We began the week with a laugh at the John Tory’s unfamiliarity with Kanye West, who’s scheduled to perform at the Pan Am closing ceremony, but soon a crisis of patriotism took hold.Frank Micelotta/The Associated Press
Talking points for this weekend's social chatter
'Yeezus, can't believe I didn't know @KimKardashian's husband wasn't Canadian! #Topoli #KanyeWest' – @JohnTory
'Online Pan Am petition seeks closing ceremony alternative to Kanye West'
What began as an innocent gaffe by Mayor John Tory has turned into a Canadian inquisition of Kanye West. We began the week with a laugh at the mayor's apparent unfamiliarity with the rapper tapped to perform at the Pan Am closing ceremony. But soon a crisis of patriotism took hold as an online petition grew to 40,000-plus signees demanding he be replaced by a Canadian artist. Don't go half-cocked into this weekend's inevitable Kanye conversation. Four things to know before yattering about Yeezy:
1. He was raised in Chicago, a city known for its stunning architecture and savvy urban planning. Mr. West simply doesn't reflect what Toronto has to offer.
2. His reported net worth is approximately $130-million, equal to the bloated cost of the Queens Quay revamp. Only one of them was late and over budget.
3. When British festival-goers petitioned against his appearance at Glastonbury, Mr. West decided to cover Bohemian Rhapsody. Will we get the auto-tuned O Canada we deserve?
4. It's been reported that the name Kanye translates to "only one" in Swahili. As in, "You know Kanye isn't the only one performing at Pan Am, right? Have you heard of Serena Ryder?"
Cliff Lee