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Post by Cranky on Aug 28, 2011 12:22:13 GMT -5
It'll be interesting to see if/how the NDP continue to use (for lack of a better word) Layton's image/memory. Passages of that final letter, politically-crafted, will no doubt be quoted for years to evoke the same sympathy/passion from the voters when it comes to the NDP. Movie? Letter? How about seances? Annual religious parades? Statues? Surely we need statues of Layton! I have no problem with Layton as a man. In fact, dying the way he did was a painful miserable way that I don't want anyone to suffer ever. What I have a problem with this phony rise to some kind of saintly uber politician who was one vote, one step away from leading us to utopia. As for the state funeral, EVERY soldier who died serving his country is far, far, far more deserving of a state funeral then Jack. It was simply a cynical political move by Harper to buy some good will from the left. NONSENSE. The left will piss on him in a week. |
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Post by Cranky on Aug 28, 2011 13:00:29 GMT -5
AN UNCONVENTIONAL state funeral for former NDP leader Jack Layton took on the verve of a political rally Saturday, as friends and family tried to galvanize the national grief over the loss of his passionate voice into a call to action. (OF COURSE it did)
Elder NDP statesman Stephen Lewis led the charge, earning loud cheers and standing ovations as he extolled the virtues of Layton’s social democratic vision for Canada.
With a political who’s-who of all stripes in the audience, even staunch Conservatives like Prime Minister Stephen Harper joined the crowd in applause as Lewis rattled off a host of Layton’s New Democrat-friendly causes such as gay rights, housing and the environment. (Of course it did. This was a POLITICAL rally after all, not a funeral)
Layton’s final letter to Canadians, which has resonated with so many in the days since his death, was "at its heart, a manifesto for social democracy," Lewis said.
"He wanted in the simplest and most visceral terms a more generous Canada," the former Ontario NDP leader and one-time Canadian ambassador said after a standing ovation.(Translation: TAX AND SPEND because Jack said so. )
"His letter embodies that generosity . . . He talks of social justice, health care, pensions, no one left behind, seniors, children, climate change, equality, and — again that defining phrase — a more inclusive and generous Canada."Why didn't he simply scream JACK IS DEAD! VOTE NDP
The letter’s now famous anthem — "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" — has been emblazoned on T-shirts and even tattooed on the arm of one man who described himself as a Conservative.
The funeral’s political messaging was unmistakable, although the family had said the state funeral was to be a "celebration of life."(Nah, not so much. If you respected life, you would be far more respectful then turning it into a three ring political circus.)
And it was relentless.(All political campaigns are. This one had a funeral as a backdrop.)
Lewis, who led the Ontario wing of the party in the 1970s, went on to boldly suggest that a political sea change was in the wind, one that would sustain the upward trajectory that propelled the perpetually third-place NDP to Official Opposition status in the May election.
"We’re all shaken by grief, but I believe we’re slowly being steadied by a new resolve, and I see that resolve in words written in chalk and in a fresh determination on people’s faces," Lewis said, referring to hundreds of messages scrawled in chalk on the grounds of Toronto City Hall. (Nah, we're not all shaken. Respectful, but you're politicization is making that harder.)
"A resolve to honour Jack by bringing the politics of respect for all, respect for the Earth and respect for principle and generosity back to life."(Babbling politics as a eulogy.)
In a video tribute peppered with old clips of Layton fighting for women’s rights, gay rights and for the poor, Layton’s wife and constant companion, MP Olivia Chow, was heard to speak publicly for the first time since her husband’s death.
"Some people say to me that Jack’s voice is gone, ‘I’m so sad,’ " she said. "Yeah, I’m sad. We’re sad. But let us not look behind us, let’s look forward. Look at what we can accomplish together to make sure that Jack’s voice is not silenced. I think that’s a good way to celebrate his life."(Celebrate it with a political circus at a a funeral. Way to go!)
Layton’s son Mike, a Toronto city councillor, spoke of his father’s drive and determination, especially on their many cycling and fishing outings, and left the audience with a piece of advice from his dad.
