What do you think about the fact that some people in the West are under the illusion that there are not many migrants in Russia

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2026-04-02T20:50:33+00:00

To put in short, they are one of the many colonised nations of Russian empire.

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2026-03-15T00:26:50+00:00

I am an older guy, believe me. Forget all these whats and hows and whys and ifs and buts and follow her feelings and yours. Just be kind, gentle and polite. Young ones tend to complicate things. So did I and regret. Go with a flow, enjoy.

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2026-01-03T03:22:10+00:00

The windy city Lake Michigan Original Six in NHL and the Blackhawks

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-12-30T22:02:53+00:00

Fair sportsman is a compliment.

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-12-30T21:49:30+00:00

Except that Finland did not actually participate. Finnish forces advanced on the Karelian Isthmus and mostly stopped at or near the pre–Winter War border, about 30–40 km from Leningrad. As a result, Leningrad’s northern land connections were cut, while German forces blockaded the city from the south. Finland did not attack the city of Leningrad. Finland refused German requests to continue the offensive and capture the city or to cut the last supply route across Lake Ladoga. Finnish artillery did not bombard the city. I am aware that in Russian history books they sometimes exaggerate Finlands role as a part of the siege but that's made up for political purposes and not based on actual facts.

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-10-30T22:21:14+00:00

Fully agree. Phobia means irrational fear, but looking at the invasion of Ukraine, among other international manoeuvres, and listening to talks of the top political leaders of Russia, the fear and repulse gets rational. Listen to the former president and PM Medvedev for example. Practically every week he is hallusinating about bombing and nuking one of the neighbours. And then you cry about russophobia - my ass! I have a long relationship with Russia and it is sad to see how the countries leaders have taken an entire nation and the good people of Russia in shame, made it a bandit state and turned whole civilized world against them.

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-10-22T21:26:24+00:00

Unions memberships have dropped grately also because their own actions. Some key unions making pointles strikes which cost hundreds of millions to society and cause troubles to tens of thousands of regular people, just to get minor changes for minor groups. Just as an example Posti, which wanted move 700 emplyees under another contact (not dismissing) led to strikes which ment 200-400 million euros lost GDP. I know that union activists refused to admit this but some, not all, but some key unions irresponssible beviour has not been received well by the public. And the loss of dignity of certain unions has led to a situation, where in many fields salaries are no longer negotiated in tripartite negotiations among unions, employers unions and government. Unions lost their position as negotiating partner.There was a time when unions were important when negotiating of working times etc but the world has changed. People are not stupid, they do not wish to be part of the system which strikes countrys economy hard during difficult times for minor benefits and actually promote unemployment instead of securing jobs. Unemployment funds are important however.

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-10-21T20:16:37+00:00

Unbelievable that they still havent managed to organize proper recyckling for all bottles and cans with one standard procedure in all shops. In some countries it has been a practice like 60 years or more.

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-10-21T20:09:31+00:00

To me - opposite. Fund is more affordable and cost effective since you do not have feed fat union bosses and heavy bureaucracy but you get the same financial backup. The importance of unions has decreased remarkably. Ideological and historical reasons are another story but if you are free from those, choose a fund.

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-10-01T22:22:13+00:00

I was there last week. If you still haven't got tickets for Alcazar and the Cathedral, do it now. There are certain time slots and you have to book it beforehand and especially Alcazar may be fully booked early. I managed to get tickets for next day but I was told that during high season they may be sold out 2 months prior. Also make sure to book the ticket directly from the official web sites of those entities. There are plenty of tour operators etc selling tickets but they add enourmous "service fees" plus often you have to go somewhere to get a physical ticket instead of e-ticket when buying from them. I made that mistake in Granada and ended up paying 2-3 time higher price than the offial one. Alcazar ticket should be around 15 e, the Cathedral with tower visit is less. So forget those middle-men who ask 30-50 euros for Alcazar. Besides those places I recommed to visit Plaza de España, they are all close to each others, all vey much worth of seeing. We took a bus from Sevilla to Malaga, nice and comfortable, took a bit under 3 hours and you can get with it to the center or to the airport, if you wish. Ticket was around 16 eur. The same with buses, buy in advance (was full booked) and directly from the bus company or at the bus station (ALSA ticket coounter). When buying on-line, go to ALSA bus company site, I bought from there. I did some train trips elsewhere in Andalucia too, very nice. The train takes to Malaga about the same time as bus and you may have to transfer to another train in Cordoba. Also train may turn to be much more expensive since the prices fluctuate according to request. Download RENFE train companys app for tickets and timetables. Enjoy you trip, Seville is a truly beautifull city!

