Lyzko
8 Jan 2024
News / Poland - A True Bastion and Defender of Free Speech [250]
I fail to grasp the meaning of your idiotic remarks.
I fail to grasp the meaning of your idiotic remarks.
Lyzko
8 Jan 2024
History / Can a nation totally change its characteristics and national character throughout history? [62]
In my opinion, a nation's national characteristics have been shaped by their history. A seemingly obvious
statement, yet one which bears truth if we examine the background of supposed "national character".
Take the much written about German national character. If there is likewise an American, French or Italian
character, to what extent have these characteristics been formed by historical circumstances.
What is today a united, in fact re-united, Germany, was of course long a mere amalgam of nearly independent
dukedoms, dutchies, and heaven knows what else, each subsumed by a local reigning authority. Although
called after Charlemagne aka "Karl der Grosse", The Holy Roman Empire (minus Jacob Burkhardt's famous quip),
it soon fell victim to centuries of plague, warfare along with devastating famine, turning the German people
into a nation stamped by deep cynicism and of course both a fear simultaneously an inbred obedience to authority!
Such is not in fact a facile stereotype, but a reality which fueled and sustained Hitler's stranglehold grip on the Germans
for twelve years.
Indeed, I can easily confirm that certain characteristics associated with the Germans remain very much alive, e.g. a tendency
towards punctuality and a cultivated degree of organization, ensuring that general daily routines run smoothly.
Any characteristic may be deemed overwhelmingly positive or negative as anything in extremis is questionable.
In my opinion, a nation's national characteristics have been shaped by their history. A seemingly obvious
statement, yet one which bears truth if we examine the background of supposed "national character".
Take the much written about German national character. If there is likewise an American, French or Italian
character, to what extent have these characteristics been formed by historical circumstances.
What is today a united, in fact re-united, Germany, was of course long a mere amalgam of nearly independent
dukedoms, dutchies, and heaven knows what else, each subsumed by a local reigning authority. Although
called after Charlemagne aka "Karl der Grosse", The Holy Roman Empire (minus Jacob Burkhardt's famous quip),
it soon fell victim to centuries of plague, warfare along with devastating famine, turning the German people
into a nation stamped by deep cynicism and of course both a fear simultaneously an inbred obedience to authority!
Such is not in fact a facile stereotype, but a reality which fueled and sustained Hitler's stranglehold grip on the Germans
for twelve years.
Indeed, I can easily confirm that certain characteristics associated with the Germans remain very much alive, e.g. a tendency
towards punctuality and a cultivated degree of organization, ensuring that general daily routines run smoothly.
Any characteristic may be deemed overwhelmingly positive or negative as anything in extremis is questionable.
Lyzko
8 Jan 2024
News / Grzegorz Braun extinguishes Hanukkah candles in Polish Parliament [358]
As the absolute last resort if they won't respond to reason.
The only reason one can justify, for example, the firebombing of
Dresden, is because the Nazis refused to listen to reason and therefore
had to be dealt with more harshly.
Certainly not something I'd be proud of.
As the absolute last resort if they won't respond to reason.
The only reason one can justify, for example, the firebombing of
Dresden, is because the Nazis refused to listen to reason and therefore
had to be dealt with more harshly.
Certainly not something I'd be proud of.
Lyzko
8 Jan 2024
News / Poland - A True Bastion and Defender of Free Speech [250]
Apparently, you folks rationalize something "working" by
how few complaints there were about it.
Ever occur to you brain trusts out there that maybe, just maybe,
people were deeply affected psychologically through generations
of systematic, systemic abuse, but the average person was merely
too lame brained to notice anything?
A father typically slaps his son around on a fairly regular basis and
calls the kid names. A caring neighbor who's known the guy gently
suggests that possible he's being too hard on his boy. "Ahh, whatdyya
talkin', the kid's a fighter, he can take it, yer crazy!"
Well, guess what, gang. That kid will doubtless grow up into a verbally
as well as physically abusive adult, potentially a dangerous criminal.
