Absolutely Anything Else

fluffy2560 wrote:

What I've never understood is why people are happy to pay their taxes for the US military or Fire and Rescue - regardless of whether anyone is a direct beneficiary of that - but not happy to pay for universal health care like it's someone else's problem. Doesn't make sense for one thing to be acceptable and the other not to be.  Mr Spock would be turning in his grave due to illogical nature of it.

There is a fairly high percentage of Americans who retain a Puritanical mentality -- if something bad happens to you, it is your fault. Say you have lung cancer and the American is most likely to ask if you are a heavy smoker, for example. Also, there is a knee jerk reaction against "loafers", people who didn't earn the care they are given (you know, like tRump!). They are not working, so they don't deserve healthcare. And besides, if we gave healthcare to everyone, we couldn't afford it, our own healthcare would become inaccessible. I paid for my healthcare and I want it, damn the millions who don't have it, can't get it, because I have mine and they should just get a proper job that offers healthcare. (Their mentality, I stress, not mine!).

Yes, this goes against every Christian and humane notion of decency. But those opposed, and it is a billion dollar industry to oppose govt healthcare controls for obvious reasons, have been dispersing huge blobs of misinformation in the form of "death panels", and taking away choice, and scaring people with huge wait times to see a doctor, etc. It is a system dependent on the "devil you know" being better than "the new thing" because so many Americans believe you shouldn't have something if you didn't earn it, and America has the best systems in the world -- mind you, they have never left their state or their country to compare things, but they are solid in this belief. You've seen numerous examples of this, I am sure.

"Shock" News:

László Benkő dead Keyboard player for Omega - the Hungarian Rolling Stones - confirmed in HU media to have died today. End of Omega.

Update:   People are putting candles at "his tree" in the park opposite his residence at Krisztina korut 73.

Vicces1 wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

What I've never understood is why people are happy to pay their taxes for the US military or Fire and Rescue - regardless of whether anyone is a direct beneficiary of that - but not happy to pay for universal health care like it's someone else's problem. Doesn't make sense for one thing to be acceptable and the other not to be.  Mr Spock would be turning in his grave due to illogical nature of it.

There is a fairly high percentage of Americans who retain a Puritanical mentality -- if something bad happens to you, it is your fault. Say you have lung cancer and the American is most likely to ask if you are a heavy smoker, for example. Also, there is a knee jerk reaction against "loafers", people who didn't earn the care they are given (you know, like tRump!). They are not working, so they don't deserve healthcare. And besides, if we gave healthcare to everyone, we couldn't afford it, our own healthcare would become inaccessible. I paid for my healthcare and I want it, damn the millions who don't have it, can't get it, because I have mine and they should just get a proper job that offers healthcare. (Their mentality, I stress, not mine!).

Yes, this goes against every Christian and humane notion of decency. But those opposed, and it is a billion dollar industry to oppose govt healthcare controls for obvious reasons, have been dispersing huge blobs of misinformation in the form of "death panels", and taking away choice, and scaring people with huge wait times to see a doctor, etc. It is a system dependent on the "devil you know" being better than "the new thing" because so many Americans believe you shouldn't have something if you didn't earn it, and America has the best systems in the world -- mind you, they have never left their state or their country to compare things, but they are solid in this belief. You've seen numerous examples of this, I am sure.

I totally agree with you. 

USA is the only developed country not to have universal health care.  Even in the face of the COVID19 emergency, you'd think it'd change people's thinking.   It's that term "socialised medicine" they think is associated with communism and all that it entails.  We all know that's totally untrue.  The ignorance is staggering.   If one looks back at Karl Marx, he was espousing things like social security which the US has anyway.   But no-one is saying that shouldn't exist.  He was also very against child labour.  Also, in theory, the US does not have that kind of thing.

