The eyes of the investigative journalists at Átlátszó have been peeled on a Bombardier Global 6000 luxury private jet which, although registered in Austria, is normally parked at the Budapest Airport. It was this plane that most likely transported the family and friends of Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó to Split, where Lady MRD, a luxury yacht owned by Hungarian businessman László Szíjj, was waiting for them.
This private jet has been extremely busy in the last few weeks. There were days when it made several trips a day. After its trip to Split on August 12, it flew from Budapest to Nice on the French Riviera, from where it flew to Brač, the largest island in Dalmatia. After a short breather, on August 19 it flew to Larnaca in Cyprus, best known for its palm-treed seafront. On August 21, the 19-passenger jet went to Nice again, from where it flew to Málaga on the Costa del Sol. It then flew to Dubrovnik. On August 23, it visited Cyprus, Brač, and Nice.
This flight schedule leads me to believe that we are talking about six different groups of traveling companions who are being transported to and fro — three groups between Budapest and at least three different locations in Croatia, a fourth between Budapest and Nice, a fifth to Cyprus, and a sixth between Budapest and Málaga.
Demokratikus Koalíció seized the opportunity and turned to the prime minister’s office for information about the number of government members who used the private jet and/or László Szíjj’s yacht. I wouldn’t hold my breath for an answer. But one must at least try to educate the indifferent Hungarian public about the immense corruption that is taking place in front of their noses.
On July 26, several internet sites reported that Viktor Orbán had posted a new photo of himself with a straw hat and sunglasses, which was clearly taken at Lake Balaton. Thanks to Átlátszó, we know that Orbán’s daughter Ráhel and her husband, István Tiborcz, purchased a whole hectare designated as agricultural property and built a no-so-modest villa on it in Felsőörs, 8 km from Balatonfüred. The aerial photograph available on Átlátszó’s site is impressive. Apparently, the property is worth several hundred million forints. It was here, standing beside the swimming pool, that the prime minister posed, advertising a holiday at Lake Balaton.
In one of his interviews on Kossuth Rádió, he urged people to spend their holidays domestically. As he put it, he knows a Hungarian thinks that life is not the same without spending time on the Adriatic, but this year “there should be more Balaton and less sea.” A week or so later, he undermined his “vacation in Hungary” message when he announced in his radio interview that, given the renewed outbreak of COVID-19 in Croatia, as of September 1 the border will be closed between the two countries, so those who would like to visit the Adriatic should do so now.
Those Hungarians who heard only Orbán’s plug to vacation in Hungary were surprised to learn that their Balaton-loving prime minister had been photographed on August 23 somewhere on the Island of Hvar by a reader of Jutarnji list, a popular daily published in Zagreb. Although the photo is not the sharpest and Orbán’s profile can be seen only in part, I’m certain that the observant photographer got the right man. In addition to the physical features, the lime green shirt he was wearing is a familiar item from Orbán’s wardrobe. The last time he wore it was in Băile Tuşnad/Tusnádfürdő in 2017.
What was or perhaps still is Viktor Orbán doing in Hvar? According to the Croatian paper, he and his friends rented a Hanse 575 sailboat, which costs 2,500-3,000 euros a week. Jutarnji list seems to know that Orbán in the past used to come with his wife and children and that he normally selected “small, secluded places which can be reached only by boat.” This time, the Croatian journalists claim that Orbán was accompanied by “friends” instead of family. They also seem to know that, although earlier Orbán had been the guest of László Szíjj on Lady MRD, he prefers sailing. After looking at pictures of this sophisticated 57-foot boat, I can’t imagine the Hungarian prime minister at the helm. I assume the boat comes with a knowledgeable crew.
I found only one opinion piece on the topic of Orbán’s deceitful handling of his summer vacation. Péter Németh of Hírklikk suspects that, although Orbán delivered a speech in Budapest on August 20, he had already spent a few days on the Adriatic before. He had a tan which, according to the experts in Budapest, one can get only at the Adriatic. The Balaton tan is different. So, Németh speculates, after delivering the speech, Orbán stayed in Budapest at least for the morning of August 21, to record his Friday morning interview, and immediately returned to Croatia to be photographed there on August 23. Németh would like to ask a simple question: “How many times did Viktor Orbán travel between Budapest and the Adriatic?”
I tend to agree with you Prof. Balogh that the regime leader would not be able to sail (not just the boat ,but the country). My own experience is limited, but my favorite sailing story involved a sailing class. My fellow student, no doubt, similar to the regime leader in having a high opinion of himself capsized our boat. I righted it, but my fellow student could not climb aboard, so I had to pull his very heavy body out of the water. I took charge and there were no further accidents. He never returned to class. Perhaps we can hope the same for the PM. At least I know I lack any qualifications to lead any one.
