PolishForums LIVE  /  Archives [3]    
 
Posts by janekb  

Joined: 14 Feb 2008 / Male ♂
Last Post: 1 May 2008
Threads: -
Posts: Total: 57 / In This Archive: 44

Speaks Polish?: tak

Displayed posts: 44 / page 2 of 2
sort: Latest first   Oldest first
janekb   
12 Mar 2008
Life / How much do you HATE POLISH PEOPLE and POLAND [1260]

(Robert Konrad a man of Polish heritage wrote a book about it - Heart of Darkness)

It should be Joseph Conrad (Jozef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski)
janekb   
12 Mar 2008
News / What do Polish friends think of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton? [226]

You’re trying to apply your way of thinking into an American society and that's probably because you live in a different culture and simply have different life experience then an average American.

I am coming from the women dominated household (for at least two generations).
Poles, as many other deeply effected by wars nations are relaying more on women than on men for socially important functions (men were disposable or drank). Look at the percentage of medical service workers in Poland (90%). You may remember Americans making jokes of Russian women operating heavy equipment. While in your culture women must assert their power and importance by legislating it, in Poland, willingly or not, they had to step into the vacuum. Myself, I will vote for Clinton without hesitation (except for Nader).

I can only imagine physiological problem of black people, with the horror of slavery and discrimination not far distant, living normal lives in the US. I cannot imagine a black person living in America to be not affected by it. There must be a suppressed feeling of hate toward oppressors. However unfair, just for this reason, would I be voting in your elections, I will not vote for a black.

There was a time when there was a minorities problem in Poland and we should be thankful to our neighbors for eliminating that. I cannot help myself thinking about it when some people moan about the loss of eastern Poland.
janekb   
12 Mar 2008
News / What do Polish friends think of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton? [226]

For a long time I held an opinion that it is the Republicans who are supporting both present front runners. I did not know that Limbaugh supported Clinton as one easier to beat. Fat slob probably supported both.

In my opinion it does not matter which one of these two wins the nomination, neither has a chance of winning against any "white man". It was either Democrats stupidity and arrogance or Republicans underhanded campaign to eliminate other candidates.

After eight years of idiot and evil one would hope Americans will learn. It looks that years of cutting on education made populace so thick that as long as there is a plentiful supply of cheap booze and TV everything is fine.

The plans for US military bases in Poland will now go ahead, with the Democrats there was a hope that this stupidity could be averted.
janekb   
11 Mar 2008
History / WW2: Britain Declares War on Germany to Save Poland [290]

Throughout the history treaties were broken let and right, after all: "Countries do not have honor, people do". Some of this obligations are fulfilled, but only when there is mutual benefit. I think that France and Britain showed XIX century chivalry by declaring war against Germany as they were unprepared. Germans will invade France regardless of France declaration of war. They will attempt to talk with Britain, it is possible that under pressure UK will form some kind of fascist government and negotiate some kind of an agreement. US will not enter European war. Germans will attack USSR and consequently we will have united Russian speaking Europe.

The tragedy was that Polish London government did not realized that the world changed. Now the two victorious powers USSR and USA, were making new rules. France and UK presence at the table was only a gesture. The new rule was pragmatism, no friends only interests. Poland had nothing to offer and presented no threat. Brits were quite nice to the Poles and let them stay in the UK (it was impoverished country then, it was a real burden and they could send them back to Poland). It was silliness of Polish gov. to insist sending Poles to fight instead of preserving lives. They were hoping that cannon fodder will give them some bargaining power (in some way it did as they carved quite comfortable lives for themselves in the UK).
janekb   
9 Mar 2008
Love / I got married to a Polish wife; Polish family advice needed [45]

Is it really debtor prison in 21century Poland? I know of people being evicted for not paying rent and no social agencies to help.
It seems that we have bare knuckled capitalism ruling Poland now, quite upsetting.
Regardless, I would not hurry with any help. Check first what are real consequences of not paying. If anything, I will help these poor bastards, but not on regular bases (it cannot be a pension). Possibly paying a utility bills so these will not be cut off.

Do not expect anything in return, if it makes you feel good to do it, than help them, otherwise do not take it as your problem. You would not be able to fix the world.
janekb   
6 Mar 2008
History / German Deaf/Mute able to give voices to Hitler's personal videos...scary [29]

Getting protection from the US is at best illusory. USA is a business enterprise pretending to be a country. It rare, but not unique in the world history, Carthage was one. It’s ethos is "America's business is business".

