>Given the outcry over alleged Russian interference in the last U.S. presidential election it's a wonder more people on Capitol Hill are not up in arms over efforts by the United States government to underwrite active measures to influence the outcome of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Hungary.
>There are people who don't like Orban, particularly for his refusal to follow the dictates emanating from Brussels and his refusal to allow unrestricted immigration into his country by those fleeing unrest in the Middle East even on what is supposed to be a temporary basis. He's a nationalist who believes borders matter, something that puts him on the same side of the issue as President Donald Trump.
>What it's also done is put him on the opposite side of George Soros, the 87-year-old Hungarian-born billionaire who advocates for open borders and other progressive notions backed up at least by the $18 billion in personal wealth he recently transferred to his network of Open Society organizations.
>Soros has his fans inside the U.S. government as well – which may be why on November 7 of last year the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor announced a $700,000 taxpayer-funded opportunity for those wishing to establish "objective media" in Hungary or, in simpler terms, to influence the outcome of the upcoming election.
>There are a few congressmen who have taken note. Led by Maryland Republican Rep. Andy Harris, they sent a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on January 11 both quoting from and asking him to cancel the notice of funding opportunity and departmental plans to spend American dollars "influencing regional media in Hungary to enhance 'objective reporting' on projects that should 'aim to have impact that leads to democratic reforms.'"
And here is a reply to the op ed: >It is strange to see a journalist criticizing efforts to ensure a free and independent press. But that's what Peter Roff did in his piece, "Why is the U.S. Interfering in Hungary's Election?" published Jan. 22. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has put Hungary on a dangerous path, threatening to spy on civil society organizations and impinging on the rule of law. He has threatened to shutter the Central European University and now wants to restrict independent reporting.
>These are not the signs of a healthy and functioning democracy. They are moves straight out of the authoritarian playbook. Now more than ever, the people of Hungary need the kind of government accountability independent reporting can provide.
>Orban has repeatedly distorted and demeaned the work of George Soros and the Open Society Foundations. Since beginning his philanthropic work in Hungary in 1984, Soros has contributed $400 million to improve the lives of its people – funding scholarships to travel and study abroad, and following the fall of Communism, supporting independent civic organizations and media groups.
>Orban studied under one of Soros' scholarships. But, today, he seeks to shore up his power by demonizing Soros in grotesque and anti-Semitic ways. He has branded the kind of freedoms provided under Western liberal democracies as "spiritual suicide." Perhaps Roff would benefit from taking a closer look at the true story unfolding under a regime increasingly hostile to democratic practice. While independent reporting is still allowed, that is.
>Laura Silber >Chief Communications Officer >Open Society Foundations
I voted for Trump. I'm also Hungarian by descent. Viktor Orban was the only western leader to endorse Trump and Trump has done nothing to halt the State Departmen'ts meddling on behalf of Soros.
Ian Miller
he will buy whatever he can.
Elijah Richardson
Any diehard Trumpfag care to explain why Trump is allowing his own State Department to undermine the reelection of one of his closest ideological counterparts at American taxpayer expense? He could easily stop this with a phonecall but he has allowed it to continue for months now.
Lucas Nelson
fucking diaspora
Camden Allen
The president doesn't know literally everything that goes on in the government.
Colton Brooks
It doesn't matter, Orbán will win by a landslide. The US State Department can go to hell.
Asher Adams
>There are a few congressmen who have taken note. Led by Maryland Republican Rep. Andy Harris, they sent a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on January 11 His Secretary of State was informed by Congressional members of his own party two weeks ago. Ron Paul even wrote a piece about this for his own website over 3 months ago. So why hasn’t Tillerson done anything about it. He could stop it in 30 seconds from a cellphone while taking a dump.
Dylan Williams
I don't know man maybe Tillerson has other shit going on that's more important than Hungary
Justin Clark
To undermine other democratically elected leaders, like Assad?
Daniel Cox
Just playing devils advocate here. Really though $700,000 is basically nothing to the government. They spend more on that in a few flights and meetings.
Joshua Cox
Well, that's because a single person is not enough to change the general set of policies that existed for decades. US has been doing shady shit like that basically since the Cold War, and the people behind it are the entire generations of American establishment, the political and intelligence elites.
Daniel Murphy
That is the money of the American taxpayers, it is unethical, regardless of the amount. We never asked for it, and your taxpayers never consented to give it away.
Benjamin Reyes
Because Trump is another globalist
James Davis
So is 700k for cuck media really worth damaging relations with a NATO ally over? I appreciate you playing devil’s advocate, but it seems to me the answer to this ought to be no. Moreover, Soros will match any contribution we are making. This is more than enough financial resources to shill in Hungary.
Gabriel Sanchez
Just saying there's a good chance Tillerson hasn't seen this letter or has more important things to do.
Anthony Walker
Yes the dog and pony show with North Korea is of the utmost importance. I’m so glad that our government is focusing all of its attention on an issue to which there will obviously be no resolution instead of joining the fight against the globalist NGO’s that are literally destroying the West.
Camden Barnes
This
Angel Young
How many westerners have been killed by the Norks? The only one I can think of is that faggot Otto Warmbier. Meanwhile these NGO’s facilitate the rape and murders of our peoples on a daily basis. Enough.
Elijah Sullivan
>Muh favorite politician dindu nuffin! He a good boy!
Ian Campbell
It's little wonder Trump hasn't done anything to resolve this easily resolved issue. His base is too myopic to identify the actual threat to our society. They've no interest in aiding their own allies in a fight which actually could be won, preferring to saber rattle with North Kroea and Iran rather than establishing nationalism at home and nurturing it where it already exists abroad. Even fucking lolbertarians get it and they don't claim to be nationalists.
