DECLINE OF THE BBC EMPIRE

Usually, prior to major football tournaments, like World Cup or European Championships, English media ridiculously herald to the world that this time England is going to win it all (not this time, though). Of course, the English national team, for various reasons,  cannot deliver. One of the reasons is that their players cannnot hold the pressure created by their own media. Another reason is a long season, without a winter break. The most important reason, however, is lack of basic technical skills among majority of English players. Simply said, they are not good enough to rival Spain, Italy, France, Germans, the Dutch or Portugal, so, they have to resort to defensive type of football. It is obvious that international results of English Premier League top teams are achieved thanks to foreign players, who raise considerably the level of play in the Premiership and are responsible for the creative parts of the play whereas English players are left mostly to take care of defensive tasks (defensive blocks plus midfield holding players, whose main function is to destruct opposing team's attacks and to recover the ball). This time around, after so many bad lessons since 1990 World Cup (last time that England had a decent national team), English media are full of caution. Perhaps they understood that it is so difficult to win when chasing the ball, being kept in possession by opposing teams for 65% or 75% of the play-time. Strangely, this time then England is not among the favorites in English media circles. Paradoxically, because of this, they think that they can win it all. Here we go again, then! Also, in recent years English sustained severe blows to their pride when they made a bid for organization of the World Cup in 2018. And what worse, they were so self-deluded (as with respect to the skills of their football players) that they did not see it coming. They are still reeling from losing the World Cup 2018 bid to the Russians. So, what do they do this time around? Well, they had to show somebody that they are leaders in something so they jumped this time on the political correctness wagon. BBC Panorama made a program about racism among the hosts of Euro 2012. To achieve a desired result, they went across Poland and Ukraine in search of appropriate material. Result, a scandalous program showing anti-semitic actions among Krakow fans as a result of tradional rivalry between Wisla and Cracovia football clubs, and also among Lodz fans, of rivaling LKS and Widzew. The fact that Krakow and Lodz are not staging any matches of Euro 2012, was not mentioned. Jonathan Ornstein, a director of Krakow Jewish Community Center, who has lived in Poland the last 11 years, and whose statements were distorted by Panorama, filed a protest with BBC. He said that all positive things he mentioned about Poland in his 1hr interview with BBC Panorama, were cut out from the aired material. When during his interview he suggested that Panorama talk to two Jewish footballers playing for Wisla Krakow (Maor Melikson and Dudu Biton), Panorama people told him that it would not fit their program as they wanted only to show racism and anti-semitism in Poland. What's more, Panorama people interviewed Israeli football player Baruchian, playing for one of Warsaw's top division clubs. However, since he had no bad experiences with antisemitism in Poland, his interview was not included in "Stadiums of Hate", as again, it did not fit the main subject of the so called documentary. Apparently, anything good about Poland, would not fit their program main team: Poland as anti-racist and anti-semitic country. Mr. Orenstein suggested to BBC to make a balanced program about anti-semitism in Poland, but BBC people were not interested. It seems, they had to scare the fans from coming to Poland and Ukraine. But, they did not succeed with respect to Poland, at least, for Polish impressive stadiums are full, the atmosphere is great and the country is crowded with thousands of Irish, Spaniards, Russians, Croats, Italians, English and even poor Greeks. A different story in Ukraine, a poor country, in comparison to Poland. Indeed, Poland, an economic success story within European Union, not knowing recession as opposed to the rest of Europe, notwithstanding the unemployment of 12%. Perhaps, BBC Panorama can expose racism and anti-semitism in England or Great Britain, where it apparently cannot be eradicated easilly? Perhaps, they can make a program about the racism incidents in Premier League, those reported recently, and various unreported? Maybe, BBC Panorama can enlighten us as to why John Terry's criminal case (for racially abusing a black player, Anton Ferdinand) has been adjourned for approximately six months, until the end of Euro 2012? After all,  justice delayed is justice denied. Or, how about turning their public resources to find out why Rio Ferdinand has not been selected for the English national team? What about the fate of persecuted in England following ethnic groups: Pakistanis, Polish, Lithuanians, West Indians, etc.? Perhaps, they Panorama people can enlighten us as to how many murders or incidents of violence against Polish workers in UK were ethnically or religiously motivated? How about scaring away some of the foreigners willing to come to London to see Olympic Games, why don't you warn them to stay away? And yes, in Poland we have racism and anti-semitism, but it is not embraced by the authorities or by the majority of the country's population. Yes, we have our own yobs. But, a lot is being done about these social pathologies, even though a lot more remains to be done! But, to cover these efforts in Panorama? It wouldn't fit your main theme, would it? BBC, what has happened to you?

