Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Conservative Poland Roils European Union
The New York Times ^ | December 4, 2005 | GRAHAM BOWLEY

Posted on 12/04/2005 10:34:44 AM PST by lizol

Conservative Poland Roils European Union

International Herald Tribune Published: December 4, 2005 By GRAHAM BOWLEY

BRUSSELS - When Polish members of the European Parliament placed an anti-abortion display in a parliamentary corridor in Strasbourg, France, recently, Ana Gomes, a Socialist legislator from Portugal, felt compelled to act, she said.

The display showed children in a concentration camp, linking abortion and Nazi crimes. "We found this deeply offensive," Ms. Gomes said. "We tried to remove it." A loud scuffle ensued as she and the Poles traded insults before the display was bundled away by Parliament guards.

But the matter does not end there. It was the latest skirmish in what some here see as an incipient culture war in the heart of Europe, a clash of values that has intensified since countries from Central and Eastern Europe that are experiencing an increase in the influence of the Roman Catholic Church joined the European Union last year.

In the 732-seat European Parliament, and more widely in the European Union, the clash extends beyond abortion to issues like women's rights and homosexuality.

"New groups have come in from Poland, the Czech Republic, Latvia, and Catholicism is certainly becoming a very angry voice against what it sees as a liberal E.U.," said Michael Cashman, 54, a European Parliament member from Britain who has campaigned for gay rights. "On women's rights and gay equality, we are fighting battles that we thought we had won years ago."

With a population of 40 million, Poland is the biggest of the 10 states that joined the European Union last year. It is still uncertain, 19 months later, how Poland, a formerly Communist and overwhelmingly Catholic nation, will fit in with the other members on issues from foreign policy to economic management.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: abortion; abotion; catholic; catholicism; catholics; conservatism; conservative; eu; europe; europeanchristians; poland
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120121-138 last
To: kaiser80

Ohhh...I'm such a sucker for nice packaging. Siwucha has an 8.88 rating on ivodka.com, too- higher than Chopin, Zubrowka, Belvedere, Wyborowa or Luksusowa. Is this more of a "western style" smooth vodka?


121 posted on 12/05/2005 5:21:35 PM PST by Sisku Hanne (The Old Media, Democrat party & the Left are grim MILLSTONES for our troops)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 89 | View Replies]

To: LiveFree99

It's definitely on my short list! We are held hostage by our PA Sate Liquor Control Board, & the selection of fine vodkas in our state stores is painfully limited.


122 posted on 12/05/2005 5:27:49 PM PST by Sisku Hanne (The Old Media, Democrat party & the Left are grim MILLSTONES for our troops)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 115 | View Replies]

To: lizol

Maybe they could put up an Iron Curtain or something to keep them save from us evil Americans. < eyes rolling >


123 posted on 12/05/2005 5:36:52 PM PST by PogySailor (Semper Fi to the Marines of 3/1.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Grzegorz 246


'Half of SS was not even German."

Even Hitler wasn't German


124 posted on 12/05/2005 6:26:11 PM PST by fotw
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 118 | View Replies]

To: eleni121

Re: Stalin - so what? genetically the latter Romanov tsars were not Russian either. They all commanded Russian armies which suppressed Poland.


125 posted on 12/05/2005 6:33:09 PM PST by fotw
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 119 | View Replies]

To: Sisku Hanne
Is this more of a "western style" smooth vodka?

