Interesting development:
“Plans will include the establishment of a series of rival diplomatic missions, initially in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring states which signed up to the 2020 Abraham Accords with Israel brokered by former US President Donald Trump….a visit to Israel later this year, where she has been offered a private invitation to address the Knesset, is on the cards….“Her Imperial Majesty has, like her son His Royal Highness Crown Prince Reza, been very aware of the dissatisfaction by Iranians living under this brutal and dictatorial regime. That concern has increased with Tehran’s ambitions to build nuclear weapons which she feels will continue even if a deal is struck once more with the US……“Given the regime’s increasing crackdown against growing popular dissent – with people literally calling her name in the streets – the urgency of nuclear talks and the increase of IRGC activity abroad with assignation attempts, it makes sense that she is making this stand now.”
Interesting development:
“Plans will include the establishment of a series of rival diplomatic missions, initially in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring states which signed up to the 2020 Abraham Accords with Israel brokered by former US President Donald Trump….a visit to Israel later this year, where she has been offered a private invitation to address the Knesset, is on the cards….”Her Imperial Majesty has, like her son His Royal Highness Crown Prince Reza, been very aware of the dissatisfaction by Iranians living under this brutal and dictatorial regime. That concern has increased with Tehran’s ambitions to build nuclear weapons which she feels will continue even if a deal is struck once more with the US……”Given the regime’s increasing crackdown against growing popular dissent – with people literally calling her name in the streets – the urgency of nuclear talks and the increase of IRGC activity abroad with assignation attempts, it makes sense that she is making this stand now.”
Hmmm, in the case of Afghanistan, I see a threat from an anti-Western, anti-Christian mentality. It can be seen in the case of so many refugees, violence, verbal threats, etc.
I see it in the mentality of so many Moroccans, for example. But Morocco is an ally of the West. That is, of its rulers.
We can see the same in Nigeria, Pakistan, etc. And Western governments blame the climate for the persecution of Christians.
But what has the US done in Iraq? In Libya? In Egypt at the time they supported the most radical faction, where was Khomeini hidden? In the Sorbonne. Iran now also perceives that it is an object to be destroyed. I don’t like that either. But the other Islamic countries that persecute Christians are not targets at all. So what is important in all this?
I can also say that the enemy of Western Christians is precisely the current Western governments, almost all of them.
Hmmm, in the case of Afghanistan, I see a threat from an anti-Western, anti-Christian mentality. It can be seen in the case of so many refugees, violence, verbal threats, etc.
I see it in the mentality of so many Moroccans, for example. But Morocco is an ally of the West. That is, of its rulers.
We can see the same in Nigeria, Pakistan, etc. And Western governments blame the climate for the persecution of Christians.
But what has the US done in Iraq? In Libya? In Egypt at the time they supported the most radical faction, where was Khomeini hidden? In the Sorbonne. Iran now also perceives that it is an object to be destroyed. I don’t like that either. But the other Islamic countries that persecute Christians are not targets at all. So what is important in all this?
I can also say that the enemy of Western Christians is precisely the current Western governments, almost all of them.
You deplore the “enemies of Western Christians”. The current Western government that most enthusiastically proclaims itself the champion of Western Christians is that of Hungary. I’ll grant you it’s not as bad as Iran, but that’s not saying much. Its ultra-centralization resembles that of the Soviet Union of blessed memory, and regardless of what voters decide, its institutions have been rigged to thwart the popular will no matter who wins a majority in parliament. To top it off, Viktor Orbán recently denounced race mixing. According to an article by the prominent Hungarian economist János Kornai from 2016, “Hungary’s U-Turn: Retreating from Democracy”, by Janos Kornai, Journal of Democracy Volume 26, Number 3 July 2015, in Hungary the basic institutions of the rule of law have been abolished or weakened. Hungary’s new constitution, called the Fundamental Law, was drafted by a small group within Fidesz without any wide public discussion.
Fidesz leaders had put their own people in charge of all the state-run television channels and radio stations. The government has now set up a near-monopoly school textbook publishing house.
