RIP Jack Layton

[james t kirk]

I think you have hit the nail on the head here. Read Christie Blatchford`s column today. She has the balls to say what a lot of us have been thinking.

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com...nto-a-thoroughly-public-spectacle/#more-48340

Here's the link to Blatchford. I'm not quite sure what she's trying to say, other than she can't bear to see the public outpouring of affection for Layton for whatever reason. (My guess would be that she simply doesn't have it in her.) If anything, she comes across as quite petty and perhaps even a bit bitter for some reason.

Anyway, as I said, I never would vote for the NDP because I don't like their policies for the most part, but Layton at the the end of the day was good man with his heart in the right place. Like most Canadians I was shocked by his passing so soon at such a young age. He probably had another 20 years to give and that was taken away. His death is sad.

The one thing that I have heard said, and it made me go - "yeah, that's true" is that Layton single handedly managed to destroy the Bloc Quebecois. Neither the Liberals or the Conservatives managed to ever do that. But Layton did. That singular thing (which no-one can take away from him - despite what you may think of his politicis (Blatchford)) was a huge contribution to Canada. Good on you Jack.

 

[friedrice]

Well said James.

"She had the balls to say what many of us were thinking."

Really? Wait a day or two. It's vile to piss on someone who contributed so much to the country on the day he dies a horrible death. Have some fucking decorum.

 

[ogibowt]

in the poker world, he is referred to as Johnny"fuckin" Chan..in the music world he is Mick "fuckin" Jagger..well he is now Jack "fuckin" Layton

 

[blackrock13]

in the poker world, he is referred to as Johnny"fuckin" Chan..in the music world he is Mick "fuckin" Jagger..well he is now Jack "fuckin" Layton

.......and in those worlds you're known as?

 

[train]

Well said James.

"She had the balls to say what many of us were thinking."

Really? Wait a day or two. It's vile to piss on someone who contributed so much to the country on the day he dies a horrible death. Have some fucking decorum.

His ONLY contribution to the country of any significance was to get rid of the Bloq in Quebec. He was a career politician who was never in power, never drafted or was the champion of any legislation and generally always voted on party lines -(until the last election the 4th party in terms of seats in Parliament) . So let's not get carried away because we are sad that he died and that many thought he was a "nice guy". I think that is what Blatchford is saying.

I feel sad for his kids and wife. They will be shell-shocked for some time.

 

[blackrock13]

I think you have hit the nail on the head here. Read Christie Blatchford`s column today. She has the balls to say what a lot of us have been thinking.

No, she has no sense of proper timing. There a time and place and this is neither. She's so anti Layton and pro Harper, her PJs are probably red, oops I mean blue. She's held posts in every major Toronto Newspaper and finally found refuge in the NP, sort of, but not for long. She left NP after 5 years only to return this year. Every body wants her or nobody wants her, which is it?

She makes a big thing of Layton's letter being 'crafted' by committee, no shit. Two days before he dies of cancer he's not going to be able to do much, but I'll bet the farm that it didn't go out without his approval.

I wonder when she goes if there will be spontaneous emotional notes of remembrance on the walls of whatever paper she'll be working for then. Some how I doubt it. The sight of this on the walls and sidewalk of City Hall this morning by the ordinary citizens of TO was quite moving.

 

[blackrock13]

His ONLY contribution to the country of any significance was to get rid of the Bloq in Quebec. He was a career politician who was never in power, never drafted or was the champion of any legislation and generally always voted on party lines -(until the last election the 4th party in terms of seats in Parliament) . So let's not get carried away because we are sad that he died and that many thought he was a "nice guy". I think that is what Blatchford is saying.

I feel sad for his kids and wife. They will be shell-shocked for some time.

So what, many of the best politicians Canada had much the same profile. When you are the opposition, who very seldom champion government legislation. Your job in a large part in to oppose, in whole or in part. He was very much anti war and showed this in 2003 and 2006., even being label Taliban Jack by the NP which eventually had to retract that label.

 

[Relic]

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com...nto-a-thoroughly-public-spectacle/#more-48340

The one thing that I have heard said, and it made me go - "yeah, that's true" is that Layton single handedly managed to destroy the Bloc Quebecois. Neither the Liberals or the Conservatives managed to ever do that. But Layton did. That singular thing (which no-one can take away from him - despite what you may think of his politicis (Blatchford)) was a huge contribution to Canada. Good on you Jack.

Replacing an extreme separatist party with an extreme socialist party is hardly a huge contribution to Canada.

 

[blackrock13]

Replacing an extreme separatist party with an extreme socialist party is hardly a huge contribution to Canada.

Others parties and their leaders tried often and failed. The BQ and the NDP were very similar except in their record on separation, so its not that much of swing in profile as you would like us to think.

 

[fuji]

His ONLY contribution to the country of any significance was to get rid of the Bloq in Quebec.

Nonsense. Utter nonsense. Layton was instrumental in forging many deals with the Tories while the NDP was the 3rd party and managed to move a significant amount of legislation in the minority Parliament. He never formed the government--that's true--but he certainly had a considerable impact. Not only on the legislation that got enacted in the last Parliament, but on the tone of the debate. He spoke for a lot of people--obviously not you--but he gave a credible, articulate voice to the opinions of many, and he did it well. Taking the NDP to official opposition status was a pretty significant achievement as well.

