Observations By Michael A. Szymanski

Opublikował(a): Editor w dziale Observations dnia 12/15/10 | brak komentarzy

We wish a very Merry Christmas to all our readers and supporters. Please enjoy all the rich traditions of a Polish American Christmas holiday, and don’t forget that a gift subscription to the Polish Weekly is a gift that will keep giving all year.

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Observations

Opublikował(a): Editor w dziale Observations dnia 11/30/10 | brak komentarzy

Among his other talents, contributing author Frank Dmuchowski is a military historian, and I enjoyed his article in this week’s issue concerning the Polish Cavalry charge at the battle of Samosierra during the Napoleonic wars. I have long known that the Polish Cavalry had a glorious reputation, but here is an example of why that is. Frank’s comparison to the famous British cavalry “Charge of the light Brigade” helped illuminate the story for me. Thanks for the history lesson, Frank!

Observations

Opublikował(a): Editor w dziale Observations dnia 11/16/10 | brak komentarzy

Elsewhere in this issue is an item I wrote on the recent reception for Lech Walesa sponsored by the Polish Mission of the Orchard Lake Schools. As Mr. Walesa gets older, he gets better. Or maybe I just didn’t have the opportunity to fully appreciate him the last time we briefly met, many years ago on the campus of the Orchard lake Schools. I had an interesting discussion near the end of the reception with Orchard Lake Schools Chancellor, Fr. Timothy Whalen on the question of why Walesa was so popular here in America but seemed not to enjoy the same level of appreciation in Poland, and I thought that as a matter of perspective, we in America are most familiar with his heroic exploits as a leader of Solidarity and the transformation of Poland to democracy, while many in Poland focus more on the politics, controversy and rivalry that followed that transformation. Presidents get much credit and blame regardless of their actual ability to control what happens.

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Observations

Opublikował(a): Editor w dziale Observations dnia 11/03/10 | brak komentarzy
This past week I had the pleasure of once again meeting Lech Walesa, the hero of Solidarity and the first President of modern Poland. I was able to attend the dinner reception in his honor as a guest of Richard Walawender, Senior Principal of the prestigious international law firm of Miller Canfield Paddock and Stone, PLC. The first time I saw Mr. Walesa was many years ago at the Orchard Lake Schools. He seemed more cheerful and optimistic than ever at last week’s event, and he is obviously living the life of international elder statesman with gusto and drive. Look for a more complete article on the reception in an upcoming issue.

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Observations

Opublikował(a): Editor w dziale Observations dnia 10/20/10 | brak komentarzy
This week we have an item describing an exciting new collaboration between the Polish Mission at Orchard Lake and the Walter P. Reuther Library of Labor and Urban Affairs at Wayne State University. Martin Chumiecki, the Mission Director, and Mike Smith, the Library Director, took a trip to Poland where they met with government, cultural and academic officials and leaders. The Library Director is a highly regarded archivist who will be working with the Mission to properly catalogue the archival materials at Orchard Lake. This is important because it will not only mean a better organized and more accessible repository of Polish and Polish American records, but it will make the Polish story more widely known and accessible to those outside of Polonia, an important result I view with great satisfaction.

Observations

Opublikował(a): Editor w dziale Observations dnia 10/05/10 | brak komentarzy
Prominent in this week’s issue is coverage of the debate between “Rocky” Raczkowski and Gary Peters, who are squared off to compete for the 9th Congressional District seat in the United States House of Representatives in the upcoming elections. Elsewhere in this issue we have a report on the Polish Weekly’s interview with both candidates as well as some comments on highlights of the debate itself, but there is one very specific matter I feel compelled to comment on. The Peters campaign is running a television “attack” ad against Raczkowski wherein allegations against Raczkowski are excerpted from court documents filed in a pending lawsuit against Raczkowski. This ad is a blatant smear tactic.

Observations

Opublikował(a): Editor w dziale Observations dnia 09/22/10 | brak komentarzy
This week you will find another installment of Frank Dmuchowski’s series of articles on the Miracle on the Vistula describing the historical context of the Battle for Warsaw during the Polish – Soviet War in 1920. This has been a fascinating read for me because it covers a piece of Polish history I have been ignorant of. So far, the most interesting thing (to me) I have learned is that there were 20,000 men who were volunteers from America in the 70,000 strong “Blue” Army of General Haller which took part in the conflict. I am going to have to read some of the reference material recommended by Frank in his preambles to the articles, but I wonder if, at some point in the future, he could favor us with a more detailed story on this aspect. Polish heroes have fought for America, and here is an instance of reciprocity that should become more known.

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