International Relations

The Russian law was based on the US law noted above.The very fact the story has a twisted title intended to fool low IQ sheep is enough to make it suspect.Hungary is copying America's law. - @FredLet's put this FARA nonsense to bed. Bringing up a US law is irrelevant. And it's hardly ever been invoked. One doesn't justify the other.  - @ffluffy2560
The first point is very easy. If the US law is nothing, why does it matter that other countries have it?
The unused law in the US is used
https://www.rcfp.org/fara-prosecution-op-ed-writing/https://www.rcfp.org/faras-threat-to-free-press/https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/insights/ … nt-of-farahttps://www.forbes.com/sites/insider/20 … es-beware/https://www.justsecurity.org/97840/mene … nvictions/

FARA is used in the US, and Hungary's version is very similar
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou … ca2OpuGcd3

Just for a little further comparison, Hungary has a far more modest version of the US FARA law
https://magyarnemzet.hu/english/2023/12 … -than-fara - @Fred

Anti-NGO law:

I only use the titles as used by the news organisations.

Yes, but I see something of your problem (well, at least one of them).  Your links refer to the 2023 version.  And therefore your links and information are out of date. 

I'll only talk about the situation here, not other countries.   

We are talking about a NEW version which not yet enacted and has not been passed by the parliament.   And of course, it matters to us because we live here.   The EU will respond when it's passed but has urged Hungary to withdraw the legislation.   

The Foreign Minister and a bunch of other sycophants say it's an EU assault on Hungarian independence.   The EU is of course, not a foreign government, it's a treaty organisation which Hungary signed up to 20+ years ago. 

If they don't like the EU, then they can have a referendum and if there's so much support for it, then Hungary can leave.  It's possibly what OV wants.  Then there will be no checks on his activities.

BTW, Fred, there's a protest in downtown Budapest this evening about 18.30h and you're invited to hear the popular view from people right there in the middle of it.  Mrs Fluffy and one our Fluffyettes will be going. 

I won't be going because if I am caught on camera, I could be identified and deported. I have been to other protests but that was before they started mass surveillance and image recognition.  In other words, my rights have been curtailed firstly by Brexit  and secondly loss or restriction of freedom of assembly (another aspect of an ongoing legislative push by OV)

Fred, feel free to fly in to Hungary to attend the protests and to discuss the anti-NGO law in person with people there.

If they don't like the EU, then they can have a referendum and if there's so much support for it, then Hungary can leave. It's possibly what OV wants. Then there will be no checks on his activities. - @fluffy2560

What, like the UK? until the Labour party damaged democracy by going against the will of the people.

BTW, Fred, there's a protest in downtown Budapest this evening about 18.30h and you're invited to hear the popular view from people right there in the middle of it. Mrs Fluffy and one our Fluffyettes will be going. I won't be going because if I am caught on camera, I could be identified and deported. - @fluffy2560

There are many grtoups in Indonesia that are funded by the CIA - I would be willing to bet Hungary has the same infestation.

In Indonesia, they try to destabilise the government in exactly the way you describe above.

As far not going, you have the wrong reason, but you do perfectly describe why the country needs a law to stop interference from foreigners.

Your actual reason for not attending should be a repulsion to foreigners interfering in the internal politics of another country, but you have said it's the coward in you that stops you expressing what you so loudly push here.

Foreigners are guests, not political activists - Some might say you deserve to be deported.

Anti-NGO law:
I only use the titles as used by the news organisations.

We are talking about a NEW version which not yet enacted and has not been passed by the parliament. And of course, it matters to us because we live here. The EU will respond when it's passed but has urged Hungary to withdraw the legislation. - @fluffy2560

The first is the reason you are so uniformed. You look at the story, not who wrote it, who published it and, most importantly, who paid them to publish it.

The second is the reason I have to compare the old law to FARA.

https://www.asia-pacific-solidarity.net … -cuts.html

Heychael and his colleagues chose 10 journalists hailing from places like Morowali on the island of Sulawesi and Obi Island in North Maluku province. Each got 10 million rupiah ($600) – money linked to an earlier USAID grant – to report on the impact the country's headlong rush to insert itself into the electric vehicle supply chain was having on their communities.

