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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: derspiess on May 21, 2015, 10:56:32 AM

Title: Slovenian Politics
Post by: derspiess on May 21, 2015, 10:56:32 AM
Hopefully to keep us from veering off into Slovenian politics other threads, I thought maybe we should have a single thread for all those discussions.

I know it's been nearly a year since the last parliamentary elections, but to me it seems that the governing coalition of Miro Cerar's Stranka Modernega Centra party, the Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia, and Social Democrats is in trouble. 

Miro Cerar has just not fulfilled his campaign promise of a change of political culture and more "respect for fellow men".  Some say he just needs more time, but my question is: when is he going to start??

What do you guys think?
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Barrister on May 21, 2015, 11:06:07 AM
:thumbsdown:
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Martinus on May 21, 2015, 11:06:52 AM
I think this may spell Fico's return to power.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Valmy on May 21, 2015, 11:07:22 AM
I think it hardly matters which major party is in power in Slovenia, both are pretty centrist.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Valmy on May 21, 2015, 11:07:48 AM
Quote from: Barrister on May 21, 2015, 11:06:07 AM
:thumbsdown:

What? I thought this was your South Slavic country?
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Barrister on May 21, 2015, 11:09:18 AM
Quote from: Valmy on May 21, 2015, 11:07:48 AM
Quote from: Barrister on May 21, 2015, 11:06:07 AM
:thumbsdown:

What? I thought this was your South Slavic country?

I have always been one with the people of FYROM.  :cool:
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Caliga on May 21, 2015, 11:32:21 AM
Slovenia is like barely a Slavic country per my understanding.  More Western than the rest of former Yugoslavia, and the chicks look like Italians. :hmm:
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: derspiess on May 21, 2015, 11:35:55 AM
Hitler offered to let them become Germans in WWII but they said no.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: MadImmortalMan on May 21, 2015, 03:35:58 PM
Quote from: Caliga on May 21, 2015, 11:32:21 AM
Slovenia is like barely a Slavic country per my understanding.  More Western than the rest of former Yugoslavia, and the chicks look like Italians. :hmm:

They make Italian babes look ugly.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: The Brain on May 21, 2015, 03:37:46 PM
Slovenia must be strank.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 21, 2015, 04:15:06 PM
Any news for Laibach?
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 21, 2015, 04:25:04 PM
Laibach and Thinkovinglund.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Josquius on May 21, 2015, 04:28:39 PM
I think I missed a joke somewhere
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: jimmy olsen on May 21, 2015, 06:39:29 PM
Where did this come from? :unsure:
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Tonitrus on May 21, 2015, 07:41:01 PM
My guess?  Typical Languish thread mockery of Mart's "Polish Politics" thread.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Martinus on May 22, 2015, 02:42:06 AM
Quote from: Tonitrus on May 21, 2015, 07:41:01 PM
My guess?  Typical Languish thread mockery of Mart's "Polish Politics" thread.

Which is retarded.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Eddie Teach on May 22, 2015, 02:50:32 AM
I'm kinda surprised the Hungarian Politics thread has gotten so much action. I mean, there's only so many times people can make "hovercraft full of eels" jokes.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Valmy on May 22, 2015, 08:03:08 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on May 22, 2015, 02:50:32 AM
I'm kinda surprised the Hungarian Politics thread has gotten so much action. I mean, there's only so many times people can make "hovercraft full of eels" jokes.

Eastern Europe is interesting these days. Too bad for Eastern Europeans.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: derspiess on May 22, 2015, 08:45:09 AM
Quote from: Tonitrus on May 21, 2015, 07:41:01 PM
My guess?  Typical Languish thread mockery of Mart's "Polish Politics" thread.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: derspiess on May 22, 2015, 08:45:58 AM
Quote from: Martinus on May 22, 2015, 02:42:06 AM
Quote from: Tonitrus on May 21, 2015, 07:41:01 PM
My guess?  Typical Languish thread mockery of Mart's "Polish Politics" thread.

Which is retarded.

