Olivia Chow leads the race…in deletions of hateful Facebook comments
Olivia Chow has taken an early lead in at least one aspect of the 2014 mayoral election: according to the Star, she has deleted far more inappropriate posts to her official Facebook page than all the other major candidates combined.
An analysis by the Star determined that Chow’s campaign had deleted 312 Facebook comments since she filed her nomination papers on March 12. Many of the removed comments have been racist or misogynistic—which is disappointing, but not surprising. Internet comment boards have a way of channeling idiotic hatred. (But not among Toronto Life commenters. You guys are great. Most of you are, at any rate.)
By the Star’s estimate, which it arrived at by using a piece of software to track activity on campaign pages, the only campaign Facebook page to approach the level of moronic vitriol on Chow’s is the one run by Rob Ford’s staff, which has shed 51 comments since March 3. There’s some speculation that Ford may be refusing to delete certain derogatory comments in order to bolster his image as a victim of leftist elites. It seems equally possible that he just has other things to worry about right now.
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/olivia-chow-hateful-facebook-comments/&title=Olivia Chow leads the race…in deletions of hateful Facebook comments&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/olivia-chow-facebook-page-624x395.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_268075" align="alignnone" width="656"] Olivia Chow's Facebook page, as it appeared earlier today.[/caption]
Olivia Chow has taken an early lead in at least one aspect of the 2014 mayoral election: according to the Star, she has deleted far more inappropriate posts to her official Facebook page than all the other major candidates combined.
An analysis by the Star determined that Chow's campaign had deleted 312 Facebook comments since she filed her nomination papers on March 12. Many of the removed comments have been racist or misogynistic—which is disappointing, but not surprising. Internet comment boards have a way of channeling idiotic hatred. (But not among Toronto Life commenters. You guys are great. Most of you are, at any rate.)
By the Star’s estimate, which it arrived at by using a piece of software to track activity on campaign pages, the only campaign Facebook page to approach the level of moronic vitriol on Chow's is the one run by Rob Ford's staff, which has shed 51 comments since March 3. There's some speculation that Ford may be refusing to delete certain derogatory comments in order to bolster his image as a victim of leftist elites. It seems equally possible that he just has other things to worry about right now.){kind=link}
In this Multi Cultural City of ours you would think this Sh!t would be a thing of the Past..
I easily question the number of comments that have been deleted as “misogynistic” in our overly sensitive politically correct society; but there is no doubting a racist comment. It stuns me as a Newfoundlander who is fortunate enough to live in Ontario where we get to experience cultures from around the world, to learn that we have so many people with such small minds and such a lack of gratitude for the country where we live.
The number of deleted posts, in isolation, loses meaning. What is the total number of posts? What about the crowded-field factor: being the only left-wing major candidate, her Facebook page would naturally attract more unacceptable comments from right-wing posters than the others.
I’m neither defending nor condemning her or her staff; I’m just pointing out the meaninglessness of a single number.
doesnt surprise me ,lots coming from the rob ford backwards conservative thinking old wanna be boys network.
I have yet to see a single inappropriate comment about Chow on FB. However, I’ve seen really despicable anti-Ford bullying comments about five times a day for the past three years. What does that tell you?
That you are seeing things in really partisan terms.
Just go to the Sun and National Comment boards – sure, people make fun of Ford for taking crack and lying, but that was his choice eh?
You will find a bunch of comments imitating a chinese accent, stereotypes etc.
It tells me you are willfully blind, or just plain full of it.
That Ford is a good target?
I would guess that many of these trolls are Ford fans.
That’s unfortunate. There are plenty of reasons to note vote for Ms. Chow without having to resort to bullying. Same goes for Ford. Usually, those who bully simply lack the intellect to present a cogent argument. Like SurvivorVeteran, for instance.
I have read a lot of similar nasty stuff on other forums like the NP and G&M. She has up to three strikes against her: being a woman, being a visible miority and being Jack Layton’s widow. The only thing that would cause her to attract more comments from the tin-hat brigade would be if she let it slip that she is a Montreal Canadiens fan. The fact that she is childless also appears to be a bone of contention for some of the misathropes out there.
Q: In what way are you different than David Miller
A (from Chow): I’m a woman and I’m Chinese
Lie to me, and tell me that’s the intelligent answer of a good leader who does not pander to racism or plan to use their appearance to get votes.
ABC. Anyone But Chow.
Delete bad comments? sounds like the government of China or North Korea…
Or would she elect for positions of North Korea instead of Canada?
Exactly right! This is Canuckistan so suppression of alleged rights is regarded as a virtue.
I do not know if she is a Canadiens fan but it would not surprise me. When Chow was asked how she is different from the other mayoral candidates her reply was that she is not white and not male. No sexism or racism there. Not only does that response reveal her prejudice but also an appalling lack of judgment. Therefore, I do not like her because she is female and she is not white. Oh, I believe the term you may have been looking for is “misanthropes” not “misathropes”. Of course, as a 2010 Ford supporter, what could I possibly know?