Final Word from Wednesday, January 23, 2008
A common view among political analysts is that the Czech presidential campaign is just a big show with little practical importance, because lawmakers are oblivious to it and will cast their votes according to their own secret agenda. It's probably true that the campaign will have little impact on the outcome of the election itself, unless someone discovers a way to stop the Klaus perpetomobile. But Jan Švejnar's campaign has been stronger than expected, creating the hope among some disillusioned voters (and analysts) that the momentum for change that Švejnar is creating will continue after the presidential election. Even if Švejnar doesn't create a new political party, or even if he packs up and leaves on Feb. 9, he has nevertheless sent the message that this is no country for old men (to quote an excellent new film) and that it's time, with or without his help, to start looking at things from a new angle.[Czech Republic movie Coen brothers Tommy Lee Jones]
Glossary of difficult words
No country for old men - a film by the Coen brothers, in which Tommy Lee Jones plays a sheriff who retires because he feels he is overmatched by the younger generation;
to be oblivious to something - not to be aware or concerned by what is happening around one;
perpetomobile - a perpetual motion machine, a machine that runs forever unless subjected to external force;
to pack up and leave - to depart, leave the country;
Feb. 9 - the first presidential election is on Feb. 8;
angle - perspective, point of view.