Many things Marx believed in are in mainstream thinking now and accepted nearly everywhere.  Problem is brainwashing and reluctance to accept any alternatives.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes.
The doctor was really nice.
My husband went to her in the past and she was very good. She even lite up a candle to look deep into his eyes!
She refused a tip too.
Yes, I need cataract surgery but she isn't the one to do the pre surgical tests or anything moore then give me a slip to see yet another doctor once this lockdown is over with.
She can hardly walk, looks well over retirement age and still said it is possible they could even call her in to care for people during this C-19 thing.
She didn't look too happy about that possibliity, don't blame her.
I'm a bit mad at myself because last time was 2013 when I went in and was told to return in 3 months. Different doctor at the time but I never went back.Not sure why not, think we probably left the country for a holiday and then just forgot to do a follow up ?
I'm werid, don't fix anything until it is broken.
My sister just had cataract surgery in the uS before they locked down again.
She is 7 years my senior so that's bugging me why I'm catching up to her so fast in aging  at least.
Maybe I overused my eyes cutting card and looking at cards all day long? No idea, think computer screens aren't the best for the eyes either.
Let's hope they lift this lockdown like they said they would around Dec. 11. who knows.

BTW Marilyn, here's an article about how nice it is in Costa Rica.  I'd consider moving there myself!

HOW DID COSTA RICA BECOME THE GREENEST, HAPPIEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD?

I'll check out that site about Costa Rica later, far too grey outside right now for me to tease myself.
Yes the US has a ton of people who don't care for anyone other then themselves .
I know, I dealt cards to some people who morally were just horrible people. You wouldn't believe some of the conversations people had on the tables and how rude they were to each other.So self important it turned my stomach inside out to smile and be nice to them.
I was dealing baccarat  once when a used car dealer from, "Friendly Ford" sat his fat bottom down to play. He was tossing thousands back and forth like nothing. One of the other players asked him what's up because he usually was not so free with his money ( one of our boring regulars at the casino) he said,"Some SUCKER" bought a lemon that day and overpaid for it. Disgusting.Probably some hard working person who didn't know much about cars. When I started out as a dealer I liked most people, after 5 years I learned to put up with most people.
Beleive me a few times I told a few off in my left handed fashion. I worked with a Muslim lady frm Serbia, she was walking with her 2 school friends at age 17 when they were raped and shot by troops. Her 2 friends died but she lived and that's how she got to the US as a refugee. Her boyfriend at work was funny enough a Hungarian guy who came to the US at age 14.He was about 15 years old. Nice kid. Long story short  I heard her go off on a few spoiled old women on her game a couple of times. I'd smile at her in the "you go girl" way.
I had health coverage at one casino job which I worked at for over a year straight. You have to work a min. of one year to get coverage with the co. plan and be a full time employee. Well later they learned how to mess that up for people. You would be hired as a "on'call" dealer, you could be working 11 days in a row all year long and never get coverage because your staus was a part-timer?! Just so wrong how they treat workers in the US, n wonder there are unions for some jobs.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

....
I had health coverage at one casino job which I worked at for over a year straight. You have to work a min. of one year to get coverage with the co. plan and be a full time employee. Well later they learned how to mess that up for people. You would be hired as a "on'call" dealer, you could be working 11 days in a row all year long and never get coverage because your staus was a part-timer?! Just so wrong how they treat workers in the US, n wonder there are unions for some jobs.

To us Europeans, healthcare at the whim of the employer seems really weird.  It's really a basic human right.  People who think socialised medicine means communism need to go to re-education camps.

Anyways, unionisation is resisted by the likes of Amazon. 

Bezos increased his wealth by $24 billion since the beginning of the pandemic!  How much do people actually need? 

It hasn't stopped Amazon really messing with their personnel - you'd think he'd have some social responsibility as an employer. 

Bezos could actually open his own foundation clinics, hospitals and welfare system or even work on reform of health care and leave the world with something worthwhile other than efficient parcel deliveries. 

