The State of Affairs in Russia

[Razgovory]

Gotta say that Polish militias make a lot more sense than American ones.

They serve different functions.  A Polish militia would fight off an enemy invader.  An American militia exists so that it could one day terrorize and murder other Americans.

[Eddie Teach]

Some of them exist so they can terrorize and murder Mexicans.

[Martinus]

Poland girds her loins.

I already commented on the Economist's Facebook page - never heard of this guy or his organisation before. It's just some fringe lunatic.

[Martinus]

Some of them exist so they can terrorize and murder Mexicans.

I think you are overestimating Polish militia's hatred for Mexicans. 

[Eddie Teach]

Some of them exist so they can terrorize and murder Mexicans.

I think you are overestimating Polish militia's hatred for Mexicans. 

It's code. "Mexicans" = Jews.

[Martinus]

Some of them exist so they can terrorize and murder Mexicans.

I think you are overestimating Polish militia's hatred for Mexicans. 

It's code. "Mexicans" = Jews.

Nah, wrong stereotype. Ukraine is Poland's Mexico (i.e. a failed corrupt state off our border that we get cleaning ladies from).

[alfred russel]

Some of them exist so they can terrorize and murder Mexicans.

I think you are overestimating Polish militia's hatred for Mexicans. 

It's code. "Mexicans" = Jews.

Nah, wrong stereotype. Ukraine is Poland's Mexico (i.e. a failed corrupt state off our border that we get cleaning ladies from).

So Poles go to western europe to work as cleaning ladies, while Ukrainians go to Poland. 

It seems Ukraine and Poland are continuing their drift west.

[derspiess]

So Poles go to western europe to work as cleaning ladies, while Ukrainians go to Poland. 

It seems Ukraine and Poland are continuing their drift west.

[Martinus]

So Poles go to western europe to work as cleaning ladies, while Ukrainians go to Poland. 

Poles do this less often these days but yeah. It's pretty natural - the pay disparity is responsible for that.

[Malthus]

So Poles go to western europe to work as cleaning ladies, while Ukrainians go to Poland. 

Poles do this less often these days but yeah. It's pretty natural - the pay disparity is responsible for that.

From what I've read, I get the impression that the Poles basically have their shit together and are firmly headed for first-world-western-nation status, while Ukraine has gone from bad to worse (with a lot of Russian prodding to be sure). From the Polish perspective, is this essentially true?

[CountDeMoney]

LODZ,

At least somebody appreciated it.   

[Martinus]

So Poles go to western europe to work as cleaning ladies, while Ukrainians go to Poland. 

Poles do this less often these days but yeah. It's pretty natural - the pay disparity is responsible for that.

From what I've read, I get the impression that the Poles basically have their shit together and are firmly headed for first-world-western-nation status, while Ukraine has gone from bad to worse (with a lot of Russian prodding to be sure). From the Polish perspective, is this essentially true?

Yeah, definitely. Apparently back in 1989, Poland and Ukraine had roughly the same GDP per capita. Now Poland's is 3.5 times that of Ukraine (and Poland's GDP per capita is roughly 1/3 that of Germany - it was 1/9 in 1989).

It does not change the fact that Polish cleaning ladies are not willing to work for the same kind of money that Ukrainian cleaning ladies in Poland do - and they are earning several times more money than they would in Poland by going to Western Europe (a friend of a friend lives in Western Poland and it pays off for her to drive to Berlin 3-4 times a week to clean people's homes for example). So I don't think what alfred russel said was particularly funny or extraordinary.

[The Larch]

How to improve Russian road safety? Keep trannies, gamblers and fetishists off them!

Russia says drivers must not have 'sex disorders'

Russia has listed transsexual and transgender people among those who will no longer qualify for driving licences.

Fetishism, exhibitionism and voyeurism are also included as "mental disorders" now barring people from driving.

The government says it is tightening medical controls for drivers because Russia has too many road accidents.

"Pathological" gambling and compulsive stealing are also on the list. Russian psychiatrists and human rights lawyers have condemned the move.

The announcement follows international complaints about Russian harassment of gay-rights activists.

[garbon]

How to improve Russian road safety? Keep trannies, gamblers and fetishists off them!

Russia says drivers must not have 'sex disorders'

Russia has listed transsexual and transgender people among those who will no longer qualify for driving licences.

Fetishism, exhibitionism and voyeurism are also included as "mental disorders" now barring people from driving.

The government says it is tightening medical controls for drivers because Russia has too many road accidents.

"Pathological" gambling and compulsive stealing are also on the list. Russian psychiatrists and human rights lawyers have condemned the move.

The announcement follows international complaints about Russian harassment of gay-rights activists.

They are going to start a database of the one's in bold?

[Jacob]

They are going to start a database of the one's in bold?

Why not?

Having that kind of information on hand is useful when you need to knock a few people down. If everyone is compromised, no one is safe, and they have to play along. Sort of the way it works with corruption amongst officials in China too.