The gay community of Poland needs a leader that knows how to raise the Golem.

Start broad generalizations here: Europe is freaking out all around the Eastern edges. The new EU contries overthrew communism after their minorities had been all but eradicated. Now that they can buy cheap electronics made in Taiwan and watch American television shows on cable and work in multinational organziations, they’re finding that the cultural side of global culture expansion doesn’t suit them as well as they’d like.

It’s true here in Austria where the supermarket adds a Turkish section so shoppers can buy somewhat exotic ingredients but those same shoppers will deride the Turkish woman in front of them in the checkout line for wearing a headscarf and not trying harder to “fit in” and for having too many kids.

The breeding thing plays a big part - there’s this widespread concern that the good citizens of the EU are not breeding fast enough to replace the outgoing tax-paying citizens. The argument falls in to the social security bucket, but there’s a racist underpinning. Large white families? Good. Large brown families? Um, not next door to ME, thank you! Another common vernacular tale here: “You should see how those Chinese get around the immigration requirements to get their entire families in!” Um, but you said earlier there weren’t enough people… I’m confused.

I’m rambling. This is my long way of saying that the “New Europe” is badly overdue a lesson in the benefits of multiculturalism. Gay, brown, non-Christian… whatever flavor you take it in. And if they can’t get their hardened little minds around THAT, they might just try a little “Love thy neighbor.” It’s a simple idea. I’m pretty sure it was a cornerstone teaching from their guy, what was his name, Jesus? End broad generalizing with diclaimer about how your mileage may vary.

Those who ignore history, and all that…

Aside: I return to Seattle next week and this very issue is what makes me so happy to return to my beautiful blue city on the Sound.