Conservative Poland Roils European Union

The New York Times ^ | December 4, 2005 | GRAHAM BOWLEY

[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.

[eleni121]

Here is an excellent website for showcasing products from Poland.

http://www.chamberofcommerce.pl/suppliers/

[Vaquero]

I thought that a Krakus ham was mooning from a moving car with cheeks firmly pressed on the glass?????? a kind of pressed ham as it were.

[eleni121]

Never heard that one....from your shall we say "vivid" description one could say a Hillary Ham.

[Vaquero]

it is a joke me and the boys (the ones I use to hang out with when single) have used since the 1970's.

Yes, your suggestion that Hillary being the 'butt' of the joke works fer me.

[khnyny]

"Soooo.....give us some hints or websites or places to go so we can do the same....purchase more Polish goods. Pretty please"

Yes, I second that. Also, don't forget, Pope John Paul II, was from Poland and the Pope and the courageous Polish people (IMHO) were instrumental in the downfall of communism. It is a well known fact that Eastern Europe is much more conservative and take their Catholic faith more seriously than their western EU neighbors. Maybe they will be the ones to save Europe.

[Mamzelle]

Bump--

[eleni121]

Check my post #21 for products from Poland.

[Sisku Hanne]

What vodka do you recommend? I normally drink Ketel One or Rain.

[Lurker]

Try Chopin. It's a bit pricey, but excellent.

L

[Sisku Hanne]

Good vodka is pricey but worth every penny. IMO, you may be able to find a good $10 bottle of wine, but not so with vodka.
I'll try the Chopin, and I've been looking at Belvedere, too. Maybe one of each to do a comparison- you know, just to help our friends, the Poles.

[Rosemont]

Dirty Socialist EUrotrash will go to great lengths to destroy traditional culture.

[fotw]

Polish chocolate candy is excellent, especially the "Wedel" brand.

[GSlob]

"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.,"
Latvia? He probably meant Lithuania [Catholic]. Latvia used to be Lutheran.

[lizol]

How much is a bottle of Chopin vodka in US?

[fotw]

Chopin $33/l, Belvedere $35

[lizol]

So you must come to Poland if you like it, it's more or less half of that price over here. :-)))

[fotw]

Air fare to Poland is about a thousand $ - that raises the price by quite a bit! Dinner at the Belvedere restaurant might be worth the trip...

[speedy]

I think you can get a better airfare than that if you search. I visited Poland two years ago and paid much less flying on LOT (had to leave out of Newark.) It's a great country to visit -- an interesting stage of transition. Cracow is a beautiful city, with two other must-see sites in the vicinity -- the incredibly powerful Auschwitz and the magnificent salt mine sculptures nearby. Amazing to see how Warsaw was rebuilt -- and now there are a lot of chic shops and great restaurants. Gdansk is likewise well worth a visit, both for the beauty of the town and the sites associated with Solidarity. Beautiful castles, pleasant countryside, and friendly people who like the US. Yes, it has its problems -- the legacy of Communism and the older people trapped in the change. But it is making great strides, and for Freepers who like to travel, it's a wonderful destination.

[AsYouAre]

If Poland ever wanted to leave the EU, I propose we invite Poland to become our next state. Boy, that will really irritate Russia, Western Europe and the libs in this country! (I can dream, can't I?) :-)

[Malesherbes]

Polart (1-800-278-9393)in Sarasota, FL has a wide variety of Polish products, including ceramics, books, music. How ironic it is that someone from Portugal - a country that sat out WWII - presumes to lecture the Poles on matters of principle.