I hope this story is carried in great detail by what remains of any free Hungarian news outlets (I know, not many free outlets).Too bad Trump has turned Radio Liberty into his own “fake” news outlet. Perhaps the BBC, Hungarian section might be persuaded to cover your post today.
Perhaps the BBC, Hungarian section…
Alas, defunct.
R.I.P.
Thank you. I must have missed the loss of BBC, Hungarian section.
BBC is heavily compromised as an impartial broadcaster. It has become highly ideologised. Doctrinaire woke nonsense dominates it.
It reminds me of Rakosi’s Kossuth Radio Budapest.
Glyndebourne is the same. I watched five productions on TV recently on youtube. Figaro, Cosi, Don Giovanni, Rosenkavelier , Barbieri.
The Don was no longer a comedy. It was turned into feminist propaganda.
Rosenkavelier likewise with the glorious Sophie turning out for the final act in her housecoat. Down at heal crap.
Cosi by Nick Hytner was fine but Hytner introduced it having clearly forgotten the libretto and put a feminist gloss on it. Everyone familiar with it knows that the title is a joke. Its subtitle is “school for lovers”. It is not intended to be hurtful to women, in fact the message is that this is how lovers behave,
Barbieri was politics free but fell a long way short of its predecessor produced by John Cox witn Lady Hall aka Maria Ewings as Rosina. The distinguished Opera Company has become PC and Provincial.
God forbid they massacre Ponte’s humorous tongue in cheek librettos, which were definitely not anti anything.
Once he had to tip toe around the Habsburg Catholic censors, now we have the PC ones …
Btw when one tries to set his/her’s singular dimension everything becomes flat and provincial.
In the Don I watched the action on stage and the sets were actually different to what they were singing as per the libretto.
Freedom as we knew it is gone. It will not return.Money and power has been able to control output. Orban with his striving for independence could have build a bridgehead against PC. He however made it stronger.
Aida
Very naive of you, again whoever (with very, very short lived exceptions) wants to impose his/her singular vision …
While there were great patrons of arts from Maecenas, the Medicis, the Duch merchants or the French kings all the way to Henry Frick, the Huns got the cultureless and culture deft Orban to set the scene here.
Quod licet iovi non licet bovi!
Isn’t it remarkable that the Olympian gods of FIDESZ seem to be fond of travelling to corona hot spots? We mortal citizens are quarantined for 2 week, when returning from Málaga….
Lady MRD? That must be an abbreviation for “Lady MeRDe”?
Sure looks right…
Génial! Mais: Est-ce que le petit coq parle le français à tout?
The stories of O1G’s and Kakadu’s (that’s what my wife calls Sziijarto …) holidays in dangerous Covid-infected Croatia and their claiming to be on holiday (or even working …) somewhere in Hungary reminds me of an old saying:
What’s surely worse than a liar is a stupid liar who got found out …
Why are these people so silly?
Don’t they have advisors?
PS:
Bimbi, Madame Merde as a boat’s name sounds really good! Whoever chose that name probably was too lazy to look that up …
Reminds me of the code for the Hévíz/Balaton airport:
SOB 🙂 🙂
Maybe that’s why it isn’t really used anymore?
what’s in a nickname…
kakadu – kakaska / cockatoo – little cock
searched: kakadu’s Szijjártó – this seemed the oldest result:
https://olkt.net/hallo-szijjarto-peter-vagyok-nagyon-kemeny-kakadu/
latest news on that website: https://olkt.net/orban-balatoni-vizet-predikal-de-adriai-bort-iszik/ [same subject as Eva’s post and with picture]
OLKT = Orbán Lapjáról Kitiltottak Társasága [Community of people Banned from Orbán’s (FB) Page]
Re: ‘Kakadu’ Pete…now that’s being full of the ole cock-a-doodle doo alright..☝️
Isn’t it pathetic Péter Németh of Hírklikk to use the Croatian tan as investigative?
„He had a tan which, according to the experts in Budapest, one can get only at the Adriatic. The Balaton tan is different.“
Notice what … it is not only pathetically stupid it is also pathetically primitive. Yes, the reader should know that all this is only a state theater, only if the journalists are already so pathetic you can expect even less from the reader. It is the stupidity that hurts. Why should the frequency of the back and forth still play a role. God throw down brain for Peter also still Nemeth a kilo gladly also still more.
