Poles living in the New York area are not unanimous about whether installing the anti-missile shield in Poland will benefit or hurt our country.

The results of the poll conducted by “Nowy Dziennik” indicate that supporters and opponents are equally divided. Among supporters a prevalent argument is that the defense interceptors will deter a potential aggressor. Opponents doubt the effectiveness of the shield in the case of an attack. In their opinion, by signing the treaty Poland unnecessarily has put itself in danger.

"We do not need the anti-missile shield,” said Stanislaw Lasota, from Greenpoint, Brooklyn. “In case of an attack we will not be able to defend ourselves from Russia's fire anyway. Their rockets will reach us in no time. The Americans will be major benefactors, because if the shield is effective, it will protect their territory from long range missiles. Besides, nobody is actually paying attention to the costs of maintaining the shield, which are enormous, and Poland will also have to bear them.”

Greenpoint resident Marcin shares Lasota's view. "I do not support the agreement that has been signed between Poland and the United States. It will bring unnecessary tensions in the entire region. Installing the shield will surely make Poland the major target in case of a conflict. I am also afraid that in response to the agreement and the installation of the shield in Central Europe the Russians will have their interceptors installed in Cuba.”

Zenon Wolak, also from Greenpoint, who trusts that the shield will ensure Poland security, represents a very different position. "If we have the interceptors installed in our country, we will be armed in case of a conflict like the one that burst out in Georgia. Also, we should not forget that the moment Poland is attacked, the United States will have to react as well.”

According to Waldemar, another Greenpoint resident, history should provide sufficient evidence that the shield is a great idea. “We cannot count on our neighbors. Only a close cooperation with the United States will guarantee our security. Rather than fear Russia we should take action to protect ourselves.”

When we approach women to ask about the shield, they usually shied away from answering. "I am not interested in politics,” "I do not mind,” and “I do not care,” were the most common responses.