The Consilience Forum's 'Cross-Roads' Dia(b)log

Return Babies - is adoption becoming like shopping?

2008-02-15T00:52:00.010+01:00

Return Babies, Queue Here!-the case of Polish Baby X
Does adoption have a return policy?

Have you ever thought about adopting a baby? What do you think it would be like?
With the natural parenting it is generally assumed that the love for one's child happens automatically, as a result of instinct and hormones and whatnot. If a natural mother finds it hard to relate to her new baby, it's attributed to her hormones being out of whack after the delivery. So, if it's all chemistry and glands, how come the adoptive parents aren't given shots to make them love their new baby better?

Adoption is always being compared with natural parenthood, but the truth is, it is a lot more like marriage. You have to make the conscious effort to build this relationship - day after day after day.
Just like the marriage, adoption is a social contract. It begs the question - can there be a divorce?

Our presenter, Roberto, wanted us to discuss a case of a couple who gave back a baby they have adopted, after finding out the boy was autistic. The court allowed that after it was found out that the adoption agency knew about it but tried to hide it from prospective parents. However, they have to pay for the child's support until he's of age.

What was the morally correct thing to do?
Can babies be treated as a product, with a two week return policy? After all, adoptive parents are made to pay large fees for the process.
Natural parents don't have these kinds of choices, if they find out their baby is disabled, they are expected to accept it. Why should adoptive parenthood be any different?
How can you abandon an autistic kid to the system which wasn't taking proper care of him in the first place, knowing he would probably never have another chance at a family?
On the other hand, if you know you can't cope, isn't it fairer to back out now, while the damage is still relatively small, than to fail later?

Please, share your thoughts and experiences.

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technorati tags: poland, consilience, warsaw, blog

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2008-01-23T23:37:00.000+01:00

Is it me, or it is getting hot in here?

The elusive Electric Car and more.

On the usual last Thursday of the month, Consilience Forum hosted a presentation by Konrad J. on the topic of Global Warming. Or "Global Heating," as some insist we call it: a fuzzy blanket can be warm. We are talking about a process more similar to slowly heating a pot of water - and we're the frog sitting in it!
Konrad, loaded with his impressive electronic equipment, gave a short outline of what the process is, and demonstrated a lot of data and facts on how it is beint tried to be dealt with. The highlight of his presentation, howewer, was the brief history of the electric car. Not the hybrid car, not one of the many prototypes wchich we see being unveiled from time to time, only to fade into obscurity. A real deal, fully functional, available to any consumer (provided they live in California) electric car that was relased in the Nineties (!) and was proving to be a viable alternative. Unfortunately, it was backed out from the market by the producer, due to car and fuel industries pressure.
All the time when we've been hearing that the wholly electric cars are not developed enough yet to be practicall to use on the wide market - to slow, to costly, to difficult to charge - it had been proven wrong already.

After the presentation, we got ourselves in a holiday mood by plaing some Christmas-themed party games, like "pin the nose on a reindeer," ate (vegetarian) bigos, and listened to carrols.

The Consilience Forum
A JOINT, NON-PROFIT VENTURE
IN ENLIGHTENING ENGLISH
THOUGHT CONVERSATION.
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technorati tags: poland, consilience, warsaw, blog

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2007-10-27T06:48:00.000+02:00

The Controversy
sexuality in religious art - now and in renaissance

Many contemporary artist mix religious symbols and imagery into their works, combining them freely with secular, mundane ones (utylity objects, pop culture icons and such). Such works more often than not spark controversy among the general public, especially in Poland. But there's nothing to cause bigger outcry than a coegsistence of sexual and religious theme in the same context.

But it wasn't always so. Our speaker, Grażyna, being an art historian, presented us with an array of Renaissance paintings and sculptures of Biblical themes that were full of nudity. Most notable were images of Jesus, which accentuated His maleness - a visual arguments in teological debate on nature of Christ that was going on at the time.

Our participants were quite suprised to learn that such portrayals were common at certain point in church history. However they were quick to add that these were far less schocking than modern attempts at putting sexual and religious into the same work of art like - for example -Nieznalska's "Passion."

