Posts About Hungary
Pragmatism Trumps Idealism
Moscow, Russia -- The United States could not have put an end to the Soviet Empire 30 years earlier by defending the Hungarian uprising against the Communist occupation. Here's why not:...
A Successful Revolution Anyway?
Tokya, Japan -- The Revolution of 1956 -- though failed -- still made a difference. After all, the Hungarian people courageously made up their losses afterwards and eventually led all of Eastern Europe into revolts in 1989....
Diet -- or Treat Food Shortages Like Global Warming
The so-called civilized countries with the over packed malls, food stores and fast food restaurant chains should make up their mind and send some of their surplus to the needy before they would come over to get it.
Hungary's Reaction: Say What?
Hungarians aren’t numb enough to listen to Bush’s speeches in the first place.
Tolls, One-Way Streets and the Chinese Method
If I had created the world, I would not have created cars, for Christ’s sake. Or cell phones. Cars drive my crazy, as do cell phones. Hélas -- and thank God -- I wasn’t the one given the job of creating this world. It was created quite well without me, with waters, hills, vegetation, animals, and mankind. The last of these has tried to transform it for its own sake, quite often with less than perfect results. My beautiful city, Budapest, is practically drowning in permanent traffic jams, noise, smell, stress, and chaos. Many of its two million residents have...
America's as Good as Gold
Over the past century America’s image followed the curve of a sine wave. At the beginning of the period feelings toward the U.S. were moderately positive, and the most common adjectives used were synonyms of “rich” and “good.” Before World War I the general image was the United Steaks of America, a country of unlimited food and fortune....
Stop the Fear Mongering
It's strange to picture any country holding “cards.” If there was a deck, the United States – the strongest country in the world – would hold most of them. Yet the U.S. still seems unable to solve anything.
Elect a Woman President
It always matters (a bit) who the elected politicians are, as they have the power to shape the future of any country. But they are limited in what they can do by short terms in office -- and in the end, show me one country that isn't doomed.
On TV, Hungary Is a Village of Love Affairs
The winner in Hungary is Barátok közt (“Among Friends”), a sitcom created by an Australian company about a group of people who do not speak Hungarian and do not live here at all.
Eastern European View: Tough, But Worth It
The EU is made up of two groups: traditionally developed Western European states, and the rest of us. Even after joining in 2004, Hungary needs a great deal of aid to catch up. Only then can the EU agree on common policies enough to be an effective superpower in the rest of the world.
The Ease of Misunderstanding
People hate and kill each other because they simply do not understand each other, and remaining afraid and distant is much easier than making the effort necessary to empathize.
Left, Right, What's the Difference?
In Central Europe, and especially in Hungary, the political notions of “right” and “left” have lost their original meanings. Not much is left.
Hungary Needs Chinese Immigrants
Hungary has always been a destination for immigrants. After World War II, a weird thing happened -- most of our immigrants turned out to be Hungarians. This was because at that time Hungary lost the bigger part of its territory with the Trianon Peace Treaty. Many Hungarians from behind the new frontiers came back to their country....
The Economy Conquers All
Budapest, Hungary - Which one comes first: politics or economics? the chicken or the egg? I trust the businessmen more than the congressmen.
Lame Dog Liars
Budapest, Hungary - A liar is much easier to catch than a lame dog....
No "He" or "She" in Hungarian
Budapest, Hungary - Hungarian is a weird language. We simply do not have pronouns "she" and "he". This tells us a lot about how women are treated here.
My Most Unimportant Nation
Budapest, Hungary - My home country is too small to be a superpower, yet most of its citizens think it is.
Death and Sex Control Media
Budapest, Hungary - Catastrophes, death, sex, private life and stardom control the Hungarian press and media. Readers may be interested in the truth, but editors and publishers are not.
Don't Meddle From Afar
Budapest, Hungary - Let me share with you an old joke frequently told in Hungary to begin my comparison of old, fractured Europe and modern Iraq....
From Budapest: Between Warring and Waiting
Budapest, Hungary -- While I write this, President Bush is having breakfast in the best hotel in Budapest. I am invited for the lunch he is going to be having in the gigantic Hungarian Parliament building, full of Hungarian politicians and celebrities. I have to pass on the lunch, I am afraid, because, due to safety measures, our city is practically paralyzed by police forces. Otherwise, I would absolutely be there -- a writer never knows when he may need the description of such an event for a novel....
Democracy Takes Time
Paris, France -- The war in Iraq shows us, in retrospect, that the USA was right not to intervene in the Hungarian upheaval of 1956. It would have unleashed a bloody and protracted war in Europe, even if it ended in victory. Thirty-five years after the failed revolt in Hungary, the whole Soviet block collapsed from inside without any bloodshed....