LADY MRD YACHT NOT FOR CHARTER* 41.93m / 137’7 | Benetti | 2015 NEXT YACHT Previous Yacht SIMILAR YACHTS The 41.93m / 137’7 Crystal 140′ motor yacht motor yacht ‘Lady MRD’ was built by Benetti in Italy at their Viareggio shipyard , she was delivered to her owner in 2015. Previously named Lady M, her luxurious interior was designed by Zuretti. ACCOMMODATIONLady MRD’s interior configuration has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 10 guests overnight in 5 cabins, comprising a master suite, 2 double cabins and 2 twin cabins. She is also capable of carrying up to 7 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience. CONSTRUCTION & DIMENSIONSLady MRD features a displacement grp hull and grp superstructure, with teak decks. She was built to RINA (Registro Italiano Navale) classification society rules, and is MCA Compliant. This luxury yacht is also fitted with ‘zero speed stabilizers’ which work at anchor, increasing on-board comfort when the yacht is stationary, particularly in rough waters. PERFORMANCEPowered by 2 Caterpillar (C32 ACERT) 1,450hp diesel engines and propelled by her twin screw propellers Motor yacht Lady MRD is capable of a top speed of 15 knots, and comfortably cruises at 14 knots. With her 58,000 fuel tanks she has a maximum range of 4,000… Read more »
and guess where “OV&Co’s favourite private jet” flew to last (EU) night?
yes, yes, straight from Budapest to the island of Brač at the Croatian coast!
–who will land later today at BUD?
–could the same person appear tomorrow morning in a radio program?
actual flight and flight archive check at https://flightaware.com/live/flight/OELEM
and the eagle has landed at BUD
[or was it may be a cockatoo or even a little cock?]
see at https://flightaware.com/live/flight/IJM980/history/20200827/0848Z
strangly the landing/departure at/from BOL Airport (Brac Island, Croatia) [BWK] was not officially reported at flightware.com.
For Departures from BUD following is stated about IJM980 [is OE-LEM]
–date: Aug.27
—destination: Near Brač Island, Split-Dalmatia
–departure: Thu 09:22AM CEST
—arrival: result unknown (?)
flightaware.com explains as follows:
What does “result unknown” mean?
This occurs when the arrival time of the flight passes without FlightAware marking the flight as “arrived” at a destination airport. The most likely reasons this happens are:
–controlling air-traffic control facility did not send an arrival message for the flight
–aircraft entered a gap in FlightAware’s coverage while in flight, and data is no longer available
My suspicion is that it is supposed to be a “secret” flight and Brac Airport control was instructed NOT to register arrival and departure of the plane!
And while in Cyprus the passengers conducted some business with Russian friends and did some paperwork on corporate matters.
@Marty, 4:27 am
And they didn’t pay a visit to the famous Cyprus laundry?
Paperwork on corporate matters means essentially laundering money. From time to time you need to sign papers in places where you have an off-shore company and bank account.
Lajos Kosa and his front even had to travel to the Cook Islands once (I think officially they traveled together to New Zealand to catch a Rolling Stones concert or something like this).
I would even say Nice was a place where the fideszniks could talk to Russians too.
I know only one Hungarian legit businessman who has property there and I’ve never heard that fideszniks would frequent the Cote Azure (they rarely speak French). So, this may have been a case of business travel.
I might be wrong but the Nice and Cyprus people involved probably did not want to get into the plane ticket data base. Travelling with private planes makes tracking these people much more difficult which is exactly what they want.
Gooood one! Tnx.
Lady MRD not only got a mooring place opposite to the entry of the foreign economy and foreign ministery, police also keeps it free….
Of course police also checked the bag of the journalist, who dared to take pictures.
https://444.hu/2020/08/27/letakartak-egy-bojaval-a-kulugyminiszterium-ele-felfestett-lady-mrd-feliratot-amikor-riporterunk-lefotozta-rendorok-igazoltattak-es-a-taskajat-is-atneztek
Aren’t the current crop of Fidesz Adriatic aficionados the same folk who went after Gabor Demszky so viciously for building a seaside summer home in 2004?
https://index.hu/belfold/demszky0723/
Purchase price 5,000,000 Ft and building costs of 19,250 €. That is not nothing, but should really be reachable in financial means by a Budapest Lord Mayor – who by the way is paid exactly as much as a minister. Jealous FIDESZ opposition of course can’t stand that someone from another party is having a good life within his financial possibilities.
Sailing a ship for a holiday at a value of 400% of yearly nets income? Seems not to fit too well. But who cares, he is a member of FIDESZ and deserves the fruits of crime!
But nobody was on an Adria holiday of course. One was working and the other even said that he is at Lake Balaton. Who would ever consider the cream of our regime being liars?
