Screw Poland, we don't need "friends"

We own the world. Get used to it, suckers.

While the Polish government cited moral and political reasons for its support of the United States, economic motives were never far from the surface. Polish officials freely acknowledged that they hoped that backing a friend in a time of need would translate into more profitable economic ties.

To many here, winning contracts in Iraq is one way to judge whether that bet paid off. Some see it as an ominous sign that Poland has so far netted just one project, a $7 million telecommunications contract.

"We keep hearing this is such an important alliance, but we've seen little value from it," said Marek Ostrowski, a leading foreign affairs commentator. "We're starting to feel this is a one-way street

...The United States, once the biggest foreign investor in Poland, has fallen to third place, after France and Germany, as American firms build their auto assembly plants and semiconductor factories elsewhere.

Underscoring the one-way nature of its ties with the United States, the Polish government agreed late last year to buy 48 American F-16 fighter jets for about $3 billion. The contract, which Poland awarded to Lockheed Martin over two European manufacturers, is starting to stir frustration here because of the time it is taking Lockheed to fulfill its promise to steer American investments to Poland to offset the purchase.   article

Hey, serves you right, Poland. What were you thinking? France and Germany may not appreciate your giving the business to Lockheed either, which could translate into less investment from them.

Ooops. Oh well.

....do what you want....you will anyway.

(Poland may be rethinking its deployment of troops in Iraq if they don't get some payback, as Saturday one of their units was attacked; four soldiers were killed and 25 wounded.)