We were then asked why is that exactly? Partially because a painting is far less realistic to us than a photograph, and thus less explicit. We have to remember however that for the people living during Renaissance this was probably most realistic, and they - having far less exposure to visual stimuli - had to find them much more sexual than we do. Yet they seem to have been all right with naked figures of Christ, at least up to the council of Trident which turned a moral tide.
Also we have been trained to see old style nude painting as "art" and not "act." It's been presented to as, from the moment we are children at school, as a composition of light and shadow, fine brush stokes and delicate pigments - and not as a picture of a naked body.

We also expect from the contemporary, modern artists to try and shock us. If they use sexual and religious symbols, or images, side by side, it's probably to stirr controversy only. Many probably are doing just that, but it is also true that often they simply ofshoot theyr mark. They create a piece that can have various and multilayered interpretations - for fellow artists, critics and conossieurs, and only single and crude one - in the eyes of the general public.

Are we all post-Tridental? Are most contemporary artists just hoaxes? Or are we out of tune with modern art language and see offense where there's hardly one? Share your toughts.

The Consilience Forum
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IN ENLIGHTENING ENGLISH
THOUGHT AND CONVERSATION.
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2007-10-17T16:41:00.000+02:00

Back up and running with an euthanasia debate.

Is it right to pull the plug? The scope and burden of the decision.
New discussions at the Consilience Forum

On September 27th Adam F. gave an exellent presentation entitled "I want to die, why can't I?" With this, Consilience Forum returned in a new venue, once again bringing you interesting debate on controversial topics - in english, of course.

The presentation, featuring the case of Terry Shiavo - toghether with its far less publicized aftermath - and other tought provoking examples of situations where one could be required to end a life of the another, was followed by a fruitfull discussion, and a "practical exercise" of sorts, where participants had an opportunity to read over, and attempt to fill, a Living Will form. A mini voting was held at the end of discussion, where most participants were in favor of euthanasia legistlations being introduced in Poland, albeit each with huge caveat.

The meeting was concluded over a light meal and a glass of wine.
We will be meeting again in October.

The Consilience Forum
A JOINT, NON-PROFIT VENTURE
IN ENLIGHTENING ENGLISH
THOUGHT AND CONVERSATION.
Stay Consilient!

technorati tags: poland, consilience, warsaw, blog

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Being Gay in Poland: Misinformed Myth and Raw Reality

2005-06-28T23:01:00.000+02:00

What is a reality of being Gay/Lesbian in Poland?

The Consilience Forum audience listened to "Being Gay in Poland" at the monthly meeting.

After the recent debacle over Equality Parade in Warsaw, our country has made it to the front pages of many western newspapers and internet sites fighting with Homophobia and promoting Gay Rights. Are Poles really so intolerant?

The answer differs, depending on whom, and where, you ask. As to be expected, main line of division goes between younger and elder generations, big city centers and province, the "liberal" and the "conservative".

But reopened discussion among general public and in the media, especially the language of it, had shown that the real problem behind Polish Homophobia. It is lack of basic knowledge regarding Homosexuality. In it's place, stereotypes and biases reign in the vocabulary.

In western societies, discussion regarding sexual orientation and discrimination started c.a. the end of the sixties. Here - in the end of nineties. We observe and relate to the state of public discourse elsewhere in the world, but without comprehending how they get where they are today. Polish media report on controversies regarding same sex marriages and adoption, when our society haven't yet understood fully what does it mean to be Gay or Lesbian.

Opponents of equality in Poland use a language that bases on stereotypes and hate speech. They question most of the basic facts regarding homosexuality (often not even bothering to get to know them first), as "homosexual propaganda".

In western societies such attitude is reserved to fringe groups, known for their disregard of scientific knowledge in general, whenever it collides with their views. Most of other people, including those who do not agree with the demands of Gays and Lesbians, accept these facts, albeit not always their implications and significance. But they gained their knowledge through constant public debate stimulating research and government campaigns promoting the knowledge coming from that research.

It's also important to recognize that Gays are internally diverse...from conservative to a bit on the liberal side.

