Final Word from Friday, September 20, 2002
Our comparison of Hana Marvanová to Ayn Rand's character John Galt got a mixed response from readers. Some thought it was an insult to Marvanová - Rand is a fascist, one reader said - while others thought Marvanová couldn't hold a torch to Rand. One reader, Martin Jan Stransky, said that Marvanová is the most notable politician in post-revolution Czech history because she's the first true example of someone sticking to his or her principles as well as party platform. She deserves to be the next president, he said. Although her party and coalition colleagues won't likely agree with this, it would indeed solve one of their problems. Marvanová is a thorn in their side, because she insists on voting her conscience. They'd like to get rid of her (and of course have already tried). Bumping her upstairs to the Castle might be the only way to do it.