PolishForums LIVE  /  Archives [3]    
   
Posts by rybnik  

Joined: 16 Jan 2011 / Male ♂ 		Last Post: 2 Nov 2013
Threads: Total: 18 / In This Archive: 14
Posts: Total: 1444 / In This Archive: 1147 		From: new jersey
Speaks Polish?: yes

Displayed posts: 1161 / page 31 of 39
sort: Latest first   Oldest first   |
rybnik   
13 Jun 2011
Life / How many Jewish people live in Poland? [145]

Here in the States I've met quite a few Polish Jews, most love Poland and are patriotic.

Living in the New York metropolitan area and working in the medical profession I come into contact with many Jews on a daily basis. The overwhelming reaction to Poland and being Polish is non-plussed. 25% share some horror story with me and another 25% have good things to say.
rybnik   
12 Jun 2011
Life / The Polish Way to Ask Questions [41]

It really annoys me because I'm not from Poland and because to them those are the most important questions they wanna know.

those are reasonable questions :)
rybnik   
11 Jun 2011
News / What must be done to improve politics in Poland? [72]

What must be done to improve politics in Poland?

To begin with choose better entrance songs for your respective conventions: PiS chose "We will rock you" by Queen; PO went with "Jump" by Van Halen......Watching the old and tired Kaczynski enter the hall to Queen's anthem just didn't work. :)
rybnik   
9 Jun 2011
Life / What is the reason for POLISH jokes ? [486]

Absolutely! I grew up during that time and it was hard. Lots of bloody noses on both sides.
@ Media: how do you explain the recent relative easing-up on Poles in the media?
rybnik   
9 Jun 2011
News / Polish robots in race for Mars [24]

Nine teams: two from Canada, three from Poland, four from USA

Yep. I saw it on the news yesterday(Polish news of course). It's pretty cool. btw, I luv your passion :)
rybnik   
8 Jun 2011
Travel / Attractions in Wrocław: a Must-See List [117]

Wroclaw is very nice... but i've been there only once, so that's all i know... Panorama Raclawicka is a must!

I'm ashamed to say that despite living in Wroclaw for 6 years I haven't see everything on your list. I'll have to catch up this September when I visit.
rybnik   
8 Jun 2011
History / What was it like in 1989+ in Poland when the Soviet house of cards fell? [237]

One of the most ridiculous things was the "Friendship Bridge" in Frankfurt/Slubice - yet it was apparently very difficult to actually get a visa to visit for shopping, for instance.

I remember late in my tenure(1983 maybe) I, along with a friend, made our way to Luxembourg crossing the Polish-NRD border via Zgorzelec/Gorlitz. I was literally blown away at the freedom-of-movement these border-town people enjoyed. While we were showing our papers to the guards Poles speaking German were walking accross the bridge(at least I think it was a bridge) into East Germany and Germans speaking Polish were entering PRL. It was surreal. Furthermore, there seemed to be a real sympatia between the two groups. It was memorable.
rybnik   
7 Jun 2011
News / Warsaw is the natural capital of Europe, not Brussels [67]

Funny thing, we Warsawers would happily give the capital city back to Cracow to enjoy fresh air, having vast parking spaces and little of traffic but Cracowers don't want to become the capital again. I wonder why.

There's always Gniezno! :)

The exact centre of Europe is just east of Warsaw. A huge rock marks the spot.

Is this true? Where is this rock?
rybnik   
7 Jun 2011
History / What was it like in 1989+ in Poland when the Soviet house of cards fell? [237]

Or, the famous trick as described in the "Beats of Freedom" movie.

Yes I remember my first wife, Polka from Zielona Góra, along with her mom deciphering/de-coding songs, movies, articles etc for me. I remember them getting very excited and acheiving some level of satisfaction afterwards. It was a very powerful experience for this American. This may sound patronizing, maybe even a bit put-on, but I really did feel a sense of privilege to be witnessing this first-hand.
rybnik   
6 Jun 2011
History / What was it like in 1989+ in Poland when the Soviet house of cards fell? [237]

Sorry, rybnik, I did not mean to snap at you

No worries Iron. You're obviously passionate regarding this topic :)

Lets get back to the topic of the thread.

Interestingly, the movement started in Wroclaw.

I Know! (one of the many things I've learned on PF :) Where the f*ck was I??? I was in Wroclaw during the inception! Must've been studying hard(or drinking) ;) I think it was a great idea- so Polish don't you think?
rybnik   
6 Jun 2011
History / What was it like in 1989+ in Poland when the Soviet house of cards fell? [237]

Secondly it is not as those nuns would suddenly become rich and spend that monies on luxury holidays or something - are you jealous or something

I'm not jealous of nuns. As an outsider I know what I don't know. All I'm saying is this whole process has no checks-and-balances(as far as I've read). And that, not the money,per se, is what's troubling for me. If this money is comming from the tax coffers, I, as a taxpayer, would be concerned.
rybnik   
6 Jun 2011
History / What was it like in 1989+ in Poland when the Soviet house of cards fell? [237]

I know quite a lot of Catholics who were appalled by the actions of the Curia in Poznan - many of them vowed never to donate a single thing to the (somewhat frequent) appeals for funds for them after this.

What did they do?
Now I know why Delphi has this opinion. I read about the Warsaw nuns who, back in 2008, received a parcel of land in compensation for $11 million lost just after the war to the commies. It turned out to be prime real-estate which the nuns quickly flipped for $85 million!!!! Furthermore, it turns out this "commision" reports to no-one and its decisions are final- no appeals no nothing. This is a very interesting story.