In Poland dormant public debate springs to life only occasionally, usually in connection to some political turmoil. Then the knowledge about Homosexuality is discussed in the media, often briefly and without understanding. When the hubbub is over, usually it becomes evident, that again there were people who didn't listen at all.

Also these declaring themselves open, liberal, and pro-equality sometimes do lack knowledge on the subject. Or they have some deep running doubts and issues they don't wish to explore.

With a low numbers of Gays and Lesbians coming out in our society, it is not so uncommon of people to be declaring tolerance towards homosexuals, while they do not know any personally. (which is statistically impossible - they are simple unaware of sexual orientation of some people they know) And even if they do, certain "silly questions" remind unasked out of fear of appearing homophobic after all.

In the end, its up to individuals to search and accept knowledge of the Other whoever he is. This is one of the most enriching human experiences.

We hope that our forum provided you with such opportunity.

Links in polish:

Kampania Przeciw Homofobii

Co to znaczy być Gejem; Lesbijką?

Niech Nas Zobaczą

Stowarzyszenie Lambda

więcej linków na www. kampania.org.pl

technorati tags: poland, consilience, gays, blog

One Year On in The EU - The Death and (re-)Birth of Poland

2005-05-28T04:54:00.000+02:00

Poland & the EU- Mutually enriched?

The Topic of our May 2005 Consilience Forum meeting at Pasta Cafe was presented by Joanna K. The title of her talk was "Poland and the EU, or Something Like it" -- during the presentation, we explored questions, as Joanna puts it, touch upon '...where the geographical borders of Europe are and how deep can the integration process go?' Very important, and so very relevant today...(the following comments are not Joanna's - they are intended to add to the topic) Read a report on the meeting at PolBlog (re: United in Their Differences).

A year has passed since Poland joined European Union, and there are some summaries to be made. What has hanged during that time? Are we different - as a member state - from the country that was aspiring to that membership? Who are we now? Who were we?

First of all, it seems, that Poles understand now more what European Union is - and what it is not. Many of our rather exaggerated expectations, and fears, from a year ago seem ridiculous, when confronted with rather prosaic reality. Poles feel that - to a degree - they know what to expect from the Union in the nearest future and, whether EU-enthusiasts or Euro-sceptics, they take the matter more at ease.

We had our great moments together, we had difficult ones. Polish leaders were able to show political weight of our country on the European arena at some occasions, and quite unable - at others. By now, an average Pole seems to be used to the fact, that the matters out there are running at their rather inert pace, and being a major player takes time, lot's of grunt work/groundwork, and it won't happen overnight. Most of the EU political storms roll over the far horizon nowdays. Unless, of course, they are connected to the - alays close to everybody's hearts - money matters. But then it's a domestic politician that usualy takes the beating.

Jigsaw Puzzle or Humpty Dumpty?

That does not mean, that the EU spares us interesting times to live in. The major attraction on the news is the new Constitution, and it's fate - doomed(?), it seems at the moment. What exactly will it mean to Polish people in the short, and in the long run, we haven't decided yet. But the crisis is grasping our attention, despite many matters being decided on the home turf as well. The question of who speaks for Poland is also important, should Warsaw have the loudest voice in this debate?

We're in the Union to stay, and share its fate - for better or for worse. It would be nice to know that we're also able to shape it.

Some questions come to mind: What exactly is European about Europe, and for that matter what is European about the EU? How will varied alliances and diplomatic postures toward the USA among member states play out within the EU itself (is more cohesion/division promised?) Is to European to be anti-American?

http://www.europa.eu.int

**Join an official EU Blog by Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the Commission and Commissioner for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy.

Read the European Constitution, and about it

Are You an European Citizen? What does it mean, really...?

Pope John Paul the Second - Prophetic Church Doctor or Traditionalistic Church Doctor?

2005-04-26T20:07:00.000+02:00

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

"Somewhere around September, 1919, God created an extraordinary soul who would be named Karol Wojtyla."

These words from the Inside the Vatican magazine were just one of the many praises we heard after John Paul's II departure. We listened to the numerous tributes, and shared our own memories of him, in hope to have his presence preserved in some common Testimony.

