Do liberals and the left want to defend democracy? Do they consider it their duty to defend their homeland?

TokFm radio journalist Jan Wróbel gave a good example of how a citizen of the Republic of Poland should deal with the obligation to perform military service. Unfortunately, it’s a shame that this is such a rare attitude. Especially among the elite.

The interview that editor Wróbel gave to his own editors is something special. Not because he was interviewed by his own editors, but because of the subject and the way he spoke. It all started when the 59-year-old journalist was called up for reserve exercises. By law, because as a non-commissioned officer he is subject to this obligation until he is 63. But he’s not a young man anymore, so you might expect some crude jokes about the military’s “thoughtlessness.” However, this did not happen. The sparrow solemnly announced that he would fulfill his duty. The interview mentioned is the result of the exercises. It should be emphasized right away: it is rare to read such wise words. The usually docile journalist showed a very responsible and exemplary attitude.

Thousands of Poles receive calls like mine and many are not happy about it. They must break away from everyday life and business and travel to unity from far away. For many reservists, these exercises are merely physical torture. Nevertheless, they heed the army’s call because they apparently feel it is necessary. So why should I feel superior to them? Please don’t think I’m patriotic, but I am aware that we won’t get Poland’s independence for free. We must maintain our armed forces and guarantee national security. It is something that is kneaded like dough. If I can contribute even a little bit to that, I’ll be happy.

Jan Wróbel could have appealed, taken advantage of the fact that he is a famous journalist and simply stayed at home. He didn’t. His statement shows how surprised the people around him were.

Those my age were quite depressed. They asked if I was really going to do these exercises. They know I’m not a bodybuilder. However, I almost saw panic among the young people. Because if they take an old man like me into the army, what will happen to them?

Anyone who has had contact with the military knows that it is not a perfectly organized institution. When you’re on duty, it’s easy to find things to criticize or ridicule. The attitude to so-called “jams” is a matter of attitude to service. And also a sense of duty. In this topic, editor-corporal Wróbel speaks about the army with great respect and responsibility. He also deserves respect for this, because those who are most likely to mock those who give little of themselves and demand little of themselves.

Everyone defends the country for everyone

Thanks to editor Wróbel for a few sentences that conclude the interview, which should be considered the most important conclusion.

If old people my age come to military exercises, why shouldn’t young people join in? Everyone defends the country for everyone. I see no reason why we should defend it with old hands instead of with all hands.

Would you be willing to fight for your country if Russia attacked it?

If I was given a gun, I would take it and fight. I do not doubt.

Too few people – universally recognizable people – say this. These are very necessary words. Too many people still believe that they have no obligations to Poles and Poles. Here, to this barrel of honey from editor Wróbel, you need to add a few spoons of tar.

Do we need pacifists today?

Unfortunately, Wróbel seems to be an isolated figure in his environment. At least when it comes to the attitude towards the duty to defend the homeland. Even at declaration level. On the same day, the main headline of the same media group published a commentary entitled “We need pacifists today!” The author is Prof. Magdalena Środa, and the comment itself is much better covered than the interview with editor Wróbel. Unfortunately, it must be said that the professor’s view is more representative in the Polish liberal movement than the attitude of Corporal Wróbel (who is more of a ‘symmetrist’ than a liberal).

Since the aggression against Ukraine, military issues have been widely covered in all media. These liberal-left parties do not question military spending, but support it and warn of threats from Russia. But at the same time they present the whole military issue as some kind of selfish issue that concerns them only as taxpayers. In this perspective, the army is a professional formation composed of some abstract people from the provinces. They will be the ones fighting in the trenches. But not the people from the liberal-left universe.

This assessment arises from the tone of the texts published on this subject. The same journalist who interviewed Wróbel three months earlier wrote an extensive article entitled: ‘The fear of war took its toll. “The Poles have moved to Spain.” Konrad Oprzędek described several cases of wealthy people who openly admit that they are fleeing Poland for fear of war. The tone is basically positive: it is nice that if someone has money, he can leave his own country. Not a word of criticism or condemnation.

Who will defend civil rights and freedoms?

It cannot be said that these are individual articles. Because there is no symmetry here. We will not find texts that remind us that it is the duty of every capable citizen to defend his own country and his compatriots. Let’s take two portals that are intellectually important to these communities. “Kultura Liberalna” and the left-wing “Krytyka Polityczna”. The latter recently published the text ‘A wall behind the uniform? That’s not how I was raised.” That is, a complete attack on the idea of ​​serving in the military. And at the same time, there has probably never been any praise for the service of soldiers in the same medium.

Both portals once paid a lot of attention to Civil Protection, but never to the universal obligation to defend. This can be read as meaning that liberals and leftists see OC as a place where they will fulfill their civic duty. Third-party liability insurance is very necessary and certainly entails risks to life and health. But these will still be much lighter and safer tasks than direct service in the trenches.

And someone will have to bleed so that the Civil Protection can operate effectively behind the front. This obligation must apply fairly to everyone. Unfortunately, it is not certain that this will happen. Rather, these privileged people will perform their ‘duty’ deep in the background. Liberals and the left talk a lot about civil rights and political rights and freedoms. But will they want to defend themselves? Personally and on the front lines, without saying that since there is a professional army, they are exempt.