It is not a matter of becoming a target because of these installations, but rather projecting Poland as an unfriendly neighbor. Recent example of the worth of the US protection agreements is the one with Taiwan. It was good while mainland China was a backwater place, but once it became a country where one can make more money than in Taiwan, the friendship and treaties were quickly forgotten. After all “countries do not have honor, they have interests”.

It may feel good to be able to rub an old adversary’s nose in a s**t, but like with all such actions pleasure is short lived and doubtful, but negative consequences are long term and real.

It should be a Poland’s role to integrate Russia with the EEC rather than putting barricades. It will be a commercial benefit to Poland, possible way of countering Germany’s economic domination. Technologically Poland has little to offer to the west, its present role is being a pool of inexpensive labor (emigration and screwdriver assembly). It could be a different with Russia its enormous resources and labor shortages (exacerbated as time passes).

Attaching Poland to the west has undeniable benefits, but our Slavic character and culture is very different from that of the Germans. These traits form over centuries and it takes generations to be able to understand each other.

Soviet regime was not less ruthless toward Russians as it was for Poles. Communism did harm Russians more than it harmed Poles. It just happened that it was headquartered in Russia. It was brought from the west and artificially planted in the crumbling society by the German Secret Service. It was an international movement which was quickly hijacked by ruthless opportunists. Results we know all too well. Imperial Russia was in its nature pan-slavic. The clash of Polish and Russian superpower ambitions caused conflicts and wars. On the Polish side it was a matter of survival as a nation, not so dramatic for Russia. The crucial point is that Poles who accepted russification were fully admitted into the Russian nation and society. Of course that will mean end of Poland as a nation.

There is a big difference west of Poland. German nazism was as name suggests a national movement. There was no place in it for Slavs. With Germans it’s nothing new (over a thousand years now). I am not convinced it can be changed in less than several generations.
janekb   
6 Mar 2008
News / Polish-German Relations in the Present [697]

Shopgirl,
There is a difference in character between Slavs and Germans. One can notice that while both are able to commit any imaginable atrocity, the Slavs are more individualistic and spontaneous. In addition being very mistrustful of any authority (for historical reasons) on a long run not willing to follow even the most charismatic ruler.

Germans, on the other hand are known for their perseverance and obedience. That's why Germans make an exceptionally good soldiers, extension of the machine concentrating on perfect execution of the given task without analyzing nature of this task. Historically their rulers served them well, there was no reason to develop mistrust toward government.

These are generalizations, but national character is formed through generations and this is in essence how I see it.
I do not know what is your national background, if you are an American you will have difficulty to follow it since US do not have national ethos (except for moneymaking).
janekb   
3 Mar 2008
News / What do Polish friends think of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton? [226]

Tweedledee and Tweedledum. No differences between two major parties. Consequently electioneering focuses on personalities and avoidance of serious problems. Political skills expressed by avoidance of commitments and noncontroversial issues. Big hoopla with "health insurance" is driven by a big business as a way of walking away from previously negotiated with unions (when they still existed) coverages. No way to get out of Iraq immediately and no funds to stay there for a long time, nightmare for whoever is going to be elected. Uncurious George for sure will be remembered, it will take a generation to undo the damage. But it was not his fault, it was a God who made him a president and it was a God who spoke through him. He was just going for a ride. Personal advice for Americans - take your money and run.
janekb   
3 Mar 2008
News / US military... how does poland feel about the US military? [70]

JuliePotocka,
First of all the Uncurious George devastated treasury to the point that it will take a generation to recover. You may recall US rulers saying openly that they are going to "starve the beast" meaning not live a penny for social programs and with no opposition from Dems they succeeded. Secondly, there is only a superficial difference between two political franchises, both are run and paid by the big business. The health insurance hoopla is just that. It is again big companies who some time ago (when trade unions still existed) signed contracts to provide medical coverage for their workers and mandatory coverage will allow them to wiggle out of it. One has to admire cleverness of the right (fascist wing) to somehow make Democrats to choose Ms. Clinton or Obama (only two left), this is a sure way to make McCain next president and to have 100 years Iraq war. Democrats are both naive and stupid, as Nader said "if they will not win this time by a landslide, they should change the line of business". Usually the country has rulers they deserve. Julie its time to bail out while the dollar is still worth something. I will suggest Poland (except for the weather).
janekb   
2 Mar 2008
News / US military... how does poland feel about the US military? [70]