OT or not OT this is here the question … this is not a fox it rattles in the box … maybe a child saying but it fits to the read fairy tales of the Orbans brothers. https://visegradinsight.eu/trianon-narratives/ „president of the National Trianon Society, János Drabik, who best formulated the essence of the issue in the newly published version of the volume “Hundred Years of Trianon”. In his opinion, Hungary has gone through “seven national tragedies” in the last century. – The first is Trianon; – the second is the Soviet entry after 1945; – the third is 1956: all of which are commonly referenced historical events. So, what about the next four? There may be surprises here, because, according to the author: the fourth is 1989 and the Round Table talks where “the Hungarian nation was deprived of its property”, and the government lost control over it (because it had been taken over by supranational forces); – the fifth is the accession to NATO and the EU, i.e. “to supranational structures”; – the sixth is the “threat of Islamisation of Europe”, and finally – the seventh, just beginning, is a threat to the basic structure of our civilisation, i.e. the… Read more »
Let me disagree with the Drabik: Trianon and Soviet occupation have been tragedies to a lot of individuals, but were nothing else but consequences of what has been committed before. The “Hungarian nation” had to pay for the crimes committed in the name of Hungary. 1956 is a tragedy without any doubt. The next tragedy started 2010, totally different from 1956, because caused by 53% of the active voters. The other points Drabik named are pure BS, he just spreads regime propaganda and the ideology of hate.
Yes, I also laughed deliciously when I read that. Do you know the citizens of Schilda (die Schildbürger)?
And this ugly loonie (wanted to write something stronger but …) totally forgot the killing of about half a million Jews (and others of course)?
Oh, that was not a tragedy because suddenly many Hungarians came into possession of really nice houses, apartments, stores and even large companies (Remember Gedeon Richter who was shot and thrown into the Danube?) that had belonged to those hated successful people …
PS:
is this guy another incarnation of our mad troll zolidiot?
zolidiot is just a hack. János Drabik is president of the most important national historical forgery society of Hungary.
I would like to preclude:
0.spreading lies by [right-wing/conservative/”christian”] Hungarians in power
0a.too many ordinary Hungarian people believing those lies
Of course Ferenc, after you are born you will go to the kindergarten to put Hungarian flags on a shashlik skewer for St. Stephen. Of course you will also be taught what the difference between black and white Hungarians is. I told my neighbor that his child is not behave well, impudent as I am. He said this is the fault of the Roma children in kindergarten who are so badly behaved and set a bad example.
First question is the children’s fault?
Second question are the adults to blame?
Third question is the kindergarten teachers to blame?
At the age of six they go to school to a teacher who has attended this kindergarten.
Drábik is a long term right-wing conspiracy theorist and I would say we can’t exclude that he didn’t work for (communist or current) intelligence (military or civilian) at some point. What I can also imagine is that he was a double agent as well duping the Americans into believing that he was a valuable defector upon his emigration to the US in 1979. His career in Hungary before he moved to the US is pretty murky and all we know is that in 1979 he worked for Power Station Development Company as internal counsel. His crazy theories, and related activities would be in line with the documented interests of Hungarian intelligence, and he regularly cooperates with outed communist agent (dep. III/III) Péter Tőke.
Anyway, whatever Drabki writes should be ignored completely.
„Anyway, whatever Drabki writes should be ignored completely.“ Do the Orbanapologists know this?
And the slaughter of 600,000 Hungarians in the Holocaust is not a national tragedy? Maybe he doesn’t consider them to be real Hungarians?
Yes that is very likely. What struck me is the success of Son of Saul/Saul fia most of the articles from 2016 are deleted in the Jüdische Allgemeine there was an interview with the director I am convinced he was telling the truth. But because the film was funded (Fidesz apologists), this statement was explosive. And because the Jüdische Allgemeine published it …
„In Hungary, the reaction to the film is predominantly negative. Did that surprise you?
Not at all. The hatred of Jews is still very widespread in Hungary. Many would reopen the concentration camps yesterday rather than today if they could. It’s not the majority in the country, but enough to be frightened.“
… László Nemes claimed he had never said this. He was extremely attacked by nationalists and conservatives who saw nothing Hungarian in this film. The film was awarded the prize for Hungarian Holocaust drama at the Cannes Film Festival. Later, Nemes said publicly …
“Even in the darkest hours of humanity, there can still be a voice within us that allows us to remain human. That is the hope of this film.”
Eva has also worked on the topic several times with different focuses from anti-Semitism to the film industry and Hungarian politics. You only have to enter son of saul in the search field.
https://hungarianspectrum.org/2015/05/27/son-of-saul-and-its-reception-by-the-hungarian-right/
“And the slaughter of 600,000 Hungarians in the Holocaust is not a national tragedy?”
No, that was a tragedy caused BY “the nation” that has been committed both in the territory “the nation” occupied and beyond. A tragedy for entire mankind. This is a huge part of why I don’t consider Soviet occupation as a “national tragedy”, but caused by the crimes of “the nation”.
Just these “historians” in Orbánistan tell everybody that “the nation” had never done anything wrong. Germany has learnt to deal with history, in Hungary facts mustn’t be said.
Going abroad – Taking care not to flaunt their megalomanic decadent culture directly in the faces of their not so street-wise supporters.
Like a local street gang, extorting protection-money from around the neighborhood and then going a few of blocks away to show off.