The effort was a small step toward highlighting the pollution, disruption and abuse stemming from the onslaught of secretive Chinese investment in Indonesia's booming metals sector.

U.S. Congress had earmarked nearly $270 million this year to support independent journalism outlets like Remotivi as well as media-related NGOs around the world, funds now halted by the Trump administration.

The reason I think the Indonesian groups are idiots rather than traitors is they are complaining in public about losing funding designed to destabilise Indonesia/China relations.

If they were traitors, they'd be bright enough to hide it.

However, a quick look at CIMA and DW might change you mind about how reliable DW stories are.

As for NGOs, the CIA is funding many in Indonesia, but I would imagine they are doing the same in many other countries.

I can give you a few tips based on the CIA's infestation here if you like. The American spies are likely to be using the same in many countries so you will be able to see at least a portion of why Hungary needs a more robust law.

Anti-NGO law:
I only use the titles as used by the news organisations.

We are talking about a NEW version which not yet enacted and has not been passed by the parliament. And of course, it matters to us because we live here. The EU will respond when it's passed but has urged Hungary to withdraw the legislation.  - @fluffy2560
The first is the reason you are so uniformed. You look at the story, not who wrote it, who published it and, most importantly, who paid them to publish it.
The second is the reason I have to compare the old law to FARA.

https://www.asia-pacific-solidarity.net … -cuts.html

Heychael and his colleagues chose 10 journalists hailing from places like Morowali on the island of Sulawesi and Obi Island in North Maluku province. Each got 10 million rupiah ($600) – money linked to an earlier USAID grant – to report on the impact the country's headlong rush to insert itself into the electric vehicle supply chain was having on their communities.The effort was a small step toward highlighting the pollution, disruption and abuse stemming from the onslaught of secretive Chinese investment in Indonesia's booming metals sector.U.S. Congress had earmarked nearly $270 million this year to support independent journalism outlets like Remotivi as well as media-related NGOs around the world, funds now halted by the Trump administration.

The reason I think the Indonesian groups are idiots rather than traitors is they are complaining in public about losing funding designed to destabilise Indonesia/China relations.
If they were traitors, they'd be bright enough to hide it.

However, a quick look at CIMA and DW might change you mind about how reliable DW stories are.

As for NGOs, the CIA is funding many in Indonesia, but I would imagine they are doing the same in many other countries.
I can give you a few tips based on the CIA's infestation here if you like. The American spies are likely to be using the same in many countries so you will be able to see at least a portion of why Hungary needs a more robust law. - @Fred

Yes, it's all the CIA's fault in Indonesia.  Fine.

But that's nothing to do with Hungary.   

If you'd like to read up on Hungarian social, political, economic conditions you will be qualified to post intelligently about it.   

Over here, DW is trusted for news and they are professional journalists.   They do not publish unverified articles.  It's always been a reliable independent source.  It's government funded.  It's like the BBC World Service.

If they don't like the EU, then they can have a referendum and if there's so much support for it, then Hungary can leave. It's possibly what OV wants. Then there will be no checks on his activities.  - @fluffy2560
What, like the UK? until the Labour party damaged democracy by going against the will of the people. - @Fred

The British diaspora in the EU never had their say.  Neither did the electorate in the UK on the final agreement.   There was no referendum on that.   And it wasn't Labour back then, it was the Johnson/Frost clown show.

Over here, there would have to be a referendum on EU membership.  O1G (OV) will lose that as even the dumbest turkey here isn't going to vote to screw over themselves, their families and their communities.  I say that with my fingers crossed because the turkeys in the UK did vote to shoot themselves.

Meanwhile, we are still waiting for the result of the "people's consultation" on Ukraine's membership of the EU.  It's going to be a proxy verdict on O1G.  I think mid-June before that bit of nonsense is over.

Over here, DW is trusted for news and they are professional journalists. They do not publish unverified articles. It's always been a reliable independent source. It's government funded. It's like the BBC World Service. - @fluffy2560

It's trusted until you read the links, then it's less so. Yes, it is government funded, but look at the relationship with the US.

Then we have to look at what the funders, the German government, might like them to say.

