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| So much for the Polish vote |
| 2004-10-05 |
| POLISH PRESIDENT SLAMS KERRY AFTER DEBATE SNUB Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski has slammed Dem president hopeful John Kerry for not recognizing Poland's contributions and sacrifice to the war in Iraq. "It is sad that a senator with 20 years of experience does not recognize Polish contribution. This is immoral," Kwasniewski told FACTS in an interview commenting on the US Presidential Debate. "It is sad that a senator with 20 years of experience underestimates Polish sacrifice, this is sad." The Polish President added however that one should consider this was a part of the ongoing electoral campaign. "I do not think this was out of ignorance," the president emphasized on the TVN Facts. "There is one thing which should be stated clearly: this coalition is not just the United States, Great Britain, Australia alone; it also involves participation of Polish, Ukrainian, Bulgarian and Spanish soldiers who have died. It is immoral not to recognize the involvement we contributed based on our conviction that there should be unity in fighting terrorism, that there was a need to display international solidarity and that Saddam Hussein was a dangerous individual of this world." "President Bush acted like a real Texan gentleman, he made sure to show appreciation for other countries' involvement in the coalition," Kwasniewski pointed out. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #28 Offer them a trading block or statehood. And offer our EU enemies unlimited greencards based on IQ and net worth. |
| Posted by: Mrs. Davis 2004-10-24 6:11:05 PM |
| #27 Ari, bring it on! - If Bush wins another term, he could damage the EU mightily simply by offering nations *another* trading bloc, ie NAFTA, *as well as* the EU. Although, I think he'd have to offer it to the newer EU joiners rather than places like the UK (Blair would have a blue fit, and the Tories are too stupid to realise the benefits) There would be no hint of sweeteners, subsidies etc. - just honest, wholesome trade that benefits both parties. |
| Posted by: Tony (UK) 2004-10-24 6:07:50 PM |
| #26 re: Poland looking to Europe v. U.S. Note that the incremental cost of shipping an additional ton of material over water is near zero (the wonders of standardized containers.) So free-trade associations like NAFTA need not be adjacent physically. I think we (the coalition of the willing) should start doing lots of stuff together. Trade, currency union, military, education, foreign-policy, maybe some type of truly democratic larger nation.. Show the EC how it could be done if they were not so dominated by their (mostly non-believers in democracy) elites. |
| Posted by: Ari Tai 2004-10-24 5:47:59 PM |
| #25 As an American, I have been very impressed by the skill and professionalism of Polish special forces. Those guys kick some serious ass, and everyone is lucky to have them involved in the war on terror. Poland also seems to "get it" concerning the danger of totalitarian governments (considering Poland's history, that's unsurprising) and the need to be aggressive in preventing such threats from manifesting. I'm still stunned by Jacques Chirac's public attack on eastern European countries last year after they signed an open letter supporting the United States in Iraq ("They missed a good opportunity to keep quiet.") I think Poland's reply was the classiest -- possibly the most diplomatic "sod off" I've seen yet. Plus, you had the good sense to choose the F-16 over French jets for your military. :) |
| Posted by: Anne Haight 2004-10-24 2:26:40 PM |
| #24 #24 - Dan Goodpasture: I completely agree that the betrayal of Poland was one of the worst things to have happened after WWII. But is it any surprise that we now learn from the declassified Verona Project that FDR advisor who suggested "giving" Poland to good old "Uncle Joe" was on the Soviet payroll? In my personal opinion FDR was an aweful president. He was warned many times over and never headed any of the concerns that there were Soviet agents in the US government, and that maybe his advisor was one. |
| Posted by: Voidseeker 2004-10-24 1:15:51 PM |
| #23 I worry a bit that we're going to take them for granted again, and lose them to the anti-American EU. I consider the betrayal of Poland after WWII to be the most shameful episode in our history. Why, when we give billions to those who hate us, and even more to our fairweather friends, do we leave one of our few true allies to struggle in its own poverty? I don't understand this. Read Ralph Peters about this topic: Shafting the Poles It's an old story in American foreign policy, I guess. Screw your friends and coddle your enemies. Dan |
| Posted by: Dan Goodpasture 2004-10-24 12:58:19 PM |
| #22 "We Polish soldiers For our freedom and yours, Have given ours souls to God, Our bodies to the soil of Italy And our hearts to Poland." -Inscription on the Polish memorial at Monte Cassino It's worthwhile to remember that no people have ever fought harder for freedom than the Poles. I wish Americans appreciated that fact a bit more. In fact, I think Poland deserves the title of our oldest ally more than France does. |
