Magdalena
12 Jul 2010
History / The Untold Battle of Britain [205]
OK, I get your drift... Quite depressing overall.
"collateral damage" for a good cause...
OK, I get your drift... Quite depressing overall.
Magdalena
12 Jul 2010
History / The Untold Battle of Britain [205]
Has it suddenly become un-PC to openly admit war is all about *killing people*?
Killing is a by-product of that process.
Has it suddenly become un-PC to openly admit war is all about *killing people*?
Magdalena
12 Jul 2010
Magdalena
12 Jul 2010
History / The Untold Battle of Britain [205]
And for the person being killed, the difference is...?
War is always about killing, not always about murder.
And for the person being killed, the difference is...?
Magdalena
12 Jul 2010
History / The Untold Battle of Britain [205]
I meant "war" literally, as in soldiers fighting each other with guns and stuff.
sometimes it's bankrupting them by buying their treasuries...
I meant "war" literally, as in soldiers fighting each other with guns and stuff.
Magdalena
12 Jul 2010
Law / Laundromats in Poland? Good business venture or not? [90]
Never heard of such practices myself...
Curious as to how often this happens...
Never heard of such practices myself...
Magdalena
12 Jul 2010
Law / Laundromats in Poland? Good business venture or not? [90]
OK, so you mean "mieszkania komunalne" (communal / council housing). I finally understand! Why didn't you inform the city council about this? I must say they were very ingenious, though not extremely honest!
OK, so you mean "mieszkania komunalne" (communal / council housing). I finally understand! Why didn't you inform the city council about this? I must say they were very ingenious, though not extremely honest!
Magdalena
12 Jul 2010
History / The Untold Battle of Britain [205]
War is murder, full stop. Someone starts murdering your people, so you murder them right back. You cannot call it "sound military practice" when it suits you. The goal in any war is always physical extermination of the enemy.
was just murder full stop.
War is murder, full stop. Someone starts murdering your people, so you murder them right back. You cannot call it "sound military practice" when it suits you. The goal in any war is always physical extermination of the enemy.
Magdalena
12 Jul 2010
Magdalena
12 Jul 2010
Law / Laundromats in Poland? Good business venture or not? [90]
I am not sure I understand that?
Also, there are many families on the dole that do laundry in their city apartments with the tax payer funding the water and electricity to allow those things to run 24/7...
I am not sure I understand that?
Magdalena
10 Jul 2010
History / The Untold Battle of Britain [205]
Yeah, that's part of what the Yalta Agreement says. On the other hand, it would be nice if you supplied us with some facts about how the same agreement was actually implemented (or not).
A couple of sentences put down on paper are not "a fact".
Actual events, such as summary executions, appearance of new governments, civil wars, elections whether democratic or manipulated are, on the other hand, facts.
Names, dates, events - facts.
See above for me quoting exactly what the Yalta agreement actually says
Yeah, that's part of what the Yalta Agreement says. On the other hand, it would be nice if you supplied us with some facts about how the same agreement was actually implemented (or not).
A couple of sentences put down on paper are not "a fact".
Actual events, such as summary executions, appearance of new governments, civil wars, elections whether democratic or manipulated are, on the other hand, facts.
Names, dates, events - facts.
Magdalena
10 Jul 2010
Food / PIZZA & KETCHUP served only in Poland? [159]
I certainly don't - but when ordering a sandwich at a pub, I often get asked whether I'd like chips with that, dunno whether they're trying to be more like McDonalds or what, but it does happen often enough for me to have noticed ;-)
Who on earth orders chips with a sandwich?? :
I certainly don't - but when ordering a sandwich at a pub, I often get asked whether I'd like chips with that, dunno whether they're trying to be more like McDonalds or what, but it does happen often enough for me to have noticed ;-)
Magdalena
10 Jul 2010
Food / PIZZA & KETCHUP served only in Poland? [159]
They serve chips with everything in the UK as well - and I mean everything, including sandwiches.
Well, rather that than having chips served on the same plate as your lasagna as they do here in IRL...:/
They serve chips with everything in the UK as well - and I mean everything, including sandwiches.
Magdalena
10 Jul 2010
Food / PIZZA & KETCHUP served only in Poland? [159]
Even if the chef is Italian?
Well, that's the way it's usually served in Poland, the more dodgy places might just offer you the ketchup bottle.
pizza in poland simply isn't pizza.
