Why Poland loves America

BBC ^ | 5/31/03 | Nick Thorpe

[Destro]

I did not say Turkey and Poland are the same - read it better.

[bruinbirdman]

"I propose we gradually move all our bases out of Germany and into Poland and some of the other Eastern European countries who could really benefit and appreciate our presence."

We could call it The Warsaw Pact.

yitbos

[Malesherbes]

I've gone to Poland about twice a year for the last seven years and have grown to love the country and its people. It is much more a "European" country than is either Germany or France today.

Yes, the present government is headed by ex-Commies, but they (Kwasniewski, Miller, Cimoszewicz) are pragmatic and essentially pro-American. Cimoszewicz's daughter graduated from the University of South Carolina.

When God created the languages, he ran out of vowels before he created Polish. For example, the verb "to come" is "przyjsc."

[DoctorMichael]

Thanks for the Pings on THIS and the other Threads.

BTW.........I'm in the process of finishing "Heart of Europe: A Short History of Poland" by Norman Davies. This is about one of the only histories of Poland out there in the English language and a good, concise 'read' (Davies' 2 volume history of Poland is too encyclopedic to be enjoyable). I also recently purchased the Henryk Sienkiewicz triology (With Fire and Sword, The Deluge (2 Volumes) Fire in the Steppe). Its sitting at my bedside in the 'To Read' pile.

[Turk2]

This is the first post you have made with which I agree 100%. What's this stupid nonsense about countries loving eachother and being friends and all that BS that some people seem to believe in? There is no such thing as friendship in international politics.

[Destro]

My fellow Americans have a simplistic view of such things.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Poland loves America because they love freedom and democracy. What country stood up to the communists more than them? Same with Hungary, they never accepted living under slavery.

[Eaker]

I got a hit from Poland!!

Whoo-Hoo......

But just one; I guess it is a start!!

Eaker

[RusIvan]

Poland understood that from the depth of her heart and as a result Americans will love her as a friend not just an ally.
+++

I remember almost same words said toward Russia. Don't be disappointed again.

[RusIvan]

Historically, Poland's military has been of the highest excellence both in bravery and skills.+++

Are you sure? Especially about skills?:)) In 1939 germans won polish army in 3 weeks.
Better check words of Winston Churchill about Poland.

[McGavin999]

My words regarding Russia were hopes. You're right, I have been terribly disappointed in Russia and do feel something of a fool for that hope. It was built on the fact that I really, really wanted Russia to be free and prosperous and open.

And to be honest with you RusIvan, I still have those hopes. I know it's stupid and foolish of me, but I really do still hope the Russian people will be our friend.

I guess I'll never change, I have to be the oldest idealist in the world. No matter how often I'm disappointed, I still continue to hope.

[RusIvan]

I have to be the oldest idealist in the world. No matter how often I'm disappointed, I still continue to hope. +++

Me too:).
Let me explain one point. The cardinal difference between Russia and Poland is Russia always was independent state. She 1000 years old. But she always had her central goverment more or less..

But Poland never was so except some period in middle ages.
So they became state only in 1919. Since that time Poland tried to exercise independent policy but failed deeply in 1939.

Then they was in wake of Soviet Union. Now they just found the new master.

Russia otherside always was the master herself. So that is why we see some astray policy.
But she know where her interests. So I think eventually Russia will cooperate with USA. Bur she will never be client or agent like Poland.
It is beneath her honor kind of.

[McGavin999]

But you see, the US doesn't want Russia to be a client state, we want her to be a friend and a helpmate. Just think of what the world could be with Russia and the US working together.

It's like the Iraq matter. We knew what Saddam was doing to his people, so did Russia. We knew that Russia was going through the same thing with terrorists that we were, and so we wanted her at our side in this fight. You'll notice that we aren't as angry at Russia as we are at the french. That's because we understand they had mixed emotions about their long standing relationship with Saddam. Still, had they stood with us it would have allowed us to make sure they were taken care of economically (and NO that is not a handout, it's what friendships are built on, helping each other).

I know it's hard for people to understand Americans, we're sort of like big, overgrown puppies. We want to like everybody. We can also be dangerous when struck, but we're pretty forgiving afterwards. We lived in fear of Russia for decades, but as soon as the wall came down we were anxious to be friends. Unfortuantely, Russia had Yeltzen and the US had Clinton, and that was a real shame.

The biggest difference between the two countries are the fact that Americans are optimists and Russians are not (understandable since they were often betrayed) but sooner or later they've got to learn how to trust. But....like Reagan said....trust but verify :o)

We won't always have Bush in the WH.

[dfwgator]

For example, the verb "to come" is "przyjsc."

Hey, it's spelled just like it sounds. ;)

[WaterDragon]

In 1939, Poland again had poor leadership.

Your 'facts' about Poland are screwy. She was a nation in the early early Middle Ages. And far more civilized than Russia.

[RusIvan]

Your 'facts' about Poland are screwy.+++

Let you have one more "screwy" fact.

In 1938 Poland participated together with Hitler's Germany in partitioning Checkoslovakia. Right after Munich 1938. So you see.

And far more civilized than Russia. +++

How you decided that?

[anotherGerman]

Germany's response that no portion of their military will EVER serve under Poles is particularly nasty. It underlines the deep contempt the Germans have always had for Poland.

Where is your source for this? You can´t have one, since
a) this has not been said and
b) there is a German-Polish unit where Poles command Germans and vice versa and no one here sees a big deal in this.

Eagerly awaiting your brilliant answer.

[dfwgator]

You are referring to the Cieszyn region, which the Czechs stole in 1920, the Poles merely stole in back before letting it fall into Nazi hands. Of course the Nazis knew in due time it would be theirs as well. But there was no joint complicity between the Germans and the Poles in that affair, the Poles were merely being opportunistic in gaining back a piece of land that was rightfully theirs. Of course the joint Nazi-Soviet invasion of 1939 ultimately made it a moot point.

[RusIvan]

You are referring to the Cieszyn region, which the Czechs stole in 1920, the Poles merely stole in back before letting it fall into Nazi hands. ++

Same way as Poland "stole" the lands from Russia in 1921. Then Stalin retook it back in 1939. Molotov-Ribentropp pact if you remember.
Same thing as you see "before letting it falls into Nazi hands".