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Posts by Torq  

Joined: 2 Dec 2023 / Male ♂
Last Post: 21 Aug 2024
Threads: 8
Posts: 955
From: Gdansk
Speaks Polish?: yes
Interests: about

Displayed posts: 963 / page 18 of 33
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Torq   
27 Jan 2024
News / Pawel Adamowicz, Gdansk mayor, dies after stabbing [353]

@Iron

Looks like for you it's either "an Orban" or "a doormat". In the real life, however, there are many shades of grey between these two extremes.

As for Orban, he should be careful not to take his game a bit too far - the EU is slowly but surely losing patience with him...

politico.eu/article/eu-threatens-silence-hungary-orban-if-blocks-ukrainian-aid-funds-article-7/
Torq   
27 Jan 2024
News / Pawel Adamowicz, Gdansk mayor, dies after stabbing [353]

You talk a good talk but when it comes to reality, not so much.

The reality is that Poland is divided not into PO and PiS, not into Catholics and atheists, not into rightists and leftists but into positivists and romanticists. What we - positivists - build, the romanticists tend to ruin with their silliness and irresponsibility. Tusk is a positivist par excellence, Kaczyński is by and large a romanticist. Of course, nobody is a 100% postivist or a 100% romanticist, life is not that simple. The reason why you think Tusk is "a traitor" is because you are deep down a romanticist (I'd say, 70% romanticist, 30% positivist judging by your posts on PF). I am glad that Tusk is in charge rather than Kaczyński because I am 80% positivist and only 20% romanticist. Polish maths. :)

whole structure is more harmful than helpful to the Polish economy

What you say applies to the European funds in general. Wealth comes from thrift, hard work and wise investment, not from "free money", especially if a large part of it is a credit. I agree. However, as the KPO is already signed (by the PiS government who was very proud of it), and Poland has to repay the loan anyway, then it makes sense to finally get our money, doesn't it?

Poland needs to take a stand and defend its vital interests whether someone likes it or not

Oh, have we swapped places with Portugal? Are we now bordering the Atlantic Ocean and Spain only? Sorry, I must have missed it.

No? We are still here? Sitting between Germany and Russia on a huge central European plain, perfect for tanks to roll through? Damn it. Well, in that case Poland needs to find a reasonable compromise and cooperate with Germany and the entire EU, and perhaps even (the horror!) sacrifice some of our vital interests to achieve optimal conditions for further development. Do I have to explain it to you? Geez.
Torq   
27 Jan 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

According to Germans

Definitely not all Germans. Their old concept of Mitteleuropa entailed not only Poland but also Croatia, Slovakia, The Baltics and even parts of Ukraine, Romania and Serbia!

Mitteleuropa

Of course our idea of Europa Środkowa is not to be confused with German Mitteleuropa, as it entails Belarus and Ukraine as well, and doesn't necessarily entail Germany, in the old Giedroyć way.

Some people even go as far as to talk about: Western Central Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Central Central Europe (Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary) and Eastern-Central Europe (Belarus, Ukraine, the Baltics, Moldova, parts of Romania). A complicated matter. :)
Torq   
27 Jan 2024
Work / Are Poles workaholics? [128]

Are Poles workaholics?

Well, I am. Guilty as charged.

Oh, well - a man needs to have his faults. Nobody's perfect. :)
Torq   
27 Jan 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

parts of it were later used to decorate Polish historical monuments, eg. Wawel Castle

I didn't know that. Thanks! :)

What is Central Europe?: 2024

Czesław Miłosz used to describe Europe as the land of Gothic and Baroque churches. Central Europe could, I suppose, be described as the land where those churches are still frequented by Christians, like the Archcathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul in Poznań (in the photo), but that would certainly entail a measure of oversimplification. The definition of Central Europe is not an obvious one, especially not to those who stubbornly see countries of Europe as being either eastern or western.

Miłosz's description of Europe was merely saying that the borders of Europe - in cultural sense - are basically the borders of the First Rzeczpospolita, because that's how far the range of Gothic cathedrals and Baroque churches extends. Such perception of Europe has its consequences: Jerzy Giedroyc had no doubts already in 1960s that Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine (back then parts of the Soviet Union) belonged to "our" Europe, not to the "Russian" east. Will this fundamental dispute, a centuries-old controversy, ever be resolved? An interesting question, especially with the background sound of artillery fire coming from not so great a distance.