Bill Gates at least is using his wealth for finding a cure for malaria even if some of his sponsorship is really dodgy looking..   I wouldn't even give those creationist ideas the time of day. If it gets anywhere, might as well rename the USA, the United States of Hyper-Iranian-style Theocracy.

EuroNews Report on EU Recovery Fund and exclusion possibility of Hungary and Poland:

Hungary Corruption at top of EU list

Verhofstadt is an arrogant smartass of a man but I think he's right in this case.

Wonder what O1G is going to do about this one!

Update:

O1G has been involved in a spat with Soros.

Article from Soros about "Rule of Law"

O1G then responded:

Orban's response on "Soros network"

O1G using old arguments to distract the populace that he just vetoed millions of Euros for their benefit.
Did you hear about the George Clooney spat?
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-hung … KKBN2841X6

Vicces1 wrote:

O1G using old arguments to distract the populace that he just vetoed millions of Euros for their benefit.
Did you hear about the George Clooney spat?
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-hung … KKBN2841X6

Nice one George.  I've got a soft spot for him.   He's pretty good for a Hollywood A-lister.   I can see why he married a human rights lawyer.   Leonardo di Caprio is pretty good at using his wealth too.

O1G is indeed using the same arguments. He's always the subject of debate in the Fluffy household.  I think his trajectory is currently to leave the EU, become like Lukashenko and be PM or President for life.  All the elements are there.   It's not about  serving the people, it's only about serving himself and his friends.  We hope he can be out  of business and there can be a reckoning before it's too late.  The majority here are unfortunately sleepwalking into a dictatorship.

Some amusement for you to read this morning.....

Right-wing Hungarian MEP resigns for attending 'sex party' that broke Belgian lockdown

SimCityAT wrote:

Some amusement for you to read this morning.....

Right-wing Hungarian MEP resigns for attending 'sex party' that broke Belgian lockdown

Haha, yes, you beat me to it!  Interesting too that it was a gay event considering the policies of O1G and Co.   But there are no surprises about hypocrisy and politicians.

Will it make any difference? 

Probably not. 

We've had so many others caught with their pants down so to speak but they continue on their merry way spouting ballcocks.

Looking in my crystal ball.....thinking of how it'll play out....

....the gay thing will be claimed as stress related but the drugs and trying to claim immunity are harder to explain away.  Expect some time in the wilderness and given a quieter post  for reflection, claim of religious faith helping to overcome mental health issues, then reemergence eventually in another higher profile job once the storm has subsided.   

Might have been better, even cooler, just to come clean and say, "yes, I was caught but I'm gay, living a lie and now well, so what, I'm going to get help but I'm not resigning and I'm staying as an MEP so on your bikes mateys".  Tactically and just for fun, if O1G tried to force it, then he could just become say an independent unaligned MEP and join the Rainbow Party. 

Meh, whatever.

He is only apologizing for breaking covid restrictions.
"I deeply regret violating the Covid restrictions, it was irresponsible on my part."
- Szajer, 59, made no reference to sexual activity and denied taking drugs or knowing about the ecstasy pill found on him, but he apologised to his family for breaking Covid-19 restrictions.

And Fluffy hit the nail on the head for predicting stress...
- Szajer said that for some time “participating in the struggles of daily politics has been an increasing emotional burden for me."

So a mostly naked man, trying to escape (surely you have all seen the comics which are hilarious) says that someone put the exstacy pill on him.... SURELY.... No pockets for ID but I didn't lose the drugs! And how dumb can you be to have an illegal gathering of any sort so close to a police station?!

Szàjer has denied taking drugs, and said he "deeply" regretted breaking Covid-19 restrictions. "I offered the police to make an instant test, but they did not do it. According to the police they found an ecstasy pill, but it was not mine, I have no knowledge who and how it (was) placed," he said.
[- Of course it was the police at fault...disregarding the undigested pill found on him...]
The gathering, a few meters (yards) from the Brussels Central Police station...

