Polish volleyball team 1st in the World!

Courtesy of pzps.pl

The good times just keep rolling in!  Just today, another success of Polish athletes: 2012 Volleyball FIVB World League Finals championship title after beating United States during the tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria.  They are taking home a grand prize: $1,000,000.  That kind of money can buy a lot of volleyballs.

You can read more on the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball website:

“I am very happy, it is a historical moment for all of us,” Poland captain Marcin Mozdzonek said. “We won against one of the best team in the world, USA. I hope we will continue playing this way.”
The 2012 World League is Poland’s first international title since the 1976 Olympics, which adds to their 1974 World Championship crown. Since coach Andrea Anastasi came on board after a 13th place finish at the 2010 World Championships, Poland recorded their previous best ever World League result at last year’s edition finishing third, before claiming bronze at the European Championships and silver at the 2011 World Cup. Anastasi has now won five World League titles – two as a player for Italy (1990, 1991), two as a coach of Italy (1999, 2000) and now one with Poland.  

Some remarks from Polish team captain, Marcin Możdżonek, after the Semifinals win with Bulgaria.

It seems that the Polish Volleyball Federation or Polski Związek Piłki Siatkowej (PZPS) is doing much better job with the Polish team than the Polish Football Union (PZPN) during EURO 2012.

The one drawback about this tournament is the inability to watch the games on TV in the US.  One would think that ESPN or one of the major TV networks would have a live coverage of the Volleyball World League.  Especially, when the US team is playing.  We all know that beach volleyball rules but please, some compassion.  Well, once again, thank you Internet, thank you Al Gore!

Could anyone watch that tournament on TV in US?  
As for the Polish team: keep slamming that ball!

Wimbledon 2012 - Agnieszka Radwańska second

It's decided.  Today, at the Wimbledon Final, Serena Williams defeated Agnieszka Radwańska 6-1, 5-7, 6-2.  It wasn't easy for Williams to win her 5th Wimbledon Singles Title, especially after a surprising 2nd set won by Radwańska.  Luckly for Williams, her serves were just too much for the Polish player.  At the end, Williams was just her usual powerhouse of tennis.   

It was a great match and it paved the path for Agnieszka to reach for more.  She has shown a great deal of determination and mental power.  I wonder how being a second at Wimbledon will affect her rankings?  Thank you for all you hard work!

In the words of the Terminator: She'll be back! 

Agnieszka Radwańska in Wimbledon Finals!

Polish athlete is on the move at Wimbledon!  After beating Angelique Kerber in Semifinals today, Agnieszka  Radwańska will faceSerena Williams, who defeated Victoria Azarenka, at Finals on Saturday, July 7th, at 8:00 AM Central. 

The New York Times summarizes her success and advancement in today's article by Ben Shpigel:

The reaction offered by Radwanska after her tidy 70-minute, 6-3, 6-4, dismissal of Angelique Kerber — a few hops, none high enough to slide a legal pad underfoot — smacked of subtlety, much like her game, and belied the magnitude of her achievement: she is the first Polish woman to reach a Grand Slam final in 73 years, since Jadwiga Jedrzejowska at the 1939 French Championships.

Photo by jaz1111 on SXC

For Poland, any successful sporting event is a proud moment, but repeating success from before II World War has a special flavor.  Being ruled by an iron fist of the Soviet Union after the war, Radwańska's achievement is a proof that Poland is finally getting off its knees brushing off years of post-Communist baggage and neglect to at last show off talented athletes.  

Agnieszka, known as Isia, and and her year younger sister, Urszula Radwańska, together make the most famous Polish tennis team - Radwanska Team.  In Poland, they are also known as Polish Williams sisters.  Thanks to their father, Robert Radwański, both sisters were given a chance to excel in tennis since the early age:

Although the Krakow sisters haven’t achieved a tenth of what the California sisters have, there are similarities in their backgrounds. The most important perhaps is that their coach is also their father. Robert Radwanski has developed his daughters’ talent the way that Richard Williams did for Venus and Serena. He earned his living for several years as a tennis coach in Germany, where the 2007 junior Wimbledon winner was born. The sisters don’t complain about their training being too hard but their father admits that on the court there’s little room for negotiation. They do what he says, the same way the Williams sisters do with their father.

