History / Tuchola in Poland - roots of Katyn? [220]


Not really, he was simply more treacherous, unscrupulous and devious than the others. Those who had Russia's genuine interest at heart or wanted to implement communism with a human face were liquidated. That is hardly genius, although it does require an undeniably low morality or an high amorality.

History / Tuchola in Poland - roots of Katyn? [220]


What I meant to post was: Yes, but old habits die hard, go to look at what i write more often?

See this is what i had in mind:


You see nobody in their right mind could possibly say that, and the millions of lives lost is just the one of the many reasons.

The Russian revolution and Stalinism is humanity's answer to Some mothers eating their young in nature.

BTW: you are not trying to win the longest thread competition by any chance are you Costi?

History / Tuchola in Poland - roots of Katyn? [220]

Yes, but all habits die. And by your own admission you are a great fan of the soviet past.

Genealogy / Polish looks? [1410]

You could be anything, there is just know way of telling, since physical characteristics are fluid and not necessarily confined to one side of the border. However your slightly gingerish beard would indicate some Celtic characteristics.

Travel / Visiting Poland - A bit worried about social attitudes and racist inclinations.. [80]

My main point was addressed to Casey, who was making distinctions between societies and placing higher expectations on some without expecting the same from others.

Travel / Visiting Poland - A bit worried about social attitudes and racist inclinations.. [80]


I am making the point that no one country or nation has a monopoly on racism, it exists in every society and culture, it might manifest itself more in some cultures than others but it exists everywhere.

In some ways this is a part of human nature, a fear of the other and an inclination to stick to the familiar, in many respects it comes down to human judgement and how we judge others. In some respects judgement is inseparable from human nature, though there are different types of judgment.

Some people would be very willing to believe certain stereotypes, which some times might be reinforced by personal experience and observation, and consequently have a certain view of people, but this does not necessarily follow that that they will judge an individual based on their perception of the group.

A good example of this might be, let say the former president of the US Nixon. Outwardly he was in favor of equality, however as revealed in his recent tapes by the Nixon Library, he held what might be considered as very racist views by today's standards.

Travel / Visiting Poland - A bit worried about social attitudes and racist inclinations.. [80]


What ***** me off, is that when people use the word racism or talk about racism they almost inevitably talk or mean white racism. But the facts of the world are, that some of the worst forms of racism in the world today are not even in "white" societies.

Travel / Visiting Poland - A bit worried about social attitudes and racist inclinations.. [80]

That is a really interesting read, I love the way he explains his thought process, I hope he keeps this up.

Travel / Visiting Poland - A bit worried about social attitudes and racist inclinations.. [80]


It seems as though you have different expectations of 'western societies' and others, which strictly speaking could be considered a racist attitude in itself, as all people should abide by the same standards regardless of where they come from. And you talk about racism as if it was somehow outdated and in the past, without taking into account some of the virulent forms of state sponsored racism you find in places like Africa today. Have you ever heard of Robert Mugabe, or Julius Malema?

Love / How do Polish men feel about gender equality? [780]

No, because they had seen what was happening in France (St. Bartholomew's Day massacre) and was was on the verge of happening in Germany and they decided to take another course of action.

Love / How do Polish men feel about gender equality? [780]


You could start by being a little less insulting perhaps? Maybe then you would realize that Poland was the first in Europe to pass a law of religious toleration!

Has it ever crossed your mind that your competence could be at issue here? Or are you simply demanding not necessarily equal treatment, but rather a bit more special treatment?

Travel / Visiting Poland - A bit worried about social attitudes and racist inclinations.. [80]


Funny cos last time I heard something on the topic was they were discriminated against by the government and all treated like terrorists, that is why we have a few boatloads of them coming over to Australia, and unfortunately sometimes drowning at sea.

Life / Anybody else out there a folk dancing fan? [25]

Impressive, and it looks quite complicated.

This also looks quite complicated.
youtube.com/watch?v=rNXKuwhhC1c

back to my Poland and my former province, though not region. The Krakowiak



Not the best version though.

Life / Anybody else out there a folk dancing fan? [25]


Yes it very hard to compete against Stavros, really great stuff. lol.


Yes I've seen a few those. And with plenty of 'boobage', it brings back memories(:

Life / Anybody else out there a folk dancing fan? [25]


I really enjoyed that, I think i have only seen this type of dance once before, is it specific to a certain part of england?

I guess I am more familiar with Morris dancing. The other day i saw a demonstration of English clog dancing, quite interesting.

And I am obviously familiar with Scottish dancing, which I really like.
youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=emCIxAJCe2g


Yea no chance of that, its all Silesians there(:

A demonstration of English clog dancing

UK, Ireland / Polish and Irish people are related? [137]

Your interpretation is obviously the correct one.


That is got to be complete BS, there is no way a journalist would seek the approval of somebody by simply including his or her name in an article, it would be a logistical nightmare and simply impossible to enforce.

It seems to me that the link you provided could be a classical example of creative journalism.

it simply must be in relation to the quotation of somebody else, and that is the way I interpret it.