Janusz Andrzejewski

The author of this post is a New York based attorney and a publisher of his own blog on various legal and community subjects. You can reach him by telephone at 732-527-2195 or through his website: www.adwokatandrzejewski.com

GERMANY WON, AS USUALLY. THE DUTCH DISAPPOINTED

Second day of the Euro 2012 disappointed, after two exciting matches of the kick-off day. Holland, the favorites of many, appear to have reached their limits with reaching the final of World Cup 2010. But, the initial loss 0:1 to Denmark does not have to be ominous to their chances. Denmark perhaps does not posses players of great technical skills, but it is a team consisting of players astute tactically, exhibiting sound usable technical skills. Perhaps only veteran Greek team can compare to them with the level of tactical skills. Van Persie and Robben disappointed, whereas Senijder appears to have regained some of his brilliance, blunted recently by his illness, by exhibiting some of great passes. Unlike during the matches played in Poland so far,  several thousand seats in Kharkov Stadium were empty. It appears that BBC Panorama doctored report did not help Ukraine. The second match of the day, between Germany and Portugal, has ended with expected 1:0 German victory. Portugal, until Mario Gomez goal, were preoccupied mostly with containing Germany. To achieve that aim, they fielded three holding players in midfield: Veloso, Mouthinho and Meireles. After the German goal, they changed their style of play and almost succeeded in creating several of opportunities for a tying goal. Unfortunately for them, the old rule that football is played by 22 players and Germany always win in the end, is still true. Also, having in the team Cristiano Ronaldo, does not help. It appears that Portugal would have been much more cohesive as a unit without him.
UEFA had charged Russian FA for excesses by Russian yobs in the match between Russia and Czech Republic in Wroclaw, Poland. Apparently, Russian fans have made monkey noises toward Czech black player, Gebre Selassie, and they also have brutally beaten four stewards, who attempted to detain Russian fan throwing firecracker onto the pitch. Today, higly anticipated Spain v. Italy match. Will the Spaniards be enough hungry for a third title in a row? What about the rift in Spanish national team (created by infamous Jose Mourinho) between Real Madrit and Barcelona players. Will the Italians respond to the bribery allegations with another title (as they did in 2006 World Cup)? Or, perhaps, they will start in a slow manner as in 1982 World Cup in Spain? Come today to Gdansk, Poland and see for youself.

Janusz Andrzejewski

EURO 2012: SO FAR, SO GOOD

First day of Euro 2012 behind us. Despite small glitches, the atmosphere at the National Stadium in Warsaw, as well as in Wroclaw Municipal Stadium, was as expected, great. The new stadiums looked impressive and were crowded to their full capacity by enthusiastic fans. Except for the incident of Russian fans beating up four Polish stewards in Wroclaw Municipal Stadium, none of the BBC Panorama doctored predictions of racial abuse were fulfilled. The Polish police did not have to intervene. The fan zones in Polish cities, even though enormously crowded, did not produce any incidents of racial nature. However, some problems were reported in Krakow, one day before kick-off of Euro 2012. But despite initial report of racist noises directed at the Dutch black players, during their training session at Wisla Krakow stadium, being a training ground of Holland's national team, (which reports were denied by Dutch coach Bert Van Marwijk), the Dutch officials did not file any official complaint. The claims that Wisla Krakow supporters were rather protesting to UEFA that Krakow was not granted any games than racially abusing the Dutch players, were rejected by Mark Van Bommel. Strangely, Van Bommel's father-in-law, coach Bert Van Marwijk, disagreed with claims of racial abuse voiced by his son-in-law. Go figure.
In any case, Euro 2012 kicked off in good fashion. Even the initial match was an eventful one, as opposed to typical boring first game of major football (or soccer, as footbal is strangely called in the US) tournaments, having it all: great start by Polish team and a goal well taken by impressive Robert Lewandowski, after brilliant pass from Kuba Blaszczykowski, Greek come-back in second half, two red cards (one undeserved) and a saved penalty by Polish substitute goalkeeper, Przemyslaw Tyton, on his first touch on the pitch. The 1:1 draw was a just result, even though Poland could have wrapped up the game in the first half, had they converted their opportunities. It seems, that had the Greek player was not red-carded (unjustly), Poland would have easily won the game. Playing against weakened team, the young Poles lost their focus and were punished by Greek veterans.  The second game of the day, Russia v. Czech Republic, played in Wroclaw, was even more impressive, and it ended with Russian lopsided victory: 4:1. Arshavin and his passes were impressive. Apparently, English football does not allow him to show his creativity so well as the biggest stages of international football. Petr Cech's performance was on the other hand quite abysmal. Will the Russians be as much impressive against Poland at National Stadium in Warsaw on June 12, 2012? Come to Warsaw, and see for yourself!

