Częstochowa, July 13-15, 2005

Where do you think all these earnest young people are going? Are they Young Pioneers? No. Are they trade unionists? No. Are they Crusaders? Probably not. Maybe they're pilgrims? Yes indeed, I think they are.




And they are heading straight for the Jasna Góra monastery in my father's home town of Częstochowa, July 14, 2005.




Here is what they are going to see. A Russian icon with a mysterious past, the Madonna of Częstochowa, brought here by Duke Ladislaus of Opole in 1382. Since then it has become a symbol of Poland's struggles, and a pilgrimage destination of international importance.

Now while we are on the subject of Poland's struggles, please permit me to indulge in a genuinely uncharacteristic (for me on this blog, anyway) rant. I am generally not against most forms or expressions of faith and piety, like what we see in Częstochowa. In fact, I believe that for a lot of people it can be a good influence, and keep them out of trouble, criminal activity, violence, intolerance, bigotry and meaness of spirit.

But when fundamentalism turns to brainwashing, I get angry. For example, I did not intend to register to vote in the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in Poland. I am not resident there, don't pay taxes, and quite frankly, am not sure I truly understand what all the most important political issues are. But as of today, this has changed. I registered to vote, and vote I will, if only because that Mercedes-chauffered Taliban demagogue, Father Rydzyk of Radio Maryja, in Jasna Góra on Saturday, began his campaign to "bury" the Platforma Obywatelska and Donald Tusk. According to Rydzyk, voting for them is a sin and anti-Roman Catholic. Seems they're a pack of liberals, communists and Free Masons, although he has yet to accuse them of being Jews. That's what you get for focussing on the economy, unemployment and health care, instead of howling for punishment of anyone who does not agree with you, hounding the business class, and "defending" the family, the peasantry, and the state religion.

Well Ayatollah Rydzyk, guess what? Here's who the opinion polls show are the top runners for President. See the orange line? That's Tusk (Evolution not Revolution). See the yellow and red lines? Those are Rydzyk's men, Lepper (Samoobrona) and Giertych (Liga Polskich Rodzin). Who will bury whom? Watch this space for results of the elections to Parliament (Sept. 25) and for the President (Oct. 9).