Final Word from Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Four days after mock gallows appeared at a demonstration in front of Parliament on Jan. 25, Interior Min. Vít Rakušan wrote in Právo that they were a "clear symbol of hate, which is spreading through our society like another dangerous virus." As a society, he said, we must be able to fight back against extremists who cross the bounds of what is acceptable in the civilized world. Will Rakušan or Justice Min. Pavel Blažek be as quick to take a position against the alleged behavior of Prague court bailiff Juraj Podkonický, accused by People in Need of overcharging debtors by falsifying slips for hand-delivery of documents? Podkonický, as a representative of the state, has for some people become a symbol of the hate (or disdain) that those of power and influence show for the little people. Now that he has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, it might be in the interest of others who share this disdain to make him out as an extremist who has crossed the bounds of what is acceptable. [ Czech Republic debt-seizure officer executor execution ]
Glossary of difficult words
mock - not authentic or real, but without the intention to deceive;
gallows - a structure, typically of two uprights and a crosspiece, for the hanging of criminals;
bailiff - an officer of a court;
disdain - the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect;
little people - the ordinary people in a country, organization, etc., who do not have much power;
to be caught with one's hand in the cookie jar - to be caught stealing or doing something wrong;
to make someone/something out as/to be - to characterize someone or something in a certain way, often one that is not accurate.