Be careful tonight, everyone.
I believe there will be violence with a Ford loss.
Ford Nation is a group of people where many felt so disenfranchised that they didn't vote before Ford. They believe that the world is "fixed" against them; that only the rich and powerful win in life. They act as though Ford's win was a slip up that "the left" (everything from center-right all the way to the left wing) weren't able to "fix" in time to get their own guys in. They believe they are in the majority, as many believe that Ford won a landslide victory (it wasn't) with the largest mandate in Toronto history (it also wasn't). Some will view Doug Ford's loss as yet another election "fixed". This is what Doug's dog-whistling with his talk of Establishment and Elites this past week. He knows he's gonna lose and wants the Nationals to believe he rightfully did win but that it was stolen from him.
Ford Nation has all the makings of a violent political movement. It's rooted deep in ignorance and fear. It attracts some people who are pretty extreme in their views (Iola and James Sears, and to a lesser degree Trustee Sam, Neil Flagg). We've seen small hints that it can get violent, but I guarantee we'll see more tonight and following the election. We'll see some minor violence against the public in places like NPS tonight, but I think we may also see violence against councillors and whomever wins the mayoralty. Don't discount that Ford Nation *will* be willing to come downtown, or that there are already plenty living down here. Be safe tonight.
Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate… leads to sufffffffffering.
Rob Ford was voted in out of their fears. Doug Ford's loss will lead to anger. You get the rest.
I think Adam Vaughan was brilliant to jump ship to the big leagues. He'd likely be target #1 for any pro-Ford violence. If I were Shelley Carroll or Gord Perks, I'd be pretty vigilant about personal security for a bit.
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