Janusz Andrzejewski

The author of this post is a New York based attorney and a publisher of his own blog on legal and various community subjects. You can contact him by telephone  (732-527-2195) or through his website: www.adwokatandrzejewski.com

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION SHOULD APPLY TO US ALL, EVEN TO DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL

Debbie Schlussel, a free lance journalist and an attorney, known for her racist, anti-islamist and now anti-Polish views, encountered wrath of Polish surfers online for publishing on May 30, 2012, a post entitled: "Poles Were Complicit in Holocaust: Outrage over Obama 'Gaffe' is Fraudulent, Ignorant". She claimed in the post that president Obama should not apologize for his gaffe ("Polish death camp") . Incidentally, president Obama apologized, sort of, for the erroneous use of the phrase and acknowledged that there were no "Polish death camps", paid tribute to  Polish resistance and victims. Ms. Schlussel wrote that the Poles murdered majority of her family in Holocaust, that there were in fact Polish death camps in World War II, built and ran by the Poles, that Poland collaborated with nazi Germany, that Poles formed several SS divisions, etc. All of the above claims, except relating to her family (which I could not verify), were either outright lies or distortions. I have engaged into discourse with Ms. Schlussel's followers on her blog, and notwithstanding that I have admited anti-semitism of certain parts of Polish society in pre-World War II Poland and during German and Soviet occupation of Poland, and certain incidents of pogroms (like Jedwabne or Kielce), I have rejected the claims of Poland's collaboration with nazi Germany, of Polish death camps, of Polish SS divisions and of Polish complicity in Holocaust, and supported my rejections with quotes and citations from reputable historians. I have also supplied information about the scale of Polish sacrifices and of Polish resistance and fight against German nazis as well as about history of Jewish population in Poland from 14th century (when Polish king Casimir the Great granted them various privileges and refuge in Poland from pogroms in Spain, Portugal, England, France and German Roman Empire) until the partitions of Poland at the end of 18th century. Then, through 19th century when the Poles fought for independence until 1918, when they regained statehood, and through the Second Republic until World War II. Alas, none of my arguments changed the views of ardent followers of Ms. Schlussel. Then, certain Polish media online mentioned Ms. Schlussel's post and suddenly wave of Polish online surfers started to submit hundreds of comments to Ms. Schlussel's blog. I have published a post on my own blog, asking the Poles to disregard Ms. Schlussel's provocative claims as she was apparently selling more ads thanks to the sudden rush of visitors to her website. It appears that Ms. Schlussel's website has been overran by the Polish surfers approximately three days ago, most of them disputing her outrageous claims. However, there were also those who insulted her in reverse and made threats. Apparently, the freedom of expression as known in the United States, has certain limits in Poland. For example, Poland has strict laws against denying Holocaust and people doing so must be prosecuted by Polish authorities. A great number of Polish surfers even used the threat of reporting Ms. Schlussel to authorities for denying that German nazis were responsible for Holocaust. However, majority of the surfers were not familiar with American concept of freedom of expression which allows anybody to express freely their own views, particularly, if those views, or opinions, are based on colorable facts. Were the facts on which Ms. Schlussel based her opinions colorable? Majority of them, not. Particularly, that she utilized anti-semitic incidents, either to come to conclusion or imply that Poland was complicit in Holocaust, that Poland collaborated with nazi Germany, that Poland organized and ran death camps, that Poland formed several SS divisions. In truth, Poland was an occupied country, its population was to be in majority eliminated, its government fled to London, UK where it organized Polish armies in the West and resistance inside of occupied Poland, and there was no Polish collaboration except for the Volksdeutches (Polish citizens of German descent). Still, we cannot deny freedom of expression to anybody in the US, even to Debbie Schlussel while she spreads hatred, without a court order. Therefore, let her speak, but find other avenues of reaching the US audience and making that audience realize what Debbie Schlussel in fact does. And moreover, make the Americans realize that their history programs are not up to the world standards, particularly that they differ so much from state to state and tend to confuse people. Particularly, when various newspapers, or speach-writers for the president of the United States, themselves create confusion.

