Bush invites Poland to Iraq conference

The Jerusalem Post ^ | April 11, 2003 | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

[Valin]

The United Nations and other countries that backed the US-led military intervention are being invited to attend as observers.

They can sit at the childrens table, while the adults talk about important stuff.

[the Deejay]

My husband is from a Polish heritage and he isn't offended by "Polack."

[PaulJ]

From Bartleby Dictionary of American Usage:

Some slang designations were always intended to be cruel or to mock: Polack, Bohunk, Kraut, Spic, Dago, Wop, Frog, Chink, Jap, Squarehead, and dozens of others were the result of hatred or scorn, whether caused by war, as were Hun, Kraut, Jap, Gook, and the like, or by the social strife that waves of immigration, competition, and poverty (and religious or racial differences too) have so often caused, which gave us Mick for the Irish, Wop and Dago for the Italian, and the term wetback for illegal immigrants from Mexico.

I'm just saying why offend when there are other, more appropriate words, one could use. That's all.

[Sunsong]

Absolutely, reward the brave Poles and snub those who opposed us like France, Germany, Russia and Canada.

[xsmommy]

the person i was posting to, knew my intent. and while it may be listed in a dictionary as offensive, in common parlance amongst people of that ethnicity it is NOT considered anywhere near as bad as the other things you describe. i grew up in a very ethnic eastern european neighborhood, so i know whereof i speak.

[xsmommy]

Polacks are not easily offended! i am married to a Dago, and he will tell you that himself! : )

it is being a little PC to worry about these designations, don't you think Paul? it is precisely to combat the PC-ness that i use the word!

[poindexter]

Polish jokes needed to stop when they became the first nation to tell the USSR to get lost. Actually, they needed to stop during WWII when their expatriate soldiers earned distinction in battle against the Germans. Actually....

[PaulJ]

I guess one person's "PC" is another persons "politeness". (I don't curse in mixed company, either.)

[HenryLeeII]

I think that everyone should lay off the Polish jokes for a while, they made a pretty smart choice in this situation.

Polish jokes used to be so popular in the '70's, but where I am in Virginia we just don't hear them anymore. Maybe Solidarity, Lech Walesa, et al, helped change the misguided perception of Poles. I used to get into arguments with a college roommate about Poles vs. the Irish (he was a big Kennedy-loving Tip O'Neil-loving liberal from Massachusetts) and who has given more to the world. I would spout off about Copernicus, Chopin (half Polish), Ignace Paderewski (sp?), Walesa, John Paul II (when he was still in control of his faculties and helping Reagan to kick the Soviets butt), etc. I had to tell him about James Joyce. Beyond that he was at a loss.

If anybody cares about useless trivia, the Polish joke supposedly originated with jokes that were told by the Poles about a small Jewish community in Chelm, whose members were known for being less-than-bright. The jokes were brought to America by Polish immigrants, and somehow Americans just applied the attributes to Poles in general.

[xsmommy]

well considering I AM polish and it doesn't bother me or the other Polacks that i know, i will continue to use the word as i see fit.

[Walkingfeather]

THIS IS AWSOME!

[hobbes1]

humorless osiolek.....

[snooker]

How many Poles does it take to capture an Iraqi Brigade?

answer: 2, one to hold the gun and the other to cuff 'em.

couldn't help myself.

[hobbes1]

Hegewisch dupa is one also (hence his surname....)

Which a thinking person would have taken into account, before being so IMPOLITE, to take the matter to task PUBLICLY, rather than quietly on the side.

Before concerning yourself with others politeness, perhaps a little concern for your own is in order.

[Focault's Pendulum]

we love our polacks!

I resemble that remark!

And it's days like this that I'm proud to be a Polish descended American Infidel.

[rudypoot]

Your risks will be rewarded.

Most of the polish chicks I know are all beautiful too. They are living proof that polish scientists discovered "anti-gravity" devices. Have mercy!

[xsmommy]

yes, i guess it escaped my attention that he felt compelled to advise me on how to address my friends.

[xsmommy]

well dang, leave it to a Polack to be the one constantly breaking the internet!! LOL!

[johnb838]

Yeah, truly, truly I tell you I haven't heard a Polish joke in 20 years. I think we have nothing but respect for them today based on their leadership in dismantling the iron curtain and what they have accomplished since in rebuilding their country. Now that I come to think of it, that's an EXCELLENT reason for them to take a major role in Iraq's reconstruction.

I would like to go there and try some potatoe latkes sometime.

[Big Otto]

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