Warsaw Station: Just a coincidence? - It's a lateral transfer

Poland's chief rabbi was punched and attacked with what appeared to be pepper spray in downtown Warsaw in what police said may have been an anti-Semitic attack.

...

"The fact that it happened just as the pope is visiting Poland and going to Auschwitz means the attack could have had an anti-Semitic motive, that it was meant to tarnish the image of Poland," Interior Ministry spokesman Tomasz Sklodowski said.

...

Schudrich said he did not believe the attack was connected to the pope's visit. Instead he linked it to what he said was a rise of intolerance connected to a new governing coalition that includes the League of Polish Families, or LPR, a small right-wing party with ideological ties to a prewar anti-Semitic party and a radical youth wing.

"With the LPR in the government, ultra-rightists who felt somehow constrained in their behavior now feel they can do whatever they want," Schudrich said.

I guess I'm back :)

11 Comments:

: I think the rabbi is right. Kaczysm is definitely a bad influence on tolerance in Poland (well, excepting tolerance to intolerance.) And Kaczynski's speach to the pope, in which he dared to mention the word tolerance, was quite revolting. Horrible little man. The same might be said about Lepper, if the word man wouldn't be a bit of an exaggeration in his case.; 5/30/2006 07:33:00 AM
: you're not back yet, gus. couple of huge days still lurking in the not-too-distant future.

chalking this one up as a temporary distraction.

gratulacj
(it is true that english to polish is as easy as truncating prefixes and adding random consonants to the end of the word, right?)
afflestompjcski; 5/31/2006 08:53:00 PM
: I'm not convinced, edwinek. For most of my time here in Poland, SLD was in power, and the place seemed just as intolerant as it is today. Sure, those who hold the intolerant views weren't in power, but those in power didn't do anything to halt the intolerance (or violence!). On the other hand, now that they're in gov't, the ultra-cons have to be careful about inciting hatred and violence, but the same passivity exists.

However, with the buildup to the Pope's visit, the growing intensity of nationalistic feeling here was palpable.

And no, the Kaczor is not a man, he is a sorry excuse for a duck. Lepper is only a snout away from the very animals he used to farm.

Wafflestompski! (Polish: Łaffelstąbski) - It's great to see you back. I too was doubtful I could maintain any consistency before the big days, but I'm determined to make an effort.

Plus, I felt horrible about letting a month go by without any posts. I was determined not to let another month on my archive list go un-listed.

But as you can see, I haven't posted to any stuff to get you, RT, johnny, and the other American conservatives too worked up yet, despite there being plenty of material (tee hee). I'm saving my energy until after the honeymoon (and until after the Pistons get knocked out of the playoffs, which could be any minute now).

But then, look out.

PS - If another Texas team (read: Dallas Mavericks) wins another championship I may die of disgust.

But hey now, how about them Detroit Tigers? Who expected that?; 5/31/2006 11:55:00 PM
: welcome back gus.; 6/01/2006 04:04:00 PM
: Bummer, I was really looking forward to a Dallas / Detroit Finals......but look on the bright side Gus, at least there wont be any looting in your hometown this year.; 6/03/2006 05:46:00 AM
: Welcome back...what have you been to, aprt from moving house, planning weddings....?; 6/03/2006 01:16:00 PM
: RT -
I was too, but you're right, the bright side is that we won't have any of those heathen Dallas fans running amok in our fair city.

I wish the Mavs a healthy butt-kicking by either the Suns or the Heat.

Beatroot -
That's pretty much it, unless you also count becoming the offensive coordinator of Warsaw's American football team, so I've been writing playbooks, helping to run practices, etc. Connected with that, for the past week I've also been nursing my ankle back to health - but more on that monday at the new p3!

Which, for all y'all who are interested, will be located at http://www.polishstyle.net; 6/03/2006 06:26:00 PM
: You say you are the offensive coordinator of Warsaw's American football team...but I don't think you are offensive at all. I think you are really very polite...; 6/03/2006 06:54:00 PM
: becoming the offensive coordinator of Warsaw's American football team

That sounds very cool Gus......congrats.

Who'd ever thunk when you went to Poland you would end up coaching football?

IF we do get past Phoenix, and thats a big IF, at least it will be Miami's first trip to the finals too.

Do you have any idea how many times Shaq has kicked our ass in the past.....we owe him one.

But the funniest part of all this is....cant you just imagine the look on David Stern's face if he has to hand the trophy to Mark Cuban?......to say they hate each other would be an understatement. It would be harder than Rozelle handing the Lombardi to Al Davis.; 6/03/2006 08:59:00 PM
: Beatroot -
Sorry about that. Being a blogger and all I'll have to work on being more offensive.

Beatroots are horrible vegetables!

- Am I getting there yet?

RT:

Thanks, man. It's probably the most rewarding thing I've done since coming to Poland, perhaps with the exception of learning the language to comfortable conversationality. It's basic stuff. I was no football star when I played, and I'm no expert. But I have plenty more experience than anyone else, I understand an offense and how it's supposed to work, and most importantly of all, being an offensive lineman, I'm good with the blocking schemes (Did I mention that in our tournament with the czechs and danes we averaged over 180 yards rushing and had zero sacks? I'm real proud of that offensive line of mine.)

Seeing Stern give Cuban the trophy would be hilarious - but not worth it. The hatred in my heart for all things Texas can't allow me to be convinced to root for any team that hails from there.

(Ok, not all things. I must admit I love Tex-mex food. But all sports teams certainly.)

Sorry.

If it's any consolation, I wouldn't be very happy with the Heat winning either. I hate Florida teams just as much.

Guess that means I'm rooting for the suns. But really, I'm in shock and just still trying to figure out why it was so hard for the real Pistons to just show up on several occasions this post season.

But at least we beat (barely) Johnny's Cavs.; 6/03/2006 09:34:00 PM
: Beatroots are horrible vegetables!

Don't be rootist!; 6/04/2006 03:22:00 PM