Bird’s Eye: In memory of Jack Layton, 1950–2011

* Jack’s Spirit Is Still Hard At Work Alice Klein Now Magazine

Jack’s legacy is the antidote we’ve been searching for in these narrow-minded times. It is time to embrace the values that he has shown can bring our lives to fullness even as we stand at the door of death.

When humans are understood only as consumers, and fear and greed build prisons of segregation and degradation, the human spirit is crushed and wasted. Jack’s heroic warrior’s life and death inspire us to speak aloud about the ethereal realities that have the power to enhance and transform our lives and our country.

* Le Bon Jack Judy Rebbick Transforming Power

So thank you Jack. Thank you for showing us what working from a place of love means. Thanks for giving us a role model of a good politician who stands up for what he believes in and truly represents the people who elected him. Thank you for showing us that a difference of opinion is not about whether you are a good person or not. And thank-you for showing so many people that politics is not a dirty word and maybe just maybe we can build a better world even without you.

* The Tribute at Toronto City Hall The Torontoist

Quote of the Week: Jack Layton’s last letter to Canadians

“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.”