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A Darker Side of Hungary A Darker Side of Hungary
(32 minutes later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “The Case for Populism” (Op-Ed, nytimes.com, Oct. 16):Re “The Case for Populism” (Op-Ed, nytimes.com, Oct. 16):
I believe that Maria Schmidt badly mischaracterizes what is happening in Hungary today. The brand of populism she champions is in reality rank authoritarianism.I believe that Maria Schmidt badly mischaracterizes what is happening in Hungary today. The brand of populism she champions is in reality rank authoritarianism.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban has converted Hungary’s democracy into a one-party state, doling out favors to cronies and using his powers to punish all those who dare to dissent. He has imposed draconian restrictions on the media and NGOs, and there is ample evidence of his packing the courts, trampling the rule of law.Prime Minister Viktor Orban has converted Hungary’s democracy into a one-party state, doling out favors to cronies and using his powers to punish all those who dare to dissent. He has imposed draconian restrictions on the media and NGOs, and there is ample evidence of his packing the courts, trampling the rule of law.
He has demonized immigrants and refugees — harming his country’s economy and drawing the wrath of the European Parliament. As he tightens his grip on power, civil society — including the Open Society Foundations, founded by the philanthropist George Soros, where I served as president — have been driven out of the country or forced underground. He has demonized immigrants and refugees — harming his country’s economy and drawing the wrath of the European Parliament. As he tightens his grip on power, civil society — including the Open Society Foundations, founded by the philanthropist George Soros, where I serve as president — have been driven out of the country or forced underground.
Thankfully, the people of Hungary have begun pushing back. The opposition elected a new mayor of Budapest and a number of other Hungarian cities, dealing Mr. Orban his biggest setback in more than a decade.Thankfully, the people of Hungary have begun pushing back. The opposition elected a new mayor of Budapest and a number of other Hungarian cities, dealing Mr. Orban his biggest setback in more than a decade.
Patrick GaspardNew YorkThe writer is president of the Open Society Foundations.Patrick GaspardNew YorkThe writer is president of the Open Society Foundations.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “A $5.5 Billion Price Tag to Construct Elevators at 70 Subway Stations” (news article, Oct. 8):Re “A $5.5 Billion Price Tag to Construct Elevators at 70 Subway Stations” (news article, Oct. 8):
As a New York City wheelchair user, subway rider and accessibility activist, I view the capital plan with only muted enthusiasm. If spent more wisely, $5.5 billion could upgrade far more than 70 stations. This plan leaves more than 60 percent of our stations inaccessible, worst among major American cities.As a New York City wheelchair user, subway rider and accessibility activist, I view the capital plan with only muted enthusiasm. If spent more wisely, $5.5 billion could upgrade far more than 70 stations. This plan leaves more than 60 percent of our stations inaccessible, worst among major American cities.
Relying solely on costly elevators for vertical access is part of the problem, especially given the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s well-known difficulties controlling costs. Ramps — like those at the 42nd Street A, C, E station — may not enrich contractors, but they are a far cheaper alternative where the vertical distance to travel is short. And they never break down — unlike the notoriously unreliable elevators that waylay passengers like me all too frequently.Relying solely on costly elevators for vertical access is part of the problem, especially given the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s well-known difficulties controlling costs. Ramps — like those at the 42nd Street A, C, E station — may not enrich contractors, but they are a far cheaper alternative where the vertical distance to travel is short. And they never break down — unlike the notoriously unreliable elevators that waylay passengers like me all too frequently.
Spending billions on accessibility without rethinking how it is done will allow wasteful practices to persist and keep New York’s subway one of the nation’s least accessible for even longer. That shameful distinction will be erased far more swiftly if the M.T.A. pursues new construction approaches — like ramps.Spending billions on accessibility without rethinking how it is done will allow wasteful practices to persist and keep New York’s subway one of the nation’s least accessible for even longer. That shameful distinction will be erased far more swiftly if the M.T.A. pursues new construction approaches — like ramps.
Sasha Blair-GoldensohnNew YorkSasha Blair-GoldensohnNew York
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “What Spanx Has Spawned” (Thursday Styles, Oct. 17):Re “What Spanx Has Spawned” (Thursday Styles, Oct. 17):
Is shapewear — the nicer-sounding contemporary iteration of girdles and corsets — a liberating tool that simply helps a woman look and feel her best, or is it just another fashion offering beholden to the male gaze? Perhaps my story can help answer the question.Is shapewear — the nicer-sounding contemporary iteration of girdles and corsets — a liberating tool that simply helps a woman look and feel her best, or is it just another fashion offering beholden to the male gaze? Perhaps my story can help answer the question.
I am elderly, and while I wouldn’t consider myself fat, a few years ago I started noticing that my middle was bulging over the top of my slacks. And when I look at myself in the mirror after I shower, I wish that I were a bit thinner. Yet it has never occurred to me for a single moment that I might obtain underwear to smooth out my appearance.I am elderly, and while I wouldn’t consider myself fat, a few years ago I started noticing that my middle was bulging over the top of my slacks. And when I look at myself in the mirror after I shower, I wish that I were a bit thinner. Yet it has never occurred to me for a single moment that I might obtain underwear to smooth out my appearance.
Can you guess my gender?Can you guess my gender?
M. ZimmermanPalo Alto, Calif.M. ZimmermanPalo Alto, Calif.