Today was the first time I saw video of that presser from last month, previously I had only seen photos. Man he was in rough shape. I'd imagine he knew that there wasn't much hope at the time, but put forth the effort to continue to inspire his friends and followers.
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But living an honest life - for that you need the truth. That's the other thing I learned that day, that the truth, however shocking or uncomfortable, leads to liberation and dignity. -Ricky Gervais
There was a poll around election time that asked questions like; "who do you think would make the best PM?", "who do you think has the best platform?"... etc... Neither of which had Jack Layton as the #1 choice.
One of the questions was "what leader would you most like to have a beer with?", and Jack Layton was the #1 choice by far. It stands to reason that some of those people were not supporters of his politics. A lot of people sincerely liked the man. From what I have heard, he was an MP that fought hard for his constituents.
Things get heated in politics and people say stupid things. Most people are mature enough to get over it when life gets real.
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"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
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Today was the first time I saw video of that presser from last month, previously I had only seen photos. Man he was in rough shape. I'd imagine he knew that there wasn't much hope at the time, but put forth the effort to continue to inspire his friends and followers.
Its kind of shocking that a few months ago he led his party to a successful campaign, and a few short months later he's gone. Seeing the deterioration of his health so rapidly was pretty brutal.
Makes you realize life is fleeting. Gotta make the most of the time you have. And I think Jack certainly did that...right up until the end. That there is reason enough to pay some respect to the man.
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A few weeks after crashing head-first into the boards (denting his helmet and being unable to move for a little while) following a hit from behind by Bob Errey, the Calgary Flames player explains:
"I was like Christ, lying on my back, with my arms outstretched, crucified"
-- Frank Musil - Early January 1994
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"For thousands of years humans were oppressed - as some of us still are - by the notion that the universe is a marionette whose strings are pulled by a god or gods, unseen and inscrutable." - Carl Sagan Freedom consonant with responsibility.
Jeezus, the death of any public figure always results in the bursting of the flood-gates of insincerity.
I think your "reasonably good standing" status in the "Good taste club" is in Jeopardy.
I think people may take the bursting of flood gates a bit too literally. Usually what something like this does is remind people of their own loved ones who have been touched by tragedy in whatever form. Things like this make you stop and think of how quickly it can all be taken away.
Then those emotions translate into the posting of "thoughts and prayers" type responses.
RIP Jack Layton. He looked awfully fraile at his press conference when he announced that he was taking time off to fight his latest battle with cancer. It reminded me of the time we saw Pat Burns after his third battle with cancer, knowing full well that he was going to die in the coming months: just a shadow of his former self.
While we all may not have agreed with his political message, its hard not to admire his dedication, charisma and hard work in trying to make Canada a better and more united country. Canadian politics lost a good man today.
Sad to see him go. Was looking forward to the fall sitting. I did meet him once at the junos and seemed to be just a down to earth average guy. Ended our conversation by asking if I knew where to catch a cab.
Jack Layton did make the last election debate a lot more colorful. I think if there's a thing that you can remember and smile about its that
“I don’t know why we need so many prisons when the crooks seem happy in the Senate,”
“That’s been a hashtag fail,”
“In fact, Mr. Harper, if it hadn’t been for (Ignatieff) supporting you all this time, I’d have to be lending you my crutch so your government could’ve stayed in power,”
“Well Mr. Ignatieff, there you go, saying that the only alternative to Canadians is your party. That’s the kind of arrogance, self-aggrandizement we’re so used to from the Liberals.”
“Most Canadians, if they don't show up for work, they don't get a promotion. ... You missed 70 per cent of the votes.”
"With the bling and everything that comes with it."
and how can we forget
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My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Naturally, the NDP supporters on Twitter are going ballistic over this piece, and Blatchford's name is trending nationally.
To sound callous yet again, pretty much sums up my thoughts. He wasn't a "great" man, he didn't make "Canada better". A politician died. Terrible way to go. It's sad in an abstract sense. Canada will not be the worse for it, just the NDP party...
In many ways this reminds of the Lady Di hysteria, on a much smaller, local scale of course...
Yes, I am a bad man.