I also understand that had he simply used his Hungarian ID card instead of claiming diplomatic immunity, this incident would likely have gone unnoticed.

Vicces1 wrote:

He is only apologizing for breaking covid restrictions.
"I deeply regret violating the Covid restrictions, it was irresponsible on my part."
- Szajer, 59, made no reference to sexual activity and denied taking drugs or knowing about the ecstasy pill found on him, but he apologised to his family for breaking Covid-19 restrictions.
.....
The gathering, a few meters (yards) from the Brussels Central Police station...

I also understand that had he simply used his Hungarian ID card instead of claiming diplomatic immunity, this incident would likely have gone unnoticed.

I think the same.  If he'd just said, OK,  here's my ID, he might have got away with it and a slap on the wrist and a fine.   The fact he tried to get out of it via various means just increases the perception of guilt. 

But this thing with the ecstasy tablet.   I am wondering if it really was that.  It could have been a popper given the nature of the activities.  (TLDR: Poppers are muscle relaxants).

As far as I know that's not actually illegal for possession  - at least in my own country (UK).  I don't know about Belgium.

I am of course getting a whopping dose of enjoyable schadenfreude out of this incident.   Almost like my Christmas has come early.   I wonder what O1G has to say about this. I am hoping to see some squirming from our lizard overlords.

Some analysis of the fall out from the Szájer incident:

József Szájer: What does the MEP scandal tell us about Viktor Orban's Hungary?

Some more on the Szajer  scandal:

How a lockdown 'sex party' doomed a Hungarian Euro MP

I really think he should have just come clean with his interests, let the media get on with it, not resigned as an MEP, joined the opposition or just become an independent.  O1G is overdue for a massive political fall sometime and this guy could have kept him and others on their toes or even held him accountable.    He was foolish to resign as an MEP.    He could have stood up in the European Parliament with a rainbow tie on.  Jeez, whatever.

It's not like people cannot reform and slippery types like politicians flip-flop all the time.  There are plenty of stories of things like the neo-Nazis finding they've been mistaken all along and we've had the Jobbik guy finding out he was Jewish.

That would be a nice thing, except we already see the character of this guy is not as noble or courageous as you would need to be to accomplish these goals.

In other very troubling political news, it is becoming easier for O1G to defraud the EU and the public, and more difficult to form opposition parties. O1G is cashing in even more and leaving non-FOB's out to dry, with little reform powers.

This on top of the war on LGBT and the disregard for Rule of Law means to me that Hungary is no longer a place to call home honestly. Yes, I am pessimistic, sorry about that.  But I need something to believe that "O1G is due for a fall", I see no evidence of this yet.

https://visegradinsight.eu/hungary-cons … orruption/
- Channelling public funds to cronies (enshrining corruption into the Hungarian Constitution)
- Distractive crackdown on gender issues (same old distraction of gays = pedos)
- Undermining the opposition (much more difficult to oppose Fidesz)
- Hacking the EU budget negotiation
No EU country has crossed so many red lines as the Hungarian government in the last two years. The European Union should not let Orbán off the hook once again, this time for using the Hungarian Constitution to legalise political corruption, because of short-sighted economic reasons.

This not political at all.
Just something that has been getting under my skin for awhile.
I no longer am the lucky "parent" of a dog but still love dogs, well most of them, usually it's the owners that need some training but that's another subject.
I noticed on an ex-pat site that many people are asking to either borrow or even, "rent" someone's dog all in attempts to go out after 8 pm.
With it being dark, cold and everything closed down at that hour why would
anyone up to any good need to be out at all?



That is also another topic.
My concern is for pets.
I know my beloved Dog was well trained on lead and off lead. Took many months and many tears to train him with both verbal commands and hand signals.
We were a team and only a few family members were allowed to take him out for walks as anything less then  a person who knew how to walk him would give him stress .
Once my HU BIL walked him when  he was visiting us from Hungary. He asked to walk him, only did it one time and I could tell my dog wasn't thrilled with his walk time.
How on earth can anyone allow a stranger to take their pet out like that?
Dogs are basically like having a 2 or 3 year old child depending on the breed.
How many people would rent out their toddlers?
It really takes me back  in amazement that people can be so trusting with something so valuable as their pet.
What if the dog happens to break loose and run off? Sorry wouldn't do much in recovery.

