David Barton/WallBuilders

3 days ago

Today, on Day 4, we had a meeting at the Ministry of Finance building (see below), with the Deputy Prime Minister of Poland, who also serves as the Minister of Finance (he is in the center of picture of the three men below). It was quite an amazing meeting. The congressmen with us (Steve Russell of Oklahoma, and Brad Wenstrup of Ohio; Ralph Abrahams of Louisiana had to return to the US just before the meeting), as well as Dean Cain, and myself, offered specific suggestions to them, and great questions were asked back and forth on issues from military cooperation to the importing of American natural gas, and of tourism to reforming their judiciary. There are many ways in which we can help Poland, which is certainly one of our strongest European allies, including against Russia. Poland is a wonderful country. It is so like America, in the sense of everything that is wholesome: people who love God, are big defenders of unborn life and traditional marriage, work hard, love their country, want to help others, have a low crime rate, and much more. However, the current American ambassador to Poland is working against Poland’s desire for positive change. A large part of the problem it that he is a holdover from President Obama, and supports many left leaning philosophies and movements, while Poland is definitely right-leaning and conservative. He therefore openly criticizes Poland, and the major reforms they are attempting. For example, when Poland became independent from the Soviet Union on the 1980s, they created a new government, but not knowing what to do with the judiciary, they left it as it was. It was a completely Soviet judiciary that had no regard for the people and is not appointed by the president, the legislature, or any other elected official, and therefore is completely untouched by the people. In the current system, not only do judges serve for live, they also choose their own successors—it is as bad as a hereditary monarchy. Eighty percent of the Polish people want to change their current judicial system and make it like the judiciary in the western world rather than like the old Soviet bloc. Amazingly, the American ambassador: came out with a scathing article opposing that change and charging them of moving the country in the wrong direction. Public support for an accountable judiciary began to fall, because they believed that America didn’t want them to change. But that's definitely not true. It’s the American ambassador who does not want to change or have or judicial accountability. We assured the prime minister that America would support their desire for change in the judiciary, and that we would let the State Department know of the disservice that the US ambassador to Poland is doing. As a result of today's meeting, Poland is already looking to top legal expert Alan Sears (who is with us on this trip) to help them create the plan for a new judiciary, and WallBuilders will also be able to help in this effort, showing them historically and constitutionally what does and doesn’t work. It was a very productive and even an exciting meeting because of the great prospects for significant positive change. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

David Barton/WallBuilders

3 days ago

We went to the oldest part of Warsaw today, with some buildings around us being nearly eight centuries old. On our way, we walked through beautiful streets and wonderful parks. Without a doubt, this is perhaps the cleanest country I've ever been in. They take great pride in their country and don’t want it to be soiled; in fact, it is almost impossible even to find a cigarette butt on the streets. In fact, if they see someone drop a cigarette butt, the citizen who sees it will go over to that person, confront him, and tell him to pick it up and throw it in the trash. The government doesn’t enforce the cleanliness, the people do. They believe in personal responsibility, and they simply don't litter or leave trash around. As we walked through the park, we passed a massive water fountain that was nearly 3 stories tall. We also passed their tomb of the unknown soldier, which is guarded 24-7-365 by two Polish soldiers. (By the way, every American should visit Arlington Cemetery in Washington DC and see the tomb of the unknown soldier and especially the changing of the guard. It is an impressive and inspiring ceremony, just as it was here today.) There was also a very large, very visible cross in the park and city square. And guess what! No one here sues to take it down! In fact, when some secularists in Italy tried to remove crosses off the walls of schools, Alan Sears (who is with us on this trip) took that case to the European High Court and won the case by an overwhelming majority! (Something else America could learn from Poland. Strikingly, in all the good areas, Poland is what America once was.) We fly out tomorrow morning, Lord willing, but look forward to helping Poland in any way we can, including with their judicial reform as well as means of better preserving their own national history, especially as it relates to various expressions of their faith. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo