I understand your concerns having lived in Warsaw 1981-83. Living in a communist state is something I would recommend to a lot of these people who have no idea what it means to live in a totalitarian state. I know that the Poles have no desire to return to that kind of oppression.
Although I understand your fear of the "Russian Bear," Poland's membership in NATO offers you protection from any forcible seizure of Poland by Russia. And I doubt that there are any significant internal forces that would want to return to the days of communism.
You will have to educate me as to what specific concessions Bush made to Russia in order to obtain "approval" to enter Afghanistan and Iraq.
From the very beginning Poland had her substantial contribution to the operation Iraqi Freedom. However, if all that America can do for Poland’s security is to send her two units of unarmed and inoperational Patriot missiles, then this is rather a good theme for German and Russian cabarets that have much to laugh of our Atlantic commitment.
As a member of NATO, Poland has a very strong commitment from the United States and the other member countries under Article 5 of the NATO treary, i.e.,
The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence recognised by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.
Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall immediately be reported to the Security Council. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security.
I’ve always been pro American and proud of America’s freedom policy for the world. So, if I start to doubt, then again, who doesn’t?
I don't know when this doubt started, but you should never doubt America's commitment to freedom and our promise contained in the NATO Treaty.
As to the letter we talk about. Although formally addressed to US presidents, I think it was actually addressed to Russia. Its aim was to notify the Kremlin and the Russian public opinion that the countries in Eastern Europe do not feel secure because of Russian foreign policy. We know that Russia always tries to present herself as a “besieged country” when talking about any NATO installations in new member countries and then tries to intimidate them, threatening them with a first preemptive attack if need be. To me, this doesn't work, but for the large part of the public opinion this is something that wake up fears of the past. This kind of letter signed by eminent individuals gives an outstanding opportunity for USA to recall the NATO treaty with its Article5 OUTLOUD. Although formally addressed to those who signed the letter, that would be a clear message to Russia that the NATO alliance is still alive and kicking and that Russia should be aware of it.
Anyway, this letter has already worked. Russian press writes about our countries calling us “dishonorable US little dogs”. As far as I'm concerned this is not an insult but a way they expressed their helplessness. The strong one never insults the weak one because he doesn’t need it as he can hit him anytime he wants. The insults are characteristic for the weak bad guys who want to hit the strong one but they can't.
As to honor the Russian talk about, I'd rather be a pawn among freedom loving people than a general among bloody murderers of millions of my compatriots (Katyn Massacre for example).
Have you ever wondered why there are 10 million American of Polish origin in the USA nowadays? Ask Russians, too :-)