Absolutely Anything Else

I'm off today to get injections in my knees, for a split second I let my mind wander thinking what exactly are they going to dose me with?
We trust blindly but overthinking things also is not a healthy habit.
What I do find a bit on the odd side is I visited the ortho doc 2 weeks ago. He said my knees are not all that bad, wonder what he considers bad?
I asked for an injection, he told me I had to pay out of pocket for the shots.
Fine was ready to pay up right then and there and get it done with.
No, he needs at least 4 patients at once to use a room to give shots.
My medical slip states I must first pay at the desk under the term of giving a,"morality payment".
No one can ever convince me that everything is not a conspiracy. If they don't want to do away with you, then are after your money.
-@Marilyn Tassy

I think they would inject gold into your joints if it's arthritis. I suppose it's like a kind of lubricant. They did that to my Mum I believe.

What the hell is a morality payment? Is that another phrase for a "tip"?

I wouldn't worry about the vaccinations. It's too late to ask for it if you get the virus. You should do it asap to protect yourselves. I've had 4 of the COVID vaccinations and I am still walking and talking. Whether I make sense is another matter.
-@fluffy2560


We figured out what the morality payment is on ur own by putting two and two together, or rather more like 45,000 and 45,000 forints...
That's another story.
Everything in the medical system is so secretive.
The morality payment comes in the form of some stickers that are issued by the clerk when you check in. They didn't want to take any payment at the desk. We wanted to pay for the mediacation when we checked in but no one there wanted our money?? Figured in reality no one should be paying.
That's later...
The morality is the gov. covering the cost of the treatment. in this case medications because that is the only form of treatment to cure the pain.
Doesn't mean it's free though...
No wonder there was a clandestic meeting spot for those of us who got shots for our joints.
Can't say more because I don't want the internet watchers after me once again.
The doctors don't have any morality that's clear, why would they allow one to be in pain for weeks before treating them when all they have to do is send them in for a shot right then and there. Handed a slip of stickers, maybe 12 but only one sticker was used... Never to see the others, ( black market stickers?)
Already said to much.
Was injected with hydrocolonic acid, a gel like injection, Optivisc 60, at least I asked to see the package, didn't want a shot full of water!
Still was a "bargin basement" price in the US 3 doeses of the shot would cost more then $1,330. The EU price is 147 Euros per shot. I like to price check everything if possible. To have a ,"professional" inject you in the US is an added cost. I try to remember I'm not in the US though.
I watch a guy on U tube who calls doctors, "Pill Pushing Pimps in white coats", more like dingy grey...
I call them the medical mafia.
It's still pay to play but under the giuse of a legal gift.
Everyone should be offered these gov. sponsered shots but most are only given the choice of taking some pills. Less then 48 hours post injection and I think it works... Perhaps I want it to work and am telling myslef it was worth the hassle.
I always say far too much, the habit of the older peple. No reason to hold back on telling the truth.
Everything is a lie and everyone is out to get something. I remember when doctors really wanted to cure people and not buy themselves a villa by extrotion.
The do have signs out right on their doors saying payment is not needed... See how far that gets you. Gotta cover themselves someway.
-@Marilyn Tassy

I looked it up and Optivisc 60 is for osteoarthritis, not rheumatoid arthritis (as per my Mum with her gold injections).  Seems the medicine is quite effective as a universal goo for joints, once every 12 months. I think I need some of that in the future - my right elbow and right knee would be prime candidates soon enough.

I am still not really sure what this morality payment means.  Does it mean that you don't get treated if you don't cough for the cash?  Or do they grumble there's not enough in the tip tin?  Or perhaps pushed to the back of the queue?   

We had one doctor who had a tin and you pushed the tips in there, never handing over in cash although that was just handed over hidden in a handshake in hospitals.   It changed their attitude. Suddenly they couldn't do enough.  Pathetic really.  I guess tips are morality payments but why the stickers?

If OV really wanted to buy off the older voting public, making medications free for over 60s would see him back in power.   But the others could easily do that too, not limited to him of course.

I'm off today to get injections in my knees, for a split second I let my mind wander thinking what exactly are they going to dose me with?
We trust blindly but overthinking things also is not a healthy habi

I think they would inject gold into your joints if it's arthritis. I suppose it's like a kind of lubricant. They did that to my Mum I believe.

What the hell is a morality payment? Is that another phrase for a "tip"?

I wouldn't worry about the vaccinations. It's too late to ask for it if you get the virus. You should do it asap to protect yourselves. I've had 4 of the COVID vaccinations and I am still walking and talking. Whether I make sense is another matter.
-@fluffy2560


We figured out what the morality payment is on ur own by putting two and two together, or rather more like 45,000 and 45,000 forints...
That's another story.
Everything in the medical system is so secretive.
The morality payment comes in the form of some stickers that are issued by the clerk when you check in. They didn't want to take any payment at the desk. We wanted to pay for the mediacation when we checked in but no one there wanted our money?? Figured in reality no one should be paying.
That's later...
The morality is the gov. covering the cost of the treatment. in this case medications because that is the only form of treatment to cure the pain.
Doesn't mean it's free though...
No wonder there was a clandestic meeting spot for those of us who got shots for our joints.
Can't say more because I don't want the internet watchers after me once again.
The doctors don't have any morality that's clear, why would they allow one to be in pain for weeks before treating them when all they have to do is send them in for a shot right then and there. Handed a slip of stickers, maybe 12 but only one sticker was used... Never to see the others, ( black market stickers?)
Already said to much.
Was injected with hydrocolonic acid, a gel like injection, Optivisc 60, at least I asked to see the package, didn't want a shot full of water!
Still was a "bargin basement" price in the US 3 doeses of the shot would cost more then $1,330. The EU price is 147 Euros per shot. I like to price check everything if possible. To have a ,"professional" inject you in the US is an added cost. I try to remember I'm not in the US though.
I watch a guy on U tube who calls doctors, "Pill Pushing Pimps in white coats", more like dingy grey...
I call them the medical mafia.
It's still pay to play but under the giuse of a legal gift.
Everyone should be offered these gov. sponsered shots but most are only given the choice of taking some pills. Less then 48 hours post injection and I think it works... Perhaps I want it to work and am telling myslef it was worth the hassle.
I always say far too much, the habit of the older peple. No reason to hold back on telling the truth.
Everything is a lie and everyone is out to get something. I remember when doctors really wanted to cure people and not buy themselves a villa by extrotion.
The do have signs out right on their doors saying payment is not needed... See how far that gets you. Gotta cover themselves someway.
-@Marilyn Tassy

I looked it up and Optivisc 60 is for osteoarthritis, not rheumatoid arthritis (as per my Mum with her gold injections). Seems the medicine is quite effective as a universal goo for joints, once every 12 months. I think I need some of that in the future - my right elbow and right knee would be prime candidates soon enough.

I am still not really sure what this morality payment means. Does it mean that you don't get treated if you don't cough for the cash? Or do they grumble there's not enough in the tip tin? Or perhaps pushed to the back of the queue? 