When the initial grief started to ease a little, more and more commentators took on a task to summarize this great pontificate, and an impact that one Great Man had at the world, and the Church.

Read some of the comments at CNN.com Special Report and share your thoughts.

The topic of our recent Consilience Forum meeting, presented by Robert S., was:

Pope John Paul the Second - Prophetic Church Doctor or Traditionalistic Church Doctor?

We wanted to reflect on what were the main achievements of the late Pontiff, and his legacy to the Church - in the teachings as well as in the spiritual testimony of a person he was.

Hence the question that was brought in by the topic - will the Pope John Paul II become a Doctor of the Church? And which part of his heritage will gain recognition?

Papal analysis by Father Robert

The Doctors of the past were in the first place the scholars of the doctrine. They helped to preserve it against heresies, and answer new intellectual challenges as they appeared.

People that were recognized as the Doctors of the Church during 20. Century, like St. Theresa of Avila, St. Catherine of Siena, or St. Teresa of Lisieux, were mystics, possessed inner Wisdom, and derived their teachings from personal experience rather than any theological studies.

John Paul II gave a great recognition to these "new" Doctors of the Church. It is during his pontificate that the very idea changed, to reflect the need to base the Church teachings on the supernatural wisdom and spiritual experience as well as elaborate theological dissertations.

"If you would like to know how to recognize a prophet, look at him who gives you knowledge of your own heart." ~Persian Wisdom

What part of late Pope's teachings will be more important to people, and the Church - his personal testimony, or his theological works? Which will be more remembered in ten years from now?

Please, share your views and opinions at Consilience Forum Blog.

Read more about the Doctors of the Church, and how are they established, in the Catholic Encyclopedia

Links:

written and spoken - messages of John Paul II
More on JPII on the Catholic.net

let us know of more links in English!

Thank you Robert!

Work and Study in the United States

2005-04-11T20:29:00.000+02:00

Welcome to the CF Blog!

The following discussion is devoted to the subject of the April 14, 2005 (Thursday) US Embassy's America Presents (formerly, or aka, American Thursday presentation:

“Working and Studying in the U.S.” by Lisa Piascik and Aleksandra Augustyniak

This time it will be a special presentation on Working and Studying in the U.S. It will be a great opportunity to find out about applying to universities in the US, the university system and financial aid, and also about specific visa requirements for studying in the U.S. and the requirements for the Summer Work and Travel program.

From the Warsaw Voice - American Dreams:

A record number of Polish students are expected to participate in the U.S. Summer Work & Travel Visa Program, which allows them to work in the United States for up to four months.

Work in the USA - Earn & Learn

Presenting this information, and answering all your questions will be Lisa Piascik, Consul General at U.S. Embassy Warsaw and Aleksandra Augustyniak, Educational Advisor for the Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission.

So, if you are students who are thinking about studying in the U.S. in the upcoming year, are interested in the Summer Work and Travel program, or know a person that might be interested in any of these offers, we invite you to attend and share the information.

The presentation will take place on April 14 at 3:00 P.M. at the American Embassy.

How to attend:
1. Get on the Guest List by e-mailing americanthursday@state.gov or by calling the embassy: 504-2395.
2. You have to do it by April 13 (one day before the presentation)
3. Please enter at Piekna 14A

More useful links: http://exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges/about.htm
http://wise.wisefoundation.com/index.php?sect=1
list of other useful links in polish

Check here to see if a University is the USA has official accreditation

Find a good Distance Learning Program in the USA

Keep Talking! Keep Typing (here)!

We invite You here to continue the opinion exchange started in the Q&A part of the presentation. If You havn't had a chance to ask Your question to the presenters, or would like to add something more - here's an opportunity for You to do so.

As most of You are probably non-native English speakers, the written form of this discussion may allow You to express ourselves more fully. Share Your thoughts and impressions about the presentation with fellow participants. Comment on other people's posts. You can include links to sites containing related info.

The views expressed on this blog discussion are not necessarily those of the USA Embassy.