UK, Ireland / Polish and Irish people are related? [137]

That is no substitute for an argument I am afraid(:
You do seem to be in favor of media scrutiny but not when it is applied to the media itself.

Take your best shot media laws(:

It seems to me we're on the verge of a complete demolition job here are we not(:

UK, Ireland / Polish and Irish people are related? [137]


What is so hard to understand? you want to use my words in print, you have to ask my permission first, surely that is the polite thing to do.

If you take somebody's photo it's polite to ask them first, if you film somebody, it is advisable to get their permission first.

Why would you find this objectionable?

If you want to get around this law you can always quote somebody off the record.


So i guess you are not a big fan of accountability, or maybe when it is applied to somebody else but not to you?

UK, Ireland / Polish and Irish people are related? [137]


Well just because the others are idiots doesn't mean you have to join the queue.


Nothing wrong with the truth, this law is clearly in place to catch out the liars.

You know, not many people have the time or money to become bogged in vexatious lawsuits against the Murdochs of this world.

UK, Ireland / Polish and Irish people are related? [137]


Exactly, surely everybody can see that!


No, that would be perfectly legal, but if on the other hand you decided to take her words out of context and distort them, and she says to you no teffle, you are a complete liar that is not what i said, she would be perfectly within her rights to object.

Having the law act only in retrospect as you propose, is quite stupid, because by that time some falsehood by a slick journo looking for a quick kill, could ruin someone's career or life and then it would be too late.

Take the UK media as an example, and think to yourself how much rubbish, downright lies and distortion, passes for serious journalism.

So just because the United Federation of Self Promoting Journalists happens not to like something, this doesn't make their opinion sacred.

I am not sure how it is in Ireland, But take a look at the UK and see how the political agenda is increasingly set by the press and not the politicians. In the UK the politicians are literally petrified of going against the grain and following their convictions because of the press. Let's face it, in the UK the tabloids have debased the the very currency of politics, and some journalists Like Paxman think it is their duty to be as rude and obnoxious as possible when interviewing politicians! He looks as though he has a plate of **** in front of his nose during every interview he conducts. And then they have the effrontery to ask why the public is so disillusioned by politics!

UK, Ireland / Polish and Irish people are related? [137]


That is not not only a Polish problem(:
youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DGscoaUWW2M

I think that in Poland's case it is Rzeczpospolita readers who think that their country is run by another country(:

UK, Ireland / Polish and Irish people are related? [137]


And how do you know that it is not?


Very true, and lets be honest they don't exactly match up do they

I have read he link you have provided and can only reiterate what I have previously said. for instance they say:

"The media reform that was confirmed by the Constitutional Court in September 2008 bans journalists from publishing articles that have not been checked and approved by people quoted in the article. Going beyond an automatic right to reply, the new law establishes "prior censorship", leaving all editorial freedom at the mercy of the most arbitrary re-reading. This is in complete contradiction to European standards and likely to reduce the press to a pure propaganda role."

But I say this seems to me like quite a sensible law, although i can see how this troubles journalists who in Macmillan's words would like to have 'power without responsibility, the prerogative of the harlot throughout the ages'.

As for this bit: "The legislative agenda for media sector reform was particularly heavy in 2008 with the political class determined to secure the allegiance of journalists and of the broadcast council. A section of the political class still refuses to break with practices left over from the Soviet era and has trouble adjusting to the independence of a press that is no longer wedded to the "nationalist imperative".

Sounds to be a bit ill informed, I guess in other countries the politicians try not to cosy up to the Murdoch press and win it over, no they would never do that(:

UK, Ireland / Polish and Irish people are related? [137]


Good girl(:


Come again, what exactly is menca?

UK, Ireland / Polish and Irish people are related? [137]


I wouldn't have, but that's because I just couldn't be bothered. However if i was hired to represent the church in a libel case, I would have absolutely no qualms. Deep down I would feel a certain sense of satisfaction for putting the silly dits in her place.

UK, Ireland / Polish and Irish people are related? [137]

I have read the comment, and how can it possibly NOT be interpreted as slanderous?
To all intents and purposes she called the disciples drunks and potheads.

Anyhow the thing that separates Poland and Ireland is not necessarily what the press can and cannot print, it is more to do with access to information. In Ireland freedom of information laws seem to be more enabling than in Poland

UK, Ireland / Polish and Irish people are related? [137]


Since when was Doda a journalist? And her comments could quite easily be interpreted as malicious slander.


And what would those things be?

What some people don't understand is that there is a difference between a right to know, and a right to offend.

UK, Ireland / Polish and Irish people are related? [137]


There is nothing the Irish media can print that the Polish media cannot, certainly nothing that would in anyway minimize its role of scrutiny.

UK, Ireland / Polish and Irish people are related? [137]


Really? I find that hard to believe.


That is BS






It's not only the Polish and Irish, I am sure the Brits love their horses as well, and as far as competing in show jumping etc. the Germans win for the most part.

Life / Walking on other people's property in Poland - cultural difference? [51]


What on earth? You don't even speak Polish(which probably means that you are not) and you don't seem to know much about the UK either.