It is easy for freaks fighting in the front of the dead to secure victories. The dead, as is well-known, cannot defend themselves and Polish gravestones are aplenty, even in the most Lithuanian parts of Lithuania.
Most Lithuanians understand that one must be a true freak at heart in order to start smearing gravestones. Respect for the deceased, both friends and enemies, is still one of the basic values of any nation. For some, it seems, even this value seems bothersome.
The attack against the tomb brings shame to the entire country. On the other hand, it is ironic – the nationalistic tomb vandals have made fools of themselves, big time. Pilsudski would have never found anything insulting about the Gediminas Columns. The Marshal, who came from an old Lithuanian family and thought of himself as Lithuanian, had great respect for the symbol, the Grand Duchy of Luthuania, and the Lithuanian people – much greater than those in the 21st century who can only demonstrate their love for the country by smearing graves.
Let's stop shooting at the past, shall we? Let's stop fighting the dead.
Did Pilsudski wage war with Lithuania and occupied Vilnius? That he did. He was part of his times. Weapons and divisions deployed in Eastern and Central Europe were stronger arguments than mutual agreements. Did we not act similarly when we annexed Klaipėda (Memelland)? Ours was a perfectly-executed operation using a method we learned from Marshal Pilsudski. Does that mean we have to repent now? Annexation of Klaipėda was one of Lithuania's boldest political moves in the last century.
So why feel any resentment? Especially since it is almost 73 years since Vilnius was returned to the Lithuanian hands.
Where does the current spite come from? Why do some still stick to their grudge, believing they are being wronged? Why this masochistic desire to play victim, while in fact – perhaps it is time to admit – we are victors of the 20th century history?
It is well possible that crusaders against double-ues (let alone the cemetery vandals) are not in fact afraid of Poland or Poles, but rather of themselves. We are still afraid to be victors. Because according to principles of “managed democracy”, being a victor means great responsibility. A victor does not avenge – as a petty dictator would – a victor is noble and takes care of people – the weak, the minorities. And what is a victim's responsibility? None. A victim simply sighs, cries, and complains about being victimized.
It seems that this is exactly what we fear – a spiritual transition from the loser camp to the winner camp. The discrepancy becomes increasingly apparent every day – and so many victim thinking-inspired relapses have surfaced lately.
Do we like adopting this humiliating pose? We haven't had enough of being victims? Is this something that the nation needs – or merely several political retards who are using the situation to maintain their undeserved access to political power?
It is time we quit being the country of parallel realities. If we do not accept the title of winners – bestowed as it was upon us by History and God – and do not develop the sensibility of winners, it won't be long before we become losers once again. For good. Let's stop shooting at the past, shall we? Let's stop fighting the dead.