US being a corporate entity (remember: America’s business is business) has powerful military to protect big business. Prudent businessmen try to do it the cheapest way they can. Like in any other enterprise there is a choice between using people or machines. There are some jobs where people are less expensive. Manpower comes at indifferent costs. It would be rather silly to take intelligent (highly paid) people and use them as a cannon fodder. Thankfully there is a sufficient pool of dunces (or economically desperate) to “volunteer”. Not much schooling is needed, several weeks suffice. After all what is required is to follow orders without hesitation (“yes sir” is the only allowed response). With a bit of propaganda we have them ready to be sent to places they never heard of and to kill people they did not know existed. There is no problem of eliminating independent thinkers, these are too smart to be coerced to join. One can paint a bright future awaiting them after all that, graduating from college, buying a house. Somehow many choose a carrier of being a prison guard (another noble profession) and keep those who while equally desperate were smarter and tried to make money dealing dope. In the meantime Exxon got a second biggest proven oil reserves to help themselves to. I is not their fault that poor dumbfk can’t afford the gas for his car. There is no money for schools (spent for wars), no problem, will have more “volunteers”. Aren’t you lucky to live in the best and the freest country in the world.
janekb   
29 Feb 2008
History / Polish Volunteers in the Spanish Civil War [140]

I am writing it to remember myself some family stories I had heard. There was an uncle, politically active bright man. While the rest of family was either borderline fascist (my father) or anti-communist, he was union organizer and defender in court cases. Strangely even my father admired his commitment. He used name Walter (it was not his real name) and after coming back from Spain faded away. Was killed in 1939 in the first days of the war. His wife remained single and had nothing to do with post war rulers and received no favors.
janekb   
29 Feb 2008
History / Poland-Russia: never-ending story? [1341]

Americans thanks to the political ignorance (lack of education) are still in war with Russia (I am not sue if Bushy boy knows that it not USSR now). While hey are basking in a feeling of dominance and of being the only superduper they not only want acknowledgement of this status from the previous (no longer existing adversary) but feel need to humiliate Russia. Like many empires it is the most aggressive and hostile during its waning days. World should be thankful that Iraq adventure is their last, to start the next they will have to gat a permission from Beijing.

What’s more important is how Poles can play this game. History teaches that treaties are not worth much. The specific geographical position will not allow to be separated from Russia (Russia is not going away). With Ukraine, Belarus we have similar traditions of hostility. EU offers degree of sustained protection. Building a strong military makes little sense, except as an American Foreign Legion, unless US wants to pay for it and there will be a voluntary force (to get rid of idiots who otherwise may be dangerous). Building a wall on the eastern border makes little economic sense. Similar language and culture may serve well in commerce. It seems that present US administration wants to surround Russia. The unreciprocated love for America by Poles may be the source of willingness to do US bidding regardless of self interest. The rational way to establish a strong position for Poland is to spend funds on education and infrastructure.
janekb   
29 Feb 2008
News / Yitzhak Shamir - prime minister of Israel with anti-polish sentiment [41]

Prime Ministers are not slipping (unless their name is Bush) and what they say has to be taken seriously and there was the reason why Shamir choose to express himself the way he did. Not knowing circumstances it’s hard to figure it out why he did that. I do not believe that he was just insulting Poles. Now try to analyze what are possible consequences of his statement. Judging by reactions at this forum it for sure did not gain him and his people any friends. Possibly he is trying to make Polish government to some action proving that anti-Semitism in Poland is a distant past. There is on-going discussion about reparations for the pre-war Jewish own property in Poland, it is possible that he is trying to influence outcome in this. The hope is that polish politicians would not be cowed and for once will give a sharp rebuke or ignore it. Playing that victim card is getting old, it should be sufficient to point to the Israel’s treatment of their neighbors. It’s enough to look through the post was polish history to see plenty of reasons for the population to be anti-Semitic (communist governments and specially its secret services). Jews never assimilated in Poland (their claim was that Poland had very little to offer). If the minority exists for five centuries using different language, customs, courts, and living totally separate lives it should not expect to be helped when it needs help. There are neighbors who do not like each other and due to the tragic circumstances we do not have to be neighbors.