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From the Front Lines
Posted by Stephen Green · 11 June 2004
In today's OpinionJournal, former Polish Solidarity leader (and President) Lech Walesa says that the Poles owe their liberty to Ronald Reagan. He goes on: I often wondered why Ronald Reagan did this, taking the risks he did, in supporting us at Solidarity, as well as dissident movements in other countries behind the Iron Curtain, while pushing a defense buildup that pushed the Soviet economy over the brink. Let's remember that it was a time of recession in the U.S. and a time when the American public was more interested in their own domestic affairs. It took a leader with a vision to convince them that there are greater things worth fighting for. Did he seek any profit in such a policy? Though our freedom movements were in line with the foreign policy of the United States, I doubt it. Somehow, I'm more likely to agree with the estimation of Reagan by a man who risked everything to lead his people to freedom, than I am the likes of. . . . . . oh, who wants to name names and point fingers on the day of Reagan's funeral? If nothing else, the man earned that much. But as Lech Walesa will tell you, he earned much more than just that. Comments
Ever notice how important the voice / gaze of The Other is until The Other starts speaking like an independent actor untethered to the theoretical profile academics have created of said Other? Cause, y'know. I have. Posted by: Jeff G at June 10, 2004 11:55 PMI ran across an interesting interview with Adam Michnik, a Polish liberal who understands what we're trying to achieve in Iraq. http://www.bethmauldin.com/archives/2004_06.html#001031 Posted by: Beth at June 11, 2004 12:39 AMPoor Walesa--he has obviously been brainwashed by the evil Republican Mind Control Lasers. Dennis Kucinich would undoubtedly recommend a tinfoil beanie, three weeks of reading Robert Scheer columns in the LA Times, and forty-eight hours straight watching Fahrenheit 9/11 with his eyelids glued open. Posted by: M. Scott Eiland at June 11, 2004 02:44 AMYeah, I would just love to see anyone, especially anyone on the left try and make Lech do any of that. He's a big guy, and although not as young as he once was, still would be a heck of a brawl. Posted by: Ben at June 11, 2004 04:00 AMI have always found it telling that those who have come out from under collectivism become its most ardent foes, while it remains favored among Western intelligentsia. I am sure they would advise Mr. Walesa to give it just one more try. Posted by: Pogo at June 11, 2004 06:03 AMPogo: No, at least among academics, they would simply harp on how wrong he is. In the early 1990s, I had several professors visit Poland. On their return, they lamented on how wrong their hosts had been, insisting on crediting Ronald Reagan on the fall of the USSR, rather than Mikhail Gorbachev. One professor recounted how he had had to try and persuade his Polish counterparts on how wrong they were at every reception and conversation (I'm sure he was VERY popular by the end). These people (the American profs) were literally aghast and amazed at how befuddled and benighted their Polish counterparts were. Posted by: Dean at June 11, 2004 08:06 AMWhat do you expect from academics? They're theoreticians, and like any other theory, they don't have a grasp of all (the most basic) facts. the only reason they're able to spew their crap is _BECAUSE_ they never had to live under a collectivist, totalitarian workers' paradise. I'm sure some of them still refuse to admit that Lenin's dead, never mind the end of the Cold War. Posted by: Mustrum at June 14, 2004 06:36 AM |
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