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Posts by Bobko  

Joined: 13 Mar 2017 / Male ♂ 		Last Post: 13 hrs ago
Threads: Total: 27 / Live: 23 / Archived: 4
Posts: Total: 2228 / Live: 2152 / Archived: 76 		From: New York
Speaks Polish?: Y
Interests: reading, camping

Displayed posts: 2175 / page 60 of 73
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Bobko   
7 Feb 2023
Polonia / Poland in Central Asia [6]

@Alien

And why is that? I'm hopeful it won't be something racist.

If you don't want any Central Asia in Poland, it doesn't mean other people in Poland are so insular minded. They are extremely hard working people, espousing perhaps the most secular version of Islam. Even Turkey seems Islamist in comparison. No hijabs, no beards - just normal citizens of the modern world. A large portion of their population, in some cases, is white. They also produce a lot of energy, which Poland is hungry for. In addition to energy, they produce the entire periodic table of elements. Seems something Poland might need, no?
Bobko   
7 Feb 2023
History / The great mistakes of Poland's history? [216]

@Alien

Ehrm... also not an issue? It is an observable fact. We may be trying to give a little trim to its existing borders, but I'm sure that even after this exercise there will be an independent state of Ukraine (hopefully one where all the Austrian and Polish Ukrainians are gathered. They're poor, stupid, and aggressive and thus will make wonderful neighbors to Poland).

Sovereignty, and how one defines it - that's a different question.
Bobko   
7 Feb 2023
Polonia / Poland in Central Asia [6]

Starting a new thread for discussion of all things Polish in Central Asia.

In the Wikipedia entry for "Poles in Kazakhstan", it is written that:

The first Pole to travel to the territory which today makes up Kazakhstan was probably Benedict of Poland, sent as part of the delegation of Pope Innocent IV to the Khagan Güyük of the Mongol Empire.

We know also, that through Stalin's deportations many Poles ended up living throughout Central Asia in the 20th century - leaving a strong mark on the region and its peoples.

Today, Poland does a surprising amount of business in the region. This article seems to suggest that trade with the region is up significantly (a little suspicious given that these are known corridors for reexport to Russia).

en.trend.az/casia/3699333.html

Again, in Kazakhstan - a Polish company is the number one supplier of pharmaceutical products to the market. It's called PolPharma, and there they operate under the Santos brand.

A further interesting fact, is that apples - for which Poland is quite famous - originate from Kazakhstan. The former capital there is called Alma-Ata, which means "Father of Apples".

Please share your knowledge of all things Polish relating to the five "Stans" (let's throw Azerbaijan in there as well). As you can see in the map below, they are closer than one may think!


  • 793B8822760E48A1B.png
Bobko   
7 Feb 2023
History / The great mistakes of Poland's history? [216]

After some thought, I think I'm ready to chip in my 50 cents re: greatest mistakes in Polish history.

The greatest mistake in Polish history has been trying to colonize Ukraine. Why?

1) It overstretched Polish resources, and exposed it to distant threats it would otherwise be insulated from (Tatars, Ottomans).

2) Over centuries of investment, return on investment amounted to zero - despite proclamations of "systemic rape" of resources by the Ukrainians. Whatever money the Polish taxman managed to extract from Ukraine was immediately reinvested in security.

3) Being involved with the Ukrainians ultimately prevented Poland from focusing on Sweden, which led to disastrous consequences - some of them, still visible today.

4) Between the Khmelnitsky Uprising, and the Wolyn Massacre - Ukrainians have killed in excess of 1.5M Poles. Some brotherhood that is!

5) Ukraine acts as a constant prize over which Poland and Russia squabble. In effect, Ukraine has prevented the development of Russo-Polish relations for 400 years, something that is undeniably to the disadvantage of both countries - economically and diplomatically.
Bobko   
7 Feb 2023
History / The great mistakes of Poland's history? [216]

An additional burden on Russian Poles (peasants), that was not suffered by Austrian or Prussian Poles, was compulsive service in the Imperial Army. For those that don't understand what service in the Russian military entailed, here's some numbers from Wikipedia:

In 1736 it [duration of service] was reduced to 25 years, with one male member of each family excluded from managing its property. In 1834 it was reduced to 20 years plus five years in the reserve, and in 1855 to 12 years plus three years of reserve liability

Given that most guys would be nearly dead by 50, it meant serving your entire life in the army.

@Alien

After the Congress of Vienna, Russia controlled 82% of the pre-1772 Commonwealth. So when discussing liberation of Polish serfs, it makes the most sense to discuss Russian-controlled Poland. In Prussia serfdom was abolished in 1807 (but Prussia administered its Poles as a simple territorial unit, Posen). In Austria in 1848. However, this affected only a minority of Poles.
Bobko   
7 Feb 2023
History / The great mistakes of Poland's history? [216]

I found a NYTimes article from the archive, for April 12, 1864.