A return to an earlier ideological past—a revival of the official ideas of the Horthy period (1920-44)—seems to be under way.” Private owners of banks, energy companies, transportation, media, and advertising, were made to feel that their only option was to sell their property to the state, and at a price well below the market value. Schools and hospitals are no longer run by local authorities, but rather by the central government. … Increasingly, questions are decided at the highest level. There is methodical harassment of civil society.
However, Hungary differs from usual contemporary capitalism, where a capitalist oligarchy captures the state. “This is not a case of “state capture” carried out by oligarchs in order to establish regulations and pass measures in their own interest. Rather, it is the state that is in command. Orban and his inner circle decide who should become or remain an oligarch, and how far that oligarch’s sphere of authority should extend. Something similar takes place at lower levels. Market forces are overridden by political considerations.
The belief that Hungarians support what is happening is reinforced by the official propaganda. In the election of 2014, only every fourth person entitled to vote cast his or her ballot for Fidesz. Fidesz’ supermajority enables it to change electoral laws.
The many modifications made to the electoral law were intended to favor a Fidesz victory, or rather to make it a near certainty. In the event that it fails to win a parliamentary majority, the 32 cardinal laws can be modified only by a two-thirds parliamentary majority. The terms of many key officials—notably, the chief prosecutor, the president of the republic, and the heads of the central bank, audit office, and judiciary—extend beyond the current parliamentary cycle; they can all sit tight, even if the opposition wins.
Viktor Orbán was corrupted by power and he converted his supermajority into a means to establish a personal dictatorship that resembles the fascist Horthy tyranny of the 1930s and 1940s, but also resembles communist overcentralization.
[Népszabadság, Hungary’s biggest newspaper, was suddenly closed by its owner Mediaworks on 8 October 2016, presumably as a result of intrigues of the Viktor Orbán régime. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%A9pszabads%C3%A1g%5D
Education, the health service and disaster protection will be wholly the responsibility of the central government. Most local services of state administration have been merged into the county-level government offices. County officials are appointed by the prime minister. The wife of one of the most influential men in Fidesz decides personally on the appointment and promotion of judges. She determines which cases shall be tried by which court.
website: http://www.kornai-janos.hu.
Bio of János Kornai: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%A1nos_Kornai
“Hungarian octopus: The post-communist mafia state” [Magyar polip—a posztkommunista maffiaallam], 2 vols. (Budapest: Noran Libro, 2013, 2014), contains essays by eminent Hungarian experts.”
You deplore the “enemies of Western Christians”. The current Western government that most enthusiastically proclaims itself the champion of Western Christians is that of Hungary. I’ll grant you it’s not as bad as Iran, but that’s not saying much. Its ultra-centralization resembles that of the Soviet Union of blessed memory, and regardless of what voters decide, its institutions have been rigged to thwart the popular will no matter who wins a majority in parliament. To top it off, Viktor Orbán recently denounced race mixing. According to an article by the prominent Hungarian economist János Kornai from 2016, “Hungary’s U-Turn: Retreating from Democracy”, by Janos Kornai, Journal of Democracy Volume 26, Number 3 July 2015, in Hungary the basic institutions of the rule of law have been abolished or weakened. Hungary’s new constitution, called the Fundamental Law, was drafted by a small group within Fidesz without any wide public discussion.
Fidesz leaders had put their own people in charge of all the state-run television channels and radio stations. The government has now set up a near-monopoly school textbook publishing house.
A return to an earlier ideological past—a revival of the official ideas of the Horthy period (1920-44)—seems to be under way.” Private owners of banks, energy companies, transportation, media, and advertising, were made to feel that their only option was to sell their property to the state, and at a price well below the market value. Schools and hospitals are no longer run by local authorities, but rather by the central government. … Increasingly, questions are decided at the highest level. There is methodical harassment of civil society.
