Final Word from Friday, March 28, 2008
Czech officials often have eyes that are bigger than their country's stomach. The classic case are the supersonic fighters that can barely reach cruising speed before they've already crossed the country's border. There's other military equipment that is first bought for a high price and then practically given away later, once it becomes clear that it isn't needed. There's the high-speed Pendolino train that can't travel at high speed, because the country's tracks won't support it. There's a hugely expensive e-toll system from Kapsch that was obsolete upon implementation. Now there are plans for a system of info boards from Kapsch - them again - that will warn drivers about traffic congestion and, at the price of Kč 3bn, will presumably also serve them coffee. The one bright spot in all this is the radar. Sure, it's expensive, and its usefulness is questionable, but at least Czech taxpayers aren't paying for it.[Czech Republic missile defense United States of America Czech Railways Gripens BAE ]
Glossary of difficult words
bright side - the positive side of something that might otherwise be negative;
eyes that are bigger than stomach - said when someone takes more food than he can eat;
obsolete - out of date, not the latest technology;
congestion - a level of traffic so great that it hinders movement.