Polish politics may be retarded, but it is what it is.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Ed Anger on May 22, 2015, 09:10:01 AM
Potato
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 22, 2015, 01:36:12 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on May 21, 2015, 07:41:01 PM
My guess?  Typical Languish thread mockery of Mart's "Polish Politics" thread.

Nope, but Yi got it.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Tonitrus on May 22, 2015, 01:58:10 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 22, 2015, 01:36:12 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on May 21, 2015, 07:41:01 PM
My guess?  Typical Languish thread mockery of Mart's "Polish Politics" thread.

Nope, but Yi got it.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fp.fod4.com%2Fp%2Fmedia%2Fed3b817d38%2FcuwMHmBXTX6Ut6kxiqUz_Star%2520Trek%2520Hot%2520Dog.gif&hash=dc71b537bc2abcb8448937edd777bad5e892d589)
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: derspiess on May 22, 2015, 02:09:30 PM
Reminds me I need to pick up some brats & metts from the butcher for this weekend.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Ed Anger on May 22, 2015, 06:18:52 PM
I didn't know Mart was in ST:TNG.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: derspiess on June 03, 2015, 11:21:10 AM
Miro Cerar, again dodging the big issues :rolleyes:

http://www.sloveniatimes.com/cabinet-touring-rural-south-central-slovenia

QuoteThe Miro Cerar government will be touring the south-central region of Primorsko-Notranjsko on Wednesday to discuss how this mostly rural region could better tap on its natural resources and geographic location
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: The Minsky Moment on June 03, 2015, 11:31:16 AM
The joke doesn't really work because Poland really matters.

And Hungary matters too - for entertainment value.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Barrister on June 03, 2015, 11:33:56 AM
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on June 03, 2015, 11:31:16 AM
The joke doesn't really work because Poland really matters.

And Hungary matters too - for entertainment value.

:mad:

#SlovenianLivesMatter
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 11:34:32 AM
I am actually going to Slovenia in a few weeks.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 03, 2015, 11:43:25 AM
What for?
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 11:45:11 AM
Holidays.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: derspiess on June 03, 2015, 12:00:20 PM
I bought a bottle of Slovenian wine as a joke in 1994 for like $2.99.  Turned out to be surprisingly decent.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 12:06:17 PM
Just stay away from the moonshine they call slivovica, and you're pretty set in the Balkans.

I hear their beer is quite good too. The Croats at least had three major labels founded in the late part of the 19th century.
The food is more than decent. There's slow-roast lamb (usually called something like "Lamb under the bell") which is very good.

From the last trip to the former Yugoslavia, my only negatives were bullet holes in buildings and Ustashe grafitti.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: derspiess on June 03, 2015, 12:21:17 PM
Quote from: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 12:06:17 PM
Just stay away from the moonshine they call slivovica, and you're pretty set in the Balkans.

Is that the plum brandy?  I've heard it was okay if there's nothing else to drink.

QuoteI hear their beer is quite good too. The Croats at least had three major labels founded in the late part of the 19th century.
The food is more than decent. There's slow-roast lamb (usually called something like "Lamb under the bell") which is very good.

From the last trip to the former Yugoslavia, my only negatives were bullet holes in buildings and Ustashe grafitti.


I found some decent Croat beer a while ago as part of my quest to drink beer from 50 different countries.  It was pretty good.  Would love to run across Slovenian or Serb beer, or Bosnian beer I as well I guess.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 12:37:25 PM
Quote from: derspiess on June 03, 2015, 12:21:17 PM
Quote from: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 12:06:17 PM
Just stay away from the moonshine they call slivovica, and you're pretty set in the Balkans.

Is that the plum brandy?  I've heard it was okay if there's nothing else to drink.


This is where my vocabulary falls short. Normally spirits are made by refining its base material.
Slivovica definitely isn't. From Norwegian, the direct translation would be "raw burning" as to the process.
Obviously, there exists good and bad sorts. But yes, usually made from plums, peaches or apples.

My first drink for several years was a glass of slivovica at a restaurant where they refused to let me leave until I had tasted it. It was suitable as the last drink I have as well. Tasted a bit like what I imagine the motor oil from a diesel engine tastes like.

