In Memorium: Jim Callaghan

Jim was a passionate and vibrant part of our online community here at Vive. He was also someone I had personally communicated with many times, as I'm sure many of you also have during the course of online discussions and debates. Unlike many readers who pass by, he truly believed in the mission of this site, to protect and improve Canadian sovereignty. In fact, he was so enthusiastic about the project he would tirelessly promote it to friends, family, and contacts under his own initiative, for which I will always be grateful. While I didn't agree with everything Jim thought or said, just as we all disagree sometimes on this very open and democratic forum, I always respected his readiness and desire to fearlessly consider the problems and challenges of our time and then to speak out and let his own opinions be heard, a quality that I think is too often lacking in many people today. This forum will be a little less colourful and a little less diverse now that his voice has gone silent. Perhaps we can take some comfort in the fact that it is also through this forum that Jim's voice will, in some way, live on, since his comments and arguments will remain archived here as long as the site exists. In this way he will remain an advocate for the ideas he espoused long after his untimely passing. In fact, I think we can pay tribute to Jim in some small way by continuing to carry the torch and working to make Vive the best tool it can be in the fight to save Canada, as Jim did himself while he was here with us. We should also remember that Jim is survived by his nephew Brad Davies, who was considerate enough to inform us of his uncle's passing even during this difficult time. To quote Brad's eloquent description of his uncle, "Jim was a fluent, intelligent and passionate individual who firmly adhered to his Canadian convictions, however, he unfortunately succumbed to depression at one of the most overwhelming times of the year. I'm sure the hearts and thoughts of Vive's members and readers are with Brad during this period of mourning, as mine and the Vive board's thoughts most certainly are. Also, although I have disabled the comment function on this article out of respect for Brad and for Jim himself, I would encourage everyone who feels the need to remember Jim or to discuss their feelings on this very sad and shocking event to do so. For that purpose please visit the forum topic that has been started ("Jim Callaghan") which should offer both support and a little more privacy (since it is members only): http://www.vivelecanada.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?forum=7&showtopic=6456 And I would like to offer once again my own heartfelt condolences to Brad and any other surviving members of Jim's family. Please know that he will be missed, and that we share in your sadness. Susan Thompson January 7, 2005