We had one doctor who had a tin and you pushed the tips in there, never handing over in cash although that was just handed over hidden in a handshake in hospitals.  It changed their attitude. Suddenly they couldn't do enough. Pathetic really. I guess tips are morality payments but why the stickers?

If OV really wanted to buy off the older voting public, making medications free for over 60s would see him back in power.  But the others could easily do that too, not limited to him of course.
-@fluffy2560

Trying to figure out the system is more of a mystery then finding out who did Jimmy Hoffa in!

We think the morality thing means the gov. is suppose to offer this medication as a moral obligation because it is the only thing that may work outside of a knee replacement.

The tipping system is illegal now BUT you can give a ,"gift" with a value set for no more then 45,000.

The stickers, IDK but they only used one on a paper I had to sign.

Maybe the others were for more free treatments? Maybe to go to a spa or get messages? Can't really say and we don't really know.

Then again because I'm over 65 the treatments may be ,"special" for older people. Since I had to sign a paper who knows what I said they could do with them or really what thy are for. Could just be part of their filing system?

We were mislead for sure, not that it is going to break the bank but he pushed me to get both knees done , then last min asked which one i wanted done, when I said both as he had put in my mind for 2 weeks then he doubled the price. We didn't bring enough cash money with us, thought we would pay at the desk if needed since they take bank cards at the desk. Well, seems I owe him money now, I felt sort of crummy not paying all at once. They make you feel like you are a criminal, well, actually he didn;t make a big deal out of it, said I could pay the rest later but I and my husband really dislike owning anyone anything. Like a burden hanging over our heads. Will see him again in a few weeks and pay up.

Man , sometimes I'd rather deal directly with insurance then doctors. They are not smooth operators . I feel weird now, owing the docotr and knowing it probably should of been included in my treatment without having to pay extras.

One lady getting the shots looked to us like it was a choice for her to get them or food for the month.

It's easy to take advantage of people in pain. The only other option was taking pills which I've done in the past, hardly work at all.

Hopefully I'll be back to normal soon. The cold weather is another thing that makes the joints hurt.

Getting older is not for the faint hearted!

Trying to figure out the system is more of a mystery then finding out who did Jimmy Hoffa in!
We think the morality thing means the gov. is suppose to offer this medication as a moral obligation because it is the only thing that may work outside of a knee replacement.
The tipping system is illegal now BUT you can give a ,"gift" with a value set for no more then 45,000.
The stickers, IDK but they only used one on a paper I had to sign.
Maybe the others were for more free treatments? Maybe to go to a spa or get messages? Can't really say and we don't really know.
Then again because I'm over 65 the treatments may be ,"special" for older people. Since I had to sign a paper who knows what I said they could do with them or really what thy are for. Could just be part of their filing system?
We were mislead for sure, not that it is going to break the bank but he pushed me to get both knees done , then last min asked which one i wanted done, when I said both as he had put in my mind for 2 weeks then he doubled the price. We didn't bring enough cash money with us, thought we would pay at the desk if needed since they take bank cards at the desk. Well, seems I owe him money now, I felt sort of crummy not paying all at once. They make you feel like you are a criminal, well, actually he didn;t make a big deal out of it, said I could pay the rest later but I and my husband really dislike owning anyone anything. Like a burden hanging over our heads. Will see him again in a few weeks and pay up.
Man , sometimes I'd rather deal directly with insurance then doctors. They are not smooth operators . I feel weird now, owing the doctor and knowing it probably should of been included in my treatment without having to pay extras.
One lady getting the shots looked to us like it was a choice for her to get them or food for the month.
It's easy to take advantage of people in pain. The only other option was taking pills which I've done in the past, hardly work at all.
Hopefully I'll be back to normal soon. The cold weather is another thing that makes the joints hurt.
Getting older is not for the faint hearted!
-@Marilyn Tassy

Jimmy Hoffa retired to Brazil where he ran a beach bar.

Once anyone gets past about 48 or so, then the rot starts. 48 was the age I saw in an article where your cross between being a net contributor to a net recipient of government health services under the socialised medicine system.

But it does help to keep the joints moving by doing some level of exercise.  But obviously if the bones are rubbing together, that's easier to say than do.  I notice my knees get better if I take the dog walkies. But I pay for it afterwards with my hip.  X-rays show age related thinning of rubbery bits.  That's in my neck as well. And for sure it's cold right now.

Mrs F was somewhere medical with her Mum and said they were selling "hospital wine". It was wine with a picture of the hospital and a bottle cost 10K HUF.  So essentially it was like leaning on people to cough 10K HUF and receive a 1K HUF bottle of wine. Wasn't obligatory to buy the wine. I suppose morality payment via vino. What a weird system.

Maybe your Doc will have forgotten about you "owing" anything by the time you see them again. If the Docs are so short of money (who isn't?), they can always move into private practice but it'll eventually lead to the collapse of public hospitals or Docs leaving the country. I can see that happening here - it's happening now in the UK.

Marilyn, did you see that you are being manipulated and adjusted your thoughts on this "shopping spree"?

Hopefully, you can learn something by not trusting the internet blindly...

As for these "genetic tests", they mean nothing. We are a product of our upbringing, not some genetics from 200 years ago. If my tests said I was viking but I grew up in London, or if my tests said I was Japanese and I grew up in New Jersey, who cares? I am a product of now and my reactions to now.

In Szekesfehervar, they have a sign, on one side is all the Hungarian Princes that wed European royalty over the centuries, sometimes going there, sometimes coming to Hungary. On the other side, it's the female royalty, sometimes going there, sometimes coming to Hungary. Who cares if the 3rd generation or the 10th after the fact has some sort of historical genetic artifact? That's something Americans say when their parents grew up in Pennsylvania, but they grew up in Arizona and they say they are 1/4th Irish, 1/8th Italian, and 1/8th German.  It's ludicrous. You are simply 100% American.

Trying to figure out the system is more of a mystery then finding out who did Jimmy Hoffa in!
We think the morality thing means the gov. is suppose to offer this medication as a moral obligation because it is the only thing that may work outside of a knee replacement.
The tipping system is illegal now BUT you can give a ,"gift" with a value set for no more then 45,000.
The stickers, IDK but they only used one on a paper I had to sign.
Maybe the others were for more free treatments? Maybe to go to a spa or get messages? Can't really say and we don't really know.
Then again because I'm over 65 the treatments may be ,"special" for older people. Since I had to sign a paper who knows what I said they could do with them or really what thy are for. Could just be part of their filing system?
We were mislead for sure, not that it is going to break the bank but he pushed me to get both knees done , then last min asked which one i wanted done, when I said both as he had put in my mind for 2 weeks then he doubled the price. We didn't bring enough cash money with us, thought we would pay at the desk if needed since they take bank cards at the desk. Well, seems I owe him money now, I felt sort of crummy not paying all at once. They make you feel like you are a criminal, well, actually he didn;t make a big deal out of it, said I could pay the rest later but I and my husband really dislike owning anyone anything. Like a burden hanging over our heads. Will see him again in a few weeks and pay up.
Man , sometimes I'd rather deal directly with insurance then doctors. They are not smooth operators . I feel weird now, owing the doctor and knowing it probably should of been included in my treatment without having to pay extras.
One lady getting the shots looked to us like it was a choice for her to get them or food for the month.
It's easy to take advantage of people in pain. The only other option was taking pills which I've done in the past, hardly work at all.
Hopefully I'll be back to normal soon. The cold weather is another thing that makes the joints hurt.
Getting older is not for the faint hearted!
-@Marilyn Tassy

Jimmy Hoffa retired to Brazil where he ran a beach bar.