Keep it in English (of course) and related to the presentation subject, and enjoy blogging! The discussion will be opened since the end of the presentation and will last as long as there is an interest - max. 3 weeks ahead.

Keep Talking! Keep Typing! (06/04/05)

2005-04-03T22:03:00.000+02:00

Welcome to the Consilience Forum Blog

Is the EU from Venus and USA from Mars?

The following discussion is devoted to the subject of the April 6 (Wednesday) US Embassy's American Thursday presentation: “United States -European Union Relations During the Second Bush Administration” by Prof. Roy Ginsberg.

We invite You here to continue the opinion exchange started in the Q&A part of the presentation. If You havn't had a chance to ask Your question to the presenters, or would like to add something more - here's an opportunity for You to do so. As most of You are probably non-native English speakers, the written form of this discussion may allow You to express ourselves more fully. Share Your thoughts and impressions about the presentation with fellow participants. Comment on other people posts. You can include links to sites containing related info.

The views expressed during this blog discussion are not necessarily those of the USA Embassy.

Keep it in English (of course) and related to the presentation subject, and enjoy blogging!

The discussion will be opened since the end of the presentation and will last as long as there is an interest - max. 3 weeks ahead.

The Consilience Forum
A JOINT, NON-PROFIT VENTURE IN ENLIGHTENING ENGLISH THOUGHT CONVERSATION.
Stay Consilient!
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Blog-in at: consilience-forum.blogspot.com

Where to begin...What has John Paul II's impact on the world been?

2005-04-03T21:37:00.000+02:00

A Profuse Blesser

"To understand this Pope, you must go back to his Polish roots."

During his 26 years as Pope, John Paul II, has had an influence in many areas of life (both religious and non-religious alike).

What is your opinion of this man? And please share any personal rememberances...use the 'Comment' link below...

For a good blog link to the life and times of the Pope, click here.

A link to NYT (Pope's obit)

"Whatever you set your mind to do, you always should make the road before you wide open, so that all people may traverse it. This is the concern of a great man." ~Zhang River Annals

UPDATE [4/4/05]: According to The Global Language Monitor, Record 35,000 news reports on Pope -- "More than 3.5 Million Internet Citations & 35,000 Major New Stories in First 24 Hours; Words most frequently associated: Historic, Conservative, and Beloved"

"The growth of the Internet in recent years provides an unprecedented opportunity for expanding the Church's missionary outreach, since it has become a primary source of information and communication for so many of our contemporaries, especially the young" ~Pope JPII (February 21, 2003)

Comment

It's been extraordinary, a flood of wonderful memories from people all over the world about how the Pope has personally touched them. I have been listening to quite a few reports via internet and listening to personal tributes. I don't know if it's only me but I have noticed a common thread among most of the non-clergy regarding the Pope. People look at the Pope through their own particular faith or non-faith filters and so, for example, an atheist will present the Pope as a great humanist (sans any mention of God). I heard a Muslim man characterize the Pope as a man of peace -- no mention of the profound Christian faith at the core of the Pope's being. Is this normal - I mean to reduce the Pope to a non-threatening caricature (albeit wonderful) that fits nicely into our faith filters? What about taking a moment to reflect on and confront the fact that what made the Pope such a great humanist, or man of peace was in fact the God whom he worshipped? Are we secularizing the Pope?

In Poland especially, there is a temptation (and rightly so) to take ownership of the Pope as a great Pole. Poland should recall that there are over 1 billion Catholics around the world, the Pope belongs to all of us (to humanity in general). My gripe isn't with this tendency, it happens in all countries fortunate enough to produce from their ranks a truly exemplary person. The lesson that is under threat of being lost is that the Pope was God's instrument, and it is God who deserves the glory. The Pope's faith facilitated God's work through him, and credit belongs to the Pope as a man of great, and steadfast faith. But let's not forget that the warm and inspiring light that came from this Pope to millions of people, originated from somewhere -- and the Pope would be the first one to tell you it wasn't from himself. And that it is available to and for all of us. "With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." (Mark 10:26-28)

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IN ENLIGHTENING ENGLISH
THOUGHT CONVERSATION.
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Adventures with a palm

2005-03-27T22:10:00.000+02:00

Dear Consilience Forum Members and Friends!

