Au Revoir, Jack

I can't let this morning go by without saying something about Jack Layton. His death yesterday, from cancer, wasn't a surprise but it was a shock and a tragedy for this country. I just read his last letter to Canadians and the fact he wrote it two days before his death speaks to the love he had for his job as Leader of the Opposition, for his political party and, mostly, for his fellow Canadians.

I thought he was the best federal leader to come down the pipe for a long time. He had integrity, honesty and energy, in spades. I am happy that he enjoyed such huge political success in his last year; you can't "go out" with much bigger of a bang than he did. But how bittersweet for a man who wanted to change the world as much as he did, to have that power in his grasp, only to succumb to the pitiless grasp of cancer.

You can read his entire letter here. It's a wonderful letter. But I leave you with his final paragraph, words to live, and die by:

"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."

Keep Fighting Jack

A FIGHTER: Jack Layton and his wife, Olivia Chow, at a press conference yesterday. Photo, Toronto Star

I was shocked and saddened by the news that Jack Layton has cancer, again, and is temporarily stepping down as leader of the federal New Democratic Party. This close on the heels of Layton leading his party to the biggest federal victory it had ever enjoyed.

What shocked me the most was how quickly Mr. Layton has deteriorated. On the news this morning he looked gaunt and pale - the make-up he was wearing to try and make him look healthy only made him worse. Honestly, he looked just like my father before he died.

I am unspeakably sad. I voted for Mr. Layton. I believed in him. He truly was the best candidate in the last election and he should have been named prime minister. He was the only leader who spoke for the common man, who spoke common sense, who exuded strength and honesty and a moral backbone. I hope this strength serves him well in this fight for his life.

My very best to you and your family, Mr. Layton.