Or maybe (just maybe), Poland's conflict with Russia is not the eternal war with an alien civilisation, as we tend to see it? Maybe we are stuck in an inherently faulty narration and cannot free ourselves from it, bound by history and blind fate? Maybe Poles and Russians, despite certain differences, are more similar to each other than both would like to admit? *sighs* Too many questions for the modest Pol-Shorpy thread - let's leave them to historians and philosophers, and observe what these "interesting times" will bring us.
Torq   
27 Jan 2024
News / Pawel Adamowicz, Gdansk mayor, dies after stabbing [353]

if they undercut us economically

At the moment they are our largest trade partner and the EU is on the brink of unblocking our KPO and structural funds (a part of it was transferred already).

deep thinking

Hardly. As you said, geopolitical basics.

Some people act as though we were either a superpower who can be at loggerheads with everyone (we aren't) or as if we had Portugal's geographical location (we don't).
Torq   
26 Jan 2024
News / Pawel Adamowicz, Gdansk mayor, dies after stabbing [353]

He just sent some more Polish equipment To Ukraine for free!

Not only weapons but also opened a line of credit for Ukraine to purchase weapons from Polish military industry. It is all in perfect accordance with Poland's eastern policy that is conducted regardless of whether PiS or PO is in power. It's good to see that there is stability at least in this one aspect of external politics.

Germany is in no position to help Poland

Do not underestimate the Germans, Iron. We've learnt enough about them throughout history not to repeat the same mistake again, haven't we? If the sh*t hits the fan, they will be to us what we are to Ukraine - direct strategic background, evacuation route for our families when we fight, and the transport hub for weapons and reinforcements. There's hardly any country more important than Germany for us in the current situation.

he bends backwood for them and lets Poland be F without soap

A colourful metaphor but a rather inaccurate one. I gave you my evaluation of Tusk in #313 and Jon was spot on too in #314. That's all there is to it.

as far as Poland is concerned, the EU is an "us" rather than a "them"

Precisely.
Torq   
26 Jan 2024
News / Pawel Adamowicz, Gdansk mayor, dies after stabbing [353]

Because he doesn't care what is going to happen to Poland (...) and makes all and any decisions to harm Polish interests.

*sighs*

Iron... Tusk may not be our ideal, dreamed-of and cherished Prime Minister but the alternative was PiS with Morawiecki as PM, and PiS since the outbreak of the war in the east was a complete and utter disaster. I'm not going to even mention how Zelensky played with those half-wits and wiped the floor with them ("servants of Ukrainian nation", "victims of Volhyn", "players in the Putin's theatre" etc.). I won't mention that because you don't kick a retard when he's lying on the ground. Basic fair play.

But they did something worse.

They were antagonizing Germany - our biggest import/export partner and the most important country in the EU in terms of political influence. Let this properly sink in, Iron: Russia invades Ukraine and there is a war raging next to our borders; in America Trump is getting ready to come back to power, V4 - and with it the Intermarium - for all intents and purposes ceases to exist (Orban and Fico playing their own games), and meanwhile the idiots are antagonizing Germany. And what for? Well, hopefully it was only to score some brownie points with their most primitive iron electorate, but their intentions might as well have been much more sinister (taking into account their hatred of the EU). Do you remember what Bobko said about a possible future of Polish-Russian alliance? He said: "I suppose we will have to wait for PiS to come back to power for that to happen" (or something along these lines). It never ceases to amaze me how this Russian kid can read Polish politics so well.

Anyways, I'll write it in points, for the less bright readers. Here's the situation:

1. Russia is playing a crazy last chance gambit to restore their superpower status.
2. The United States of America are likely to go into splendid isolation (or at least a form of it)*.
3. Polish volatile Intermarium chessboard pieces (even if only virtual) are falling apart with even the core of it - the V4 - practically ceasing to exist with pro-Russian Fico in Slovakia and Orban (Putin's Trojan Horse) keeping Hungary in his grip, and with it any illusions of Polish independent sphere of influence cease to exist as well.

What does PiS do in this situation? They do everything to antagonize Germany - our ally, neighbour and the most important trade partner. Idiocy is too light a word.

