No surprise as to the result. Komorowski up front with just over 40% and Kaczynski not far behind with 35% of votes (www.wp.pl). Napieralski didn’t do to badly with just 14% of Poles voting for him. If he presents himself well over the next few years, doesn’t get into trouble and stays away from corruptive activities while working towards a better Poland he could have shot at the Presidential seat next time around. So now the two candidates have another two weeks to persuade Poles to vote for them. With very close votes for both it will be difficult to tell who will get the final one. In 2005 there was a similar position and in round two the late Kaczynski won. With only a 54.4% turn out, round two is anyone’s guess as to what will happen on July 4.
Lately it’s been hard to tell who’s better and who’s worse when it comes to these two. Both have their positive and negative aspects, and most likely ulterior motives. Poland seems to be very incompetent when it comes to participating in Presidential elections and this is a downfall of this society. If more people voted there may not have had to be a round two or we may have gotten a surprise result with one of the other candidates getting the seat. It’s hard to tell who’s the better of the two, or which one is going to be the best for Poland’s future. I don’t believe Kaczynski could have changed so dramatically since the tragedy of April 10 and Poles shouldn’t necessarily give him the benefit of the doubt. He may have good intentions but will these intentions come to fruition if he gets elected in the run off, and there is a good chance that he will.
Both candidates campaigns over the next two weeks will need to work magic in order to persuade those individuals who voted to vote for them again, and those who didn’t to sway towards their side. Is this possible? Difficult to tell, one wrong move can cost many votes. The turn out may also be higher and this may have a strong influence on the final result. Let’s hope the turn will be better than today’s.
What will need to be considered is the future of health care, education, welfare, Euro adoption and Polish – Russian and Polish-American relations. Many issues which the government and President have not been able to agree on in the past. When deciding we shouldn’t let the campaigns alone swing our decisions but also consider the actions and attitudes of these two politicians. What have they done so far that has benefited Poland? What do they want to achieve? How have they behaved? What do they stand for? Do they want to help the majority or the minority? Will they think independently regardless of the party they belong to?
It’s a hard choice to make. The decision will also decide the direction Poland will take.
Here's a link to some comments against Komorowski (in Polish)
http://moimzdaniem.salon24.pl/184920,kaczynski-vs-komorowski-czyli-kto-gorszy-dla-po
General information on both candidates
http://europeancourier.org/test/2010/05/28/june-20-komorowski-v-kaczynski/
Some more info on the important issues to be considered during this election
http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20100618/159483099.html
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-06-20/poles-vote-for-president-in-euro-deficit-referendum-update1-.html
Monday, June 21, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Must Vote, but for Whom?
This Sunday responsible Poles of legal age are going to make their way to the voting booths. The two prime candidates for the position of President are Bronislaw Komorowski and Jaroslaw Kaczynski. If we look at statistics the other eight candidates don’t stand a chance. The race is on between the two PO and PIS candidates. Who to vote for?
It’s a tough question. Listening and watching their campaigns makes my stomach turns. My trust in Polish politics is limited. After three years living in this country and taking an interest in politics I am shocked as to the behaviour of many of the politicians here and the rules that apply to them. From what I can see is that there aren’t rules. Candidates who should be removed from politics immediately are allowed to run for President. Lies, bribery and charges seem to be irrelevant here. I try to keep a positive outlook on all this but at times it does get difficult.
I’d like to see Poland become the country that it can be. To prosper and grow. To give equal opportunity to all its citizens. To develop the agriculture, tourism and construction industries. There are so many opportunities and talents that are wasted due to a lack of knowledge, resources, support or all of the above. It’s a shame because the potential is there. Poland is a beautiful country.
Poland requires a leader. Komorowski and Kaczynski as leaders are questionable. They are the only two candidates that are the most appealing and suitable but not necessarily ideal. They have their strengths and weaknesses but I don’t think that their abilities weigh up to the requirements of this country’s needs at the present time. Poland needs someone who isn’t just going to be charismatic and persuasive with the public. Poland requires a President who can make independent decisions irrespective of which party he belongs to. A President who will be able to assess the current situation in Poland and make educated and logical decisions in relation to education, the health care system, welfare, infrastructure and the future of the country. Someone who will put the people’s needs first, and their own second.
In order for Poland to become the best it can be, the country is going to require a strong leader with good intentions. A leader who can make those intentions into reality. Both candidates have made promises about what they intend on doing once they are in the Presidential seat. However, these are just words, and history tells us that during the campaigns, many of these words are empty.
