News / Should rape carry a life sentence in Poland? [146]

Quite right, Seanus. This is a fundamental issue that people miss. In the eyes of the law it SHOULDN'T MATTER if being gay is "right or wrong." The law shouldn't be concerned with right or wrong, only "fair and unfair," "just and unjust." If you think it's a sin for gay people to be gay, that's fine, let God deal with that, but a court should only rule on what is fair and unfair. Rape, is unfair, not only to the victim but to tax payers who must pay for rape kits and investigations, the victim's family, so on and so forth.

In response to the thread's title, I am weary to put a blanket statement over ANYTHING as their are always degrees and shades of gray and special circumstances. I will say that rape is one of the most vile and hurtfully violent things one person can do to another and should carry a maximum sentence longer than 12 years.

Life / 'The Pianist' - the movie. What's your opinion? Polanski [59]

The logic here makes no sense. How can the film be both about a "Polish citizen" and "patriot" AND anti-Polish propoganda? Nobody is argueing that the Polish characters are unnecissary but we're talking about a story arc. I swear, the film that is being proposed here would be an unfocused 8-hour bohemoth with almost zero domestic box office appeal, wouldn't that have made "The Pianist's" american distributer, Universal, happy. I don't even like this film THAT much, but Good Lord, it's like none of you have every seen a movie before. Is the "The Godfather," anti-Japanese because it doesn't show members of the Japanese mafia?

Genealogy / Reply from USC - will they answer in Polish? [11]

I live across the street from the University of Southern California. They have a large Polish Music school, but they probably wont read your letter. Send it to me across the street, I'll read it.

Life / 'The Pianist' - the movie. What's your opinion? Polanski [59]

I think this plays in to some of the guilt that survivors often feel. "Why me? What makes me so good and righteous to have survived when so many better people who helped me died?" It shows the dumb luck and randomness of some Holocaust survivors.

Life / 'The Pianist' - the movie. What's your opinion? Polanski [59]


Perhaps there were no answers. This film was about ONE man's act of survival. Sure there are those who helped him survive and there stories were left untold because to Szpilman they were unknown. People were taken away everyday without anyone being told anything. I think this aspect of the film created a chaotic, uneasy sense, a sense that someone would feel in occupied Poland, I imagine.

I hear what everyone is saying, as far as Polanski "showing more brave Poles," but I'm not sure that is what the movie is about. And I'd be more apt to agree with these points if I felt that Polanski went out of his way to depict despicable Poles, or intentionally omitted Polish bravery, but I don't see it that way.

Upon the same lines, there is an upcoming film called "Defiance" about three Polish Jewish brothers who train Jews to fight the nazi's during World War II, I'm sure some of these complaints will be relevant in that film as well.

Love / Why are Polish, Slavic women so sensitive? [21]

Alright, southern. I might be able to agree to that point. But your question is why? Do you think it is something in the Slavic brain, or blood, or soul? Or is there a social reason? Or is it just so for no reason at all?

I wouldn't say that Slavic women, certainly not Polish women are fragile, however. These are the women or the daughters of the women who saw their country get desimated by the Blitz, watch their men or their sisters go off to die, and were held responsible to rebuild a society when the bombing stopped. Ask a Pole if he would describe their Babcia as "fragile."

I hear what you're saying, though. There is something, say, delicate, and always feminine about some Polish women but even while delicate, it is quite powerful and strong.

Love / Why are Polish, Slavic women so sensitive? [21]


I would say sensual is quite a different matter. Surely, any person, from any walk of life can be sensual, but sensual for some is a private matter for others quite public. Not to put words in southern's mouth but I believe he is speaking about emotions displayed in public. Could be wrong but that's how I understood his question.


I said relatively. I would say, that Germany, while often at war, is most often the actor in those disputes, as opposed to being the one acted upon. That is to say, that the Germans have long been the controllers of their own destiny, like the British and the Americans. That would be fair to say, I think.

Love / Why are Polish, Slavic women so sensitive? [21]

Yes, I would say that Slavs are more maybe not excited, but perhaps passionate or emotional? But I hardly think that this fact is a) restricted to women or b) some sort of ethnic thing.

I'm generalising surely but I've found that Polish women (I can't speak for Slavs as most of my experience is with Poles [for that matter, though, who am I to speak for Polish women?]) are passionate in the way that say, many French or Italian women are.

I think, however, that this is political and social, not something inherent in the blood. Those three countries have uproarious, uncertain, and sometimes violent pasts and that reflects in there people. If British or Japanese or German people (and women) are more reserved or stoic perhaps its because of the relative stable histories of their nations. Just a theory, and it certainly doesn't just apply to the women.

Love / Why are Polish, Slavic women so sensitive? [21]

Maybe they are upset that you are lumping them all together in such a way.

What are you saying to these women? Examples please.

Life / 'The Pianist' - the movie. What's your opinion? Polanski [59]

The movie wasn't about those people. It was about Szpillman and his story alone. Watch "Kanal" or countless others if you want a movie about the "real" heroes. You can't judge a movie because it wasn't about what you want it to be about. Is "Schindler's List" insulting because Schindler was Czech and not Polish?

Life / 'The Pianist' - the movie. What's your opinion? Polanski [59]


Who cares? It's acting! Did you know the man who played Han Solo is not really from outer space?