However, Hungary differs from usual contemporary capitalism, where a capitalist oligarchy captures the state. “This is not a case of “state capture” carried out by oligarchs in order to establish regulations and pass measures in their own interest. Rather, it is the state that is in command. Orban and his inner circle decide who should become or remain an oligarch, and how far that oligarch’s sphere of authority should extend. Something similar takes place at lower levels. Market forces are overridden by political considerations.
The belief that Hungarians support what is happening is reinforced by the official propaganda. In the election of 2014, only every fourth person entitled to vote cast his or her ballot for Fidesz. Fidesz’ supermajority enables it to change electoral laws.
The many modifications made to the electoral law were intended to favor a Fidesz victory, or rather to make it a near certainty. In the event that it fails to win a parliamentary majority, the 32 cardinal laws can be modified only by a two-thirds parliamentary majority. The terms of many key officials—notably, the chief prosecutor, the president of the republic, and the heads of the central bank, audit office, and judiciary—extend beyond the current parliamentary cycle; they can all sit tight, even if the opposition wins.
Viktor Orbán was corrupted by power and he converted his supermajority into a means to establish a personal dictatorship that resembles the fascist Horthy tyranny of the 1930s and 1940s, but also resembles communist overcentralization.
[Népszabadság, Hungary’s biggest newspaper, was suddenly closed by its owner Mediaworks on 8 October 2016, presumably as a result of intrigues of the Viktor Orbán régime. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%A9pszabads%C3%A1g%5D
Education, the health service and disaster protection will be wholly the responsibility of the central government. Most local services of state administration have been merged into the county-level government offices. County officials are appointed by the prime minister. The wife of one of the most influential men in Fidesz decides personally on the appointment and promotion of judges. She determines which cases shall be tried by which court.
website: http://www.kornai-janos.hu.
Bio of János Kornai: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%A1nos_Kornai
“Hungarian octopus: The post-communist mafia state” [Magyar polip—a posztkommunista maffiaallam], 2 vols. (Budapest: Noran Libro, 2013, 2014), contains essays by eminent Hungarian experts.”
Interesting development:
“Plans will include the establishment of a series of rival diplomatic missions, initially in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring states which signed up to the 2020 Abraham Accords with Israel brokered by former US President Donald Trump….a visit to Israel later this year, where she has been offered a private invitation to address the Knesset, is on the cards….“Her Imperial Majesty has, like her son His Royal Highness Crown Prince Reza, been very aware of the dissatisfaction by Iranians living under this brutal and dictatorial regime. That concern has increased with Tehran’s ambitions to build nuclear weapons which she feels will continue even if a deal is struck once more with the US……“Given the regime’s increasing crackdown against growing popular dissent – with people literally calling her name in the streets – the urgency of nuclear talks and the increase of IRGC activity abroad with assignation attempts, it makes sense that she is making this stand now.”
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1661456/iran-queen-news-reclaim-throne
Interesting development:
“Plans will include the establishment of a series of rival diplomatic missions, initially in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring states which signed up to the 2020 Abraham Accords with Israel brokered by former US President Donald Trump….a visit to Israel later this year, where she has been offered a private invitation to address the Knesset, is on the cards….”Her Imperial Majesty has, like her son His Royal Highness Crown Prince Reza, been very aware of the dissatisfaction by Iranians living under this brutal and dictatorial regime. That concern has increased with Tehran’s ambitions to build nuclear weapons which she feels will continue even if a deal is struck once more with the US……”Given the regime’s increasing crackdown against growing popular dissent – with people literally calling her name in the streets – the urgency of nuclear talks and the increase of IRGC activity abroad with assignation attempts, it makes sense that she is making this stand now.”
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1661456/iran-queen-news-reclaim-throne
Thx Raymond
Thx Raymond
Hmmm, in the case of Afghanistan, I see a threat from an anti-Western, anti-Christian mentality. It can be seen in the case of so many refugees, violence, verbal threats, etc.
I see it in the mentality of so many Moroccans, for example. But Morocco is an ally of the West. That is, of its rulers.
We can see the same in Nigeria, Pakistan, etc. And Western governments blame the climate for the persecution of Christians.