Rather OT but really interesting:
100 years ago when Trianon happened and put an end to Greater Hungary, women in the USA were allowed to vote in all elections.
Of course the racists in the obesity belt (formerly known as the bible belt) tried everything to keep them from voting, especially the black women.
If I remember correctly in Horthy times also many women were not allowed to vote?
Even in this day and age, Hungarian women, generally speaking, have no idea who the are politically.
In the US 1920, only after the First World War, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution gave women the right to vote at the national level.
Women’s voting rights in Switzerland were introduced by a federal vote on February 7, 1971.
Re:’100 years ago when Trianon happened and put an end to Greater Hungary, women in the USA were allowed to vote in all elections‘.
America did look progressive when compared say to Europe. Interesting to note that at the ‘Hall of Mirrors’ where the treaty was signed an onlooker estimated about 1000 people attending the signing of whom 150 were ladies. The fellow , a Sir Henry Wilson , said he ‘thought it was all wrong’. Well that was the olden times but apparently these days in another case there are some who show an affectation revisiting it and wanting their revenge quenched.
In the short time the 1st Hungarian republic existed women got the right to vote. Under Horthy it was abolished immediately.
This sailing yacht holiday is peanuts compared to the earlier discussed motor one. Actually the Croatian article also mentioned that Orbàn had modest holidays (before as well), ate at local restaurants without security and fuss, even went to buy beard in the morning.
The boat certainly came with a skipper and at least one crew/hostess, Orbàn is not a sailor, and one have to be a good one to navigate the rocky coast and anchor securely. Entering many older marinas with such a big boat would be also difficult or impossible. I guess the charter fee would be no more than € 15k /week plus costs incurred.
Lady MRD
Here you can see the place where the Hu gov ministers keep serving the nation with the sweat of their brow. Btw its asking price is now $ 16 million of HUF 5 000 million, but hey, the dupes pay and even applaud while they are being f…d.
https://www.worthavenueyachts.com/yachts-for-sale/lady-mrd/
Re: Tibor’s pied a terre..
Nice Pannonian getaway for the emperor’s clan. Really laid out like a Roman villa. Tiberius and Hadrian probably would have liked it too when partying at the Balaton. Though Tiberius would probably have liked to be much much closer to the lake and Hadrian would get annoyed that the ‘wall’ wasn’t extended. No doubt he’d put some statues around the pool. 😎
Infection rate in Croatia “soaring”.
Fat Vik comes back this evening, delivers his homily to his inbred sheep tomorrow: “It is our duty, to protect the Motherland. I am back…The borders are closing as soon as I get all my scum in the backdoor.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/aug/26/coronavirus-live-news-who-signals-slowing-of-infections-but-india-cases-still-soaring
And the suckers will be nodding their heads, thinking how lucky they are Fat Vik is looking after them…
Meanwhile….
https://hungarytoday.hu/fidesz-communication-director-infected-coronavirus/
and there are more: many at the Innovation Ministry got infected by one of the many [21!] State Secretaries, who visited Turkey beginning of July. Became public today, because OV&Co tried to keep it secret.
The story at https://atlatszo.hu/2020/08/27/az-allamigazgatasban-is-megjelent-a-koronavirus-a-helyettes-allamtitkar-torok-luxusnyaralasa-utan/ [to be continued? think so!]
OV’s true innovation, isn’t it?
Furthermore currently Hungary has [according to the official figures!] the lowest infection rate compared to all neighboring countries. And not just lowest, but by far the lowest [official…].
Last 7 days, average new corona cases :
–Hungary 4.92 / 1 million population
–Slovakia 13.71 / 1 million population
–Slovenia and Serbia a little higher
–Austria and Ukraine much higher
–while Romania and Croatia way above 50 / 1 million population!!
Also of note is that all neighboring countries showed serious increase since more than one month [some even more than 2 months], while Hungary shows serious increase of cases only since about 3 weeks…
So if the official data would be true, HOW is it possible that the virus is spreading so much inside and around OV’s government?
Well it’s not 100% impossible, but VERY VERY unlikely that the official data are NOT fake!
Breaking news!
My wife just told me that after a wild party (don’t know where) many Fidesz honchos had to go into quarantine right now.
It’s on 444:
https://444.hu/2020/08/27/kovacs-zoltan-domotor-csaba-es-farkas-ors-is-hazi-karantenba-kerult-hollik-fertozese-miatt
Found it in English:
https://insighthungary.444.hu/2020/08/27/foreign-minister-szijjarto-threatens-public-employees-with-dismissal-if-they-work-from-home-during-pandemic
just scroll down …
virus vs. virus?
Ráhel and István Tiborcz building a palace (with grounds) at the Balaton?
