Thursday, November 7, 2013

Canadian Mayor Rob Ford: Cocaine Denial Analyzed

When a Canadian mayor heard rumors that evidence was going to emerge showing him using crack cocaine, he took to the offensive and said,

"I do not use crack cocaine."

Statement Analysis teaches that people do not like to lie directly.  It causes internal stress and people will, instead, withhold information, to deceive, rather than leave themselves open for direct accusation later.

Note that "I do not use cocaine" is in the present tense. In statement analysis we conclude that this denial is:

"Unreliable."

The more he spoke, the further he moved from a denial.  A denial is:

1.  The pronoun "I"
2.  Past tense verb "did not" (or "didn't")
3.  Specific allegation addressed.

"I did not use crack cocaine" would have been a very strong denial.  "I do not use cocaine" is not a denial, and is likely true...at the time of the statement, only, since it is present tense.

"I never used crack cocaine" would be weak, as "never" avoids saying "did not" or "didn't" and it is a vague period of time which liars like to hide themselves within.

Like Lance Armstrong, and others, there was an attack against the accusers, including calling media "maggots" in his denial, showing his need to demonize his accusers, rather than deny the allegation.  This is a typical pattern.  His over the top emotion in the denial gave body language analysts plenty to work with.



When he was then shown a video tape of him using crack cocaine, he called a news conference in what people thought was to announce his resignation.  Instead, here are his words.  He chided the reporters, blaming them for not asking him the question in the past tense!

“I wasn’t lying; you didn’t ask the correct questions.  No, I’m not an addict and no, I do not do drugs. I made mistakes in the past and all I can do is apologize, but it is what it is.”

He does not take responsibility and instead blames the reporters.  His own words should reveal the lack of ownership and the lack of taking personal responsibility.  Let's see...

Now analyze this statement:

"I am sincerely, sincerely, sincerely sorry for what I have done."

Strike one,

Strike two,

and....

Does he take responsibility, or does he blame something else?

"All I can say is I made mistakes...there have been times when I have been in a drunken stupor.  I want to see the state I was in.  I wasn't lying.  You didn't ask the right questions.  I do not do drugs."





42 comments:

GetThem said...

He was making other comments on the 11PM news last night. Different then this post. He did admit to using cocaine but I think he was trying to make it sound like he only did it in the past, but he couldn't issue a reliable denial.

John Mc Gowan said...

"I am sincerely, sincerely, sincerely sorry for what I have done."

He takes ownership of his words by using the pronoun "I". Yet what comes next is revealing.

One qualifier weakens a statement, the more qualifiers the weaker the statement becomes. Here we have sincerely x 3. Oh dear !

Qualifier's are words when taken out of a statement still get the message across. They are also used to convince as we see with here.

The shortest sentence is the best.

"I am sorry for what i have done" is a stronger statement" Even stronger would be a reliable denial.

Blitz said...

A Canadian's Perspective: I find it interesting that this story of Rob Ford and his cocaine scandal (heck, I live two hours away from Toronto and I struggle to have interest in it alone) is attracting more international attention then the ongoing senate scandal that goes right up to the prime minister of Canada - now THAT is intriguing. Such as when the PM was asked a "yes or no" question during question period and he answered with a long blabble - no 'yes', no 'no'. He was even asked to avoid the 'weaseling' - did he? No! Weaseling is what the PM does best.

The senate scandal has also been ongoing for quite some time - as has Rob Ford's cocaine snorting ways. Yippie-dee-doo. What's funny is that it came out a few months ago that the leader of the Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau, smoked a few joints of EVIL MARIJUANA. The general reaction from Canadians (who aren't Conservatives): "Meh. No! Wait! I meant 'meeeeh'."

Most Canadians are more pissed off when the government is being a dick with money - especially taxpayer money. I'm not sure what riles up Americans but from the past "scandals", I guess it's mostly sex-related. The other point to make? Most comments that I read directed to Mayor Rob Ford from Canadian citizens the other night were more based on "getting help" than "getting the %#@% out".

Skeptical said...

John:

I came across this on the web and thought of you. It is a presentation on using body language to change one's behavior in addition to interpreting behavior. I was fascinated. If you are interested, here is the link.

http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html

P.S. If Malcolm Gladwell is right, it shouldn't take more than 10,000 hours. According to his research, this is the amount of time it takes to become proficient at a skill.

