Austrian Politics - February 2000

EDITOR'S NOTE: FEBRUARY, 2000

MOST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD ARE AWARE OF THE EVENTS TRANSPIRING IN AUSTRIA AS A RESULT OF THE ELECTION OF THE NEW AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE CONTROVERSIAL LEADER OF ONE OF THEIR POLITICAL PARTIES. WE HAVE SEEN THE DEMONSTRATIONS IN VIENNA ON TV AND HEARD THE REPORTS. MARIE LIVELY IS AN EXCHANGE STUDENT IN BADEN, AUSTRIA, 25 MILES SOUTH OF VIENNA, AND HERE IS HER OBSERVATIONS OF THE SITUATION.

Okay, so I was asked about my perspective about this whole Austrian political issue. All I can really say is that this thing is really not as bad as everyone is making it seem.

Okay so we all know Haider by now..and yes he does have some pretty far out views onthings. The basic thing is is that the SPÖ and the ÖVP..the other two main parties in the Austrian government..don't want Haider having anything to do with Austrian politics. Unfortunatley..a small majority of the Austrian public..did. Even though no one will admit to voting for him.

He had some things like giving money to every Austrian family with that have babies..for the first year or something of the childs life..and the Austrians liked that one. But then again he has some rather wild perspectives about "Auslanders" foriegners. Not to worry about me..I got my

visa renewed just fine..and no one is going to come in with a gun and make me leave Austria or anything.

On the other hand..I'm kind of exited to be in the middle of all of this exitement. I've been in Vienna on a couple of occasions when the "demonstrations" were going on..and it really is like a part of history or something. Everyone standing around wiht signs...screaming..police cars

everywhere..and WOW it is so interesting. Like being at the March on Washington or something. Actually the other day..about 5 thousand or so demonstrators were expected in Vienna..so the cops were everywhere. Army, police, with full body armor..and weapons and everything..all ready for action..and then not one single person showed up. Pretty funny huh???

So all is okay with me..and I'm not really going around sharing my political views to the crazies standing outside of parliament. I really never had very much interest in political situations anyways...but I must admit..this one is pretty interesting. Hey maybe I will be a part of history or something. COOL!!!!!!!!!!

Well that's aboutit for now..I'll try to save magazine clippings and such....for keepsakes...

and hope all is well on the home front.

Tschüss!!!

Marie lively




				EDITOR'S NOTE: FEBRUARY, 2000 MOST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD ARE AWARE OF THE EVENTS TRANSPIRING IN AUSTRIA AS A RESULT OF THE ELECTION OF THE NEW AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE CONTROVERSIAL LEADER OF ONE OF THEIR POLITICAL PARTIES. WE HAVE SEEN THE DEMONSTRATIONS IN VIENNA ON TV AND HEARD THE REPORTS. MARIE LIVELY IS AN EXCHANGE STUDENT IN BADEN, AUSTRIA, 25 MILES SOUTH OF VIENNA, AND HERE IS HER OBSERVATIONS OF THE SITUATION.


		*Okay, so I was asked about my perspective about this whole Austrian political issue. All I can really say is that this thing is really not as bad as everyone is making it seem.* Okay so we all know Haider by now..and yes he does have some pretty far out views onthings. The basic thing is is that the SPÖ and the ÖVP..the other two main parties in the Austrian government..don't want Haider having anything to do with Austrian politics. Unfortunatley..a small majority of the Austrian public..did. Even though no one will admit to voting for him. He had some things like giving money to every Austrian family with that have babies..for the first year or something of the childs life..and the Austrians liked that one. But then again he has some rather wild perspectives about "Auslanders" foriegners. Not to worry about me..I got my *visa renewed just fine..and no one is going to come in with a gun and make me leave Austria or anything.* On the other hand..I'm kind of exited to be in the middle of all of this exitement. I've been in Vienna on a couple of occasions when the "demonstrations" were going on..and it really is like a part of history or something. Everyone standing around wiht signs...screaming..police cars everywhere..and WOW it is so interesting. Like being at the March on Washington or something. Actually the other day..about 5 thousand or so demonstrators were expected in Vienna..so the cops were everywhere. Army, police, with full body armor..and weapons and everything..all ready for action..and then not one single person showed up. Pretty funny huh??? So all is okay with me..and I'm not really going around sharing my political views to the crazies standing outside of parliament. I really never had very much interest in political situations anyways...but I must admit..this one is pretty interesting. Hey maybe I will be a part of history or something. COOL!!!!!!!!!! *Well that's aboutit for now..I'll try to save magazine clippings and such....for keepsakes...* *and hope all is well on the home front.* *Tschüss!!!* *Marie lively*