In The Mail

To the Editor, 

We're happy to be new subscribers to The Vienna Review.  As newcomers to the Vienna scene, having arrived in August for a three-year stint at the IAEA, we are especially keen on making the most of our time here and TVR has proved to be an excellent resource for us.  

In fact just today I 'walked the walk' recommended by Duncan Smith in this month's issue and explored the Moelker Bastei. Thanks, Duncan!

-Mark Harper, 

Vienna

“His name’s Nick”, my friend said, sensing my obvious intrigue. We were in Museumsquartier, quietly observing passers by, when my eye fell on one man who seemed … festive, to say the least.

“He’s an American who’s been hitchhiking his way around the world for the past 24 years, and he’s very into this whole Christmas thing”, my friend explained. “He dresses like this all year around …” 

With a long white beard, red puffy overalls, pointy hat and a belly to match, he really did look like he had just fallen off the sleigh. 

“What do you mean, three months?”

The immigration official’s words had just dug a crater-sized hole in my heart. What had happened to only three weeks outside of Schengen to get my visa renewed?

“Is there anything I can do to stay?” I asked the official at MA35, crushed.

“Well, do you have a boyfriend you’d like to marry?” she asked brightly. 

I blinked. Had I missed the “dating service” window? Maybe it was next to the cashier …

Dear Editor, 

A key argument in this article (June issue: Commentary, “Strauss-Kahn Madness”), I think, is weak: the French “indignation and outrage” is justified because of what they see as “another” example of “the frightening suspension of civil liberties that characterizes contemporary American life.” Also because the U.S. legal system is “brutish and presumes guilt without due process.” 

To the Editor,

 First of all thank you very much indeed for the article on my book on Hungarian politics, Mein Verspieltes Land [Hungary: Clash on the Right, by Cristina Rotary Vienna Review of Book, April, 2011 ]  Please convey my appreciation to Ms. Rotaru for her insightful account. The book is being translated into English, and will be published by Horst in London and probably by Columbia University Press in the US in the Fall.

 Paul Lendvai

Journalist and Author

Budapest

To the Editor,

Bravo, bravo! Congratulations, especially to Neil Clark’s article. Great and inspiring for today politicians. As always: you are offering students far-reaching paths. 

Prof. Thomas Bauer

Universität Wien

Institut für Publizistik

To the Editor,

It is wonderful that Vienna Review was cited in The Guardian and the BBC. Equally relevant was summation of The Guardian article:

“The best way we can commemorate the centenary of this remarkable and inspirational politician is to do all we can to put Kreisky-style socialism back on Europe’s political agenda.”

 Tav Falco

To the Editor,

In reading the last edition of the newspaper, I certainly enjoyed the article about the Skinheads and the FPÖ. It put forth an interesting example of issues in press freedom of the same situation in two countries colliding itself over juridical differences. Even though not stated, it was clearly something to be thought of in the framework of the European Union.

I felt confused however, with the article about the HISTOMUN, which in all its positive aspects was full of details seemed to need more simplicity in some parts. These led me to believe people that have not participated in one MUN would not understand the text, that kept shifting nicely from a description to a narrative.

Thomas R. Faria

Vienna

The Vienna Review 

Letters to the Editor

To the Editor,

I’ve just picked up a free copy of your newspaper in the city airport train and read the story on Kreisky. Ok, so many countries are on the brink of not being able to pay back their debt (think Greece, Italy,...) mostly because of reckless spending and political Freunderlwirtschaft and you think your readers are interested in some praise of a hardcore socialist!? Epic Fail!

 M. S. 

Vienna, Austria

The Editor replies:

To the Editor,

I’ve just picked up a free copy of your newspaper in the city airport train and read the story on Kreisky. Ok, so many countries are on the brink of not being able to pay back their debt (think Greece, Italy,...) mostly because of reckless spending and political Freunderlwirtschaft and you think your readers are interested in some praise of a hardcore socialist!? Epic Fail!

M. S.

Vienna, Austria

The Editor replies:

This year, 2010, is the 40th anniversary of Kreisky’s investiture as chancellor, for what would be the country’s longest serving political leader in the modern era. That alone is reason to reconsider his legacy.