Comments on: Chalk memorial for Jack Layton in front of Toronto's New City Hall http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Mon, 20 May 2013 21:57:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: aureator http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1200901 aureator Sun, 28 Aug 2011 04:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1200901 The thing is, it's really quite rare to have a great political leader - you know, someone who is charismatic, visionary, and really sincerely gives a shit. You're lucky if your nation gets one every fifty years or so. Jack was one of these guys, and to have him snatched away just when he was on the verge of having real power feels like a mistake - like historians will look back and note how, shit, we were really on the brink of something there - only to have that nascent moment extinguished. I'm really sad we didn't get to see him bring all of his brilliance and passion to fruition. But he did lay down some groundwork, and hopefully we can continue where he left off - but god, it's so handy to have a great leader, and so shitty for him to be gone. The thing is, it’s really quite rare to have a great political leader – you know, someone who is charismatic, visionary, and really sincerely gives a shit. You’re lucky if your nation gets one every fifty years or so. Jack was one of these guys, and to have him snatched away just when he was on the verge of having real power feels like a mistake – like historians will look back and note how, shit, we were really on the brink of something there – only to have that nascent moment extinguished. I’m really sad we didn’t get to see him bring all of his brilliance and passion to fruition. But he did lay down some groundwork, and hopefully we can continue where he left off – but god, it’s so handy to have a great leader, and so shitty for him to be gone.

]]> By: Ryan Matheuszik http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1200474 Ryan Matheuszik Sat, 27 Aug 2011 17:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1200474 Whether you agreed with Jack Layton's politics or not, you had to respect the passion, optimism, and dedication he brought to the job. Jack was never afraid to stop and talk with the average Canadian on any topic, and to give a straight answer, or merely admit he did not have an answer. I met Jack once, and you got the real impression he valued your input, and discounted nothing. Canadian politics has lost one of it's true great visionaries. Whether you agreed with Jack Layton’s politics or not, you had to respect the passion, optimism, and dedication he brought to the job. Jack was never afraid to stop and talk with the average Canadian on any topic, and to give a straight answer, or merely admit he did not have an answer. I met Jack once, and you got the real impression he valued your input, and discounted nothing. Canadian politics has lost one of it’s true great visionaries.

]]> By: Blackbird http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1200361 Blackbird Sat, 27 Aug 2011 15:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1200361 I went down again last night, didn't have a lot of time so I couldn't get a large photo of the square, but it's gotten big again.  Anywhere there is concrete, there is chalk.  Walls, staircases, inside AND outside the wrap-around walkway, up and down the arches over the reflecting pool... everywhere.  I can honestly say I have never seen something this large.  Photos are here: http://bobdunkin.blogspot.com/2011/08/jack-layton-memorial-3.html I went down again last night, didn’t have a lot of time so I couldn’t get a large photo of the square, but it’s gotten big again.  Anywhere there is concrete, there is chalk.  Walls, staircases, inside AND outside the wrap-around walkway, up and down the arches over the reflecting pool… everywhere.  I can honestly say I have never seen something this large.  Photos are here: http://bobdunkin.blogspot.com/2011/08/jack-layton-memorial-3.html

]]> By: Anthony MacPherson http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1200296 Anthony MacPherson Sat, 27 Aug 2011 12:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1200296 This was done by the Chronical Herald in Halifax's Bruce MacKinnon This was done by the Chronical Herald in Halifax’s Bruce MacKinnon

]]> By: wilfor http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1200292 wilfor Sat, 27 Aug 2011 11:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1200292 This is about Jack and the positive space he created, let's leave the negativity at the door. Mr Harper is who he is. Nobody is the bad guy in their own movie.  This is about Jack and the positive space he created, let’s leave the negativity at the door. Mr Harper is who he is. Nobody is the bad guy in their own movie. 

]]> By: nosehat http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1200238 nosehat Sat, 27 Aug 2011 07:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1200238 This is really touching. As a side note, it also underscores the value of genuinely public space.  You'd never see something like this at a mall food court. This is really touching.

As a side note, it also underscores the value of genuinely public space.  You’d never see something like this at a mall food court.

]]> By: ironix http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1200224 ironix Sat, 27 Aug 2011 06:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1200224 I can imagine there'll be a show of emotion when Harper passes away, but it'll be of a completely different variety. I can imagine there’ll be a show of emotion when Harper passes away, but it’ll be of a completely different variety.

]]> By: Donald Petersen http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1200076 Donald Petersen Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1200076 That was a genuinely moving gesture, but man does "Imagine" sound weird played entirely on bells. That was a genuinely moving gesture, but man does “Imagine” sound weird played entirely on bells.

]]> By: Plum_P http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1200075 Plum_P Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1200075 One thing is certain: you won't see this show of emotions from canadians when Harper passes away... Bonne nuit Jack. One thing is certain: you won’t see this show of emotions from canadians when Harper passes away…

Bonne nuit Jack.

]]> By: blearghhh http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1200060 blearghhh Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1200060 What a great picture. As someone mentioned above, this is the third set of chalk at Nathan Philips Square since there's been at least two rainstorms since the start.  I went on Wednesday, and there was live music and it was quite moving.  It looks like I should go again. What a great picture.

As someone mentioned above, this is the third set of chalk at Nathan Philips Square since there’s been at least two rainstorms since the start.  I went on Wednesday, and there was live music and it was quite moving.  It looks like I should go again.

]]> By: Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1200038 Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther Fri, 26 Aug 2011 22:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1200038 Oh wait! And don't forget the woman who brought the chalk to Nathan Phillips Square in the first place! http://commodorified.dreamwidth.org/97127.html Oh wait!