Janusz Andrzejewski
The author of this post is a New York based attorney and a publisher of his own blog on legal and various community subjects. You can reach him at (732-527-2195), or through his website: www.adwokatandrzejewski.com

POLAND JOINS BIG LEAGUES WITH EURO 2012

Finally, after years of preparations, Euro 2012 in soccer is about to kick off tomorrow at Poland's National Stadium in Warsaw. The new stadium, one of the most impressive venues in the world of soccer, with a retractable roof, has over 58,000 seats and rather does not belong to the biggest arenas. But, its design inside and state of the art amenities make it impressive and imposing venue, indeed. Even more beautiful is a bit smaller PGE Arena in Gdansk, in various shades of amber color, with a light design of the outside walls and of the roof. The City Stadium in Poznan characterizes futuristic design of the roof construction (as seen from inside of the stadium) whereas Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw boasts with great visibility from each of its traditional one-tier level seats. The roads in Poland have been considerably improved, new highways were added, although not all of them are finished. The hotel industry, quite impressive in recent years, has been made even better. Warsaw Airport, already modern, opened additional terminal whereas majority of local airports were either modernized or rebuilt. Polish economy, which as the only one in Europe has not known recession in recent years, is still advancing ahead with 3,5 % growth, made even more impressive by the troubles of Greece, Portugal, Spain or Italy. Krakow, one of the most picturesque cities in the world does not stage any games, but it hosts teams from England, Holland and Italy and is already crowded with tourists from all over the world. Well done, Poland! Enjoy, for your time has finally arrived. Let's hope, that none of the racial incidents, predicted by BBC's sensational Panorama program, will take place for we cannot allow those few yobs to spoil our soccer holidays. Let us rather show the world our traditional Polish hospitality!

Janusz Andrzejewski

CLAIMS OF "POLISH COMPLICITY IN HOLOCAUST" PLUS "POLISH DEATH CAMPS" PLUS DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL EQUALS WINNING FORMULA TO SELL ADDS