A Fat Crackhead? said...

Thanks for your analysis John. I was just about to ask about that.

Anonymous said...

Just looking at the eyes and bloated face of this fool shows plenty of cocaine use and God knows what all else!

Anonymous said...

what is this all a boot?
as if it was ok for him to have even been in a drunken stupor.

(All I can say is) why not stfu or tell the truth.
I (made) mistakes... past tense, not admitting to the instance at hand.
have been times<---- plural, that he knows of.
(when)... not what
I have been in a drunken stupor<---- as if this is any better excuse.
state I was in.... only then can he know if he did use or not. which means he is experienced enough to be able to tell the difference of when he does drugs.
I wasn't lying. You didn't ask the right questions.... they did give him an out, it was easy for him to fudge a little. but had they asked him the right questions, would he have answered truthfully then?
I do not do drugs.... "I" instead of, my drunken self. as a drunk, he excuses his behavior.
not an addict? how often does he get drunk, and how many TIMES in the past has he gotten drunk and used drugs?
i fart on his flappy head.

John Mc Gowan said...

Hi Skeptical, Thank you for the link.

I watched this presentation a while back. I do believe also we can change our body language to make ourselves feel confident in not just meetings, interveiwes etc but also in our daily life.

Striking up rapport, mirroring or also known echoing behaviour is in my opinion is very important. To some people this comes natural, (Bill Clinton was a master at it) to others it is disjointed and they come across as awkward nervous and shifty, its not to say that they are, just that they our not in sync with what they are saying. They may be nervous or feel inferior to whoever they our talking to.

Have you ever been introduced to someone for the first time and come away thinking what a nice man/woman ?. What you will find, if you were to look back at the conversation, the person you were talking to was mirroring you, copying your movements a second or two after you have performed an action. This is how a good salesperson has more sales than their colleagues. They mirror the buyer they manipulate them to come across as trusting, even using similar language to them. Sociopaths and narcissists also have it down to a fine art. ( Ted Bundy) he came across as charming affable and trusting), I digress. Rapport building is great for confidence and it makes people feel comfortable around us, and there is nothing better than people who feel relaxed and comfortable in our company.

There is a book called "The secret Life of pronouns" written by James Pennebaker, who researched the language of online chat rooms. What he noticed was, that as the relationship progressed they started using similar language to each other,( Verbal Rapport). those who did this he found, stayed in touch with each other longer than those who didn't.

Try this little experiment.

Next time you are having coffee in a cafe or a beer in a bar. If you are sitting in their peripheral vision (and this is important) a second after after they take a sip of their coffee or turn the page of a newspaper you do the same. Continue this for up to 3/4/ or 5 times. What you will find in the majority of times is that they will start to mirror you, when you take a sip of your drink etc. They won't know they are doing it given that they are in your peripheral vision. Then when you walk out, glance at them, and more than often than not they will smile at you. This is not to say they don't smile at people who don't try covert mirroring. This shows how powerful it can be. You will find after a certain amount of time it will then become second nature, and your confidence levels will rise..Its great to do this with your boss..

John Mc Gowan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
John Mc Gowan said...

^^^^ Some people are naturally pleasant to be around without applying the above.

Sus said...

Off, off topic...
Skeptical and John,
Fascinating stuff. I am especially interested in mirroring body and verbal language. Some people do this naturally or have learned to do it as a means of making others comfortable. Some to get something from the other person (a vote, donation, a sale). The sociopath and narcissist are skilled at mirroring because they have used the tactic their entire life...it is how they draw in victims. The victim doesn't even realize he is seeing himself and feels very comfortable ...the trap is set.

Here is the off, off topic. Watch Ryan Ferguson in court and in interviews. And he has only honed his skills through the years. My opinion.

Tania Cadogan said...

off topic

ATHENS, Wis. – A Wausau woman who was 16 when she disappeared more than nine years ago has been found living in Mexico and could return home as early as Thanksgiving.

Connie McCallister, now 25, disappeared with her then 22-year-old boyfriend on Aug. 15, 2004, when she was an honor-roll student at Athens High School, according to Daily Herald Media, which first reported that McCallister had been found.

