Differences

There are two differences between public debate here in the US and in Poland that, for whatever reason, caught my eye recently. They're both minor and completely unrelated. First: in Polish media one can often hear a statement (usually pronounced with the air of great authority) that in a state governed by the rule of law citizens do not have the right to criticize court rulings. This belief is absent from public discourse here. I have no idea where it comes from and have never heard any attempt at a justification. It seems utterly absurd to me. Second: to many Polish media outlets, including many mainstream ones, the idea that in a democracy minority rights need special protection from possible tyranny of the majority seems preposterous. For whatever reason, the public is just not used to it.