Polish patriots celebrate Independence Day

I admit to being bad on dates. Just terrible. Ask Mrs Walt and she'll tell you. [So will several of your agents! Ed.] Until being reminded this afternoon, I had forgotten that today was the 99th anniversary of Poland's rebirth as a nation in 1918, after having been wiped off the map for 123 years. So, even though it's late in the day, I and Poor Len Canayen [and Ed.! Ed.] wish the people of Poland HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

News reports coming in on the AP mojo wire say that, without waiting for our good wishes, something like 60,000 Polish nationalists marched through the streets of Warsaw, under the slogan "We Want God", words from an old Polish hymn that President Trump quoted from during a visit earlier this year. They carried the white-and-red national flag and lit red flares, filling the night sky with a red glow, as can be seen in this photo.

In recent years, the march, organized by groups which in the decadent nations of the West would be called "white nationalist" or even "white supremacist", has become the largest Independence Day event in Poland, overshadowing official state observances and other patriotic events. Speakers addressing the crowd spoke of standing against liberals and defending Christian values. Some participants carried banners reading "White Europe of brotherly nations."

The march has become one of the largest such demonstrations in Europe. Today it drew nationalist leaders from other countries, including Tommy Robinson from the UK and Roberto Fiore from Italy. State broadcaster TVP called the event a "great march of patriots" which drew, for the most part, not extremists but regular Poles expressing their love of their country. "It was a beautiful sight," said Interior Minister Mariusz Blaszczak. "We are proud that so many Poles have decided to take part in a celebration connected to the Independence Day holiday."

Earlier in the day, President Andrzej Duda presided over state ceremonies also attended by European Union president Donald Tusk, a former Polish prime minister. Mr Duda oversaw ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, walking past a military guard before the raising of the flags and cannon salute. After delivering a speech, he took part in a wreath-laying ceremony, kneeling and crossing himself at the monument to all unknown soldiers killed fighting for the country.

Walt hangs his head in shame that such a joyously patriotic celebration is unlikely to happen in Britain, Canada or the USA. Except for me and (I hope) you, dear reader, we Westerners have been brainwashed by the liberal politicians and the lamestream media into hating ourselves too much.

Recommended reading: The Strange Death of Europe, by Douglas Murray (Bloomsbury, 2017)