Yes, it's all the CIA's fault in Indonesia. Fine.
But that's nothing to do with Hungary. 

If you'd like to read up on Hungarian social, political, economic conditions you will be qualified to post intelligently about it.

Over here, DW is trusted for news and they are professional journalists. They do not publish unverified articles. It's always been a reliable independent source. It's government funded. It's like the BBC World Service. - @fluffy2560

Not the CIA's fault, except for when it is. It is when they are funding and effectively running disruptive groups.

Are you really saying the CIA is not in Hungary? We already know some of the CIA groups that operate in Indonesia also work in Hungary, so it's a pretty safe bet they are pulling the protesters' strings.

Your problem is simple - You consider your uninformed opinions to be of the same value as provable facts. Add that you think everyone who disagrees with you is uninformed, but you have no interest in educating yourself, I have to consider the possibility that you're talking crap.

Perhaps you might like to google, "dunning kruger"

I'll give you a clue or two as to how to work things out.

Ignore personal beliefs in favour of an open mind.

Look at every side of a story from Guardian to Mail.

If you see an obviously biased title, assume the whole story is dodgy.

When you see a story, look at who wrote and printed it. You will see strings pretty quickly.

If you try hard, you might catch up to me in 10 or 15 years.

If they don't like the EU, then they can have a referendum and if there's so much support for it, then Hungary can leave. It's possibly what OV wants. Then there will be no checks on his activities. - @fluffy2560
What, like the UK? until the Labour party damaged democracy by going against the will of the people. - @Fred
The British diaspora in the EU never had their say. Neither did the electorate in the UK on the final agreement. There was no referendum on that. And it wasn't Labour back then, it was the Johnson/Frost clown show.
Over here, there would have to be a referendum on EU membership. O1G (OV) will lose that as even the dumbest turkey here isn't going to vote to screw over themselves, their families and their communities. I say that with my fingers crossed because the turkeys in the UK did vote to shoot themselves.

Meanwhile, we are still waiting for the result of the "people's consultation" on Ukraine's membership of the EU. It's going to be a proxy verdict on O1G. I think mid-June before that bit of nonsense is over. - @fluffy2560

However, as it looks like the country will vote against the EU expandinging into a war zone, the EU says Hungary should be excluded as that nation disagrees with them - sorry - isn't a proper democracy.

What the idiotic EU is saying is - because Hungary isn't a democracy, we should suspend our democracy in order to stop them voting the wrong way.

However, as it looks like the country will vote against the EU expandinging into a war zone, the EU says Hungary should be excluded as that nation disagrees with them - sorry - isn't a proper democracy.
What the idiotic EU is saying is - because Hungary isn't a democracy, we should suspend our democracy in order to stop them voting the wrong way. - @Fred

Didn't read the other posts.  I'm doing other stuff.

It's no longer a democracy in HU and it doesn't adhere to the EU club values.   

If someone is in the tennis club and they keep shouting they hate tennis and aggressively want the committee disbanded and more than actively want to supplant tennis with pistol shooting, they are not going to last long as a tennis club member.

Don't forget, Hungary signed up for EU membership and has been a member for 20+ years.  We were at the EU accession party.  It was a remarkable thing.   I was here before accession and we had optimism for freedoms that being out from the Soviet yoke would bring.  That's all gone now.

I've got no long term say as I'm not Hungarian but my wife and kids are citizens and of course, we're deeply invested here.  It's a sad business.  If Hungary did leave the EU, I think we'd have to leave the country.   Question is when and to where?  Before the borders closed of course.  We've even been considering sending our son to live in the UK just before he's 18, in case he gets drafted into some mandatory military service.  In the same timeframes our daughter might finish university and can also leave.  I suppose Brexit took 5 years to be completed so it'd be about the same here.   Given the election is next year, 2026, maybe 2028-2030, we'd see a referendum for EU membership (if OV gets in again).  I cannot see OV being dumb enough to campaign on an EU referendum vote.   But you never know how foolish  the desperate will become.  It'll be a one-shot, once in a generation vote.

But anyways, you can read up more about Hungary and its history and get qualified to pass comment.

Didn't read the other posts. I'm doing other stuff. - @fluffy2560

That's why you'll keep your ill informed opinions.

