Monday, I wrote about hope; today, I write about a dope: Giorgio Mammoliti is living, breathing proof that all you need to succeed in politics is a thumb.

What’s he on about now?

As you recall, Giorgio was once the point man on city council for a certain someone who once directed the right-wing vote; Giorgio was delegated to make an instructional thumb gesture, up or down, on his behalf.

The gesture was oddly unnecessary for that certain someone, because he voted no on virtually every issue that came before council, including support for initiatives on behalf of harm reduction, or any programs concerning the health of those who use drugs or alcohol.

And so, in the absence of that certain someone — ironically, in rehab for substance abuse at this moment — I am here today to tell Giorgio precisely where he can put his thumb, and to offer him a digital gesture of my own.

Back off Parkdale, pal.

You represent politics at its most unbearable. You are a man with half a brain who has collided with half a fact about a difficult issue.

The issue?

Giorgio does not support all-ages parties on the grounds of Exhibition Place. Why? Because Parkdale is a “pedophile district.” According to Giorgio, the pedophiles of Parkdale are just standing around the fences, waiting to prey on our children.

The fact?

Parkdale is not a “pedophile district.” Yes, there are people on the sex offender registry living in my neighbourhood, just as they live in many other neighbourhoods.

And yes, there are programs for them in my neighbourhood, and that is as it should be; we want people to get help.

The plain and simple truth is that such rehab programs — especially those offered by the Mennonite Circles of Support and Accountability — prevent repeat offences at a very high rate.

Eileen Henderson is the restorative justice co-ordinator for the Mennonite Central Committee in Ontario. In response to the councillor’s remarks she said, “To target any one area creates fear . . . fear-mongering doesn’t help people deal with risk.”

She also said, “For the most part, sexual offences occur within families, where people are known to each other, where there is a relationship of trust.”

And as for the issue of all-ages parties, she said there ought to be structures in place, and parental involvement, in order to prevent problems. Which, Giorgio, is the absolute and utter intent of the council decision.

Let me be clear: The councillor is not free to stoke or provoke hysteria. But, having done so, I am now free to wonder what is happening inside his head.

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You know that he had recent health scare — and you also know that I wish him full health — but Giorgio vowed to be a changed man upon his recovery.

I see no evidence of change; therefore, a vow from Giorgio is, according to the famous quote, not worth a bucket of warm spit.

If you are seeking references for the bucket quote, it is usually attributed to the 32nd vice-president of the United States, John Nance Garner, known as Cactus Jack; he was referring to the worth of the vice-presidency.

I merely note that the, um, liquid in question was not, um, spit. I also note that taking umbrage with Giorgio is a bit like running with such a full bucket; one tends to get splashed.

But let me make a point about all-ages dances, and let me echo Ms. Henderson: they happen in this city, supervised or not, but holding them at Exhibition Place is a way to supervise what would otherwise happen out of sight and in the dark.

The real opposition to such parties on the grounds of Exhibition Place comes, I suspect, from the owner of Muzik, which is also at Exhibition Place.

Muzik as the club where a certain someone, now in rehab, was a big draw. This newspaper reported that the staff of Muzik were told that a certain someone was a customer whose money was no good. This newspaper also reported that the owner of Muzik held the liquor licences for two recent “fests” hosted by a certain someone, now in rehab.

I, too, have a thumb.

In your eye, Giorgio.