Final Word from Wednesday, June 1, 2011
If there were a definitive checklist of what constitutes a police state, political killings,closed borders and censored media would be prominent on the list. By thesemeasures, the CR isn't a police state, but actions by Miroslav Kalousek give causeto worry that it is indeed becoming a "light" version. Most important is the abuseof units of repression. By all accounts, Kalousek selectively uses his FAÚ financialanalyticalunit to go after political rivals. Changes under way will make it easier todo the same with tax audits. Kalousek has selectively used his gaming authority inthe Sazka case. Questions remain about his use of eavesdropping. Inexplicably, herefused international cooperation on illegal bank accounts, and his effort to cancelbilateral investment treaties seems to benefit a coterie of friends. It's little comfortthat his selective repression is political and economic in nature, and not ideologic.
Glossary of difficult words
checklist - a list of items required, things to be done, or points to be considered;
to constitute - to be equivalent to; to be regarded as;
to go after someone - to investigate someone or something for possible criminal prosecution;
gaming - gambling, betting;
inexplicably - unable to be explained or accounted for;
coterie - a small group of people with shared interests or tastes, esp. one that is exclusive of other people.