| Posted by: Dan Goodpasture 2004-10-24 12:38:32 PM |
| #21 Serveeo is the ally Little Lord Kerry has deemed that the US has bought and paid for. Just keep rackup up those allies BS. |
| Posted by: ed 2004-10-24 12:05:55 PM |
| #20 But who the heck is Serveeo Belluskony? Wasn't Bush talking about not denigrating our allies? Allies like Silvio Berlusconi? What did Serveeo have to say about Bush denigrating his name? |
| Posted by: BS Detector 2004-10-24 11:59:41 AM |
| #19 Gunter — Yeah, I found that out. Okay, then, substitute Sosabowski's para brigade at Arnhem. |
| Posted by: richard mcenroe 2004-10-24 10:40:03 AM |
| #18 #19 Read the fine book "Bitter Glory" it's a fine account of the wasted potential of Poland. Very few people are aware that Poland kicked Russia's arse militarily between the World Wars. No wonder Stalin conspired with Hitler to bring them down. |
| Posted by: Bill 2004-10-24 9:53:40 AM |
| #17 #16 Mr Oni: that's a new & original wrinkle (to me anyway) on a current theme. Simply outstanding. My compliments! #9 Raptor: You mean the oft-repeated tale of Sept 1939 era Polish horse cavalry charging invading German tanks? (not dug in machine guns -- that's presumably trench warfare stuff from WWI). It's my understanding that this story (repeated so often that it's become a "warhorse") has never actually been historically substantiated with a specific example as to an exact locale, time, unit etc. |
| Posted by: Paul H. 2004-10-24 9:41:15 AM |
| #16 funny funny stuff.... |
| Posted by: JOHN KERRY SUCKS!! 2004-10-24 2:02:09 AM |
| #15 ...and don't forget what the French were up to in 1683. "King John Sobieski III of Poland, a veteran of the wars against the Turks, was willing to lead a contingent in support of the Habsburgs. But he had to have the unanimous approval of the Polish Diet. Louis XIV's agents tried to bribe key members into vetoing the proposal." (The Seige of Vienna, review) |
| Posted by: Mr. Oni 2004-10-24 12:57:49 AM |
| #14 Also don't forget King John Sobieski, who saved Vienna from the Turks in 1683. |
| Posted by: Paul 2004-10-23 11:35:32 PM |
| #13 Richard Mcenroe, Popski was a White Russian, Vladimir Peniakoff (sp?) not a Pole. |
| Posted by: Grunter 2004-10-23 11:04:34 PM |
| #12 "We should be funding thousands of Marshall Scholarships and other exchange programs to bring young Polish leaders-to-be to US universities." If we want them to be pro-US, then bringng them to our universities might not be the best idea . . . |
| Posted by: TShipman 2004-10-23 10:53:55 PM |
| #11 Don't forget, the Brits took every Polish aviator and sailor they could get their hands on, as well, in 1940. And remember Popski's Private Army in Europe. |
| Posted by: richard mcenroe 2004-10-23 9:34:22 PM |
| #10 Young Poles, unfortunately, are increasingly Der Spiegelized. We should be funding thousands of Marshall Scholarships and other exchange programs to bring young Polish leaders-to-be to US universities. We're really dropping the ball on this, and the next generation of Poles is not likely to be anywhere near so pro-American as the current generation of Polish leaders. |
| Posted by: lex 2004-10-06 11:56:14 AM |
| #9 Don't forget the insane bravery of a Calvary unit attack on dug-in machine guns. |
| Posted by: Raptor 2004-10-06 11:53:44 AM |
| #8 the Poles have been America's friend Correct...in the past tense (but I hope I'm wrong). Today Poles are looking more towards Europe than America. Even Kwasniewski said so in his EU accession speech. The apt analogy is a boat in the middle of the Atlantic. |
| Posted by: Rafael 2004-10-05 9:24:03 PM |
| #7 the Poles have been America's friend barring a Soviet boot on their neck. I welcome their introduction to NATO and Western markets. The EU is NOT their friend |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-10-05 9:13:35 PM |
| #6 Chicago mike, you're right on the mark! ...regarding the friend for life bit. |
| Posted by: Rafael 2004-10-05 9:07:56 PM |
| #5 Thank them for Polish II Korps taking Monte Cassino in WWII And thanks for the Enigma machine Wow. Somebody does know and remember. I'm impressed! Chicago mike, you're right on the mark! |
| Posted by: Rafael 2004-10-05 9:06:24 PM |
| #4 Polish vote could make a diff in Michigan. |
| Posted by: lex 2004-10-05 6:22:30 PM |
| #3 Got to love the Polish. They have such goooood judgment. |
| Posted by: John (Q. Citizen) 2004-10-05 6:10:03 PM |
| #2 And thanks for the Enigma machine. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-10-05 3:46:01 PM |
| #1 For what it's worth, compliment Poles in your city on the job GROM(special forces) did in making sure oil fields didn't go up in smoke when we invaded. Thank them for their steadfastness in WOT. Want to really impress them? Thank them for Polish II Korps taking Monte Cassino in WWII. You'll have a friend for life. I know Bush's remark telling Kerry not to forget Poland would resonate. It doesn't take much to make Poles feel appreciated. |
| Posted by: chicago mike 2004-10-05 3:34:29 PM |