News / Polish Parliamentary Elections 2023 [933]



Same sex marriage in Ireland required a change to the constitution as did the abortion law. That's why we had the referendums. Unlike Poland, the constitution of Ireland cannot be changed without public referendum.


They're not. You need to do some research on referendums.

News / Polish Parliamentary Elections 2023 [933]


You can't put such vague, general questions to the public in a referendum because the answer forms the basis for changing the law. That's the whole purpose of a referendum, to give the people power and control over policy making. So what actually happens is that there is a national debate first in which a proposed new law is mooted. Wording is decided for the basis of that law or amendment to the existing law (in Ireland nowadays the people decide it through a Citizens' Assembly) and this is put to the public in the referendum to which they answer yes or no, depending on whether they agree with the proposal.

If you ask a general question such as your examples, that would actually give the government more power rather than giving the people more power, because it allows the government to create any new laws and policies in those areas that they desire, claiming they have been given the mandate to do so by the public. That's not good.

Off-Topic / Things People Say in Ireland - Even though Novichok thinks they can't. [66]


Not so. The man who was arrested for calling the police chief a coward and alleging that he was corrupt later took a case challenging the law and lost. A three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of Appeals issued a ruling rejecting the man's claims that the law violated his First Amendment rights and the law remains unchanged.

Anyway we clearly agree that under US law there is such a thing as defamation of character which means that you cannot make a defamatory statement about another person without consequences, regardless of your free speech rights. This is usually the case in developed nations. Why do you think that is?

Off-Topic / Things People Say in Ireland - Even though Novichok thinks they can't. [66]


And what about the other twelve?

Once again, you've shown yourself to be either a liar or a fool. You made three statements, all of which were false.

Please explain how you can go to jail in the USA for calling somebody a coward despite your right to 'free' speech.

Off-Topic / Things People Say in Ireland - Even though Novichok thinks they can't. [66]


"Cases still arise under state criminal libel laws. In 2002, a jury convicted an editor and publisher of a small free monthly paper and website in Kansas of criminal defamation after they printed that a mayor and her husband, a judge, did not live in the county where they hold office. The pair appealed their fine and probation, but were turned down."


In the same year a sixteen year old was arrested and charged after he published on a website that his school principal was the "town drunk" and having an affair with the secretary.


And coming a bit more up to date in 2021 a man was jailed for calling his police chief a "coward" on Facebook.

Tell me more about free speech in the USA.

Off-Topic / Things People Say in Ireland - Even though Novichok thinks they can't. [66]


Actually there are. You don't know your own laws - but that wasn't the purpose of my question. I was trying to have a discussion and as you have a real problem with that, I was using baby steps to help you. All I wanted was what you yourself would call a simple yes or no.

Question : Do you have defamation laws in the USA?
Answer : Yes.

Now, let's move on.

Whether they are civil or criminal, would you agree that there are potential legal consequences for saying something defamatory about another person in the USA?

Off-Topic / Things People Say in Ireland - Even though Novichok thinks they can't. [66]


I think we can agree that 'free speech' means the right to express one's opinions freely both in private and public, in speech or print.

Can we also agree that laws of defamation, slander and libel exist in the USA?

Off-Topic / Things People Say in Ireland - Even though Novichok thinks they can't. [66]

Novi, I don't believe you're Polish because if you were you wouldn't keep referring to 'Europe' as if it were one country. The law in this respect is different in all European countries. In Ireland, which you asked about originally, we have no Holocaust denial law and expressing the opinion that Holocaust figures are exaggerated is not a crime.

Off-Topic / Things People Say in Ireland - Even though Novichok thinks they can't. [66]


Nonsense. If you were interested in having a genuine discussion about anything it would be wiser to choose somebody with a modicum of intelligence but you don't really want a discussion so my brains are not a reason to choose me.


No.


That's closer to the mark.

Off-Topic / Things People Say in Ireland - Even though Novichok thinks they can't. [66]

I don't know why you're asking me. Just because I'm Irish? Btw I dislike the term 'hate speech'. It's an Americanism. Americans always seek to simplify everything and stick labels on it. We don't need new terminology to describe human behaviour that's been around since we stood upright.

Off-Topic / Things People Say in Ireland - Even though Novichok thinks they can't. [66]


I only counted one.

Law / Lost/Stolen Number Plate [17]

You must not drive it without plates. The licensing authority can issue temporary plates which you can use for up to 30 days while you wait for the replacement plates to be issued.

Life / Do colored immigrants in Poland function better than in Western countries? [206]


Well the Russians did demonstrate on national television how easy it would be to wipe us off the face of the earth with a nuke, so that should please you :) I suggest you visit and enjoy a holiday on our beautiful coastline before it's too late ;)

Life / Do colored immigrants in Poland function better than in Western countries? [206]


I think we can agree that religion has always been used as a weapon and instrument of power by certain elements and such people, regardless of denomination, are all as bad as each other when push comes to shove.

Life / Do colored immigrants in Poland function better than in Western countries? [206]


Add to the list holding public office, attending university, teaching, owning land, bringing religious items from Rome into the country, publishing or selling Catholic works. And of course it was forbidden for priests to say Mass or for people to attend mass. People gathered in the open air at what became known as Mass Rocks, a stone, frequently a flat one that could be used as an altar and where it was possible to flee and get the priest to a place of safety in the event of being discovered. Fr. Mac Aidghalle was murdered while saying mass at a mass rock that still stands on Slieve Gullion, in County Armagh. The perpetrators were a company of redcoats (English soldiers) under the command of what known as 'a priest hunter'.

Bear in mind too that the Penal Laws were only the latest in a long line of persecutions of Irish Catholics and Catholic priests dating back to the 1500s.

