News / Should Poland made an energy bridge deal with Russia? [122]

Poland already has gas deals with Russia. Isn't this enough? What other deals should be cut? Russia isn't the country with the technology of tomorrow. Poland is doing quite well enough in its efforts.

News / THE ARMY OF POLAND - THE REALITY [493]

Press him for what?

History / Piłsudski, like Hitler and Stalin (according to some Lithuanians) [144]

I sincerely hope not! There is no reason to squander the good work that has gone into keeping peace. Merkel and Tusk are close enough.

Life / What gifts to take? Presents customs in Poland. [173]

Poland doesn't have the best cheeses in the world. German and French ones are better.

Send him sth symbolic to your relationship.

News / THE ARMY OF POLAND - THE REALITY [493]

Poland has many reserves that could be called up. Of course, it would depend who the invader would be but Polish troops are very well trained.

Poland abandoned conscription in Nov 2008 and with good reason, rychlik. Too many tried to duck it and then you get demotivated troops. Britain has had a volunteer army for a long time and hasn't done so badly.

Threat assessments show minimal risk so Poland need not worry. Do you envisage some flare-ups in the near future? I don't.

There are benefits, yes, but an army can be costly to maintain and there are other priorities for the Polish government.

History / Piłsudski, like Hitler and Stalin (according to some Lithuanians) [144]

Well, I completely disagree with the time frame as proposed by Sok but it would have come sooner or later. I don't have a precise date ;) ;)

History / Piłsudski, like Hitler and Stalin (according to some Lithuanians) [144]

A win would constitute a surrender. I know what you mean and I have thought it through. A surrender would come quickly when stormed. Morale in Germany was high, yes, but you were at such a level of unpreparedness that Hitler's bluff would have been called. Hitler knew the gamble he was taking and it worked.

Hitler was effective in what he did, that's for sure. We are both critics of his but agree on that. However, he wasn't a miracle worker ;) ;)

History / Piłsudski, like Hitler and Stalin (according to some Lithuanians) [144]

It would appear to be that way. I only meant that they had the military might to take on Germany and comfortably win in 1933/34. Poland would only have needed to establish due cause, BB. I don't know about the Polish foreign office at that time but the British had swathes of evidence on potentially harmful actions of Hitler but, being British and selfish, continued down the path of trade and further profiteering.

A costly mistake as we now know.

History / Piłsudski, like Hitler and Stalin (according to some Lithuanians) [144]

No need to be sorry ;) ;)

I meant as a military power, Sok. They had the capacity to contain Germany and defeat her early days. It was just a bad reading of intent but hindsight is 20/20.

Genealogy / Why are some Polish people dark complected, and others very light [511]

Interesting thread. My 18.00 student had a fairly dark complexion for a Pole and I only knew he was Polish because of his name.

Life / Why are so many Polish People rude on the internet? [147]

Me too, some morons there. Polish rudeness is still there to see, though. They let their nation down.

Life / Why are so many Polish People rude on the internet? [147]

Forums in Polish language, Seanny. This is an English language forum. I dare say that I'd get on like a house on fire with many resident Poles here. We'd hit it off well.

Some of the buraks are a grave disappointment to Poles that I have talked to. Best left ignored. DT is right, Youtube attracts many.

Life / Why are so many Polish People rude on the internet? [147]

Frd, you are missing my point. I'm not talking about other nations but about Poland. The thread asks us to discuss Polish people. I have read, as a matter of fact, some horribly bigotted and biased opinions in Polish language. I'm talking about my experience and have read different sources. I understand Polish very well and know what I am reading.

Also, please write what I normally write in relation to 'are Poles?' and 'do Poles?' threads. Thanks, ma man!

Life / Why are so many Polish People rude on the internet? [147]

There's no being wrong about it, frd. It's a fact that many Poles are racist and hateful on Polish language forums and other places like Youtube. I've seen it with my own eyes. Some of the stuff is much harder hitting than any American commentary I have read.

Still, I really get on well with many Poles around me so whatever is written is written. I don't know those morons who just happen to be Polish. God Bless those Poles around me who have deep souls and strong hearts!

Some are racist and some aren't. I've just encountered one heckuva lot in recent times!!!

Life / Why are so many Polish People rude on the internet? [147]

Frd, we are talking about Poles here and not Americans. No deflection please, that's just rude ;)

I've seen rude postings by Americans but not on the scale of some of the forums for Poles. It's shameful and, frankly, disgusting what they write. It makes me sad to know Polish language. Racism and cussing abound!

It tends to descend into a battle against anonymous posters and leads to nothing constructive.

History / Piłsudski, like Hitler and Stalin (according to some Lithuanians) [144]

I did indeed :) Piłsudski was a man of limited success in 1920. The lessons of the First World War hadn't really sunk in. However, he learned a few things in the next 15 years but I don't think that he won the battle with his ideological rival, Dmowski.