So, the victory of pro-European and pro-German Tusk is the best thing that could happen in the circumstances. Poland will again fall back in line with the EU's core, which will increase our safety and ensure larger extent of aid when the sh*t hits the fan. Tusk is neither a saviour, as Pawian thinks, nor a traitor as you think (although Pawian is a bit closer to the truth in this case). He is simply a mainstream European politician, a technocrat for whom the modernisation, development and safety of Poland is more important than some silly romantic dreams (not to mention open anti-EU antics of PiS).

* - and anyway, even if they don't go into isolation, there are at least two things more important to the USA than Poland - one is Taiwan and the domination in the Pacific, and the second is Germany (the EU), the strongest US ally (whoever thinks that America will endanger their position in the Pacific or risk their alliance with Germany for Poland, because of Kościuszko and Pułaski, freedom, democracy or whatever else, is a retard (a romantic one but still).
Torq   
26 Jan 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Demolition of a symbol: 1925

Golden domes of Orthodox churches and cathedrals, built in the late 19th and early 20th century, rising high above Polish cities were a clear symbol of Russian rule in overwhelmingly Roman-Catholic Poland. They were very often built in the most prestigious central locations. The cathedral of Alexander Nevsky (Александро-Невский собор) in Warsaw was no exception to this rule. It stood right in the middle of Plac Saski - a thorn in the eyes and hearts of the good citizens of Warsaw.

It is therefore rather surprising that it took seven years after Poland regained her independence for the cathedral to finally be demolished. If there is a lesson to be learnt here, it is that when a church (any church) turns itself into a tool in the hands of political power, it very often ends badly for the church in question; and this rule doesn't apply only to Russian Orthodox Church in the 1920s Poland.
Torq   
26 Jan 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Polish diaspora members: forever

Nie zapomnij skąd tutaj przybyłem
Nie zapomnij gdzie się urodziłem
Bo w pamięci jest siła zaklęta
Więc pamiętaj synu mój
O kolorach białym i czerwonym
O symbolach orła i korony
Bo w pamięci jest siła zaklęta
Więc pamiętaj synu mój...




Never really had anything against you, lads. Forgive me this "plastic Poles" bullsh*t. Respect.
Torq   
26 Jan 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Poland: forever

Jest takie miejsce u zbiegu dróg,
Gdzie się spotyka z zachodem wschód...
Nasz pępek świata,
Nasz biedny raj...
Jest takie miejsce,
Taki kraj.

Torq   
25 Jan 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

For the love of Poland: 2005-2024

A post about Polish Forums posted on Polish forums with a photo showing the photo of the very same post? This is some real Inception level stuff right here, guys!

Can a forum without avatars, smileys, signatures or any other multitudinous modern bells and whistles survive in the vast and dangerous spaces of the Internet? Can it attract users who will create quality content? The example of Polish Forums, with its respectable Page Rank of 5 and a group of dedicated users, proves that it definitely can. The board that will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year is the best place on the net for English-speaking cybernauts to discuss all things Polish.

So, whether you're looking for information or simply want to express passionate love (or hatred) for the one-and-only Rzeczpospolita Polska, polishforums.com should become your regular virtual hang out place.
Torq   
25 Jan 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Ein wahrer Freund: 2003

Karl Dedecius (1921-2016)... born in Łódź, conscripted to Wehrmacht, wounded in Stalingrad, a prisoner of war in Soviet Union until 1950, emigrated to Germany in 1952 and started working for an insurance company Allianz in Frankfurt.

And that's when our history gets interesting. This diligent insurance agent had a peculiar hobby; in his free time - when his colleagues from the insurance company drank beer and played skat - he liked to translate Polish literature into German. I said diligent and here's why:

- he translated the works of over 300 (!) Polish writers (poetry and prose) into German;
- he wrote 7-volume Panorama der polnischen Literatur des 20. Jahrhunderts;
- he was the editor of 50-volume Polnische Bibliothek series (1982-2000) - covering Polish literature from the Middle Ages to the present day;
- in 1980 he founded Deutsches Polen-Institut in Darmstadt and was its director until 1999.

Without him, a large part of Polish literature would have remained unknown to readers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

A legend, a friend, a bridge builder.