But noooooooby took the time to look...or care.
Apparently, you folks rationalize something "working" by
how few complaints there were about it.
Ever occur to you brain trusts out there that maybe, just maybe,
people were deeply affected psychologically through generations
of systematic, systemic abuse, but the average person was merely
too lame brained to notice anything?
A father typically slaps his son around on a fairly regular basis and
calls the kid names. A caring neighbor who's known the guy gently
suggests that possible he's being too hard on his boy. "Ahh, whatdyya
talkin', the kid's a fighter, he can take it, yer crazy!"
Well, guess what, gang. That kid will doubtless grow up into a verbally
as well as physically abusive adult, potentially a dangerous criminal.
But noooooooby took the time to look...or care.
Lyzko
7 Jan 2024
Lyzko
7 Jan 2024
News / Grzegorz Braun extinguishes Hanukkah candles in Polish Parliament [358]
Naturally, Hamas must be put down.
The difficulty remains that not ALL Palestinians are necessarily
Hamas supporters!!
Just as in WWII. Not ALL Germans were Nazis or even Nazi sympathizers.
It was the Nazis and Hitler who had to be eliminated, not the entire country.
For this reason, the truism still holds:In war, you lose even if you win. Ask
Mother Sullivan who lost all here sons on that sub in pursuit of the enemy.
And there were uncounted others.
You lose idealism, might as well just go rent a cage at the local zoo by
walking on all fours, because you've forfeited your precious humanity.
Naturally, Hamas must be put down.
The difficulty remains that not ALL Palestinians are necessarily
Hamas supporters!!
Just as in WWII. Not ALL Germans were Nazis or even Nazi sympathizers.
It was the Nazis and Hitler who had to be eliminated, not the entire country.
For this reason, the truism still holds:In war, you lose even if you win. Ask
Mother Sullivan who lost all here sons on that sub in pursuit of the enemy.
And there were uncounted others.
You lose idealism, might as well just go rent a cage at the local zoo by
walking on all fours, because you've forfeited your precious humanity.
Lyzko
7 Jan 2024
News / Grzegorz Braun extinguishes Hanukkah candles in Polish Parliament [358]
Neither Israel nor Israelis are perfect, my friend. Netanyahu's finding this out,
much to his chagrin.
Neither Israel nor Israelis are perfect, my friend. Netanyahu's finding this out,
much to his chagrin.
Lyzko
7 Jan 2024
News / Poland - A True Bastion and Defender of Free Speech [250]
Guess what, Rich. I'm not a fan of PC either! As I've said though on many occasions,
political correctness was a much needed reaction against the generational cruel labeling
of others whom those in authority felt were unworthy of dignity or respect, from school
to Church to the work world.
In the "old days", grade school teachers could smack and repeatedly abuse children
verbally. This is but one example. Surely, nobody wants to return to such times and this
I say as a parent.
Guess what, Rich. I'm not a fan of PC either! As I've said though on many occasions,
political correctness was a much needed reaction against the generational cruel labeling
of others whom those in authority felt were unworthy of dignity or respect, from school
to Church to the work world.
In the "old days", grade school teachers could smack and repeatedly abuse children
verbally. This is but one example. Surely, nobody wants to return to such times and this
I say as a parent.
Lyzko
7 Jan 2024
News / Poland - A True Bastion and Defender of Free Speech [250]
Why so threatened by them, Rich? Unless there's something about you we don't know:-)
Why so threatened by them, Rich? Unless there's something about you we don't know:-)
Lyzko
7 Jan 2024
News / Poland - A True Bastion and Defender of Free Speech [250]
True freedom means allowing for unpopular speech, even if hurtful.
However, what former Harvard Pres. Dr. Gay pitifully, indeed shamefully,
overlooked, was that there's a world of difference between criticizing any
group as opposed to calling for their destruction!
True freedom means allowing for unpopular speech, even if hurtful.
However, what former Harvard Pres. Dr. Gay pitifully, indeed shamefully,
overlooked, was that there's a world of difference between criticizing any
group as opposed to calling for their destruction!