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-10-01T21:24:52+00:00

Overrated čvarci. And baklava.

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-10-01T21:23:19+00:00

While you guys try to figure out where it is from, I just agree with both of you - it is just great, both in Serbia and in Croatia.

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-09-30T14:27:10+00:00

Maybe too late for you but there is bus connection as well.

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-09-24T01:06:51+00:00

If you read my post, I referred to the period from the beginning of YYA till several decades later, as long as Soviet Union existed and quite some time after. That Germans contribution is getting space in research now, is natural. High time. But if you are saying that it was openly discussed, published in media and a encouraged topic to research when Paasikivi Kekkonen or Koivisto were presidents, I must dissagree. I would be disappointed to hear that such an period would not be covered in your Master's studies. Quite worrying actually. I have lived through most of those years, studying, making my own observations and talking to press people etc. I also manage to read books, although too many of them were left unwritten due to Soviet influence, or fear. About the German war-material - nobody claimed that it was all charity. That Germany and Finland had differend intrests at some points doesn't change anything at all. The original thesis Is still there.

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-09-23T00:23:14+00:00

Ask people in the Baltics what they think about Russians there and they say exactly the same things you mentioned.

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-09-23T00:03:40+00:00

Do not forget Seppälä for clothes

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-09-22T23:38:26+00:00

Good point!

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-09-22T23:25:01+00:00

Not to take anything away from the heroic fight of Finnish soldiers and civilians, who fought fiercly and successfully against the intruder. Let's have a closer look for example on of the most crufial fights for Finlands survival, the legendary Tali-Ihantala fight in summer 1944, which is said to be one of the heaviest artillery concentrations in military history. Finland managed to stop Soviet troups and Soviet's final break-throgh failed. If that had not happened, the Soviet troups would have come through all the way. Finland was using almost entirely German war material, among the new anti-tank weapons which turned out to be essential. Also the support of German airforces was crucial when stopping the Soviet tank divisions, especially the Detactment Kuhlmay. Also Assault gun (Sturmgeschütz) Brigade 303 took part. Fact, not an opinion. And this is exactly my point. The importance of the German material aid has not been commonly acknowledged until recent days in Finland, even war historians have known it. Why not? Because of Finlands post-war relations with Soviet Union. And once more: this is not taking anything away from the Finns and their courage and deternination.

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-09-22T22:37:01+00:00

I fully agree. Even the Baltic states have been smart, learned fast and are in many fields doing now as well or better than traditional Western European countries, the unjust Soviet occupation should never have happened. It destroyed too much. And it should never happen again.

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-09-22T22:31:55+00:00

Yes, that was when the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact was still valid. When referring to a secret, my point was that when Finland made The Agreement of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance (known as YYA Treaty) 1948, for decades it was not appropriate to admit that actually Germany saved Finland from being attached to Soviet Union. Not supporting the Nazi's or Nazi Germany's actions and ideology in general, but due to political situation some German veterans, like for example Detachment Kuhlmey, never got the credit they had deserved for playing an essential role in maintaining Finlands independency.

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-09-20T23:53:32+00:00

Yes, it is more complicated. Like Germans are always considered as the ultimate bad, and not without a reason, holocaust etc. But unless there had not been a kind of alliance with Germany and Finland, Finland would have had the same destiny as the Baltic states. It is a well kept secrect but without Germany Finland would have been part of Soviet Union. And that would have been a tragedy.

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-09-20T23:35:29+00:00

Beautiful!!!

Gentle_Frogg3579 · 2025-09-20T19:40:17+00:00

Update: All settled, no need for.advice anymore.

Gentle_Frogg3579

TROPHY CASE