News / Polish Opinions of US Polish Ambassador Victor Ashe [20]


LOL Can you say that with an English accent? It's funnier that way! :)

News / Polish Opinions of US Polish Ambassador Victor Ashe [20]


No...he's just taking a swipe at Miranda after she reported some of his posts. Not Mr Sensitive.....nore like Big Baby!

Dupek, change your diaper.....it smells!

News / Poles honour 'Cold Warrior' Ronald Reagan [92]


I'm not particularly a big Reagan supporter, but he left office with a 64% approval rating, which is high for most exiting Presidents.
I wouldn't call that low esteem.

I know that Regan initially rejected UN sanctions regarding South Africa out of a belief in free trade and fear of communism, but I do know that the US and Britain eventually applied sanctions to South Africa.

By the late 1980s, however, with the tide of the Cold War turning and no sign of a political resolution in South Africa, Western patience with the apartheid government began to run out. By 1989, a bipartisan Republican/Democratic initiative in the US favoured economic sanctions (realized as the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act), the release of Nelson Mandela and a negotiated settlement involving the ANC. Thatcher too began to take a similar line, but insisted on the suspension of the ANC's armed struggle.

It seems that Reagan also issued sanctions against Poland in response to the suppression of the solidarity movement.
The end of the Cold War helped to bring light into all the dark corners of the world.

Life / Metal Detecting in Poland [18]

Unless they have already exploded...then its ok.
Really.

News / America: Take your missile base and shove it! [116]

I think everyone should realize that what happens next with the missile shield depends on the outcome of the US elections. Historically speaking, Republicans tend to spend and invest more in defense related areas, where Democrats tend to focus funding on domestic programs.

John McCain is a strong supporter of missile defense.[20] In October 2007, McCain said: "And the first thing I would do is make sure that we have a missile defense system in place in Czechoslovakia and Poland, and I don't care what his [Putin's] objections are to it."[21]

Barack Obama said he supported shifting federal resources away from an “unproven missile defense system” to proven technologies.[22] “I will cut tens of billions of dollars in wasteful spending. I will cut investments in unproven missile defense systems. I will not weaponize space. I will slow our development of future combat systems,” Obama said.[23][24]

News / Putin for Polish president? [69]


It's all they have ever known?

????????????

History / The Jewish King Of Poland [67]


Nice to meet you. You look a lot different than I expected! Much woolier!
:)

News / Poland: the 51st state of America [119]

And paper ballots can't be tampered with?
Think about it.......

News / Poland: the 51st state of America [119]

So why not spare the huge cost of a traditional voting method, and go "electronic"?
I would rather have a computer count the votes anyway! And these days the states are worried about security in voting...they wanna make sure only legal citizens are casting a vote. An electronic vote could provide that security....

And there would be no "hanging chads".....who knows we might get an accurate vote in the states like Florida and Michigan! :) hehe (sorry, couldn't help myself)

News / Poland: the 51st state of America [119]


But how do you know people aren't already doing that when they cast the regular vote? I guess you are thinking that only a serious voter would take the trouble to get off his/her ass and make the trek down to the voting precinct?

News / Poland: the 51st state of America [119]


Yeah, I suppose so. :)

You know how we have the tv show American Idol here, where people can text in a vote on their cell phones for the singer they like best?

What if we had official referendums set up so that citizens could text in or email in a vote?

If there was a way to make voting secure (like how we file our tax returns on line) it sure would save a lot of money and the people could be very well represented!

:)

News / Poland Rejects US Missile Shield (talks will continue...) [80]

Crow, that was nine years ago. You know why it happened....they were trying to stop the free-for-all killings. Yes, I know that there were lots of other groups involved in that.....but how else do you think it could have been stopped? The Serbs couldn't control it....no one even knew "who" was doing "what" most of the time.

Tell how you think it should have been handled.

News / Poland: the 51st state of America [119]


You left out something that I think is pivotal to how the American political system works, and another reason why the common man has so little power: The Lobbyist.

The lobbyist is paid to go to Washington and push an agenda for money (often in teams). Unlike the rest of us who have to find the time to track down and write to a senator or house representative, these people are there, in Washington, working all the time. Its just not fair representation. :(

As for this part: it is unbelievable that 200+ millions of people can share only views of two parties That is why the parties hold conventions and decide on a "Platform". This supposedly takes all the issues pertaining to each party and prioritizes them according to the party supporters.

I think a different system would help, but right now it is hard for another party to make inroads...some people look at the "green" party or the "independents" as a diversionary tactic to slip the vote and tip the election in favor of one candidate.