You can follow Agnieszka on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/radwanskatennis/isia

Hopefully, Polish sporting officials finally woke up to the fact that local talent, if recognized early, can turn into a worldwide gold medalists.  Some of the known names in sport today, are Polish or of Polish-decent, playing for other countries.  Some examples: 

Miroslav Klose - born in Poland, Polish wife, plays for German football team

Lukas Podolski - born in Poland, plays for German football team

Angelique Kerber -  born in Germany, Polish parents, eligible for Polish citizenship, tennis player, trains in Poland

Caroline Wozniacki - born in Denmark, Polish parents, can receive Polish citizenship, plays tennis for Denmark

There are plenty of talented young people in Poland.  Shape up Poland!  Better recognize!

Thank you Poland! Thank you Ukraine!

After more than three weeks of excitement, the EURO 2012 is over.  Poland and Ukraine stepped up their "game" and delivered awesome stadiums, fan zones, infrastructure, and welcoming people.  In your face BBC, Sol Campbell should publicly apologize for his nasty remarks.  Thank you Poland!  Thank you Ukraine!

The Spaniards are champions again, second time in a row, after completely destroying Italians 4-0 in Kiev during the final today.  

The Barcelona school of football paid off again.  Italy had some moments during the game but for the most part Spain ruled the pitch.  First half ended with 2-0 score with goals by David Silva - 14" and Jordi Alba - 41".  To add to the drama, in 62 minute, after loosing Thiago Motta due to a hamstring injury, Italy had to play with only 10 players having no more substitutions left.  In 84 minute Fernando Torres scored again for Spain only to assist Juan Mata in 88 minute with another goal.  

If Europe was looking for a grand finale, this game fit the bill.  Congrats Spain!

Germany slams Greece 4:2 at EURO 2012 Quarter Finals

Today in Gdansk, Poland, Germans rolled over Greece with a slam win 4:2 at the EURO 2012 Quarter Finals.  No surprise here. Germans have shown their skills in all games of this tournament. They came out from Group B as a winner.

June 9th, 2012 Germany 1-0 Portugal 

June 13th, 2012 Netherlands 1-2 Germany 

June 17th, 2012 Denmark 1-2 Germany 

June 22nd, 2012 Germany 4-2 Greece 

What a game it was!  Germans have wasted so many chances to score, that it seems Greeks should be actually happy about the outcome. What surprised everyone, was the Greek will of fight. They never gave up and pressed Germans till the final whistle.  If you have missed any of the games, you can still catch up on ESPN3 online.

Tomorrow, June 23rd, watch next exciting game: Spain vs. France.  Game starts at 2:45 ET.

Polish team is out of EURO 2012

The pride.  The white and red flags.  The anticipation.  The reality.  The sad faces.

After a decent roll, Polish national soccer team is out of the EURO 2012 tournament beaten 1:0 by the Czech team.  The first 25 minutes of the first half, Poles ruled the pitch at the brand new Stadion Miejski in Wroclaw.  Several shots on the goal and fast paced game looked very promising.  Then, the Poles lost their steam.  Robert Lewandowski's commitment was futile with lack of the team effort.  Even the overwhelming support of the Polish fans could not revive the team.  It was painful to watch how Czechs were slowly gaining more and more advantage.  Finally, in 72nd minute, Petr Jiracek scored for Czechs.  Poles could not recover and after the final whistle, the host nation was out of EURO 2012.

For Poland, the true hero of the tournament is substitute goalie, Przemysław Tytoń, who took over during the game with Greece after a red card for Wojciech Szczesny.  Tytoń denied the penalty kick saving the 1:1 score with Greece.  During the matches with Russia and Czech Republic, Tytoń have also shown a great skill.  Interestingly, Tytoń means tobacco in Polish, and yes, he was "smoking" at those games.

