mafketis
17 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
...even if it kills them....
) that many Germans are willing to put up with her tactics.
...even if it kills them....
mafketis
17 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
She did not try at all, she said (in essence) that she would take on all comers... that makes their behavior her responsibility
And it's not like those who were vetted are much better...
bild.de/bild-plus/news/inland/news-inland/der-nette-fluechtling-und-der-millionaer-warum-endete-diese-freundschaft-mit-ein-58390662,view=conversionToLogin.bild.html
try as she may to separate the wheat from the chaff.
She did not try at all, she said (in essence) that she would take on all comers... that makes their behavior her responsibility
And it's not like those who were vetted are much better...
bild.de/bild-plus/news/inland/news-inland/der-nette-fluechtling-und-der-millionaer-warum-endete-diese-freundschaft-mit-ein-58390662,view=conversionToLogin.bild.html
mafketis
17 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
Yes, what could be more tolerant than giving state support to a bigamist child sex abuser? But I guess if you look at it just soooo... then those that oppose child brides and state tolerance of polygamy are the real bigots....
rt.com/news/419407-germany-refugee-two-wives
most civilized, enlightened country she's ever been is because of people such as Angela Merkel who fly the banner of tolerance...
Yes, what could be more tolerant than giving state support to a bigamist child sex abuser? But I guess if you look at it just soooo... then those that oppose child brides and state tolerance of polygamy are the real bigots....
rt.com/news/419407-germany-refugee-two-wives
mafketis
16 Nov 2018
mafketis
14 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
Not scared, just disappointed at the lack of imagination and sad at the loss of languages and cultural distinctiveness, a least common denominator Europe sounds like the most boring thing in existence...
I like being in Poland at least partly because Polish people aren't like punctual, dull Germans. If I were in Germany I wouldn't want the plodding Germans turned into flaky haphazard Poles.
Not scared, just disappointed at the lack of imagination and sad at the loss of languages and cultural distinctiveness, a least common denominator Europe sounds like the most boring thing in existence...
I like being in Poland at least partly because Polish people aren't like punctual, dull Germans. If I were in Germany I wouldn't want the plodding Germans turned into flaky haphazard Poles.
mafketis
14 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
Put "breakup of the USA" or "Will the USA break up" into google and you'll find lots of stuff...
Similarly, what's good for Germany isn't necessarily good for Europe either...
Do you have a link?
Put "breakup of the USA" or "Will the USA break up" into google and you'll find lots of stuff...
But what's good for Britain isn't good for Europe.
Similarly, what's good for Germany isn't necessarily good for Europe either...
mafketis
14 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
Absolutely, at present it's more divided than any time since the Civil War and the gap is growing and shows no signs of diminishing and many analysts assume that it's going to break up into several separate countries in the coming decades, the main question is how peacefully or violently...
In terms of language, culture (social and political and economic) Europe (west of Russia) the USE is a bad idea and would require tremendous cultural levelling. Russia is a closer match to the US (expanding outward over a large area of land and absorbing/displacing weaker regions and peoples).
Sorry Maf, but you've actually described the USA there.
Absolutely, at present it's more divided than any time since the Civil War and the gap is growing and shows no signs of diminishing and many analysts assume that it's going to break up into several separate countries in the coming decades, the main question is how peacefully or violently...
In terms of language, culture (social and political and economic) Europe (west of Russia) the USE is a bad idea and would require tremendous cultural levelling. Russia is a closer match to the US (expanding outward over a large area of land and absorbing/displacing weaker regions and peoples).
mafketis
14 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
Again, an imperial project absorbing weaker nations... it's too bad there's no expression that says that when things seem really different now they're not that different from something before.... we could really use that.
Again, an imperial project absorbing weaker nations... it's too bad there's no expression that says that when things seem really different now they're not that different from something before.... we could really use that.
mafketis
14 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
A big dysfunctional mess? The whole problem of the US of E is that it's trying to play someone else's game rather than trying to
Not a good analogy, Vermont is a founding state and Montana was created by US expansion not by integration.