Even if the chef is Italian?
besides a little bowl of bolognese sauce I've never had a bowl of ketchup served with my pizza
Well, that's the way it's usually served in Poland, the more dodgy places might just offer you the ketchup bottle.
Magdalena
10 Jul 2010
Real Estate / Relocating in Poland - what's the best area? [56]
They certainly can. If a school realises that someone is exceptionally gifted, they can cover the curriculum in less time, graduate sooner, and sit the matura sooner as well. No problem there. It's only a question of sequence - no matura before graduation.
As in "Tracking (also called streaming) is separating pupils by academic ability into groups for all subjects within a school" (Wiki)?
If yes, then of course the Polish system has it, though not within the school:
basic vocational schools
secondary technical schools
specialised lyceums
artistic lyceums
general lyceums
Streaming / tracking as described in Wiki seems like rather a terrible idea to me:
"Students are usually not offered the opportunity to take classes deemed more appropriate for another track, even if the student has a demonstrated interest and ability in the subject." (Wiki)
If this takes place within the school, then it is academic apartheid, pure and simple.
if someone is capable of passing the Matura at 17
They certainly can. If a school realises that someone is exceptionally gifted, they can cover the curriculum in less time, graduate sooner, and sit the matura sooner as well. No problem there. It's only a question of sequence - no matura before graduation.
that subjects aren't streamed at all.
As in "Tracking (also called streaming) is separating pupils by academic ability into groups for all subjects within a school" (Wiki)?
If yes, then of course the Polish system has it, though not within the school:
basic vocational schools
secondary technical schools
specialised lyceums
artistic lyceums
general lyceums
Streaming / tracking as described in Wiki seems like rather a terrible idea to me:
"Students are usually not offered the opportunity to take classes deemed more appropriate for another track, even if the student has a demonstrated interest and ability in the subject." (Wiki)
If this takes place within the school, then it is academic apartheid, pure and simple.
Magdalena
10 Jul 2010
History / The Untold Battle of Britain [205]
I've never seen you actually quote any hard facts on any subject. It would be nice if you did, for a change.
for me to answer with facts
I've never seen you actually quote any hard facts on any subject. It would be nice if you did, for a change.
Magdalena
10 Jul 2010
Food / PIZZA & KETCHUP served only in Poland? [159]
What have you tried then, Mr Perfect Pizza? ;-p
i've never tried it,
What have you tried then, Mr Perfect Pizza? ;-p
Magdalena
9 Jul 2010
History / The Untold Battle of Britain [205]
Very generous of you.
quite sad really, we should pitty rather than barate.
Very generous of you.
Magdalena
9 Jul 2010
History / The Untold Battle of Britain [205]
I agree that Britain could have done nothing - especially on its own. Nothing, that is, except shown that it has some basic respect for the nations (not only Poland) who had naively fought for their (the nation's) freedom throughout the war. Stalin would have probably gotten his little Iron Curtain playground anyway. But Britain and the US did not have to actively participate in the whole scheme.* This is what makes us bitter to this day, this is what we perceive as betrayal.
*But of course they did. I know, they needed to safeguard their spheres of influence and stuff.
six fifths of bugger all that Britain could have done to stop what could Britain have done to stop Poland coming under Soviet domination after the war.
I agree that Britain could have done nothing - especially on its own. Nothing, that is, except shown that it has some basic respect for the nations (not only Poland) who had naively fought for their (the nation's) freedom throughout the war. Stalin would have probably gotten his little Iron Curtain playground anyway. But Britain and the US did not have to actively participate in the whole scheme.* This is what makes us bitter to this day, this is what we perceive as betrayal.
*But of course they did. I know, they needed to safeguard their spheres of influence and stuff.
Magdalena
9 Jul 2010
History / The Untold Battle of Britain [205]
For starters, it did not have to flirt with Stalin and negotiate percentages of influence in Europe and beyond.
what could Britain have done to stop Poland coming under Soviet domination after the war?
For starters, it did not have to flirt with Stalin and negotiate percentages of influence in Europe and beyond.
Magdalena
9 Jul 2010
Real Estate / Relocating in Poland - what's the best area? [56]
AFAIK no, as to be allowed to sit the matura, you have to graduate from secondary school first. One follows the other. And yes, it's not flexible, but I see no practical reason why it should be.
