"No change in German policies"

Of course there will not be any changes.
(Kosova-USA, 28 September 2009 13:12)

You know, I am always suspicious if someone has to stand up and declare "there will be no changes".

You left Kosovo 1974 for USA and returned only recently. You probably never experienced (and not in YU or USA) than some communist fat cat will declare on TV that, say, "there won't be price increase". Usually as it happened, people run next day to shop everything they could.

As for Merkel - she did an excellent job in her fairly high position at FDJ ( = German Communist Youth) as responsible for propaganda. On one occasion she is even demanded more STASI presence / surveillance.

"Merkel war während ihrer Zeit an der Akademie in der FDJ als Kreisleitungsmitglied und Sekretärin für Agitation und Propaganda tätig" (see Wiki).

One of her "gems" is:

"Eigentlich läuft alles ganz prima, aber trotzdem brauchen wir mehr Überwachung"

(Rough translation: 'actually everything is okay, but we still need more STASI surveillance')

Now with that background I am really suspicious, is the soon-coming change for worse or for better? Because she lived way to long under the system as we know it and it was NOT the same system like in YU. It resembled it to a large degree, but YU was capitalist heaven for us.

Overall, a very interesting election, which will have a bad impact especially for Russia, Serbia and Turkey.

Cheers
(Berkeley, 28 September 2009 17:45)

I disagree regarding Russia because just look at Merkel's bio and you will see. She is the type who is fine with her former comrades turned oligarhs, they eat from the same bowl, all they may disagree how much personal space they need while doing it. I am not to worried, they will agree fine.

The countries of ex-YU (all of them) + Albania + Turkey is probably an other case. Old habits die hard and FDJ was politically well-trained how to address any threat from left (Enver Hoxha) and from right (Tito). And of course Turkey is not hugely popular anyway.

In any case, Russian oligarhs can sleep well, just in case if you are worried about their well-being.

"As for Merkel - she did an excellent job in her fairly high position at FDJ ( = German Communist Youth) as responsible for propaganda. On one occasion she is even demanded more STASI presence / surveillance.

"Merkel war während ihrer Zeit an der Akademie in der FDJ als Kreisleitungsmitglied und Sekretärin für Agitation und Propaganda tätig" (see Wiki).

Ataman,

Thanks for this info. I am surprised that as a "Pfarer"'s (priest) doughter she was able to advance in the FDJ's hierarchy as much. In Hungary children of Greak-Catholic priests most of the time had a very hard time even to get accepted in high schools and KISZ (communist youth). Without KISZ membership there was practically no chance to be accepted in a university.

Of course there will not be any changes.

I think that some forgot the new partner of Merkel, the liberals (FDP), including his leader Westerwelle. Many of this party demanded a harder line against Russia and other states famous for huge human rights abuses. Moreover, the FDP is even more pro-USA then the Merkel's party. They will also support closer ties with Washington, especially under the Obama administration.
And, Westerwelle is a homosexuell, what will make this issue also interesting for states which give in right extremists and clerical warmongers, who openly threat to murder people with that sexual orientation.

Overall, a very interesting election, which will have a bad impact especially for Russia, Serbia and Turkey.

Cheers

Overall, a very interesting election, which will have a bad impact especially for Russia, Serbia and Turkey.

Cheers
(Berkeley, 28 September 2009 17:45)

And mainly for Germany.That country has already been heavily affected by political correctness and all the negative side effects.Expect some extra decline.



