Lech Kaczynski, Poland's president, his wife and several other high-ranking government officials were also aboard the aged Tupolev Tu-154, that crashed, about 2km (1.3miles) from the airport in Smolensk, in Russia.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and both men visited the crash scene.
The president's role may have been symbolic but, he can veto government legislation. The speaker of the lower house of parliament, Bronislaw Komorowski, has been named acting president, under polish constitutional law until an emergency presidential election will take place. Normally, elections are held in October but have been pushed up to two months from now.
What's the big deal, you might ask? Why does this affect Americans?
Along with the president, the central bank governor, the chief of Poland's military and Deputy Foreign Minister all were on board the same plane, there were no survivors.
Analysts told Reuter's reporter's that Polish markets would not be severely affected. Additional quote by Goldman Sachs is in the article.
I found a very interesting article that helps to explain some of my concern with a country that I view as being 'olitically and financially vulnerable.
Yes, this is the classic mistake of a pilot dragging aroud the most important men of his country. I find it perfectly reasonable.
Whether or not you're flying a president, or a homeless man, pilot error is very common. It's usually the cause of crashes too. Not only that, the blackbox was found. The pilot was advised to land in Moscow or Minsk because of the heavy fog in Smolensk, their destination. The pilot refused to change course and couldn't see more than a few feet ahead.
Why does everything that ever happens turn into a conspiracy?
t ended 140+ years ago, and African Americans are still far from equal in our society.
Other than the fact that our President is of African decent, blacks can vote, can get educated, hold office, etc. right?
Through a political standpoint, they are equal, through a social point of view, there is some friction, but not enough to be significant
Why does everything that ever happens turn into a conspiracy?
That's what the government DOESN'T want you to know! We all know that this is a cover up to impose a dictatorship and brain control on the Western Civilization. >_<
Other than the fact that our President is of African decent, blacks can vote, can get educated, hold office, etc. right?
What people fail to realize is that Obama ran against one of the worst campaigns of all time. A headless chicken could have beat McCain.
Through a political standpoint, they are equal, through a social point of view, there is some friction, but not enough to be significant
So why is 45% of the prison population black when they make up 12% of the population? They make up 35% of welfare recipients. There are only 4 black CEO's in Fortune 500 companies. Why is the average black income around 33K and the average white income is 48K? I could go on. But African Americans are still heavily disadvantaged due to the past.
.And again, I searched the internet for a while and couldn't find any sort of link to Kaczynski and anti-Semitism.
And the pope isnt necessarily a nazi child molester, doesnt mean there arent holocaust deniers and pedos in the catholic church. If you look at the history of the coalition of the law and justice party he was a head of it has a long history of anti semitism and homophobia.
Russia's energy policy is quite aggressive and forceful. Russia also threatened embargo when Poland wanted to host the US's missile defense shield. Russia threatens Poland quite a bit.
And antagonism is the appropriate response? I dont think so.
Not really. Many actions from hundreds of years ago still cause pain to this day. Look at slavery in the US. It ended 140+ years ago, and African Americans are still far from equal in our society.
Yes it is dangerous populism simply because it isnt progressive and incites hatred. Instead of actually addressing the chronic economic problems poland has, such as labour shortages, and massive migration, saying ''russia did it'' doesnt really solve anything. Unless you can provide me with any example of where dwelling on past wrongs has ever lead to a good outcome, my point stands.
And the pope isnt necessarily a nazi child molester, doesnt mean there arent holocaust deniers and pedos in the catholic church. If you look at the history of the coalition of the law and justice party he was a head of it has a long history of anti semitism and homophobia.
So you've gone from calling him a Holocaust denier, to saying he's part of a party that has a history of anti-Semitism (again, I have found NO evidence of this. PLEASE provide some). You're looking worse and worse here. Even if they had a past history of anti-Semitism, it's about what they believe now. Remember how it was the Democrats in America who supported slavery, now their leader is a black man and the president. Things change.
And going back to homophobia, you aren't listening to me. Poland is arguably the MOST conservative country in Europe. The people of Poland are very much against gay marriage. It's just how they are. I don't agree with it, but it's how the Poles are. Don't put it all on the President, who barely has power anyways.
And antagonism is the appropriate response? I dont think so.
Maybe not, but how is this linked to anti-Semitism? You've made horrific claims of Holocaust denial, which has turned into "He criticizes Russia." Most people in the world criticize superpowers. I'm sure you have too. Get over it. Seriously.
Yes it is dangerous populism simply because it isnt progressive and incites hatred. Instead of actually addressing the chronic economic problems poland has, such as labour shortages, and massive migration, saying ''russia did it'' doesnt really solve anything. Unless you can provide me with any example of where dwelling on past wrongs has ever lead to a good outcome, my point stands.
But looking at the past helps solve present ills. Looking at what caused problems can help us combat similar problems in the present. And it's not like he blamed Russia for every damn thing.