I read everything, even if it's directly against what I believe to be true. That's the only way to get a grasp of what is really happening.

Your point in mind, I won't bother trying to educate you, but I will correct your poorly thought out, extremely biased, and sometime racist posts.

Spreading propaganda is always bad news.

Attacking lies is commonly good as it may be disruptive to those who want to create conflict.

The prime example, and greatest lesson of all, is the Iraq war lies.

Mass acceptance of those lies allowed the US and UK to kill on a massive scale.

Hats off to France on that one. They knew it was all a con so told the US to get stuffed.

I'm amazed anyone blindly believes propaganda any more, and even more amazed people are daft enough to repeat it.

Didn't read the other posts. I'm doing other stuff. - @fluffy2560 That's why you'll keep your ill informed opinions.I read everything, even if it's directly against what I believe to be true. That's the only way to get a grasp of what is really happening.Your point in mind, I won't bother trying to educate you, but I will correct your poorly thought out, extremely biased, and sometime racist posts.Spreading propaganda is always bad news.Attacking lies is commonly good as it may be disruptive to those who want to create conflict. The prime example, and greatest lesson of all, is the Iraq war lies.Mass acceptance of those lies allowed the US and UK to kill on a massive scale.Hats off to France on that one. They knew it was all a con so told the US to get stuffed.I'm amazed anyone blindly believes propaganda any more, and even more amazed people are daft enough to repeat it. - @Fred

More important than histrionics over Iraq supposedly helping with today's issues, I learnt a new word today as I looked over some job related paperwork. 

The word is "sausion".

Everyone knows or thinks they know persuasion.  But "suasion"?   What's the difference?

I had to look it up and Wiktionary said the following:

1. "Persuasion ordinarily refers to exhortation by means of argumentation or reasoned discourse.   
2. Suasion may have this sense, but it is not uncommon for suasion to refer to the exercise of influence by other means".

There's also "moral suasion" which one can look up - persuasion by appeals to a sense of ethics.

So, Fred, I hope you get the point that this thread is about reasoned discourse and not influence by other means, i.e. trolling or bullying or just personal attacks.   

And of course there's the ethics angle.  Now I wonder if perhaps even trolling or bullying is some form of moral hazard as clearly there's no upside risk for the troll operating from a tin shack in Indonesia.

More important than histrionics over Iraq supposedly helping with today's issues, - @fluffy2560

Because the same actors are using the same tactics.

and of course there's the ethics angle. Now I wonder if perhaps even trolling or bullying is some form of moral hazard as clearly there's no upside risk for the troll operating from a tin shack in Indonesia. - @fluffy2560

Back to insults in the stead of reasoned argument.

and of course there's the ethics angle. Now I wonder if perhaps even trolling or bullying is some form of moral hazard as clearly there's no upside risk for the troll operating from a tin shack in Indonesia. - @fluffy2560
Back to insults in the stead of reasoned argument. - @Fred

Well you started it matey. So let's discuss your trolling.   I'm really serious. 

What are you actually getting out of it?  Is it a way to counter inferiority and a way to try and grab power without responsibility?

I am absolutely interested in what the upside is for trolls.    What's in it for them? Maybe some honesty and self-analysis is needed.

The classic movie stereotype would be a incel teenager sitting in Mom's basement watching some right wing TV news or religious show.

But I get a different impression here.  I could say all sorts - possibly someone in a failed or failing relationships, stuck in a country that restricts freedom or expression, overtly religiously twisted or bigoted, no tolerance to celebrate differences of the human condition.  I wouldn't say that directly.   For sure, definitely not humanists. 

I met my friend of 30+ years who has gone down the Reform rabbit hole.  We'd had some sharp political words before but I like to think when I saw him last week, he was much more reasonable.   We had a few laughs, shared some news and drank some coffee.   I like to think that we could still be friends even if we were on opposing sides in parliament.   It's possible to have different views and enjoy the differences if they were reasoned.

and of course there's the ethics angle. Now I wonder if perhaps even trolling or bullying is some form of moral hazard as clearly there's no upside risk for the troll operating from a tin shack in Indonesia. - @fluffy2560
Back to insults in the stead of reasoned argument. - @Fred
Well you started it matey. So let's discuss your trolling. I'm really serious.
What are you actually getting out of it? Is it a way to counter inferiority and a way to try and grab power without responsibility?

