Post by Jaga on Oct 20, 2007 22:28:59 GMT -7
I was not sure where to place this story. But this is interesting and a bit funny:
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/914977.html
They offend the Germans, squabble with the Russians and are infuriating the entire European Union with their stubborn opposition to major continental initiatives: the European constitution - nie (no); the struggle against the death penalty - nie; a ban on abortions - tak (yes); and tak is also their approach to the prohibition on euthanasia. The Poland of the Kaczynski twins - Lech, the president, and Jaroslaw, the prime minister - is a conservative, nationalist country, religious and homophobic, vengeful and intolerant, a country haunted by bribery affairs and sex scandals, a place of politicization and appointments of confidants, of purges and maltreatment of dissidents.
But the Poland of the Kaczynskis is also "our best friend in Europe": The Poland of the twins views Israel as a major ally, describes us as a "strategic asset," no less, and comes to our defense repeatedly in international forums, even at the price of a confrontation with its continental partners. Advertisement
The Kaczynskis' Poland is characterized by an extraordinary blossoming of organizations, funds and associations that have been established to revive Jewish culture. Polish public radio broadcasts a daily program in Hebrew, universities are investing in Jewish studies curricula, and cities glory in large-scale festivals of Jewish culture.
The president himself has become totally involved in the establishment of a huge museum on the history of Polish Jewry, opposite the monument to the fighters of the Warsaw Ghetto.
Last week, in an ostentatious ceremony, he awarded medals to dozens of people who rescued Jews in the Holocaust; last night it was his wife, Maria, who joined those dispensing Polish honor when, in the midst of a campaign prior to the upcoming parliamentary elections, she took part in the dedication ceremony of the new Polish cultural center in Tel Aviv.
'Cozying up to the Jews'
The president's rare philosemitic record is blemished by his association with the Catholic and anti-Semitic station Radio Maryja. A senior figure who is close to the president explains that his motives are "tactical-electoral only," and promises that after the elections he will definitely dissociate himself from the station.
Be that as it may, the fact is that the popular station is virulently attacking Kaczynski for cozying up to the Jews. A similar attitude is evidenced by the Polish League of Families, an anti-Semitic party which last week broadcast a campaign ad showing the skullcap-clad president at the Western Wall, juxtaposed with images of the Polish troops in Iraq.
The message is clear: The Kaczynskis are nothing but captive babes in the hands of Jews; if you don't understand why our boys are being shot up in Iraq, look for the answer in Jerusalem.
...
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/914977.html
They offend the Germans, squabble with the Russians and are infuriating the entire European Union with their stubborn opposition to major continental initiatives: the European constitution - nie (no); the struggle against the death penalty - nie; a ban on abortions - tak (yes); and tak is also their approach to the prohibition on euthanasia. The Poland of the Kaczynski twins - Lech, the president, and Jaroslaw, the prime minister - is a conservative, nationalist country, religious and homophobic, vengeful and intolerant, a country haunted by bribery affairs and sex scandals, a place of politicization and appointments of confidants, of purges and maltreatment of dissidents.
But the Poland of the Kaczynskis is also "our best friend in Europe": The Poland of the twins views Israel as a major ally, describes us as a "strategic asset," no less, and comes to our defense repeatedly in international forums, even at the price of a confrontation with its continental partners. Advertisement
The Kaczynskis' Poland is characterized by an extraordinary blossoming of organizations, funds and associations that have been established to revive Jewish culture. Polish public radio broadcasts a daily program in Hebrew, universities are investing in Jewish studies curricula, and cities glory in large-scale festivals of Jewish culture.
The president himself has become totally involved in the establishment of a huge museum on the history of Polish Jewry, opposite the monument to the fighters of the Warsaw Ghetto.
Last week, in an ostentatious ceremony, he awarded medals to dozens of people who rescued Jews in the Holocaust; last night it was his wife, Maria, who joined those dispensing Polish honor when, in the midst of a campaign prior to the upcoming parliamentary elections, she took part in the dedication ceremony of the new Polish cultural center in Tel Aviv.
'Cozying up to the Jews'
The president's rare philosemitic record is blemished by his association with the Catholic and anti-Semitic station Radio Maryja. A senior figure who is close to the president explains that his motives are "tactical-electoral only," and promises that after the elections he will definitely dissociate himself from the station.
Be that as it may, the fact is that the popular station is virulently attacking Kaczynski for cozying up to the Jews. A similar attitude is evidenced by the Polish League of Families, an anti-Semitic party which last week broadcast a campaign ad showing the skullcap-clad president at the Western Wall, juxtaposed with images of the Polish troops in Iraq.
The message is clear: The Kaczynskis are nothing but captive babes in the hands of Jews; if you don't understand why our boys are being shot up in Iraq, look for the answer in Jerusalem.
...