Debbie Schlussel, a blogging lawyer and self-styled free-lance journalist, known for her racist, anti-islamist and now also anti-Polish views, enjoys a sudden popularity among the Poles, whom she has insulted with her May 30, 2012 post: "Poles Were Complicit in Holocaust; Outrage Over Obama 'Gaffe' is Fraudulent, Ignorant".
 Ms. Schlussel claims in her post, among others, that the Poles murdered majority of her family during Holocaust, that Obama "Polish death camp" gaffe in fact is no gaffe as the Poles built and run the death camps for Jews, collaborated with German nazis and that they even formed several Polish SS divisions(?). All claims, except for those regarding her family (which I cannot verify), are outright lies. From the first day of the post being published, I have responded to the main "article" and various approving comments, placed by fringe fanatics and followers of Ms. Schlussel's racist blog. In my comments I have admitted certain anti-semitic incidents and difficult period in Polish politics after death of Jozef Pilsudski in 1935, and subsequent rise of National Democrat's power in Poland prior to World War II, I have admitted certain anti-semitic attitudes caused by catholic interpretation of Christ's teachings (discarded by Vatican only in 1960-s) and enhancing of those attitudes by manipulations and fomenting of religious and ethnic conflicts by Prussian, Russian and Austrian partitioners of Poland, which they used to control the Poles (always ready and quick to fight for their and other peoples' freedom), under their rule, in 19th century and then in the beginning of 20th century, until the end of World War I.  I have admitted our responsibility for Jedwabne (notwithstanding that I directed light on reprisals by Polish peasants against Jews for  conducted by NKVD and Jews repressions against Polish gentiles after September 17, 1939, when Poland, fighting Germany in the West, South and North, was invaded from the east by Soviet Union and many Poles were rounded up and murdered by NKVD) and for Kielce pogrom. However, I have rejected claims of complicity in Holocaust by Poland, of collaboration and of forming SS divisions, or of organizing industrial killing of the Jews and have quoted excerpts from reputable historians and their works in support.  But no matter what citations and quotes I have used, what form of discussion I have employed, the predominant line of little Debbie's fanatics was: unless you admit Polish complicity in Holocaust, your are either anti-semite or Polish apologist. After several days of my discourse with Ms. Schlussel's fanatic followers, I finally wrote a final comment asking the Poles to refrain from responding even to Ms. Schlussel's post for clearly she was not interested in any meritorious discourse and in any evolving of her views, instead she has been only interested in winning the battle financially. Each click or comment of emotional, insulted Polish gentiles, meant new adds and more money for Ms. Schlussel's racist, anti-islamist and now anti-Polish campaigns. The wave of insulted and emotional responses from the Poles surged on June 6, 2012, when onet.pl, and some other Polish media online, placed articles or news-briefs about Debbie Schussel's anti-polish blog. But, its not the way! Please, do not dignify Ms. Schlussel's bigoted blog by your responses and comments about Polish martyrology during World War II, about Poland's being the 4th biggest force among the allies fighting the nazis during World War II, about Poland paying the heaviest toll for resistance and fight against nazi Germany, about erazed Polish cities, towns and villages, about highest amount of the Poles among the righteous among the nations (for hiding or saving Jews from Holocaust), about Poland being the only country in occupied Europe which had penalty of death for hiding a Jew, about non-existence of  Polish collaborators (except for Volksdeutches - Polish citizens of German ancestry), about non-existence of SS divisions consisting of the Poles, about non-existence of industrialized killing of Jews by the Poles, about refuge granted to Jews in 14th century Poland by King Casimir the Great so they could have escaped the pogroms and murders perpetrated in Spain, Portugal, England, German Roman Empire and other countries of Europe, about privileges, economic opportunity and freedom from persecutions enjoyed by the Jews until the end of  Polish Kingdom in 1795 when, after 3rd partition by Prussia, Russia and Austria it ceased to exist. Please, do not click on Debbie Schlussel's blog. For whatever is holy or sacred to Ms. Schlussel, she obviosly does not care about the historical truth. She cares for those comments and responses only as far as they bring her higher and higher volume of clicks on her posts and blog, increasing her ad revenues which she can use to perpetuate her unending racial and bigoted campaigns. So, dear Poles, please do abstain from that click on little Debbie's blog, for each new click equals new ads and money to support little Debbie's campaign of hatred. Just say no (click) to Debbie Schlussel!

Janusz Andrzejewski (tel. 732-527-2195)

A HUGE BLOW TO CLAIMS THAT "POLES WERE COMPLICIT IN HOLOCAUST" AS PRESIDENT OBAMA PERSONALLY REGRETTS "POLISH DEATH CAMP" REMARK.

Notwithstanding ignorance of his speech-writers, president Obama corrected their mistake, and in the letter to Polish president, Bronislaw Komorowski, apologized, sort of, for the "polish death camp" remark. President Obama admitted that Medal of Freedom, granted posthumously to Polish underground hero and Georgetown University professor, Jan Karski, who alerted F.D.R. to the fate of  Jews in nazi- occupied Europe, in the middle of extermination process by the nazi Germany, was also an expression of acknowledgment of the sacrifices of Polish nation under German nazi occupation. President Obama stressed the bravery and heroism of the Poles, exhibited in their underground resistance to the nazis, and unequivocally stated that there were no "polish death camps". Also, he went on to acknowledge that many of the Poles sacrificed their own lives while saving Jews from the Holocaust. President Obama's letter regretting the "Polish death camp" remark, has been received as satisfactory by the president of the Republic of Poland. One only can hope, that various revisionist theories about "polish death camps" will finally be put to rest.

Janusz Andrzejewski (tel. 732-527-2195)