The political circus that is Toronto Mayor Rob Ford delivered another spectacle Tuesday with Ford's admission that, yes, he smoked crack cocaine and no, he doesn't see that as a reason to quit.
I've admitted my mistakes, Ford said. I've apologized. Now time for him to get back to work. The operatic level of denial that has characterized the Ford spiral downwards over the past six months continued unabated.
Ford's revelation this week that he's smoked crack and carried on in "drunken stupors" is a surprise to nobody.
That he believes it would be possible to continue to carry out his duties as head of Canada's largest city indicates how out of touch he's become.
Sure, Rob Ford needs help. But so does the city of Toronto, where the business of the people has been sideswiped for the past six months by the train wreck of the mayor's demons. Not to mention his clumsy attempts to repeatedly lie and deny his way out of his troubles.
The sordid story, played out with a cast of criminal associates, against a backdrop of call-in talk shows and late-night TV jokes, has been both an embarrassment and a source of concern.
Rob Ford isn't the only one who should be doing some soul searching this week.
The Ford Nation, who so distrusted the 'elites' that they would rather vote for someone cast from Trailer Park Boys as their elected leader, also have a lot to answer for.
Being willing to go look at potholes isn't everything, even in civic politics.
Integrity is a necessary quality for any leader.
Ford has repeatedly proven that he has none.
It's way past time for him to step aside.
