Law / DELL shifting ops from Ire to PL [30]

The thing is, Delph, there is a range of criteria applied to deciding upon ratification and accession. Accession discussions can take a very long time indeed and are multi-faceted. The only real difference I could see then was that Estonia was largely bureaucracy free which makes direct application and direct effect of EU Law that much easier. Poland? Well, hehehe.

Dell is a private firm that can move operations if it so chooses. As long as they don't trangress any legal boundaries, what's the problem?

History / Poland, Lacking External Enemies, Turns on Itself [106]

But it hasn't been revoked and that's the point.

History / Poland, Lacking External Enemies, Turns on Itself [106]

Poland doesn't have supreme, independent authority (sovereignty), PennBoy. I'm not having a jab at you here, just stating that Costa Vs ENEL 1964 made sure that the notion of sovereignty in its fullest sense is granted to no EU accedent. The supremacy of EU Law was decided in that case. Under the dictates of subsidiarity (Amsterdam Protocol, Art 5), Poland's national government is but a middle player between local govt and Brussels. Also, the Protocol expressly states that as much autonomy as possible is to be given to regional administration, not national apparatus. This is a smokescreen in today's concerted supranational drive.

Tusk is not a confrontational PM. He is nothing like Putin in that sense as a leader. Poles needed to go through a period of intensive discussions and protests in order to reconsider their position on a number of things. There is a fractious split but Poles, more than many others, can club together and stave off any external pressure on them to sacrifice themselves for causes far from their interests.

History / Poland, Lacking External Enemies, Turns on Itself [106]

I think we see Poles turning on others here ;) ;)

History / Poland, Lacking External Enemies, Turns on Itself [106]

Delph is right, MW. Warning of complacence may be the best message to send out at this time. Look at the Celtic Tiger's demise. SeanBM put it well that folk got caught up in the boom and lost their sense of long-term realism. There are forces beyond our control so we need nest eggs for a rainy day. Many fell into the credit trap and I really believe many Poles will face the heat sooner rather than later.

Wealth retention and consolidation is sth that has to be considered. The economy may not sustain itself due to numerous factors and committees need to be set up to address all the relevant issues. No need for enemies, just common understanding.

Love / Polish girls fall for Indian guys ? [217]

How far did you fall? ;) ;) Just kidding, I bet the curry was nice :) You get genuine people everywhere. I also know a Polish girl who has an Indian BF. He is a really top man.

History / Poland, Lacking External Enemies, Turns on Itself [106]

They are already tampering with the retirement system and fiddling with pensions. I know this from first-hand, reliable sources. This is not solely confined to Poland either. As for taxes, well, we know that they are hiking them up. I remember the hoo-haa about VAT back in 1980's Britain. The Tories masked this very well by keeping income tax lower but VAT is more of a prominent issue here in Poland.

As for Poland lacking external enemies, it could be said that it lacks a meaningful enemy in an ideological sense (if any, of course). The Taliban are hardly the most likely choice given their distance and lack of trampling on Polish interests. Poland was just dragged into that one but wouldn't have initiated it of their own volition. The time has come for circumspection and Smoleńsk has served to make Poles more reflective on their relationship with Russia.

PennBoy, it might actually be a good thing that the paper is written by Jews. Zionists? No. Jews have had a meaningful connection to Russia and Poland for a long time. Yes, America had The Cold War with Russia but that didn't last nearly as long as Polish/Russian feuds. That goes well back. Also, proximity was another distinguishing factor.

Poles like to bicker but their spirit is one of unity. That can be strongly felt when you get to the heart of Polishness.

News / Why is Poland developing so slowly or in the wrong direction? Who is responsible ? [317]

Oh, I fully agree. She was just joking. They are to get a 6-star hotel in, or was it 7? I thought the scale only went to 5 but there we go. Sveti Stefan, I believe. Budva is lovely too. Thanks to the Russian mafia, they are developing well. Poland could use that kind of investment.