Once anyone gets past about 48 or so, then the rot starts. 48 was the age I saw in an article where your cross between being a net contributor to a net recipient of government health services under the socialised medicine system.

But it does help to keep the joints moving by doing some level of exercise. But obviously if the bones are rubbing together, that's easier to say than do. I notice my knees get better if I take the dog walkies. But I pay for it afterwards with my hip. X-rays show age related thinning of rubbery bits. That's in my neck as well. And for sure it's cold right now.

Mrs F was somewhere medical with her Mum and said they were selling "hospital wine". It was wine with a picture of the hospital and a bottle cost 10K HUF. So essentially it was like leaning on people to cough 10K HUF and receive a 1K HUF bottle of wine. Wasn't obligatory to buy the wine. I suppose morality payment via vino. What a weird system.

Maybe your Doc will have forgotten about you "owing" anything by the time you see them again. If the Docs are so short of money (who isn't?), they can always move into private practice but it'll eventually lead to the collapse of public hospitals or Docs leaving the country. I can see that happening here - it's happening now in the UK.
-@fluffy2560

I wouldn't dare forget to pay him. I have already experienced the big round around when I had a shoulder injury . I was black listed at that ortho hospital clinic. I mean one sec they were ready right then and there to help me and the next, well, come back in 2 weeks when another doctor is working...

All I need is to break a leg and be sent back to the same dude.

No have to be on good standing or take a chance that you may wake up after an accident surgery and notice they removed the wrong leg!

My FIL didn't divy up once at his dentist and the guy pulled out the wrong tooth.

Actaully I woke up this morning and thought something is missing, my pain!

Well worth it to not be woken up all night long with pain.

I exercise all the time, so it's not lack of that, just bad joints.

Today is my sons BD, On his first BD I spent the afternoon in the ER at age 21 because one of my knees totally dislocated for the 3rd time.

I've been blessed with good looks and bad knees!

I think next life I'll take being ugly but having great knees.

That hydrocolonic acid gel seems to work. It's worth the money.

When I was in the hospital in Oct. 2021 in isolation, I could hear the other 20 or so patients in the oncology ward partying for a good 2 hours every evening. They must of brought in their own wine.

I was not able to join them, thankfully.

I even brought my yoga mat with me into the hospital. Nothing keeps me from exercising other then being ina coma.

My husband used to hate it when everything was put on hold until I had my daily workout, he used to say I lived at the gym so I should just pay them rent and live there full time.

I think he is very happy these days that I workout at home and adjust my time more or less around him.

Marilyn, did you see that you are being manipulated and adjusted your thoughts on this "shopping spree"?
Hopefully, you can learn something by not trusting the internet blindly...
As for these "genetic tests", they mean nothing. We are a product of our upbringing, not some genetics from 200 years ago. If my tests said I was viking but I grew up in London, or if my tests said I was Japanese and I grew up in New Jersey, who cares? I am a product of now and my reactions to now.
In Szekesfehervar, they have a sign, on one side is all the Hungarian Princes that wed European royalty over the centuries, sometimes going there, sometimes coming to Hungary. On the other side, it's the female royalty, sometimes going there, sometimes coming to Hungary. Who cares if the 3rd generation or the 10th after the fact has some sort of historical genetic artifact? That's something Americans say when their parents grew up in Pennsylvania, but they grew up in Arizona and they say they are 1/4th Irish, 1/8th Italian, and 1/8th German. It's ludicrous. You are simply 100% American.
-@Vicces1

I think we all are manipulated by what we read ,see or hear.

I have no idea why my 75 year old sister decided at this pint in time to,"find herself" with a DNA test.

I thought it was interesting but I would not stake my life on the results being accurate.

I think Americans have such an odd culture, so many different traditions there depending on what part of the country you are from. People are looking for an identity since it's such a hodge podge there of eveything.

In Szekesfehervar, they have a sign, on one side is all the Hungarian Princes that wed European royalty over the centuries, sometimes going there, sometimes coming to Hungary. On the other side, it's the female royalty, sometimes going there, sometimes coming to Hungary. Who cares if the 3rd generation or the 10th after the fact has some sort of historical genetic artifact? That's something Americans say when their parents grew up in Pennsylvania, but they grew up in Arizona and they say they are 1/4th Irish, 1/8th Italian, and 1/8th German. It's ludicrous. You are simply 100% American.
-@Vicces1


I think we all are manipulated by what we read ,see or hear.
I have no idea why my 75 year old sister decided at this pint in time to,"find herself" with a DNA test.
I thought it was interesting but I would not stake my life on the results being accurate.
I think Americans have such an odd culture, so many different traditions there depending on what part of the country you are from. People are looking for an identity since it's such a hodge podge there of eveything.
-@Marilyn Tassy

Over here (i.e. not the USA), I feel we are far less interested in these definitions about heritage but things have become different (for me) in recent years.

Mrs F inherited a variation of a Serbian name, but her maternal grandparents were second generation Germans who changed their name due anti-German politics and Hungarian nationalism.  So what's in a name anyway? Her heritage doesn't really matter to me. Or her.

I do remember telling her back in the 1990s that I didn't mind if she'd be a communist. I had very left leaning feelings myself back in the 70s and 80s. But as they say (paraphrasing somewhat), a young person who isn't a socialist hasn't got a heart, and an old person who is a socialist hasn't got a head.

My own heritage goes back to Norman times and probably a French knight. I've got a documented family tree going back many hundreds of years. Does it make any difference? Not really. The main interest is one of my direct ancestors was from Hamburg. Rather unusual at those times.  And of course, things have changed - Australian and New Zealand connections pre- and post- WW2.  So what are we?  Don't know. I feel I can be proud of the diversity I see now - there's all sorts and many passports represented.

One thing which has come to the fore more recently is a personal feeling of disunity over Brexit.  Before then felt very much like I belonged equally in Germany, Spain, Netherlands, even Hungary or wherever EU. Equally belonging there as the UK. My identity was really pan-European first and British second, English third, Southern England (where I come from) fourth perhaps. 

Brexit has emphasised the differences, not the similarities.  I'm having a hard time accepting the situation around Brexit. Ideologically, it just doesn't fit into my head. 

Back to the USA, it's a bit the same perhaps if California or Texas left the Union. People are going to find that very difficult to accept their rights and identity are curtailed.