He deserved his Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (1995) and The Order of the White Eagle (2003) as much as Novichok and Pawian deserve to be banned permanently from Polish Forums. :)

In 2003, the Karl Dedecius Prize was created to recognize Polish translators of German literature and German translators of Polish literature.
Torq   
25 Jan 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Man of the East: 1987

"I am a man of the east" - wrote Jerzy Giedroyc (1906-2000) in 1966 - above in a much later photo - to Juliusz Mieroszewski. Giedroyc, an iconic Polish émigré writer, publicist and political activist, was born in Minsk, into a Polish-Lithuanian noble family, with the title of kniaź (prince). Despite being an exile from Kresy, he was one of the first Polish elite members who called for reconciliation with Ukrainians and Lithuanians, and claimed that the former have full right to Lwów and the latter to Wilno. Of course, back then, for Poles in exile, any call for acquiescence in the loss of these two places, so holy to Polish collective memory, was tantamount to blasphemy, and a lot of ferocious criticism was hurled ruthlessly at Giedroyc. He was umoved. Now, almost a quarter of a century after his death, we can properly judge his wisdom. The Prince of Maisons-Laffitte, as he was nicknamed, realised that the better relations and more influence Poland will have in the East, the more important she will be to the West.

It is also worth reminding, especially to the more hate-oriented audience, that Jerzy Giedroyc was never anti-Russian; indeed he was constantly seeking contact and co-operation with the Russian émigré community, and the Literary Institute - founded by Giedroyc - published many books by Russian authors. The "prince" had written in his autobiography: "I was always fascinated by Russian literature. I read almost as much in Russian as I did in Polish, which means quite a lot". He also wrote: "Our leading objective should be the normalisation of Polish-Russian and Polish-German relationships, while at the same time defending the independence of the Ukraine, Byelorussia and the Baltic states, and working with them in close cooperation".

I can think of very few Polish public figures who would see everything through the lens of Poland's best interests but, at the same time, hold the East in such a great affection as Jerzy Giedroyc. Let us remember, therefore, and repeat again after him: Poland's position in the West is dependent on our significance to the East. We cannot be turned into vassals of either Washington, Brussels or Moscow. Poland must conduct her own independent policies to properly play the role appointed to her by God and history.
Torq   
24 Jan 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Willkommen zuhause: 2024

Christoph Eschenbach, a celebrated German pianist and conductor, was born in Breslau in 1940 and spent the first five years of his life there. When he was 11 years old his adoptive mother took him to a concert of Berliner Philharmoniker where he saw the great Wilhelm Furtwängler conducting the orchestra. That's when he decided that he will become a conductor himself. Now, over 70 years later, he comes back to his city of birth as the newly appointed artistic director of the Wrocław Philharmonic. Herzlich willkommen zuhause, Herr Direktor!
Torq   
21 Jan 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

... and with the above photo of an interesting (in more than one way) man, Pol-Shorpy will be taking a temporary break caused by certain adverse outward circumstances.
Torq   
21 Jan 2024
History / What should Russia and Poland do to become if not friends, then at least not enemies? [943]

There are some good online tests to diagnose narcissism, psychopathy, sociopathy etc.

Kurwa, I almost forgot.

All this talk about mental disorders reminded me of the last session I had with my therapist. We have been working on some issues for quite a while now: personal interactions, empathy, anger management - that kinda f*cking useless sh*t (but my wife insists that I continue *rolls eyes*). To cut the long story short, this useless c*nt of a therapist claims that this board has a bad influence on me and that it effectively ruins her work (doesn't stop her from taking my money though!). So, I suppose I'll be taking a temporary break from PF but I'll definitely be back, b*tches.
Torq   
21 Jan 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

The Money of Kings: 2023

"Gold is money. Everything else is credit", or at least that's what the Governor of Narodowy Bank Polski, professor Adam Glapiński, seems to think. NBP purchased 130 tons of gold in 2023, increasing the Polish central bank's reserves to 358.7 tons (more than Saudi Arabia's, Great Britain's or Spain's). Professor Glapiński seems to have a soft spot for the precious metal, a couple of years earlier - in 2019 - his bank brought 100 tons of Polish gold from England back to Poland.

In the photo we see the governor of Poland's central bank proudly holding a bar of his favourite metal. We may hear about the crafty economist some more in the future as he is preparing to defend his position against the new government... but this should probably be discussed in another thread; Pol-Shorpy is about photos and short descriptions, not about central banks' governors private wars. ;)
Torq   
20 Jan 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Przegląd Wędkarski?

Nope.

