Looking for a place to land

In the U.S., of course, the big news is Irene. I hope everyone is staying safe, and that the damage is not too severe.

In Canada, the news of the day was Jack Layton, leader of the Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition and head of the NDP party, who died of cancer at the age of 61 on Monday, and whose funeral was held today in Toronto.

Unlike thousands of others, I didn't make it downtown, but I did watch it on television--the funny anecdotes and touching stories from his children, the fantastic eulogy from Stephen Lewis, and some wonderful words from Reverend Brent Hawkes, who delivered my favourite line of the service:

"If the Olympics made us prouder Canadians, maybe Jack's life can make us better Canadians."

The CN Tower and Niagara Falls are both lit orange tonight--the colour of the NDP--in Jack Layton's honour. It's an honour he more than earned.

scrollgirl has collected some photos of Toronto City Hall that are worth looking at.

( Context: Canadian politics and Jack Layton )

( Link round-up for my own reference )