I suppose it could be like the way Jews were forced to leave Germany/Austria because of antisemitism.  Their country and their fellow citizens rejected them and then eventually killed them. It's hard to believe such events took place.  I bring it up because it's Holocaust Memorial Day.

BTW, I quite fancy being a Viking. But I'd also like to live in the Alaskan bush. So long as I could have the Internet.

Texas has always been another country.

At least it feels that way when you visit there.

I rather like it except for the humid summers.

Actaully when one is visiting different states they all have a feel of their own.

Texas is so alien to people in Hawaii.

My ex-co worker in Hawaii was a big , strong tough women over 6 feet tall with a husband from Tonga who had to be at least 6'7" tall and an ex-footballer.

I mean she easily could of been a female bouncer.

She told me she once flew to Texas to visit her father and just about had a mental break down at the airport before she even left the building. Everything was too fast for her.

Relaxing on the Pacific coast highway with the top down on the car is different then being in rush hour in NYC.

We have lived in over 10 states and they all are so different from each other but all equaily interesting.

On another thought...

Perhaps the fasination with knowing our past, getting DNA tests etc. has something to do with the need to feel part of a tribe?

People used to live in villages and hardly every wandered very far away from home.

People were known by their good names and deeds and there was trust between people.

Everyone basically had the same beliefs and followed customs.

In this modern world with social media ,busy jobs that don't produce anything after a long day of work and isolation from each other although we seem to be living in tight quaters makes people long to know their roots?

People are basically pack animals.

Nothing worst then feeling loney in a crowd as many do these days.

Being an ex-pat does mean many

times you are excluded from many things.

No ones fault just the way it goes.

I saw that realtiy in 2021 when I was facing a life or death medical issue.

The professor of the treatment clinic in Budapest asked if I was a HU citizen or not.

As if my treatment plan depended on who I was or wasn't.

A simple question but heart stopping at the same time.

I know for a fact that in the US a doctor would never say such a thing.

Texas has always been another country.
At least it feels that way when you visit there.
I rather like it except for the humid summers.
Actaully when one is visiting different states they all have a feel of their own.
Texas is so alien to people in Hawaii.
My ex-co worker in Hawaii was a big , strong tough women over 6 feet tall with a husband from Tonga who had to be at least 6'7" tall and an ex-footballer.
I mean she easily could of been a female bouncer.
She told me she once flew to Texas to visit her father and just about had a mental break down at the airport before she even left the building. Everything was too fast for her.
Relaxing on the Pacific coast highway with the top down on the car is different then being in rush hour in NYC.
We have lived in over 10 states and they all are so different from each other but all equaily interesting.
-@Marilyn Tassy

I deliberately chose TX and CA because of their independent natures.

Maybe no-one from say New York would miss Texas or California if they left the United States and became independent countries.   

But of course, on the borders of these new countries, there would be control posts to check papers to see if people from the surrounding area needed visas.   And everyone not born in the new countries would need a work permit. And those living elsewhere, may have to return home as they would need new paperwork to live elsewhere in the remaining states of the USA.   Perhaps (probably certainly eventually) the US dollar would no longer be valid and a new currency would be issued.  US military would be required to leave, take a proportion of their gear and the new states would create their own militaries.  Over time US foreign policy may diverge from that of TX or CA - particularly in relation to Mexico.   Either one could decide to erect large border fences with the remaining, now "foreign" states.

If the referendum was 52% in favour of TX leaving the USA and 48% against, the winners would have to deal with the other half of the population who did not  vote for independence.   Hardly a decisive victory.  Perhaps a 2nd referendum would be held to finally confirm the separation.

I don't beleive Texas would leave the union but as far as most of the rest of the US, not many would mess Ca.

I was raised in Ca. but can see it isn't the same place I grew up in.

As far as DNA tests go. I was thinking it might of actually been helpful for me to know before being almost killed with medications.

A DNA test is given in many EU countries before giving the strong medicaiton I was given here in Hungary.

It's rare but many people have a genetic allery to a certain drug that is processed in the lIver. A lack of enzymes could cause death.Same sort of thing that I think makes some people more sensitive to alcohol, their livers can't processes it fast enough.The trick is it's so rare that you never know you are sensitive to the drug unless you are tested . Hit of miss sort of thing.

My doctor seemed more consdered about if I was a citizen of HU or not then thinking outside the box and testing me before almost taking me out.

The test costs around $100. and that I would of gladly payed for myself.

When it comes down to it it seems many people are concerned about other people's gentic code, why else would a doctor ask such a question. We asked it it mattered or not and he gave no answer, just walked away...

Beleive me I found religion since then! Being locked up alone and half alive and no one speaking to you is not great for ones mind. I found I am tougher then I would of ever of thought.

On another thought...
Perhaps the fasination with knowing our past, getting DNA tests etc. has something to do with the need to feel part of a tribe?
People used to live in villages and hardly every wandered very far away from home.
People were known by their good names and deeds and there was trust between people.
Everyone basically had the same beliefs and followed customs.
In this modern world with social media ,busy jobs that don't produce anything after a long day of work and isolation from each other although we seem to be living in tight quaters makes people long to know their roots?
People are basically pack animals.
Nothing worst then feeling loney in a crowd as many do these days.
Being an ex-pat does mean many
times you are excluded from many things.
No ones fault just the way it goes.
I saw that realtiy in 2021 when I was facing a life or death medical issue.
The professor of the treatment clinic in Budapest asked if I was a HU citizen or not.
As if my treatment plan depended on who I was or wasn't.
A simple question but heart stopping at the same time.
I know for a fact that in the US a doctor would never say such a thing.
-@Marilyn Tassy

I keep telling Mrs F we're animals but she insists were not.  But for sure we're social "animals".  I think if we were on our own, isolated, most of us would probably die after some time. But even these days, people get trapped in their homes and die there, not having seen people for years.

I do notice in apocalyptic movies - think Mad Max or Walking Dead - groups of people form themselves into tribes. It's for protection as well as mental well being. Doesn't take long to establish a tribe. Matter of days depending on circumstances. Military does that. It pushes you into groups and it doesn't take long for everyone to mostly have each other's backs. It happens in training periods. Unsurprising I suppose. And necessary for fighting team cohesion.

We've got a neighbour who is blind, living in a house alone. No apparent relatives. Definitely no visitors we see - no cars or people there.  How that person survives I don't know. One of the other neighbours does visit and keeps in contact. Probably the only social connection.

My mother was becoming blind and very deaf towards the end of her life. She had heart failure too which effected many things. I am not sure she had a worthwhile quality of life towards the end. But she survived until 90 and a 1/2. I do think we (her family) kept her alive for many years by keeping up her interest.

When I've come into contact with health professionals here, no-one ever asked me where I came from. But I have suspicions about Docs here.  If you ask them a question, they don''t always tell you the right (most cautious) answer. If I phoned a heart specialist and told him/her I had chest pains, breathlessness etc, what are the chances that Doc would tell me to go to the Emergency Department rather than, "I'm on holiday, come and see me in a week"? The obvious diagnosis is a heart attack which is an emergency. Waiting a week could be fatal. Wrong answer!

