More on civil war

Events in Budapest seem to have escalated during the past week of "civil war," with riots and occasional clashes between police and protesters. The student union has even cancelled their protest on Thursday against the introduction of tuition fees (little sympathy here). Events have similarly escalated in Thailand last week, culminating in a military coup. It appears at first glance that my presence in these countries has instigated political unrest. My parents, however, have a different theory. My mother points out that several months after I left Soviet Union there was a coup in Moscow, which suggests that it is my departure from a country or city that throws the government into turmoil. So it is rather fortunate that I plan on attending a conference in Budapest next week--my presence should calm things down.