"Always have a dream that is longer than a lifetime," he said. "Be loving, be hopeful, be optimistic. Together we can build the world of our dreams. And, as he always said, ‘Don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done.’ "(MORE babbling politics)
Layton’s daughter Sarah cast her father in a more personal light, talking about his love for his granddaughter Beatrice. Still, it seemed even the personal anecdotes had a political background. She recalled the night she called her dad "Grandpa Jack," to let him know she was pregnant and how it reduced him to tears — it was election night, 2008.
In fact, Rev. Brent Hawkes, a longtime friend and gay-rights advocate who had been planning Layton’s funeral with him since last month, said the funeral’s political tone was exactly what Layton had in mind.
"Jack didn’t want this celebration of life to be primarily focused on him," he said. "He wanted us somehow to talk about the issues and the themes and on an inclusive movement gathering all of us together. . . . He wanted this service to inspire us and to challenge us."*At least this was a blunt, in your face, shove it down your throat, political crap. At a funeral.)
Former prime minister Jean Chretien, whose own popularity appears largely undimmed, afterward called the service a "good occasion" and celebration of public life. The partisan nature of some of the eulogies didn’t bother the die-hard Liberal.(You can't keep an old political war horse away from politics too long. Did he bring his golf ball and throw it in the grave?)
"It’s virtually impossible," Chretien said with his trademark shrug and grin. "Some cannot refrain completely having an audience like that."It's a FUNERAL stupid. Not a circus. Oh wait....)
Layton’s message clearly resonated with many Canadians, as thousands of people came in droves Saturday to pay their respects, waiting overnight to attend the funeral, line the procession route and flood the public visitation.
Organizers say about 1,300 people passed through Toronto City Hall for the final two hours of visitation, with scores more lining up for the chance to attend the funeral. Large video screens were set up outside to accommodate the overflow crowd.
Harper said the funeral capped an "extraordinary and very emotional week."
"Canadians, supporters and opponents alike, have had an opportunity to . . . honour, to express their gratitude for Jack Layton’s contribution to public life and I hope all of this has been some comfort to his friends and family," he said.
Gov.-Gen. David Johnston said he was there to represent all Canadians. "It’s a time of mourning for us, but also a time to celebrate a remarkable life of leadership," he said. "But it’s so important in our system to have a clear and passionate voice for the ordinary person and Mr. Layton was that person."(Remarkable? Wow, a few months as opposition leader and now it's "remarkable". I guess if he made it as opposition past four years, it would be God like.)
Also attending the funeral were Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter, Ontario Lt.-Gov. David Onley, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and former Ontario Lt.-Gov. Lincoln Alexander.
"I’m here for the same reason that all of these people are here: Everybody was very much touched by Jack Layton’s passion for public life and his belief in the future of Canada," said former prime minister Paul Martin.
Layton’s funeral procession, led by horse-mounted police, followed by pipe and drum bands and an honour guard, moved slowly down the few blocks to Roy Thomson Hall as hundreds of people lining the route broke into applause. Chow walked alone behind the hearse and Layton’s children, Mike and Sarah and their spouses followed, walking hand-in-hand.
(I didn't want to be disrespectful of Layton, but if they turn a funeral and death into a political circus, then it's fair game.)