"Greetings from Jerusalem Ave" (Warsaw, Poland) by Joanna Rajkowska

We would like to invite you to to exchange your opinions about the topic of our current CF presentation - public art. For an intro to some key ideas about public art, there is a good article by Jack Becker.

For a good place to start to read about contemporary thought on Public Art, check out the Public Art Review.

What is public art for you? What are your expectations towards an art piece displayed in the public space? What do you think about public art displayed in Warsaw so far? Have you heard about any famous presentations and happenings in the other cities?

There has been abit of support from around Poland for the Palm.

Share your views with us and other readers. Comment on others' opinions, as well as the content of the presentation.

Our Guest - Joanna Rajkowska - presenting

Read about different art projects at Community Art Network (CAN).
Check out Arts Journal and Public Art Research Archive.

Your opinion is important - share it!

The Consilience Forum
A JOINT, NON-PROFIT VENTURE IN ENLIGHTENING ENGLISH THOUGHT CONVERSATION.
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First Post

2005-03-23T12:48:00.000+01:00

Iraq (Steven Bitner/USA)

I just wanted to post a short intro to let the Consilience Forum participants know that I am available to continue the conversation that we had last Thursday at the Embassy. I'd like to thank those of you that were there for your questions and participation. If you have anything additional that you'd like to ask or say, this is the place to do it.

Regards,
Steve

The Consilience Forum
A JOINT, NON-PROFIT VENTURE IN ENLIGHTENING ENGLISH THOUGHT CONVERSATION.
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"Keep Talking! - In the Green Zone(17/03/05)

2005-03-17T12:26:00.000+01:00

The Green Zone, Iraq (Hussein Malla / AP)

Welcome to the Consilience Forum Blog

The following discussion is devoted to the subject of the 17. of March US Embassy's American Thursday presentation: “Living and working in the Green Zone of Baghdad”, by Ms. Bonnie L. Weaver and Mr. Steven R. Bitner.

We invite You here to continue the opinion exchange started in the Q&A part of the presentation. If You havn't had a chance to ask Your question to the presenters, or would like to add something more - here's an opportunity for You to do so. As most of You are probably non-native English speakers, the written form of this discussion may allow You to express Yourselves more fully. Share Your thoughts and impressions about the presentation with fellow participants. Comment on other people posts. You can include links to sites containing related info.

Read more about Iraq Reconstruction
View the Photo Gallery

Here are some Iraq internet resources:
Iraq Weekly Status Report by US Department of State (pdf)
UN news focus
Council of Foreign Relations
Amnesty International Iraq news and reports
International Red Cross in Iraq

The views expressed during this blog discussion are not necessarily those of the USA Embassy.

Keep it in English (of course) and related to the presentation subject, and enjoy blogging!

The discussion will be opened since the end of the presentation and will last as long as there is an interest - max. 3 weeks ahead.

The Consilience Forum
A JOINT, NON-PROFIT VENTURE IN ENLIGHTENING ENGLISH THOUGHT CONVERSATION.
Stay Consilient!
www.consilienceforum.org
Blog-in at: consilience-forum.blogspot.com "

Transcript of Online Chat with Professor Stephen Szabo on Rebuilding the Transatlantic Relationship

2005-03-15T22:19:00.000+01:00

Last month Professor Stephen Szabo was the guest speaker at the monthly American Thursday held at the USA Embassy in Warsaw. The topic was relations between Europe and USA after this past re-election of President Bush. Due to the success of the presentation, the Embassy organized an online chat with Prof. Szabo this week...here is the info and the link (I hope) to the transcript of the chat...Poland is discussed a few times, so please read and add your comments...