Logo PZPN (fot. PZPN)

The tournament is still on.  There are many more fantastic games to see.  I'm watching Denmark vs Germany as I write this post.  Germany just scored a second goal in the 80th minute.  Great game.

Perhaps, the Polish Football Union (Polski Związek Piłki Nożnej, PZPN) will finally learn from this failure.  Soccer in Poland is a giant source of entertainment, pride, and, of course, money.  Rebuilding the PZPN structure and strategy is mandatory.  I would go as far as abolishing this dinosaur in order to build a brand new, modern, flexible, transparent, professionally ran organization.

Poland has great soccer traditions.  Lets revert the transition from the powerhouse to powerless before it becomes permanent. 

Poland vs Russia: hooligans fight, teams draw 1-1

Is it hot in here or is it the Polish police sweating their bottoms off to diffuse Polish and Russian pseudo-fans (Polish: kibole) before the hotly anticipated EURO 2012 match today?

As reported by BBC, about 1,000 Russians marched thorough the town center, over the Poniatowski bridge on the way to the National Stadium.  The march was planned and authorized by Warsaw city council wanting to display the true democracy in real life dismissing any talk about a provocation.  Not coincidentally, the Polish police was anticipating some disturbances since the football march coincided with the Russian independence day celebrated on June 12th.  After 44 years under Russian rule, display of any Soviet Union memorabilia or flags would just stir up Polish people who still remember the oppressive regime.  

Poles met Russians on the bridge to show their angry disapproval but the swift riot Police action averted any major fights.  15 people were injured and about 100 hooligans were quickly taken out of the game, yes I'm being sarcastic here, and arrested.  

Hopefully, this stupidity won't spill over the town after the game.  Check out some videos taken during the march.

Fortunately, the match itself was an exciting show of sportsmanship by both teams.  Russian team, ranked as 13th in the world by FIFA, could not defeat Polish team, ranked as 62nd.  In 37th minute, Alan Dzagoev scored a goal for Russia.  Poles were devastated but they picked up the game in the 2nd half.  In 57th minute, Jakub Błaszczykowski scored an equalizer.  Both teams tried to change that score but 1:1 was the final outcome.

Now all the Polish team has to do to advance from the group is to win with Czech Republic on June 16th at Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw.  Goooooooooo Pooooooooland!!!

 

Russian fans beat up EURO 2012 stewards

The game, the excitement, the brotherhood, the win - and the Russians beating up stewards inside the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw after the Russia-Czech Republic game on Friday.

It was an outrageous show of violence by Russian hooligans after their team won 4-1.  The video below shows the Russians attacking the stewards in a walkway after the game.  All injured men were released from the short hospital stay.  Polish police has already submitted pictures of the offenders to the border patrol.

Racist slur and monkey noises directed toward the black Czech player, Theo Gebre Selassie, were also a concern reported by Never Again, a Polish-based anti-racism group, part of Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE). 

Looks like the Russian Football Federation is in hot water, as reported by UEFA: 

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Football Union of Russia for the improper conduct of its supporters at Friday's UEFA EURO 2012 match against the Czech Republic.  After having looked at the security reports and available images, UEFA has today announced that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the Football Union of Russia (RFS) for the improper conduct of its supporters (crowd disturbances), the setting off and throwing of fireworks and the display of illicit banners at Friday's UEFA EURO 2012 Group A match in Wroclaw between Russia and the Czech Republic. The Control and Disciplinary Body will review the case on Wednesday 13 June.  In addition, regarding reports of alleged abuse directed at Czech Republic players from Russia fans, UEFA is investigating this further and is working with FARE to collect more evidence.

Political tensions between Poland and Russia are all time high due to the unresolved plane crash in Smolensk on April 10th, 2010, that killed the Polish President, his wife, and 94 high ranking Polish government and army officials.  Refusal to release the Tu-154 wreck and discrepancies in Russian crash reports, are a sour mix between the countries.