News / Poland: the 51st state of America [119]


I don't think it is a false feeling. I think many charities really do help people. And I don't think it is fair to say that people are giving to assuage feelings of guilt. People give because they care.

If every US citizen is "benefiting" from the government's foreign policy...I think you must be defining benefits primarily as financial. I don't think that is the only effect, and I am not sure that it is beneficial, maybe in the short term, not not in the long range....I think the US foreign policy makers have set very dangerous wheels in motion, without thinking through the long term results. This has been going on since before I was even born. I feel that I have "inherited" this mess.

I have written to politicians in the past (one more than one occasion). So far I can't tell that it has made much impact. I do not feel very well represented by my government. Maybe you feel you have more control over yours?

I feel that a lot of posters here really oversimplify world affairs and the role played by the US into a handful of statements that very ineffectively address the complexity and scope of the issues....yet they applaud themselves for their astute summations. The US does not exist in a vacuum....it is part of the whole global mess. I see the current situation as a global web....you pull on one thread and it tugs on another part far away. The best we can do is try to keep some sort of balance (monumental task I know). But the US and Europe need each other and should really learn to communicate and work together. China is coming, and we may all end up kneeling at her feet.

News / Poland: the 51st state of America [119]

Hmmm....I don't think I've done much lecturing....more like defending and trying to provide additional information! Yes, the whole world is a mess. It needs attention everywhere!

Look! Fireworks in Berlin! Woohoo!

dhm.de/webcams/VID2.html

News / Poland: the 51st state of America [119]

Oh honey, I DID notice.....that's why the excerpt of the book I posted names them individually! :)

What are you drinking today? Battery Acid?
You know....that stuff's not good for your tummy!

News / Poland: the 51st state of America [119]


You mean like in Europe?

Europe's true dilemmas lie elsewhere. In the Netherlands, in Paris and Antwerp and other cities, antagonism and incomprehension between the indigenous local population and a fast-growing minority of Muslims (one million in the Netherlands, over five million in France, perhaps 13 million in the EU to date) has already moved on from graffiti and no-go zones to arson, assaults, and assassinations. Turks, Moroccans, Tunisians, Algerians, and others have been arriving in Western Europe since the 1960s. We are now seeing the emergence of a third generation: in large part unemployed, angry, alienated, and increasingly open to the communitarian appeal of radical Islam.[12]

For nearly four decades mainstream European politicians turned a blind eye to all this: to the impact of de facto segregated housing; isolated unintegrated communities; and the rising tide of fearful, resentful white voters convinced that the boat was "full." It has taken Jean-Marie Le Pen, the assassinated Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn, and a flock of demagogic anti-immigrant parties from Norway to Italy to awaken Europeans to this crisis—and it augurs badly that the response of everyone from Tony Blair to Valéry Giscard d'Estaing has been to cry "Havoc!" and wind up the drawbridge.

Jeremy Rifkin, The European Dream

News / Poland: the 51st state of America [119]


These are private citizens giving out of their own pockets.
I'm not talking about the government. I'm talking about regular people.

So I'll answer your question with another question: What do you think?

Isthatu2: What is wrong with you? Why do you talk so ugly to me? :(

News / Poland: the 51st state of America [119]


Lets get out the magnifying glass and look at this closer, to see what may be behind some of this, shall we?

I have my own theories...and I'll throw them out here and you tell me what you think.

I'll start with my own personal experience as a single mom, with no child support, raising a child alone, away from any family.

My time is largely occupied with my work as a manager, with helping my child with homework, doing housework (cleaning & laundry), child related activities (play dates with friends, girl scouts, packing lunches, preparing for field trips..that stuff), taking care of my pets, the yard, the car, and I also serve on a board of directors that runs the local daycare. I try to go out an walk an hour each day (if possible) for my health and sanity.

I have very little time for tv of any kind. I don't trust most of the news networks out there. There is a lot of stuff happening in every corner of the world each day. It takes a lot of time and energy to ferret out reliable sources of information to protect against bias. I think there are a lot of Americans who are like me, who just don't have the time to pour over newspapers or websites (or they are exhausted when they get home, so they sit there fried in front of a tv, trying to wind down enough to sleep). I get my news in little quick blips here and there (from web or radio)....mostly late at night before I collapse into bed. I cannot be "up" on every development in the world all the time. I doubt if anyone can, unless you work for the media.