So, you want German to have the same kind of lofty status as Welsh or Gaelic? You want the Bundestag to disappear? It would be pointless in a US of E, smaller assemblies in the lander should be more than enough. One olympic team? One seat on the UN? One World Cup team?
If that's your position then fine, but earlier you said (and I quote) "I don't see a need for any further integration of European states at this point" You don't see a point but you're okay with letting them continue behind the scenes?
United States of Europe...what do you think that would be???
A big dysfunctional mess? The whole problem of the US of E is that it's trying to play someone else's game rather than trying to
What is Iowa giving up to be part of the US? Or Montana....or Vermont?
Not a good analogy, Vermont is a founding state and Montana was created by US expansion not by integration.
What is Scotland giving up to be part of the UK? Or Wales?
So, you want German to have the same kind of lofty status as Welsh or Gaelic? You want the Bundestag to disappear? It would be pointless in a US of E, smaller assemblies in the lander should be more than enough. One olympic team? One seat on the UN? One World Cup team?
Integration between the nations of Europe has thus far benefited Europeans on the whole
If that's your position then fine, but earlier you said (and I quote) "I don't see a need for any further integration of European states at this point" You don't see a point but you're okay with letting them continue behind the scenes?
mafketis
14 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
Uh? Imperialism (Rome, Ottomans, Russia) is older than nationalism (which only really got started around the 18th century or so)
Exactly! What other integration programs are going on behind the scenes right now?
Imperialism stemmed from Nationalism.
Uh? Imperialism (Rome, Ottomans, Russia) is older than nationalism (which only really got started around the 18th century or so)
The fact is that by the time an idea is mooted publicly it's already been going on behind the scenes for some time
Exactly! What other integration programs are going on behind the scenes right now?
mafketis
14 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
Please find a poll that finds a majority in any country in favor of closer integration. The poll I could find had no more than 30% of German citizens wanted closer integration.
In other words an imperial dream....
How much of what makes Germany German are you willing to give up for the sake of closer integration?
You totally ignore that millions of Europeans are PRO closer integration.
Please find a poll that finds a majority in any country in favor of closer integration. The poll I could find had no more than 30% of German citizens wanted closer integration.
. Those together will be much stronger in the future world than those alone! Economically, politically and militarily.
In other words an imperial dream....
How much of what makes Germany German are you willing to give up for the sake of closer integration?
mafketis
14 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
Just as his comment shouldn't be taken out of context, it shouldn't be taken as some kind of higher truth either. Imperialism led to WWI just as much (maybe more) than nationalism and any European federation will drift toward being an imperial project.
Yet the EU is bound and determined to further integration no matter what the pesky citizenry wants... an army next? How is that even possible?
I think the EU has done a lot of good (esp before the hell currency of the Euro) and is generally a very desirable thing but the integration-mania needs to stop before they wreck the whole thing and undo all the good it has done.
His attitude reflected the feelings of his generation that Nationalism had lead to a global conflict
Just as his comment shouldn't be taken out of context, it shouldn't be taken as some kind of higher truth either. Imperialism led to WWI just as much (maybe more) than nationalism and any European federation will drift toward being an imperial project.
I don't see a need for any further integration of European states at this point
Yet the EU is bound and determined to further integration no matter what the pesky citizenry wants... an army next? How is that even possible?