EURO 2012 - Go Poland!

During the first and inaugural game on Friday, June 8th, Poland had a great chance to win the match with Greece.  The great UEFA website tracks all the scores, dates, and venues.

The first half was awesome!  Poles were masters of the pitch, like energizer bunnies.  Robert Lewandowski with an assist from Jakub Błaszczykowski, both playing for Borussia Dortmund, scored a goal, and the game became dramatic.  Sokratis Papastathopoulis got a red card and Greeks where left with 10 players.  

Things changed during the 2nd half.  Greeks had nothing to loose and they attacked strongly with Dimitris Salpingidis scoring an equalizer at 50th minute.  

But wait!  The game got even more twisted in the 69th minute when Polish goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczęsny got a red card for a foul on Salpingidis in front of the goal.  Out for Szczęsny, in for Przemysław Tytoń, penalty kick for Greece.

And the miracles do happen!  Tytoń denied the penalty kick by Giorgos Karagounis.  Instant hero.

The final sore remained 1-1.  Poles could win this match but just couldn't get it together during the 2nd half.  I hope they learn from this performance and get ready for Russians on Tuesday.  

For the football lovers or soccer lovers in US, you can get a great Adidas Euro2012 Repliq Ball White/black Size 5.

EURO 2012 starts today!

EURO 2012 aka UEFA European Championship is starting today, in Poland and Ukraine, with an inauguration ceremony at the National Stadium (Stadion Narodowy) in Warsaw (Warszawa).  The ceremony will be followed by the first Group A match: Poland vs. Greece.  


Go Poland!  My score prediction is 2:1 for Poland.  Will see.


If you have an AT&T service, or whatever other service listed on the site, you can watch live feeds on the ESPN website.  This is a great way to follow this third largest sporting event in the world, right after the Olympics and FIFA World Cup.  


16 European teams in 4 groups will compete for the 2012 European Championship.  


Group A: Poland, Greece, Russia, Czech Republic
Group B: Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal
Group C: Spain, Italy, Republic of Ireland, Croatia
Group D: Ukraine, Sweden, France, England


Poland and Ukraine completed an astonishing number of projects despite the worldwide recession and Euro financial troubles.  Even though Ukraine is not a member of EU, the country led to EURO 2012 to be organized together with Poland.  


Thank you for that Ukraine, Poles know about your commitment.


Despite some unfair reports from BBC and other Western media, Poland is ready for the challenge.  New roads, hotels, train stations, and above all, friendly Poles welcome all the teams and their fans with open arms.  Polish traditional bread and salt welcome was a huge hit and a surprise to many foreign teams.  Italian team was greeted at the Krakow airport, Irish team had a welcome ceremony in Sopot (near Gdansk). 


But the best welcome, not surprisingly since he was born in Poland, went to Lukas Podolski who plays for German team.  On June 4th, Podolski turned 27 so during the practice in Gdansk, 11,000 Polish fans sang the traditional Happy Birthday "100 lat" (live a hundred years).  Check out the video from the event.

If you are the lucky ticket holder, enjoy your time.  Thanks for visiting Poland!

President Obama appologizes for "death camp" blunder

After a worldwide outrage over President Obama's "Polish death camp" remarks during the Presidential Medal of Freedom award ceremony posthumously recognizing Jan Karski, Polish resistance fighter who made the West aware of the German Nazi death camps, the official apology letter from Barack Obama was finally delivered to the office of Polish President, Bronislaw Komorowski.

As reported on my previous post, National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor, tried to control the damage issuing a video statement to assure the world that President Obama simply misspoke during the ceremony.  However, in his letter to Obama, Polish President asked for an official statement of apology from President Obama.

The letter from May 31st, 2012, was posted on the Polish President's website.  Copy of the actual letter is included below.

Thank you for your letter of May 30.  I was proud to honor Jan Karski with the Medal of Freedom, our nation's highest civilian honor. My decision to do so was a reflection of the high esteem in which the American people hold not only a great Polish patriot, but the extraordinary sacrifices of the Polish people during the Nazi occupation of the Second World War.