My husband has had a racing heart beat since he was 5 years old. Side effect of scarlet fever turning into rheumantic fever.

Spent over 5 months in hospital as a tiny little boy.

Sad really, he was all dressed up with his class ready to sing Christmas carols when he passed out,

I still can't even believe my MIL didn't notice how ill he was. She was working all the time and he had babysitters.

He says he was a quiet boy and never acted up so they just didn't notice.. I'm not buying that one.

Long story but perhaps a year ago his heart started up and he just walked acrss the st. to the ER.

The hospital near us is set up for mental and alocholics but they did lay him down , check his heart rate and were about to send him to another hospital when he just sat up and left after thanking them. The episode stopped as quickly as it started.

Sometimes I find the doctors here relaly go out of their way to ehlp you but they also drop the ball many times.

I suppose it could happen anywhere.

My brother had some of the best medical coverge in the US with his job. They sprang for cancer treatments for him that cost hundreds of thousands for each treatment, new treatments. He went to 3 different cancer centers to get checked etc.

Just the same he developed sepsis and died within hours of getting to the ER.

They missed that one. His doctors said they didn't see that coming.

My husband has had a racing heart beat since he was 5 years old. Side effect of scarlet fever turning into rheumantic fever.
Spent over 5 months in hospital as a tiny little boy.
Sad really, he was all dressed up with his class ready to sing Christmas carols when he passed out,
I still can't even believe my MIL didn't notice how ill he was. She was working all the time and he had babysitters.
He says he was a quiet boy and never acted up so they just didn't notice.. I'm not buying that one.
Long story but perhaps a year ago his heart started up and he just walked acrss the st. to the ER.
The hospital near us is set up for mental and alocholics but they did lay him down , check his heart rate and were about to send him to another hospital when he just sat up and left after thanking them. The episode stopped as quickly as it started.
Sometimes I find the doctors here relaly go out of their way to ehlp you but they also drop the ball many times.
I suppose it could happen anywhere.
My brother had some of the best medical coverge in the US with his job. They sprang for cancer treatments for him that cost hundreds of thousands for each treatment, new treatments. He went to 3 different cancer centers to get checked etc.
Just the same he developed sepsis and died within hours of getting to the ER.
They missed that one. His doctors said they didn't see that coming.
-@Marilyn Tassy

Interesting, my Mum had scarlet fever and that was the cause of her heart condition.  She couldn't play sports but it didn't stop her having kids and travelling the world.   Makes you wonder if all those precautions avoiding playing tennis (she liked playing it) actually did anything. 

My Dad on the other hand has a naturally slow heart rate.  Like 40bpm at rest.  He's been investigated many times for it - in the Army, in hospitals and so on. He always has to tell them it's normal for him but they immediately focus in on trying to raise his heart rate.  They seem to think all leads there.  But he's 98, so it hasn't done him any harm.

Sorry about your bro.   They should have been able to detect that sepsis but I suppose with chemo, he was weakened and couldn't fight it off.

I don't beleive Texas would leave the union but as far as most of the rest of the US, not many would mess Ca.
I was raised in Ca. but can see it isn't the same place I grew up in.
As far as DNA tests go. I was thinking it might of actually been helpful for me to know before being almost killed with medications.
A DNA test is given in many EU countries before giving the strong medicaiton I was given here in Hungary.
It's rare but many people have a genetic allery to a certain drug that is processed in the lIver. A lack of enzymes could cause death.Same sort of thing that I think makes some people more sensitive to alcohol, their livers can't processes it fast enough.The trick is it's so rare that you never know you are sensitive to the drug unless you are tested . Hit of miss sort of thing.
My doctor seemed more consdered about if I was a citizen of HU or not then thinking outside the box and testing me before almost taking me out.
The test costs around $100. and that I would of gladly payed for myself.
When it comes down to it it seems many people are concerned about other people's genetic code, why else would a doctor ask such a question. We asked it it mattered or not and he gave no answer, just walked away...
Beleive me I found religion since then! Being locked up alone and half alive and no one speaking to you is not great for ones mind. I found I am tougher then I would of ever of thought.
-@Marilyn Tassy

Maybe Texas wouldn't but perhaps CA would then.  One can perhaps imagine what Brexit feels like if CA left the US club.

I did try and get DNA'd for curiosity but it didn't work out.  HU Customs confiscated the tests.  Why? It was stupid to do that as it was only a swab from the inside of the mouth. HU Customs too dimwitted to understand what it was about.  Anyway, after 3 attempts trying to get the package, I just gave up and got a refund. 

In the end, I actually thought it would have been a mistake to put my DNA into the public domain.  I am not sure about how good the privacy controls were at the DNA testing place.

I would never do a DNA test just because of the reason you stated. No ones business, I share but that's my choice, not the gov. business to know.

In fact my cousin who LOVES reasearching everything under the sun,found a US census from the 1920's and 1930's.

In the 1920's my full blooded German grandfather was listed as ,"W" white but in 1930 he was listed as ,N" negro!

They listed my mother as ,"M" a term not really used these days. Mullato.

I mean WTH???

Somebody was messing around and or very racisit.

I may have some African DNA but no way on earth did it come from my grandfather!

People just can't do their jobs right.

My US birth document describes me as Caucasian; I wondered what the heck that was for many years.  Apparently, my father said, "WTF. he's from Kentucky, just like his daddy".

My US birth document describes me as Caucasian; I wondered what the heck that was for many years. Apparently, my father said, "WTF. he's from Kentucky, just like his daddy".
-@Cynic

That's funny!

A last min. reminder to those with Budapest parking stickers.

The fee is due today.

We just remembered ourselves and my husband ran over to pay.

Parking tickets will be issued tomorrow if the yearly parking fee is not paid by today.

Last year with covid they let the date slide and didn't issue tickets on Feb.1.

My husband said some man was paying for a traffic vololation that happened with his co. truck.

It was an old violation and he was not informed of it until the late fees were more then 80,000 forints.

They could handle these fees over th internet but I suppose people would lose their gov. jobs if it was that easy.

Same thing in the US , just another way to get money out of peole without warning them.

Our van was stolen years ago. I reported it as stolen right away, had the cop in our kithen filling out the paperwork.

After several weeks I got a call that it had been taken to the city compound a few days beforehand and we had to pay fees for storage!

I also had to take care of a few parking tickets that accured while it was stolen, thankfully those were written off because the car was reported missing during that time.

Had to shell out a few hundred bucks for the city compound for storage however.

It was obvious that a homeless person had used our van as a campground. Stole my gym shoes and yoga mat and anything not nailed down in the van.

Instead they left a mess of fast food wrappers and something else very smelly..God know what that smell was.

Now when I get in the mood to give a homeless person some change my husband puts a stop to it. He says they still owe him in storage fees in Vegas.