But what has the US done in Iraq? In Libya? In Egypt at the time they supported the most radical faction, where was Khomeini hidden? In the Sorbonne. Iran now also perceives that it is an object to be destroyed. I don’t like that either. But the other Islamic countries that persecute Christians are not targets at all. So what is important in all this?
I can also say that the enemy of Western Christians is precisely the current Western governments, almost all of them.
Hmmm, in the case of Afghanistan, I see a threat from an anti-Western, anti-Christian mentality. It can be seen in the case of so many refugees, violence, verbal threats, etc.
I see it in the mentality of so many Moroccans, for example. But Morocco is an ally of the West. That is, of its rulers.
We can see the same in Nigeria, Pakistan, etc. And Western governments blame the climate for the persecution of Christians.
But what has the US done in Iraq? In Libya? In Egypt at the time they supported the most radical faction, where was Khomeini hidden? In the Sorbonne. Iran now also perceives that it is an object to be destroyed. I don’t like that either. But the other Islamic countries that persecute Christians are not targets at all. So what is important in all this?
I can also say that the enemy of Western Christians is precisely the current Western governments, almost all of them.
You deplore the “enemies of Western Christians”. The current Western government that most enthusiastically proclaims itself the champion of Western Christians is that of Hungary. I’ll grant you it’s not as bad as Iran, but that’s not saying much. Its ultra-centralization resembles that of the Soviet Union of blessed memory, and regardless of what voters decide, its institutions have been rigged to thwart the popular will no matter who wins a majority in parliament. To top it off, Viktor Orbán recently denounced race mixing. According to an article by the prominent Hungarian economist János Kornai from 2016, “Hungary’s U-Turn: Retreating from Democracy”, by Janos Kornai, Journal of Democracy Volume 26, Number 3 July 2015, in Hungary the basic institutions of the rule of law have been abolished or weakened. Hungary’s new constitution, called the Fundamental Law, was drafted by a small group within Fidesz without any wide public discussion.
Fidesz leaders had put their own people in charge of all the state-run television channels and radio stations. The government has now set up a near-monopoly school textbook publishing house.
A return to an earlier ideological past—a revival of the official ideas of the Horthy period (1920-44)—seems to be under way.” Private owners of banks, energy companies, transportation, media, and advertising, were made to feel that their only option was to sell their property to the state, and at a price well below the market value. Schools and hospitals are no longer run by local authorities, but rather by the central government. … Increasingly, questions are decided at the highest level. There is methodical harassment of civil society.
However, Hungary differs from usual contemporary capitalism, where a capitalist oligarchy captures the state. “This is not a case of “state capture” carried out by oligarchs in order to establish regulations and pass measures in their own interest. Rather, it is the state that is in command. Orban and his inner circle decide who should become or remain an oligarch, and how far that oligarch’s sphere of authority should extend. Something similar takes place at lower levels. Market forces are overridden by political considerations.
The belief that Hungarians support what is happening is reinforced by the official propaganda. In the election of 2014, only every fourth person entitled to vote cast his or her ballot for Fidesz. Fidesz’ supermajority enables it to change electoral laws.
The many modifications made to the electoral law were intended to favor a Fidesz victory, or rather to make it a near certainty. In the event that it fails to win a parliamentary majority, the 32 cardinal laws can be modified only by a two-thirds parliamentary majority. The terms of many key officials—notably, the chief prosecutor, the president of the republic, and the heads of the central bank, audit office, and judiciary—extend beyond the current parliamentary cycle; they can all sit tight, even if the opposition wins.
Viktor Orbán was corrupted by power and he converted his supermajority into a means to establish a personal dictatorship that resembles the fascist Horthy tyranny of the 1930s and 1940s, but also resembles communist overcentralization.