USA Embassy announcement -
U.S. Embassy Warsaw is pleased to announce a live Internet chat with Professor

Stephen Szabo on Rebuilding the Transatlantic Relationship Tuesday March 15, 2005 at 1:00PM. From February 24-26 Professor Szabo was in Warsaw and Lodz, Poland speaking to students, academics and policy makers about U.S. Transatlantic Relations. This is a unique opportunity for individuals to continue the discussion and ask questions about this important foreign policy topic. If you would like to sign up for the discussion please email americanthursday@state.gov by Monday March 14th. Read Professor Szabo's bio. You can also read Professor Szabo's recent remarks made in Warsaw.

Please stay tuned, the transcript should be available shortly...

Library of Congress Unites Work of Alan Lomax - Radio Show

2005-03-10T23:51:00.000+01:00

This in from National Public Radio:

"The Library of Congress unveiled today its latest acquisition: the archives of legendary folklorist Alan Lomax. The collection had been housed at a college in New York. Now -- as NPR's Felix Contreras reports -- it is united in Washington, D.C. with the work Lomax did with his father for the library in the 1930s and '40s."

To hear a 2002 radio interview with Alan Lomax - there are other good links as well.

Keep Talking! - Blues Program (3/10/05)

2005-03-10T10:53:00.000+01:00

Welcome to the Consilience Forum Blog.

The following discussion is devoted to the subject of the 10. of March US Embassy's American Thursday presentation: "The Land Where the Blues Began", by Donald G. Fleming and Michael E. Taft.

We invite You here to continue the opinion exchange started in the Q&A part of the presentation. If You havn't had a chance to ask Your question to the presenters, or would like to add something more - here's an opportunity for You to do so. As most of You are probably non-native English speakers, the written form of this discussion may allow You to express Yourselves more fully. Share Your thoughts and impressions about the presentation with fellow participants. Comment on other people posts. You can include links to sites containing related info.

Read more about:
Alan Lomax Archive NYC
American Folklife Center (Library of Congress)

Keep it in English (of course) and related to the presentation subject, and enjoy blogging!

The discussion will be opened since the end of the presentation and will last as long as there is an interest - max. 3 weeks ahead.

The views expressed during this blog discussion are not necessarily those of the USA Embassy.

Here are some Blues internet resources:
Feelin' The Blues (Polish)
Blues Slang

The Consilience Forum
A JOINT, NON-PROFIT VENTURE IN ENLIGHTENING ENGLISH THOUGHT CONVERSATION.
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They're in the White House Press Corp - But Are Bloggers Journalists?

2005-03-08T21:07:00.000+01:00

Here's the news connected with my post yesterday...

"A California judge issued a preliminary ruling on Mar. 3 that three bloggers who published leaked information about an unreleased Apple (NasdaqNM:AAPL - News) product must divulge their confidential sources. If the ruling holds, it will set a precedent certain to reverberate through the blogosphere because this means under the law bloggers aren't considered journalists."

"According to court papers, the company [Apple] says the people who run these sites aren't "legitimate members of the press," and therefore it has the right to subpoena information that will reveal which Apple employees are violating their confidentiality agreements. In most cases, journalists are protected under the First Amendment and don't have to reveal their sources."

For more, click here

Watch the media on this ...especially in USA...it's just getting started! The judge will provide the ruling soon....

So, the question is: Is a blogger a journalist?

UPDATE [3/12/05]: And the winner is... Apple!

Just in from NYT:
Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge James Kleinberg ruled in Apple's favor, saying that reporters who published ``stolen property'' weren't entitled to protections.

What underlies this decision is the publishing of information that at this early stage of the litigation fits squarely within the definition of trade secret, Kleinberg wrote. `The right to keep and maintain proprietary information as such is a right which the California Legislature and courts have long affirmed and which is essential to the future of technology and innovation generally.'

The case has been widely watched in the fast-growing world of Web logs -- or blogs, Web sites that contain articles or diary entries and that recently have propelled stories into the mainstream.

International Women's Day - 2006 to be declared European Year against Violence against Women

2005-03-08T11:54:00.000+01:00

We would Like to wish Our Readers, regardless of their gender, a good Women's Day.

From the United Nations publication:
"8 March is an occasion marked by women's groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their Day, they can look back to a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development."

