It is said that a prophet is never recognized in his own country. I suspect that there is something in this, based on various personal and rather small minded criticisms which have been circulating of Václav Havel after his recent death. My own assessment of the man is quite different. My personal contacts with him were quite limited (peripherally – my job was to coordinate the “wives program” – during President George H.W. Bush’s visit to Praha and later when Havel came to Minnesota to accept a prestigious academic prize). But his role before and after the “Velvet Revolution,” his arguments in support of civic society, his outspoken criticism of attacks human rights wherever they might occur, etc. made him a statesman rare among national leaders anywhere. In case no one noticed, I do admire the man. Yesterday I happened on the following article written as a “in memory” piece on Havel and pass it on for your consideration. – Jerry Verner
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2012/feb/09/vaclav-havel-1936-2011/
