Over the weekend, the Ottawa mayor blocked prominent Toronto Star columnist, radio host and civil rights advocate Desmond Cole from interacting with him on Twitter. According to the mayor, Cole had been “personally insulting” and engaged in “name calling.”

Cole described the allegations as “lies” on Twitter, arguing that the mayor was hoping no one would investigate his claims, and described Watson's behaviour as “calculated and meant to deceive.”

@GracingTheStage because he has been personally insulting and I'm not putting up with name calling. — Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa) August 28, 2016

According to a tweet from Cole, Watson blocked him at some point over the last several days. Cole also pointed out that his tweets are all public and anyone can review them.

.@geekylonglegs of course, all my tweets are public, so his lie is easily refuted. He will say anything to obscure his own conduct. — Desmond Cole (@DesmondCole) August 28, 2016

Ricochet reviewed Cole’s Twitter timeline back to July 25, when news of Abdi’s death broke, and were unable to find any examples of personal insults or name calling. What we found was criticism of the mayor for remaining silent in the days following the shooting, and pointed criticism of how his city handles issues of racism and police violence. Cole’s tweets were within the bounds of fair comment, addressed to the substance of the mayor’s job performance and about as mean as pundits often are to mayors and legislators across this country.

In short, pointed criticism of politicians is in the job description for columnists and radio hosts like Cole.

Outrage isn’t a personal attack

Here’s Cole’s first mention of Watson after the shooting. He sent several tweets criticizing the mayor for his initial silence over several days. The mayor had tweeted that he was on vacation.

Why are you silent @JustinTrudeau, @JimWatsonOttawa. How many more deaths and beatings until our lives are worth mentioning? #JusticeForAbdi — Desmond Cole (@DesmondCole) July 25, 2016

Try to imagine @JimWatsonOttawa pouting in a Muskoka chair, trying to find reasons not to address #JusticeForAbdirahman. We see you. — Desmond Cole (@DesmondCole) July 26, 2016

Mayor @JimWatsonOttawa, your ongoing silence on the police brutality against Abdirahman Abdi is disgraceful. #JusticeForAbdirahman — Desmond Cole (@DesmondCole) July 26, 2016

Cole brought up Watson again on July 29, criticizing his belated statement on the death.

Don't talk about how we FEEL, @JimWatsonOttawa, talk about what your police DO. #JusticeForAbdirahman https://t.co/kWMgAoCQfT — Desmond Cole (@DesmondCole) July 29, 2016

On August 25, Cole tweeted this:

No Jim, the police acted as judge and jury. Now you're providing cover for their crimes. #JusticeForAbdirahman https://t.co/vUcFlKHwK4 — Desmond Cole (@DesmondCole) August 25, 2016

Blocking those who use ‘vulgar and rude language’

This morning, Watson responded to criticism of him for blocking Cole and others on Twitter by explaining that he only blocks “those who use vulgar and rude language.”

@geekylonglegs only those that use vulgar and rude language — Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa) August 28, 2016

@Serena_AD I have every right to block people who are rude. And you have every right to not follow me. #democracy — Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa) August 28, 2016

@_anupa actually as a citizen I'm entitled to block people who engage in name calling — Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa) August 28, 2016

@GracingTheStage it's my personal twitter acct. Official one it city's. I can choose who to follow just as you can. #freeworld — Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa) August 28, 2016

Cole returns fire

Also this morning, and after he was blocked by Watson, Cole tweeted some more criticism of the mayor and his choice to block him on Twitter.

Mayor Watson refuses to defend Black people, but wants to pose with us. Has he no shame? #JusticeForAbdirahman https://t.co/1V7ZcJL5Jz — Desmond Cole (@DesmondCole) August 28, 2016

You remained silent for 48 hours after police beat a Black man to death. Now you play the victim? Disgusting. pic.twitter.com/lwlfG2L8Xp — Desmond Cole (@DesmondCole) August 28, 2016

.@geekylonglegs Of course, this isn't about him. It's about the #JusticeForAbdirahman he obstructs with his photo ops and evasions. — Desmond Cole (@DesmondCole) August 28, 2016

One could argue “poor baby” is a personal insult, but it occurred in response to the block, not prior to it. Cole went on to point out that Watson had declined to provide examples of the vulgar and rude language he accused Cole of employing.

He can't cite one example, Steve. Wants the power of his office, but not the responsibility. Getting exposed today. pic.twitter.com/Bqp2iaB3wr — Desmond Cole (@DesmondCole) August 28, 2016

.@ChristyCeeCK I disagree. He is simply hoping people won't investigate his claims. His behaviour is calculated and meant to deceive. — Desmond Cole (@DesmondCole) August 28, 2016

It's a new day in Canada. Politicians like @JimWatsonOttawa are being exposed for anti-Black racism, and they have no clue what to do. — Desmond Cole (@DesmondCole) August 28, 2016

Watson doubles down

A few hours ago Watson doubled down, repeating the allegation of “name calling.” Despite several instances of harsh criticism, Ricochet has been unable to find any examples of Cole calling the mayor names on Twitter dating back to July 25, aside from “poor baby” after he was blocked.

@underwhelmed_7 we don't allow name calling in our council — Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa) August 28, 2016

So do words like “disgraceful,” and criticism of how long an elected official takes to respond to a police shooting qualify as “personal insults” and “name calling?”

Has Watson’s job performance ever been critiqued as “disgraceful” by other pundits and radio hosts? Have they been blocked?

Politicians like to use Twitter because, among other reasons, they hope it will make them appear more responsive to the concerns of residents they represent. However, while mayors like Naheed Nenshi of Calgary and Denis Coderre of Montreal have been lauded for their use of the platform, others struggle to avoid putting their foot in it when they engage on social media.

Watson is correct that he has every legal right to block whomever he likes on Twitter, just as the people of Ottawa have every right to vote for whomever they choose in the next municipal election. But in the court of public opinion, making questionable allegations against a public figure of Cole’s stature when he criticizes you over an issue of concern to many residents seems like poor politics.