[happygrl]

Thanks for posting this article.

I think that FReepers with any interest in traveling to Europe should avoid "Old Europe" and spend their tourist dollars in Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Czechoslovakia, all of which have proven to be better friends of America than the rest of Europe.

Of course, Britain is an island, and a good ally.

And for Orianna Falacci and Beurlesconi's sake I'll include Italy on the "friend" list.

OK, Spain, too. Their Prime minister is a conservative and has supported Dubya.

The rest have no honor and no sense of their own civilization.

[Walkingfeather]

good policy article... something I have never thought of... I wonder what Germany would think if we moved our bases to Poland. You think all that cash would get the Poles economy moving..?? Hey I am all for dumping those ingrates!!!

[July 4th]

Great article, and very true about the Polish-American bond as well.

A side story about our relationship with them: I'm from Milwaukee, which has quite a few Poles - many with immediate family back in Poland. I have an aunt who was the first generation of her family to be born in America in the early 60's. She wrote her grandparents numerous letters, and each time she would plead for them to come to America any way that they could. They always said no. Finally, in the early 90's, both grandparents were convinced to visit.

On the drive back to Milwaukee from O'Hare, they stopped to grab a few things at a large supermarket. The grandparents went in to the store, and their jaws dropped. They immediately asked, "Can anyone buy this food?" which was soon followed by "Without any stamps, or rations?" After they heard the answer, they started to cry. I think it was at that point they finally realized the power of freedom.

[Dec31,1999]

Poles are the coolest.

[dfwgator]

Poland knows better than to rely on the French, who didn't do a damn thing to help Poland in her hour of need even after the French declared war on Nazi Germany.

[dixiechick2000]

Thanks for posting this article. It's truly nice to know we have such good friends in "New Europe". BTW. I think the term "Old Europe" is gonna stick. It'll be known as a "Rummyism".

July 4th, that was a lovely story. My father-in-law is a first generation American born Czech. However, I think when his mother came here, she brought the whole family. We can't have an informal gathering with just her kids and their families without renting a hall!

[Clemenza]

Half-Polish American bump and N'STROWIE to you!

[Clemenza]

Ping!

[Steel and Fire and Stone]

The Germans, French, and other "old Europeans" have enjoyed a "leadership" monopoly due to the cold war's artificial east-west division. They were the only game in town for the U.S. in our war against the Soviets. Even Britain, historically our closest European ally, has benefitted by being the only game in town, i.e. the least anti-American Europeans. These countries may have been anti-capitalist, i.e. socialists, and secretly hated most of what American's stood for, but they needed us, and we needed them.

With the fall of the U.S.S.R., I think these countries felt less liberated from a Soviet treat, but more from a dependence on the U.S. they despised. Dependency never breeds loyalty. It always makes the dependent resent their provider. I think "old" Europe feels liberated from the U.S., and most Europeans can't wait to tell the U.S. to "go to hell".

Except, when nasty things like Kosovo occur. They realize that the haven't the fortitude and national disposition to defend themselves (after all, what if the war occurred during their six week holiday season; whoever would fight it??). So, the old Europeans will bluster and try to prick the U.S. in every way they can, but in the end, they won't cut the cord. Maybe in a few more years...

So, the development of a newly freed, independent group of European nation states is truely interesting. I think the U.S. must do all it can to help them develop capitalist institutions, and a traditional rule of law (i.e. don't let the American bar anywhere near them).

EVERY time these Eastern European countries come to us as friends, standing on their own feet, we should reward the relationship in spades.

Who knows: Maybe an capital-based economic miracle in those countries can remind our country (i.e. USA) what it means to be truely free (and end the class-warfare rhetoric forever).

Good luck, my Polish, Chek, and other "new" European friends!

Oh, and by all means, move our bases to any European country who feels we're partners rather than occupiers. Let the Germans go back to their radical leftist past (i.e. Hitler's "National SOCIALISTs" were not "right wing", they were just less left wing than the Communists). We'll kick their a** again if need be.

The same applies to our bases in Korea. Move our guys to Taiwan, and out of Korea. Let them enjoy their "reunification" with their "mother" country in the North. The South Koreans can all adopt comrade Kim's new weight watching routine (i.e. eating grass), for all I care. I've been to Korea, made some nice friends there, and would go back to help them in a second, IF the current generation didn't hate American's so much. Let 'em go... We have friends in this world; we don't need to reward and protect those who hate us.

FReegards, SFS

[Spirited]

"For now, the biggest question mark is whether Poland can get its domestic house in order."

America loves to Polish joke with derission because they make good targets, gentle (for the most part) and forebearing (often characterized here as "dumb"). Poland is only the best friend for the moment in which it is willing to do whatever Uncle Sam wants.

The statement above is a case in point. Poland has needs, we are dangling carrots. How many other countries have had to get any domestic house in order to qualify for the millions we drop in laps. Did Iraq? Did Foxey Mexico? Russia? India? etc. etc.

If it is true that the meek will inherit the earth this is one group of people who qualify by nature. Only God can protect them because they have had no other champion for many centuries and they love the U.S. too much.

[sheik yerbouty]

Poland is a welcome addition in this fight.

[txzman]

The Poles have a VERY long history of fighting for freedom in Europe, America and other countries around the globe.

As far as I am concerned, they are a very welcome group of friends.

[lorrainer]

Pokey--Thanks for posting this--I'm verklempt...

PROUD TO BE POLISH BUMP

A great thread...

[Pyro7480]

If I remember correctly, there are squares in Warsaw named after George Washington and Woodrow Wilson, and they were trying to name another after Ronald Reagan, but I don't remember if that went through.

[uncbuck]

They are welcome in the Union on this side of the pond whenever they like.

Anyone know the steps to statehood they would have to take?
The Constituion isn't very clear on this other than that its up to Congress.

[Snake65]

Tak! Dzenkuje Bardzo!

[cynicom]

Poland will never trust Germany and France. History is their teacher.

[FeliciaCat]

New York City has the annual "Pulaski Day Parade" on 5th Avenue...I caught it once. Very cool.

http://www.pulaskiparade.com/english.html

[MinorityRepublican]

bump for a later read!

[Myrddin]

My company does a fair amount of work with NATO. That offered opportunities to do support work in Germany, Italy, Turkey and Belgium in the early 90's. I made a point of building linguistic proficiency in German, French and Turkish before taking those trips. The prospect of moving activities to Poland means another language. Barnes & Noble has one fewer copy of Colloquial Polish in stock. This one's going to be a challenge. I look forward to supporting our troops in Poland...if the opportunity is presented. It would be a good move for the U.S. and Poland.