Vicces1 wrote:

In other very troubling political news, it is becoming easier for O1G to defraud the EU and the public, and more difficult to form opposition parties. O1G is cashing in even more and leaving non-FOB's out to dry, with little reform powers.

This on top of the war on LGBT and the disregard for Rule of Law means to me that Hungary is no longer a place to call home honestly. Yes, I am pessimistic, sorry about that.  But I need something to believe that "O1G is due for a fall", I see no evidence of this yet.

I can relate to that.  I can imagine people of Belarus imagining Lukashenko might have disappeared at various points in his autocracy.   Usually politicians make a mistake or run out of ideas around the 7-10 year mark.  I'm not seeing so much of that because he's got a long term trajectory mapped out - basically to remain in power, create a dynasty etc.  It's a fairly typical megalomania to believe that only he (O1G) is capable of holding power.   We also see it with Trump - he's the only one capable and no-one else has his skills and knowledge etc to get it done (whatever it is).   But in the end, something will go wrong, an opposition figure will emerge and pull it down.    In the meantime, it's the dark ages.

Question is if anyone wants to actually wait it out.  I'm not very keen to watch the clock ticking.  Mrs Fluffy is not very keen on that.  The kids will be corrupted by the system.   We have no idea how long we can keep going with this.

Vicces1 wrote:

https://visegradinsight.eu/hungary-constitution-vehicle-for-political-corruption/
- Channelling public funds to cronies (enshrining corruption into the Hungarian Constitution)
- Distractive crackdown on gender issues (same old distraction of gays = pedos)
- Undermining the opposition (much more difficult to oppose Fidesz)
- Hacking the EU budget negotiation
No EU country has crossed so many red lines as the Hungarian government in the last two years. The European Union should not let Orbán off the hook once again, this time for using the Hungarian Constitution to legalise political corruption, because of short-sighted economic reasons.

That's depressing.

One can only hope the EU will do something to stop it.  I'm of the opinion that Hungary should leave the EU either themselves or be expelled or simply be suspended (what it means in reality not sure).  Basically O1G has pushed it to the limit so now it's decision time - either keep to the norms of your neighbours and the club you joined and its majority or we'll cut you off financially or boot you out.   The watchtowers and border controls etc will be back.   We're some way from that - years away.   Regime change would be more desirable but in a referendum if it was EU membership vs more O1G, I am relatively confident most people in HU would choose the EU over O1G.   But I wouldn't expect a fair fight.  It could consolidate O1G's power and play into his autocratic plan.

I do have  some hope the wind is blowing the other way with Biden's election.  If we see more blow ups in places like Russia or Turkey, then we might see some changes.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

...

That is also another topic.
My concern is for pets.
I know my beloved Dog was well trained on lead and off lead. Took many months and many tears to train him with both verbal commands and hand signals.
We were a team and only a few family members were allowed to take him out for walks as anything less then  a person who knew how to walk him would give him stress .
Once my HU BIL walked him when  he was visiting us from Hungary. He asked to walk him, only did it one time and I could tell my dog wasn't thrilled with his walk time.
How on earth can anyone allow a stranger to take their pet out like that?
Dogs are basically like having a 2 or 3 year old child depending on the breed.
How many people would rent out their toddlers?
It really takes me back  in amazement that people can be so trusting with something so valuable as their pet.
What if the dog happens to break loose and run off? Sorry wouldn't do much in recovery.

We do tend to think of our dog as a kind of slow learner or disabled child but does it really work as a comparison? 

It's a member of the family but one that has their own way and pace of doing things.   Of course, it's a dog and it will only ever be a dog.  If it was a child it might change or have a higher capacity for learning. 