I am absolutely interested in what the upside is for trolls.  What's in it for them? Maybe some honesty and self-analysis is needed.

- @fluffy2560

More insults.

I have been very clear in that I will correct propaganda you spew in favour of the truth. This is purely in the interests of resistance to war mongering parties that have caused so much death and misery in the past.

If you dislike that, don't post utter rubbish.

More insults.I have been very clear in that I will correct propaganda you spew in favour of the truth. This is purely in the interests of resistance to war mongering parties that have caused so much death and misery in the past.If you dislike that, don't post utter rubbish. - @Fred

I'm not promoting propaganda.  On the contrary, I want to hear from contributors who have reason discourse and of course a proper grasp of history.  Indignation is not helpful.  That's just diversionary.

I think we go back to basics now.  People have to want to change.  It might be useful for you to dwell on your behaviour in these forums.  Trying to get a rise out of people speaks much about your motivations.  Measured and open and knowledgeable is what we need.   

Perhaps look at an areligious version of the well known Serenity Prayer:

"....grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference..."

We can agree war is not helpful.  But motivation is everything.

If you want to talk about Iraq, sure, but that's relatively old stuff now.  We'd be  better off talking about the PKK, Turkey,  Kurdistan and Syria as those are hotter topics in current affairs. Erdogan seems determined to carry on in power and doesn't seem to accept the PKK's laying down of arms.  And Turkey maintains a buffer in Northern Iraq and Syria.    And of course he's put the serious opponent in jail.   Hardly democratic and what of his motivation?  Power grab?

Meanwhile, Trump has taken sanctions off Syria.  I really liked Syria so that's helpful now Assad has gone.   The new President there was a former Al-Qaeda chief.   Has that particular tiger changed its spots?   Trump may have taken off the sanctions but how is he going to back up his plan for a peace dividend and investment without a USAID or similar to rebuild?  He's cut the delivery mechanism to the bone.   That is of course, all linked into Israel and the Palestinians.   The cure for the festering sore there has to be based on a two state federated solution.

I am sure we can agree, Trump is not motivated for peace but trying to up his profile to get a Nobel peace prize to improve his position as an acceptable winner cum statesman like Obama.    Personally, I don't think Obama did anything to deserve it.  Even so, Trump is miles away from any such a reward. Just another chump called Trump. More like a flim-flam artist.

Mildly interesting:

Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar walks across border to Romania

Austria's ex-chancellor has conviction quashed

Austria's former chancellor Sebastian Kurz has won his appeal against a conviction for giving false testimony to a parliamentary committee.

The court's ruling overturns last year's judgement and eight-month suspended prison sentence for the former political star.

Once hailed a wunderkind of Europe's conservatives, the 38-year-old resigned as chancellor in 2021 and quit politics amid a series of allegations.

Monday's acquittal removes a key obstacle to a potential political comeback, but he still faces investigation on separate corruption allegations.

Last year, Kurz was found guilty of perjury for giving false testimony to a parliamentary committee.

The case against him centred over allegations that he had been involved in the selection of executives on a newly-created state holding company when he was chancellor, as opposed to being merely kept informed.

Kurz told a parliamentary probe in 2020 that he was "involved in the sense of informed". But the first trial judge deemed that declaration false and ruled that Kurz had played a more active role.

However in his appeal Kurz argued that the judge who had convicted him was biased.

The appeal bench of three judges ruled in his favour on Monday, reading out in their judgement that Kurz "was acquitted because the objective offence of giving false evidence was not fulfilled".

Speaking to reporters outside court on Monday, Kurz said the years of accusations against him had "now all collapsed".

"There have been numerous court hearings - a huge amount of confrontation with these accusations. You have all witnessed how much this has been celebrated and that it has now all collapsed," he said.

He has also denied wrongdoing on the corruption allegations for which he is being investigated.

Prosecutors are yet to decide whether to charge him over the allegations that he used public money to pay for favourable media coverage and to fund polls which exaggerated support for him.

