Final Word from Wednesday, September 4, 2002
Premier Vladimír Špidla said during the flood that Czechs showed solidarity, resourcefulness, tenacity, bravery and harmoniousness. Some companies and their managers exhibited similar traits during the crisis. For many of them, the goal in providing flood relief was primarily to help the community in which they do business. We know of a few companies that gave several million crowns each in vaccinations, supplies or aid to flooded hospitals but that sought no publicity. For some others, the goal was to get as much benefit as possible from their donations. This seems okay if done sensitively. But for a few others, the goal was to take credit themselves for relief work carried out by someone else. Charity can be an ugly business, but a few bad apples shouldn't be allowed to spoil the bunch. They simply need to be tossed aside before the rot spreads.