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Posts by Gregrog  

Joined: 2 Feb 2009 / Male ♂
Last Post: 24 Feb 2013
Threads: Total: 4 / In This Archive: 4
Posts: Total: 97 / In This Archive: 69
From: Poland/Kraków/Leżajsk
Speaks Polish?: yes

Displayed posts: 73 / page 2 of 3
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Gregrog   
30 May 2011
Travel / Most beautiful small towns / villages of Poland [49]

hmm, I see I have to advertise my home town;)

Leżajsk: lezajsk_pliki/6619.jpg -Square

The fabulous woodcarving decoration of the organ is the work of the Bernardine fathers.

Bernardine Monastery
Gregrog   
30 May 2011
News / Juwenalia - holidays for students in Poland (updated) [20]

I forgot;)
So, what happened? Nothing special - fun, music, fun, drinking for all the time;)

Juwenalia in Kraków happened between 17.05 and 22.05.

I had grill at Tuesday, concert of Czaqu, Lao Che, Coma, Myslovitz at Thursday. On Friday I went to Museum of Polish Aviation as it was "Night of museums"*, Saturday - break, and at Sunday P.I.W.O**. Of course drinking for all the time;)

Also for all the time people had grill party between academics. Party from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. each day:)

*"Night of museums - museums gave free entry during night.
** P.I.W.O. -



MS AGH
Gregrog   
16 May 2011
History / Russians 'tortured to death' in Polish camps? [58]

But I also would fight for the right of the dead red armist to have a dignified place of rest in german soil. Most of them had been hapless boys far away from home too..

Indeed. Grave. But not monument to prise them.
Gregrog   
16 May 2011
History / Russians 'tortured to death' in Polish camps? [58]

So? I don't care who they were, what they did. They were aggressors and the only thing to do is to bury them and put cross, descent or David's star or something like that. I won't prise enemy. I won't prise and I won't give a **** about bodies left 10ft under the ground when it comes to relations with their ancestors - until the ancestors will offend me at this case.
Gregrog   
16 May 2011
History / Russians 'tortured to death' in Polish camps? [58]

And that the vast majority of all armies pitched against each other by politics was made of young, hapless boys put to rot far away from home...not of demonized mass murderers only out to kill babies.

Problem is that it is this young boy to choose if to rape or not. When he choose to rape he is rapist, not less, not more. Politics has nothing to do. He's guilty as this was his choice. Are he human or not? Does he got conscience, morality? If not it is just another argument against him.
Gregrog   
16 May 2011
History / Russians 'tortured to death' in Polish camps? [58]

Pavelic - so we have different values. We do not praise enemies, especially murders and rapist. We prise our soldiers, our heroes and those of the enemies who fought with honour and respect. Killing and raping civilians is not honourable. Soldiers aren't murder when he kill enemy's soldiers. Then he is a SOLDIER doing his job and his duty. But when he start to behave like animal, kill civilians, POW's, rape woman, then yes, he is a murder who should be put in front of firing squad.
Gregrog   
12 May 2011
History / Why did Russia attack Poland in WW2? [178]

Germans lost many tanks during attack of 2 panzer division at very beginning of the siege of Warsaw. They wanted to take city by surprise but the were easily repelled. Same happened during Wilno defence from Soviet units. Tanks - doesn't matter what kind cannot be used in the city without heavy looses. The best weapon in that kind of fight is not AT gun, but simple bottle with gasoline. When it comes to trenches - they were vital part of defence system. When German tanks comes to Warsaw they weren't attacking by narrow streets but along main communication lines. It there won't be trenches they could easily went through the city. For tank it is impossible to force well prep prepared trench.

and yes - forests were our fortress:) Also our road were against Germans. Sadly this September had very beautiful weather... against us:(
Gregrog   
6 May 2011
Life / The REAL Warsaw :-) Video clip. [43]

Once I met Varsovians when I had holiday at Solina Lake(Podkarpacie). Sun, clear water, mountains, silence... and 4 Varsovians talking how rich and powerful they are. Also one of them was making photos using digital camera as huge as my will to kick them in their asses:) Luckily it was just 30 minutes meeting in bar.
Gregrog   
2 May 2011
History / Poland Lithuania - current relations [124]

I hate dumb tourists from Poland. If you are dumb, why travel? Stay at home and learn your fifth language. Lithuanians seem to have more patience than I do.

Really? Fifth language? My friends, who many times went to Ukraine to buy fuel, cigarettes and other cheaper stuff had to know one thing to connect with Ukrainians - "tradycju znajuł? 20 hrywien" - "know the tradition? 20 hrywna" which they had to pay to every policeman they met. I wonder what will happen during Euro 2012 when half of Europe will go there - do they will have to know Ukrainian?

Oh Nathan - you will be so pissed off :)

Tell me please why when somebody know 4 languages, the 5th had to Ukrainian? Is this obligatory?

