USA, Canada / PL Organizations against in Visa Waiver Program [9]


good point Krzysztof but just because the immigration numbers are declining because of poor initiatives such as low dollar value and distance, it does not mean that the people who do come to america will overstay, as i understand most people come to the us to see their family.

I am assuming most people on this forum do not think poland should be in the visa waiver program because of their rejection rate. What if we change the provisions of the VWP for higher rejection rates through a congressional resolution? Is the Polonia willing to fight for the rights of our family and friends in Poland?

USA, Canada / PL Organizations against in Visa Waiver Program [9]

yes you are right about the rejection rate but have you ever questioned why it is so high? If you think about it why would most poles want to come to America when they can earn money in the EU. If poles stay in Europe they can be closer to family and probably earn more money. The rejection rate is based on a old cold war notion that the pole will somehow get lost in america b/c they do not want to go back to poland. Dont you think that Poland being one of the only eastern european countries still requiring a visa may just be politics in play...

I would greatly encourage everyone to contact their local state representative about seeing Poland through to the Visa Waiver Program on a state level so that ultimately we can be heard on a national level.

Visit the Polish American Congress website see the work they have done since 2004

polamcon.org

USA, Canada / PL Organizations against in Visa Waiver Program [9]

I agree with you, Svenski, the rejection rate is high in poland. But as I understand the terms of the waiver program can be changed. Also, these rejection rates are so hard to find. What is not to say that people are purposely keeping the rejection rate high. Why is there not more transparency with data concerning the rejection rates. There have been proposals through the senate and House to drop the visa for Poland. But nothing came of these proposals so the matter needs to be pushed more.

But I am not starting a new thread about the waiver program I was just wondering if anyone knows any local polish groups that are writing articles in the newspaper, confronting their congressmen, collecting signitures, or in general have been politically active in the past.

The Polish American Congress is actively persuing State Resolutions for including Poland in Visa Waiver Program

Life / Looking for some good Polish bands like Oasis, Panic! etc. [19]

Thanks shopgirl, I got my cousin to thank for introducing me to their music. Usually im into dance musa but this band is tight!

Life / Looking for some good Polish bands like Oasis, Panic! etc. [19]

i love Feel!! I would compare them to matchbox 20, 3rd eye blind, the fray

Genealogy / Polish gypsies and the word "Mollyglassen (sp?)" [11]

Cinarski, Cynarski sounds like a polish word cygan which means gypsy. Alot of last names are based on the occupation or description of the person who passed the name. Krzysztof Krawczyk (famous polish singer, last name means son of tailor it is possible his ancestor were just that) Hope that helps :)

Life / I feel the gay rights movement is constrained Poland [90]

lol its cool, I fancy that.

Life / I feel the gay rights movement is constrained Poland [90]

So true change comes from an individual's experience, but some people never experience gay culture. Therefore, I say it is important to educate all people about sexual diseases and tolerance, not because that is what gay people are all about but because it will cause people to be less ignorant of homosexuals and other groups of people.

by the way im sure they were straight, they were fancing (thats how you say it in the UK.. right, lol) the ten or so straight girls in there.

Life / I feel the gay rights movement is constrained Poland [90]


You make an excellent point, how do polish people react to homosexuals when they are on their own? I was in one of my favorite clubs the other night and it just happen to be gay night, go figure. A group of Polish boys stumbled in, given they were already a bit wasted by the time they came in, but they loved dancing to the techno music it seemed they had a pretty good time. They did not seem to mind the atmosphere at all. If you are left to your own devices, anything can be done.

Life / I feel the gay rights movement is constrained Poland [90]



According to Catholics, of which about 95 percent of the population is part of, sex is just a means of reproducing. Catholics do not permit masturbation, contraceptives, premarital sex, in addition to homosexuality. With this perspective in mind, many of the comments I have heard from Polish officials is that homosexuality is unnatural/unproductive.

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6596829.stm
iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/26/europe/EU-GEN-Poland-EU-Gay-Rights.php

When a group of people display a sense of sexual freedom publicly, it is concerning to a conservative society. I think it is important for people to be concerned about homosexuality, AIDs, and so forth, because then people have an initiative to learn more about it and protect themselves rather than shun it. I feel that Poland is forcing people into their ideal lifestyle. The reality is that people are diverse, that is why Poland should begin to teach more people about responsible sexual education. You said that in bigger cities people are more tolerant, this is also true among younger people. This is because people are exposed and educated on the topic.

I think the solution can be found in grassroots campaign that spreads a positive message about this group of people. I know that Poland is a predominately Catholic country but Catholics are more lenient in their beliefs because catholicism does not accomidate many modern views/truths. The Catholic Church wont change its mind but people can.