Layton's Last Letter

[g_bambino]

Well, I'm glad we have people like you and Blatchford to tell others when they can and can't feel a sense of loss.

Perhaps you need to read once more what I wrote.

[Black Dog]

I think it's the open weeping and blubbering by people over someone their only connection with was through a TV screen that's ridiculous. It was ridiculous when the previous Princess of Wales died, it was ridiculous when Michael Jackson died, and it's ridiculous in the wake of Layton's passing. Breaking down and sobbing over a mound of soggy teddy bears and wilting flowers is not the only way one can express upset over the end of a certain individual's life. Perspective and self-control seem to be going extinct.

I ageree to a point, but I believe there's a important distinction to be made between pop stars and politicians.

Also it should be noted that Blatchford herself is not above mawkish displays of sentimentality over people she never met, provided they are dead children or soldiers.

Edited August 24, 2011 by Black Dog

[Black Dog]

MH, but does taking from the rich and giving to the poor achieve your noble goal?

If so, then surely Warren Buffet would first argue for a UN tax to take his money and give it to the poor in Haiti, or people in Somalia or elsewhere in Africa.

If it wasn't already abundantly clear before, this is sure fire proof that you have no grasp of the concept of the state as wealth redistributor.

[Sir Bandelot]

It is normal for people to have heroes. When that person dies, it's not mourning for the loss of the person, whom we of course do not know but for the loss of the ideal. When Mohammad Ali dies, I will mourn on that day.

[capricorn]

I was impressed with one point in the letter: Layton gave courage to others facing a cancer diagnosis.

Agreed.

The rest of Layton's "letter to Canadians" gave me the creeps. It's not the type of earthly missive I'd expect from a person at death's door.

---

And as a final confirmation that Layton was a career politician through and through, he wished that in the event of his death, in lieu of flowers contributions be sent to the Broadbent Institute, a left wing policy think tank.

The think tank, named for Broadbent, will reach out to social democrat-leaning academics for their ideas, provide education and train activists, but be independent from the party, he announced Friday.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/06/17/pol-ndp-institute.html

Politics did indeed run through his veins. Who knows, had he stepped down last year when he was first diagnosed he might still be with us. Layton made his choice and as expected, his decisions in life were taken for the good of his beloved NDP and his political convictions. To each his own.

[cybercoma]

Perhaps you need to read once more what I wrote.

I think it's the open weeping and blubbering by people over someone their only connection with was through a TV screen that's ridiculous.

Well, I'm glad we have people like you and Blatchford to tell others when they can and can't feel a sense of loss.

Ok... now what?

Edited August 24, 2011 by cybercoma

[BubberMiley]

The rest of Layton's "letter to Canadians" gave me the creeps. It's not the type of earthly missive I'd expect from a person at death's door.

What particularly? The part about love, hope and optimism? Are all you CPCers anti-human borgs?

[Smallc]

The rest of Layton's "letter to Canadians" gave me the creeps. It's not the type of earthly missive I'd expect from a person at death's door.

I don't think we know what to expect until we're actually there. It seemed rather genuine to me.

[cybercoma]

The letter was obviously meant to inspire and give hope to his base, who looked up to him as perhaps one of the greatest leaders the NDP has ever had, and cancer patients everywhere. I find it quite odd that people are criticizing this.

[noahbody]

Where are these examples of people blubbering over a TV screen?

Here's a good one:

This morning after I read the news on my facebook feed that Jack Layton had passed away to cancer at the age of 61, I broke down and cried. And then I cried some more. The sheer depth of my emotion was staggering, unexpected, and surprising... Me, the 27 year old student who isn’t particularly political, broke down in grief toward the loss of a man who I have no personal connection to, and have only very briefly met. In fact when I think back to the last federal election to try to remember how I voted, I’m reminded that I didn’t even vote for Mr. Layton and his party, instead I voted strategically.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/liz-ferris/an-open-letter-to-my-generation/264143053613661

[BubberMiley]

Here's a good one:

You're right. That's just sick!