It would be time for the locals to hang out a banner:
“FELSÓÖRS WELCOMES THE ELIOSZ EMBEZZELER”
Snippets from Orbanistan – Orban foresaw the “mass contagion stage” coming, he saw the need for 30 000 beds and 20 000 ventilators, he predicted the epidemic peaking in Hu on May 5th, all a bit off the mark. Now he sees another wave coming in early September, advising Huns “do not plan any holidays south”. He may have better luck with this because he may be pushing the wave himself because – the regime officials demonstratively do not wear masks, none of attendants to the catholic mass served on August the 20th wore one, the only soccer match in the EU with an allowed public attendance of 20 000 will take place in Budapest soon, schools are to open normally, but the instruction of the authorities are useless (according to a teachers union). – With the above cavalier attitude and ignoring their own rules 100 Fid nochos had a gathering in Vesprem county where at least one “name” tested positive – Istvan Hollik, but several other names are in “self imposed quarantine (as if that was a matter of choice and not compulsory). – Notably this private event was organized by the GONGO wearing the cynical name of Foundation… Read more »
People are in denial – they simply refuse to believe in COVID, that it is a serious illness.
All talk about restriction of rights, that it is not manly to wear masks etc. are retroactive rationalizations or subconscious processes to veil this fact: people don’t want to believe in the illness.
The primary issue is thus one of denial, and with a lesser weight many people want to confirm to the political leaders who in Hungary simply ignore the warnings (see the fidesznik party over the weekend).
In my experience elderly hardcore fideszniks tend to take COVID seriously, however.
From the mixed messages of the government (almost always Fidesz communicates contradictory messages aimed at different segments of society) the elderly fideszniks choose to take the warnings seriously but those under 60 choose ignorance and prefer the right wing conspiracy theories etc. and essentially deny the existence of danger.
The question is of course why are (so many) people in denial?
Kovács Zoltán, Dömötör Csaba és Farkas Örs is házi karanténba került Hollik fertőzése miatt https://444.hu/2020/08/27/kovacs-zoltan-domotor-csaba-es-farkas-ors-is-hazi-karantenba-kerult-hollik-fertozese-miatt
Egy zsófiapusztai kúrián tartották a partit, amely miatt kormánytagok sora került karanténba https://24.hu/belfold/2020/08/27/koronavirus-karanten-kormanytagok-hollik-schaller-baross-erno/
Reality denial is also present in Germany, where extreme right-wing groups prefer to believe in conspiracy theories rather than in reality. Basically I have no problem with it if they infect each other with it. In the USA there are some examples who thought covid-19 was a joke and died of it.
A car mechanic told me he thought covid-19 was politics (yes and no) … I couldn’t answer him for lack of time.
Trócsányi László, Hende Csaba, Nacsa Lőrinc, Kovács Zoltán, Dömötör Csaba, Farkas Örs, Gulyás Gergely, Orbán Balázs, Kovács Zoltán and Dömötör Csaba (if I haven’t missed somebody) are quarantained, Hollik István is infected. Names are published hourly…. It is good that all are locked-up, but I’d prefer not at home, but in jail.
Anyway, obviously all of them didn’t take it seriously. Trump called it a “Democratic hoax” when first warnings came. In Italy people are scared and extremely careful. They have learnt it the hard way. We shouldn’t be surprised, especially since new infections here in Hungary are already on the level of March or April (according to official numbers).
One of my neighbors visits the doctor in BP every two weeks. There they told in Siofok there were two covid-19 cases. The doctor said there were many more. The surprise was what they were lying … in jail is best.
Re: the ‘Rule of Law’ in Magyarorszag and ‘lock’em up’…
Without a doubt it comes under what’s known as ‘Zeigler’s Law’ where if a politician or specific group politicians says government is a problem , what they mean is that if they are elected ,government will be a problem. And there the country goes. The US will continue on that ride if the Trump Repugnicans will win the election.
☝️ ☝️ ☝️ ☝️ ☝️ ☝️
“Keeping an open mind is a virtue—but, as the space engineer James Oberg once said, not so open that your brains fall out.” Sagan, ‘The Demon Haunted World’.
They’re baaaaccckkkkk…Trombitas TrumpPence just doling out bs in the early 21st. Slathered on like hot fat on bread. In broad swipes they’ve excavated their supporters’ minds. First the excavation then comes the ‘love’. The love of stupidity, demonology, conspiracy and of course lying which wraps up the bs nicely for empty minds to be ready made for ‘belief’. That’s the truth 😎
If Sagan was around hunting for Trumpian intelligent life here his head and neck would ache so much from looking at floors with the remains of certain brains that have left their casings.
“The question is of course why are (so many) people in denial?”
Not just Fidesz but govts generally are beginning to seriously panic about the economic effects of what has already transpired since March/April.
A second lockdown could quite easily lead to a complete economic meltdown and maybe, just maybe this (indirect) public denial of risk is an attempt to preempt this.