Lyzko
7 Jan 2024
News / Grzegorz Braun extinguishes Hanukkah candles in Polish Parliament [358]
@Rich, deportation merely gets rid of the symptom, i.e. Jews were rarely if ever
made to feel at home in Poland, try as many did to assimilate as well as acculturate.
Deportation doesn't get rid of the problem, does it. The problem dates back to the
destruction of the First Temple, scattering them to all corners of the globe.
Would it have hurt gentiles to at least acknowledge or welcome their Jewish neighbors
into the fold, particularly with all the talk about "Christian charity"??
I was taught, especially at Passover time, to make room at the table for those less fortunate.
In that touching article of several years ago, "A cup for Elijah", the author writes of how he
purposely invited the least popular tenant in this apt. bldg. to participate in his family seder.
Rather than exclude, he decided to include and everyone found out that the fella wasn't
that bad at all. In fact, all he needed was a little nudge now and then to take part in life.
How sad that members of all faiths, including the Jewish, don't take this parable to heart.
@Rich, deportation merely gets rid of the symptom, i.e. Jews were rarely if ever
made to feel at home in Poland, try as many did to assimilate as well as acculturate.
Deportation doesn't get rid of the problem, does it. The problem dates back to the
destruction of the First Temple, scattering them to all corners of the globe.
Would it have hurt gentiles to at least acknowledge or welcome their Jewish neighbors
into the fold, particularly with all the talk about "Christian charity"??
I was taught, especially at Passover time, to make room at the table for those less fortunate.
In that touching article of several years ago, "A cup for Elijah", the author writes of how he
purposely invited the least popular tenant in this apt. bldg. to participate in his family seder.
Rather than exclude, he decided to include and everyone found out that the fella wasn't
that bad at all. In fact, all he needed was a little nudge now and then to take part in life.
How sad that members of all faiths, including the Jewish, don't take this parable to heart.
Lyzko
7 Jan 2024
Love / Just started dating Polish guy - what is typical of a man from Poland? Cultural differences. [78]
It all depends on the fairy tale, Alien!
It all depends on the fairy tale, Alien!
Lyzko
6 Jan 2024
News / Poland - A True Bastion and Defender of Free Speech [250]
....ahemm, I'm not wrong about the fact that WWI - Desert Storm were all fought on foreign, rather than US, soil.
I omitted that.
....ahemm, I'm not wrong about the fact that WWI - Desert Storm were all fought on foreign, rather than US, soil.
I omitted that.
Lyzko
6 Jan 2024
News / Poland - A True Bastion and Defender of Free Speech [250]
@Rich, the history of Europe evinces far more examples of
challenges to free speech compared with that of the US.
Until 9/11, we'd here remained relatively isolated from war and the
famine of the early years of the Depression is but a distant memory, in contrast
with much of Europe. Therefore, it was easy for Americans to talk in
a facile way about freedom of speech.
On the other hand, Germany endured twelve gruesome years under
the Nazis, and so even nowadays jokes about that period continue to
rub salt in an already festering wound.
@Rich, the history of Europe evinces far more examples of
challenges to free speech compared with that of the US.
Until 9/11, we'd here remained relatively isolated from war and the
famine of the early years of the Depression is but a distant memory, in contrast
with much of Europe. Therefore, it was easy for Americans to talk in
a facile way about freedom of speech.
On the other hand, Germany endured twelve gruesome years under
the Nazis, and so even nowadays jokes about that period continue to
rub salt in an already festering wound.
Lyzko
6 Jan 2024
Lyzko
6 Jan 2024
News / Grzegorz Braun extinguishes Hanukkah candles in Polish Parliament [358]
@Poloniusz, you're putting words in my mouth....again.
@Rich, assimilated and thoroughly acculturated Jews refer to themselves as Poles of the Jewish faith.
Observant or pious Jews who happen to have been born in Poland will typically
refer to themselves as Jews who were born in Poland, but not as Poles!