Without KISZ membership there was practically no chance to be accepted in a university.
(Joe, 28 September 2009 15:56)

Depanded on the faculty and department but regarding some fashonable ones(administration,economics,law) it was true.Otherwise perhaps I was the only elected Kisz secretary without KISz membership at least for a short time.It happened that during our first year at secondary grammar school I was playing chess with my friend Attilla during Osztályfönõki lesson(form master's lesson) and in the end looked up on the blackboard and saw that there were many little lines behind my name and it turned out that my classmate elected me as Kisz secratery of our class.I informed everyone the only snag is that I am not a KISZ member and my form teacher tried to pursuede me to become one arguing among the others that it was the only way to become a university student later.In my response I told her that I belive in my god given talent and by no way would I become komcsi(commie) just to be admiited at university.3 years later I finished among 10 best in a National Math contest which granted me an automatic admission to higher education.
AS to Frau Merkel.Had she run a campaign in Hungary a good slogan could have been "Merkel, vezetõnek ez a csaj kell"(meaning:this woman is needed for leader.Unfortunatelly has rhyme only in hungarian)

Thanks for this info. I am surprised that as a "Pfarer"'s (priest) doughter she was able to advance in the FDJ's hierarchy as much. In Hungary children of Greak-Catholic priests most of the time had a very hard time even to get accepted in high schools and KISZ (communist youth). Without KISZ membership there was practically no chance to be accepted in a university.
(Joe, 28 September 2009 15:56)

Me, too. I was very surprised to learn it fairly recently. Lately they (in Germany) did their best to "polish" her image. No doubt, she is VERY smart, but as we see, not just did swim with the stream but was actively steering the ship. And it's a difference.

As for KISZ / FDJ/ Komsomol / etc. - there was a standard way out. Like "forgetting" to pay membership fees, skipping all meetings due some mysterious flu or sick stomach. People had understanding for that and of course everyone here who was affected did precisely that.

Active participating did mean, someone has serious leadership ambitions. This certainly can't be denied to A.M.

Regarding Hungary I have to disagree with you on one area: the politically "not-so-reliable" had no issues to chose a scientific carrier, in particular math or theoretical physics or astronomy. Here party had very little to say, all they acknowledged that whoever decides to study some Group Theory or Moon's craters and is satisfied with 2800 Ft salary ($100 of 1983) - is probably a nut case and it's the best way to make sons/daughters of Greek Catholic priests or other religious leaders shut up. Workers made about two-three times of that.

Once it would be about more exposed and profitable professions like lawyers, doctors, etc - there you are absolutely right.

This was a selective democracy: as long as you agree not to threaten their position, they won't threaten yours. The problem is, the limbo was very low. For instance, installing a printer to print large amount of code at or around October 23 was considered a hostile act. They had and still have a very special way of thinking. Unfortunately they are the ones who ultimately benefited from the 'change' of political system the most.

Apropos, 2800 Ft. The salaries of scientific workers and teachers in Hungary are still the most pathetic in the entire region. With the adjustment for $ inflation, if the salary in 1983 was $100 (1983 Dollars), than todays' net salary of $300-$400 of 2009 "Dollarettes" is actually LESS.

I wrote earlier, we acknowledged it with my wife with a hysteric laugh. We regard it as a free training course in my wife's curriculum, not as an income. But for some people it's a real income! The food vauchers (an extra $60 tax free) are the most "hilarious" part of it. :-(

On the other hand, the authorities wanted us to pay about $40000 (no mistake, that is forty thousand US) to re-register the cars in Hungary. It's why I am still driving with US plates and using US passport - and will do so. And one does wonder, why barely anyone ever wants to go back.

"On the other hand, the authorities wanted us to pay about $40000 (no mistake, that is forty thousand US) to re-register the cars in Hungary".

Yes, Ataman I heard something similar from a Hungarian couple, who repatriated to Hungary (in practical term only the old hunband, who as a widow married an almost 30 year younger lady). They saved a tremendous amount of money on a new SUV and other things (no custom duties for returnees...up to 2 containers, etc).
I played with the idea of sending a lot of used literary and other valuables books to Hungary to my house in Hungary along perhaps with rugs, paintings and glassware but as a US citizen...not as a returnee. Unfortunately I heard about horror stories of Hungarian Customs published by the US Embassy in Budapest.
"To make money" the H. Customs can charge exorbitant amounts even for used personal items.
I am just wondering if it is possible to contact them and find out how much "they charge" for example for used English books. Within the EU there has to be some limit for member states.