When I do hear/watch/read the news, most of it is so frustrating and depressing because I don't know what I can do about it....? I have always voted, try to be a good citizen, give back to my community, be ecologically sensitive.....I try to do what I CAN.

And I am personally offended by all the generic, thoughtless, vitriolic sh!t hurled at the US on this forum every day. I've just about had enough, do you understand me?

News / Poland: the 51st state of America [119]


I do know better, thank you very much.
I know that the American people by and large and generous and hard working.

I mostly get my news from websites, like the BBC or Spiegel. So stop making assumptions in areas where you don't have a clue.

And you should know better than to tar this country's people with the same brush used for the government.

I guess you are not enough of an independent thinker to make that distinction. Pity.

And there are lots of charities in the US that are not profit based....like the Untied Way and the American Red Cross.

You really don't seem to know what you are talking about, so please sit down and shut up!

News / Poland: the 51st state of America [119]


Interesting....I just said the exact same thing a few days ago in another thread.

Maybe it is because we are used to it (trying to get along).........?

:)


Deal! :)
And if we get another Bush wannabe in office, can I come live over there?

Maybe you could send me an apartment guide....something near a good school? :)

As for Americans only caring about "their own asses"......what a crock of sh!t!

Global Impact was founded over 50 years ago. It raises money for international charities through employee giving campaigns. Since its beginning, Global Impact has raised more than $400 million and has supported over 50 leading international charities – including CARE, Project HOPE, Doctors Without Borders, AmeriCares and World Vision.

And that's just ONE example! Want more?

News / Poland: the 51st state of America [119]


Oh come on! We have sauerbraten and bier over here too! And awesome coffee! And parts are very green, lots of coast line area! You would LOVE it! hehe

*ducks*

Love / Soldier born in Poland / living in England. Fiance going away for ages. Complicated... [205]

Oooooohhhh! I'm so scared of the intellectual giant that is Z_Darius!

*throws arms over head and runs for shelter*

(It was a retort, ya dumbazz! You aren't supposed to reply with an editorial! Run along now and be superior somewhere else.)

Love / Soldier born in Poland / living in England. Fiance going away for ages. Complicated... [205]


Said Mr Grumpy Pants.

Love / Soldier born in Poland / living in England. Fiance going away for ages. Complicated... [205]


Just one more thing...when your guests get over the 40-50 yr mark, some of them may fall asleep after that second glass of wine (or whatever) and will need to be home by 9 or 10, so start the party earlier! (And you can forget New Year's eve entirely) hehe

:)

Love / Soldier born in Poland / living in England. Fiance going away for ages. Complicated... [205]


Well the good news is....as you get older and your friends become more mature (hopefully) you can have parties with less damage! :) Some of them will even help you pick up the dishes after! :)

Love / Soldier born in Poland / living in England. Fiance going away for ages. Complicated... [205]

Hmmmmm...that is where the best conversations take place, isn't it? :)
Or outside on the patio when the "smokies" head out for a puff!

Yeah JustystiaS, I know what you mean about the mess. You have to party-proof your place first (clear surfaces, make lots of room, scotchgard the carpet) but you can reduce the damage by planning ahead. You want your guests to do as little as possible....so give them what they need before they try to help themselves! :)

(And oxiclean in the steam vac is great at removing red wine stains!).

Once a tipsy guest somehow fell onto my answering machine and recorded 30 minutes of the party...it was interesting listening later on! :)

Love / Soldier born in Poland / living in England. Fiance going away for ages. Complicated... [205]

Absolutely.....the more the merrier! :)

I love throwing parties....except I always end up in the kitchen or tending to everyone's drink instead of actually sitting and enjoying it myself. But the little bit of martha stewart living inside me seems to enjoy pulling it off! :)

Love / Soldier born in Poland / living in England. Fiance going away for ages. Complicated... [205]

I also have some kielbasa, hotdogs and I can make an great potato salad!
We also need to gather up some watermelon and homemade ice cream...
Fireworks would be nice too.....

:)

Love / Soldier born in Poland / living in England. Fiance going away for ages. Complicated... [205]


Riff raff, eh?
*grins*

And I thought it was bad enough when Bratwurst Boy called us a "nation of mongrels"!
Some how I think we (Ammies) have gone down another notch! :)


Our....erm ....Independence Day is next week, so the stores here have aisles stocked high with baked beans and everything else for picnics...red white and blue paper plates, tablecloths, etc. Another holiday for me alone..... :( ( I just returned from shipping my youngster off to Grandma's for the summer.) I guess its my turn to be independent! :)