News / The most spectacular errors in Polish politics. [264]

I go along with that. Nothing significant to add really, you've summed it up nicely. It'd be interesting to see the level of accepted foreign applications for university study here. It's absolutely incredible in the UK, staggeringly international.

Life / Why do Poles drink so much? [161]

Through the night, that's a different story :)

Genealogy / 'Madej' Family [12]

The point is not the number, Greg, but the knowledge of the family's history.

Genealogy / 'Madej' Family [12]

I saw Mr Madej yesterday. He is on FB I think. He seems to know about his family name as he discussed it with me briefly after class.

Please PM me for further details.

News / The most spectacular errors in Polish politics. [264]

Another important dimension here is the temporary nature of handouts, as opposed to receiving a regular, steady flow beyond set-up costs.

Staying on topic, I wonder what provisions were made in reverse. I'm not gonna fall into the trap of judging Poland by British standards. Although our nanny state and NHS core concepts were diluted somewhat, we still provide well for newcomers. Poland has long been a homogeneous culture and cannot make a transition of that magnitude overnight. I don't expect Poland to cater for immigrants that much but, being in the EU, it would be nice to know that they reciprocate and bear some of the social costs.

News / The most spectacular errors in Polish politics. [264]

Very true, there are quite a few 'praca w Holandi' agencies here in Gliwice even and I talked to a Pole about his time in Amsterdam as a worker. He said that more Poles want to come but are aware of the restrictions.

Anyway, Polish politics. Well, Tusk is guilty of what Scotland has done. We seem to dispense with practicalities and neatly attach labels to things these days. In Scotland's case, we call 2009 'The Homecoming'. What a nonsense! My Scottish friend went there to enquire about work and JSA (dole money). He found that he wasn't entitled and wouldn't be subsidised for almost anything. A large share of the money is going to immigrants and some Scots aren't getting a look in. Tusk hardly presented the best package to Poles either as many returned to the UK again, disillusioned.

News / Poland Remembers start of WW2 [200]

It's depressing to see all these stats bandied about. Still, population reduction served the desires of the power brokers. May they rot in hell for their global engineering.

Laissez faire should be the outcry.

News / The most spectacular errors in Polish politics. [264]

I meant that they had to think long and hard about leaving Poland. Many didn't really want to but they figured that it would be better for them to do so. There were other options, some more viable than others. You find Poles in many places these days.

News / Poland Remembers start of WW2 [200]

Come on, what do you really think? ;) ;) ;) Stop spinning lines ;) :)

Life / Car stereo thieves - is this a problem in Poland? [23]

That's it, M-G. A German guy told me just last Sunday in Kaunas but I couldn't remember how it went. Being Dutch, you have a better feel for German than I do. My German is pretty shabby.

Peter, he told me that one too. Pretty funny.

Life / Why do Poles drink so much? [161]

Exactly, it's BS of the highest order. I drank a bottle of wine tonight and I made sure that I was up for it. Still, it's responsible drinking and not blown out of all proportion.

Life / Car stereo thieves - is this a problem in Poland? [23]

I'm familiar with both of those. Class!

News / The most spectacular errors in Polish politics. [264]

What you must remember is that well-qualified Poles thought long and hard about their move to the UK. They looked at Sweden and other options but weighed up that the UK presented the best offer. Many fools jumped on the bandwagon in search of utopia. Little did they know that dystopia is often just round the corner.

News / Gazeta Wyborcza: US Backing Off Polish Missile Bases [40]

I agree with your first point. Bast*rds rule the roost and this is true in Scotland too. They selfishly pursue their agendas. I need GUS to tell me what they perceive as the facts as Poles have vastly differing accounts of 'the average life'.

I think Tusk followed through on Kwaśniewski's logic of NATO being a security valve for Poland. It was a club arrangement and Tusk jumped in quickly.

I take an interest in Polish affairs but many board members greatly surpass my knowledge, given their background. That much is evident.

News / The most spectacular errors in Polish politics. [264]

Never underestimate the power of global shaping through hegemonical concerns.

News / The most spectacular errors in Polish politics. [264]

There are inextricable ties and many wouldn't have it any other way. The world wars created a NWO that reflected the balance of power. Ironside, you are smart enough so I assume that you see the indubitable correlation between the wars and the taking off of the EU. Do you think the wars were by accident?

News / Gazeta Wyborcza: US Backing Off Polish Missile Bases [40]

Of course, Tusk doesn't solely pull the strings. Be happy that business concerns aren't as vociferous as in America.

The Polish economy may well be good for Poles but they perceive the economies in Britain to be better. For them, it's a matter of perception and not of economic fact.

Sorry, they may be slightly better off but most Poles seem happy to be in their motherland. I don't understand this glorifying and worshipping of Polish territory, only to revert to moaning/griping when here. Can you shed some light on that? Poles spend the whole time slagging off foreign food and things but bicker constantly about their fatherland. Odd!!!

The Tusk govt wanted to stay in bed with the Americans. Business is business and they felt that the concerns of modernisation were best served by allying themselves with those that could bring about real and meaningful change, i.e the Americans. After all, they are NATO's foremost power.

