The Czech playwright who helped topple totalitarianism in his home country and became its president has passed away at the age of 75. Havel deserves more credit than he’s given (and certainly more than Reagan, Thatcher, et al) for ending the Cold War. Also: While I wouldn’t begin to claim that all creative types naturally make good leaders, let the record show that Havel was a playwright and poet (and even Reagan, the most overrated President in history, was an actor). Do not think that creative types – even Hollywood types – can’t be political leaders.

WF