I certainly am a would-be opponent to the communists-turned-socialists, be that here in Romania or elsewhere. No, I don’t think enough old guard have been purged. Yes, I think most of the party members are literally dangerous.

We probably do disagree on a number of political opinions. I’m not incredibly well studied on Orban. Seems like he did a number of good things in the past back when Fidesz was winning international awards for Human Rights, but he’s apparently become increasingly unsavory over time with what I’ve understood to be antagonistic nationalism (probably as a cover for power and greed).

I very much dislike the idea that it’s either Gyurcsany or Orban. That’s the sort of trap Americans fall into. A false dichotomy of Kang or Kotos. Fortunately, Hungary has a recent history of some wild swings in political party favors, so the chance still exists for others to surprise everyone by stepping up as a seasonal contender.

As for me, I couldn’t be exactly sure, but my best guess it that I’d probably find myself most attracted to the espoused ideals of a group like SZDSZ (who, much to my chagrin, currently have a temporary alliance with their former archenemies MSZP).

I’d be very unlikely to support folks like MDF, KDNP, or any other organization who believed themselves to be legislating on behalf of a deity. HP looks kinda fun, but I can’t interpret what their actual planks are. The MIEP-Jobbik rats are the most dangerous I’m aware of.

I wouldn’t imagine that everything Fidesz stands for would be evil any more than I would think everything the non-communist communists now claim to stand for would be pure malarkey. Usually, no one party has a lock on Good(tm) and Truth(tm).

I suspect you and I have slightly different political opinions - everything I’ve read of and by Orban Viktor makes me think he’d be an appaling leader of Hungary - but we agree on people’s democratic right to express themselves. Those in 56 had no such rights and did it anyway, with th full knowledge of what could happen.

Each of them had family members heavily involved in Communist leadership positions. Each of them set out to pursue a political life for themselves and continue in their families’ tradition of oppressing their fellow man. (Here is where Nastase had a little more time to demonstrate his rise within the Party, by a function of his age. Although, it should be noted that Gyurcsany was on a remarkably similar path well past college as the nomenklatura groomed dictators by DNA.)

At the time of Soviet collapse, both men immediately resumed their then-current positions inside new “non-communist” organizations that were identical replacements for their communist forebearers.

Each man positions was the beneficiary of the senior, wise, and protective members of their extended Communist families who worked diligently to abscound with state assets — unchallenged — and fill their collective pockets in order to maintain the bourgeoise superiority they had enjoyed while pretending to be marxists.

Much wealth and power of these related persons (and even friends, in an unholy alliance) were channelled successfully into positioning their ‘favorite son’ into positions of powerseats of the new non-communist communist party euphemistically called socialists.

Each became Prime Minister of his respective country when the former-communists were elected by the people.

Each man has scandals involving corruption, lies, and secret recordings.

And it was for these reasons, among other minor details, that I find much similarity between them. They do have their differences, however. Ferenc seems to be better at pretending he’s market-friendly because he got more training in that area. Adrian is better at old school blustering and posturing tactics. Feri’s on his 3rd wife (this time, landing himself a true counterpart by contracting with a female version of his communist-family-spoiled self) where as ol’ Adri is supposed to be something of a dandy man.

Dorin - That’s precisely my initial reaction: Romanians are a bunch of dead fish when it comes to political outrage (or motivation) compared to the fighting spirit of the Hungarians.

Or take the Orange Revolution of Ukraine. At a moment where it looked like PSD had successfully stolen the election, there were almost no demonstrations against the perversion of democracy… certainly nothing significant.

So, yeah, I had the same basic reaction regarding supporting the spirit.

Bogdan - I think you have a point about being leery of far-right nationalists. to keep them from co-opting legitimate abhorrence of one’s corrupt masters into some kind of neo-nazi revival.

I would, however, find it eminently viable to cast this in nationalist terms! That spirit of ‘56 was most definitely nationalist in its appeal to throw out the commies. Bear in mind that nationalism when used as a rallying point against tyranny does not mean ascension of the PRM-type folks who also harbor nationalist slogans for their agenda.

The Fidesz leader seems to be acknowledging the righteous indignation (of the peaceful protesters) while shunning the violence (of persons who are not necessarily the radical hooligans the Socialists would very much like the world to immediately characterize them as being).

Apparently, tens of thousands of people were out protesting. Largely peacefully. I love to see it and I hope they continue. Gyurcsany will surely be governing on borrowed time.

As for dishonesty, there are lies and damn lies. I think one ought not accept treachery from the leadership one finds oneself living under just because evil exists to varying degrees elsewhere. No, instead, I think it perfectly just to draw one’s own ideas as to when the line has been crossed an react appropriately to purge out the bad government.

Otherwise, we’ll all talk ourselves back into communist dictatorship simply because China has it. And the UK has become a police state. And the US is right on the same path. And the French are unwilling to push out a corrupt man. And leaders everywhere lie, cheat, and steal, so why bother when we can just bend over and take it?

Since I get the impression that this recorded conversation is likely real, I should note that I think it’s great the communist liars apparently find themselves in a position where coming clean and making reforms are the right thing to do. However, that doesn’t mean I feel they should remain in power.

No. It’s more like, “thanks for finally seeing the light, bozo. You’ve had your chance. Now get out of the way and let’s get some non-commies in here. Don’t cry, you’re still fabulously wealthy.”

Cristi - An excellent point of view. Though armchair quarterbacking has its place in determining that outcome.

Also, those Hungarians must be really naive thinking that other politicians don’t lie… The lies are an intrinsic part of politics: from the US to the UK and from France to China, their leaders lie all the time!