Also, I think it's a rather good idea that schools need to be accredited to be taken seriously. Don't English or Scottish or Welsh or NI (don't want to say British as there is probably nor British-wide standard) schools have to be as well?
if there are any schools in Poland which allow the sitting of the Matura before the final year of high school, like is common in the UK?
AFAIK no, as to be allowed to sit the matura, you have to graduate from secondary school first. One follows the other. And yes, it's not flexible, but I see no practical reason why it should be.
Also, I think it's a rather good idea that schools need to be accredited to be taken seriously. Don't English or Scottish or Welsh or NI (don't want to say British as there is probably nor British-wide standard) schools have to be as well?
Magdalena
9 Jul 2010
Real Estate / Relocating in Poland - what's the best area? [56]
How many different matura exams would you like there to be? The matura is a uniform, nation-wide exam and so the school would have to conform to certain specifications in order to organise it. End of story.
Can you describe this in more detail please? Especially the secondary education system. We both know it's not "one size fits all".
which is somewhat contrary to the idea of "alternative".
How many different matura exams would you like there to be? The matura is a uniform, nation-wide exam and so the school would have to conform to certain specifications in order to organise it. End of story.
Polish education system is dreadfully "one size fits all"
Can you describe this in more detail please? Especially the secondary education system. We both know it's not "one size fits all".
Magdalena
9 Jul 2010
History / The Untold Battle of Britain [205]
I wouldn't call it hindsight when the USSR had already shown what they are up to, esp. under Stalin, pre-WW2. I understand it became necessary at one point in the war to team up with good ol' Batyushka Stalin to overcome Hitler, but he was a wolf in sheep's clothing nonetheless, and forgetting about that seems like a major political blunder to me.
It's not exactly like the USSR was all rose gardens and unicorns and puppies until the Yalta agreement.
Hindsight
I wouldn't call it hindsight when the USSR had already shown what they are up to, esp. under Stalin, pre-WW2. I understand it became necessary at one point in the war to team up with good ol' Batyushka Stalin to overcome Hitler, but he was a wolf in sheep's clothing nonetheless, and forgetting about that seems like a major political blunder to me.
It's not exactly like the USSR was all rose gardens and unicorns and puppies until the Yalta agreement.
Magdalena
9 Jul 2010
History / The Untold Battle of Britain [205]
Who is more naive, I wonder. You or Churchill and Roosevelt? Who actually ever believed for a second that the USSR would respect this agreement? If Churchill and Roosevelt did, and from what I read they did seem to be hoodwinked by Stalin for a time, then they don't deserve to be called "great politicians" or "leaders".
At Yalta it was agreed that there would be free elections in Poland.
Who is more naive, I wonder. You or Churchill and Roosevelt? Who actually ever believed for a second that the USSR would respect this agreement? If Churchill and Roosevelt did, and from what I read they did seem to be hoodwinked by Stalin for a time, then they don't deserve to be called "great politicians" or "leaders".
Magdalena
9 Jul 2010
Food / PIZZA & KETCHUP served only in Poland? [159]
Oregano is definitely NOT optional ;-)
or try some oregano sprinkled on top of the cheese!! delish!
Oregano is definitely NOT optional ;-)
Magdalena
9 Jul 2010
Love / Is this dress good for a Polish wedding? [15]
Looks fine to me - just don't choose black or white (for obvious reasons) :-)
Looks fine to me - just don't choose black or white (for obvious reasons) :-)
Magdalena
9 Jul 2010
Real Estate / Relocating in Poland - what's the best area? [56]
That's definitely not what a university is for. Not every Ag Uni graduate goes back to work on their farm, some might want to do research in agricultural production management or economics etc.
Yeah, and if they were not interested in higher education, they could have gone to basic vocational school and become hair-dressers or cooks, or gone to technikum and become mechanics or metalworkers or construction technicians or whatever, and surprise surprise - many actually do!
One thing you don't seem to understand is that to many of us, higher education does not equate gaining better qualifications to work. It is extra time you invest in yourself, to become a well-rounded individual who has had the opportunity to see what research and science is all about, read books you would not have read otherwise, and participate in heated discussions on subjects and issues you would not have otherwise thought about. No amount of hands-on experience can broaden your intellectual horizons in this manner. I know the British system is not keen on producing self-aware individuals with the capacity to think for themselves, but the Polish system still does, at least to a great extent (excluding the sector of private colleges and unis where if you pay enough, you pass, no questions asked - but the market will get rid of those graduates soon enough anyway).
basic business things
That's definitely not what a university is for. Not every Ag Uni graduate goes back to work on their farm, some might want to do research in agricultural production management or economics etc.
