I'm Feeling Good"

Jack Layton, the irrepressible leader of the New Democratic Party since 2003 has retained the respect and loyalty of his troops. Last summer he was given an almost-unanimous vote of confidence when almost 90% of delegates voted for the status quo, and against the usefulness of a leadership convention to replace Mr. Layton.

Yesterday he revealed publicly that he is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. "This year, more than 25,000 Canadian men are going to be diagnosed with treatable prostate cancer. And I recently learned that I'm one of them. I'm a fighter and I'm going to beat this. My treatment plan is now underway and everything is underway. I'm feeling good."

That's good, and good on you, Jack. We wish you well, everyone does. Yes we most certainly do. Why would we not?

"It's a funny business this", said our esteemed Prime Minister at a Saskatoon news conference. "You do battle with a guy for many, many years, but ... you also develop very close relationships with some of your counterparts", revealing that he and wife Laureen have developed a kindly relationship with Mr. Layton and his wife, Olivia Chow, another M.P.

"I know many people who have faced this challenge and have overcome it", said Stephen Harper. "I look forward to doing political battle with him for many years to come." Now, that's nice. It's very human, very empathetic; genuinely spontaneous. From a man whom so many claim to be utterly without empathy.

And then there are other comments by other Canadian leading political figures, and what they have to say and the manner in which it is communicated somehow reminds the reader of the content of an obituary. Isn't that truly peculiar? In their comments there is a stiffness, a restraint, a lugubrious tone consistent with rhetorical lament and regret.

"Jack Layton has fought many battles in his life, but none will be as demanding as the fight he now faces" Michael Ignatieff has offered, histrionically and gloomily. "We all know how combative Jack is and we know that he will face this challenge with his usual determination. I wish him strength and courage on the road to recovery, and I know all Canadians stand behind him in this fight."

Now there spoke a political leader with an obvious agenda.

But wait, there's another: "The dynamism and determination you've always shown in your work in Ottawa will contribute, I'm sure, to your speedy recovery", said Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe in a brief note of commiseration. One can only wonder why a speech writer was required for that little public affairs-type of commitment to social civility.