News / Why is Poland developing so slowly or in the wrong direction? Who is responsible ? [317]

Just don't get Montenegrins in to do the roadworks. Our Polish tour guide joked about them being kaskaderze, lazy and slack when it comes to doing sth hastily. Too much of the old Vranać methinks ;) ;)

News / Why is Poland developing so slowly or in the wrong direction? Who is responsible ? [317]

It just depends in which sectors we are referring to. Poland has placed a heavy emphasis on IT and is really coming along well in that sphere.

When it comes to roadworks, they are certainly not 'streets' ahead.

News / Why is Poland developing so slowly or in the wrong direction? Who is responsible ? [317]

Then it is the democratic responsibility of citizens to point them in the right direction. If the slogan 'Polska dla Polaków' is to have a meaningful dimension, it should be to steer the govt towards the collective majority aims. Tusk has been working with businesses but I have also seen detrimental things like new taxes popping up. For example, a 7% tax was recently imposed on the publishing industry for God knows what.

The most important thing is knowing what you want. If you don't know what you want, you'll never get it!

The next step is going about getting it. Jimi Hendrix talked about this in his song, Manic Depression. ('I know what I want but I just don't know how to go about gittin it')

News / Why is Poland developing so slowly or in the wrong direction? Who is responsible ? [317]

Those that have been empowered to based on mandates and manifestos :)

Basically those that can.

News / Smoking ban in Polish bars and restaurants (AT LAST!) [400]

A milk bar is an intimate wee place and shouldn't be a smoke-filled affair. I'd be mortified if sb started puffing away there as it's for me and others to enjoy some good food. Pierogi ruskie bez dymu, proszę :)

Language / Poles - don't fall into the French/Spanish trap re pronunciation/accent! [81]

Oh, the Poles have their commonly pronounced words too. Vowels tend to present a problem for many. Batman becomes Buttman, sth like a Swedish pûrn ;) ;) They hear U like A. DrAg dealer, for example ;)

Let's not get started on sheep/ship and beach/bitch

News / Smoking ban in Polish bars and restaurants (AT LAST!) [400]

She wasn't put through it, Olaf ;)

Even in business, would you insist that your assets were frozen? ;) ;)

I couldn't imagine the atmosphere in a milk bar if smoking was permitted. It'd be awful! There is one here that is so small and would be catastrophic if folk smoked.

News / Smoking ban in Polish bars and restaurants (AT LAST!) [400]

Thanks, Olaf :) A further deterrent to smoking may be the weather. Nobody will want to freeze their bolloc*s off out in the late Dec/early Jan cold. Well, at least women won't be affected ;) ;)

It's not like the right to smoke has been taken away and it was a pest when you were eating some good food and a strong smell of smoke wafted your way. Sometimes tobacco smells good but second-hand smoke rarely does.

Work / What qualifications are needed for English teachers in Poland? [49]

I have reaffirmed that time and again due to some 'dubious' recruits. I've met some who are overly nomadic and schools here have to question their commitment to the cause. They just don't last or are between things, buying time.

So, qualification requirements are often relaxed due to prevailing circumstances.

Travel / Experiences in Restaurants in Poland [10]

They have salad bars which means you can add as much as you want at one time. You can only go up once and they monitor you. That way, you can add according to your taste. They don't add too many extras, right enough. Still, you just have to customise your dish as very often they have what you might want.

News / Smoking ban in Polish bars and restaurants (AT LAST!) [400]

The good thing about places in Poland is that there are many alleyways/lanes that you can duck off into. Going outside can be a welcome break from dry conversation too. I also like taking a breather from conversing too long.

Language / difference in usypiac [9]

Great explanation. Usypiać means sth like 'to put down' (an animal). Zasypiać is more like 'to fall asleep' as in 'zasypiam' (I'm falling asleep).