Her aunt, Florence Volzka, told The Associated Press that her boyfriend drugged her to get her to Mexico. At one point, she was badly beaten and treated at a hospital, where someone helped her get a new identity, she said.

"I never gave up any hope of her," her aunt, Florence Volzka, 56, of Medford, said Wednesday by phone. "I always thought she would find a way home. She is very close knit with the family."

Volzka said she first spoke with her in September through Skype and she looks the same, but with longer hair.

"I cried for an hour," she said.

McCallister eventually got involved with a man who abused her, Volzka said, and then found a good man whom she ended up marrying. She now has three young daughters.

She said since McCallister didn't know Spanish, it was hard for her to contact her family in Wisconsin.

A church missionary recently met McCallister, learned of her situation and about three months ago contacted the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, which had previously displayed McCallister's information on its website.

Wausau Police Capt. Greg Hagenbucher told Daily Herald Media they've confirmed it is McCallister through Skype.

"She did ask for help in getting home," said Wausau Police Capt. Greg Hagenbucher. "But she won't come back without her children."

He did not immediately return a call Wednesday from The Associated Press seeking an update on the then-boyfriend, who is also wanted on charges of first-degree sexual assault involving an unrelated victim.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that a group of volunteers at Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Athens is raising money to bring McCallister and her children home.

"We want to use this as an example for families with missing relatives to never give up hope," Judy Weise, a family friend and church administrator told the newspaper. "There's always a chance their loved one could come home. Don't ever give up hope."

Officials with the U.S. Consulate are working with McCallister to gather the required documents and identification records necessary for McCallister to return home, said Wausau Police Detective Kay Hansen.

McCallister is petitioning the court so her husband can join her in the U.S. according to Weise.

Volzka said they will live with her in Medford and then move to another property in Athens when she back on her feet. She hopes to have her home by Thanksgiving.

"She's excited and she's cautious and she knows it's going to be whole new world again and she's afraid," Volzka said. "There are a lot of adjustments."

McCallister's mother, Cindy McCallister, now lives in Florida.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/07/wisconsin-woman-missing-since-2004-found-alive-in-mexico/

Anonymous said...

By the way I'm joking ^^^^^:)))

Tania Cadogan said...

I am not buying the story and it seems there are plenty of others as well thinking the same thing, scam.

what caught my eye was She said since McCallister didn't know Spanish, it was hard for her to contact her family in Wisconsin.
She has allehedly been in mexico for 9 years and she doesn't know Spanish?
How could not knowing Spanish prevent her contacting her family in Wisconsin? There are many Mexicans who speak a smattering of english often picked up from tv or radio, it isn't as if she is parked on top of a desolate mountain far from civilisation. What was stopping her from phoning her family if she was married to a good man? what was stopping her talking to a cop? It was claimed in another article she never left the house without her husband, really? is this the behavior of a woman married to a good man i wonder. First things first is DNA tests to confirm she is who she claims to be, People with a missing family member especially a child will see what they want to see, she has been missing for 9 years, who knows what she would look like today? It also caught my eye that the number 3 shows up, and, i know i shouldn't, everytime it crops up it catches my eye and makes me go hmm. She seems to be putting restrictions on why she won't come home, her children, her husband. I am surprised the police the police have confirmed she is who she claims to be via skype, the first thing anyone with brains knows is you take everything you see and hear on the net with a large pinch of salt. Do they not read the news about all the people who get scammed by someone pretending to be someone they aren't? DNA test first and foremost on her and the kids and then take it from there.

Tania Cadogan said...

john said...

^^^^ Some people are naturally pleasant to be around without applying the above.


I agree John, to me they 'smell nice' Vitak knows what i mean. they exude niceness, goodness, they are the sort of person you want to hug tightly and be around. Other people 'smell bad' they exude horrible stuff, a bad aroma, they are the sort of person i avoid. Even their name will bring up a scent. For me kate mccann will always smell of stale urine, even the mention of her name brings up the association. UGH

Mary said...