Got it?
@Poloniusz, you're putting words in my mouth....again.
@Rich, assimilated and thoroughly acculturated Jews refer to themselves as Poles of the Jewish faith.
Observant or pious Jews who happen to have been born in Poland will typically
refer to themselves as Jews who were born in Poland, but not as Poles!
Got it?
Lyzko
5 Jan 2024
News / Grzegorz Braun extinguishes Hanukkah candles in Polish Parliament [358]
The obvious point which seems to have eluded you
is that whoever was born in Poland and is a Polish citizen
is thereby a Pole, ethnic origins notwithstanding.
I think Poland has finally arrived at the enlightened point
where someone born in that country and whose name is
Shmuel Szymon Szmulowicz can still call themselves a Pole.
It's tough though I will admit for such a homogeneous nation
to eventually accept someone of a different historic origin as
"one of their own". In future though, they'll have to or risk
life passing them by.
Is all that honestly worth running out of the house, pitchforks
ablaze, ready, willing, and able to chase those who are "different"
out of Poland, the land of their birth and education??
There's an old saying in the US; if it looks like a duck and quacks
like a duck, guess what, it's a duck! LOL
The obvious point which seems to have eluded you
is that whoever was born in Poland and is a Polish citizen
is thereby a Pole, ethnic origins notwithstanding.
I think Poland has finally arrived at the enlightened point
where someone born in that country and whose name is
Shmuel Szymon Szmulowicz can still call themselves a Pole.
It's tough though I will admit for such a homogeneous nation
to eventually accept someone of a different historic origin as
"one of their own". In future though, they'll have to or risk
life passing them by.
Is all that honestly worth running out of the house, pitchforks
ablaze, ready, willing, and able to chase those who are "different"
out of Poland, the land of their birth and education??
There's an old saying in the US; if it looks like a duck and quacks
like a duck, guess what, it's a duck! LOL
Lyzko
5 Jan 2024
News / Poland - A True Bastion and Defender of Free Speech [250]
In Germany, it's been illegal to belittle either the Holocaust or Hitler either in public
or even within earshot at work for at least fifty years, maybe longer! Even an innocent
tourist has just bought themselves a pretty fine, depending upon the deemed severity
of the remark, a wee bit of jail time.
I say, that's no more than right, considering their history.
On the surface at any rate, the US does in fact allow people to
say what they wish in public. Yet, with all this flap regarding free speech
at various American universities, I'm not so sure any more.
At least, if somebody blurts out on the street in broad daylight something positive about
the Nazis, presumably all they'd receive would be a dozen or so mega-dirty looks and
some choice invectives from passers by.
In Germany, it's been illegal to belittle either the Holocaust or Hitler either in public
or even within earshot at work for at least fifty years, maybe longer! Even an innocent
tourist has just bought themselves a pretty fine, depending upon the deemed severity
of the remark, a wee bit of jail time.
I say, that's no more than right, considering their history.
On the surface at any rate, the US does in fact allow people to
say what they wish in public. Yet, with all this flap regarding free speech
at various American universities, I'm not so sure any more.
At least, if somebody blurts out on the street in broad daylight something positive about
the Nazis, presumably all they'd receive would be a dozen or so mega-dirty looks and
some choice invectives from passers by.
Lyzko
5 Jan 2024
News / Grzegorz Braun extinguishes Hanukkah candles in Polish Parliament [358]
His predecessor, whoever he or she was, WAS born in Poland!
His predecessor, whoever he or she was, WAS born in Poland!
Lyzko
4 Jan 2024
History / Poles should apologise to Ukrainians first [337]
Ruthenians were also known, at least in Lwow, as Huzulen", I believe.
Ruthenians were also known, at least in Lwow, as Huzulen", I believe.
Lyzko
4 Jan 2024
USA, Canada / Rodeo Ben the "Polish Cowboy" [50]
America too had her one Jewish film cowboy, silent star "Bronco Billy" Anderson (nee "Aronson"), the first cowboy star ever before Wm S. Hart,
my hand to G-d! He was immensely popular as well.
