Final Word from Friday, January 15, 2010
In American slang, the title of this article could be understood to mean, "What balls that Pecina guy has!" And this is exactly what some people are saying about Interior Minister Martin Pecina and his package of anti-corruption measures. His audacity in facilitating corruption seems to know no bounds. His measures would merely do more to put the foxes in charge of the henhouse. Each of the key elements - agents provocateurs, crown witnesses and vetting of members of tender committees - would be totally controlled by politicians or people beholden to them. The measures could be used to cover up corruption instead of uncover it, or to wage inter-gang wars. Few positive results can be expected. It's difficult to imagine someone turning on a mafia boss and entering a witness-protection program, if the whistleblower knows his new name and location will be readily available to corrupt politicians.[Czech Republic security clearance]
Glossary of difficult words
package - (slang) male genitalia, often associated with large size;
balls - (slang) courage or nerve; audacity; boldness;
fox in charge of the henhouse - the one in charge is the one who needs to be protected against;
agent provocateur - a person who induces others to break the law so that they can be convicted;
beholden to - owing thanks or having a duty to someone in return for help or a service;
whistleblower - a person who informs on someone engaged in illicit activity.