EDITORIAL
Let Us Rejoice!
by Mark Kohan
More than chocolate bunnies, baskets overflowing with food, and our only real opportunity to dye eggs, Easter Sunday is the most important celebration of faith in the Catholic Church’s liturgical year. A commemoration of belief in life everlasting, it reflects the path to faith taken by the first witnesses of the Resurrection: Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John. Each disciple came to faith at a different time, yet each received the Good News of life eternal through Jesus.
As Poles, our love for the customs associated with Easter reflects this. A pisanka, for example, is beautiful, and we can admire both the art and the artist. Ultimately, however, the egg is a symbol of rebirth. Life springs from within, not from what confines it. Had Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John decided to pay homage to the tomb as the last place Jesus was with us on Earth, their faith (and ours) most likely would have ended there. (Although John believed Jesus was alive, he and Peter did not understand that the Scriptures predicted His resurrection). Instead, they left the stone and the grave and sought Jesus in their hearts. By appearing to Mary Magdalene, and eventually to His disciples, Jesus confirmed the Word of God, which was fulfilled by His resurrection.
This Easter, follow the disciples’ paths and look for Jesus within. By all means, make pisanki, kielbasa, butter lambs, and makowiec, but remember these are symbols of our faith, not our faith itself.
We wish our readers a blessed and happy Easter. Let us rejoice!
This is Not Your Grandfather’s Immigration
The number of illegal immigrants in the United States has roughly doubled under President Biden, with an estimated 10 million entering during his presidency.
According to CNN and other sources, Biden is now considering executive action to restrict migrants’ ability to seek asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border if they crossed illegally – a maneuver reminiscent of controversial action from the Trump era, and is sure to invite fierce backlash from immigration advocates and progressives.
Biden may have to make this move if he hopes to win a second term.
Serious reform of U.S. immigration and asylum laws — including stricter standards like those imposed upon our ancestors — is overdue.
Most illegal immigrants do not have government-provided work permits, which could take years to get. They need food, shelter, transportation, clothing, and many will need healthcare. If they cannot legally work soon, many will enter the underground economy, working as contract labor for cash or possibly engaging in illegal activities.
Border Patrol has seen a significant increase in foreign nationals on the terrorist watch list crossing the border. A terrorist attack by an illegal individual or group would, unfortunately, place the lives of all immigrants in danger, as well as those assigned to protect them.
Dangerous Liaisons
Pormer President Donald Trump said he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to any NATO member country that does not meet spending guidelines on defense in a stunning admission he would not abide by the collective-defense clause at the heart of the alliance if reelected, causing tension among the military alliance and allied countries.
Trump’s comments, which were made at a rally in Conway, S.C., suggest he may be siding with an authoritarian state over America’s democratic allies.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg responded by stating that Trump’s threat to the security of the entire trans-Atlantic alliance undermines all security, including that of the United States, and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk. President Joe Biden has also criticized Trump for his actions.
Polish American are to be reminded that, if Putin’s Ukrainian campaign is successful, and, if elected, Trump allows allies to fend for themselves, you can bet the invasion of Poland will be at hand.
Skewed Perspectives
Former host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show Jon Stewart returned to his post, appearing each Monday to take on current events.
Over the years, Stewart – either loved or hated – has speared left and right alike. Topics range from the age of both presidential candidates ages to former Fox Network host Tucker Carlson’s interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Among the twisted world views espoused by Putin to Carlson was Poland’s responsibility for starting World War II. Putin blamed Poland because it refused to hand over its lands to Hitler. Stewart, unfortunately, used a Polish joke to explain the circumstances.
While his job as a comedian is to entertain (and in his case, point out flaws by use of satire), the satire was lost when Stewart used a Polish joke to get a cheap laugh. Yes, he is a jester whose views are presented on Comedy Central (and not the History Channel), but he could have presented the context without insult.
The Daily Show, c/o Comedy Central, 345 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014.