[Népszabadság, Hungary’s biggest newspaper, was suddenly closed by its owner Mediaworks on 8 October 2016, presumably as a result of intrigues of the Viktor Orbán régime. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%A9pszabads%C3%A1g%5D
Education, the health service and disaster protection will be wholly the responsibility of the central government. Most local services of state administration have been merged into the county-level government offices. County officials are appointed by the prime minister. The wife of one of the most influential men in Fidesz decides personally on the appointment and promotion of judges. She determines which cases shall be tried by which court.
website: http://www.kornai-janos.hu.
Bio of János Kornai: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%A1nos_Kornai
“Hungarian octopus: The post-communist mafia state” [Magyar polip—a posztkommunista maffiaallam], 2 vols. (Budapest: Noran Libro, 2013, 2014), contains essays by eminent Hungarian experts.”
You deplore the “enemies of Western Christians”. The current Western government that most enthusiastically proclaims itself the champion of Western Christians is that of Hungary. I’ll grant you it’s not as bad as Iran, but that’s not saying much. Its ultra-centralization resembles that of the Soviet Union of blessed memory, and regardless of what voters decide, its institutions have been rigged to thwart the popular will no matter who wins a majority in parliament. To top it off, Viktor Orbán recently denounced race mixing. According to an article by the prominent Hungarian economist János Kornai from 2016, “Hungary’s U-Turn: Retreating from Democracy”, by Janos Kornai, Journal of Democracy Volume 26, Number 3 July 2015, in Hungary the basic institutions of the rule of law have been abolished or weakened. Hungary’s new constitution, called the Fundamental Law, was drafted by a small group within Fidesz without any wide public discussion.
Fidesz leaders had put their own people in charge of all the state-run television channels and radio stations. The government has now set up a near-monopoly school textbook publishing house.
A return to an earlier ideological past—a revival of the official ideas of the Horthy period (1920-44)—seems to be under way.” Private owners of banks, energy companies, transportation, media, and advertising, were made to feel that their only option was to sell their property to the state, and at a price well below the market value. Schools and hospitals are no longer run by local authorities, but rather by the central government. … Increasingly, questions are decided at the highest level. There is methodical harassment of civil society.
However, Hungary differs from usual contemporary capitalism, where a capitalist oligarchy captures the state. “This is not a case of “state capture” carried out by oligarchs in order to establish regulations and pass measures in their own interest. Rather, it is the state that is in command. Orban and his inner circle decide who should become or remain an oligarch, and how far that oligarch’s sphere of authority should extend. Something similar takes place at lower levels. Market forces are overridden by political considerations.
The belief that Hungarians support what is happening is reinforced by the official propaganda. In the election of 2014, only every fourth person entitled to vote cast his or her ballot for Fidesz. Fidesz’ supermajority enables it to change electoral laws.
The many modifications made to the electoral law were intended to favor a Fidesz victory, or rather to make it a near certainty. In the event that it fails to win a parliamentary majority, the 32 cardinal laws can be modified only by a two-thirds parliamentary majority. The terms of many key officials—notably, the chief prosecutor, the president of the republic, and the heads of the central bank, audit office, and judiciary—extend beyond the current parliamentary cycle; they can all sit tight, even if the opposition wins.
Viktor Orbán was corrupted by power and he converted his supermajority into a means to establish a personal dictatorship that resembles the fascist Horthy tyranny of the 1930s and 1940s, but also resembles communist overcentralization.
[Népszabadság, Hungary’s biggest newspaper, was suddenly closed by its owner Mediaworks on 8 October 2016, presumably as a result of intrigues of the Viktor Orbán régime. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%A9pszabads%C3%A1g%5D
Education, the health service and disaster protection will be wholly the responsibility of the central government. Most local services of state administration have been merged into the county-level government offices. County officials are appointed by the prime minister. The wife of one of the most influential men in Fidesz decides personally on the appointment and promotion of judges. She determines which cases shall be tried by which court.
website: http://www.kornai-janos.hu.
Bio of János Kornai: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%A1nos_Kornai
“Hungarian octopus: The post-communist mafia state” [Magyar polip—a posztkommunista maffiaallam], 2 vols. (Budapest: Noran Libro, 2013, 2014), contains essays by eminent Hungarian experts.”