Learn more about A History of International Women's Day

Check out this month's "Zoom In on America", a newsletter by American Embassy. Read more about events connected with celebrations of IWD in the USA: The Women's History Month

UPDATE [3/10/05] -- International Women's Day 2005: is the role and perception of women in the European Union changing? Click here

UPDATE [3/10/05] -- The Daphne Toolkit -- combating violence in the home, and EU project, click here

White House Credentials First Blogger

2005-03-07T19:56:00.000+01:00

Here is a very interesting announcement:

"White House Approves Pass for Blogger
Published: March 7, 2005
Garrett M. Graff, who writes a blog about the news media in Washington, has a pass for the daily White House press briefing today."

For more, click here

The original source

It seems blogging has now become part of the mainstream -- oh no, time to create something new! Or maybe the blogstream is taking over the mainstream? But how significant is this? Who's wagging the dog? Better B-Log-in to find out.

UPDATE: Well, here's the first White House blogcast

UPDATE [3/8]: Hold on! But are they really journalists? A pending ruling by a judge in California is about to set off a serious discussion about the legal status of bloggers.

Iraq: What's Behind The TV Screen

2005-02-28T20:00:00.000+01:00

Wojciech said...
Iraq: What's Behind The TV Screen

Supporting Iraqis from Warsaw - Cf Meeting 2/2005

During my conversations many people often asked me what is the real life
in post-war Iraq. On the TV screen they can watch mostly blood, fighting,
bombings, people dying, kidnappings, political rallies etc. That is the
picture that world viewers receive almost every day from Iraq via TV.
Is this picture true? Is this really how Iraqis live today? Do they think only about kicking Americans out of their country?
This photo-presentation is to help you to answer on that questions by yourself and
make you realise what the real life of ordinary people in Iraq is.

My answers are: this is not true picture and it show only very small part of Iraq's reality. Somebody who wants to find out answers on very complicated Iraq's questions should only remember that the country has been deprived of human rights and democratic governments for all years of its existence.

What had Iraqis lost and what had they gained during and after the last war?

1. First and worst of all – 18 thousand of killed people during
the war – most of them civilians, and thousands wounded.
2. Lack of security on streets is the biggest problem they have after the
war.
3. Shortages with basic goods: petrol, electricity, water.
4. Looting of public buildings made the country poorer.
5. Partisan war still going on in some aeras of the country.

But most of Iraqis live now better than they used to during Saddam's
times. Those who lost their privileges is ancient regime's establishment.
1. Liberalised media.
2. Changed climate for business and enterprise, investor's optimism growing.
3. Improvements in infrastructure affecting ordinary people (roads,
hospitals, schools).
4. Civil liberties taking root (voting rights, free movement of population,
political parties).
5. Democratically choosen parliament.

I believe these photos will let you to look closer at that predications.

28/2/05 11:42

In English, of course...

2005-02-27T15:09:00.000+01:00

Check out this site we are developing to help with your English hopefully in an interesting way! It is quite new, so be patient...but you can also post your opinions too (In English, of course!).

Warsaw Calendar

2005-02-27T14:45:00.000+01:00

Got nothing to do today? Check out a new monthly events calendar...have a good one!

Should Poland support Turkey?

2005-02-26T20:20:00.000+01:00

Recently, the Polish Prez saidthat Turkey should be in the EU...: "The Polish head of state emphasized the need to secure a place for Turkey in a new united Europe. In his opinion, the democratic processes initiated there should be supported, especially in view of the threat posed by Islamic fundamentalists"

Is this really a good idea? Shouldn't Poland, and the whole EU, be more focused right now with EU integration instead of knee-jerk bandwagonism (re: expansion)?

Which side of the equation should the EU emphasize more "European" or "Union"?

What happening in Polish culture

2005-02-26T19:51:00.000+01:00

For your weekend or during a break in the weekWhat's happening in Polish culture lately

Is your finger blue?

2005-02-23T00:45:00.000+01:00

Well, I invite you to check out these blogs from Iraqis...our speaker, Wojciech, will be with us shortly...until then, please share YOUR REACTIONS about the photos -- for example, which photo do you remember best? why?

http://www.iraqwires.com/

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