> But my feeling is that there will be a few mistakes, similar to the
> appointment of the media chiefs, in between. Eva Balogh
The last thing I heard (two days ago) was that the new chiefs are just as
stupid as the previous ones, and that a lot of people now try to even the
score, "in true Babiczky spirit"*. How sad.

Andra1s Kornai

*For those who didn't follow the previous rounds of the media war in detail,
Babiczky was one of the more remarkably stupid, agressive, power-hungry, and
vengeful characters. She is gone now, but her spirit lives on in her opponents.

Istvan Kertesz writes:
> (Deak Istvan. 'Post-Post-Communist Hungary' _The New York Review of
Books_
> Aug 11, 1994, p. 33-38.)

The essay is in fact good.

> The rest of you can continue with your biased, semi-informed Horn and
media
> bashing.

> Istvan Kertesz
Why is it that your bias is better than other's bias?
I think in the future I will start my postings that it is being done in
spite of all who disagree with it and therefore are biased, semi-informed
and are "bashers". It is so convenient to bash any potential opposition
right at the beginning, that should put them on the defensive right away
and forget about the issue.
But of course "all those who are not with us are against us" or did that
have to be changed later also?
Jeliko.

>Most Jackson fans don't have the foggiest where Hungary is or about her
>struggle under the yoke of Communism.  This may be the only way to
>get to those kids and inform them about it.

Joe--Do you really think that any American kid so ill-informed (and that's
a lot of them, I'm sure) about the history of the last 50 years will be
enlightened by  watching Michael Jackson chase Soviet troops out of
Budapest?  Sorry, I'm still appalled by the whole thing.


Charles Atherton

Charles:

> Joe--Do you really think that any American kid so ill-informed (and that's
> a lot of them, I'm sure) about the history of the last 50 years will be
> enlightened by  watching Michael Jackson chase Soviet troops out of
> Budapest?

Well, I look at it this way:  it's either they know nothing at all about
the subject, or at least get some inkling of it from the Jackson video.
So yes, I think they are that ill-informed.  But then, how much do
Hungarian kids know about -- say -- Paraguy's history?

> Sorry, I'm still appalled by the whole thing.

Ah, it's not worth it.

Joe

>
  But then, how much do
>Hungarian kids know about -- say -- Paraguy's history?
>
--Well, sure, but the history of Hungary is a lot more important in
the development of civilization (whatever that is) than the history
of Paraguay.  There are American kids dumb enough to believe that
Michael Jackson actually drove the Soviets out!  Happens I was in
Budapest just before the Soviets left.  I didn't see Michael anywhere.

>> Sorry, I'm still appalled by the whole thing.
>
>Ah, it's not worth it.
>
--Aw, let me be appalled.  It doesn't cost anything!

Charles

Charles:

> --Well, sure, but the history of Hungary is a lot more important in
> the development of civilization (whatever that is) than the history
> of Paraguay.

Ugh!  I'm glad it wasn't a Hungarian who said it!
He could be crucified for such display of chauvinism.

> There are American kids dumb enough to believe that
> Michael Jackson actually drove the Soviets out!

I think there will be.

> Happens I was in
> Budapest just before the Soviets left.  I didn't see Michael anywhere.

Maybe he was there in disguise.  No fedora, etc.

> --Aw, let me be appalled.  It doesn't cost anything!

OK, it's a deal!

Joe

>
>> --Well, sure, but the history of Hungary is a lot more important in
>> the development of civilization (whatever that is) than the history
>> of Paraguay.
>
>Ugh!  I'm glad it wasn't a Hungarian who said it!
>He could be crucified for such display of chauvinism.
>

I don't mean to sound maudlin about it, but for a small country,
Hungary has had quite an impact on the world.  First off, the 1956
uprising struck a lot of people as an extremely gutsy move that
bigger countries were afraid of trying.  O.K., it was put down.
But it stood out as an example of courage that impressed the
world.  Second, look at Hungarian music.  Liszt, Bartok Bela,
and I guy I can't think of because of the gin.  And the food.
I said once that Hungarians are magic.  What I meant was that
virtually every Hungarian I have ever known was an interesting
person.  Not all of them were nice, but all were interesting.  There's
just something special about Hungarians!  The culture is extremely
complex and sophisticated.  Hungarians I have known were all cynical.
I consider that a plus.  I'm sorry to natter on.  It's the gin.

Charles

You probably meant Kodaly, but let's add Lygeti as well.  In terms
of performers, the list is just too numerous (Eva Marton, Slyvia
Sass in the vocal area)!
VTY,
W. J. Drummond