Final Word from Monday, March 19, 2012
Suppose they gave a protest and nobody came. The "Holešov Appeal" is promising to bring millions into the streets but has mustered only thousands so far. One of the problems, according to Establishment commentators, is that the Appeal's organizers lack charisma. It's true that Slávek Popelka didn't exactly effuse leadership qualities in his appearance on Czech TV's Hyde Park on Fri., but he still won an approval rating of 47%. Many Czechs are getting tired of slick-as-eel politicians like Miroslav Kalousek and David Rath who have a ready answer for everything. They're also increasingly wary of fleeting protest movements that are led by Establishment figures who have been part of the problem but have turned into sudden dissidents merely because they're out of favor at the moment. The Holešov Appeal might not go anywhere, but for now at least, its lack of professionalism is a competitive advantage.[Czech Republic Television Holešovská výzva Jaroslav]
Glossary of difficult words
suppose they gave a protest and no one came - a play on a 1970 film, "Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came";
to muster - to collect or assemble (a number or amount);
to effuse - to give off (a quality, light, smell or liquid);
ready (answer) - immediate, quick, prompt;
wary - cautious;
fleeting - lasting for a very short time.