No, they didn't have to learn much

A friend and regular reader of this blog (one of the few not the many) sent me this link with a comment: "How quickly they learn.". The story is that

Brussels-based news agency Euractiv has found that Poland is claiming €33 million of EU carbon allowances for a coal plant in Leczna, near the Ukrainian border, which does not exist. Polish authorities say the plant is being built. But there is zero sign of work at the greenfield site.

Well, no, they didn't have to learn. Back in the days I was still arguing against East European countries coming into the EU I also said that, given their history in the second half of the twentieth century these countries are not going to be fazed by the corruption of the EU. Au contraire: they will take to it like duck to water.