I am Scottish, yes. Why did you ask, ma man?

News / The most spectacular errors in Polish politics. [264]

TheOther is spot on. Poland cannot reap the benefits of the EU and masz w dupie the views of others who help its sustenance. Also about Piłsudski. This man was courageous but he needed other developments to personally thrive in his quest.

News / Gazeta Wyborcza: US Backing Off Polish Missile Bases [40]

Tusk is a sellout merchant. He is in a constant auction, looking for sb to raise the price.

Simply because Poles do well abroad, living with many other roommates and getting 5000PLN for a 1000 pounds a month job. Plus, the thrill of being abroad and setting yourself up. Don't forget that many Poles came back and couldn't slot in. When you move abroad, that happens, trust me.

The economy doesn't have to be good for everybody, a golden fact to keep in mind, Ironside. Forced???? What do you mean, is there a gun being pointed at their heads?

Poland feels that it needs the US onboard to bolster their security.

News / Gazeta Wyborcza: US Backing Off Polish Missile Bases [40]

Well, the economy has been moving along quite nicely. Poland has learned a lot from the mishaps of the Balcerowicz era of hyperinflation and far-fetched notions of economic stimulus packages.

To you and many others it is simple but sacrificing economic gains at the expense of keeping 'onside' with the US seemed to be a worthwhile endeavour.

News / Gazeta Wyborcza: US Backing Off Polish Missile Bases [40]

The key is, what is in the Polish interest? Tusk is seen as a wavering figure, not quite sure what direction to take. Lech Kaczyński, although a bumptious git, is sure of himself. Winning brownie points has never been his style and well done to him for that.

The missile shield was a show of naivety on Tusk's part. Kaczyński, to his credit, sought to extract concessions and prolong the discussions. He knew that there was no imminent threat and played the game.

Language / Has the influx of returning migrants who speak English affected Polish? [12]

Now you are talking about value judgements. You take from a different culture what you want. It is no secret that Londoners perceive Poles, generally, as sth less than themselves but, then again, that rings true for most Brits too.

Poland is a country of association and it will take a long time, and education, for people to see Poland for the emerging force that it is. The level of medical care is high, as is IT, the technologies of tomorrow. Let the facts speak for themselves and for stereotypes to remain only that.

Life / Are Slavs the best dancers in the world? [27]

Are frogs the best jumpers in the world, or kangaroos? ;)

Language / Has the influx of returning migrants who speak English affected Polish? [12]

Language is such a mind expanding thing, look at it as another part of the tool set which gives you the competitive edge. Poland wasn't unduly fazed by the so-called crisis and has been attracting a lot of inward investment for some time. By virtue of knowing sth, it doesn't mean it will always be at the forefront of your mind. If the lucky few pick up a plum job with an international firm, fair play to them. The others can use their English in different ways.

There has been a concerted drive in the last few years to improve their English. This has largely continued unabated as more and more people sign up to English courses. Some of my students have told me that they are happy with their English level but just want to remain in contact with the language. Hats off to them. My Japanese has become weaker but I just need the right triggers and contact.

The point is, they are Polish and will always think in Polish.

Travel / Kraków to Stockholm, Riga, and Helsinki - any suggestions? [19]

Riga because of the beautiful women there. I loved the bridge with all the locks in the park, did you get to see that?

We left at 5pm and we were told that the waves were picking up. We disembarked when you were embarking (also Lindaline)

Tallinn had a great rynek. Did you get to visit Molly Malones? It was one of my favourite bars in Hiroshima so I was glad that I could go there in Tallinn. Did you sample the gourmet almonds in Tallinn? Wow, I had the warm ones and they were addictive.

Did you try some Balzams from Riga? 45% but it's hallucinogenic, I swear.

How about the market near the harbour in Helsinki? I wish I was hungry then, they had some cracking food. I bought a toy moose for my younger bro's wee baby. I like the Finnish flag and Finnish spirit. I had a Finnish beer near the station before going back to Tallinn.

News / Poland Remembers start of WW2 [200]

He's Jew a break :) Poland did a sterling job in the air but thanks to British spitfires largely. Read a respectable author, Aescherson. He compliments, and rightly, the Polish pilots but Poland was ill-equipped to fight a war with Germany. Piłsudki didn't bring about the changes needed to make Poland a formidable force. Yes, he had spirit and was romantic but that will be swept away by practicality and military clout.

Britain and America played a major part in keeping Europe free of Nazis.

Life / Car stereo thieves - is this a problem in Poland? [23]

The Germans had an old saying about the Polish but the emphasis should be on old. It's not such an issue these days apparently.

Travel / Kraków to Stockholm, Riga, and Helsinki - any suggestions? [19]

I probably saw you somewhere, BLS. I was in Helsinki on that day too. Did you get one of the ferries back to Tallinn that day? The waves were super choppy and many threw up. I don't get seasick but I felt it a little on my stomach. A memorable ride back.

News / What needs to happen in the world so that Poland and Russia form alliance? [297]

Great Britain sounds good :)

News / What needs to happen in the world so that Poland and Russia form alliance? [297]

OK, which countries haven't been taken yet?