Final Word from Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Rarely does a politician say what he really thinks, without pulling any punches. Times have changed, though, and our civilization is in its final throes. Culture Min. Daniel Herman wants it to take the next step. We are the Roman Empire, he told Týden magazine, and if we continue down our current path, the "barbarians" beyond the gates will eventually break through. They'll take whatever they want, without asking us whether we want any sort of symbiosis with their own culture. To prevent this, he said, we should invite in those who are compatible with our values. The ones who are beating at the gates, trying to get in, but aren't yet breaking them down. If we set the rules, he said, we can jointly, create the future Europe with the newcomers. Thank you for the honesty, Mr. Minister, but aren't you forgetting something? Those beyond the gates who aren't compatible? They'll still be there, ever closer to breaking through. Or is that what you want? [Czech Republic KDU-ČSL migration terrorism]
Glossary of difficult words
to pull one's punches - to hold back in one's criticism or assessment of a situation;
throes - intense or violent pain and struggle, esp. accompanying birth, death, or great change;
symbiosis - interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both.