I think the EU has done a lot of good (esp before the hell currency of the Euro) and is generally a very desirable thing but the integration-mania needs to stop before they wreck the whole thing and undo all the good it has done.
mafketis
13 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
You're making the same mistake the nazis did, thinking that political instability and fascism are a result of ethnicity. They're a result of instability and Germany is very stable (too stable if anything) while the southern flank of the EU is horribly unstable, hemorhaging the young who can't make life plans due to EU enforced austerity and under ethnic pressure by expanding populations from Africa (it's not a 'migration crisis' it's ethno-racial expansion in the face of a vacuum)
Nazis show up anywhere, the "new and improved" FRG
You're making the same mistake the nazis did, thinking that political instability and fascism are a result of ethnicity. They're a result of instability and Germany is very stable (too stable if anything) while the southern flank of the EU is horribly unstable, hemorhaging the young who can't make life plans due to EU enforced austerity and under ethnic pressure by expanding populations from Africa (it's not a 'migration crisis' it's ethno-racial expansion in the face of a vacuum)
mafketis
13 Nov 2018
Life / Why do Polish people love to say "No" to anything you ask? [12]
Based on experience (overhearing interactions, not first hand)
1. No, I'm getting off here (and if the offerer keeps offering) Leave me alone? Why are you bothering me?
2. Why are you being so friendly? What do you want from me?
3. He's the only honest person in government, what's wrong with you?
4. How do you know my grandmother? She never mentioned anyone like you? Leave me alone!
"often
Based on experience (overhearing interactions, not first hand)
1. No, I'm getting off here (and if the offerer keeps offering) Leave me alone? Why are you bothering me?
2. Why are you being so friendly? What do you want from me?
3. He's the only honest person in government, what's wrong with you?
4. How do you know my grandmother? She never mentioned anyone like you? Leave me alone!
mafketis
13 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
They're usually convinced that they're avoiding the errors of the past (even as they repeat them...)
They're usually convinced that they're avoiding the errors of the past (even as they repeat them...)
mafketis
13 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
I'm assuming he's referring to the failure of basic Marxist predictions to come true. The richest states (UK, US, France etc) were supposed to become communist. Russia was the last place, in Marxist theory, that would go communist.
Fascism and Naziism were both responses to the economic and social dislocations of WWI - as I write this, the Euro and austerity are wreaking havoc on young people's lives in Southern Europe, who knows what will be brewing there. Salvini isn't the culmination he's the beginning and it's only going to intensify...
I'm not sure fascist Italy or Nazi Germany had been marxist societies before...
I'm assuming he's referring to the failure of basic Marxist predictions to come true. The richest states (UK, US, France etc) were supposed to become communist. Russia was the last place, in Marxist theory, that would go communist.
Fascism and Naziism were both responses to the economic and social dislocations of WWI - as I write this, the Euro and austerity are wreaking havoc on young people's lives in Southern Europe, who knows what will be brewing there. Salvini isn't the culmination he's the beginning and it's only going to intensify...
mafketis
13 Nov 2018
Classifieds / English/Polish speaking Canadian looking for work as Electrician in Poland [26]
A former Irish colleague lived two years in Berlin and spoke better German than Polish after 5 years in Poland... they had to learn German to get anything done and so they did while in Poland there were people to help them get settled and they got too used to not speaking Polish too soon...
Some years ago a student of mine got a scholarship to study for a year at an English department (one of the eastern lander I forget which) I asked if she spoke German and she didn't and had no interest in learning and told her she'd have to learn in a hurry and she was very skeptical (she came back after a year with very good German).
Germany is much better at getting new arrivals to speak the local language than Poland (or the Netherlands or Scandinavia for that matter) are
A former Irish colleague lived two years in Berlin and spoke better German than Polish after 5 years in Poland... they had to learn German to get anything done and so they did while in Poland there were people to help them get settled and they got too used to not speaking Polish too soon...
Some years ago a student of mine got a scholarship to study for a year at an English department (one of the eastern lander I forget which) I asked if she spoke German and she didn't and had no interest in learning and told her she'd have to learn in a hurry and she was very skeptical (she came back after a year with very good German).