So you've gone from calling him a Holocaust denier,
Where did i say this? I said he had holocaust deniers in his government, like his minister for education. His party is also a part of the European Conservatives and Reformists whose leader has been described as ''"It is clear that Mr KamiÃ…ski was a member of the NOP, a group that is openly far-right and neo-Nazi." The leader, Kaminski also denied the Jedwabne pogrom, in which polish gentiles took part.
I never said he was personally a holocaust denier. However the fact that he is willing to ally himself to such a group in the eu (itd be like the tories allying with the bnp) shows he either had closet sympathies, or was very willing to compromise his moral principles for political gain. Either way, not the actions youd expect from someone who you purport to be a friend to the state of israel.
As for him being a homophobe: ''"homosexuals should not be isolated, however they should not be school teachers for example. Active homosexuals surely not, in any case", but that homosexuals "should not be discriminated otherwise".[1] He has also stated, "The affirmation of homosexuality will lead to the downfall of civilization. We can't agree to it".[2] Lech Kaczynski, while mayor of Warsaw, refused authorization for a gay pride march; declaring that it would be obscene and offensive to other people's religious beliefs. A Warsaw court later ruled that Kaczynski's actions were illegal.[3]''
Doesnt really sound like the paragon of virtue you make him out to be on social issues.
His partys stance on gays. Not particularly progressive:
''It opposes same-sex marriages or any other form of legal recognition of homosexual couples.''
Maybe not, but how is this linked to anti-Semitism?
I never claimed it was linked to anti semitism.
You've made horrific claims of Holocaust denial, which has turned into "He criticizes Russia."
Not really. They are completely separate issues, and i have treated them as such.
Most people in the world criticize superpowers. I'm sure you have too. Get over it. Seriously.
Most people in the world arent heads of state and dont have to worry about the ramifications of what they say. To judge the personal opinion of a nobody to the same standards as a historic enemy of russia in a position of power is ridiculous.
Looking at what caused problems can help us combat similar problems in the present.
Considering russia is not the source of polands current ills, i dont see how focusing on them is helpful.
And it's not like he blamed Russia for every **** thing.
I never said he did, but scapegoating is never helpful, regardless of the scale.
Poland is arguably the MOST conservative country in Europe.
It probably isnt. Having traveled through central europe and the balkans region id say its average, not exceptional. Either way though, when you claime dhe was 'very liberal' on social issues, this simply cannot be said to be true, even in the context of polands political spectrum.
As for him being a homophobe: ''"homosexuals should not be isolated, however they should not be school teachers for example. Active homosexuals surely not, in any case", but that homosexuals "should not be discriminated otherwise".[1] He has also stated, "The affirmation of homosexuality will lead to the downfall of civilization. We can't agree to it".[2] Lech Kaczynski, while mayor of Warsaw, refused authorization for a gay pride march; declaring that it would be obscene and offensive to other people's religious beliefs. A Warsaw court later ruled that Kaczynski's actions were illegal.[3]''
Now you're desperate. You aren't even reading the whole paragraph. His twin brother said that about teachers. You aren't even providing any evidence of any of your claims and are taking quotes out of context. You lose. I'm done with you.
Now you're desperate. You aren't even reading the whole paragraph. His twin brother said that about teachers.
Fair enough, i did misread that, and didnt mean to intentionally deceive and i guess you;; just have to take my word on that. However, lech kaczynski still disallowed gay pride marches, which was actually illegal, whilst mayor of warsaw, as the paragraph stated. That seems to be a pretty homophobic thing to do, especially if it was illegal by polish standards.
You aren't even providing any evidence of any of your claims and are taking quotes out of context. You lose. I'm done with you.
Its pretty convenient of you to say so, when i have provided evidence for every single one of my claims about his homophobia and anti semitism. Unlike you though, i at least have the cojones to concede the making of an incorrect point. The fact you are still dogmatically defending his 'liberal stance on social issues' in light of what has been said and the evidence provided about his time as mayor of warsaw, the prevalent anti semitism and homophobia within his own party, and his choice to ally his party with effectively neo nazi groups in the eu is a simply ridiculous claim. If it pleases you to be wilfully ignorant though, by all means.
me... not really. I hope... Anyways, I don't know who should but it seems like poland might have a hard time with this seeing as a bunch of other high ranking officials also died.
The fact you are still dogmatically defending his 'liberal stance on social issues' in light of what has been said and the evidence provided about his time as mayor of warsaw, the prevalent anti semitism and homophobia within his own party, and his choice to ally his party with effectively neo nazi groups in the eu is a simply ridiculous claim. If it pleases you to be wilfully ignorant though, by all means.
I'm not sure how many times I can say that Poland is extremely conservative. Though Kaczynski may be seen as Conservative in the overall spectrum of politics, he was liberal in Poland. He was a huge supporter of trade unions, social security, and expanding health care. No, he didn't support gay marriage. One issue doesn't mean your are not liberal.
And again, I don't know how else to say it, but show me some proof that he or his party is linked to anti-semitism!!! SHOW ME! Please, for the love of God, show me. You have not provided one link or quote on it, yet you keep saying it. It's getting old. Prove it or stop calling his party anti-semitic.
