the whole story is bullshit and will probably get the Sun sued. Not only is this Libel, but I believe this actually violates the Election Act as well which may involve jail time.
I don't get this mad often, but I'm quiver with @ucking rage right now and I am betting that this will be the normal reaction from voters. There is a reason that the cons are trying to pawn this one over to the Liberals, they will not even touch it. Heads will @ucking roll for this sleazy act of misinformation. After this no one that isn't a complete moron, right or left will watch or trust Sun News, especially after the way they lied about Iggy. I never thought Journalism could sink any lower in this country then it already had clearly this was before Sun News. I hope these god damn @ucking @ssholes lose everything. It is not that the NDP will be hurt by this as people will read the stars article about this, not just the headline, not when it is this shocking, and people will see it for the single most horrific smear in Canadian history. If the sponsors do not withdraw their ads from the Sun for this they deserve to be boycotted.
Fri, 2011-04-29 23:09
#46
Methinks the cop who "wished to remain anonymous" just had a hefty sum deposited into an offshore bank account. I wouldn't put it past either the Libs or Cons to orchestrate this, though based on the source I'm betting on the latter.
As expected, the entire Canadian media is now running with the story. Do a google news search.
The Sun even has a new article in which they interview some guy from the neighborhood. It begins...
TORONTO - What Jos Chiu remembers most is the sign. A long, red, illuminated sign with big white letters: MASSAGE. The sign was for years vertically attached to number 787 Dundas St. W.
It was a massage parlour, but no ordinary massage parlour. (cue scary music)
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/04/29/massage-parlour-a-mystery
Truly sickening.
Sat, 2011-04-30 00:03
#47
Steve_Shutt
I refuse to let this desperation get to me. I revel in it. I know that it means we are winning bigger than we had even dared to hope.
First they ignore you.
Then they mock you.
Then they attack you.
Then you win!
Sat, 2011-04-30 00:41
#48
Sat, 2011-04-30 00:46
#49
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/983376--toronto-star-e...
That's as good an endorsement as we could have hoped for.
Sat, 2011-04-30 00:48
#50
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/983376--toronto-star-e...
Never thought I'd see the day. I am now going to go look to see if I have any unclaimed lottery tickets hanging around. It just seems like that kind of moment.
Sat, 2011-04-30 01:09
#51
Malcolm
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." - Mahatma Ghandi via Brian Topp