Germany is much better at getting new arrivals to speak the local language than Poland (or the Netherlands or Scandinavia for that matter) are
mafketis
12 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
Actually they weren't aiming at the ones shot, they were collateral damage (and I heard lots of folks say they should have shot the protestors or prosecute them as accessories...).
when the U.S. military shot seventeen unarmed students
Actually they weren't aiming at the ones shot, they were collateral damage (and I heard lots of folks say they should have shot the protestors or prosecute them as accessories...).
mafketis
12 Nov 2018
Life / Why do Polish people love to say "No" to anything you ask? [12]
Rule number one: In Poland "No" does not always mean "No". Often enough it means "Convince me" or "Let's negotiate".
Being flexible has not been a good strategy in much of Poland's history - Polish people are much more into ideas like 'pomysłowy' (ingenious) or 'zaradny' (resourceful). and learning how to get around "No"s is a big part of that.
Also a big culture rule in the US is that if you give someone bad news you have to express regret or sympathy "I'm afraid..." "Sorry, but...." while there's no such rule in Poland.
in Poland where I hear "No" most often in answer to my questions.
Rule number one: In Poland "No" does not always mean "No". Often enough it means "Convince me" or "Let's negotiate".
Flexibility I look for has no word in Polish dictionary.
Being flexible has not been a good strategy in much of Poland's history - Polish people are much more into ideas like 'pomysłowy' (ingenious) or 'zaradny' (resourceful). and learning how to get around "No"s is a big part of that.
Also a big culture rule in the US is that if you give someone bad news you have to express regret or sympathy "I'm afraid..." "Sorry, but...." while there's no such rule in Poland.
mafketis
12 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
People got sick of it (Americans - short attention spans) but the idea that everybody (again outside some northern cities and university campuses) was against the war is rewriting history. Some people wanted out but through victory than simple withdrawal (and of course the government lied about how feasible that was for as long as possible).
All in all it was a stupid venture (the more you know about Vietnam the stupider it seems) but it wasn't as divisive as media would have you believe.
People got sick of it (Americans - short attention spans) but the idea that everybody (again outside some northern cities and university campuses) was against the war is rewriting history. Some people wanted out but through victory than simple withdrawal (and of course the government lied about how feasible that was for as long as possible).
All in all it was a stupid venture (the more you know about Vietnam the stupider it seems) but it wasn't as divisive as media would have you believe.
mafketis
12 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
Once you got out of a few large, liberal cities and university campuses there were no protests and support for US involvement was pretty high.
Once you got out of a few large, liberal cities and university campuses there were no protests and support for US involvement was pretty high.
mafketis
12 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
which one? Warsaw or Wrocław? This year Wrocław was apparently the worst this year with some nasty people involved (Rybak Międlar).
In retrospect it's obvious that PiS and the opposition were working together to try to tame the Warsaw march and it sort of worked. I expect organizers will have to meet an increasingly new restrictive set of conditions each year until it looks more like a patriotic event and less like a convention of soccer hooligans
Of course in most cities it's not a problem at all (Poznań has a nice procession/parade which I was unable to attend since I'd come down with something). There are also the rogale (way too heavy for me to have more than one....)
The March came and went, I attended with my wife, family and friend
which one? Warsaw or Wrocław? This year Wrocław was apparently the worst this year with some nasty people involved (Rybak Międlar).
In retrospect it's obvious that PiS and the opposition were working together to try to tame the Warsaw march and it sort of worked. I expect organizers will have to meet an increasingly new restrictive set of conditions each year until it looks more like a patriotic event and less like a convention of soccer hooligans
Of course in most cities it's not a problem at all (Poznań has a nice procession/parade which I was unable to attend since I'd come down with something). There are also the rogale (way too heavy for me to have more than one....)
mafketis
12 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
the term 'bezinterowne chamstwo' sums them up pretty well... nasty and unpleasant for the sake of being nasty and unpleasant...
the term 'bezinterowne chamstwo' sums them up pretty well... nasty and unpleasant for the sake of being nasty and unpleasant...
mafketis
12 Nov 2018
Study / CELTA course in Poland: Kraków vs Wrocław [21]
Well the main reason is that they don't seem to be teaching anything, it's just practice meant to keep (paying) students running in place and eventually graduate to the next book.