I hope that every Pole that is legally allowed to is going to vote on Sunday. I think this election is one of the most important ones in recent years, especially due to the recent tragedies in Smolenski and with the floods. The people need a President who they can rely on and trust not only in times of tragedy and sorrow, but also in times of prosperity and change for the better. A President who will stop looking at the past and start thinking about the present and beyond.
Voters need to look at this objectively and without emotion. The future of Poland will be determined by the result of these elections. It’s a shame that we don’t have a leader who we’d like to vote for without a doubt.
It’s a tough question. Listening and watching their campaigns makes my stomach turns. My trust in Polish politics is limited. After three years living in this country and taking an interest in politics I am shocked as to the behaviour of many of the politicians here and the rules that apply to them. From what I can see is that there aren’t rules. Candidates who should be removed from politics immediately are allowed to run for President. Lies, bribery and charges seem to be irrelevant here. I try to keep a positive outlook on all this but at times it does get difficult.
I’d like to see Poland become the country that it can be. To prosper and grow. To give equal opportunity to all its citizens. To develop the agriculture, tourism and construction industries. There are so many opportunities and talents that are wasted due to a lack of knowledge, resources, support or all of the above. It’s a shame because the potential is there. Poland is a beautiful country.
Poland requires a leader. Komorowski and Kaczynski as leaders are questionable. They are the only two candidates that are the most appealing and suitable but not necessarily ideal. They have their strengths and weaknesses but I don’t think that their abilities weigh up to the requirements of this country’s needs at the present time. Poland needs someone who isn’t just going to be charismatic and persuasive with the public. Poland requires a President who can make independent decisions irrespective of which party he belongs to. A President who will be able to assess the current situation in Poland and make educated and logical decisions in relation to education, the health care system, welfare, infrastructure and the future of the country. Someone who will put the people’s needs first, and their own second.
In order for Poland to become the best it can be, the country is going to require a strong leader with good intentions. A leader who can make those intentions into reality. Both candidates have made promises about what they intend on doing once they are in the Presidential seat. However, these are just words, and history tells us that during the campaigns, many of these words are empty.
I hope that every Pole that is legally allowed to is going to vote on Sunday. I think this election is one of the most important ones in recent years, especially due to the recent tragedies in Smolenski and with the floods. The people need a President who they can rely on and trust not only in times of tragedy and sorrow, but also in times of prosperity and change for the better. A President who will stop looking at the past and start thinking about the present and beyond.
Voters need to look at this objectively and without emotion. The future of Poland will be determined by the result of these elections. It’s a shame that we don’t have a leader who we’d like to vote for without a doubt.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Relaxing in Bieszczady
Bieszczady are one of my favourite places to visit in Poland, especially in the summer. They aren't as crowded as other parts of Poland like Zakopane, but have enough attractions and peace and quite to keep me satisfied and in a holiday mood. We tend to go every year, and last year we even purchased a piece of land so that maybe we can build a holiday home or a permanent home in the future.
Zagórz - ruins of a 19th century monastery
Lake Solina
Zagórz - ruins of a 19th century monastery
Lake Solina
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
A kinda anniversary
Three years today.
Wow. It's hard to believe. Where have the past 1096 disappeared too. It sure as heck doesn't feel like I've been taking up space in Poland for that long.
What have I done in all this time? Has it been wasted? Has it been worthwhile?
Well, in my personal guidebook for life I like to think that every experience is a valuable one. There will always be good times, bad times and indifferent times. The only thing I hope for at this moment is that I have grown as a person. The rest doesn't really matter.
So how am I celebrating?
A delicious bowl of pasta, glass of red, and an assignment for my Masters that must be finished today, no excuses. Joy.
Wow. It's hard to believe. Where have the past 1096 disappeared too. It sure as heck doesn't feel like I've been taking up space in Poland for that long.
What have I done in all this time? Has it been wasted? Has it been worthwhile?
Well, in my personal guidebook for life I like to think that every experience is a valuable one. There will always be good times, bad times and indifferent times. The only thing I hope for at this moment is that I have grown as a person. The rest doesn't really matter.
So how am I celebrating?
A delicious bowl of pasta, glass of red, and an assignment for my Masters that must be finished today, no excuses. Joy.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Taking Your Own Advice
Why is it always easier to give others advice but when it comes to taking our own it just doesn't happen. I'm beginning to wonder whether or not I'm looking at life a little bit inappropriately. Being born under the sign of the Pig, I am a Taurus. Taurus's are stubborn, love life and food, like to get what they want and can be temperamental. I am all those things with little boundaries. They also like the fine things in life and to be surrounded by people they can be proud of. When this does not happen, life can go haywire for some Taurus's. And if they aren't satisfying their life expectations every day, things get nasty.