In 2021, Hungary was only the second most corrupt state in the EU, but in 2022 it already finished last. We are in 77th place in the world ranking, next to Burkina Faso and Kuwait, according to Transparency International's corruption report (Corruption Perceptions Index, CPI).

Hungary also broke its own negative record in 2021, when it scored 43 points, and in 2022 even less, 42.

After a decade of democratic backsliding and systemic deterioration of the rule of law at the hands of the ruling party, Hungary (42) finds itself at the very bottom of the 2022 CPI for Western Europe and EU. Evidence is mounting against political elites on their misuse of both state and EU funds.

https://telex.hu/belfold/2023/01/31/tra … gyarorszag

One of my contacts says that UKR soldiers were already in Poland on Leopard training and have been there for several weeks. If so, it looks like Poland already made the decision weeks ago.

-@fluffy2560

Years ago.

Paramilitaries/ volunteer mercenaries are trained in Poland since 2012.

At first mainly for the coup (Euromaidan).

After the successful coup:

UKR soldiers/ half official forces trained in Poland (+many other places) since 2014.

Poland was and still is a major orchestrator in geopolitical sense in the Ukraine project.

Opposed with the failed Orange Revolution project in Belarus at 2020-21, where Poland was just a medium player and main organizers were the Baltic States and UK.

@Marilyn Tassy

Genetical heritage can be interesting.

Like I am mostly Hungarian, with notable portions of German (German, Austrian + Szaz/ Sváb (German origin who became culturaly mostly Hungarian), but there are also some Serbian/ Croatian, and maybe if gone back far enought (over 400 years) would find Polish as well.

But what is trackable/ have proof that is just from the begining of 1700, many of the birth/ marriage certificates are destroyed from previous centuries, many missing data, and just family stories/ legends. My family was military nobility, not aristocrats. So that is a nice story when my family was able to equip nearly a 100 man at arms during the 1500's against the Ottomans, but less useful in genealogy when no one have clue who was the wife of (many) my ancestors before the 1700's.

But I believe over genetics more important the heritage.

By heritage I mean: culture, language, family traditions, attitudes, opinions, way of life, by other words all the ethical-behavioral core.

Anno I did teach a Serbian guy, who (then) recently find out he have notable Hungarian ancestry and wanted to know more, learn language, etc... I think that he wanted to know more, and learn about heritage is far more important than only genetics.

@Vicces1

It's depends how people measure corruption, or even how definied.

Some 20 years ago for example the best source of goods was police, ranging from firearms, till pirotechnic, to pirated films to contrabnand tobacco and whatever. At least what they sold did not confiscated again to resell. Also with some pocket money many lesser crimes can be solved in that time, with more funds certain businessman even get police protection.

When the present ruling party appointed that maffia boss to Minister of Interior he promised to make order in 2 weeks. Well that was years in the end, but even with the delay delivered results.

So nowdays corruption in many regard negliable compared to the 1990's.

About rule of law: that is some strange promoted import - never was an East European thing and I doubt ever will.

About theft of funds: kinda over extragrated - depends on compared to what?

Anyway as for me I way more prefer state corruption, where most of the funds remain in the country over the past example where it is delivered to puppet masters/ other foreign groups/ consortiums.

So for example:

I more come along when they steal some funds/ promoted their buddies in the construction of metro line 4.

Because: that get completed in acceptable quality. So they had profit: sure, but also finaly benefited the country too.

Opposed with the previous 20-25 years where also were corruption and theft, but nothing worthvile and many of the money ended up abroad.

The definitions are all within the article (links provided therein). And the same methodology was used for each country, providing a consistent basis throughout the world.

You can benefit a country without corruption.

And one could argue the last 20-25 years where you say nothing worthwhile came of it -- not true, those who benefitted did well, much to the detriment of the rest of the population. Same as now.

One of my contacts says that UKR soldiers were already in Poland on Leopard training and have been there for several weeks. If so, it looks like Poland already made the decision weeks ago.

-@fluffy2560

Years ago.
Paramilitaries/ volunteer mercenaries are trained in Poland since 2012.
At first mainly for the coup (Euromaidan).

After the successful coup:
UKR soldiers/ half official forces trained in Poland (+many other places) since 2014.

Poland was and still is a major orchestrator in geopolitical sense in the Ukraine project.

Opposed with the failed Orange Revolution project in Belarus at 2020-21, where Poland was just a medium player and main organizers were the Baltic States and UK.
-@sjbabilon5

Can you put in some reliable (i.e. mainstream) journalistic sources for these claims? 

Poland is seriously on the front line in any conflict with Russia etc.   They will of course be involved to a high degree.   The Polish think they are next after Ukraine.  And of course, Belarus will cease to exist if Luka is taken out.  Putin will just take over more overtly.  Luka is currently in Zimbabwe discussing "trade" (read arms, money laundering etc).  Looks like the current Zim government is still being run or directed by Mugabe from beyond the grave.

In 2021, Hungary was only the second most corrupt state in the EU, but in 2022 it already finished last. We are in 77th place in the world ranking, next to Burkina Faso and Kuwait, according to Transparency International's corruption report (Corruption Perceptions Index, CPI).
Hungary also broke its own negative record in 2021, when it scored 43 points, and in 2022 even less, 42.

After a decade of democratic backsliding and systemic deterioration of the rule of law at the hands of the ruling party, Hungary (42) finds itself at the very bottom of the 2022 CPI for Western Europe and EU. Evidence is mounting against political elites on their misuse of both state and EU funds.


https://telex.hu/belfold/2023/01/31/tra … gyarorszag
-@Vicces1

Here's the actual link to the interactive CPI - click here.

I am bit surprised HU is so highly rated.  I thought it would be much worse.  Belgium used to be really corrupt but they have improved.  Their federal-like system of government was mainly to blame.

The problem here is that there has been insufficient public investigation.   If O1G gets the boot in the next election, then I am sure there would be a forensic investigation of some scale to look into the wealth of O1G and many others in the government and interconnected with them.   The targets would be obvious.   Those people would need to have their boltholes set up - but where?  Venezuela?   North Korea?

I cannot see O1G or Erdogan surviving for a very long time.  Hungary and Turkey are blocking Sweden's NATO application.   If the war expands, then it seems to me, their political positions will be untenable in the face of the enemy on all our doorsteps.

And one could argue the last 20-25 years where you say nothing worthwhile came of it -- not true, those who benefitted did well, much to the detriment of the rest of the population.
-@Vicces1

The example was about metro line 4, which originally planned to start in 1978, after delayed many times in the 1980's, and major funds theft started en masse from 1991.

Real work done from 2011 - 2014  when finaly became cc. completed -> also some buddies benefited, but opposed the 1980's - 2010 period NOT ONLY corruption/ theft.

I see that as a difference.

