"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
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Canada lost the leader of it's "Official Opposition" this morning, after a sudden and strong relapse in cancer. He was the leader of the New Democrats. A strongly progressive, socially democratic party who has contributed to some of the things Canada is known around the world for. He was a figure for others in the political class to look to, as an example of bipartisan, "peoples" politics.

Many can argue his "platform", however few could argue he was the most honest, dignified upper level political leader this country had. He stuck to his idea of what this country could be and was not one for "playing politics" and games.

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His Final Letter...

It's pretty sad. Heard it on the news this morning as I was making lunch for work. :-/ The last time I saw him on TV he looked so ill, it was just terrifying. I'm glad he at least lived to see the NDP raised to official opposition. Harper has offered to give him a state funeral, which Layton's wife has accepted.: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2 ... ml?ref=rss

My condolences to Canada on the loss of a politician who seemed like a genuinely decent guy. A rare breed, nowadays, to be sure.

-- Nephele

That's really sad. I hope Jack Layton's ideas will survive and humanism will rule Canada.

I don't know much about him but my condolences to his family. I hope they find peace and have plenty of support from their loved ones.

Those are my thoughts, as well.

At first all I saw was "leader" "politics" and at last asshole. Then I realised just because my country has screwed up politics doesn't mean I should take it out on my neighbors. Especially after living in alaska for 8 years.

I keep forgetting there are good politicians who give a damn about the public.

It's very rare, Mal, but it does happen.