Work / What qualifications are needed for English teachers in Poland? [49]

Sometimes it comes down to the practical needs of the school at that time rather than ensuring that minimum standards are met. Qualifications are not always genuine either ;)

News / Why is Poland developing so slowly or in the wrong direction? Who is responsible ? [317]

Poland could use a model of stable growth. Countries like Ireland experienced rapid growth, like Poland, but they came unglued recently. Germany would be a far better choice. Poland needs to prioritise and learn from case studies of sustainable development. I don't see slow growth.

General pessimism should not blight objective reality :)

News / Local elections in Poland, EU citizens should register to vote [57]

The thread strikes me as slightly old style. If you have a look at subsidiarity, you will see that those 2 levels are often bypassed in favour of supranational Brussels. Art 5 of the EU Amsterdam Treaty contained a Protocol. However, it has been diluted due to the drive towards more centralised control. This is the geopolitical side of things.

To answer the question, I don't think MPs spend that much time answering letters or representing constituents. It depends to what extent a community vibe is in place. MPs tend to have a better idea of what needs to be done in such places.

News / How can Poles make a conscious choice about elections? [15]

Good thread! I feel that candidates were overly focussed on their bombardment campaigns and far less on the practical elements. For instance, my wife didn't even know where to vote as she wasn't told. The system was lacking.

Law / Polish business haven't got a clue: Discuss. [72]

The customer services ones perhaps. It is a rarity to find effectiveness/efficiency there.

Life / Any treatment centres for homos in Poland? [455]

What do some people here imagine the response rate of homosexuals to be to such clinics? There are those homosexuals that have gone abroad to more liberal climes but I think some here would probably go as they have been bombarded with the nonsense that they are weirdos and degenerates. Social conditioning is pretty strong in Poland.

Life / How Long Before Poland Has Its 'Dumbest Generation'? [84]

How long? Clone blondes and then you'll find out rather quickly, I surmise :)

Love / Sexual diseases! Please tell me how I go about getting tested in Poland? [103]

ROTFL at post 5 :) Yeah. NFZ aren't your best bet. Going to a private clinic will give you more peace of mind. I know that feeling of waiting for those results.

News / Smoking ban in Polish bars and restaurants (AT LAST!) [400]

I can draw an analogy to war. In an ideal world, it would never happen, like smoking. However, the option is always put on the table to harm people and take the chance to profit by selling weapons and engaging in a bit of global restructuring. Then people engage in peace processes, trying to be seen as humanitarian and fair (oh dear!!). The same as people who deal in rehab and detox. HUGE profits!! There are profits for tobacco companies, of course. However, a bigger battle is being waged. Tobacco giants Vs Pharmaceutical big guns :) I can't see a compromise option emerging but smokers will be doing their utmost to turn the tide again.

I don't want to make out that I'm pro-smokers here. In fact, not having the option of smoking in a bar is a good thing for me and for many others, for smokers that are trying to quit too.

Law / The risk of investing in Europe has risen and Poland has suffered accordingly [90]

I don't want to delve into the murky waters of conspiracy theory but I do find it odd that Skrzypek died in Smoleńsk. So many senior people in one plane is weird. His successor, Mariusz Belka, is more, shall we say, 'compliant'. Ireland should serve as a cautionary tale. I was having this discussion with one of my private students and we came to the conclusion that the economy is much more multi-faceted than most see. The very fact that there are forces beyond the control of those that stimulate economic growth is worrying. Everyone knows (or should) that Greece was taken down. Remedial action must be seen to be taken (think Ben Bernanke in America) but they know full well that such proposed action will not be efficacious. The World Bank and IMF are not extending the loan concept by accident and it's always good to be the creditor and not the debtor.

Ireland and the Irish can bounce back but SeanBM warned of an impending collapse about a year or so ago. Too many people got wrapped up in the whole sloganistic side of things, that Ireland was a thriving land of milk+honey. It's very difficult to sustain that.