Does she have a point?

[Flashman]

A bit weird that as the EU was started and is mainly run by that same demographic group.

Our Lords and Masters used to be able to order around millions of coolies in the British Empire. As that came to an end they found some consolation in their ability to meddle in the lives of millions of Europeans.

plus ça change

[mos]

I don't think British people hate polish people at all. They are just very worried and scared by the huge numbers arriving. We are a small over-crowded island as it is.

Oh and how are Black/Asian immigrants treated in Poland? Just wondering.

Aaa...famous Polish blacko-phobia almost as bad as English Islamophobia. Hope that this short video will answer your question:

Euro 2012 Stadium Burned Down - YouTube

[mos]

using the Polish helped us in the war argument

one assumes as we stood against Hitler pretty much on our own (at first) then the free world should give anyone with a UK passport the right to settle anywhere in the world? Hurray we can send the Rochdale swamp Donkey to Monaco.

Can't see the French, Italians & Swiss etc. letting that happen.

Britain in EU enjoys free flow of capital, goods, services and people, and that is where we stand TODAY. If you can't see the difference, try to open business in India, buy property there or even work.

The WW2 argument, although very topical in 1945 lost its relevance after 1989 (perhaps except for certain Marshal Plan and certain Soviet Terror).

I believe that what Doodab meant was that if in today's Britain Poles are still branded in cold world terms then indeed it is ironic for those of us who know the history.

[darmstadt]

Our Lords and Masters used to be able to order around millions of coolies in the British Empire. As that came to an end they found some consolation in their ability to meddle in the lives of millions of Europeans.

plus ça change

Thats what the UKIP want again, with the Commonwealth of Nations which they want back as a replacement to the EU. So instead of being ordered around by those horrible people over the channel (whereas if they had any nous, they could actually order them around, or at least assist in the ordering around of, instead of moaning about it) they want to order around poor people in even poorer countries thereby alleviating their inferiority complex. Basically, they want Britain to revert back to pre 60's Britain. Just read their manifesto...whoops, they don't have one and won't have before the May elections so **** knows what they're standing for!

[vetran]

One assumes that because one doesn't actually know.

If you bother to research it you'll find that the most successful squadron during the battle of Britain was 303 squadron, staffed by exiled Polish pilots. You'll also find out that Polish intelligence was responsible for the initial work on breaking the enigma code and gave us our first enigma machine (weeks before war broke out) as well sharing details of how they worked, operational procedures and details of the bomba machine they developed that evolved into the bombe used at Bletchley park.

So their contribution was fairly major and arguably we'd not have won the battle of Britain without it, never mind "saved the free world".

my point and the basis of my attempt at humour was that 70 years ago X happened so it means we can now forget the consequences because 'we owe them' is not the basis for policy.

Whilst I appreciate the massive contribution the Polish, Russian & even some French made to the war, it was 70 years ago. It has almost as much validity as saying the Vikings should pay reparations or the Scots & Welsh should reclaim the UK.

the issue is now and the effect its having on our country.

[darmstadt]

my point and the basis of my attempt at humour was that 70 years ago X happened so it means we can now forget the consequences because 'we owe them' is not the basis for policy.

Whilst I appreciate the massive contribution the Polish, Russian & even some French made to the war, it was 70 years ago. It has almost as much validity as saying the Vikings should pay reparations or the Scots & Welsh should reclaim the UK.

the issue is now and the effect its having on our country.

For some people 70 years is not long enough: British Reparations.org - The International Coalition for British Reparations

Genocide. Modern Britain was founded through the systematic erasure of indigenous culture and language. The English rounded up natives, seized their property, and forced them to relinquish their heritage and take on British language and culture as their own. Anyone who dissented faced extermination. This practice began in Scotland, Wales and Ireland and soon spread all over the world, where the British Empire plundered natural resources and enslaved native peoples then left without building the stable infrastructure or governments necessary for self-sufficiency.

[doodab]

My point is really that the amount of outright nastiness that is directed at at Poles in particular is ridiculous.

Given the history I'd have thought they'd be viewed more like Aussies, Kiwis and those from the former commonwealth, or perhaps the Irish, i.e. a bit of gentle ribbing but ultimately respected and appreciated friends, rather than being seen as some unwanted plague on our nation.

Perhaps it's the lack of common language or that they don't play cricket that is the problem.

[darmstadt]

My point is really that the amount of outright nastiness that is directed at at Poles in particular is ridiculous.

Me too but still, they are foreigners, and not West Europeans at that but what do you expect from simple minded bigots. Actually after the wall came down and Poland joined the EU there was a fair bit of antagonism towards them from Germans, nothing to do with the war nor that the fact they were foreigners but because they used to come to Germany and nick loads of cars. Even now on the border that's still a touchy subject as it still goes on although nowadays car thievery here tends to be from Europeans from further east...

On a non-related subject, we had some East European, Bulgarians, builders down our road the other day with their lorry parked up with Bulgarian number plates. The interesting thing though was their white van, which had UK plates so obviously they don't earn enough now in the UK so have to commute to Germany to work

[mos]

the issue is now and the effect its having on our country.

Now you are being ridiculous. What reparations? The monetary benefit of dismantlement of the Soviet empire is ENTIRELY on your side!

I would expect to hear this catchy tune on UKiP rally for Jeremy Kyle fans.

[mos]

Me too but still, they are foreigners, and not West Europeans at that but what do you expect from simple minded bigots. Actually after the wall came down and Poland joined the EU there was a fair bit of antagonism towards them from Germans, nothing to do with the war nor that the fact they were foreigners but because they used to come to Germany and nick loads of cars. Even now on the border that's still a touchy subject as it still goes on although nowadays car thievery here tends to be from Europeans from further east...

That is a smear campaign firmly rooted in Nazi propaganda (criminal masses fit to be slaves and all that). Enjoy: Jeeves & Wooster: Roderick Spode 1 - YouTube

And fyi - each time I visit Germany I suffer racial abuse hurled at me by Turkish Taxi drivers. So now I finally know - its because I am a car thief.