http://ronmossad.blogspot.com/2010/02/sanction-…

Who suffers from continued Palestinian terrorism? Israelis. Americans. Jews. Who allows it to happen? Israelis. Americans. Jews. Who, often FUNDS and ENCOURAGES their own suffering? Israelis. Americans. Jews.

Hank and the Jews…sanction of the victim and the guiltiest man in the room…

Like a science fiction story, Atlas Shrugged exaggerates things to put them in greater relief against the backdrop of our normal experience. So, what you see as greed is exaggerated. Whether that is a good or a poor communication strategy depends on the reader, I suppose.

I probably don't have as much patience with reading books I philosophically oppose as you do. Even though I have some sympathies with AS, when I finished it, I said to myself, “Never again!” I may go back to the abridged audio version (read by Edward Hermann) to refresh myself on the ending, especially Galt's interminable speech, so I can comment with more authority in future posts. Confession: I did not read that whole speech. I suggest fortification with your favorite adult beverage before tackling it.

Yes, maybe you should read and review Mein Kampf for your next project. LOL I've always wanted to read it, but at this point, for me, a reading of the Koran seems more significant/topical.

Your definition of “money-grubber” sounds pretty good, at least as far as it fits your own perspective. We both know that my perspective is quite different from yours; mine places significantly more emphasis than yours does on balancing personal & societal goals, and on a belief that society functions far better for everyone (including those who “produce” the most, as Rand would say) with some pooling of resources, rather than with an every-man-for-himself mentality.

As for “looking at Ayn Rand's life and work,” I don't give a damn about that at this point. I'm just reading a famous book with a well-known political/cultural legacy, and discussing what I've read based on its relationship to my own worldview, and on the influence (real and/or imagined) it's had on people I know and people I see in the news. So far I think it's a worthwhile, if overly time-consuming endeavor, though the jury's still out. (My brother's wondering if I'll next feel compelled to read “Mein Kampf” before commenting on the Third Reich. Ouch!)

Is it a prerequisite that one must know the details of Rand's life, or have read her other work, in order to understand what she's getting at in Atlas Shrugged? If so, she couldn't have been a great communicator, could she? There'll be time to place the book in context later … or I'd be thrilled for you to contribute your thoughts on that context any time you want, so that we can discuss them.

1. “money-grubbing” — I guess you mean greed, but maybe not. Please define “money-grubbing.” What is it, exactly? How much of the reward of a person's labor is he entitled to, over and above which he becomes a money-grubber?

2. Do you think that Ayn Rand was a “money-grubber”? When you look at her life and work, is that what you see as her motivation? Avarice?

'cuz I'm just trying to understand the filter you're reading AS through.

Have you noticed the lack of children in the book? I'll have more to say about why that is when we you get to part III. Think about what's said in the first chapter, and even what this makes the role of mothers in society.

(um, can you tell I'm a teacher and librarian?)

Believe me, I know it's coming. I'm girding my loins already.