In referring to "a Polish death camp" rather than " a Nazi death camp in German-occupied Poland," I inadvertently used the phrase that has caused many Poles anguish over the years and that Poland has rightly campaigned to eliminate from public discourse around the world. I regret the error and agree that this moment is an opportunity to ensure that this and future generations know the truth.

A we all know, the Polish people suffered terribly under the brutal Nazi occupation during World War II. In pursuit of their goals of destroying the Polish nation and Polish culture and exterminating European Jewry, the Nazis killed some six million Polish citizens, including three million Polish Jews during the Holocaust. The bravery of Poles in the underground resistance is one of history's great stories of heroism and courage.

Moreover, there simply were no "Polish death camps." The killing centers at Auschwitz-Birkenau, Belzec, Treblinka, and elsewhere in occupied Poland were built and operated by the Nazi regime. In contrast, many Poles risked their lives - and gave their lives - to save Jews from the Holocaust.

That is why I paid tribute to Polish victims of the Holocaust during my visit to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in April. It is why I was honored to pay my respect at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier and the Monument to the Heroes of the Ghetto during my visit to Warsaw last year. An it is why, during the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 201, I commended the government and people of Poland for preserving a place of such pain in order to promote remembrance and learning for the world.

I know well the bonds of friendship between our two countries. I was proud to welcome you to the NATO Summit in my home town of Chicago, which is home to the largest Polish community in the world outside Warsaw. As President, I have worked with you to strengthen the enduring ties between our nations so that our alliance is stronger than it has ever been.

Poland is one of America's strongest and closest allies. We stand united in facing the challenges of the 21st century in Europe and around the world, and I am confident that, working together, we can ensure that the unbreakable bonds of friendship and solidarity between us will only grow stronger in the days and years ahead.

Part 1

Part 2

For years, Polish government and Polish diaspora organizations around the world, pursue the historic truth and stomp out any attempts of World Word II revisionism shifting the blame for the Holocaust, killing millions of non-Jewish citizens, death camps, concentration camps, and work camps from Nazi Germany to then-occupied Poland.  

1939-1945 was a very painful period of Polish history, hopefully, this well publicized mistake will spread awareness throughout the world.

The nation that doesn't preserve it's true history, it's on mercy of its adversaries.

President Obama stepped in it

For many Americans, Jan Karski, a Polish courier who escaped occupied Poland in 1942 to spread the horrible truth about the Holocaust to the Western World, is an unknown figure of World Word II.  Alex Storozynski, President of the Kosciuszko Foundation, summarizes the story of Karski in his recent article at Huffington Post.  

Twelve years after his passing, President Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Jan Karski during the ceremony at Washington, DC.  Jan Karski is already recognized as The Righteous Among The Nations at Yad Vashem along with over 6,000 Poles who saved many Jews during the war.

Shockingly, President Obama's remarks during the ceremony about the "Polish death camp", sent waves of outrage throughout the Polish community living abroad and Poles in Poland.  Even though, the Whitehouse apologized for the mistake, the damage was done.  For years, Western media is basically trying hard to change the history by using the incorrect naming convention for the German Nazi death camps operated in Poland during the WWII.  The influence of the media misinformation, is slowly working its poison throughout the American society.

To officially clear any inconsistencies, the proper name for the death camps was approved by UNESCO.  Wiki article explains the correct naming:

Concerns about the use of the term Polish death camp led the Polish government to request that UNESCO change the official name of Auschwitz from "Auschwitz Concentration Camp" to "former Nazi German concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau"^{[13][14][15][16][17]} in order to make clearer that the concentration camp was built and operated by Nazi Germany. On 28 June 2007 at its meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand, the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO changed the name of the camp to "Auschwitz Birkenau. German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945)."^[18][19] Previously, some media, including Der Spiegel in Germany, had called the camp "Polish".^[20] The New York Times regularly refers to Auschwitz as Polish rather than German.^[21]

Polish-American organizations fight with that misinformation every time a major newspaper or a TV station incorrectly use the death camp name.  However, for some unknown reason, the "Polish death camp" name is used more and more frequently in articles and publications.  Let's not allow this blatant mistake to shadow the real culprits behind the Holocaust - the Nazi Germany.   