I have to admitt that I don't fully understand what you mean. Give some examples maybe I shall understand ;)

126 posted on 12/06/2005 5:07:04 AM PST by kaiser80
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 121 | View Replies]

To: kaiser80
In the west, vodka is more commonly used as a mixer rather than served straight. Vodka produced for the western market tends to be smoother and lighter in taste, with less bite & heat, and often more flavorless. Eastern style vodka, often served neat, tends to have more of a favor 'bouquet' and can pack quite a punch.
I use vodka in mixed drinks so I like the "western style". It was amazing the difference when I switched from cheap vodka like Smirnoff to good vodka. Just because there isn't much flavor doesn't mean there isn't a huge difference in the taste of your drink (and the quality of your life the next morning if you happen to overindulge)!
127 posted on 12/06/2005 6:37:01 AM PST by Sisku Hanne (The Old Media, Democrat party & the Left are grim MILLSTONES for our troops)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 126 | View Replies]

To: Sisku Hanne

In that case, Siwucha is the most Eastern one ;)
It has an unique taste and "bouquet" but don't pack quite a punch. It should be served neat. Next day depends on how much have one drunk. After 0,5l you should be all right.


128 posted on 12/06/2005 9:17:10 AM PST by kaiser80
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 127 | View Replies]

To: Lurker

I'm actively seeking out and purchasing as many Polish goods as I can this Christmas.


Poland makes great Christmas ornaments.


129 posted on 12/06/2005 9:36:20 AM PST by School of Rational Thought (Republican - The thinking people's party)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: speedy

Everyone I have spoken to who have travelled to Poland say it is a beautiful country. Women are attractive too!


130 posted on 12/06/2005 9:40:07 AM PST by School of Rational Thought (Republican - The thinking people's party)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: khnyny

"Polish people (IMHO) were instrumental in the downfall of communism."

People keep seeing and hearing the Berlin wall coming down, and forget that the Poles were first to stand up against the Commies. Their success started the momentum to topple the Soviet Union.


131 posted on 12/06/2005 9:42:43 AM PST by School of Rational Thought (Republican - The thinking people's party)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: lizol

Poland rocks!


132 posted on 12/06/2005 9:45:49 AM PST by moose2004 (You Can Run But You Can't Hide!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: School of Rational Thought
"People keep seeing and hearing the Berlin wall coming down, and forget that the Poles were first to stand up against the Commies. Their success started the momentum to topple the Soviet Union."

Ping! Solidarity movement of the 80's (originating further back than that). The Polish people were very brave in taking on the Commies. The Czech's also tried to resist, but it ended in bloodshed. I don't know much about the difference between the two movements, but it would be an interesting read.
133 posted on 12/06/2005 10:29:42 AM PST by khnyny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 131 | View Replies]

To: Sisku Hanne

Good luck with your vodka search. One would think that at the very least a state would be able to manage their liquor store monopoly to provide a decent range of choices for the consumer. Well, perhaps I'm spoiled by the state liquor stores here in New Hampshire, which also attract quite a bit of out-of-state business.


134 posted on 12/06/2005 2:34:56 PM PST by LiveFree99
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 122 | View Replies]

To: Revolting cat!

Who dictates Poland how to make oscypek? Russians? Germans? Muslims? Martians?


135 posted on 12/06/2005 2:50:51 PM PST by REactor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 103 | View Replies]

To: kaiser80
After 0,5l you should be all right. Congratulations, you have a very strong young organism. I, even when I as in high school, after drinking 0,5l was dying.
136 posted on 12/06/2005 3:03:24 PM PST by REactor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 128 | View Replies]

To: LiveFree99
I didn't realize New Hampshire had an LCB, too.
PA has improved slightly in the past year, even (*gasp*)opening a few stores on Sunday.
People near the border tend to travel out-of-state to shop, which is illegal. The wineries grouse about "the competition" from out-of-state (which wouldn't be an issue if their product was better). I have to drive to New York to get a good Riesling or Gewurztraminer.
137 posted on 12/06/2005 7:12:25 PM PST by Sisku Hanne (The Old Media, Democrat party & the Left are grim MILLSTONES for our troops)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 134 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator
Ahh yes, the wonders of "Socialist" architecture.

And the best view in Warsaw is from the top. because you can't see the bloody thing from there!

138 posted on 12/07/2005 11:56:08 AM PST by Da_Shrimp
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 110 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120121-138 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson