Pawian
European
Have you seen my frog?
Posts: 3,266
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Post by Pawian on Feb 6, 2008 12:02:09 GMT -7
Having trouble deciding who to vote for in 2008? This will compare your answers with ALL candidates. I found this to be of interest .... It might not select the candidate you had expected! Click on the website below www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460I thought it might be amusing for me to take the test. I tried to imagine that those problems are Polish. Funny, but most of them really are Polish problems too. I voted for withdrawal of troops when Iraqi forces are ready; for legalization of immigrants already here; for taxes cuts; for embroynic research funded by the state I was in doubts about universal health care, but I chose favour against abortion; I didn` t know exactly what privatization of Social Security is but if it`s the same as in Poland, namely you can save for your old age both at state companies and private, I am for. against line-item veto; for federal aid to production of biofuels; for amendment stating that marriage is between man and woman; against death penalty; for restrictions on guns; for environmental regulations; And the last but not the least one. I found it shockingly funny that some guys who invenetd this quiz thought of teachers. Incredible! teachers are a national issue in the USA, just like in Poland! Of course I was for pay depending on students` performance. If it is introduced in Poland, I will be a millionaire. My result is John McCaine with 31 points, Obama with 31, Clinton with 28 and the last is Ron Paul with 16. It is really in line with my political preferences. hahahahaha
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Post by freetobe on Feb 6, 2008 13:51:17 GMT -7
Mr. Baboon, At the risk of setting off a fire storm of postings of public opinion on this issue, I offer a blue state Americans view of racism in the U.S. First the term "coulored i.e. colored" is rarely used today to describe non-caucasion Americans. They are African-Americans or Asian Americans, etc. Second, racism continues in the U.S. Not to the extent of previous levels, but the incidents of racial and other types of bias persist. There are incidents in cities, suburbs and rural areas. In all areas of the nation. The U.S. is so large that a bias incident that occurs in Podunk, Indiana is not going to make the pages of the Washington Post or the TV evening news unless the incident involved violence. And it is just as likely that exchanges of bias insults on the streets of our major cities are not reported. Some of it is related to the continuence of ignorance in some segments of the population. A parallel might be drawn between this and your stated opinions of the stupidity of Poles to fight battles they clearly could not win. These U.S. bigots can not win but they keep on trying. Finally, I do not understand if you are trying to say that Obama does not have African roots(he does,father was native Kenyan) or that dark skinned African Americans should be referred to as something other then African Americans. All this being said, I remain an American patriot who would defend my country at all costs, despite the fact that I disagree with some of her governments and peoples actions now and in the past. Now let the fireworks commence.
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Pawian
European
Have you seen my frog?
Posts: 3,266
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Post by Pawian on Feb 6, 2008 15:05:36 GMT -7
Thank you for this balanced opinion. Let`s see what I can comment on. Mr. Baboon, At the risk of setting off a fire storm of postings of public opinion on this issue, I offer a blue state Americans view of racism in the U.S. First the term "coulored i.e. colored" is rarely used today to describe non-caucasion Americans. They are African-Americans or Asian Americans, etc. Yes, I know these terms. It changes quite fast in the USA, it is difficult to catch up with it, the political correctness introduces new terms after old ones got worn out. I think it is a fascinating sociolinguistic phenomenon. In Poland the original term invented centuries ago is still used - a negro, without direct negative connotations in the word itself, unless you add some abusive adjectives to it. Yes, of course, such things happen everywhere in the world. What I had in mind was that in general, today, most white Americans have nothing against being represented by an African American person. I consider it a great progress compared to 1960s when such a situation was unthinkable, wasn`t it? Why do you call them bigots and not racists? Ooops, I am sorry, I have already corrected my previous post. For a while I thought he had nothing in common with Africa, that he was born in Hawai. Some amnesion on my part. BTW, how do you call an American of native Hawaian origin? So, you will vote Democrats. Hillary is your type? Hmm, your expectations might not be fullfilled. I don`t see any controversy here.
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Post by freetobe on Feb 7, 2008 20:17:48 GMT -7
Hi Mr. B. I too, can't keep up with the constantly evolving changes in political correct "sociolinguinisms". Did I just create another? The subject is only fascinating to me because it is so dumb. For example: my parents were native Poles, later naturalised U.S.citizens. Since I was born in the U.S. I am a citizen and am also first generation child of Polish immigrants so that makes me a Polish-American. If I were to marry an Irish-American would our children be Polish/Irish Americans? In my experience, children of combined nationalies are in the U.S. are referred to as Americans. Suppose I were to marry another Polish-American. Would our children identify as Polish Americans or just Americans. Again they are Americans only On the subject of African-Americans and using the above example, should second or third generation African-Americans continue to identify as such rather then just Americans. Since there are several nations that comprise the African continent, why not be totally loyal to the country of origin and identify as Congolese-Americans or Kenyan- Americans. Following this line of dumb thought continent ethnicity, Polish, German, French etc.- Americans should be identified as European-Americans. FYI natiive Hawaiians are identified as just that. Hawaii was first settled by Polynesians from other Pacific Islands between a.d. 300 to 600. Following years brought Chinese, Japanese etc. and they inter-married with the Polynesians and those people are what today we know as Hawaiians. Hawaii became a U.S trust territory in !900 and it's people became U.S.citizens. I guess this would put them in the same category as Alaskan natives(Aluets) Since both trust territories enjoyed statehood since 1959, there people would seem to be identified as are the rest of the U.S. mainland population, American. If you are a citizen of the U.S. you are an American. You may call your self anything you wish, but fact remains you are still an American. Interesting side observation on Obama's ident as African-American. He is racially and ethnically mixed. His father is a black Kenyan and his mother is a white American. Should he not be an African American-American or just an American. The idents are dumb and dumber. End of story.
I refer to persons who engage in acts of prejudice as bigots so as not to segregate bigotry into sub categories, racial, anti-semite etc. It's all the same to me.
I have some reservations about both Senators Clinton and Obama. Hillary has done well for the people of New York which she represents. I reside in New York so I will vote for her. Sen. Obama has also done well by his people in Illinois and seems to be an effective legislator, so I will vote for him. It is simply a matter of who wins the Democratic nomination. Under threat of death I would not vote for any of the Republicans. One is worse then the oth
Overall I think Americans are not as resistant to Afro-American leaders or elected officails as they were in the 1960's. That decade was the modern civil rights movement in the U.S., fraught with struggle and violence. Not America at her best, but it happened and the country finally moved on.
POI, would you use the word "polot" to describe the actions during the Wawsaw Rising or are we stuck on stupid? Probably both are appropriate together.
Thanks for your attention to my remarks and so far no pyrotechnics.
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Pawian
European
Have you seen my frog?
Posts: 3,266
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Post by Pawian on Feb 8, 2008 15:13:18 GMT -7
Thanks for elaborate answers. As for POI, would you use the word "polot" to describe the actions during the Wawsaw Rising or are we stuck on stupid? Probably both are appropriate together. . I am not sure if you used the Polish word "polot." It means some sort of cleverness, the ability to take reasonable decisions fast. Did you mean it?
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Post by freetobe on Feb 8, 2008 19:25:40 GMT -7
Paw, The word is polish, "polot". I was readind a passage from Eva Hoffman's "Lost in Translation", page 71, where she writes, "The best compliment that a school exercise can receive is that it has "polot"--- a word that combines the meanings of dash, inspiration, and flying". She continuues, "Marek has "polot". So did the Polish cavalrymen who met the German tanks when the Nazis invaded. Chopin's A Major Polonaise coming from loudspeakers in the last heroic moments of the Warsaw uprising is a gesture that captures the essence of Polot". According to a Polish internet dictionary/translation site, "polot" means lofty/inspirational. So I wondered if we might give those Poles who stupidly fought to their death in battles they couldn't win the credit for having "polot" With your definition of "polot" their actions were neither clever nor quick, reasonable decisions. Bottom line, they were stupid heroes. Since you inquired about the 1960's U.S., I have taken the liberty of fwdg you an e mail on that decade It is a priceless, amusing commentary with musical accompaniment as seen through a small town American's eyes.
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Post by valpomike on Feb 9, 2008 9:25:14 GMT -7
freetobe,
Where is, Podunk, Indiana? I have lived many years here in Indiana, and do not know where it is. Could it be in Southern Indiana? Or can it be, you are wanting to make fun of the great people here in Indiana? That can't be the case, you know better than that, don't you? I try so hard to undestand you, and want to, since, you can't be all bad. Help me on this, please, I want to know, and like you. I am doing my part, now please do yours.
Michael Dabrowski
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Post by justjohn on Feb 9, 2008 9:52:17 GMT -7
freetobe, Where is, Podunk, Indiana? I have lived many years here in Indiana, and do not know where it is. Could it be in Southern Indiana? Or can it be, you are wanting to make fun of the great people here in Indiana? That can't be the case, you know better than that, don't you? I try so hard to undestand you, and want to, since, you can't be all bad. Help me on this, please, I want to know, and like you. I am doing my part, now please do yours. Michael Dabrowski Using Podunk, Indiana as a location is to emphasize a small non-descript location in rural America.
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Pawian
European
Have you seen my frog?
