Drugs, politicians, and the testing of eachFollow

Well, I was talking about whether it would be illegal for the person being talked about. Meaning, if you (or someone else) relate a story about how you used some drug at some point in the past, you will not be charged with drug use. Unlike normal victim based crimes, vice crimes tend to require some officer to witness the crime itself. And the crime is currently possessing, using, or being under the influence of, the substance in question.

Having said that, you're also complete wrong about the whole defamation thing. If the person has evidence that what he's saying is true (like say a video of you using the drug in question), he absolutely can tell others about it, and you've got more or less zero legal recourse.



If they have a video of him doing what they've been accusing him of doing, he's not going to win those suits. I'll also point out that public figures are less protected by our libel/slander laws than regular folks. Doubly so for those in public office. So he's really kinda got no grounds to stand on there IMO.



Saying it a second time doesn't make it true. Even if we just look at the legal ramifications, that's sufficient to say there's a massive difference. Ford will face no criminal charges for what he has done. Therefore, since he hasn't broken any laws, none of the automatic rules regarding commission of crimes while holding public office apply. He's only subject to public approval, which is pretty much the same for any politician all the time.

This is massively different than a politician caught in a police sting.




Sure, but public perception only matter with regard to possibly losing his office. So it's the difference between automatically losing your position, and possibly having sufficient public outcry that you may have to resign your position. I'd say that's quite significant and relevant.

Its cute you try and discuss stuff you have no knowledge of. He isn't suing people over the video. He is suing people for saying he has done a bunch of other sh*t with no evidence other than hear say.



Except he is...well kinda. He is linked to two murders, and a drug bust. His driver a suspect in both. (Ironically the two dudes who put the video out there died shortly after) while he hasn't yet been charged he has been implicated in connection. So while its not the smoking of the crack that might get him...it is the connected follow up that could.



Except its not. Ford has lost his position, without an election, and without a public outcry (hell over 25% of people in Toronto still think he should be mayor. in a 4 man race that is a majority) he didn't resign, but he is Mayor in name only. He has no voting power he has no office, he has no personnel, he can not appoint anyone to any position...that is all in the hands of the deputy mayor. Ford has been brushed aside because it is political suicide for any city official to not be opposed to him. CBC and CTV have news trucks parked inside the City Hall lobby...any city Councillor who stayed with Ford would face the scorn of the media who have all but been judge jury and executioner in Fords case...there has not been a single public vote done, yet the Mayor of Toronto can no longer perform the duties he was elected to do and that is quite significant and relevant.

The only person who stood up for Rob Ford, and in my opinion democratic process was his brother.

Edited, Nov 26th 2013 9:32pm by rdmcandie

Edited, Nov 26th 2013 9:32pm by rdmcandie