I guess like many other countries, the former Yugoslavia got their initial breweries by learning from the Czechs and Austrians.
From my drinking days, I remember Greek beer as rather unsuitable for human consumption, though.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Valmy on June 03, 2015, 12:43:11 PM
General Svetozar Boroevic said that the Slovenes would die before giving up any of their sacred soil to the Italians. So I assume it must be very nice fertile soil. Take a picture for me.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 12:49:07 PM
They have about 2 km of coastline. I am: going to see it.
And Ljubljana's international festival.

If their trains and buses run on Italian time, I suppose I will see neither.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: The Minsky Moment on June 03, 2015, 12:51:37 PM
Quote from: derspiess on June 03, 2015, 12:00:20 PM
I bought a bottle of Slovenian wine as a joke in 1994 for like $2.99.  Turned out to be surprisingly decent.

It's a traditional wine growing region with good geography for it; borders right on some of the best Italian white wine areas, so shouldn't be a surprise.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 12:53:44 PM
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on June 03, 2015, 12:51:37 PM
Quote from: derspiess on June 03, 2015, 12:00:20 PM
I bought a bottle of Slovenian wine as a joke in 1994 for like $2.99.  Turned out to be surprisingly decent.

It's a traditional wine growing region with good geography for it; borders right on some of the best Italian white wine areas, so shouldn't be a surprise.

Most people forget even in the Balkans they take time from ethnic cleansing to grow vines.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: The Larch on June 03, 2015, 01:26:10 PM
Quote from: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 12:06:17 PM
Just stay away from the moonshine they call slivovica, and you're pretty set in the Balkans.

I hear their beer is quite good too. The Croats at least had three major labels founded in the late part of the 19th century.
The food is more than decent. There's slow-roast lamb (usually called something like "Lamb under the bell") which is very good.

From the last trip to the former Yugoslavia, my only negatives were bullet holes in buildings and Ustashe grafitti.

The dangerous spirit is rakja, which is ubiqutous in the region. Food is hearty and unsophisticated. Mmm, cevapi... Beer, at least in Serbia, is pretty bland, although I never tried anything too fancy.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: derspiess on June 03, 2015, 01:32:54 PM
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on June 03, 2015, 12:51:37 PM
Quote from: derspiess on June 03, 2015, 12:00:20 PM
I bought a bottle of Slovenian wine as a joke in 1994 for like $2.99.  Turned out to be surprisingly decent.

It's a traditional wine growing region with good geography for it; borders right on some of the best Italian white wine areas, so shouldn't be a surprise.

When I was 21 and didn't know much about wine outside of California and France, it was a surprise.  Plus, you know, the price point.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 01:35:04 PM
Rakja... isn't that the same stuff the Greeks call Ouzo? Minty liqour at some proof alcohol level suitable for thinking that dancing to "Zorba" is a great idea after a few?

I agree. The food is simple and hearty. Nothing very sophisticated. I imagine our resident Byzanteen would probably say otherwise and that it was THE BEST FOOD EVER. It wasn't. It was certainly not bad. Croatia is a bit like Italy, with lots of pasta. Most decent places also serve pizzas that are on par with what you get in Italy.

What I learnt in Croatia is that they really can't do fish well. Outside of Sicily, most places can't match Norwegians for good servings of fish.
Then again, we don't have swordfish. :(
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: The Larch on June 03, 2015, 01:38:08 PM
Quote from: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 01:35:04 PM
Rakja... isn't that the same stuff the Greeks call Ouzo? Minty liqour at some proof alcohol level suitable for thinking that dancing to "Zorba" is a great idea after a few?

I agree. The food is simple and hearty. Nothing very sophisticated. I imagine our resident Byzanteen would probably say otherwise and that it was THE BEST FOOD EVER. It wasn't. It was certainly not bad. Croatia is a bit like Italy, with lots of pasta. Most decent places also serve pizzas that are on par with what you get in Italy.

What I learnt in Croatia is that they really can't do fish well. Outside of Sicily, most places can't match Norwegians for good servings of fish.
Then again, we don't have swordfish. :(

No, rakja is basically moonshine. Nothing minty or siropy about it, plain harsh moonshine. The harshest varieties are strong enough to power a small car or tractor in a pinch.