Joe,
To my best knowlage:
Vámmentes többek között:- Az ellenszolgáltatás nélkül érkezõ könyv, folyóirat, zenemû,(some customs free items including books)
In case of very old rare books they can be categorized as antics and fall under diferent treatment.AS to phoning hungarian customs usually they themselves do not know the rules.I have also very bad experience with them.Well I have a friend who made a fortune by representing people in the court against customs office before the age of EU.There are some many unclear and contradicting rules.

Joe,

the usually overlooked problem is not the customs, but the price of the license plates. The "returnees" do not need to pay duty or VAT - but they have to pay (like everyone else who is buying a car) for the "registration fee" (nicknamed as "regadó" - you can google on the word "regadó" and see what a horrible thing it is). Basically, this is the price of the license plates - and it can be as high as the car's price.

It was introduced only lately. For instance if you are German and are married to a Hungarian - despite that it's EU, in the theory you still need pay the same horrible amount to Hungarian State for your own car you already own in Germany - if you move!

That "regadó" very cleverly prevents anyone from abroad to move to Hungary permanently (if they are concerned with the law) - or to make them break the law.

We broke that law imposed by CRIMINALS without hesitation. The only problem is the yearly pain in the a**s with the insurance, it's tough to find a company which would insure cars with US plates locally and of course the criminals in the government do their best to make it as tough as possible.

I am thinking to register the cars ultimately in Slovakia, Serbia/KS or somewhat like that. The cars are great and I refuse to buy some small and unsafe cr@p which is not just worse and smaller, but less safer, too.

I am just wondering if it is possible to contact them and find out how much "they charge" for example for used English books. Within the EU there has to be some limit for member states.
(Joe, 28 September 2009 20:37)

With the books there shouldn't be a problem (hopefully!). I am going to receive three books I need to work (to be true to my 'nick' one is about (S)ATA, the other is about SAS, the third is about UEFI). In any case I will report how is it going.

I think that some forgot the new partner of Merkel, the liberals (FDP), including his leader Westerwelle. Many of this party demanded a harder line against Russia and other states famous for huge human rights abuses. Moreover, the FDP is even more pro-USA then the Merkel's party. They will also support closer ties with Washington, especially under the Obama administration.
And, Westerwelle is a homosexuell, what will make this issue also interesting for states which give in right extremists and clerical warmongers, who openly threat to murder people with that sexual orientation.

Overall, a very interesting election, which will have a bad impact especially for Russia, Serbia and Turkey.

Cheers

Of course there will not be any changes.

"As for Merkel - she did an excellent job in her fairly high position at FDJ ( = German Communist Youth) as responsible for propaganda. On one occasion she is even demanded more STASI presence / surveillance.

"Merkel war während ihrer Zeit an der Akademie in der FDJ als Kreisleitungsmitglied und Sekretärin für Agitation und Propaganda tätig" (see Wiki).

Ataman,

Thanks for this info. I am surprised that as a "Pfarer"'s (priest) doughter she was able to advance in the FDJ's hierarchy as much. In Hungary children of Greak-Catholic priests most of the time had a very hard time even to get accepted in high schools and KISZ (communist youth). Without KISZ membership there was practically no chance to be accepted in a university.

Of course there will not be any changes.
(Kosova-USA, 28 September 2009 13:12)

You know, I am always suspicious if someone has to stand up and declare "there will be no changes".

You left Kosovo 1974 for USA and returned only recently. You probably never experienced (and not in YU or USA) than some communist fat cat will declare on TV that, say, "there won't be price increase". Usually as it happened, people run next day to shop everything they could.

As for Merkel - she did an excellent job in her fairly high position at FDJ ( = German Communist Youth) as responsible for propaganda. On one occasion she is even demanded more STASI presence / surveillance.

"Merkel war während ihrer Zeit an der Akademie in der FDJ als Kreisleitungsmitglied und Sekretärin für Agitation und Propaganda tätig" (see Wiki).

