I doubt that many people are likely to remember those old, politically incorrect anecdotes about the people of Poland, implying that in general they were not particularly bright, talented, or courageous. And in truth, they are best forgotten. The only one I recall was one person asking another: “What is the shortest book ever written?” And when the second person didn’t know the answer, the questioner said: “Great Polish War Victories.”

The jokes were not merely insulting; you have only to think of a few of Poland’s finest — the composer Frederic Chopin, the 18th-19th century military hero Tadeusz Kosciuszko, the members of the Polish Resistance during World War II, and the leader of Poland’s anti-Soviet Solidarnosc (Solidarity) movement, Lech Walesa — to realize that those “Polish jokes” were blatantly unfair and untrue.

Now, under the guidance of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Poland is once more shoring up its defenses against Russian aggression, choosing to take preemptive action to avoid becoming Vladimir Putin’s next victim.

And not a moment too soon. Yesterday, both Polish and NATO forces scrambled military aircraft when a Russian missile — apparently part of another massive attack aimed at Ukraine — landed some 90 kilometers (55 miles) inside Polish territory,

Luckily, it landed in a field, leaving a massive crater but not harming any people or infrastructure. At an emergency government meeting called by Tusk, he stated:

“We were prepared to shoot down the missile if it had continued its flight. All indications suggest that it was a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile.” [Lex Harvey, et al., CNN, July 30, 2026.]

A NATO spokesperson said that two NATO fighter jets, a NATO refueling aircraft, a Polish early warning aircraft, and a Polish helicopter had been deployed. [Id.]

To those who foolishly continue to take Putin at his word when he proclaims that he has no expansionist plans beyond Ukraine, I would refer you to European leaders such as Donald Tusk: those whose countries have dealt first-hand with the horrors of war, and the never-ending aggression of the USSR/Russia.

The name of the country may have changed, but the threat from the Russian Federation under Putin remains as great as it was from the Soviet Union. And the people of Poland are smart enough to recognize that threat, and to know what they must do to counter it.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
7/31/26