One thing it doesn't do is bear grudges.  If we push it outside, it goes unwillingly but is just as happy when it comes back inside.   It's memory must be very short on some subjects.   

I've often thought it doesn't really appreciate us taking it for a walk but now I'm not so sure. I think it does appreciate it but in a way that it's loyal to the pack.  Going walkies is like hunting especially if there is food at the end.  It really needs to be accepted in the pack so I think possibly it's just knowing and confirming it's position  that it enjoys and like. It seems blissfully happy if you pay  attention to it and comb it with a fairly spiky slightly scratchy brush.  That's probably the mutual grooming part in pack acceptance.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Regime change would be more desirable but in a referendum if it was EU membership vs more O1G, I am relatively confident most people in HU would choose the EU over O1G.  But I wouldn't expect a fair fight.  It could consolidate O1G's power and play into his autocratic plan.

I do have  some hope the wind is blowing the other way with Biden's election.  If we see more blow ups in places like Russia or Turkey, then we might see some changes.

The latest surveys show a large majority of Hungarians want to stay within the EU. And it is rising, not falling. However, O1G is implementing systemic changes that make it difficult to break his hold on his "dynasty", a la Putin.

I am still shocked that the American election was 1) so close, 2) fraught with so much talk of fraud that the system itself is in jeopardy. After all, the "Trump Team" continues to maintain allegations of fraud that his 70m supporters believe and most of the Republican base are unwilling to denounce. I have never seen democracy so fragile.

Vicces1 wrote:

....However, O1G is implementing systemic changes that make it difficult to break his hold on his "dynasty", a la Putin.

I am still shocked that the American election was 1) so close, 2) fraught with so much talk of fraud that the system itself is in jeopardy. After all, the "Trump Team" continues to maintain allegations of fraud that his 70m supporters believe and most of the Republican base are unwilling to denounce. I have never seen democracy so fragile.

Absolutely.

Ivanka Trump gave a deposition the other day on potential misuse of campaign funds.  Trump himself is liable for multiple law suits at the end of his term.   There's a good chance he or others in his crew will found guilty of something in 2021 with potentially jail time as a result. 

Obviously he's trying however to create a dynasty for  Ivanka and her husband to be elected President in 8 years time.   She's one of the most vacant people I've ever heard talk. Doesn't have an opinion on anything and dodges all questions.  It's incredible to watch.  It's not even slippery political talk, it's just amateur dumbing down. 

Unfortunately for the USA Trump is the Republican Party now.   All those political manoeuvrings by the old guard Republican politicians mean nothing when DT runs the show and 1/2 the electorate are buying into the Trumpian agenda.   The old guard need him because of his voter support. 

There's still a possibility that the safeguards in the US system - president, supreme court, Senate/Congress -  will stop Trumpist distortions occurring longer term.   

Here however, the safeguards have been almost totally eroded - the media is controlled, the courts, the President - all O1G cronies.  It's Putin'esque. It will be hard to see how the O1G network and base can be overcome. 

BTW, my Russian speaking colleague told me Putin is not seen so much these days - rumoured to  have cancer and/or Parkinsons.  He's apparently trying to build something to hand over to.  Could be just gossip.

In the old days, none of these types would have died peacefully in their beds.

The Georgia vote has been fun to watch, they have now counted the ballot papers 3 times, and Trump wants another recount. Biden has had a majority of 13k every time.  But I really do think he believes he won. But he can't admit that he failed. It has been great entertainment this election.

SimCityAT wrote:

The Georgia vote has been fun to watch, they have now counted the ballot papers 3 times, and Trump wants another recount. Biden has had a majority of 13k every time.  But I really do think he believes he won. But he can't admit that he failed. It has been great entertainment this election.

Oh sure, it's been quite a tragicomedy.  We can all laugh but it's got a real nasty side.

Look what happened to Secretary of State for Michigan.