One of her "gems" is:

"Eigentlich läuft alles ganz prima, aber trotzdem brauchen wir mehr Überwachung"

(Rough translation: 'actually everything is okay, but we still need more STASI surveillance')

Now with that background I am really suspicious, is the soon-coming change for worse or for better? Because she lived way to long under the system as we know it and it was NOT the same system like in YU. It resembled it to a large degree, but YU was capitalist heaven for us.

Overall, a very interesting election, which will have a bad impact especially for Russia, Serbia and Turkey.

Cheers
(Berkeley, 28 September 2009 17:45)

And mainly for Germany.That country has already been heavily affected by political correctness and all the negative side effects.Expect some extra decline.



Without KISZ membership there was practically no chance to be accepted in a university.
(Joe, 28 September 2009 15:56)

Depanded on the faculty and department but regarding some fashonable ones(administration,economics,law) it was true.Otherwise perhaps I was the only elected Kisz secretary without KISz membership at least for a short time.It happened that during our first year at secondary grammar school I was playing chess with my friend Attilla during Osztályfönõki lesson(form master's lesson) and in the end looked up on the blackboard and saw that there were many little lines behind my name and it turned out that my classmate elected me as Kisz secratery of our class.I informed everyone the only snag is that I am not a KISZ member and my form teacher tried to pursuede me to become one arguing among the others that it was the only way to become a university student later.In my response I told her that I belive in my god given talent and by no way would I become komcsi(commie) just to be admiited at university.3 years later I finished among 10 best in a National Math contest which granted me an automatic admission to higher education.
AS to Frau Merkel.Had she run a campaign in Hungary a good slogan could have been "Merkel, vezetõnek ez a csaj kell"(meaning:this woman is needed for leader.Unfortunatelly has rhyme only in hungarian)

Thanks for this info. I am surprised that as a "Pfarer"'s (priest) doughter she was able to advance in the FDJ's hierarchy as much. In Hungary children of Greak-Catholic priests most of the time had a very hard time even to get accepted in high schools and KISZ (communist youth). Without KISZ membership there was practically no chance to be accepted in a university.
(Joe, 28 September 2009 15:56)

Me, too. I was very surprised to learn it fairly recently. Lately they (in Germany) did their best to "polish" her image. No doubt, she is VERY smart, but as we see, not just did swim with the stream but was actively steering the ship. And it's a difference.

As for KISZ / FDJ/ Komsomol / etc. - there was a standard way out. Like "forgetting" to pay membership fees, skipping all meetings due some mysterious flu or sick stomach. People had understanding for that and of course everyone here who was affected did precisely that.

Active participating did mean, someone has serious leadership ambitions. This certainly can't be denied to A.M.

Regarding Hungary I have to disagree with you on one area: the politically "not-so-reliable" had no issues to chose a scientific carrier, in particular math or theoretical physics or astronomy. Here party had very little to say, all they acknowledged that whoever decides to study some Group Theory or Moon's craters and is satisfied with 2800 Ft salary ($100 of 1983) - is probably a nut case and it's the best way to make sons/daughters of Greek Catholic priests or other religious leaders shut up. Workers made about two-three times of that.

Once it would be about more exposed and profitable professions like lawyers, doctors, etc - there you are absolutely right.

This was a selective democracy: as long as you agree not to threaten their position, they won't threaten yours. The problem is, the limbo was very low. For instance, installing a printer to print large amount of code at or around October 23 was considered a hostile act. They had and still have a very special way of thinking. Unfortunately they are the ones who ultimately benefited from the 'change' of political system the most.

Apropos, 2800 Ft. The salaries of scientific workers and teachers in Hungary are still the most pathetic in the entire region. With the adjustment for $ inflation, if the salary in 1983 was $100 (1983 Dollars), than todays' net salary of $300-$400 of 2009 "Dollarettes" is actually LESS.

