Final Word from Monday, August 17, 2015
At some point in the distant future, if freedom of expression is allowed, the brief period we are living through now might come to be labeled both post-totalitarian and pre-totalitarian. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe unshackled themselves from the Soviet yoke starting in 1989, but a new yoke is gradually being fitted under the guise of fighting terrorism, money laundering and illegal migration. It's a global phenomenon and is most visible in the U.S., but its footprint can also be seen in the CR in the intrusive new tax-reporting systems and the clampdown on "hate" speech. The current corruption scandal at Česká pošta can certainly be viewed as a mere mudslinging match in advance of next year's regional elections, but there's a deeper aspect. Who will be in control of the Czech police as the yoke is tightened around the necks of the citizens of the Western world? Will it be Milan Chovanec's thugs, or someone else's? [Czech Republic United States ČSSD interior ministry CEE Union Russia]
Glossary of difficult words
to unshackle - to release from chains, shackles or other physical restraints;
yoke - used of something that is oppressive or burdensome; a frame fitting over the neck and shoulders of a person, used for carrying pails or baskets;
guise - pretense;
intrusive - making an unwelcome manifestation with disruptive or adverse effect;
clampdown - a severe or concerted effort to suppress something;
mudslinging - the use of insults and accusations, esp. unjust ones, with the aim of damaging the reputation of an opponent;
thug - a violent person, esp. a criminal; gangster; villain.