Kurz has not publicly voiced an intention to return to politics yet.

Since quitting in 2021, he has been involved in several business ventures including the high-profile Dream cybsersecurity company, which he co-founded in 2023 with partners including the former boss of Israel's NSO firm that developed the controversial Pegasus spyware product.

Kurz had previously headed the conservative Austrian's People's Party, leading the party to victories in 2017 and 2019 on a hardline immigration stance.

The People's Party is still in charge in Austria after it managed to form a three-party coalition with the Social Democrats and a liberal party after elections last August.

However that vote was won by the far-right Freedom Party, who seized on voter frustrations on the economy and migration. Despite topping parliamentary elections for the first time, they failed to form government.

Austria's ex-chancellor has conviction quashed
Austria's former chancellor Sebastian Kurz has won his appeal against a conviction for giving false testimony to a parliamentary committee.

The court's ruling overturns last year's judgement and eight-month suspended prison sentence for the former political star.

Once hailed a wunderkind of Europe's conservatives, the 38-year-old resigned as chancellor in 2021 and quit politics amid a series of allegations.

Monday's acquittal removes a key obstacle to a potential political comeback, but he still faces investigation on separate corruption allegations.

... - @SimCityAT

Do you think it'll make any difference in the long run? 

I mean, with outside interests and other world issues like Ukraine and Trump, the problems we all face (in the EU), are way beyond that single guy etc.

@fluffy2560

He can now return to poltics.

.

@fluffy2560
He can now return to poltics. - @SimCityAT

The world has changed of course since his conviction.  Is he still relevant?

@fluffy2560
He can now return to poltics. - @SimCityAT
The world has changed of course since his conviction. Is he still relevant? - @fluffy2560

We will have to see.....

@fluffy2560

I'm getting more worried about Trump's increased bizarre posts on social media and news conferences. The man is not well.  He can't be, I'm just wondering how long will it take for the Republican party to actually turn on him. He is not fit for office.

@fluffy2560
I'm getting more worried about Trump's increased bizarre posts on social media and news conferences. The man is not well. He can't be, I'm just wondering how long will it take for the Republican party to actually turn on him. He is not fit for office. - @SimCityAT

I agree.  I think it's erratic and quite possibly dementia.   It's very hard to pin down dementia symptoms.  People are very good, even excellent,  at bluffing their way past the symptoms and they make plausible excuses.   

We've seen the MIL go through it, Mrs F's cousin's Mum is in it now and we've heard about other people losing their minds over time. 

Even in my own case, I'm losing my memory and I'm only 64. I had a fantastic memory before. I could recognise people I'd only seen momentarily 30 years before.  But I didn't even remember my daughter's pet hamster or what I had for breakfast yesterday,  yet I can remember clearly what people told me 10 years ago.  It's apparently fairly normal for short term memory to go first and the longer term stuff to remain.  It does make one wonder though what it would be like in a few years.

And yet, in Trump's case, it's 4 more years of that maniac saying the same nonsense he's been saying for some years - like it's all Biden's fault.  It's a broken record.

Only the past few days, he threatened the EU with 50% tariffs and immediately backed down with more time.  It's like rinse and repeat.  Everyone sees the obvious ploys he uses and will know if they stick to their guns, he'll cave in, at least temporarily.  It makes no sense.  He's not even keeping anyone guessing any more.  It might have worked in real estate but it doesn't work in government.   Stability is the name of the game.

I just wonder - like you - how much longer the GOP can tolerate that guy in the driving seat.   Personally I think there should be an upper limit to being President.  Like 70 years old.   There's a lower limit - 35 - so why not an upper limit?

Some HU developments today (no links yet as not had time, my highlight/comments):

1. Hungarian parliament passes law on leaving the ICC (International Criminal Court).  Knock on from Netanyahu's visit where he should have been arrested.

1. BYD (car manufacturer from China) will move European HQ to Budapest.  Why?  Hungary is super China friendly.   Not sure whose palms they might be greasing, if any. 

1. Budapest (city government)  may be forced into bankruptcy. This is obviously highly political, following on from a court case (Curia).  Budapest City is not controlled by Fidesz and is a reservoir of  OV opposition.  The mayor - Mr Christmas - is very popular amongst city dwellers. 

