Are you joking? Poles put the dead president in a crypt of a castle. This is all. Americans build museums for their dead presidents. Even Nixon has one, lionization big time. Where in Europe people build museums for their dead presidents?

“I think Americans are a whole lot less superstitious than Poles, by which I mean they are less likely to lionize dead politicians.” WOW!This is so arrogant and biased. Ethnocentric in fact. So, the Americans played golf during the funeral of, for ex. president Kennedy? I am sure they showed more respect.

Cultural expressions of sympathy during grave tragedies vary, but lets face it: playing golf during funeral which someone wanted to attend in the first place is an insulting act. It is simply bad manners. For a politician, or a simple citizen alike. And considered as insulting not only in Poland, but also in others, less “superstitious” European countries. How German, or French politicians behaved? Not bad, not childish as the US president did. Actually they did really well. For ex. from Germany Berliner Philharmonics played at the part of the funeral, to show solidarity. Nice, elegant gesture.

As citizens we can have our own private opinions, but a head of a country needs to show decorum, cultural sensitivity and and understanding of the protocol. Sadly, the president of the US showed lack of diplomatic sophistication and lack of sensitivity. Pity.

I spent the fall of ‘08 in Warsaw and participated in forums and symposia regarding the U.S. election and about Obama, in particular. The bias against Obama was so strong, it shocked me! Even in what we might agree are highly educated, intelligentsia the degree of ignorance but blind bias was stunning.

So. Frankly, I don’t think Obama has a chance with the Poles. It is a great shame that the volcano kept him from Wawel on Sunday. It would have been a goodwill gesture that could have been very helpful. But I also suspect that he would have done something “wrong” on that visit, anyway.

This makes me sad. It is, in my view, a problem of the Poles forgetting that they are but one of the important and well-respected nations of the world. It was stupid of Obama to be photographed playing golf on Sunday but let’s be realistic, and even a bit kind.

If you found an unexpected hole in your already over-scheduled, intense and constantly stressful schedule, wouldn’t you thank God for the opportunity to relax just a bit.

I love Poland. But I’m glad Obama played golf with his time on Sunday. Perhaps — we have no idea — he spent time early in the day, when the funeral was actually going on in Poland, remembering them in prayer. This time, the Poles just need to get over it.

I also want to add one more thing that is essentiall for Poles and US “forgot” about. This is the case of waiving the visas for Poland’s citisens - problem that still exist istead of completely change in Poland’s internall and externall situation.
As Poles feel, US still belevie that all the Poles are laborers that only dream about becoming the part of American society. Maybe part of it was true in 80s and before when standard monthly remuneration in Poland was worth 30 $ and less but now there are many more possibilities for Poles for alternative routes for emigration and - in fact, US-route is not the only, and not even best-possible, way of action.
The point is that if Poland is one of …(how many answer yourself) US’s real allies in all the military campaigns around the world, the same people that fight arm-in-arm with US soldiers cannot visit the US soil without valid visa what means - without grace of US immigration clerks.
All over the world are other nations that are less allies for US, don’t represent the powerfull countries but don’t have to care about visas - f.e. Czech Republic.
Maybe US has still big influence on polish politicians, maybe USD has still small part of its magicall taste which had in 80s - but world and people change and younger people that for now don’t rule in Poland but are on their way to this in next years, will not forget about actions like mentioned above - actions that showed complete disregard this “third-role ally” and naturally look around for better options of allies for the future.
One thing that US has to remember is that better is have one small ally than no one. But, who cares about it?