Remember, over 2 million Poles died in the WW2 alongside 3 million Polish Jews.  The numbers speak for themselves.

No way! It's a highway!

Contrary to all of the negative press and constant rant of the opposition party, Law and Justice, Euro 2012 visitors will be able to drive to Warsaw on the newest Polish highway– A2. On Tuesday night (May 22nd), 7 kilometer part of the highway between Konotopa and Pruszkow was opened to the public. Take a look at the video. 

                                       Video: youtube.com

Remaining stretches are almost ready for the traffic and they will be opened for Euro 2012, although the work will complete in October 2012. For Poland, this is very exciting time. The country is getting new highways that will connect West and East and North and South. Even now, getting to Warsaw from Berlin by car is a very smooth ride.

Good job Poles. Keep those shovels digging and those bulldozers plowing.

UPDATE: On May 27th, another part of the A2 highway, section D, was completed.  It's a 18 km stretch connecting Grodzisk Mazowiecki and Pruszkow.  The general contractor, Strabag company, claims that they took a hit on the contract and had to spend additional money to complete the project.  In any case, besides some last minute details, motorists are using the road already.
ANOTHER UPDATE: On June 1st, section B was approved for usage.  The 17 km part connects Bolimowo and Hipolitowo.  It was built by consortium lead by Mostostal Warszawa.  Drivers are still waiting for a final go, but the road is read.
Still waiting for A and C!!!  You can make it!  Put some windex on it!

YET ANOTHER UPDATE: It's official: you can drive all the way from Berlin to Warsaw (Warszawa) on A2 motorway!  On June 7th, part A and C were opened to the public.
It was a huge undertake for Polish government to finish this project on time for Euro 2012.  But the great news is: the highway will be used by everyday Poles to quickly move around the country, which in itself, is a great accomplishment.  Fantastic job!!!

Anyone wants to comment?  

Polish May 3rd Constitution Day Parade - Chicago

They did it again! Today, the Polish Constitution Day Parade, in celebration of signing of the Constitution of May 3, 1791, marched on South Columbus Drive in downtown Chicago. It's a great celebration of this important document (second such Constitution in the world after US) and a way to remind Americans that Poles are a huge part of the Chicagoland and the United States. Check out my slide show with some parade pictures. 

What really impressed me was the abundance of Polish language schools, represented by students, teacher's, and parents. Polish schools from all over Chicago and surrounding counties showed up in great number. Considering the cold temperature - thank you for your commitment.  It's a great feeling knowing that the second and third generation of Poles are learning the language and, most of all, the Polish culture. Knowing from a personal experience, the kids sometimes don't see the benefit in learning any of the above, but later in life they look back and cherish their memories and the time spent in Polish schools. 

Is Polish language irrelevant in the world? Far from it. There are 38 million Poles living in Poland with 21 million of immigrants and their descents living abroad. With the business opportunities in democratic Poland, tourism, and rich culture, Polish language is very handy. Not to mention the European Union integration, immigration, and business.  Besides, if a person learns one language, learning another is quite easy.

Happy Constitution Day! Maybe I see you next year in downtown Chicago.

Poland is ready for EURO CUP 2012

After years of preparation, construction, and political bickering, Poland and Ukraine are ready for EURO 2012 European Football Championship.  And by football, I mean soccer - just to be clear with US readers.  The tournament kick-off begins on June 8th in Warsaw with the final on July 1st in Kyiv.  UEFA president Michel Platini, is still unhappy with the state of new venues in both countries and hotel room prices in Ukraine.  I presume, bitching is his job.