1. A government person said that if Hungary left the EU, young people couldn't leave as they wouldn't have freedom of movement (!!!).   Is this the start of a campaign for HUexit?

1. EU seems reluctant to interfere in the Pride ban citing "lack of  political interest". EU commissioners must - apparently - not attend but some MEPs and staff will attend.  EU looks gutless (again). This is now a proxy for the right of assembly restrictions.  Pride will take place in some form even at the risk of arrests - there could be many thousands involved and the courts blocked up.  Rhetoric around the subject is there will be mass disobedience.  Meanwhile,  EU might say something "emergency" about the anti-NGO law.   

1. Apparently, 150 staff members of MNB (National Bank) were fired. No details to substantiate this.

Meanwhile....

Orban accused of using Ukraine spy row in fight for political survival

Looks like Tisza is leading Fidesz according to the poll mentioned in the above article.

My opinion is that OV has or wants to do a deal with Putin to take Transcarpathia/Zakarpattia should Putin achieve his aim of taking over Ukraine.   Pure speculation of course. Never been to Zakarpattia but it looks like it has fantastic looking countryside.

And more amusingly (sort of):

Trump says Canada will have to pay €54 billion to join 'Golden Dome' defence system

Other articles say the $175B Trump says the project will cost is more like $650B.   There's no way, Canada is going to give up its sovereignty for $54B.  It's cloud cuckoo land.   It's not like the USA can somehow bypass Canada to protect itself, it's a fact of geography that Canada is north of the USA.   Canada could just tell Trump where to get off.  Canada in any case is now implementing a new Northern radar system with the Australians.  Not a US defence contractor to be seen probably.  Hardly surprising.

And weirdly:

China Reviving World War II Airfield in America's Backyard

Possibly another failure due to USAID's termination.  Summary is - bizarrely - that a US ally, gets an airfield upgrade from China.  Meanwhile, China continues to build airfields right next door on disputed islands representing a threat to other US controlled islands like Guam.    This comes after the US upgraded the famous WW2 airport at Peleliu (Palau).  Makes one wonder what is going on in the WH/Pentagon. 

And finally....

Trump administration seeks to pull estimated $100m in Harvard funding

Trump's madness continues.  This one directly affects Mrs F's cousin who is a researcher at a Harvard hospital. One of the colleagues there has already lost funding and may have to leave  the country.   Apparently Mrs F's cousin has been in the queue for the green card for some years (and is married to a US citizen) but has been told that they have no capacity to process the application.  We're talking about valuable work in medicine being halted and possibly thrown away because of ideology.  Like diseases know about that and respect political beliefs.

Meanwhile....
Orban accused of using Ukraine spy row in fight for political survival - @fluffy2560

Readers might like to note the writer is Nick Thorpe.

Thorpe is involved with "Political capital, Hungary", a group funded by the National endowment for democracy, a CIA cover group.

In other words, he's in the CIA's pocket.

https://politicalcapital.hu/news.php?ar … le_id=2283

https://www.ned.org/democracy-research- … mber-2021/

Meanwhile....
Orban accused of using Ukraine spy row in fight for political survival - @fluffy2560
Readers might like to note the writer is Nick Thorpe.
Thorpe is involved with "Political capital, Hungary", a group funded by the National endowment for democracy, a CIA cover group.
In other words, he's in the CIA's pocket.
https://politicalcapital.hu/news.php?ar … le_id=2283https://www.ned.org/democracy-research- … mber-2021/ - @Fred

This has been going on for weeks and it's reported widely. Do better research Fred!

This has been going on for weeks and it's reported widely. Do better research Fred! - @SimCityAT

I did. That's how I know it's a biased story written by a hack that is bought and paid for by the CIA

Added.

Perhaps posters would like to research before posting planted stories.

This has been going on for weeks and it's reported widely. Do better research Fred! - @SimCityAT
I did. That's how I know it's a biased story written by a hack that is bought and paid for by the CIA
- @Fred

You live in a bubble, and have not the faintest of what's happening in Europe. You think you do, but don't. All this is happening on our doorstep and we are surrounded by the news.

