Re: "Jacks Shoes Not Easily Filled"

Letters to the Editor

Horror

I write in horror at the article, framed in black, and headlined "Jack Layton ...." In it, the term 'national socialism' is attributed to the NDP and Jack's efforts to build a better country.
That term was discredited long ago, and to have it inserted in your
newspaper ostensibly to praise Jack, is in my estimation a mean-spirited attempt to dishonour his memory.
Surely there is something in the newspaper code of ethics that would insist you print a retraction. I, for one, demand it.

Joanne Manley

Re letter: "Jack Layton's Shoes Not Easily Filled"

The writer equates NDP policy with National socialism, which was the policy the nazis supported and was as right wing as
the Tea Party and their idol, Ayn Rand.
Hard to see our NDP on the right of the Progressive Conservatives:)

Andy Mulcahy

The letter in question stated that Layton "raised the profile of national socialism". When capitalized, "National Socialism" refers to the ideology of the German Nazi Party of the 1930s. When not capitalized the two words together do not necessarily have the same meaning. The writer likely meant that he raised the national profile of socialism in Canada. Given the context and praise for Jack in the rest of the letter, it is clear that there was no intent to cast false aspersions on his legacy.

Beacon Editors