Posts: 3,266
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Post by Pawian on Feb 9, 2008 11:07:33 GMT -7
freetobe, Where is, Podunk, Indiana? I have lived many years here in Indiana, and do not know where it is. Could it be in Southern Indiana? Or can it be, you are wanting to make fun of the great people here in Indiana? That can't be the case, you know better than that, don't you? I try so hard to undestand you, and want to, since, you can't be all bad. Help me on this, please, I want to know, and like you. I am doing my part, now please do yours. Michael Dabrowski Using Podunk, Indiana as a location is to emphasize a small non-descript location in rural America. Simply speaking, a rathole, noplaceville, jerk town.
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Pawian
European
Have you seen my frog?
Posts: 3,266
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Post by Pawian on Feb 9, 2008 11:17:21 GMT -7
Paw, The word is polish, "polot". I was readind a passage from Eva Hoffman's "Lost in Translation", page 71, where she writes, "The best compliment that a school exercise can receive is that it has "polot"--- a word that combines the meanings of dash, inspiration, and flying". She continuues, "Marek has "polot". So did the Polish cavalrymen who met the German tanks when the Nazis invaded. Chopin's A Major Polonaise coming from loudspeakers in the last heroic moments of the Warsaw uprising is a gesture that captures the essence of Polot". According to a Polish internet dictionary/translation site, "polot" means lofty/inspirational. So I wondered if we might give those Poles who stupidly fought to their death in battles they couldn't win the credit for having "polot" With your definition of "polot" their actions were neither clever nor quick, reasonable decisions. Bottom line, they were stupid heroes. Since you inquired about the 1960's U.S., I have taken the liberty of fwdg you an e mail on that decade It is a priceless, amusing commentary with musical accompaniment as seen through a small town American's eyes. No, polot can be used neither about Polish cavalrymen who had to charge against German tanks (not a foolish charge, the tanks appeared suddenly and ulans couldn`t stop their attack) nor Warsaw insurgents who went to battle fully conscious that they would die (the diaries and memories reveal this feeling). Polot can be used in reference to easy going situations, which take place in favorable conditions, with people happily engaged in their activities, carrying them out with polot. I acquire polot at school when I see that students like a funny lesson, that my lecture catches their attention. Then I feel really inspired with polot and do incredible things. Instead of polot there is a much better word to describe those cavalrymen or insurgents: desperation. Most of them knew their fight was lost the moment it began, yet they took the challenge. How romantic. OK, I will stop calling them fools or stupid. Now I see it in wider proportions. Let`s call them romantic desperados.
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Post by freetobe on Feb 9, 2008 11:42:23 GMT -7
Mike, j j's post says it all.
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Post by freetobe on Feb 9, 2008 12:09:32 GMT -7
Paw, In the interest of furthering my knowledge and understanding of the Rising, I'd like to read the 'diaries and memories" you mentioned. Is there a published collection, hopefully with an English translation, you know of? I will check this out with the Polish history organizations on my side of the pond and appreciate your tuition as well. Romantic desperados? ala Butch and Sundance? Just trying to create a like situation in the U.S. with your descriptive. Maybe Bonnie and Clyde? or better still the Texans who fought to their death at the Alamo in 1836 attempting to over throw the Mexicans under Santa Anna.
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Post by valpomike on Feb 9, 2008 14:54:27 GMT -7
jj & freetobe,
But why pick Indiana? Not another state, there are 49 others.
Michael Dabrowski
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Post by uncltim on Feb 9, 2008 15:25:46 GMT -7
Valpo, did we just witness a self rightous diatribe about racism and bigotry that ended in class bigotry? thats rich!
Ignore "podunk" and "flyover"states at your ovn peril. I would ask the sophists to consider that they eat only at the podunk rubes pleasure.
Makes my redneck/cracker/hillbilly blood boil.
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Post by freetobe on Feb 9, 2008 20:57:17 GMT -7
Mike and tim, If the shoe fits wear it. No diatribe here and no racism. Only two people discussing political correctness and it's lack of correctness. Give me a break with that heartland of America feeds the nation position. If farmers didn't farm then they'd starve as well. You could have your veggy gardens and keep a few hogs but where do you get the money to pay for the seeds, the hogs. the mortgage and the aoto loans? There will always be someone who doesn't let his stubborn pride get in the way of making a buck. Maybe you hillbillygoats both better get some SPF 30 to prevent any further reddening of your necks and some cheese for the crackers. Mike, I could have placed Podunk in Ohio or even in New York. There are Podunks all over this nation. They are not all redneck villages. As I previously mentioned, today the term redneck is not geographfically limited to rural areas, it is a state of mind. Go eat some pierogies, you'll feel better.
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