Stop going on about the CIA, it is tiring. We know you worship Putin, and how dare anyone say a bad word.

I also noticed you have managed to get a few more threads closed down, well done.

Looks like Tisza is leading Fidesz according to the poll mentioned in the above article. - @fluffy2560

https://bbj.hu/politics/polls/tisza-sur … ed-voters/

Tisza is leading against the government in polls of Tisza supporters.

Seems they manage something between a 9 and 11 percent lead in their own party.

Not exactly impressive.

Stop going on about the CIA, it is tiring. We know you worship Putin, and how dare anyone say a bad word. - @SimCityAT

Given the CIA are planting the stories, as I have shown, I believe mentions of them is valid.

I think Putin is a dick, just one that happens to be right on the subject of the Obama/Biden war in Ukraine.

I also noticed you have managed to get a few more threads closed down, well done. - @SimCityAT

Back to personal insults.

That shows how solid your arguments are.

You live in a bubble, and have not the faintest of what's happening in Europe. You think you do, but don't. All this is happening on our doorstep and we are surrounded by the news.
- @SimCityAT

The internet allows news stories to be read all over the word, and also facilitates publicly available information to be spread .. for those not in a political bubble that self-imprissions their thoughts from seeing anything they don't want to see.

Meanwhile....
Orban accused of using Ukraine spy row in fight for political survival - @fluffy2560
Readers might like to note the writer is Nick Thorpe.
Thorpe is involved with "Political capital, Hungary", a group funded by the National endowment for democracy, a CIA cover group.
In other words, he's in the CIA's pocket.
https://politicalcapital.hu/news.php?ar … le_id=2283https://www.ned.org/democracy-research- … mber-2021/ - @Fred

Nick Thorpe has been reporting from Hungary and the surrounding countries for years.    There's no way he's a CIA plant. 

But while I'm here, I've got a Nick Thorpe anecdote.

I was in bed in a hotel in Kosovo and I was watching the TV news - BBC World or summat - and Nick Thorpe came on to do a report direct from Kosovo.  I thought, that looks familiar.  My hotel bedroom overlooked a  flat roof.  I opened the curtains and Nick Thorpe was literally right outside on the the flat roof doing that very live broadcast from right outside my bedroom window.  It was a good job the camera was pointing away from the window as I was not exactly dressed to be on TV.       

Meanwhile....
Orban accused of using Ukraine spy row in fight for political survival - @fluffy2560
Readers might like to note the writer is Nick Thorpe.
Thorpe is involved with "Political capital, Hungary", a group funded by the National endowment for democracy, a CIA cover group.
In other words, he's in the CIA's pocket.
https://politicalcapital.hu/news.php?ar … le_id=2283https://www.ned.org/democracy-research- … mber-2021/ - @Fred
Nick Thorpe has been reporting from Hungary and the surrounding countries for years.  There's no way he's a CIA plant.
- @fluffy2560

Read the links - He's definately involved with the CIA

Looks like Tisza is leading Fidesz according to the poll mentioned in the above article. - @fluffy2560https://bbj.hu/politics/polls/tisza-sur … ed-voters/Tisza is leading against the government in polls of Tisza supporters.Seems they manage something between a 9 and 11 percent lead in their own party. Not exactly impressive. - @Fred

That's misreporting on your part.   Don't comment unless you really know something about it.

But just for you, if you read the BBJ properly, it says Tisza has a lead on Fidesz.   

There's a chance, despite all OV's gerrymandering and wot not, that OV could be finally out. 

It happened in Poland that the incumbents  (PIS) finally got the push, so many remain hopeful that it will happen here, that change is possible.  People are sick of the guy.

The implications on Ukraine and Magyar Peter working together in some kind of plot is just nonsense.   It just shows OV is losing his mind in desperation.   I can only think, the VOKS2025 "national consultation" must be going very badly for them.   IMHO, it wasn't a vote on Ukraine to join the EU, it was really a proxy vote on OV himself.   

We're not under any illusions.  The results of VOKS2025 will be presented as a win for OV even if he loses big time. It's what happened last time on other issues.   Hardly surprising.   Swept under the carpet. They didn't even get enough for quorum to make it significant.