Life / Why are so many Polish People rude on the internet? [147]

That's because, from what I can glean anyway, you are a cultured and well-travelled guy that doesn't vent his spleen and tries to tow the line of moderation and decency. The potato-headed buraks that I am alluding to have their dukes up and are ready for a scrap. Disrespecting my Polish language skills was just rude. Yes, I made small mistakes but the sense was very clear.

Besides, you are not Polish ;)

Life / Why are so many Polish People rude on the internet? [147]

Get to the point. The sort that type such nonsense are invariably tanked-up nobs that have overshot on vodka. There is also an element of cowardice involved. They wouldn't say half the BS that they write to the faces of their targets.

Love / 20% of adult Poles are single and live with Mummy! [241]

You'd go down a treat in China, nomad. First flight home, methinks.

As I said, many Poles who want to live beyond the breadline should live with their parents and pay minimal rent. That would free up some cash for other things. Leaving the nest is hard sometimes and money doesn't grow on trees.

Love / My husband is Polish and I was wondering why he drinks all the time. [66]

Surely his breath would give him away though!?

Love / My husband is Polish and I was wondering why he drinks all the time. [66]

Not really. Some people in any country drink almost all the time. Hence the term, alcoholic. Never heard of ouzo addicts, KP? ;)

You can see growing discontent in many parts of Europe at the moment as unemployment levels rise. Poland is no different. Many turn to drink as a form of solace. It really is a bad way to go but I don't judge such people. Life isn't ideal!

Love / 20% of adult Poles are single and live with Mummy! [241]

That's what I said, convex. They eat with their families and that's a strong part of their culture.

Life / Why are so many Polish People rude on the internet? [147]

I know the type, though. I'm referring to a specific type that needs to cut out the racism and cuss words. Calling a Japanese guy a 'slanty-eyed fu*k' in Polish is just not on.

History / Piłsudski, like Hitler and Stalin (according to some Lithuanians) [144]

Very true! The crackdown is so strong and I'm surprised that they don't just come out with it, Putin Press. Or maybe Media Medvedev? They will always be viewed with suspicion and soundbites to the media or niceties on camera fool no-one.

The Art of War clearly isn't understood by NATO or even Russia. Let's see how China employs it in the future ;) ;)

Piłsudski, the thread. Well, he organised resistance through the AK and anyone that can find fault with that needs their head checked. He often worked underground, more covertly than the other 2. The others were hardly fighting for freedom. Piłsudski saw a lot and his famous outburst shortly before his untimely death was unheeded. 1935 wasn't too late to put Poland back in the frame as a major power but, by late 1936, Germany was most decidedly ahead. The great general warned his people but politicians of that time bungled left, right and centre.

Food / Traditional Polish Soups. [85]

I wonder if zuba rybna (fish soup) enthusiasts would like Cullen Skink, a Scottish soup
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cullen_Skink

A good bowl of Cullen Skink after a round of golf at SSS 63 (par 67) Cullen is just the job. It's best made where the name is, like the Żywiec in Żywiec I found. Does Poland have a hearty/warming soup like this after a game of golf? The kind that you are itching to get to after a long and gruelling round in slightly cold temperatures.

History / Piłsudski, like Hitler and Stalin (according to some Lithuanians) [144]

I understand that small difference, yes.

'Great post' doesn't need to be censored ;)

Kosovo was a part of Serbia in 2006 and was removed from Serbian control. Because the Albos bred like rabbits doesn't mean that it's their land.

Ach, the Russians are dirty fighters anyway. They sell weapons to their very enemies. As my wife said, there are many wild people there.

History / Piłsudski, like Hitler and Stalin (according to some Lithuanians) [144]

No, Russian passport holders ;)

Well, I'm open to suggestion, Nathan.

It's only the Press and neither of us were there so we don't know the whole truth.

In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if Russia overreacted at all. Putin and Medvedev clutch at straws to get themselves more power and influence.

History / Piłsudski, like Hitler and Stalin (according to some Lithuanians) [144]

This I can agree with. The treatment of those was abominable! The police state rearing its ugly head. Chechnya, right or wrong, was fighting for its indepedence and Russia saw it as a strategic asset. As if Russia isn't big enough.

Russia got what was coming to them in a way. RIP to those innocent lives lost. Marty Burns was at the hospital to see them.

History / Piłsudski, like Hitler and Stalin (according to some Lithuanians) [144]

So a bit like Kosovo then, marqoz? ;) ;) I'm not a Russophile, there were serious allegations of genocide by Georgian troops and the Russians couldn't allow that.

Russia Today seems to give neutral commentary and I don't find them leaning overly towards Russia. There were claims of harsh treatment by Georgians and that isn't acceptable. Remember, I am pro-Kasparov and not pro-Medvedev or Putin.

History / Piłsudski, like Hitler and Stalin (according to some Lithuanians) [144]

If Scotland was in Siberia, it wouldn't be Scotland as we know it and would be in Russian territory anyway.

They are breakaway regions with many Russian passport holders, simple.

Russia wasn't there to occupy and eventually build pipelines.

Russia stepped in and sorted it out, they were manly and got the job done.