“Don’t work from home” as Captn Pugwash Pete told his minions at the For Min because he knows if everybody works from home the small business sector which services the larger businesses and public sector will quickly collapse.
Fidesz needs the under 60s back at work and their workplaces so if that age group is underestimating or ignoring the risk, good news.
If the oldtimers are keeping out of danger that is an extra bonus but not as important for Orban- after all he can always blame Soros or Afghan migrants if they start dropping like flies.
I don’t know why citizens deny reality but I have seen a few thoughts about it …
https://twitter.com/tomtomorrow/status/1299205856517652481
Yes, there is something in that, we need to pretend that everything is all right then it will be all right. If we pretend we are “strong”, we are “strong” and don’t get ill. Contemplating reality (its economic etc. consequences) is just to unbearable.
It’s a bit like this phenomenon in the cartoons, in the Roadrunner Show (Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner), the coyote runs over the cliff of Grand Canyon but miraculously stays in the air, only in the moment the coyote looks down and realizes that it is still in the air, falls the coyote immediately down. I think people feel that we are already in the air and we don’t want to look down for fear of falling down.
Well, FIDESZ takes COVID 19 serious, how dare you to tell they wouldn’t? Since all the bad comes from abroad FIDESZ will keep the bad foreigners out and closes the borders completely again. End of sarcasm.
Maybe they should have closed the borders before those Covid bearers came back from Croatia? 🙂 🙂
Mass spreaders anyone?
No problem that people coming from high risk countries or regions are kept out, tested or need to stay 14 days quarantined. That makes sense. But while Hungary is developing worse than any other EU country (based on official numbers) ALL foreigners and ALL travellers are the problem? Distraction from the problems at home as usual. At this moment it seems to be most dangerous to go to FIDESZ events (there you find the mass spreaders), but the regime wouldn’t work against that with any effort as it is not against foreigners. Of course you can’t forbid the elite to go sailing on the Adria during the political summber break, so Croatia remains “save” until Monday.
Herd immunity
Over one week ago the UK (hardly the model of competence and efficiency during this pandemic) put Croatia on its quarantine list; Germany put areas of Croatia on its warning list 20th Aug. Thursday this week (27th) Croatia recorded its highest day of infection. Yet Fat Vik over one week ago (21st Aug) announced to the sheep that 1st September, would be the cut-off date for Hungarians holidaying abroad. I couldn’t understand it at the time. If it was high risk for Brits and Germans over 2 weeks earlier then unless the Hungarians were being injected with immunity at the border , it was also high risk for them. I understand now the potentially catastrophic delay; Fat Vik and legions of the good ole boys were down there and by golly, virus or no virus were they going to make sure their extensive and wobbly bellies were suitably browned before going back to warn the plebs of their responsibilities to keep the foreign virus out. Of course, one can only wish the various Fidesz dignitaries who have caught CV19 the speediest of recoveries but even so, one can see a poetic justice in half the regime being taken down with… Read more »
One other point…., whose clever idea was it to have a party where so many of the regime’s top capos were present? There is a very good reason why the top football teams travel in two planes when flying to European away matches.
Perhaps you didn’t know: Hungarians only can get the virus when travelling abroad and foreigners can bring it in. Good Hungarians who don’t leave the country and have no contact to those bad foreigners will remain healthy.
Yeah, when will the book with OV’s “Corona Fairytales”* be published?
*understatement for fake news and other lies…
Don’t know. But when I went to the village shop this morning for fresh bread someone told that he was very happy with the borders closed, so nobody needs to worry about corona. That man was wearing a mask – under his chin. Said him that he would do his very best to give the virus a chance to spread just by the way he was wearing his mask. But I am an idiot, because on tv has been said….
Fat dictator’s fairytales don’t sell as a book, but as tv show!
and what about this [old] news from Friday Aug.14:
Record number of infected in Austria, many took the virus home from Croatia
source: https://444.hu/2020/08/14/rekordszamu-fertozott-ausztriaban-sokan-horvatorszagbol-vittek-haza-a-virust [through “public” MTI!]
Because of that the Austrian government issued on Monday Aug.17 a travel warning to Croatia.
source: https://orf.at/stories/3177708/
OV and ‘is pandemic team stated months ago that they observe most of all Austria, as a kind of a laboratory for their policies in the handling of the Corona virus.
Well, as usual for OV&Co, they need a long [holiday] time to understand the findings of “their” laboratory and take action themselves against their own [holiday] interests…
Falus Ferenc: A vezetőink a példamutatásban úgy jártak elöl, hogy nem mutattak példát
https://444.hu/2020/08/28/falus-ferenc-a-vezetoink-a-peldamutatasban-ugy-jartak-elo-hogy-nem-mutattak-peldat
There are guys in the West who still believe that Orban has done something well. The only thing Orban can do is blackmail. Sustainable sectors such as education and health care have been reduced to a minimum and the art scene has been disgusted out of Hungary, which is part of the Hungarian tradition if you look at history. The inability to do anything sensible seems to be concreted in the granite heads where no grey mass can thrive. Stupidity is the highest goal, the beam points steeply up downwards.
