Stories about Poland from June, 2006
Poland: Communism Vs Capitalism
An angry comment forces the beatroot to continue an endless debate on whether life was better during communism.
Poland: Troops to be Relocated from Iraq to Afghanistan
The beatroot writes that 500 Polish troops are being transfered from Iraq to Afghanistan: “This will be a much more dangerous mission than the one the Poles got involved in, in the quiet area of central Iraq near Babylon after the invasion to oust Saddam.”
Poland: Poznan Uprising of 1956
The beatroot writes about a little-known 1956 uprising in Poznan, Poland, which preceded the famous Hungarian events.
Poland: Minorities
The beatroot writes that Polish “minorities” can't agree on “just how bad” things are getting for them in Poland. An interesting discussion is taking place in the comments section: “Polish racism is just the stupidity of the uneducated and simple xenophobic folk. It has no ideoligical or religious background.”
Poland: “Sex Slaves” Rumor
The beatroot writes that despite the worries of “Polish nuns, green feminists and George W. Bush,” there are no 100,000 East European “sex slaves” servicing the World Cup fans in Germany: “Sex slavery exists, for sure, but 100,000 women being imported into Germany? Surely most of the fans there are...
Poland: Hungary In 1956 Vs Iraq Now
The beatroot writes about “the major difference between Hungary back then and Iraq today”: “Hungarians led the uprising, which was later crushed by a Superpower. In Iraq today, a Superpower has ‘liberated’ Iraq and is now experiencing an insurgency by some Iraqis (and a few cross- border terrorist weirdos).” He...
Poland: Offended Blog Reader
The beatroot responds to a commenter's request to take down a post he perceives as offensive: “I mean… can you honestly imagine writing to a web site asking them to remove something that you find offensive? I would be doing nothing else 24/7!”
Poland: Terrorism Risks
the beatroot discusses the risks of terrorism in Poland.
Polish Blogosphere Roundup
With almost 20,000 names (and counting) added to a digital petition against a restrictive DRM (Digital Rights Management) bill in the Polish legislature, Poland IP news and resources reports that: Under the heavy critique of the public opinion the Ministry of Culture withdrew some most criticized provisions (inter alia changes...
Poland, World Cup: Almost a Tie
Dayhawk writes on Poland's resistance to Germany during a World Cup game yesterday: “The Polish, who have not won a football match against Germans in 85 years, were shooting for a tie, tackling, stealing and blocking every German effort to score.”
Poland: Homophobia and the EU's Mild Response
Srdjan Cvijic of The TransAtlantic Assembly writes about the EU's unfairly mild reaction to homophobia and intolerance in Poland: “More importantly, the case of Poland, and the mild reaction of other member states, directly compromise the EU enlargement and foreign policy. How can the EU pretend to demand from the...
Poland: Warsaw Equality Parade
The beatroot posts Joseph Vogt's pictures from the Equality Parade that took place in Warsaw on June 10, and writes about the event that drew from 2,000 to 10,000 people: “Unlike similar marches in Poznan and Krakow which ended in bloody violence, this demonstration was peaceful and pleasant.” Becca Steel...
Poland: Council of Europe's Report Inconclusive
The beatroot writes that the conclusions of the Council of Europe's investigation on whether the CIA had its secret prisons in Poland are not based on strong evidence.
Poland: Equality Parade to Take Place Saturday
Poland's Equality Parade will take place Saturday; Becca of Boo writes on her plans to participate and also muses about the importance of “standing up for fundamental rights in what should be a modern, European state” at p3. The beatroot and p3 report that the All-Polish Youth decided to cancel...
Poland: “Stalinist War Criminal” Extradition Order
J. Otto Pohl explains his support for an academic boycott of Israel: “The state of Israel currently harbors a number of Stalinist war criminals guilty of abusing, torturing and murdering innocent men, women and children in the Baltic States and Poland. Foremost among these criminals is Solomon Morel wanted for...
Czech Republic: Election Ends in Stalemate
On June 2 and 3, the fourth election to the Chamber of Deputies since the 1993 split of Czechoslovakia took place in the Czech Republic – and ended in stalemate. Below are some bloggers’ reports and reactions. On the day the voting began, Bob Granico of Publius Pundit posted a...
Poland: “Dinner in Warsaw” Challenge Cancelled
A Polish reader of the Economist claimed it was impossible to find “a Briton who speaks fluent Polish.” Edward Lucas, the magazine's Central and East European correspondent, decided to prove him wrong: “I have challenged him to a dinner at a very expensive Warsaw restaurant, where I will produce a...
Poland: Politics and Protest
The beatroot writes about the recent Law and Justice Party convention: “…a victory rally. Not much else, really.” He also writes about the upcoming “summer of protest”: “The Tolerance Parade, and the counter demonstration by Polish far-rights groups, have received official permission from Warsaw’s local authorities to go ahead on...
Poland: History and the Present
The beatroot writes about an unfriendlyy Auschwitz encounter between Lebanese and Israeli tourists; a 1980 opinion poll taken secretly in Poland; and the belated investigations of the alleged Communist spy priests.
Poland: Poet Juliusz Slowacki
Our Man in Gdansk writes about a Polish poet Juliusz Slowacki and his work called Anhelli.
Poland: Investigation of Attack on Chief Rabbi
The beatroot reports on the lack of progress in the investigation of the attack on the Poland's Chief Rabbi that took place a day before the Pope's visit to Auschwitz: “If they want to show the world that they are a modern, civilized government then they should just get on...