And one could argue the last 20-25 years where you say nothing worthwhile came of it -- not true, those who benefited did well, much to the detriment of the rest of the population.
-@Vicces1

The example was about metro line 4, which originally planned to start in 1978, after delayed many times in the 1980's, and major funds theft started en masse from 1991.
Real work done from 2011 - 2014 when finally became cc. completed -> also some buddies benefited, but opposed the 1980's - 2010 period NOT ONLY corruption/ theft.
I see that as a difference.
-@sjbabilon5

What about post-2012  until now? 

No corruption?  No benefits for those connected?

-@fluffy2560


Can you put in some reliable (i.e. mainstream) journalistic sources for these claims?

-@fluffy2560

Mainstream

AND

reliable?

That is an oxymoron.

Something like: the always sober active alcoholic or the law abiding criminal.

Not long ago there were a slight off-topic direction in a different tread about censorship.

Well mainstream never censored anywhere.

If we consider mainstream then even in North Korea there is no censorship at all because the mainstream  there is about how nice guy is Kim Jong-un. But if someone dares to say something else then by popular terms that became: fake news/ non-reliable and sure local fact checkers say it is false.

What about post-2012 until now?

No corruption? No benefits for those connected?
-@fluffy2560

Sure thing there is corruption, buddies in good positions and benefited oligarchs.

The key differences are:

• They do it for themselves and local buddies (eg. most of the money remains in the country and not ends up abroad at the puppet masters pocket)
• They steal but also complete projects/ benefit country
• Many of the funds gets invested inside the country into businesses (so not just another luxury villa for self)
• They let crumbs to fall down to the lesser classes/ wage groups and do all wrongful uses of the public funds with the mentality: "Need to feed the sheep if you want to do sheep shearing." By other words/ sense: a more powerful/ economicaly productive country carries more opportunity for them opposed the total exploitation.

So sure I agree with anyone who says nepotism-plutocracy is bad.

But compared with "what was before" it is an improvement.

With another example: Anno Lazar did buy up some lands because as lord major did know very well where will be the road built. Sold the land in some 10X price.

Actually no public funds get stolen, but previous owners of the land missed a good opportunity (sold land cheap, which would be sold 10X price in some months later).

But after all there get a road built what people and businesses can use.

Now compare it with the past where similar happened except: the main contractor for the road building was a foreign corp. and no road made in the end but is still cost the state X cash what the corrupt persons/ foreign corp divided between each other.

Compared to that: present corruption practice it is an improvement.

So there are different kinds of corruption.

-@fluffy2560


Can you put in some reliable (i.e. mainstream) journalistic sources for these claims?

-@fluffy2560

Mainstream
AND
reliable?


That is an oxymoron.
Something like: the always sober active alcoholic or the law abiding criminal.

Not long ago there were a slight off-topic direction in a different tread about censorship.
Well mainstream never censored anywhere.
If we consider mainstream then even in North Korea there is no censorship at all because the mainstream there is about how nice guy is Kim Jong-un. But if someone dares to say something else then by popular terms that became: fake news/ non-reliable and sure local fact checkers say it is false.
-@sjbabilon5

I know what an oxymoron is.

But you (should) know what I mean - mainstream meaning well known and professional news gathering organisations* that everyone has heard of. 

Not Uncle Fritz who heard it from a friend who knows someone who knows someone and therefore reported it on TikTok and YouTube as absolute fact.

This means genuine journalists who check and cross reference their sources, get their facts right and don't have an propagandist agenda etc. i.e. none of the HU media.

Trustworthy and reliable would be Euronews, BBC, AP, Reuters, Economist and others.

*Not the Daily Mail and its various incarnations

I'm amazed that people tolerate corruption in any form. Every type of corruption is money taken away from the people for the benefit of the few. The fact that it is rationalized and accepted is why it exists and is worsening in Hungary. It's not a bug of the Hungarian mentality, it's a main feature currently.

Every corruption variant, whether kickbacks, embezzling, you scratch my back while I scratch yours, a little under the table, price hikes, etc. is not a zero-sum, helpful game. This is an economic fallacy that is shown in the Broken Window idea.  Someone breaks the baker's window which he needs to get repaired, thereby employing the window maker, who then buys lunch at the butcher's, etc. and the money benefits more than just one person.

According to this fallacy, if a hooligan breaks the window of a bakery, the subsequent repair expenditures by the baker will have no net benefits for the economy. This is supposedly because if the baker had not spent his money to fix his broken window, he would have spent it on something else, say, buying a new jacket.

It's a fallacy that there are no losers. Also, the money coming in is from taxpayers in other nations who do not want to fund corruption. They'd rather use it to better their own children's lives. Corruption is an insult to those countries who are sacrificing so much to help Hungary.

I'm amazed that people tolerate corruption in any form. Every type of corruption is money taken away from the people for the benefit of the few. The fact that it is rationalized and accepted is why it exists and is worsening in Hungary. It's not a bug of the Hungarian mentality, it's a main feature currently.
Every corruption variant, whether kickbacks, embezzling, you scratch my back while I scratch yours, a little under the table, price hikes, etc. is not a zero-sum, helpful game. This is an economic fallacy that is shown in the Broken Window idea. Someone breaks the baker's window which he needs to get repaired, thereby employing the window maker, who then buys lunch at the butcher's, etc. and the money benefits more than just one person.
According to this fallacy, if a hooligan breaks the window of a bakery, the subsequent repair expenditures by the baker will have no net benefits for the economy. This is supposedly because if the baker had not spent his money to fix his broken window, he would have spent it on something else, say, buying a new jacket.

It's a fallacy that there are no losers. Also, the money coming in is from taxpayers in other nations who do not want to fund corruption. They'd rather use it to better their own children's lives. Corruption is an insult to those countries who are sacrificing so much to help Hungary.
-@Vicces1

I think some corruption is caused uncertainty, not necessarily entirely motivated by greed. If no-one knows when the house of cards will collapse, this will mean stashing something away for a rainy day. But obviously if one can line one's own pockets then that "protects" that family.  Family can be real family or any group where loyalty is involved. Post-1989, the Communist party and the apparatus of state - like Stasi or KGB etc - became a new mafia.  Putin is part of that mafia - i.e. an organised crime gang. It's the same with people here - some of them have bought into that system but others have been born into it - as the children of the previous elite. The previous lot now want a quiet life but we would regularly see their offspring driving their sports cars. Clearly inexplicable wealth.

Last night I watched a movie about East Germany.  People had loyalty to the GDR.  But why?  It was an artificial creation of the Russians.  Who trusts the Russians anyway - especially now?  My usual parallel is the Klingon Empire.  It's an unforgiving environment.  Advancement by (character) assassination (or literal).   People informed on their neighbours and even their own family members.   Were they corrupt or misguided?   Hard to say  directly. 

I don't mind at all paying 9990 or there about's for helath coverage.

I am very grateful to the Taj system as it is.

In the US you need a supplimental plan because the medicare system they force you to be in if you don't have other coverage is over $169. a person a month.

So to be covered with drugs and treatments it is at least $400. a mnth a person.

My friend was offered PT but even with her medicare and suppliment plan they were going to charge her $40 a PT visit.

