Final Word from Monday, October 18, 2021
One day after U.S. Pres. Ronald Reagan was shot on March 30, 1981, he joked with his nurses at George Washington University Hospital and signed a bill into law in the presence of aides. The law wasn't as important as a decision to convene a new session of Congress; it merely eliminated an increase in dairy price supports that otherwise would have taken effect the next day. According to the New York Times, the signing "underscored what aides have been saying - that Mr. Reagan remains in executive control of the Government from his hospital bed." No picture was made available, and no one questioned the integrity of White House Chief of Staff James Baker. Czech Pres. Miloš Zeman used a similar signing at ÚVN hospital in Prague on Thur. to convene the new Parliament and to show that he is in control. The Czech media and "democratic" politicians were outraged that Speaker of the House Radek Vondráček was involved, and they questioned whether he actually witnessed Zeman sign the document. Pity the next House speaker if he or she faces similar character assassination from the new opposition in retaliation. [ Czech Republic president United States D.C. ANO lower chamber ]
Glossary of difficult words
hot seat - the position of someone who is in trouble or is being asked many difficult or embarrassing questions;
aide - an assistant to an important person, esp. a political leader;
to convene - to come or bring together for a meeting or activity;
price support - government assistance in maintaining the levels of market prices regardless of supply or demand;
character assassination - the malicious and unjustified harming of a person's good reputation.