I've noticed in recent months that things are getting nasty for me. The people around me are driving me crazy. I see their imperfections and I realise that some of the things I dislike in them, are actually the things I can't stand about myself. As a result I feel down most of the time and feel like packing my suitcase and disappearing.
The problem? Me, really. I've stopped doing the things that I love and moving in the direction that I want to go in.
The solution? Get off my ass, start dong the things that matter to me and stop caring about what others think. Until I am happy with who I am and what I'm doing, nothing will change.
I've noticed in recent months that things are getting nasty for me. The people around me are driving me crazy. I see their imperfections and I realise that some of the things I dislike in them, are actually the things I can't stand about myself. As a result I feel down most of the time and feel like packing my suitcase and disappearing.
The problem? Me, really. I've stopped doing the things that I love and moving in the direction that I want to go in.
The solution? Get off my ass, start dong the things that matter to me and stop caring about what others think. Until I am happy with who I am and what I'm doing, nothing will change.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Good news or bad news?
Reading the newspaper on-line has become an everyday ritual. It's one of the first things I do when I turn on my computer whether it's in the morning or afternoon. Keeping abreast of all the latest in news headlines keeps me aware of what is going on in the world. I always thought this was a good thing. Lately, I'm beginning to wonder.
Wherever I look there's bad news posted on the page. Murder, violence, drugs, accidents, fraud, crime, war. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of seeing all the negativity in the world. Yes, I know that the reality is that there are good and bad people. Unfortunately, it's just those that commit crimes or do something stupid who get attention. The individuals who actually make a positive difference to society are rarely heard of. Why? Yes, we are obsessed with bad news. It's what sells. Just like sex sells, bad news sells. Which newspaper would you be more likely to buy, 'Five Beat Up in Nightclub Raid' or 'Mother of Five Saves Stray Dogs'?
Shouldn't journalists be paying as much, if not more attention to stories that show the positive sides of people. Wouldn't that have a positive impact on society's behaviour? Set an example to act like decent human beings? Maybe it's all the bad news that's broadcast around the world which is leading to even more crime and violence. I'm worried that in five or ten years time it's going to be dangerous to go outside like portrayed in one of those lame futuristic films.
What do you think?
Wherever I look there's bad news posted on the page. Murder, violence, drugs, accidents, fraud, crime, war. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of seeing all the negativity in the world. Yes, I know that the reality is that there are good and bad people. Unfortunately, it's just those that commit crimes or do something stupid who get attention. The individuals who actually make a positive difference to society are rarely heard of. Why? Yes, we are obsessed with bad news. It's what sells. Just like sex sells, bad news sells. Which newspaper would you be more likely to buy, 'Five Beat Up in Nightclub Raid' or 'Mother of Five Saves Stray Dogs'?
Shouldn't journalists be paying as much, if not more attention to stories that show the positive sides of people. Wouldn't that have a positive impact on society's behaviour? Set an example to act like decent human beings? Maybe it's all the bad news that's broadcast around the world which is leading to even more crime and violence. I'm worried that in five or ten years time it's going to be dangerous to go outside like portrayed in one of those lame futuristic films.
What do you think?
Sunday, May 2, 2010
II Bieg Zoo, Warsaw
Yesterday at 10am, 1000 people from all over Poland joined together to participate in the second 10km Bieg Zoo in Praga, Warsaw. While the weather was in our favour, the morning was filled with sweaty smiles, laughter and exhaustion. A combination enjoyed by many runners.
Running is one of those sports where everyone is equal. No one is judged by their occupation, income levels, age or likes and dislikes. Everyone on this day is a runner and there for the same thing, to give it their best and have a good time. Some people beat records, others are happy to finish the race. The atmosphere was great regardless of the rain.
While I had fun, this was one of my lousiest runs. My body somehow failed me but I managed to finish with a time of 52:17 minutes. At one point I had nausea, stomach ache and a stitch at the same time which slowed me down incredibly. Why? I'm guessing it was the large breakfast I had on the morning of the race. Next time, I'll remember to eat less before the race. Jarek finished with a great time of 46:32.
Running is one of those sports where everyone is equal. No one is judged by their occupation, income levels, age or likes and dislikes. Everyone on this day is a runner and there for the same thing, to give it their best and have a good time. Some people beat records, others are happy to finish the race. The atmosphere was great regardless of the rain.
While I had fun, this was one of my lousiest runs. My body somehow failed me but I managed to finish with a time of 52:17 minutes. At one point I had nausea, stomach ache and a stitch at the same time which slowed me down incredibly. Why? I'm guessing it was the large breakfast I had on the morning of the race. Next time, I'll remember to eat less before the race. Jarek finished with a great time of 46:32.
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