@ Blitz:
I can only speak for myself & some comments I've read, as to why the Toronto mayor case has captured the attention of US readers. I find it quite shocking the citizens of Toronto are stuck with a mayor who refuses to resign, even after admitted crack use, has lied for several months to Toronto citizens, has "drunken stupor" issues, at the very least, he associates with known drug dealers & has been caught on police survelience receiving packages from them, he's been accused of domestic violence, had an assistant hire a hacker to steal a video from a website, and most disturbing, is he has ties to several dealers who have turned up murdered since news of the crack video surfaced.

Then, several hours after his so-called admission video, he kicks off his reelection campaign for next year by stating he will not resign, he looks forward to the the upcoming year. Wow.

Finally, most disturbing, the news out today that he's on video threatening violence and to threatening "first degree murder" (quoting) is proof that this man is extremely dangerous. His staff has brushed his murder threat off by saying sometimes he goes off on a tangent but then calms down a few minutes later. What??

The fact that unless this criminal thug will continue being mayor unless he chooses to resign, no matter how Toronto citizens feel about the issue, is truly repulsive. I hope Toronto creates a "Rob Ford Law" in case the city ever finds itself with another mayor as corrupt as it appears Mr. Ford is.

Tania Cadogan said...

Dang those pronouns. I might have gotten away with it if it hadn't been for those pesky statement analysts and journalists :)

Sella35 said...

@Hobnob quote "I agree John, to me they 'smell nice' Vitak knows what i mean. they exude niceness, goodness, they are the sort of person you want to hug tightly and be around..." Hob, where has VitaK been? I never see her posts anymore. I miss all her links to obscure posts, I would have missed if Peter would allow OT posts here..Most of the time VitaK is on-topic but now and again she would post the best links of OT things!

Sella35 said...

err, if Peter would not allow off-topic posts...... I love the OT posts because I learn about a lot of cases I would have missed.

Anonymous said...

Hobnob, do you hate everybody named "Kate" or McCann? You know, this is not right, honey bun.

You know it's wrong too, to imagine that she smells like urine all the time, when likely she takes an above average number of showers trying to wash herself clean of her part in concealing little Maddies' death and disposal.

Once I seriously questioned that anyone named Ray had either been to prison or were headed there sooner or later; and by golly, there really ARE a lot of bad "Ray"s' out there but this attitude simply is not true, since I've also known a few nice men named Ray as well.

We need to get over this, Hobnob.

ME said...

Your that little "shit"that attacks women.you need to "work out",or get a "man's job".

Skeptical said...

John:

Thank you for your comments. I liked the positive slant on body language. Instead of using it for manipulating other people, you use it to help yourself. What I liked about Anne Cuddy's take was that you don't fake it until you make it, you fake it until you become it. Using body language as a tool to help you push the envelope on your own behavior and do the things that make you uncomfortable and/or afraid. If I ever have to do another job interview, before I go in, I'm going into the ladies' room, throw my arms up in the air for two minutes and sing "We Are the Champions".

I have yet to read The Secret Life of Pronouns. I did read and use his Writing to Heal, journaling to get past traumatic events. It fits right in with what a psychologist told me years ago. He called it the "ping" factor. If you think of something hurtful from your life and you no longer get that frisson of emotion or "ping", it's a good indication that you have worked through it. For those of us who didn't grow up in an Ozzie and Harriet household, it can take time and effort to get rid of the pings.

Blitz said...

I heard the clip on my way home from work today, Mary. It was added that no one knows WHO the threats were directed at and the context of which it was said in. It was also added that the Toronto Star paid for the video. I do agree that he needs to step down - he's needed to step down since the allegations first arose. The man reminds me of Bob Bashara and that is no compliment - in fact, it's a pointed insult. In addition, the talk of killing is a bit of a concern considering one of his 'street associates' have been killed. I do wonder if there's a link between the two but I do not know.

I am more concerned about the senate scandal and I found it slightly amusing that this is the story that people are choosing to follow. Many Canadians - if my Facebook is any indication - are seeing this as a moment to go 'hur hur hur' at Ford. He's currently the laughingstock of Canada and I don't think he will last long in office. He will be asked to step down or he'll be forced out with our special brand of 'heckle-'til-they-go-away'.

