I saw the
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol the other day. It was fantastic. The movie opened with a scene in
Budapest, Hungary. Coincidentally, I had just read an article about the disturbing state of politics in Hungary.
Articles: http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Hungary-s-hard-won-democracy-under-threat-2513040.php
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2103775,00.html?xid=gonewsedit
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| View of the Chain Bridge at night |
Watching the views of the Budapest in Mission Impossible reminded me how much I enjoyed the city when I was lucky enough to visit in 2006
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| Me in my faux fur, on the chain bridge, with my back to the Buda side of the city. |
I hope the current party that has control of the country does not return it to the isolated and inaccessible state it was in while under Communist control. However, the situation is not good and more Americans should be aware of what is happening.
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| Dan with the Chain Bridge behind him. |
The current government is controlled by conservative Prime Minister Obistan who has formed alliances with right wing groups that hold nationalistic ideologies that espouse antisemitism and hatred of Romas ("gypsys").
The new government is restricting free speech and has rewritten the country's constitution in such a way that EU officials and the United States believe make it impossible for change over next several generations.
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| A bundled up me in front of the Four Seasons Hotel as I stand at the entrance to the Chain Bridge. |
Secretary of State Clinton sent a letter to Prime Minister Orban expressing concern about the future of democracy in Hungary. European leaders have also shared their concern with Orban.
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| The view of the Chain Bridge from our Four Seasons hotel room looking out to old town Buda. |
His reaction has been combative and he has refused any suggestions to stop his apparent take over of Hungary's press and judiciary. The European Union is equally concerned that he is moving toward a take over of Hungary's Central Bank.
Not only would it be a horrible loss for the Hungarians if they have their rights taken from them, it would be a loss to the world to lose access to the country and Budapest, the "Pearl of the Danube".
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| Although the view from our room was spectacular, I thought the room decor was a bit too minimally decorated and modern for my personal taste. |
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| We enjoyed both lunch and dinner at the Cafe Pierrot in old town Buda. |
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| Dan having some Hungarian wine and waiting for dinner. |
The central market located on the Pest side is the city's largest food/groceries market.
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