Not A Polish Joke

I have mentioned a time or two that I am of Polish descent (here and here). The reason I bring that up again is because of this article. But first, a little backstory.

Poland, along with most Eastern European countries, is relatively homogeneous.

Most East European nations are homogeneous and don’t have traditions of accepting culturally different refugees...

Poland is 98 percent white and 94 percent Catholic. Muslims constitute 0.1 percent of the population.

This has resulted in a reluctance to accept the EU-mandated resettlement of refugees from the Middle East and Africa.

While Western Europe, led by Germany, has agreed to absorb large numbers, Central and Eastern European nations have rejected EU quotas. Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Bulgaria are adamantly opposed to accepting Muslim refugees.

Poland says it will allow 7,000 refugees over the next two years, a number criticized by experts as too low.

One argument of those who oppose refugee quotas is that more resources should be devoted to improving conditions in the refugee's homeland, rather than resettle them in places where they don't fit in.

In fact, I am proud to say that the best solution to the refugee problem that I have heard to date comes from the land of my ancestors.

Syrian refugees should train to become an army that could go back and “liberate their country” according to the Polish government.

Polish Foreign Minister, Witold Waszczykowski, suggested the strategy as a means of gaining employment and a permanent solution to the Syrian refugee crisis and the civil war.

The suggestion came from the Polish Foreign Minister, Witold Waszczykowski, who told the country's public broadcaster that it would be a useful way for Syrians to gain employment, instead of 'sipping coffee' in the streets of Berlin.

He said:"Tens of thousands of young men disembark from their rubber dinghies with iPad in hand and instead of asking for drink or food, they ask where they can charge their cellphones."

Mr Waszczykowski added: "They can go to fight to liberate their country with our help."

Sounds like a plan to me!

Speaking of cultural clashes between East and West, the following is an editorial cartoon from a Polish newspaper. It's in Polish, but I think you'll be able to figure out what it means.