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.

[Sisku Hanne]

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?

[Sisku Hanne]

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.

[PogySailor]

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

[fotw]

'Half of SS was not even German."

Even Hitler wasn't German

[fotw]

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

[kaiser80]

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 ;)

[Sisku Hanne]

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)!

[kaiser80]

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.

[School of Rational Thought]

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


Poland makes great Christmas ornaments.

[School of Rational Thought]

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

[School of Rational Thought]

"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.

[moose2004]

Poland rocks!

[khnyny]

"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.

[LiveFree99]

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.

[REactor]

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

[REactor]

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.

[Sisku Hanne]

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.

[Da_Shrimp]

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!