Solidarity Founder Lech Walesa Shaves His Trademark Mustache

Associate Press ^ | August 7, 2002

[Mr. Mulliner]

Aug 7, 2002

Solidarity Founder Lech Walesa Shaves His Trademark Mustache

The Associated Press

WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Former Polish President Lech Walesa has shaved his signature walrus-style mustache, but he isn't saying why.

Walesa was spotted with a clean-shaven face as he rode a bicycle several miles from his home in Gdansk on Wednesday. Reached by telephone at home, the former shipyard electrician joked it was his twin who was seen in town.

"I was born with a mustache and I always have it," he said, refusing to discuss the subject further.

Walesa's hair has turned gray since the days when he led the Solidarity trade union, which was the former East Bloc's first independent labor federation and helped topple Polish communism.

"As a lawyer I say that he can do as he pleases, as a Pole and patriot I think it was a bad idea because Walesa's mustache had become a historical trademark," Walesa's office manager Ewelina Wolanska said. "As a woman, I think he looks better with his mustache."

The 1983 Nobel Peace Prize winner lost his re-election bid for Poland's presidency in 1995 and retired from everyday politics after getting only 1 percent of the vote in another attempt two years ago.

He now keeps busy on the speaking circuit and remains a popular draw in the United States.

AP-ES-08-07-02 2302EDT

[Mr. Mulliner]

Can you imagine this guy without a moustache?

[mlocher]

can you imagine this guy without a mustache?

i just wish that he would paint it black again.

[Paul Atreides]

I wonder if Fox News did one of its "Fox News Alert" productions to announce this.

[Fred Mertz]

I thought he died from smoking filterless cigarettes. There's hope for me yet.

[Paul Atreides]

He looks like a younger Wilford Brimley.

[Mr. Mulliner]

I just got the news from the AP Breaking News link at Drudge. Funny!

[Mr. Mulliner]

News of his death, as Mark Twain would say, was greatly exaggerated.

[Paul Atreides]

LOL! Things must be slow tonight, if this is considered Breaking News.

[Mr. Mulliner]

Here's a picture of him before the grey set in.

[Jason Kauppinen]

He's aged very well.

[mlocher]

thanks. that's better. beam me up scottie.

[Mr. Mulliner]

Things must be slow tonight, if this is considered Breaking News.

Now that we've thoroughly hashed out the armpit of America issue, we have to move onto other pressing matters, don't you know?

[blackbart.223]

"I wonder if Fox News did one of its "Fox News Alert" productions to announce this."

The well must be running dry if this is "news". Who gives a crap about anyone shaving a mustache?

[Mr. Mulliner]

Do you even know who Lech Walesa is? Your world is so much different than it would have been without him. If you're too young to remember him, go find a thread about Britney Speers.

[blackbart.223]

"Do you even know who Lech Walesa is?"

Yes I do. He was the leader of Solidarity. I admire the man. I just don't see why shaving his mustache is earth shattering news.

By the way I'm 49 years old and listen to classical music.

You should read between the lines before you make judements and hurl insults. It might preserve your integrity

[MinuteGal]

Does EVERYTHING posted on FR have to be "earth-shattering" news. Thank God for pixies who post some light-hearted human interests blurbs here once in a while. This is what keeps this forum interesting.

BTW, I betcha shaving his mustachio will make Lech look 10 years younger. You can count on it.

Leni

[Mr. Mulliner]

I'm sorry you considered that an insult. I did assume you were too young as I've been encountering a lot of youth lately. I'm not claiming that this is really breaking news. I got it from breaking news at AP, but compared with the stuff that shows up on Free Republic around this time of night this is news. It's the way it goes, like it or not. And I figure it's better to get a few people thinking about something that really does relate to politics in a way than threads like "What's your favorite food?"

[Mr. Mulliner]

I betcha shaving his mustachio will make Lech look 10 years younger.

Yeah, his moustache looks a good 10 years older than the rest of his hair. LOL

[blackbart.223]

"Does EVERYTHING posted on FR have to be "earth-shattering" news."

Of course it doesn't. I made a light hearted comment that was taken out of context by another poster and I was defending myself.

[blackbart.223]

Okay. Truce?