There's a place for that kind of thing (I would have loved something like that for Polish when I needed it and it didn't exist) but it's not something you can build a meaningful curriculum around.....
And the writing "advice" is almost all entirely wrong... (don't get me started....)
why you find those British books so jarring!
Well the main reason is that they don't seem to be teaching anything, it's just practice meant to keep (paying) students running in place and eventually graduate to the next book.
There's a place for that kind of thing (I would have loved something like that for Polish when I needed it and it didn't exist) but it's not something you can build a meaningful curriculum around.....
And the writing "advice" is almost all entirely wrong... (don't get me started....)
mafketis
12 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
In other news, the Polish government is bound and determined to make the country look like it's run by rude bumpkins who do not understand even basic protocol.
wiadomosci.wp.pl/dr-sibora-tusk-w-piatym-rzedzie-to-zlamanie-protokolu-6315841573148289a
Little things matter and if a government can't even follow simply protocol then how can they be expected to be reliable allies?
In other news, the Polish government is bound and determined to make the country look like it's run by rude bumpkins who do not understand even basic protocol.
wiadomosci.wp.pl/dr-sibora-tusk-w-piatym-rzedzie-to-zlamanie-protokolu-6315841573148289a
Little things matter and if a government can't even follow simply protocol then how can they be expected to be reliable allies?
mafketis
12 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
So you're claiming that the 'real' numbers are..... what, exactly?
They are not false - they are skewed.
So you're claiming that the 'real' numbers are..... what, exactly?
mafketis
11 Nov 2018
Study / CELTA course in Poland: Kraków vs Wrocław [21]
Nah, I only used authentic materials (sometimes edited a bit)
also a 'American File' series - ever seen it?
Nah, I only used authentic materials (sometimes edited a bit)
mafketis
11 Nov 2018
Study / CELTA course in Poland: Kraków vs Wrocław [21]
British "textbooks" are the worst, this is the European problem, take those worst at learning foreign languages and put them in charge of the largest sector of the foreign language sector, this makes sense how?
I cannot imagine trying to actually learn anything with the British texts I've seen, but that's the point - the only purpose of any book is to lead learners to the next book in the series...
Wonder what the reasons are, apart from the obvious
British "textbooks" are the worst, this is the European problem, take those worst at learning foreign languages and put them in charge of the largest sector of the foreign language sector, this makes sense how?
I cannot imagine trying to actually learn anything with the British texts I've seen, but that's the point - the only purpose of any book is to lead learners to the next book in the series...
mafketis
11 Nov 2018
Study / CELTA course in Poland: Kraków vs Wrocław [21]
For better or worse, English instruction has been localized throughout Europe there is not much need (or much of a market) for things like BC anymore...
what then in the wake of BREXIT does the UK intend to do about the entire situation of language instruction
For better or worse, English instruction has been localized throughout Europe there is not much need (or much of a market) for things like BC anymore...
mafketis
11 Nov 2018
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
A meaningless statement unless you define the terms (the traditional .
The current fad of painting any kind of nationalism as inherently evil is very dangerous and strengthens, not weakens the real dangerous types, but Macron is a gormless creation of the bankers who want the reign of borderless capital uber alles.
What's surprising is how enthusiastically supposed 'progressives' are signing on to that agenda.
"Patriotism is the opposite of nationalism.
A meaningless statement unless you define the terms (the traditional .
The current fad of painting any kind of nationalism as inherently evil is very dangerous and strengthens, not weakens the real dangerous types, but Macron is a gormless creation of the bankers who want the reign of borderless capital uber alles.
What's surprising is how enthusiastically supposed 'progressives' are signing on to that agenda.