Oh, and Anonymous. I have a simple question and answer for you (since I think you're a 12 year old or an "adult" with a staggering low IQ, I'll even give you the answer. I'm just that nice). Q: Which country has a higher unemployment rate, lower wages and a maternity leave of only 3 months? If you answered 'Canada', you'd be wrong. That's America - "poor man's" America. Here are the facts so you can see for yourself: 6.2% - Canada's UE rate. 7.4% - America's UE rate. $10.45 - Canada's minimum wage, $7.25 - American's minimum wage. Canadian mothers receive a year off for maternity leave, American mothers receive three months.

Have a nice day : )

exhausted momma said...

three months? in america? i dont think so!

Crack Mayor said...

Skeptical-

That's an awesome video. Thanks.

Carnival Barker said...

@Hob,

Since you can pick up Vita's scent, can we release you like a tracking dog so you can find her and bring her back to us?!?!?!

Anonymous said...

dont know who you was talking to, but...
$10.45 - Canada's minimum wage,
$7.25 - American's minimum wage.

take out 50% for taxes in canada
take out 17% taxes in america.

5.23 for canada take home wage.
6.01 for american take home wage.

also, america's minimum wage is going to be raised soon.
and would canada have it so good if it wasn't for the trade agreement with america? pooling the GNP of the three countries was beneficial to those third world nations, it brought america's average down considerably.
and we dont have flappy heads.

Anonymous said...

OT: 72-year-old Delores 'DeeDee' Jackson sentenced in stabbing death of Cincinnati resident
Jackson found guilty of murder, evidence tampering

“I didn’t mean to hurt nobody,” the suspect said, before professing in court that she didn’t know how Ross ended up suffering her fatal stab wounds.


http://www.wcpo.com/news/crime/closing-arguments-in-case-against-72-year-old-charged-in-stabbing-death-of-cincinnati

Lemon said...

Snarkapotamus @ 4:56-

Its "Hobnob", not honey bun. The only one who needs to get over anything is you. Try the "Nasties for No Reason", three blogs over, on the left.

You're welcome and have a good evening :)

John Mc Gowan said...


New Rob Ford Video Reportedly Shows Toronto Mayor In Rage:

MUST SEE..

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/07/new-rob-ford-video_n_4234120.html



sidewalk super said...


You wanna chance to do another statement analysis of an in-the-news video?
Try any of the current president's so called "apology" lectures.
Wow and wow.

Anonymous said...

I can "SMELL"u from here!!pissy genitallia.(I'm not Hobnob btw)GET IT WASHED!!

Periwinkle Paisley said...

"You didn't ask the right questions." Good call Rob Ford, statement analysis does teach us to enter the subject's own personal dictionary. He's got them there...lol

Anonymous said...

Lemon, are you & Hobnob bed partners? Or is it that you just have the hots for her? You sure act like it!

Been observing this lessie (?) behavior coming from you for Hobnob for a lOOOOOng time now.

Anonymous said...

Ha Ha.... Now THAT's funny!

I've noticed it too, how possessive Lemons is of Hobnob over the slightest little infraction that SHE thinks is stepping over her fine line. Ha ha, Lemons is out of the closet whether she wanted to be or not.

I wondered if anyone else had watched her possessiveness of Hobnob in action, but there it is in black and white for all to see... FINALLY. he he he he he... You can only hide it for so long Lemons!

he he he he he....

Anonymous said...

Yeah, she gets hot under the collar where her precious Hobnobs is concerned. Better tread lightly on that one else you'll incur the almighty wrath of Lemon!

ME said...

"Hobnobs"?"lemons"why (when pretending)to be in conversations do you add the"s"????? Just wondering?....carry on...

ME said...

And finally you do the "space bar".
like this


Anyway I'm bored now.

Anonymous said...

Better watch it, Carnival Barker, asking Hobnob to pick up Vitas' scent and track her down. Ewww-weee...! This will make Lemon highly jealous and spitting fire atcha.

Whatever you do, don't refer to Hobnob as honey buns or some other terms of endearment; for that Lemon would go for your jugular.

We wouldn't want that to happen, now would we?

Anonymous said...

U STOPPED saying"lemons"and"hobnobs"you are a toy.we controlled you.hee hee hee hee hee hee



HEE hee

Anonymous said...

Dear "hobnobs""lemons"hater.....!1.your small framed.2.you are hairy.3.you have dental problems.


HEE hee hee.

Anonymous said...

I'm hairy .