"The Pianist" is Polanski's greatest later work. Because of his personal life his films went downhill for sometime after "Chinatown," and "The Pianist" was a welcome and long overdue return to form from one of Poland's greatest artists, alleged pedophile or not. I would rant "The Pianist" after "Chinatown," and "Knife in the Water" as Polanski's best.

USA, Canada / Polish American as US Republican vice-presidential candidate? [13]

One would think so.

Look, I'm saying that the strategy WILL work, just that's what the strategy seems to be. However, you're right, it's not giving these voters much credit if the Republicans think they'll come over just because she's a women. But time will tell.

Love / Guys from Poland (in the US) - players and a lairs? [14]

You have yourself a jerk. Sadly, jerks come from all nations. Drop him. You deserve better.

USA, Canada / Polish American as US Republican vice-presidential candidate? [13]

I suppose it doesn't matter, he's picked the Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin. Don't believe she's Polish, however, I don't know anything about her. Pretty smart pick actually (could be) it helps McCain get some of the disgruntled "Hillary Democrats" and Alaska is a huge energy state, something McCain is percieved as being weak on. However, she couldn't be more of an outsider (she lives in Alaska for Christ's sake) and it could blow up in everyone's face. So we'll see.

USA, Canada / Moving out - question to peeps from LA [22]

In most Real Estate offices there are these thick booklets that have listings of most apartments in the city organized by neighborhood. I recently looked at moving ( I stayed in my apartment, though, I should say for full disclosure) but these booklets were invaluable in terms of having all the right information in one place. Plus, they aren't scams. I can't remember the name of the booklet but they pretty much available at most real estate offices. Good luck, it's hell looking for apartments in theis town.

Love / WHITE GUYS POLISH WOMEN [36]


It's true. We also have four fingers on each hand. D'oh! And the Poles here in America a black and white. In fact one told me yesterday that McCain is cutting into Obama's lead. Poles come in many colors.

Love / BLACK GUYS POLISH WOMEN [809]

And America, Gary Busey, has it been destroyed by multi-culturalism? Plus, have you ever asked WHY these people are violent? Or how you would react in similar circumstances?

History / Good Polish History resource (book), any suggestions? [11]

There is a two volume book called "God's Playground: the History of Poland" by Norman Davies. For my money is it the most thorough literature on the subject. It begins in the 900s and, if you get the updated version, goes all the way to the 2000s. Very informative. It's a tad dry, however, and a more colorful yet utltimately more incomplete history is "The Polish Way," by Adam Zamoyski. Also for a contempary history around the Solidarity movement there is "The Poles" by Stevens. All three are excellent.

News / What do Polish friends think of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton? [226]

My TV has never been racist to me if that's what you're asking.

News / What do Polish friends think of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton? [226]


Parents who stopping teaching it to their kids, and people of privalege denying that it doesn't exist anymore. That would be a good start.

Love / Getting Engaged to Polish girl, asking permission from her dad? [19]

The permission, Switezianka, is just to ask. The decision to marry the poor schlub is still yours. It's not, "Hey, Pops, I'm going to marry your daughter. Cool with you?" It's, "I'd like just your permission to ask the question." The girl still decides.

Love / Getting Engaged to Polish girl, asking permission from her dad? [19]

Well, there might be a specific custom in Poland but I would say it is ALWAYS a must to ask the father before you propose. So definately do so. If there is no way to do it in person, I suppose over the phone would be acceptable. Perhaps a hand written letter requesting permission? Definately send flowers to the parents. And good luck.

News / What do Polish friends think of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton? [226]

I'm afraid Rev. Jackson didn't reveal his intentions for Sen. Obama's balls.

News / What do Polish friends think of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton? [226]

He said he'd like to castrate Obama.

"I want to cut his nuts off."
-Reverand Jesse Jackson

News / Bronislaw Geremek died in a car crash today ( 13.07 ) [6]

Solidarity Leader Dead at 76

One of Solidarity's great leaders as far as a peacemaker for the world, Bronislaw Geremek, died a few days ago in a car accident.

nytimes.com/2008/07/14/world/europe/14geremek.html?_r=1&ref=world&oref=slogin

I apologize, I somehow missed that a thread was opened a few days ago on this. Please attach this post to it.

Love / BLACK GUYS POLISH WOMEN [809]

TSJenkins must not keep "his" women very safe. Masks has got one! I keep all mine in a celler in the basement. TSJenkins, where do you keep yours?

Life / WIELORYB AND FEMINISM? [7]

I'm no expert, but from my understanding, feminism is less about being LIKE a man and more about being treated with the same respect AS a man. I've never understood feminism to mean being less of a woman, just treated better.

Life / WIELORYB AND FEMINISM? [7]

I don't understand. Are you critiquing the English word "Feminism" or the Polish word for Feminism? Furthuremore, why are you so sure that Feminism de-emphasises femininity? There's nothing that says a Feminist can't be "traditionally" feminine.

News / Putin for Polish president? [69]

I'm sure it wasn't. You made a good point and I surely respect the job Putin did.

Love / BLACK GUYS POLISH WOMEN [809]

Exactly. If I like Otis Redding, Spike Lee, and chicken wings, does that make me Black? Even a little? See how ridiculous that sounds. It's human nature to put people in groups, it's easier to colonize our minds by thinking that all minorities are the same than actually imagine that each one may be different. Thinking you know something about someone before you've met them is a dangerous business. Best to get to know people before you form your opinions of them. I certainly don't know what "being Black" means but I'm sure it's not as simple as baggy jeans and platinum chains.