Source: nytimes.com/1864/04/12/archives/the-czars-proclamation-of-emancipation-in-poland-the-epoch-of.html

There you can see, that already then observers perceived that this was an attempt by the Russian Emperor to prevent the Polish peasantry from rallying behind the aristocracy (although obviously tied to the reform in Russia, three years prior).

Excerpt:

The Emperor, in this great and wise measure, has struck the mortal blow to the Polish Revolution. He has met revolution by a counter-revolution. He has liberated Poland. He has withdrawn the Polish struggle from the field of European sympathies. The millions who, on the 15th of April, shall stand up freemen, are so many supporters of the Russian Government, and pledges of its continuance in Poland. The Polish aristocracy are attacked in the house of their friends.

A similar thought process was in operation in Prussia and Austria, it seems. Each despot was competing with the other in how much freedom they could grant their Poles. In this context, it is no surprise that Polish peasants didn't really give two sh!ts about what their national "elite" wanted from them. Every single occupier was offering better terms than their ancient masters.

Here's another interesting excerpt from the 1864 article:

On the 15th of April, by a recent ukase of the Czar, every serf in Russian Poland is to be at once and forever set free from all bondage. He is to own the cottage and the plot of ground which he has been occupying, his time and labor are to be his own, and he is liberated from all claims to service and obligations of labor which his master may have possessed over him. For this great emancipation, he has only to pay to the Government a tax, by which "loyal masters" are to be remunerated. More than this, the Polish serf is to become at once a self-governing citizen. He is to elect his own village officials, his mayor, and sheriff, and justice of the peace -- a privilege which Prussia has never yet granted to the Prussian Poles.
Bobko   
7 Feb 2023
Off-Topic / Russian Views On Poland and Vice Versa [382]

Because Poles inside would make sure nobody does

I heard this joke, but with Russians playing the role of Poles. The pervasive envy might be a legacy of communism, or it could be something more intrinsic to our peoples.

Here's a joke just about Russians:

A Russian and an American meet while standing in a filtration line in Purgatory. Eventually they make their way up to the front of the line, where they are informed that Heaven is overfilled, and there will unfortunately not be any "upgrades" available during the next ten thousand years. Purgatory is also at risk of overflowing, and so they're being sent to Hell. As consolation, they get to choose whether they go to American Hell or Russian Hell.

In the American Hell everything is just like it is on Earth, but every morning someone delivers you a bucket of sh!t, and you have to finish eating all of its contents before the following morning. Russian Hell is just the same as American Hell, except you have two buckets of sh!t delivered to you.

Both choose to go to their own respective hells, out of patriotism. Ten thousands years go by, and they again meet in line in Purgatory. The Russian says:

- Hey American! How was American Hell?
- It was alright, I suppose. But eating a bucket of sh!t everyday got really old, really fast. How about you?
- Oh Russian Hell was alright! They either forgot to deliver the sh!t, or there wasn't enough to go around.
Bobko   
7 Feb 2023
History / The great mistakes of Poland's history? [216]

@pawian

In all my years it never occurred to me that the 1861 emancipation reform also had effects in Congress Poland. I'm an idiot.

In part, this was because I had assumed Poland was somehow more enlightened/evolved - and had arrived into Russian possession with some kind of more Finnish configuration.

Very interesting.

In Russia the reform had the effect of creating a massive economic boom lasting decades, but also - in the medium term - serious distress for many former serfs as they ended up landless in many cases, and having to sell their labor to the very same landowners who had oppressed them. Sad as it is, it's not really much worse than the life of an industrial laborer in Britain or Germany - on the other hand. So reform still an all-around success.
Bobko   
6 Feb 2023
Off-Topic / Russian Views On Poland and Vice Versa [382]

Today I read somewhere that one similarity between Russians and Poles is that both believe that:

1) If someone makes more than him - he is a thief
2) If someone makes less than him - he is an idiot

I can confirm this is true for Russians, is it true for Poles?
Bobko   
5 Feb 2023
Off-Topic / Russian Views On Poland and Vice Versa [382]

But clearly, you have decided not to follow my advice....

Your cutting remarks immediately give away that you grew up far from the Slavic heartlands. The only thing I can say is - I speak not from the brain, but from the heart. Lord forgive me, a sinner.
Bobko   
5 Feb 2023
Off-Topic / Russian Views On Poland and Vice Versa [382]

Next time you post please engage your brain first

Listen, Miloslaw, I don't put any conditions on you posting - how about you mind your own business as well?