America too had her one Jewish film cowboy, silent star "Bronco Billy" Anderson (nee "Aronson"), the first cowboy star ever before Wm S. Hart,
my hand to G-d! He was immensely popular as well.
Lyzko
4 Jan 2024
Off-Topic / Best posters [875]
B.B., I think you meant "brilliant"! "Genial" is one of numerous
such false friends in English, and means "calm", "mild-mannered"
or "easy going"!
:-)
B.B., I think you meant "brilliant"! "Genial" is one of numerous
such false friends in English, and means "calm", "mild-mannered"
or "easy going"!
:-)
Lyzko
4 Jan 2024
News / Grzegorz Braun extinguishes Hanukkah candles in Polish Parliament [358]
I'm no more "obsessed" than you are, I simply don't make a point of it,
merely to respond to others' posts.
I never said anyone was born in Israel, Ironside. What are you asking?
I'm no more "obsessed" than you are, I simply don't make a point of it,
merely to respond to others' posts.
I never said anyone was born in Israel, Ironside. What are you asking?
Lyzko
3 Jan 2024
News / Grzegorz Braun extinguishes Hanukkah candles in Polish Parliament [358]
A number of Polish Jews such as Tuwim, Rozewicz, half-Jews such as Jan Brzechwa as well as the opera singer Jan Kiepura among others,
were definitely acculturated as well as assimilated!
A number of Polish Jews such as Tuwim, Rozewicz, half-Jews such as Jan Brzechwa as well as the opera singer Jan Kiepura among others,
were definitely acculturated as well as assimilated!
Lyzko
2 Jan 2024
News / Grzegorz Braun extinguishes Hanukkah candles in Polish Parliament [358]
I must beg to differ here.
I must beg to differ here.
Lyzko
2 Jan 2024
News / Grzegorz Braun extinguishes Hanukkah candles in Polish Parliament [358]
Poland, I'd imagine. I know of certain younger German-born Jews, one in fact from Hannover,
who confessed he screamed with pride at his office when Germany won the World Cup some years
back.
Assimilated is assimilated, whether it's French-Jewish, German-Jewish or Polish-Jewish.
Poland, I'd imagine. I know of certain younger German-born Jews, one in fact from Hannover,
who confessed he screamed with pride at his office when Germany won the World Cup some years
back.
Assimilated is assimilated, whether it's French-Jewish, German-Jewish or Polish-Jewish.
Lyzko
2 Jan 2024
Work / Find a job in Poznan-best website [7]
Sounds like you already have in impressive cachet of languages there, MovePolka!
Think you might add Polish to your already impressive collection?
:-)
Sounds like you already have in impressive cachet of languages there, MovePolka!
Think you might add Polish to your already impressive collection?
:-)
Lyzko
2 Jan 2024
News / Grzegorz Braun extinguishes Hanukkah candles in Polish Parliament [358]
@Rich,
Despite the fact that it seems to bother you,
anyone born in Poland, even if of foreign-born parents,
is technically considered of Polish birth, even if
the national ethnicity of the parents is not Polish!
Jews had been living in Poland for centuries, not
necessarily only in Yiddish-speaking shtetls, and many
assimilated into Polish culture as well as language
even before they were declared citizens in the 19th
century.
@Rich,
Despite the fact that it seems to bother you,
anyone born in Poland, even if of foreign-born parents,
is technically considered of Polish birth, even if
the national ethnicity of the parents is not Polish!
Jews had been living in Poland for centuries, not
necessarily only in Yiddish-speaking shtetls, and many
assimilated into Polish culture as well as language
even before they were declared citizens in the 19th
century.
Lyzko
31 Dec 2023
News / Grzegorz Braun extinguishes Hanukkah candles in Polish Parliament [358]
If you are born in Poland, you are Polish by birth,period.
If you are born in Poland, you are Polish by birth,period.
Lyzko
30 Dec 2023