[Boges]

You're right. That's just sick!

I bet she/he did the same thing when Amy Winehouse died.

However I suspect that post is a massive troll job.

Edited August 24, 2011 by Boges

[Michael Hardner]

I think it's very odd that people are complaining about others grieving.

Maybe there's some kind of denial there that Layton meant as much to his supporters as he did, or maybe there's a distaste that people feel so strongly about the values that he held.

Thankfully, our Prime Minister has recognized the degree to which this affects us, and has risen above the pettiness at this time.

[Sir Bandelot]

You're right. That's just sick!

I agree. I mean come on. Voting strategically...

Most people are not often exposed to death in their lives, until perhaps much later when everyone they know has grown old. Jack Layton tried to live a healthy lifestyle. His sudden appearance as a frail man shocked us, and makes you realize how tenuous life is, and how quickly the situation can change.

[Boges]

I think it's very odd that people are complaining about others grieving.

Maybe there's some kind of denial there that Layton meant as much to his supporters as he did, or maybe there's a distaste that people feel so strongly about the values that he held.

Thankfully, our Prime Minister has recognized the degree to which this affects us, and has risen above the pettiness at this time.

Because it's not about Jack, it's about the griever.

Social Media has made every personal thought something that the world needs to hear. It's a worrying trend.

BTW anyone who's shocked that Jack is dead clearly didn't see his News Conference last month.

Edited August 24, 2011 by Boges

[Michael Hardner]

Social Media has made every personal thought something that the world needs to hear. It's a worrying trend.

Oh, this is about social media then ? It doesn't seem like it. Wait around some, when some right wing icon dies, you can take over social media and it will be the left's turn to complain about free expression I suppose.

[g_bambino]

Ok... now what?

Now do it without selectively removing parts of what I said.

[Boges]

Oh, this is about social media then ? It doesn't seem like it. Wait around some, when some right wing icon dies, you can take over social media and it will be the left's turn to complain about free expression I suppose.

I would find that equally as distasteful.

[Black Dog]

Because it's not about Jack, it's about the griever.

Social Media has made every personal thought something that the world needs to hear. It's a worrying trend.

Who is forcing you to listen?

Edited August 24, 2011 by Black Dog

[noahbody]

However I suspect that post is a massive troll job.

Click on the link. It's on the author's page.

[g_bambino]

Oh, this is about social media then ? It doesn't seem like it. Wait around some, when some right wing icon dies, you can take over social media and it will be the left's turn to complain about free expression I suppose.

I don't think the phenomenon knows political boundaries. In fact, as I (and Blatchford) pointed out, the same thing happens after the death of apolitical figures like royals and celebrities.

[Boges]

Who is forcing you to listen?

No one, but this is a messageboard where I'm encouraged to state my opinion. So I am doing so.

I also find the vitriol focused at people that think Grief Porn is getting to crazy (ei Blatchford) is also problematic if not ironic.

[Black Dog]

No one, but this is a messageboard where I'm encouraged to state my opinion. So I am doing so.

I also find the vitriol focused at people that think Grief Porn is getting to crazy (ei Blatchford) is also problematic if not ironic.

Personally I don't think Blatchford's views are the issue so much as her gross hypocrisy in light of her own career and the timing of her statement which is really just a massive troll job.

[capricorn]

What particularly? The part about love, hope and optimism?

I file messages about love, hope and optimism spewed by politicians, especially the career type, in the slogans category.

Are all you CPCers anti-human borgs?

Some of us can distinguish between genuine emotion and political strategy. The fact that Layton had so much help in crafting his deathbed letter to Canadians should give you a clue.

[capricorn]

I don't think we know what to expect until we're actually there. It seemed rather genuine to me.

As we can see, everyone has their own interpretation. Yours is just as valid as mine.