Here is a release from the Hungarian News Agency translated into English: QUOTE President Bush marks Hungary's national day Washington, March 16 (MTI) - United States President George Bush attended a celebration of Hungary's national day, the 158th anniversary of the 1848 revolution, at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, saying Hungary's example demonstrated the universality of man's desire for freedom. The president said he attended the celebration to pay his respects to a strong ally and a good friend. "The Hungarian example is an example of patience. And an example of the fact that freedom exists in everybody's soul. It is an example that tyranny can never stamp out the desire to be free," the president said in a brief speech. The commemoration was organised by the Congress and the Hungarian Embassy to pay tribute to Hungary's contribution to the causes of freedom and democracy both in 1848/49 and during the 1956 uprising against Soviet dominance and communist rule. UNQUOTE NOTE THE COMMENORATION WAS ORGANIZED ... TO PAY TRIBUTE ...BOTH IN 1848/1849 AND DURING THE 1956 UPRISING Check it out at _http://english.mti.hu/default.asp?menu=1&theme=2&cat=25&newsid=216821_ (http://english.mti.hu/default.asp?menu=1&theme=2&cat=25&newsid=216821) It appears the Hungarian press has no problem with his statement. Look before you leap may be a good suggestion here! Jerry
Being a very old, retired homicide copper, I tend to go to the source, so I spoke with a cultural attache at the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, DC. I specifically noted the Prez's remarks to him and asked for comment. Reply was that the occasion was to celebrate Hungarian National Day as noted by Jerry and reaching all the way back to 1858, generally noted as a "bloodless revolution" - it was not), incorporating 1956 (a stunning near-achievement of courage and determination) and 1989. The cultural attache of Hungary to the US advised he loved the remarks of the Prez of the US and let us not forget, he actually visited our land of origin. Aside to Jerry - I frequently look before I leap, the men and women of '56 didn't and damned if you can't admire them. Long and short - The US Prez has a couple of things on his plate ranging from space exploration to illegal immigration to Katrina to gas prices to employment figures to debt to a couple of wars. And, of course, being invited to Hungarian National Day celebs at the US Capitol. I suspect if he were in office when Eisenhower was, he would have dropped the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions into Hungary when they tossed the Soviets out in '56 for a week. As a boy, I remember listening to the radio broadcasts of a Hungarian patriot begging over the radio, "Please send help." as tank shells crashed around him. Just a guess, but the Prez does love democracy. But then, don't we all. The Bear, aka Joe Charlottesville, VA - USA JOSEPH N. SOOS, SR. REMEMBER - September 11, 2001 ----- Original Message ---- From: JJasper381@aol.com To: HUNGARY-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 5:39:48 PM Subject: [HUNGARY-L] Bush on the Revolution Here is a release from the Hungarian News Agency translated into English: QUOTE President Bush marks Hungary's national day Washington, March 16 (MTI) - United States President George Bush attended a celebration of Hungary's national day, the 158th anniversary of the 1848 revolution, at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, saying Hungary's example demonstrated the universality of man's desire for freedom. The president said he attended the celebration to pay his respects to a strong ally and a good friend. "The Hungarian example is an example of patience. And an example of the fact that freedom exists in everybody's soul. It is an example that tyranny can never stamp out the desire to be free," the president said in a brief speech. The commemoration was organised by the Congress and the Hungarian Embassy to pay tribute to Hungary's contribution to the causes of freedom and democracy both in 1848/49 and during the 1956 uprising against Soviet dominance and communist rule. UNQUOTE NOTE THE COMMENORATION WAS ORGANIZED ... TO PAY TRIBUTE ...BOTH IN 1848/1849 AND DURING THE 1956 UPRISING Check it out at _http://english.mti.hu/default.asp?menu=1&theme=2&cat=25&newsid=216821_ (http://english.mti.hu/default.asp?menu=1&theme=2&cat=25&newsid=216821) It appears the Hungarian press has no problem with his statement. Look before you leap may be a good suggestion here! Jerry