Poles and Ukrainians, on the other hand, are ecstatic.  Poland gained four great stadiums, new roads, and new highways that will serve for years to come.  All of the host cities completed all the construction projects for supporting infrastructure: train stations, new bus lines, new hotels, parking lots, and metric ton more - yes I used metric system to make a point.  Some claim, Poland escaped recession with all that money spent everywhere.  For the Eastern European countries to accomplish project of such proportions - is a success. 

Will regular folks enjoy some profits and stack of zlotych (Polish currency) serving the tourists?  They sure will.  Since the hotel room are gone long time ago, there are plenty of private rooms and apartments for rent for the tournament.  Some accommodations are tight but who would complain about the room having a blast with kielbasa and high octane beverage enjoying Polish hospitality?

Check out the fast motion videos from the construction site of the National Stadium (Stadion Narodowy) in Warsaw.   

Host cities in Poland: Warszawa, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Poznan
Host cities in Ukraine: Kyiv, Lviv, Donetsk, Kharkiv

Me Myself and I performing live

What a treat for fans of Poland's Got Talent or any any Got Talent viewers!

On Sunday, April 29th, 6:00 PM, the winners of 3rd edition of Poland's Got Talent, group called "Me Myself and I", will perform at the North Shore Center for Performing Arts in Skokie, Illinois (north suburb of Chicago).  The group sings live jazz-rock-soul acapella combinations, using only their voices with some electronic mixing.  Also, on the stage, Culture Shock Chicago hip-hop dance troupe. 

Tickets and address info:

North Shore Center for Performing Arts

4/29/2012 (Sunday) 6:00 PM

9501 Skokie Boulevard  Skokie, IL 60077

Tickets also available at: www.bilety.com and Quo Vadis bookstore

Ask for discounts.  Still not convinced?  Feast your eyes on this cool video.

                                          Video: youtube.com

Foreigners speak out about Poland

If you ever wanted to get an independent and fresh opinion about Poland, now is your chance.

Check out those great videos from virtual Poland website called Polandia where foreign exchange students and recent immigrants share their stories about the Polish experience.  You can also watch it on YouTube.  Search word: Polandia 

Here's Roco Spencer from the US.  Surprise, surprise: he loves Polish girls.  He even married one.  Would you consider visiting Poland after watching those vids?

 

                                            Video: youtube.com

Shame on you Mr. Babbin

The subject of Polish cavalry charging German tanks during the very first months of World World II known as 1939 September Campaign comes up in the mass media quite often to describe any action deemed illogical or simply stupid.  How did brave Polish soldiers, who stood up to the Hitler, became a Polish joke to the modern society?

In short, German Nazi propaganda, and later, communist revisionists worked hard to paint Poles as backward nation in late 30s.  No so, according to historians.  Horses were used mainly to transport soldiers to the battlefield were they would use modern weaponry to fight Germans.  The whole story of tank charging came up when cavalry squadron was ambushed during the Battle of Krojanty.
To escape, the cavalry had to find a way to save the squadron and ran through the enemy lines.   Does anyone really believes that professional soldiers would attack tanks with swords?

Just today, on Dennis Miller Radio Show, Mr. Jed Babbin used Poles charging the German tanks as an example of failed policies of President Obama.  Although, I respect Mr. Babbin work and his commitment to the right cause, I am surprised that person with his experience would promote such false statements.  Shame on you Mr. Babbin.

The unhealthy way

More and more I read about financial problems of Polish hospitals and National Health Fund (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia aka NFZ) lack of money, more I question the ability of the centralized payer system to function at all.  Polish TVN24, ITVN, Polsat and public TVP, all report testimonies from cancer patients being discharged home because of shortage of chemo drugs.  Online articles display lines upon lines of sick people waiting to be registered to see a specialist or to get treated in local public health centers.  It's like going back to 1980s.  But it's 21 century already.

Source: www.nfz.gov.pl

With the health care workers going on strike almost every year, the Polish government seems to be unable to fix the NFZ problems.  Overwhelming bureaucracy is stalling any real reforms.  Doctors and nurses leave Poland to work in Germany, France, or Great Britain.  Promises are not kept, and there is never enough money in the public coffers.