I wrote earlier, we acknowledged it with my wife with a hysteric laugh. We regard it as a free training course in my wife's curriculum, not as an income. But for some people it's a real income! The food vauchers (an extra $60 tax free) are the most "hilarious" part of it. :-(

On the other hand, the authorities wanted us to pay about $40000 (no mistake, that is forty thousand US) to re-register the cars in Hungary. It's why I am still driving with US plates and using US passport - and will do so. And one does wonder, why barely anyone ever wants to go back.

Overall, a very interesting election, which will have a bad impact especially for Russia, Serbia and Turkey.

Cheers
(Berkeley, 28 September 2009 17:45)

I disagree regarding Russia because just look at Merkel's bio and you will see. She is the type who is fine with her former comrades turned oligarhs, they eat from the same bowl, all they may disagree how much personal space they need while doing it. I am not to worried, they will agree fine.

The countries of ex-YU (all of them) + Albania + Turkey is probably an other case. Old habits die hard and FDJ was politically well-trained how to address any threat from left (Enver Hoxha) and from right (Tito). And of course Turkey is not hugely popular anyway.

In any case, Russian oligarhs can sleep well, just in case if you are worried about their well-being.

"On the other hand, the authorities wanted us to pay about $40000 (no mistake, that is forty thousand US) to re-register the cars in Hungary".

Yes, Ataman I heard something similar from a Hungarian couple, who repatriated to Hungary (in practical term only the old hunband, who as a widow married an almost 30 year younger lady). They saved a tremendous amount of money on a new SUV and other things (no custom duties for returnees...up to 2 containers, etc).
I played with the idea of sending a lot of used literary and other valuables books to Hungary to my house in Hungary along perhaps with rugs, paintings and glassware but as a US citizen...not as a returnee. Unfortunately I heard about horror stories of Hungarian Customs published by the US Embassy in Budapest.
"To make money" the H. Customs can charge exorbitant amounts even for used personal items.
I am just wondering if it is possible to contact them and find out how much "they charge" for example for used English books. Within the EU there has to be some limit for member states.

Joe,
To my best knowlage:
Vámmentes többek között:- Az ellenszolgáltatás nélkül érkezõ könyv, folyóirat, zenemû,(some customs free items including books)
In case of very old rare books they can be categorized as antics and fall under diferent treatment.AS to phoning hungarian customs usually they themselves do not know the rules.I have also very bad experience with them.Well I have a friend who made a fortune by representing people in the court against customs office before the age of EU.There are some many unclear and contradicting rules.

Joe,

the usually overlooked problem is not the customs, but the price of the license plates. The "returnees" do not need to pay duty or VAT - but they have to pay (like everyone else who is buying a car) for the "registration fee" (nicknamed as "regadó" - you can google on the word "regadó" and see what a horrible thing it is). Basically, this is the price of the license plates - and it can be as high as the car's price.

It was introduced only lately. For instance if you are German and are married to a Hungarian - despite that it's EU, in the theory you still need pay the same horrible amount to Hungarian State for your own car you already own in Germany - if you move!

That "regadó" very cleverly prevents anyone from abroad to move to Hungary permanently (if they are concerned with the law) - or to make them break the law.

We broke that law imposed by CRIMINALS without hesitation. The only problem is the yearly pain in the a**s with the insurance, it's tough to find a company which would insure cars with US plates locally and of course the criminals in the government do their best to make it as tough as possible.

I am thinking to register the cars ultimately in Slovakia, Serbia/KS or somewhat like that. The cars are great and I refuse to buy some small and unsafe cr@p which is not just worse and smaller, but less safer, too.

I am just wondering if it is possible to contact them and find out how much "they charge" for example for used English books. Within the EU there has to be some limit for member states.
(Joe, 28 September 2009 20:37)

With the books there shouldn't be a problem (hopefully!). I am going to receive three books I need to work (to be true to my 'nick' one is about (S)ATA, the other is about SAS, the third is about UEFI). In any case I will report how is it going.