These days it's only: Myśl Polska, Gość Niedzielny (edycja gdańska), Niedziela, Do Rzeczy, and Przegląd Prawosławny in subscription.

Plus every second/third issue of Tygodnik Powszechny, Polityka and Przegląd (as you see I read leftist stuff too, to understand what they're on about).

Unfortunately, all those periodicals have to wait until weekends when I binge read them all, because I don't have time for reading on weekdays (that's why I gave up on daily newspapers - reading Monday issues on Saturday was annoying).
Torq   
20 Jan 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Have you been to the Orthodox shrine at Grabarka?

No, but I read several articles about it in "Przegląd prawosławny" of which I am a faithful subscriber - there is something charming and familiar about Orthodox Christianity, and I hope that one day we will be united again.

Grabarka is definitely on my list of places to visit.

I think the place is marvelous. I don't get the criticisms.

AntV, the most Polish of all Americans! Come here, let me virtually hug you. *hugs Anti*
Torq   
20 Jan 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Who paid

It was funded fully from the donations of the faithful.

Bazylika Matki Bożej Bolesnej została wybudowana w latach 1994-2004 wyłącznie z ofiar wiernych i bez wsparcia ze strony państwa.

ampolska.co/art-2593-Obraz-Bolesnej-Krolowej-Polski-Matki-Bozej-Lichenskiej.htm
Torq   
20 Jan 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Meaning 365 windows, 52 doors and 7 altars.

It also has 33 steps leading to the main entrance (like 33 years that Our Lord Jesus Christ lived on Earth), and 12 pillars symbolizing 12 apostles. The organs have 7 thousand pipes (the most in Poland, 4th in Europe, 13th in the world), and Saint Virgin Mary in the main icon is holding Polish White Eagle close to her heart.

Any other questions?
Torq   
20 Jan 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

La basílica de Nuestra Señora de Licheń: 2004

Catholic Disneyland, they said. Catholic Las Vegas, they laughed. Monumental quintessence of aesthetic eclecticism and tackiness, they judged.

F*ck 'em.

No. Scratch that last sentence. May dear God have mercy on them, I meant to say.

Despite evil tongues, The Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń - built from 1994 to 2004 - one of the tallest churches in the world (its main tower measuring 141.5 meters in height), is visited by millions of absolutely delighted pilgrims every year (Lord bless them and their children).

Oh, and YES, arseholes, I happen to love the hussar-wings pews...
Torq   
20 Jan 2024
Study / Various education and school issues in Poland. Opinions, stories, controversies. [940]

where every child is valued

I'm not talking about sexual minorities, Jon.

I am talking about people who don't respect tradition in any of its forms like master-apprentice relations between teachers and students or traditional curricula not dumbed down to suit cell-phone zombies. They think that they can just discard centuries of tradition because they somehow, magically, know everything the best. It's pure idiotism and it will backfire on them big time.
Torq   
20 Jan 2024
History / What should Russia and Poland do to become if not friends, then at least not enemies? [943]

It can also mean from worse to better, but not as much as you would like.

It means "from worse to even more worse"...

Trafić z deszczu pod rynnę oznacza znaleźć się w jeszcze gorszej sytuacji, doznać sytuacji, która pogorszyła czyjeś położenie.

trafić jeszcze gorzej, znaleźć się w gorszej sytuacji niż poprzednio

dyktanda.pl/slownik-zwiazkow-frazeologicznych/rynna-trafic-wpadac-wpasc-z-deszczu-pod-rynne/

pan-doradca.pl/korepetycje-jpolski/trafic-z-deszczu-pod-rynne.asp

... but if you thought it menas "from worse to better, but not as much as you would like" then I agree. :)
Torq   
20 Jan 2024
History / What should Russia and Poland do to become if not friends, then at least not enemies? [943]

from the rain under gutter. And that's what happened with the liberation of Poland by the Red Army.

Z deszczu pod rynnę? That is hardly accurate now, is it?

From being destined to either slave labour or slaughter to being a vassal country in a communist block is hardly z deszczu pod rynnę, Alien. More like "from the slaughterhouse to a boring lecture".

Communist party committee meetings might have been boring, no doubt, but I'll take them over gas chambers any day.
Torq   
20 Jan 2024
History / Pol-Shorpy Photo Thread [950]

Can you stop spreading panic?

Panic? Far from it.

In times like these, Alien, panic is criminal. Panic is out of question.