At the age of 19, they're more than old enough to work.
Yeah, and if they were not interested in higher education, they could have gone to basic vocational school and become hair-dressers or cooks, or gone to technikum and become mechanics or metalworkers or construction technicians or whatever, and surprise surprise - many actually do!
One thing you don't seem to understand is that to many of us, higher education does not equate gaining better qualifications to work. It is extra time you invest in yourself, to become a well-rounded individual who has had the opportunity to see what research and science is all about, read books you would not have read otherwise, and participate in heated discussions on subjects and issues you would not have otherwise thought about. No amount of hands-on experience can broaden your intellectual horizons in this manner. I know the British system is not keen on producing self-aware individuals with the capacity to think for themselves, but the Polish system still does, at least to a great extent (excluding the sector of private colleges and unis where if you pay enough, you pass, no questions asked - but the market will get rid of those graduates soon enough anyway).
Magdalena
9 Jul 2010
Real Estate / Relocating in Poland - what's the best area? [56]
Have you never noticed that that the profiles are actually called that for a reason? I studied a Humanities profile and would never have been able to survive the onslaught of maths, physics and astronomy that my Mat-Fiz fellow students received. My maths and physics classes were dumbed-down jokes in comparison, and I still struggled ;-)
On the other hand, I cannot imagine a moderately well-educated individual who would have not studied geography and history!
Maybe because it is not the objective of the system to send teenagers out to work?
Because they work with one of the most vulnerable segments of society - very young childen. Their title is evidence of some hard studying and vetting done beforehand.
Now that's one ridiculous complaint!
Likewise, if they're following a scientific profile, what sense is there in forcing things like geography and history down their throats?
Have you never noticed that that the profiles are actually called that for a reason? I studied a Humanities profile and would never have been able to survive the onslaught of maths, physics and astronomy that my Mat-Fiz fellow students received. My maths and physics classes were dumbed-down jokes in comparison, and I still struggled ;-)
On the other hand, I cannot imagine a moderately well-educated individual who would have not studied geography and history!
Polish children are dreadfully equipped to go and work straight after high school.
Maybe because it is not the objective of the system to send teenagers out to work?
with the requirement for nursery teachers to have degrees (why?!)
Because they work with one of the most vulnerable segments of society - very young childen. Their title is evidence of some hard studying and vetting done beforehand.
universities have far, far too many staff with ridiculous titles.
Now that's one ridiculous complaint!
Magdalena
9 Jul 2010
Real Estate / Relocating in Poland - what's the best area? [56]
I'm seriously beginning to think you haven't a clue about anything Polish - including the Polish education system. I have two kids in Polish schools, at different age levels, so I guess I have a pretty clear picture of Polish education and it's definitely not the one you're painting. I have also had some professional experience with primary schools in the UK. I prefer not to elaborate on that as it's morning and I don't want to get all upset and ruin my day.
You may want to check what the "requirements" are in the UK for people wishing to become teachers. While you're at it, also pls check the stages of mandatory professional development a Polish teacher MUST undergo if they wish to keep their job long-term.
There's really no difference - public education is fundamentally flawed from the base up.
I'm seriously beginning to think you haven't a clue about anything Polish - including the Polish education system. I have two kids in Polish schools, at different age levels, so I guess I have a pretty clear picture of Polish education and it's definitely not the one you're painting. I have also had some professional experience with primary schools in the UK. I prefer not to elaborate on that as it's morning and I don't want to get all upset and ruin my day.
you can become a teacher of English with as little as a BA with the appropriate pedagogical training during the BA.
You may want to check what the "requirements" are in the UK for people wishing to become teachers. While you're at it, also pls check the stages of mandatory professional development a Polish teacher MUST undergo if they wish to keep their job long-term.
Magdalena
9 Jul 2010
UK, Ireland / Oxford Polish bride 'heartbroken' over arrest - accusations of sham marriage [126]
We typically take our morals with a lot of ketchup.
Do Polish people have any morals?
We typically take our morals with a lot of ketchup.