Polish History Legislation
The pain that is Poland is beyond comprehension. Its legislature wants to make it ineffable.
That is a major problem.
The truth of the behavior of Poland as a nation over the past century is not subject to definition. The territory that was overrun by various (evil) armies, divided among alien nations, subjugated by overwhelming forces. The will of the native peoples was not the decisive factor in the events that transpired. Few have the power to implement global policy. It is the ratification of those policies, and their implications, that falls within the scope of ordinary people. The true stories of everyday people is the information that can shape the future.
Now, when there is not yet legislation forcing a particular myth about the behavior of people during the Nazi and Soviet occupations, I do not trust the stories that I have heard. Everyone has motives. Most people want to look altruistic, or at least innocent. Any trace of culpability is covered with a story of victimization. The law will make it worse.
Pronouncements by authorities are difficult to resist. They are supported by willing followers,convincing arguments, and often by an army and police force. They are supported by severe penalties, sometimes the threat of death. It is important to know how people dealt with these issues.
I need to look at my own issues. Were my effete protests again the Viet Nam war meaningful? Did I do enough? Did I do enough to fight racism? Am I doing enough to fight a medical system that values greed above life; that denies patients life-saving medicines to maximize profits; that sows confusion about treatment outcomes to make a buck.
Of course not. And no legislation will make me feel better about it.
Now, when there is not yet legislation forcing a particular myth about the behavior of people during the Nazi and Soviet occupations, I do not trust the stories that I have heard. Everyone has motives. Most people want to look altruistic, or at least innocent. Any trace of culpability is covered with a story of victimization. The law will make it worse.
Pronouncements by authorities are difficult to resist. They are supported by willing followers,convincing arguments, and often by an army and police force. They are supported by severe penalties, sometimes the threat of death. It is important to know how people dealt with these issues.
I need to look at my own issues. Were my effete protests again the Viet Nam war meaningful? Did I do enough? Did I do enough to fight racism? Am I doing enough to fight a medical system that values greed above life; that denies patients life-saving medicines to maximize profits; that sows confusion about treatment outcomes to make a buck.
Of course not. And no legislation will make me feel better about it.
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