Final Word from Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Stanislav Gross and his apologists are spreading the idea that he's the victim of a right-wing conspiracy involving politicians, businessmen and the media (including the Final Word). In their view, anyone who criticizes Gross for his unexplained income, personal police squad, privatization machinations or law-school sleight-of-hand is either working for ODS or has something to gain personally. This is an oversimplification of the "campaign" that has been raging since he took office. It might be naive to think that corruption and dishonesty can be eliminated from politics, but the prime minister should strive to set an example. Instead, Gross has taken the attitude that he can get away with anything (and he apparently can) and that what people think doesn't matter. Any premier with this attitude would rightly be the target of a media campaign. [Czech Republic ČSSD political apartment]