Here's some nice reading for you:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Catholic_Martyrs


Yes, but diplomacy is not a Polish strength. They're very good at both taking and giving offence. Some of the posts in this thread are a perfect example of that.


Do you mean the partitions? I'd be more upset about being stitched up like a kipper after World War Two.

Life / Do colored immigrants in Poland function better than in Western countries? [206]


You need to read some Irish history. Heard of the Penal Laws?

Life / Do colored immigrants in Poland function better than in Western countries? [206]


That's a rather uncharitable attitude coming from a practising Catholic.


I think that they're a mixed bag all over Europe. Many of them come to Europe specifically to work, some in professional roles, some in unskilled or low level of skills. Those who come to work manage ok wherever they go.

Work / Are there any jobs for Americans in Poland? [46]

Those language classes are really aimed at refugees, asylum seekers etc. There are limited places so she'd be better off going to a local language school and paying for a course in basic Polish to get started.

Work / Are there any jobs for Americans in Poland? [46]


How exactly would the government encourage her?


I'm curious ; what would those be?

Love / Relationship Issues with my polish girlfriend advice needed [76]

Kashub can afford to take an idealistic view of relationships because he's not married. The reality of married life is not always the happily ever after ideal, no matter how hard people try.

Love / Relationship Issues with my polish girlfriend advice needed [76]


That would really be her only option.


It would be better to avoid selling so that your son can continue to spend time in his familiar family home with you. It would be less traumatic for him. I know you want the best for your son but be careful about overstretching yourself financially. Remortgaging means many years of paying off a loan and your girlfriend may well move to another town, or even back to Poland. The home you think you will be providing for your son may not happen but you will have the debt.

I think that sadly you need to accept the fact that it's over but just stay as calm as you can and focus on how to do the best for your son. You need time to adjust so avoid discussing it with your girlfriend for the time being unless she brings it up. Get yourself into the right head space and try to be strong.

Love / Relationship Issues with my polish girlfriend advice needed [76]

Ok, woman's perspective here. I don't think you have a future with her. I have a strong sense that she stays with you at this stage mainly for financial reasons. Polish women are very pragmatic when it comes to relationships. While living with you she has the luxury of being able to work part time only, which enables her to gain a qualification and spend time taking care of her child. When she suggested 'staying together but living apart' did she mention who would pay her rent, bills and expenses? Could she cover all that on her own with a part time job? So she would be happy to have you fund an independent life for her while you get nothing in return - not very nice behaviour. You sound like a very nice, decent person and she's taking advantage of that. I think you need to accept that the romance is over and start talking to her about how to organize the practical side of how both of you can move on. If you don't do that you're going to lose her anyway when she feels she doesn't need you anymore and it will be a lot worse and harder to deal with.

UK, Ireland / Should I worry going to Ireland as a Pole? [32]


There are breeding methods which reduce the number of male calves born. Ireland uses such methods in an effort to keep the number of male calves low. It is sad though :(

UK, Ireland / Should I worry going to Ireland as a Pole? [32]

It's very unusual for the government in Ireland to actually just 'do' something. There always has to be a long rigmarole of 'consultation' with those who might be affected. There is always a huge reluctance on the part of the government to give orders or make anything mandatory because they know the people don't like it. You have to persuade Irish people that something is a good idea/in their best interests and convince them to agree to it. Farmers won't agree to kill their cows.

UK, Ireland / Should I worry going to Ireland as a Pole? [32]


The farmers won't.

Off-Topic / Things We Love [257]

Back to things we love:

Solitude.
Chocolate.
Singing.

@Paulina, I like your list :)) We have quite a lot in common!

Off-Topic / Things People Say in Ireland - Even though Novichok thinks they can't. [66]


Another?? What was the first one? Those guys making fun of Leo Varadkar? They weren't angry, they were mocking him. They were ignorant twats but they weren't aggressive. They were just laughing at him.


That's a myth. If anything, Irish people are very non-confrontational as a rule and will usually let stuff go rather than cause a scene or 'upset' anyone. Conor McGregor is not representative of the majority of Irish people. In Ireland a temper outburst in public would be considered very socially unacceptable.

Off-Topic / Things you can't get used to in your new country [95]


Christmas Eve. That's Polish Christmas dinner time :) whereas ours is on Christmas Day, the 25th.


No, no, no!! It's not the same thing at all. Salted butter has only a delicate hint of saltiness. I don't like unsalted butter at all. I notice that Kerrygold now produce an unsalted version. The weird thing is it's sold in a gold wrapper which is the original packaging so as an Irish person I'd expect it to be salted but in Poland the classic Kerrygold salted is sold in a silver wrapper. I'm so delighted I can get it here!


Huge distances - Poland is quite a large country and some places are not that accessible by public transport. To go from Warsaw to some places means two trains and a bus! So you're talking maybe five or six hours of a journey. Even within Warsaw, it's so sprawling and without an underground (metro has very limited lines) it can take ages to get to places. If I want to go to Ikea, I have to get a tram and a bus for example. Although I lived in the UK which is much bigger than Ireland, I didn't find it as tiring and overwhelming as Poland :)

Back to things I can't get used to:

Being so far from the sea :(
I suppose I never realised how much of an Islander I am until I lived in a country that's largely landlocked. I miss the sea terribly.

Study / Poland-Germany university transfer? [16]

It is possible. You have to decide which university in Germany you want to study at. They will probably want to see what material you covered in your course in Poland and if it is similar to their own course material they will allow you to transfer your credits. But they will want a lot of detail and sometimes the Polish university is not able or willing to supply it. The first step is to contact the German university of your choice.

Off-Topic / Things you can't get used to in your new country [95]

So much flat countryside.
So many straight roads.
The huge distances between places.