He is happy with the current borders of Poland

You see, I'm also glad of current borders, but when I hear that in other countries Poles are treat like that I can't sit and feel that everything is fine. When somebody will call me to attack other country to reclaim land that was lost 70 years ago I will call him a foul, and If he would force that I would opposite him hard.

You are referring to one guy, one opinion - as many Poles as many opinions:) He only forgot that there live Poles too.

Also, Mickiewicz was born in what is now Belarus and also strongly identified with Lithuania where he spent a very long time.

Problem is that Poles sees history differently to Lithuania's. For Poles Commonwealth was a great success, for them it was destruction of Lithuania. It's too big differences.

Comment about nationalism is a bullshit:)
Coming to Mickiewicz - tell me please why Belarusians would like to call him someone important to them? Had he done something important to this country? Same to Lithuania. Is this one line of text enough? "Litwo, ojczyzno moja" - same as

"Podkarpacie, ojczyzno moja"
"Pszczyna, wiosko moja"
It is reference to region, land, which used to be part of commonwealth. He was a Pole, wrote in Polish so what he has common with present day Lithuania? Sorry, no way:)
Gregrog   
30 Apr 2011
History / The Piast dynasty did most for Poland [24]

Crown was smaller then Lithuania. I don't know exact numbers of land so just example:
33,000 soldiers defending 100,000 km square in the Crown gives 33 soldiers /100 km square.
After union we have for example additional 150,000 km sqr which gives 250,000 km sqr.
So right now we have 40 soldiers / 250 km square = 16 soldiers / 100 km sqr.
Force dispersal.

Lithuanians should have sided with the Teutons. Would Poland be defeated then?

Lithuania was under threat of Teutons which resulted union. Despite that - Crown was Catholic, Lithuania not. Teutons were crusaders carrying Christianity(in theory, everybody know the real goals:) ).
Gregrog   
30 Apr 2011
History / The Piast dynasty did most for Poland [24]

You tried to say that it was improvement of military power of Crown - I correct you that it was not because of reasons you wrote:)
Gregrog   
30 Apr 2011
History / The Piast dynasty did most for Poland [24]

Even if 7,000 out of 40,000 - it is a significant force

When we consider that this 33,000 was in the Crown, and 7,000 in Lithuania and after union there was 40,000 for both countries we have weakening of Crown - Lithuania was far bigger then Crown so some of this 33,000 had to protect Lithuanian borders.
Gregrog   
29 Apr 2011
History / Poland Lithuania - current relations [124]

Jurgis - here you have long article about relations between our countries - history background, constitution base, denationalisation, administration, education, citizenship and relations of both countries. Sadly it is in Polish, so you have to use google translator or something similar.

Obeying laws of polish minority in Republic of Lithuania
stosunki-miedzynarodowe.pl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=903%3Aprzestrzeganie-praw-polskiej-grupy-etnicznej-w-republice-litewskiej&catid=84%3Apolityka-zagraniczna&Itemid=114
Gregrog   
26 Apr 2011
History / Poland Lithuania - current relations [124]

The second interesting thing is the recent president shift in Poland.

During last visit of Lech Kaczyński in Vilnius Lithuanian parliament voted against the law that allow Poles to write their names in Polish. So there is not difference between then and now. Only general politics changed - Kaczyński's policy of strong Central Europe vs Tusk's policy of good relationship with Germany and Russia. Loss for Lithuania.

There are many problems between our countries:
- writing of Polish names(which was regulated by both-side agreement soon after regaining independence from SU)
- Możejki oil refinery(pipeline shut down by Russians and forbidden transport of oil via railway by Lithuanian government)
- receiving back properties lost by Poles in Lithuania during WW2
- the newest problem of education reform which hardly threaten Polish schools
- antiPolonism within government, parliament and society of Lithuania
- Lithuania doesn't fulfilled minority law for Poles which are guaranteed by EU laws.
To sum in up - relations between Poland and Lithuania is one of the worst in whole Europe. Which is funny and sad at the same time. We are both in NATO and EU.

When I read forums, comments under articles related to PL and Lithuania there are always Lithuanians who are moaning that their country is smaller, that we pressure them in their internal issues or that we are treat for them.

These picture I get from Polish and English sources.

I want to warn you - most people who will write here won't be Poles. This is forum of foreigners writing about Poland. Poles are minority here ;)
Gregrog   
20 Apr 2011
News / The best Poland ever? [125]

Hey man, stay on one side of an argument would you? ;)

Maybe I haven't been understood. Polish Golden Age was in XVI century. In this age Poland(Commonwealth of Both Nations to be exact) was in far better situation (in relation to XVI) then today in relation to present times.