I will leave you with another Russian joke:

A Russian and a Pole meet. The Russian asks him:

- Is it true that in Poland they don't speak Russian, but some other language of their own?

- Why yes, we speak Polish, the most beautiful language.

- Alright, give me some examples.... how do you say house (dom)?

- We say "dom".

- Well that's the same... How about village (selo)?

- We say, "sioło".

- And that's the same too! How do you say ass (zhopa)?

- We say "dupa".

- And truly it is a beautiful language!
Bobko   
5 Feb 2023
Off-Topic / Russian Views On Poland and Vice Versa [382]

Another Russian joke about Poles:

A cab driver notices that the German retiree tourist in his backseat is sitting with a sour face.

- Is something wrong?
- Yes, can you please stop bringing up the war?
- Did I bring up the war? You were the first to start talking about it, actually.
- No, it was you that started!
- No, you! It was you that invaded Poland!!
Bobko   
5 Feb 2023
Life / Why is circumcision not practiced in Poland? [701]

The real question is not why circumcision is not practiced in Poland, or why it is practiced in Poland, and perhaps by whom. The real question is why is Poland practiced in circumcision.
Bobko   
4 Feb 2023
Off-Topic / Russian Views On Poland and Vice Versa [382]

A joke:

A Pole and a Russian are arguing about national symbols. The Russian says: - "Yes, you Poles, instead of an eagle on your coat of arms, should put a kangaroo. Your pocket is empty, but you jump higher than everyone else." The Pole, offended, says: "Then you, Russians, should have drawn a Cupid on your coat of arms." - "Why?" - "Your ass is naked, you're armed to the teeth and you keep bothering everyone with your love."
Bobko   
2 Feb 2023
Off-Topic / Russian Views On Poland and Vice Versa [382]

In an attempt to save the "Polish Aid to Ukraine" thread from contamination - and still smarting from the very judicious suspension I received yesterday - I want to try a new thread.

As nations with an almost one thousand year history of bilateral relations, tied by ancestral blood and language, but separated by religion - this thread deserves to exist.

I will begin with a poem by one of my favorite poets, Yesenin, titled "Poland". The poem was written in connection with the beginning of the occupation of Poland (the Kingdom of Poland, which was part of the Russian Empire since 1815) by German and Austro-Hungarian troops in the First World War. The periodical press of Russia of that time wrote a lot about the heroism of the Poles defending their homeland from the invaders. By the end of 1915, the entire territory of Poland was occupied.

Poem in Russian, and then a Google Translate (sorry, lazy):

<1915>

A bloody cloud hung over Poland,
And red drops burn the cities.
But a star shines in the glow of past centuries.
The Vistula is crying under the pink wave.
In the ring of times with one shade of meaning
All years fit the scales of war.
And to the winner for the banner of his labor
The enemy himself puts flowers on the cups of the yoke.
O Poland, a bright dream in the damp prison of Kosciuszki,
A slave in fragments of a halo.
I see your Mickiewicz loading guns.
You have torn open the network of captivity with a powerful hand.
Let the native edges of the edge burn,
But the ringing of victories is heard for the prayer of the church.
<1915>
Bobko   
2 Feb 2023
News / How could PiS better spend billions instead of 500+ ? [280]

I would happily rule Poland. I already shared some policy suggestions on how to increase the Polish birth rate. That's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the wonderful ideas I have for Poland.
Bobko   
1 Feb 2023
Travel / Do Poles like to hunt? Hunting in Poland. [205]

I've read an interview

I enjoyed reading this, thank you Paulina. Everything is true. This is why I think there should be a middle ground between conservators and hunters. Nobody knows animals like we do. They go out on their little expeditions to collect "data", whereas we "become" the animal. We know its scents, its paths, its behaviors - we know how it dies. Eventually, however, I think every hunter comes to this point (unless he does it for food or fur).

This is why most of the experienced hunters that guide you on trips never hunt themselves. They don't need it. It's the process. To kill is easy, but to feel the animal like you were a wild boar yourself - that's where the joy is, and you feel like a little boy.
Bobko   
1 Feb 2023
Travel / Do Poles like to hunt? Hunting in Poland. [205]

Another hunt, in Kyrgyzstan. This time in the Issyk Kul region, with its beautiful alpine lake. Went hunting foxes and wolves, on SUVs with halogen lamps. Started at around midnight. At 1 AM saw a wolf, a guy leaned out the passenger window and took a shot. We heard the little "whooo, whooo" whimpers, so we knew we had it. Started chasing it in the jeep. But there were agricultural ditches every couple hundred meters, so we had to constantly stop, take detours, dismount and then find the spoor again. We tracked her by her blood until 5 am, and this whole time she just kept running. I'm assuming with half of her guts hanging out. When we finally found her she had made it back to her den, where her pups were. Everyone was not feeling super after this. The jaeger with us took some puppies. Maybe one of the reasons I don't like hunting anymore.