It's confusing but even with the gov. medicare in the US they charge people either 10 or 20% to see a doctor.

I call that a mafia.

No one enjoys long wait times in an office but I'm willing to wait at these Taj prices.

I have already gotten more from the Taj system then I've ever paid in.

Hate saying that because it means I needed to use it.

My friends husband had the same illness I had and he was charged $98,000 in the US for care. He had to pay $9,800 of that with the US gov. program and his supplimental coverage.I think that's criminal how they care for people in the states.

I never got a bill here.Just paid for some medications out of pocket.

Oh, just realized this should of been posted in the cost of living post... Oh well anything goes here!

For the thread, not too much to report, weather becomes quite cold (2 C at night in Alanya is not very warm). Alanya tries to protect their own people (like Orban presented with capping and subsidies for families (way to much, but another matter)). Erdogan gives money in other areas, purpose is the same (just to win elections).

Still for foreigners to rent (pensioners from Germany etc) and being permanent resident at this stage almost impossible.

As for foreigners, Russians buy and Ukraine rent.

Some sad, sad stories from not rich German pensioners and rent here (they have to go back to Germany)

The really sad thing is that even it they pay, they take apparently living quarters.

In Hungary too many old people (so no problem in that area)

Sad sad world, in Hungary in any case no problem between UKR and RUS (not to much), other problems, but ..

But you (should) know what I mean - mainstream meaning well known and professional news gathering organisations* that everyone has heard of.

-@fluffy2560

The well known = mainstream.

Not Uncle Fritz who heard it from a friend who knows someone who knows someone and therefore reported it on TikTok and YouTube as absolute fact.

-@fluffy2560

The funny thing is: that is also predominantly mainstream.

About 95% what I blocked (blacklisted/ canceled) on youtube have a Youtube Verified Check Mark: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ … le.svg.png

Let some prime propoganda chanels out from blocking: like vice news to temporary get updated by the titles the actual direction of mainstream propaganda.

This means genuine journalists who check and cross reference their sources, get their facts right and don't have an propagandist agenda etc. i.e. none of the HU media.

-@fluffy2560

Hu media divided between:

1. Government propaganda: also conservative, Christian (+sects), fake nationalist (examples: M1, Magyar Nemzet, Meszaros media empire, etc...)
2. Opposition propaganda: in service of their foreign/ NGO puppet masters, woke-ultraliberal-rainbow (examples: 24.hu, 444.hu, telex, Soros media empire, etc...)

I consider both sides mainstream = NOT reliable.

Trustworthy and reliable would be Euronews, BBC, AP, Reuters, Economist and others.
-@fluffy2560

In good scenario strongly biased.

More often point-blank (western - mainstream) propaganda.

The problem is:

More or less worldwide situation is the same as Hungary: it is no matter which side does the propaganda, and what they say: both serves an agenda.

Worse: people tend to inprison themselves into a certain bubble and find "the saint reliable" of their chosen one while consider the another "the always liar propagandist".

Just one example:

Losses in the East Slavic civil war.

Ukraine/ it's backers (countries/ media) present Russian losses.

Russia and it's media presents UKR losses.

Both lies.

About own losses: lie/ do maskirovka even more.

What is a reliable source?

Neither, and not any well known media for sure.

When both sides are quite sour, very unhappy, or in straight union wish to supress something: there can be some less biased truth and reliability - still must be used with ultimate critical thinking.

I'm amazed that people tolerate corruption in any form. Every type of corruption is money taken away from the people for the benefit of the few. The fact that it is rationalized and accepted is why it exists and is worsening in Hungary. It's not a bug of the Hungarian mentality, it's a main feature currently.

-@Vicces1

We agree on that.

Something like this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Chin … osecutions

Would be irreal, dream, utopia here - no matter if I would prefer such.

At East Europe (similarly to Mexico, etc...) even that is progress and fine result if someone don't get a honor award for for example corruption.

So it is less likely about: "tolerate corruption" more about being a realist, and compare it to worse cases/ examples/ history with a tired/ resigned attitude.

Anyway if we want to be honest in principe there are not that much difference when corruption is legalised, and called in different names, like: corporate donors, lobbyist, rich philanthropic individuals/ groups, or advocation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS9mbl4twdU

For the thread, not too much to report, weather becomes quite cold (2 C at night in Alanya is not very warm). Alanya tries to protect their own people (like Orban presented with capping and subsidies for families (way to much, but another matter)). Erdogan gives money in other areas, purpose is the same (just to win elections).
Still for foreigners to rent (pensioners from Germany etc) and being permanent resident at this stage almost impossible.
As for foreigners, Russians buy and Ukraine rent.
Some sad, sad stories from not rich German pensioners and rent here (they have to go back to Germany)
The really sad thing is that even it they pay, they take apparently living quarters.

In Hungary too many old people (so no problem in that area)

Sad sad world, in Hungary in any case no problem between UKR and RUS (not to much), other problems, but ..
-@cdw057

It snowed for a bit in Budapest yesterday but it's all melted away.

We have lived in 10 US states and now in Hungary.

My best advice to anyone is to rent for at least one year before even thinking of buying and being stuck somewhere you find out isn't for you.

I stayed in Hungary for 6 weeks two times then for 6 month strecthes for a few times .

We liked the idea of being able to afford to not work and retire early.

I quit working for good by age 52 and before that worked very sporadic.

If we stayed in the US we both would probably still be working.

That's the no. one reason we like Hungary.

I lived in paradise, Hawaii but it wasn't too much fun to start driving the 90 mins. each way to work on a beautiful day and not going to the beach.

Give and take, maybe it's cold here and they have no beach but my time is my own.

Hungary doens't have more ,"old people" then any other country has. What is the alternative? Getting rid of everyone over age 50? Don't worry, we all check out at some time, no need to rush the process.

The problem is:

More or less worldwide situation is the same as Hungary: it is no matter which side does the propaganda, and what they say: both serves an agenda.

Worse: people tend to inprison themselves into a certain bubble and find "the saint reliable" of their chosen one while consider the another "the always liar propagandist".

-@sjbabilon5

Can I ask how old you are?

I'm 62

The problem is:
More or less worldwide situation is the same as Hungary: it is no matter which side does the propaganda, and what they say: both serves an agenda.
Worse: people tend to inprison themselves into a certain bubble and find "the saint reliable" of their chosen one while consider the another "the always liar propagandist".
-@sjbabilon5

Can I ask how old you are?

I'm 62
-@fluffy2560

It seems many people are under the delution that aging is an illness and should be cured.

I know when I was 15 I thought everyone over age 25 was old and those over  30 were elderly.

I was 19 when I met my 26 year old husband and it was a bit like dating an older person to me.

I was  not around many older people and had no living grandmothers so only was in contact with strangers on the  st.as as far as older people.

Age really is just a number and not everyone is lucky to get some years behind them.

The only old person was our grandfather but he was in his 90's and lived across the country from us. He was more of a legion then an actual person.

If it's not racism then it's ageism.

Age is something that sneaks up on one.