In contrast, my Polish friends tell me that if you have money, the private clinics will take care of you better than your own mom.  Since the heath care service costs are still lower than in Western Europe, Poland is slowly becoming a budget choice for cost-savvy foreigners, especially Germans.  Dental care tourism is especially popular in the western Poland.

Health care privatization initiatives seem to come and go without any real agenda to cure that situation.  Maybe looking closely at countries like Denmark, Sweden, or France could give some direction to fix the public health care in Poland.  The current situation is way too unhealthy.

The New York Times corrects an anti-Polish slander

On April 13th, under a strong pressure from the Polish-American organizations and community, The New York Times finally issued a correction regarding an anti-Polish slander.   In the article from April 8th, titled "Israel Bars German Laureate Grass Over Poem" by Ethan Bronner and Nicholas Kulish, the authors claimed that Poland supported Nazis during World War II.  

The New York Times writes:

While there were Nazi sympathizers in Poland, especially among ethnic Germans, the Polish people as a whole did not support Nazi ideology nor did Nazism “rise” there. It was imposed by a victorious German army.

Finally, a strong stand to protect Polish honor and contributions during the WWII.  Poland suffered greatly under a German Nazi occupation.  The loss of lives, the extermination of intelligentsia and Polish officers, loss of property, destruction of the cities and infrastructure - cannot be forgotten.  

Claiming that Poland supported German Nazi terror is an insult to the 3,000,000 Poles killed during the war.  Polish community, must squash any attempts to change the true history.  Poland was a victim then but it will not be victimized now with false and defamatory statements.  

Source: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Polish anti-Catholicism or anti-clericalism?

Photo by dimitri_c on SXC

Recently, in overwhelmingly Catholic Poland, more and more voices question the authority of the Roman Catholic Church.  Latest debacle with Telewizja Trwam (Catholic religious TV station) and blatant exclusion from acquiring digital spectrum for the HD conversion in Poland, is just a cherry on the top of the angry mob rants.
While going through some of the Polish-language blogs, for the moment I felt like being at some anti-Catholic convention.  Plenty of the posts are merciless (yes, pun intended) and vicious.  Are Polish Catholics really that disappointed with the Church or they are just plain anti-clerical?

The theme is similar: priests make too much money, their cars are too expensive, fees for sacraments are too high, parishes ask for funds to repair churches, blah blah blah.

And of course, if you can't stand the Church, leave.  There are plenty of other religions available to make your mind spin.  But don't think they print money, oh no, you will pay.

Not quite Ron Paul

Among some of the Polish political blogs, Janusz Korwin Mikke stands up with his take on the Polish and international establishment.  He's a self-proclaimed Ron Paul of Poland but not quite as smooth when it comes to delivering his message.  

His post from April 3, 2012, "Amerykanie trzeźwieją?" - Americans are sobering up? claims that in the face of Arab Spring, American president is unable to handle that region.

The part that surprised me is his statement about female dummies "career diplomats" running the US administration unaware of the fact that they can destroy the world.   

Mr. Korwin Mikke visited the National Security Council and the State Department when Republicans were in charge.  I guess taking cheap shots at the current administration is the way to make some friends abroad.  

Poland doesn't need those statements from 3rd row politicians.  Poland needs true statesmen.

Why now, why here?

What bothers me is the lack of English-language voice from larger Polish organizations that would stand up more frequently for the country. Is it really that difficult to monitor and comment on the current events - affecting Poland and Poles - in Poland and abroad? 

I find the blogging community to be most responsive when it comes to taking on subjects related to Polish community - or any subject, really. Newspapers and online portals do a decent job also. However, looking past the interests of certain groups and forces is a challenge for many. So why now and why here? Because blogging is great!

Why the great, yellow, technically advanced vehicle in the header? Because "FSO Syrena" (trans: mermaid)  was truly a great advancement of Polish engineering at the time. Built from ground up, it was a proof that Poles can do it even under communist rule. The point is, what we lack as a society, we gain as a nation.