Final Word from Tuesday, August 11, 2015
To update an old Czech expression for the modern era, when two billionaires fight, the taxpayer doesn't know whether to laugh or to cry. Andrej Babiš's attacks against František Savov have shined a light on the shady practice of VAT fraud, which is reportedly swallowing 7% of the state's budget revenue every year, and in retaliation Savov's publications have targeted Babiš's own little fraud schemes. The latest exposé centers on Babiš's beloved Stork's Nest farm. Euro reports that Babiš deceived the EU by using an anonymous company to secure a Kč 50m small-business subsidy that Agrofert was just a tad too big to qualify for. This puts a whole flock of Western diplomats in a predicament. Should they be having fun with Babiš at a possible crime scene? They can claim ignorance when cabling home, or they can just shrug their shoulders and mutter, he may be an SOB, but he's our SOB. Are they sure about this, though? [Czech Republic Čapí hnízdo European Union funds SME]
Glossary of difficult words
Czech expression - when two people fight, the third laughs;
shady - of doubtful honesty or legality;
a tad - to a small extent; somewhat (used here in an ironic sense);
predicament - a difficult, unpleasant or embarrassing situation;
to cable - to send a diplomatic message;
SOB - son of a bitch;
he may be an SOB, but he's our SOB - an expression used to justify supporting an oppressive dictator or other flawed leader.