Layton to make statement concerning his future

[wyly]

I read that Layton's Dad had prostrate cancer too, and beat it, so hopefully he will too. I'm sure his father must be a source of inspiration for him.

I think this what used to be referred to as early onset prostate cancer, it used to have 75% fatality, don't know what it is now...late onset cancer doesn't usually kill the patient

[Shady]

Actually, Jack has already started treatment.

He got to the front of the line that quickly? Hmm, socialized medicine for thee, but not for me.

[Smallc]

He got to the front of the line that quickly? Hmm, socialized medicine for thee, but not for me.

I'm not sure what you're talking about. Depending on your situation and the stage of your cancer, the wait for treatment is between short and non existent. In Manitoba, there is virtually no wait for chemo, and there is a median wait of 3 weeks for radiation when it comes to prostate cancer (more serious cancers have a 0 week wait). There's no reason to think that Ontario is much different and there's no reason to think that any cue jumping is involved.

You seem to equate single payer medicine (we don't have socialized medicine in Canada) with crap medicine. Given the capabilities that we have in Canada along with shrinking waits, that simply isn't the case.

[Michael Hardner]

How long have you known me?

10 to 1 Jack sat with the people who matter most in this, the strategists.

They said to him, I imagine, with actuarial precision, the effects on the public mood on Jack having testicular cancer (|Consider lance armstrong! they chirped) skin cancer and so one.

And 10 to 1 Jack is making a play for the sympathy vote....

Ok, so there's a 10 percent chance you're being a goof ? I know if I point it out, though, you'll continue, so that anybody who missed it the first time will at least catch it the second time.

[M.Dancer]

C'mon admit it, you're really wishing a lingering slow death for him aren't you?

I bet Laytin is....like a 40 year battle.....think of the pity he can cash in on...brave leader...

[CANADIEN]

I'll wish Layton the same thing I wished Allan Rock when he had cancer, the same thing I wished Preston manning when he had cancer. GOOD FIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.

Too bad that some people's sense of decency is so atrophied that they would use such personal tragedy as an opportunity to for cheap shots.

Edited February 6, 2010 by CANADIEN

[M.Dancer]

I have a highly developed sense of cecency. So developed in fact, I know that if a political leader developed a life delibating case of smelly weeping anal cysts, he would keep that information to himself.

Anyone who thinks that Layton and the NDP won't try to capitalize on this is deluded and over estimates the sense of cecency of politicians.....

Edited February 6, 2010 by M.Dancer

[CANADIEN]

There is a diffrence between assuming that politicians will use personal tragedy to advance their goals and this:

Thank God he was on prorogue vacation...

[Guest American Woman]

There is a diffrence between assuming that politicians will use personal tragedy to advance their goals and this: ...............

I don't see an announcement of his cancer diagnosis as "advancing his goals." He needed to make the announcement. If he hadn't, if/when the results of his treatment/illness start to become visible, people would be wondering what was up, and why he wasn't being upfront about it. Also, if he needs to take time off for treatment, people would be wondering what was up with the time off.

[M.Dancer]

I don't see an announcement of his cancer diagnosis as "advancing his goals." He needed to make the announcement. If he hadn't, if/when the results of his treatment/illness start to become visible, people would be wondering what was up, and why he wasn't being upfront about it. Also, if he needs to take time off for treatment, people would be wondering what was up with the time off.

Jack has an addiction. He craves his face in the news, unfortunately he rarely does or say anything that gets him in the news. That has changed. He will now be in the news regularly, and I will wager if you ddidn't know he had camcer, you wouldn't.

In other words, the onl;y reason we need to know is from the strategists point of view

"canadian working families need to know Jack ...."

[Sir Bandelot]

Exactly. Jack on his death bed, on election night. Imagine the votes he would get, if he dies.

Anyway I will let you carry on, MDancer. To all those who don't like you, they should note- there is no need to attack you directly, whatsoever.

[DrGreenthumb]

Exactly. Jack on his death bed, on election night. Imagine the votes he would get, if he dies.

Anyway I will let you carry on, MDancer. To all those who don't like you, they should note- there is no need to attack you directly, whatsoever.

Dancer I have always thought you were a stinking piece of shit, now you have proven it beyond a reasonable doubt.

[Smallc]

In other words, the only reason we need to know is from the strategists point of view

Unlike Danny Williams, Jack Layton has handled this the proper way. He came out in public, said what was happening, and said what was being done about it. He brought statistics, he brought a positive attitude, and he kept the public informed. Jack isn't making this political, so I'm not sure why you are.

[M.Dancer]

Exactly. Jack on his death bed, on election night. Imagine the votes he would get, if he dies.

Anyway I will let you carry on, MDancer. To all those who don't like you, they should note- there is no need to attack you directly, whatsoever.

You should rename yourself. Sir Swallows.