The government boasted about ventilator purchases, yet Hungary made the worst deals across the EU https://www.direkt36.hu/en/a-kormany-dicsekedett-a-lelegeztetogepek-vasarlasaval-megis-ok-kotottek-a-legrosszabb-uzletet-kinaval-az-egesz-eu-bol/
Don, I am not that sure that it was the worst deal within the EU, it might have been the best deal ever. The entire construction looks like someone earned very well in the background. It will be impossible to know who is the beneficial owner of all the involved companies. It looks way too much as things are done here in Hungary when the EU finances a street for example. So it might be that some oligarch just did the best deal ever. Don’t forget that our money needs to be distributed to those who deserve it. That’s Orbánistan.
István I can remember the pictures with the cargo from China. Strange imprints with the reference who is allowed to open the cargo. Maybe there were only stones inside or PS3 game computers … who knows. But according to information the Hungarian government is the stupidest in the world or the most mendacious. The fact that they stole it is surely known worldwide.
And if only well wrapped bricks would have been in the boxes. Yes, our mafia is stupid, no doubt about that, but they have the power to hide everything. Or do you think that anybody will be allowed just to count the ventilators? Orbán just needs to shout “national security”. I am pretty sure everybody wil be able to see where the Budapest – Belgrade railway is and even able to use it. But how much Pénztáros will get for the worst possible, hardly working railway is a “national secret” (just as an example).
István I don’t like it either but there are idiots who pretend to be reasonable and choose Trump or Orban and complain bitterly. Without relativization not you … only in the USA it is reported about, it looks like there is no difference because of information or not.
OT if someone wants to know why Trump stands for police brutality then read how to make money. https://acrecampaigns.org/research_post/police-brutality-bonds/
With so many in and around OV’s government and think tanks infected and/or in quarantine, other OV faithfuls will have to make serious extra hours at the “public” media, as otherwise the “public” screens and loudspeakers would have to go silent for some hours daily.
PS: giving any “public” media time to somebody with a different opinion than myghti lidur OV seems still forbidden in OV’s instructions!
OT.
Filmmaker Michael Moore (who, despite the polls, predicted that Trump was going to win) says enthusiasm for president in swing states is ‘off the charts’ and that Donald Trump is on course to repeat 2016 win.
Hopehe’s wrong but last time he was correct,he just has a lot of on the ground contacts among the white working class.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/29/michael-moore-donald-trump-repeat-2016-warning
You must be madly searching for any Tom, Dick, and Harry who predicts a Trump victory. But this is not what Nat Silver has to say:
https://fivethirtyeight.com/
To be a bit anxious is good against complecency. As I said, I support Biden and hope he wins. But Moore with his successful documentaries should no be dismissed as he’s quite an “expert” on the white working class and the American psyche. Let’s not forget that Ohio (the quintessential bell wheather state, not simply a battle ground state) is as of today by Nate Silver slightly favoured to be carried by Trump. (Though Florida is leaning towards Biden which is good). Barr at the DOJ can also present some surprises for the elections.
Micheal Moor’s message is:
“Don’t leave it to the Democrats to get rid of Trump. YOU have to get rid of Trump. WE have to wake up every day for the next 67 days and make sure each of us are going to get a hundred people out to vote. ACT NOW!”
Yes, do your part amd don’t moan or bitch, that’s how you win.
Moore is from Michigan. In Michigan Trump gained 4 points in week and is now ahead of Biden (this time Hillary was ahead of Trump). The R senate candidate is also ahead of the Democratic one. https://twitter.com/Politics_Polls/status/1299354632867778563 Moore wrote this on FB: “Someone needs to pull the political fire alarm NOW. Where are the stories about Trump gaining on Biden? Here is a Trafalgar poll from Friday in Michigan. The previous week Trump had pulled within 4 points of Biden. Now, in this poll, Trump is AHEAD of Biden in Michigan, 47%-45%. Yet so many Dems are convinced Trump will lose. DANGER! Also, check this out from Real Clear Politics — during the same week near the end of August, but 4 years apart: In 2016, Hillary was way ahead of Trump. But this past week, in some swing states, Biden’s lead is LESS than what Hillary’s was. You can’t blame this one on the PO or Russia. This is on the candidate & the party. We are risking a tragedy of major proportions. The Biden campaign must commit to changes that will inspire and bring out young people, Black and Latino voters and women. Trump’s base is loyal, hateful,… Read more »