On the Free For all Round One today (7:47 to 8:00AM) caller Michael accused me of having a bias against Rob Ford. Jerry Agar then chimed in that I "hate him". Neither of the charges are true but they say something about the people who level them. 

Let's set out our definitions: bias is always shilling for the same team. It means a right winger defending Ford for driving while reading. It means a left winger who thinks we can explain away Ornge. Perspective on the other hand would be approaching every issue and incident with the same set of values and the same political orientation. Yes, I end up speaking against the mayor quite a lot. That's because his behavior and many of his policies are often out of line with my vision of the mayoralty and Toronto.  

I have also spoken in support of the mayor on everything from fiscal common sense to contracting out garbage. But if you think it's off base to criticize the mayor when he commits moving violations or when he breaks conduct rules he demanded council put in place then sorry....the bias is all yours. As for the idea that someone “hates” a political figure, that’s an old trick designed to make reasonable positions seem irrational. Ironically people who foamed at the mouth at the very mention of David Miller’s name always seem to be the first to accuse Ford’s critics of “Ford Derangement Syndrome”.

There are a lot of radio hosts who fundraise for politicians, endorse them, hold party membership, run for office, MC events and spin relentlessly even when their party or candidate is clearly wrong.

That's just not my deal.