So my words - It is not the best Poland ever. This is the best Poland from 1939 till now.
Gregrog   
20 Apr 2011
News / The best Poland ever? [125]

Mortality rates, health services, No pensions, distribution of wealth, no internet...oh my Goud! no Polish Forums ;)

You can't compare XVI century Poland to XXI. You can compare XVI Poland, France etc. Comparison of XVI is far more better for Poland then the XXI one. There's even no need to explain why:)

According to Sikorski's words. Yes, during his life he haven't seen better Poland:)
Gregrog   
20 Apr 2011
News / The best Poland ever? [125]

No, Poland had it's Golden Age and what's we have now is not even comperable to XVI century.
Gregrog   
3 Apr 2011
Life / Polish patriotism, what does it mean to you? [46]

Perhaps only 10-12% of Poland's population at a given time were registered blue-bloods

Only is wrog word here. Compering to other countries in PL was far more nobles.
Gregrog   
17 Mar 2011
Language / Polish nationality insults in Polish? [67]

When I say "Sajgon" I'm talking about total mess, chaos , out of any kind of control. I think it comes from Vietnam war and it's "chaos".
Gregrog   
17 Feb 2011
Life / How is Sienkiewicz's Trilogy perceived in today's Poland? [12]

Is the Trilogy required reading in Polish public schools?

Yes it is. In primary school "With fire and sword", High School - "Deluge". The last part isn't required("Mr Wolodyjowski?").

It seems fairly obvious that Sienkiewicz used Homer's Iliad as a model for the Trilogy, are the two epics ever taught in conjunction in Polish schools?

To be honest I don't see much connection to Homers Iliad. Of course Iliad and Odysey is taught in Polish school, but not as a whole, but as parts.

How is Sienkiewicz's satire of the Szlachta's Sarmatian pretensions by having Pan Zagloba claim descent from the Massagetai seen in todays Poland (if it's noticed at all)?

Trilogy tells about Szlachta/nobility so we have many different people there. Zagłoba is one of them, and he is the most "brightest" one. In my opinion Zagłoba is one of the funniest part ot this book. He was drunk "warchoł" and coward, but he was also great patriot, he has never betrayed Poland and friends.

How are Sienkiewicz's depictions of Ruthenian women as witches that love to flash their white teeth seen in today's Poland?

Not existance? I don't even remember what you are talking about.

Is the legend Sienkiewicz relates about vampires appearing as toddlers with green glowing eyes by the side of lonely roads from actual Polish folklore or is it Sienkiewicz's own invention?

I ahve no idea what you are talking about. I need to see it in Trylogia...

What do Poles today make of Sienkiewicz's blaming Armenian merchants for the surrender of the city in the last book?

Nothing. It's just part of plot not related to present day. Armenians wasn't Poles, so it's hard to consider as treason.

Is Pan Wolodyjowski seen as a role model for the Poles of today as Achilles had been for the Hellenic Greeks?

In present day Poland Trygoly doesn't affect so much as it used to affect 100 years ago. It's just a book. It was much more important during partitions. When Sienkiewicz finished Trylogy, and when Wołodyjowski died, some lady pay for mass for his soul.

I will say that the thing that was noticeable was his use of long Polish names in most of his characters. That must have been intentional.

This long Polish names was normal in described times. For example, imć Skrzetuski was real man, who escaped from Zbaraż and informed King about situation. Sienkiewicz gave Skrzetuski other name than it was in reality because he had wrong sources. However that is the fact. Most of characters in Trylogy was real humans, mostly aristocrats. Only the most important characters are invented by Sienkiewicz.

It is in the part of the first book where the heroes have gone to rescue Pan Michael's fiancée from the hideout Bohun had placed her in and they talk about these bizarre infantile vampires as well as monsters that are human heads with spider's legs.

So you are talking about this. Hmm it was beetwen Rzędzian, Zagłoba and Wołodyjowski?
Maybe it was in times of Sienkiewicz, or maybe he had some sources about how it was seen in times of Trylogy, but now there's no such a folklore... or I have never heard about it.
Gregrog   
25 Jan 2011
History / Poland obliged to make war reparations to Austria and Germany after WWI. Why? [119]

Problem is there hadn't been devastations in Poland. The devastations had been in Prussia, Russia and Austria.

This damages didn't disappeared by miracle. After the war and regaining independence, Poland had to deal with it and it was our problem, as our houses were burned.

This destruction was aimed at Poles as citizens of Prussia, Russia and Germany.
Gregrog   
16 Oct 2010
History / Star shaped symbol on Polish Eagle? [22]

Oficjalny wizerunek godła przypominał orła Stanisława Poniatowskiego i był używany do 1927, kiedy powstała nowa wersja wg projektu Zygmunta Kamińskiego. Odrzucono tradycyjną formę, zastępując ją nową (niżej- Tradycja heraldyczna), m.in. usunięto krzyż z korony, dodano dwie pięcioramienne gwiazdki

"The official image of the eagle emblem reminiscent of Stanislaw Poniatowski, and was used until 1927, when the new version was designed by Zygmunt Kaminski. Rejected the traditional form, replacing it with a new (lower-heraldic tradition), among others cross with the crown removed, added two five-pointed stars"

translated via google

But here's nothing about meaning of this stars.

pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/God%C5%82o_Rzeczypospolitej_Polskiej