And if you want good fish you have to come over here. My father despaired about it when he visited Croatia, he was dismayed about how small all the fishes were, but that's the Mediterranean for you.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 01:59:55 PM
If I am not mistaken, I have a standing invitation from you anyway.  ;)

I'd love some Spanish seafood.

Lots of Mediterranean folks love the Red Snapper. It would barely qualify as food here.
I am not comparing it to farmed salmon, which isn't all that great. But compared to say cod or fresh water trout, it's rather poor. Both the Greeks and the Balkanese choose to fry it whole rather than fillet it.

And I am looking at you too, Britain: Fish does not necessarily have to be battered and fried.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: derspiess on June 03, 2015, 02:04:09 PM
I still have some rainbow trout in the freezer from my fishing trip in April  :Canuck:
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Syt on June 03, 2015, 02:32:35 PM
Weirdest drunkness was on Serbian plum moonshine. Everyone who drank from it did something stupid/weird/crazy that night.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 02:36:38 PM
Quote from: derspiess on June 03, 2015, 02:04:09 PM
I still have some rainbow trout in the freezer from my fishing trip in April  :Canuck:

The best fish there is, in my opinion.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 03, 2015, 02:38:31 PM
Quote from: Syt on June 03, 2015, 02:32:35 PM
Weirdest drunkness was on Serbian plum moonshine. Everyone who drank from it did something stupid/weird/crazy that night.

Do tell.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Syt on June 03, 2015, 02:41:27 PM
I'd really rather not. :ph34r:
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 03, 2015, 02:43:05 PM
Sacrifice your selfish desires for the greater good. :ph34r:
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 02:57:14 PM
My girlfriend, who imbibed quite a bit more than me, thought it was a great idea to swim naked and have sex on the beach.

That poor fellow who was out fishing probably just got his eyesight back.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 03, 2015, 02:57:30 PM
Rakija/ракија is actually plum brandy. The one I tasted was not that great, but far from the worst spirit I drank. I tasted better after having a few other glasses of some other alcoholic drink
Not necessarily moonshine though, there seems to be some legit production, I even saw it on sale in Paris.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: derspiess on June 03, 2015, 03:08:45 PM
Quote from: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 02:36:38 PM
Quote from: derspiess on June 03, 2015, 02:04:09 PM
I still have some rainbow trout in the freezer from my fishing trip in April  :Canuck:

The best fish there is, in my opinion.


A couple of them are "Golden Rainbow Trout", which are a mutated species first bred in West Virginia fish hatcheries a few decades ago.  They are harder to catch.  But taste the same :mellow:
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 03:23:26 PM
Rainbow trout is common in mountain lakes here. In the lowlands, there's mostly just bass and fish that's not fit to eat under any circumstance. I should probably add that's freshwater. The seas outside our coast are fairly clean when Chinese or Russian ships aren't capsizing.

If you like trout fishing, you would probably love the movies a couple of my friends have made. PM me if you want to know more, Spicey.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Syt on June 03, 2015, 03:26:43 PM
I hear for Salmon fishing you want to go to Yemen (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1441952/).
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 03:30:42 PM
For salmon fishing you probably want to be royal and have your own river.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: derspiess on June 03, 2015, 04:09:04 PM
Quote from: Norgy on June 03, 2015, 03:23:26 PM
Rainbow trout is common in mountain lakes here. In the lowlands, there's mostly just bass and fish that's not fit to eat under any circumstance. I should probably add that's freshwater. The seas outside our coast are fairly clean when Chinese or Russian ships aren't capsizing.

If you like trout fishing, you would probably love the movies a couple of my friends have made. PM me if you want to know more, Spicey.


Yep, shoot me a message.
Title: Re: Slovenian Politics
Post by: MadImmortalMan on June 03, 2015, 04:09:34 PM
You can get good beer at the Ljubljana farmers' market booths.

They generally have their two popular national pivos: Union and Lasko. Essentially Bud and Coors.