RIP Jack Layton

[james t kirk]

I just read that. I'm shocked. Completely shocked. It wasn't that it was completely unexpected, it's just the suddeness of it. It was just last month that he announced that he was stepping aside - temporarily. There was no news out that he was getting worse, or that he was terminal. And now he's dead. You could tell at the press conference that he wasn't well, but you thought, well, maybe he has a shot at it. You never know. And bam, he's gone and at such a young age. It must have been pancreatic cancer. It hits hard and fast. Usually only giving you 6 weeks before you're gone. (It's largely undetectable unless you are specifically looking for it and by the time you find it - it's way too late.)

Love him or hate him, you can't say that he wasn't a dedicated man. He was a tireless champion of the "working man". There are not a lot of Jack Laytons in politics now or ever frankly. While he may have been too far left for me, I acknowlege that he was a counter balance to the right and I will be the first to say that he was a great Canadian.

 

[friedrice]

Well said James. He was a great Canadian.

 

[danmand]

Well said James. He was a great Canadian.

I suspect he put his party and the country ahead of himself during the election campaign instead of focussing on his cancer. He paid the ultimate price.

 

[blackram]

The shock of it is that he lost his life so soon after his greatest triumph! There must be some Greek tragedy written about something like this.

Who would have thought that the sad-sack NDP would ever become official opposition? Will they even be able to stay a moderate course without him?

 

[NoFatties]

Love him or hate him, you can't say that he wasn't a dedicated man. He was a tireless champion of the "working man".

His politics were always a little too left for me but I always admired his integrity and it was no small surprise that he out distance his political rivals when Canadians were polled excluding party politics who they would feel most comfortable with as Prime Minister. Probably his biggest legacy will be succeeding where the conservative & liberals failed - removing the separatists from parliament.

I wonder if the NDP will implode along provincial lines without him there.

 

[james t kirk]

No longer applicable. Yay.

Anyway, sorry to have seen Mr. Layton die at such a young age. I was looking forward to watching him in Parliament as leader of the opposition. Now he's up there debating Diefenbaker and swapping stories with Trudeau, Tommy Douglas, and Pearson.

 

[omegaphallic]

The shock of it is that he lost his life so soon after his greatest triumph! There must be come Greek tragedy written about something like this.

Who would have thought that the sad-sack NDP would ever become official opposition? Will they even be able to stay a moderate course without him?

I'm not ashamed to say I cried at the news, he was my hero. Still Jack was a mentor to many seating MPs who share his vision, so the NDP has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to successors. Still while I would like to see a leadership race in september, today should be reserved for mourning and grieving. Be at peace Jack.

 

[shakenbake]

You may not have agreed with the Party, but this was a very likable guy!

+1 And, he certainly kept the others on their toes. he was a beneficial force in Canadian politics.

 

[Aardvark154]

the NDP has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to successors.

Hmm, I don't see it that way, but we shall see what we shall see.

 

[spankingman]

Who knows he might have been the NEXT PM!! R.I.P Jack

 

[danmand]

Lancs, has a valid point. However, today was probably not the best of times to make it.

What is the point that you find valid. Pray tell us.

Would it be that one should only fell coompassion for people with the same political views as oneself?

 

[Jennifer_]

... Today Canada lost a good man.

it's very sad.

"If I've tried to bring anything to federal politics, it's the idea that hope and optimism should be at their heart. We can look after each other better than we do today." ~ Jack Layton.

 

[new36jack]

Regardless of political view point, respect the. Man as it is another life that is lost with people mourning.

R.I.P Mr. Layton

 

[harryass]

... Today Canada lost a good man.

it's very sad.

yep agree. RIP Jack Layton.

PS- I just ignore all the BS posted above

 

[blackrock13]

Couldn't even wait 'til the body was cold, eh.

You're quite the *Class Act, Lancsboy.

*4th class.

Am I wrong or has Lanc Lads post been deleted/removed?

He says some outlandish things and it appears even he thinks that's the case today and removed it. Too bad as it also shows he doesn't always stand behind what he posts. Some might call it trolling.

 

[emerging44]

To all those with rose coloured glasses views of Taliban jack. Do not forget that the socialst silver spoon dipper was far removed from the "working man" but played the card well. A lifetime at the public teet is nothing that sould be lauded.

Clearly, you have no class at all. There is a big difference between sympathy for the person and agreement with his politics. When somebody dies in horrible circumstances, your sympathy is given out of respect for the person and their family. It has nothing to do with their politics or beliefs. When Stephen Harper spoke about Layton's illness, did you think he was being a hypocrite?

 

[HOF]

And in other news!

A man in Goderich, Ontario, Canada died yesterday during a tornado and over 30 others were seriously injured.

Please don't get me wrong with the above comment as it is a sad day for Jack Layton's family, friends and colleagues. I see his death differently; it's a blessing for a man who has been struggling with cancer and other illnesses/injuries for some time.

He passed away exactly 5 weeks after announcing his illness at home and with loved ones around him. He was able to say goodbye and make peace. He was a proud, strong and dedicated man who will no-longer be suffering nor will his family and friends.

John Gilbert "Jack" Layton
July 18, 1950-August 22, 2011
Peace be with you.
04:45, August 22, 2011.

At his final news conference indicating his need for leave of absence, it appeared to me that he possibly had end stages pancreatic cancer; however, that is just an opinion, some reports say brain cancer. I've seen what pancreatic cancer does first hand.

 

[Aardvark154]

What is the point that you find valid.

That merely because someone has died shouldn't change your view of them.

However, I agree with emerging44 that "There is a big difference between sympathy for the person and agreement with his politics." I have sympathy for the Layton family and trust that he has gone to a better place. However, that doesn't mean I suddenly agree with his political views.

The original post having been deleted that is as far as I will go.

 

[rafterman]

Well taken at 61 yrs was certainly before his time and doubly sad given the recent NDP election breakthrough which was due in large measure to Layton's personal charisma and likability.

 

[Kyra.Graves]

While many may not share Jack's political ideology I would hope that most would agree that having active debate in our political arena only helped to bring out the best of ideas and move the country forward. I feel a sadness that Jack has passed, not because we agreed on our politics but because I shared many of the same ideals and values. I want Canada to have the best and brightest future, I want all the people in Canada to have equal opportunities to succeed and I want them to feel as if they have a voice and will be heard by their politicians. That is what I believe Jack did best, he allowed the average person to feel heard, he spoke up for what he believed and he fought for it. He led his team to victory, they surpassed all expectations under his leadership and with the odds against him, there is something to that I believe many people feel a connection to. Politics can be divisive but it doesn't need to be, perhaps what I mourn most and I feel is Canadas greatest loss is that we lost one of the men that believed in our system, that worked within it to fight for his values and for those in the country that shared his beliefs. We need more politicians that can inspire the youth to vote, that take the time to speak to the individual, that have hope for our future and his infectious optimism.

Jack included this Tommy Douglas quote in all of his emails, “Courage my friends, ’tis never too late to build a better world.” and I hope that Canadians pick up the torch and continue working to make our world a better place.