You are a cad.

 

[danmand]

No, she has no sense of proper timing. There a time and place and this is neither. She's so anti Layton and pro Harper, her PJs are probably red. She's held posts in every major Toronto Newspaper and finally found refuge in the NP, sort of, but not for long. She left NP after 5 years only to return this year. Every body wants her or nobody wants her, which is it?

She makes a big thing of Layton's letter being 'crafted' by committee, no shit. Two days before he dies of cancer he's not going to be able to do much, but I'll bet the farm that it didn't go out without his approval.

I wonder when she goes if there will be spontaneous emotional notes of remembrance on the walls of whatever paper she'll be working for then. Some how I doubt it. The sight of this on the walls and sidewalk of City Hall this morning by the ordinary citizens of TO was quite moving.

Well put Blackie, this is the time to express sadness of his death, as it is the thing to do w2henever a human being passes away. While many might disagree with his political agenda, it was not an evil, illegal or destructive agenda. He waqs arguing for what nhe considered the best to improve Canada, and that nis something more people should do.

PS: I decided never to vote for Jack Layton myself, after he made Harper PM.

 

[Brill]

Replacing an extreme separatist party with an extreme socialist party is hardly a huge contribution to Canada.

If you think the NDP lately is an extreme socialist party, you need to open your eyes. They helped to keep minority governments going for a long time.

Getting left wing Quebecers to consider other choices beside the BQ to further progressive causes is amazing. They actually turned their back on a homegrown candidate - they haven't done that since Diefenbaker's day.

 

[wet_suit_one]

Sic transit gloria mundi.

See you in few decades Jack-Boy. Thanks for your efforts.

 

[Relic]

If you think the NDP lately is an extreme socialist party, you need to open your eyes. They helped to keep minority governments going for a long time.

Getting left wing Quebecers to consider other choices beside the BQ to further progressive causes is amazing. They actually turned their back on a homegrown candidate - they haven't done that since Diefenbaker's day.

The NDP blackmailed PM Harper to overspend on programs that he would have normally opposed due to their hostage taking mentality of constantly threatening to bring down the government. Not good if your like me and actually work for your money.

I would not read too much into the NDP victories in Quebec. The Quebec voters are like dealing with a women with PMS. What rational thinking person would vote for Ruth Ellen Brosseau?

 

[Aardvark154]

Well said James.

"She had the balls to say what many of us were thinking."

Really? Wait a day or two. It's vile to piss on someone who contributed so much to the country on the day he dies a horrible death. Have some fucking decorum.

Knowing what I know of TERB, if the P.M. or say Brian Mulroney had died, would there be calls for decorum? Frankly I doubt it.

 

[Aardvark154]

The sight of this on the walls and sidewalk of City Hall this morning by the ordinary citizens of TO was quite moving.

If this did not occur in the City of Toronto, the heart of the NDP that would be shocking.

 

[blackrock13]

The NDP blackmailed PM Harper to overspend on programs that he would have normally opposed due to their hostage taking mentally of constantly threatening to bring down the government. Not good if your like me and actually work for your money.

I would not read too much into the NDP victories in Quebec. The Quebec voters are like dealing with a women with PMS. What rational thinking person would vote for Ruth Ellen Brosseau?

Your knowledge of Quebec politics/voters is laughable and not based on much, but we are beginning to expect over the top statements like that from you.

 

[Relic]

Your knowledge of Quebec politics/voters is laughable and not based on much, but we are beginning to expect over the top statements like that from you.

Why do you insist on following me around on here? Your troll like behavior makes me wonder about your mental stability.

You seem to have a substantial amount of free time to spend on here. Since you never work you must be either a welfare bum or a government union employee.

Do me a favor and give up the obsession that you seem to have with me.

 

[blackrock13]

Why do you insist on following me around on here? Your troll like behavior makes me wonder about your mental stability.

You seem to have a substantial amount of free time to spend on here. Since you never work you must be either a welfare bum or a government union employee.

Do me a favor and give up the obsession that you seem to have with me.

Follow you? When you're everywhere and constantly make comments that can't be allowed to go unchallenged, you make it so easy. In time you'll learn. but for now, continue.

As for my free time, your obvious ignorance is showing, again because you're a newbie. Don't worry about how I spend my day and worry about your own contributions.

 

[Relic]

Follow you? When you're everywhere and constantly make comments that can't be allowed to go unchallenged, you make it so easy. In time you'll learn. but for now, continue.

As for my free time, your obvious ignorance is showing, again because you're a newbie. Don't worry about how I spend my day and worry about your own contributions.

I insult this guy by calling him a Troll and mentally unstable, yet he comes back for more abuse???
Do you have no shame or self respect?

We have an interesting dynamic here. Blackrock follows me around and responds to all of my posts yet I ignore his.

I tell you what Troll, lets make a deal.

You don't reply to any of my posts, and I wont reply to any of yours (not that I ever did anyways).

You must be a real hit with the ladies.