One of the Republican election officials said someone will get killed the way things are going.

I expect come post-inauguration that these things will start to fade.  Trump will be in Florida playing golf and meeting continuously with his lawyers (I read 20 lawsuits pending on him).   He'll be out of mainstream view and the masses will eventually get tired and go back to what they were doing and carry on with their lives.  And there's the pandemic to deal with.

Here it's less fun.

More food for thought....
https://balkaninsight.com/2020/12/08/ho … s-hungary/

Elderly people could be clever, but both Biden and Trump are already pensioners I would say. I notice with myself, reactivity, brains, .. decrease over time. Part of being human.
In too many countries this is still allowed. To me one should not be allowed to be president or prime-minister above 60 or 65. In that respect Putin is doing relatively fine (however also approaching retirement age (and too long in power (can be an addiction I would think).
Of course Biden and Trump will get best medical care but even medical care does not guarantee prevention of ageing.

All is really a shame. I do not agree with many of the policies of many of the prime-ministers in the EU, I prefer however a situation where they have still interest in life rather than suddenly deciding the world is not interesting anymore.
I do not like Trump at all (just me), but Biden should be enjoying his retirement rather then making serious decisions.

People over 60 should be supported by society and where possible enjoy life. Give respect to us, but also accept the fact that although often wise we (they) miss part of the developping (world), I recall eg windows 10 (I need a few hours, younger people a few minutes). Playing (new) video games or alike (just too late for me). I thrive on experience and memories, but just not enough.

Vicces1 wrote:

More food for thought....
https://balkaninsight.com/2020/12/08/ho … s-hungary/

Good article but depressing reading.

Not really surprised by it though.

cdw057 wrote:

...... To me one should not be allowed to be president or prime-minister above 60 or 65. In that respect Putin is doing relatively fine (however also approaching retirement age (and too long in power (can be an addiction I would think).
Of course Biden and Trump will get best medical care but even medical care does not guarantee prevention of ageing.

.....
I do not like Trump at all (just me), but Biden should be enjoying his retirement rather then making serious decisions.

People over 60 should be supported by society and where possible enjoy life. Give respect to us, but also accept the fact that although often wise we (they) miss part of the developing (world), I recall eg windows 10 (I need a few hours, younger people a few minutes). Playing (new) video games or alike (just too late for me). I thrive on experience and memories, but just not enough.

I notice a trend for younger people to be in power politically across Europe.  I don't think it's bad to have new blood taking on the process but grey hair counts for a lot in government.  Wise heads make a big difference when hot heads are involved.   

But I do think past-75 things might be in decline - but they work as figureheads. Still value added there knowing it's a sage person at the controls (Trump is an exception but he might have fascist and fantasist based dementia). 

But there is an element of cannot be bothered with nonsense past 60. I don't want to waste my time fighting against Windows 10.  It's a PITA.  It's just another data gathering project like Facebook and Google.   It's been dumbed it down, take away decision making, remove abilities of owners to own anything, make it an extension of MS remote delivery service.  That's why I've got a Linux Raspberry Pi sitting on my desk too (such excellent value for money, brilliant little machine).   And I'm still in on Windows 7 on my main PC.  I can control it much easier.  I have W10 on other boxes but it doesn't do anything more than Windows 7 did. It does some things much worse.

Just keeps on getting better https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 … fety-rules

SimCityAT wrote:

Just keeps on getting better https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 … fety-rules

Ha! I just posted that on the Brexit Implications thread!  Great minds....

Orban warns Brussels bosses before summit: Fighting for common sense in EU!

SimCityAT wrote:

Orban warns Brussels bosses before summit: Fighting for common sense in EU!

O1G's English has improved.

They've already fudged it.  No-one knows what the deal is.

No doubt the rest of the EU has rolled over to get the cash while O1G and the Polish bloke carry on with business as usual.

Wow, Orban's English has indeed improved!  I also hadn't realized how fat and short he is before this video.