When she got to her den, she stretched out her paws, put her head on them and died.
Bobko   
1 Feb 2023
Travel / Do Poles like to hunt? Hunting in Poland. [205]

That suggests you were an active hunter

My longest time out was 5 days. This was in Kyrgyzstan, in the Aksai Raion, on the border with China in the Tien Shan. Two guys turned back on day 2, haha! Then the wife of one the shepherds that was hosting us in his yurt, fell sick, and so another guy left to take her down to civilization. In the end it was three guys. Two of us built rock shelters on one side of a mountain ridge, and laid down in wait. The other guy, on a horse, went around the mountain for close to half a day. We carried radios. Then, at one point, he radioed for us to expect the mountain goats. Two came up over the ridge, we got both.

Now that was a hunt.

I'm sure at some points of that hunt we were in China without knowing it.
Bobko   
1 Feb 2023
Travel / Do Poles like to hunt? Hunting in Poland. [205]

the experience of hunting trips, the 'male bonding', the lying around by the campfire etc, you can do all that without shooting things

After almost a lifetime of hunting, I haven't been hunting for the last few years. Maybe the pandemic is at fault, but I think I'm just over it. What I realized I loved about hunting; wasn't the male bonding or the drinks and food, but how knackered I was when I got home. Sleep like a dead man, all the stresses and anxieties of daily life might as well take place in a parallel universe. So now I hike and camp a lot more. One thing I was not able to change, however, is the alcohol consumption. So if you join me on a hiking trip expect to work under double pressure :)
Bobko   
28 Jan 2023
Life / Why is circumcision not practiced in Poland? [701]

24 pages! Who knew there was so much to say about circumcision in Poland? I'm afraid it's too much for me to read before going to sleep, but I will tell you I am very intrigued.
Bobko   
19 Jan 2023
News / War propaganda - are we really THAT retarded? [12]

he would rather have sexual intercourse with a hedgehog than work for Putin

Kania - it is possible to organize both! In Russia, anything is possible.
Bobko   
19 Jan 2023
News / War propaganda - are we really THAT retarded? [12]

@GefreiterKania

Whoa! Kania! Perhaps we should hire Pan Warzecha to head our information warfare efforts...

This is one field where Ukraine has achieved an indisputable victory. Perhaps this is not so surprising when you take into account that their commander in chief is a former entertainer. Meanwhile, we Russians have always been terrible at propaganda.

If you think about it, in Russia, 70%+ of our famous actors and singers are Ukrainians, or born in Ukraine. Those fellows always knew how to present something in the right way, haha!

It also helps that there are many more Ukrainians living in Europe and North America than there are Russians. The emigrant Ukrainians have played a huge role in helping their government back home calibrate their message, in such a way that it hits precisely the correct notes to a Western ear.
Bobko   
26 Nov 2022
Genealogy / Looking on information on the name Hreben. [12]

@Pleuvoir

Hey Pleuvoir,

Apologies for the late reply - time available for PF has been little in recent months. I'm happy to connect here, if there's something I may be helpful with. However, I also wanted to be transparent with you in that I am not from Poland, but from Russia and thus may be of limited assistance. I can't find what it is I helped you with in the past, but likely it was by accident. Locals should be able to be much more helpful in questions of genealogy and general history.

Best,

Bobko
Bobko   
20 Sep 2022
Off-Topic / Best posters [885]

@Atch

I fear you are imparting more meaning to Johnny's antics than they actually deserve. His attempts at creating intrigue and playing people off each other, is reminiscent of what I may have witnessed in elementary school. When I was nominally aligned with him, he showered me with praise, and then when I left for a few months he was one of the lone voices expressing regret over my departure. Then, of course, everything went to sh!t.

I suspect Johnny may have learned this maneuver sometime in his youth. He sucks up to someone new (new user or new mod), to gain himself a credit of goodwill. Whenever the person inevitably realizes that Johnny is a sack of sh!t, he begins to diversify his game by claiming things like "we all agree here that you are a nuisance", or "Pawian is my dear friend", relying on people's ignorance, politeness, or sense of tact to not correct him.
Bobko   
19 Sep 2022
Off-Topic / Best posters [885]

You're not really a full member of PF, unless JR has accused you of being a secret mod or of being some resurrected enemy of the past! It didn't take Johnny long to identify me as an Aboriginal man who haunted him in the past. I have not yet been accused of being a secret mod, but I did have my sexual orientation questioned, which is half as good.

I am lobbying Pawian and Atch to make me the first Russian secret mod in PolishForums history. I have reason to think I may succeed!