Burying President Lech Kaczyński in a place so important to Poles as Wawel carries a powerful symbolic meaning. The nation’s representative was given a dignified final resting place. In this way, respect was expressed for all the citizens of our country.
When Lech Kaczyński, after his tragic death, rose from the position of a weak president to the rank of a statesman, I understood that, as a nation, we need elites. We want worthy, authoritative and distinguished people in the highest positions. Heroes. By casting our votes in elections, we entrust politicians with the good name of our district, municipality, county and country as well. Politicians forget this most quickly. They are ill-mannered, uncultured and treat citizens without respect.
The splendor of Wawel will neither rub off on nor transform today’s politicians and state officials. Let us take an example from our own backyard. City Secretary Jerzy Zieliński, without any inhibition, though devastated by the national mourning, sent an offensive SMS to his neighbor and restaurant owner, Bogdan Nowak. Zieliński could not stand the fact that a wedding celebration was taking place at his neighbor’s establishment. Instead of the words “You’re an animal,” he could have sent a polite SMS saying, “Don’t hurt my feelings; respect my sorrow.” The same councilor, Nowak, had insulted the director of the cultural center, Ewa Lijewska, several months earlier. We also know President Piotr Roman’s famous statement: “Burniak is a jerk.”
There are only a small number of politicians, officials and councilors who, while holding their functions and positions, understand that this is not an ordinary job. An important official bears greater responsibility for his actions, words and behavior than an average citizen. He is a representative of the voters. Therefore, it does not matter that Piotr Roman uttered insulting words about Józef Burniak outside the official recording. I do not accept at all that my city secretary, Jerzy Zieliński, had already finished work when he sent a humiliating SMS to his colleague. Nor am I impressed by councilor Bogusław Nowak’s explanation that he insulted director Ewa Lijewska privately, as a friend.
An ordinary person must not send offensive text messages or abuse other people. Such behavior is even more unbecoming of a president or councilor. They are representatives of society. They have a duty to safeguard our common honor. And also the good name of the Fatherland.
When I watched the president’s famous “Get lost, old man” on YouTube, I was struck by the words of the citizen surprised by Kaczyński’s reaction. “But how can you speak to someone like that? I politely asked the man a question,” said the man insulted by Poland’s future president.
This is also how I will remember Lech Kaczyński. There, on the street, in contact with voters. Even though he was buried at Wawel. And I will dream of an elite. Of mature statesmen who will be able to represent me during their lifetime. Because the difference between an ordinary citizen and a state official is that a citizen’s statement reflects only on him, while the statement of a senior official reflects on all of us and on our country.
Grażyna Hanaf