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