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Post by Skilly on Aug 28, 2011 14:58:09 GMT -5
Perhaps this love-affair stems from the fact that Layton had yet to be in full power and screw up. As any backseat party leader, he could espouse ideals that promised the world to voters. His home base being Toronto is a huge factor, too. I think it stems from the fact that Prime Ministers dying while in office, or Leaders of the Opposition dying in office is extremely rare in Canadian politics. We've had 2 PMs die in office - John A MacDonald and John Thompson. And only 2 Leaders of the Opposition have died while in office - Wilfred Laurier and Jack Layton. So we haven't had a death of a major Canadian politician since 1919. The event, as sad as it is, was rather historic. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Aug 28, 2011 16:24:03 GMT -5
Can't really comment on the spectacle you're talking about, HA, as I haven't been following the news in regards to how the NDP are handling/spinning it. But he was their leader...and he meant a tremendous amount to them. I would expect ANY party to respond in kind, given the same circumstances. From the public reaction side (what I've read on Facebook) either Layton had reached a lot of people OR it became the IN thing to be part of the mourning wave. Likely a combo of the two. It'll be interesting to see if/how the NDP continue to use (for lack of a better word) Layton's image/memory. Passages of that final letter, politically-crafted, will no doubt be quoted for years to evoke the same sympathy/passion from the voters when it comes to the NDP. Again, any party would do the same, IMO. Perhaps this love-affair stems from the fact that Layton had yet to be in full power and screw up. As any backseat party leader, he could espouse ideals that promised the world to voters. His home base being Toronto is a huge factor, too. ==================================== I fully expect there's a script/production underway for a CBC/CTV movie about Layton's life. It'll sweep the Gemini awards, no matter what's up against it. I'll let you know when I hear rumblings about that. Good post, man. I think you're pretty bang-on, on all points. I can't say for sure, but I'm thinking some of those bandwagon jumpers you referred to could be mixture of a lot of younger voters and pre-80's folks. I voted for the NDP a few elections ago when I was hoping they'd control the swing vote, but it didn't work out. However, it was also the first time that an NDP leader promoted his party as a viable alternative to the traditional Liberal/Conservative governments. Under Layton the NDP ceased to be "Canada's third party." I liked that as soon as I heard it and that's why I voted for he and his party a few years ago. What brought me back to the blue side, was a leaderless Liberal party and a coalition government that included the NDP. Honestly, I was leaning towards the Tories before that, but that coalition government just pissed me off. Other than voting for provincial NDP leader, Stephen Lewis, back in the day, the team Jack Layton helped build got my vote. This is the way I'll remember him anyway. Cheers. |
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Post by franko on Aug 28, 2011 18:29:00 GMT -5
HA, can you imagine if Layton had died during the election campaign, or just before it? It would have been "a vote for the NDP is a vote for Jack['s vision]. talk about a sympathy vote!
as it is, the NDP will have four years with a new leader to prove themselves as worthy [or not].
as I said to a number of people this morning ;D Layton's legacy is that he moved the NDP from "the party of Tommy Douglas" to a party of today. time will tell if he moved the party from one era of stodgy thinking to another [that is, if in 25 years it will still be "Jack's party] or if he moved it to a party that thinks and moves with the times . . . and if the rich people in the party still talk about the equality of the masses or if they are more honest and admit that they / their parents made their money because of capitalism.
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Post by Cranky on Aug 28, 2011 21:43:24 GMT -5
HA, can you imagine if Layton had died during the election campaign, or just before it? It would have been "a vote for the NDP is a vote for Jack['s vision]. talk about a sympathy vote! . UNDOUBTEDLY. The would turn him into Bernie and parade him around every venue. Neon lights optional. The upside is that they promote Layton so much that if anyone takes his place, they will be compared and back stabbed with his memories. I'm betting a box of TimBits that Harper is going to whack the NDP with either "xxx leader is no Jack" or "milking the death of a person". Anywho.....let's see if this front page stuff disappear within a week or is the CBC going to make this into a 1352 part mini series .......which will end just before election day. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Aug 29, 2011 11:05:19 GMT -5
HA, can you imagine if Layton had died during the election campaign, or just before it? It would have been "a vote for the NDP is a vote for Jack['s vision]. talk about a sympathy vote! We should feel fortunate that this scenario didn't unfold. We'll see which direction the party will go. The new interim leader is Nycole Turmel, but I don't know anything about her. For that matter, I don't know anything about the other party leaders either. Scary? Cheers. |
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Post by franko on Aug 29, 2011 11:33:58 GMT -5
3 parties have interim leaders.
1 party has 1 seat
1 leader has a party.
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