Final Word from Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Good citizens express their allegiance to their country in different languages but with similar words. Czech lawmakers make a vow of loyalty to the country, its Constitution and its laws. Most Czech children during the Communist days promised to work, study and live according to the Pioneer laws, so that they would be good citizens of their beloved country. American schoolchildren are sometimes expected to say a pledge of allegiance to the flag and to the Republic for which it stands. Aspiring members of the Chinese Communist Party must swear to fight for communism throughout their lives, to be ready at all times to sacrifice their all for the Party and the people, and never to betray the Party. As of next week, Czech children as young as five will be asked to demonstrate their faith in Chinese antigen tests by sticking little sticks up their noses. All that will be missing are the words, "I pledge allegiance to the Chinese test and to the dictatorship for which it stands." [ Czech Republic China schoolchildren return to school PCR swab ]
Glossary of difficult words
allegiance - loyalty or commitment to a superior or to a group or cause;
pledge - a solemn promise or undertaking;
to stand for - to be a symbol for; to represent;
aspiring - directing one's hopes or ambitions towards becoming a specified type of person;
one's all - one's whole strength or resources.