The Libertarian Party’s National Committee issued a statement on March 11, 2008, complaining that President Bush is pandering to Poland and forgetting America. The cause for the complaint was the President’s promise to help modernize the Polish military. It was the best laugh that some of us have had in ages.

It is true, of course, that Mr. Bush has forgotten America. Halliburton, other major corporations, oil interests and the obscenely rich have been the true objects of his affection for years. However, to suggest that his lapse of memory is due to pledges to Poland is nothing short of laughable.

Our President promised military assistance to Poland in exchange for a commitment to host a part of a global missile defense shield, which is basically just another boondoggle to make Bush’s wealthy friends even wealthier, anyway. The Libertarians grumble that this new deal comes while American soldiers in hostile combat in Afghanistan and Iraq have warned that they are desperate for vital equipment, from armored vehicles to body armor. They’re right about the distressed situation faced by American soldiers, but they must be hopelessly ignorant of Mr. Bush’s history of promises to Poland.

President Bush promised visa waivers to Poland years ago and we all know how well that has gone. In fact, he recently told Polish officials that the visa waivers will come, but they are going to have to wait again, this time for at least another six months, with no solid commitment for that either. One must wonder just when Polish leaders will realize that a Bush promise is not a valuable commodity and it drops faster than the Bush dollar.

Referring to that Bush promise, Andrew Davis, National Media Coordinator for the Libertarian Party, stated, "There is no way to rationalize this betrayal of our men and women in combat. President Bush has put politics ahead of the safety of our troops." Wow, that’s a surprise. If that were not his typical modus operandi, we would not be in the Bush-Cheney War in the first place.

"Bush remembered Poland, but forgot America," said the Libertarians. "Remembered" is the key word, perhaps, as it is certain that the commitment was undoubtedly momentarily recalled, and then buried somewhere with the Nixon tapes as soon as the Polish officials left the White House.

Naturally, the Libertarians appear unaware that the Polish people want neither the missiles nor empty promises. Sadly, it can reasonably be expected that they will ultimately get both. Our suggestion is that Poland keep both its sovereignty and its current weaponry. The payoff will be the absence of foreign troops on its land and the incentive to build its military defense on its own terms. As we know from our personal life, there is a lot to be said for independence ... and not much for promises.