And don’t forget the woman who brought the chalk to Nathan Phillips Square in the first place!

http://commodorified.dreamwidth.org/97127.html

]]> By: Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1200036 Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther Fri, 26 Aug 2011 22:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1200036 I barely knew who Jack Layton was before he died, and the more I learn, the more I wish I'd been smart enough to pay more attention to our neighbors to the north beforehand. All the love being poured out across the internet is a marvelous, humbling thing, and he so clearly deserved it. (And, may I just say, by way of PS: Quite honestly, seeing my name on your front page is one of the coolest things to ever happen to me in the blogosphere. OMG SO COOL). I barely knew who Jack Layton was before he died, and the more I learn, the more I wish I’d been smart enough to pay more attention to our neighbors to the north beforehand. All the love being poured out across the internet is a marvelous, humbling thing, and he so clearly deserved it.

(And, may I just say, by way of PS: Quite honestly, seeing my name on your front page is one of the coolest things to ever happen to me in the blogosphere. OMG SO COOL).

]]> By: C Jacklin http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1200033 C Jacklin Fri, 26 Aug 2011 22:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1200033 I'm so proud that even in these divided political times, Canadians have come together to agree that a good, decent, honest man was just that. Thanks so much for posting this. Layton's replacement has some big shoes to fill. I’m so proud that even in these divided political times, Canadians have come together to agree that a good, decent, honest man was just that. Thanks so much for posting this. Layton’s replacement has some big shoes to fill.

]]> By: Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1200025 Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther Fri, 26 Aug 2011 22:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1200025 Oh my good lord, two seconds later and I just found you on Twitter. I'm sorry I didn't think of it that night! My apologies. Oh my good lord, two seconds later and I just found you on Twitter. I’m sorry I didn’t think of it that night! My apologies.

]]> By: Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1200023 Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther Fri, 26 Aug 2011 22:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1200023 It was tweeted to me, and I submitted it to them - I'm so glad you found it! I'm a complete ignoramus when it comes to Flickr, & couldn't figure out what to do about letting you know. It's such a glorious picture! The friend who tweeted it to me said "This is now my go-to answer to anyone who says that people don't care about politics or politicians." It was tweeted to me, and I submitted it to them – I’m so glad you found it! I’m a complete ignoramus when it comes to Flickr, & couldn’t figure out what to do about letting you know. It’s such a glorious picture! The friend who tweeted it to me said “This is now my go-to answer to anyone who says that people don’t care about politics or politicians.”

]]> By: Sekino http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1200007 Sekino Fri, 26 Aug 2011 22:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1200007 When he left Ottawa for the last time, John Lennon's "Imagine" played on the peace tower's carillon. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiS0C7R0QxE" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiS0C7R0QxE</a> It's something I would have never thought I'd ever hear. It was such a beautiful moment despite the sad circumstances. When he left Ottawa for the last time, John Lennon’s “Imagine” played on the peace tower’s carillon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiS0C7R0QxE

It’s something I would have never thought I’d ever hear. It was such a beautiful moment despite the sad circumstances.

]]> By: Jackman Chiu http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1199978 Jackman Chiu Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1199978 Thanks a lot for sharing my photo here! R.I.P. Jack Layton. Thanks a lot for sharing my photo here!

R.I.P. Jack Layton.

]]> By: coop http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1199956 coop Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1199956 And here's how it started. This is the blog entry of the woman who brought the chalk to the square, and first wrote on the ramp wall...   http://commodorified.dreamwidth.org/97127.html   And here’s how it started. This is the blog entry of the woman who brought the chalk to the square, and first wrote on the ramp wall…
 
http://commodorified.dreamwidth.org/97127.html
 

]]> By: Graham Hattersley http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1199955 Graham Hattersley Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1199955 I went by the square today at lunch, the line for his viewing wrapped all the way around city hall - it had been like that since they opened in the morning. The chalk messages have spread almost across the whole square, covering probably double the amount that you see in the picture above. Truly an inspiring tribute to an inspiring man.  RIP Jack. I went by the square today at lunch, the line for his viewing wrapped all the way around city hall – it had been like that since they opened in the morning.

The chalk messages have spread almost across the whole square, covering probably double the amount that you see in the picture above.

Truly an inspiring tribute to an inspiring man.  RIP Jack.

]]> By: MatthewFabb http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1199944 MatthewFabb Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1199944 Unfortunately, the big storm the other day in Toronto washed away a lot of the messages seen in that picture, however new messages are filling back in. Without the storm, I wondered if all of Nathan Phillips Square could have been covered. Unfortunately, the big storm the other day in Toronto washed away a lot of the messages seen in that picture, however new messages are filling back in. Without the storm, I wondered if all of Nathan Phillips Square could have been covered.

]]> By: erin jones http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1199931 erin jones Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1199931 This is an incredibly beautiful and inspiring living memorial to an inspiring politician and hero (with a tip of the hat to Kyle). RIP Jack Layton. I hope your life and legacy inspire another generation to work for positivity and hope. This is an incredibly beautiful and inspiring living memorial to an inspiring politician and hero (with a tip of the hat to Kyle). RIP Jack Layton. I hope your life and legacy inspire another generation to work for positivity and hope.

]]> By: Kyle Reynolds Conway http://boingboing.net/2011/08/26/chalk-memorial-for-jack-layton-in-front-of-torontos-new-city-hall.html#comment-1199311 Kyle Reynolds Conway Fri, 26 Aug 2011 05:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=115548#comment-1199311 Sort of makes you long for a world where all politicians are heroes. Sort of makes you long for a world where all politicians are heroes.

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