The deal they struck with the EU allows for the Rule of Law to be implemented AFTER a judgement by the Courts, which will take 1+ years. A clawback mechanism, not a denial mechanism. The problem here is that since Poland and HU are making those systemic changes, nothing will be against the law, and the nature of his graft and corruption will change to be less blatant, but no less egregious or diminished in scope.

Vicces1 wrote:

Wow, Orban's English has indeed improved!  I also hadn't realized how fat and short he is before this video.

The deal they struck with the EU allows for the Rule of Law to be implemented AFTER a judgement by the Courts, which will take 1+ years. A clawback mechanism, not a denial mechanism. The problem here is that since Poland and HU are making those systemic changes, nothing will be against the law, and the nature of his graft and corruption will change to be less blatant, but no less egregious or diminished in scope.

Nice summary. 

Ye Gods, well there we go with the EU doing nothing.  Sleep walking or being an ostrich and sticking their heads in the sand. 

So yes, business as usual.  I think O1G has nothing to be worried about.  He must be laughing how absolutely pathetic the EU is and how he can just sidestep such corruption accusations. 

They've absolutely forgotten the Sargentini reports on endemic graft in the country.  What was the point of it all?

BTW, those who can see the BBC's Mock the Week show (possibly on YouTube soon), will note the Szajer incident was heavily parodied this past week.  Some comments made by the panelists included:

- There was a rival event going on and the alternate organiser tipped off the police

- Apparently this was a "Daddy" event (err...dunno exactly, wearing slippers/cardigans, drinking tea and doing the crossword?)

- The attendees thought the cops were part of the entertainment and were in costume.

A gift of a story that keeps on giving!

fluffy2560 wrote:

BTW, those who can see the BBC's Mock the Week show (possibly on YouTube soon), will note the Szajer incident was heavily parodied this past week.  Some comments made by the panelists included:

- There was a rival event going on and the alternate organiser tipped off the police

- Apparently this was a "Daddy" event (err...dunno exactly, wearing slippers/cardigans, drinking tea and doing the crossword?)

- The attendees thought the cops were part of the entertainment and were in costume.

A gift of a story that keeps on giving!

I hadn't heard about the costume "mix-up" but let's face it, that's hilarious.
Surprised Mock the Week made no mention of Szejer running along the roof and being caught with drugs. But love that they lampooned him for his hypocrisy.
Well done you!

A more thorough and even more depressing read about the recent EU budget agreement...
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/artic … se-too-far

Vicces1 wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

BTW, those who can see the BBC's Mock the Week show (possibly on YouTube soon), will note the Szajer incident was heavily parodied this past week.  Some comments made by the panelists included:

- There was a rival event going on and the alternate organiser tipped off the police

- Apparently this was a "Daddy" event (err...dunno exactly, wearing slippers/cardigans, drinking tea and doing the crossword?)

- The attendees thought the cops were part of the entertainment and were in costume.

A gift of a story that keeps on giving!

I hadn't heard about the costume "mix-up" but let's face it, that's hilarious.
Surprised Mock the Week made no mention of Szejer running along the roof and being caught with drugs. But love that they lampooned him for his hypocrisy.
Well done you!

It's now on YouTube here (skip to 19:37 for JS mickey taking)

They spent a good few minutes on it.  Maybe a slow news week and there was nothing else about .  They didn't say anything about the drugs and the drainpipe.   

But there was mention of a drainpipe in the HU parliament.

I  liked Ed Byrne's comments on JS's 30 years of service and his protestations one little incident caught him out.  In other words, in his political context, he's saying "I'm guilty of hypocrisy but only a little bit and for the most part I've been good".   

Looking at a magazine or something might be just research but actively participating at a known gathering and being equipped with drugs is rather more developed thinking.  I suppose if he'd got caught hanging about on the far end of Margit Island or down at Rudas baths then it would never have made the news here.

Some are are more equal than others.