This post pre-empted by (yet another) bike theft

Good morning, all. I had originally intended to write about yesterday's court decision which found Toronto's ignorant and incompetent mayor Rob Ford guilty of conflict of interest charges. However we woke up today to discover that a thief (or thieves) had entered our garage - again - had a look inside the car and stolen my brand new bicycle (which was itself a replacement bike for one which was stolen over the summer.) So that is what's occupying my thoughts right now. If you are reading this, please wish for some good fortune to come my way. A blog post about the Rob Ford situation is sure to follow. Thanks for your patience!

This Hour Has 22 Minutes

What would you do if you were suddenly confronted by a comedian with a television camera and microphone? Toronto mayor Rob Ford recently provided a perfect example of what not to do. When confronted outside his home by well-known comedian Mary Walsh, he beat a hasty retreat back into his house and called the police!

Now I suppose it's possible that Ford didn't recognize Mary Walsh from her popular TV show, This Hour Has 22 Minutes (possible - but highly unlikely.) But Walsh, in the guise of her comedic character Marg Delahunty, has surprised many Canadian public figures with a sneak ambush. Others, like filmmaker/activist Michael Moore, have made a career of trying to embarass public figures with on the spot interviews. Almost all of them - the smarter ones (this excludes Mayor Ford) - have just played along and enjoyed the moment. This approach BTW, is what I would recommend to my clients if they ever find themselves in that situation. Nothing looks worse than hiding from the camera or giving the impression that you can't take a joke. Just suck it up, folks.

A final note - I may have to take issue with Mary Walsh/CBC for confronting Rob Ford at his home. Public officials - even Rob Ford - have a right to a reasonable amount of privacy when at home. But had they buttonholed Ford outside his office that would be totally fair game. You've been warned!

Obomney

Like almost everyone else I know, I've been following the US presidential campaign quite closely. Almost all of my friends and associates are firmly in the Obama camp. I must confess that I don't see a great deal of difference between the two candidates except for their pigment.

Actually - I must admit that I too find Obama slightly better on social issues (gay rights, women's rights, abortion, etc.) but for various reasons, I find it impossible to be an enthusiastic Obama supporter.

How would I vote if I were American? A lot would depend on whether I lived in a "swing state" or not.

In any case, we will know the outcome soon.

November 7th update. Now we know!