Passing of Jack Layton
- Thread starter Turbodick
- Start date
Jack, go towards the Light
Such an untimely death, very tragic.
We'll never know how good of an opposition leader he would have been, perhaps he would have become our next prime minister?
What will happen to all the NDP seats in Quebec in the next election?
RIP.
Such an untimely death, very tragic.
We'll never know how good of an opposition leader he would have been, perhaps he would have become our next prime minister?
What will happen to all the NDP seats in Quebec in the next election?
RIP.
K
Kansas Frank
Jack Layton's final letter to Canadians
Here is a letter he wrote shortly prior to his death, which he had asked his wife to release once he had passed away. Very touching.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/08/22/pol-layton-last-letter.html
I was very touched by the final paragraph:
And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.
All my very best,
Jack Layton
Here is a letter he wrote shortly prior to his death, which he had asked his wife to release once he had passed away. Very touching.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/08/22/pol-layton-last-letter.html
I was very touched by the final paragraph:
And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.
All my very best,
Jack Layton
His last letter is revealing on how it shows his character as a leader, always thinking about others
It's truly a great letter given the circumstances we are being told: written by him, not for him, and penned on Sunday.
I'd agree the thoughts are noble and probably his, but for a person less than 48 hours away from death and likely pumped full of pain killers it is awfully slick letter. Politicians have people that write letters and speeches for them and I can't help but wonder how much extra got added.
Turbo, If you would have followed the man's career, you'd know the content this letter is what he was thinking. Maybe he might not have been the one typing but it's not difficult to believe those are his words and point-of-views.
It was written Saturday. Not all cancers requires being pumped full of narcotics to control pain, specially those who evolve so fast. Many pain killers have no or negligible effect on people's awareness. I knew a girl who was taken by cancer in about 1 month and she stayed lucid till the end. Pain, yes. Major discomfort, absolutely. But without the need for morphine and such. It also depends on the person's pain threshold.
Anyway, back to topic please.
And never missing an opportunity for politics when given the spotlight - " In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives"
As far as "We can restore our good name in the world" I hadn't realized we had lost it.
The Dianification of Mr Layton is in full swing. But I guess that is okay as maybe it will bring his family some comfort. Dying of cancer is always tough, really tough.
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