He has more chance beinmg elected than dying of this....

[M.Dancer]

Dancer I have always thought you were a stinking piece of shit, now you have proven it beyond a reasonable doubt.

Greenthumb, I never thought of you and still don't.

[M.Dancer]

Unlike Danny Williams, Jack Layton has handled this the proper way. He came out in public, said what was happening, and said what was being done about it. He brought statistics, he brought a positive attitude, and he kept the public informed. Jack isn't making this political, so I'm not sure why you are.

Unlike Layton or Williams. FDR handled it the right way.

Jack made it political the moment he agreed with his aides to go public.

Think of it, this is the only time in Jack's career where thwe words "Layton" and "fighting bravely" can be used in the same sentence without laughing.

[Oleg Bach]

Jack in old street terms is what they used to call a Goof! He really has no principles. Its just a game - a left over duel with what he percieves as the establishment. A type of school boyish idealogical hang over - He will never mature - he is what he is - He does not stand up for anything other than himself in a childish effort to be a somebody. Typical socialist with no real care or love for society.

[capricorn]

Unlike Danny Williams, Jack Layton has handled this the proper way. He came out in public, said what was happening, and said what was being done about it. He brought statistics, he brought a positive attitude, and he kept the public informed.

Did you ever think that if the Williams event had not happened, Layton and his advisors might have handled this differently? They had the benefit of gauging public reaction to the Williams story. This must have had some bearing on their approach. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, just that for Canadians Jack is first and foremost a politician, and he acts accordingly.

[Smallc]

just that for Canadians Jack is first and foremost a politician, and he acts accordingly.

Right now, for most Canadians, Jack is a man with cancer. I would hope that most are not nearly so cynical as some on here.

[Guest American Woman]

Did you ever think that if the Williams event had not happened, Layton and his advisors might have handled this differently? They had the benefit of gauging public reaction to the Williams story. This must have had some bearing on their approach. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, just that for Canadians Jack is first and foremost a politician, and he acts accordingly.

How do you think someone can undergo cancer/cancer treatment and keep it a secret? What are people supposed to think as the effects become visible and no statement/explanation has been forthcoming? Furthermore, don't you think constituents deserve to know if a candidate/public official has been diagnosed with cancer-- or any potential life-threatening illness? I don't see what the benefit of keeping it a secret would be.

For all of those who think it would get him some votes, I'm guessing there are votes to be lost by such an admission, too; likely it would be a wash at best. I don't think, as a whole, people vote for those they merely feel sympathy for.

[bloodyminded]

Unlike Layton or Williams. FDR handled it the right way.

Jack made it political the moment he agreed with his aides to go public.

Think of it, this is the only time in Jack's career where thwe words "Layton" and "fighting bravely" can be used in the same sentence without laughing.

Yes, no doubt he attained cancer on purpose. For electioneering purposes.

Or maybe just to expose the ranting madness of the far Right. Job wel done.

[capricorn]

How do you think someone can undergo cancer/cancer treatment and keep it a secret? What are people supposed to think as the effects become visible and no statement/explanation has been forthcoming? Furthermore, don't you think constituents deserve to know if a candidate/public official has been diagnosed with cancer-- or any potential life-threatening illness? I don't see what the benefit of keeping it a secret would be.

Who said anything about keeping it a secret? In Williams' case, he never uttered a word about his impending heart surgery. All communications were handled by his office.

His deputy premier, Kathy Dunderdale, insisted Thursday the man should be back at work in March and asked the media to butt out of his private life.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Columnists/1166148.html

In Jack's case he personally led the communications aspect.

In the end, in both cases those who needed to know were provided the information. It's just interesting to compare the different PR approaches.

[bush_cheney2004]

Who said anything about keeping it a secret? In Williams' case, he never uttered a word about his impending heart surgery. All communications were handled by his office.

Right...he's got cancer...big frickin' deal.....so do lots of other people who don't sieze upon the opportunity for political purposes. Issue a short statement from his office and be done with it...no grandstanding required.

[bloodyminded]

Right...he's got cancer...big frickin' deal.....so do lots of other people who don't sieze upon the opportunity for political purposes. Issue a short statement from his office and be done with it...no grandstanding required.

What "grandstanding" has Layton performed?

I think what you really mean to say here is "The Left! The Left! The Left! The Left! The Left! The Left! The Left!"

A few other right-wingers here share this sad obssession. It's very quaint.

[bush_cheney2004]

What "grandstanding" has Layton performed?

http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/02/05/jack-layton.html

I think what you really mean to say here is "The Left! The Left! The Left! The Left! The Left! The Left! The Left!"

No more like Hervé Villechaize saying as Tatoo, "De Cancer! De Cancer! De Cancer! "

A few other right-wingers here share this sad obssession. It's very quaint.

...and a Charter Right.