ginny

If you read Rand, you'll see that she says,, "morality ends at the point of a gun." In other words, whether you turn in your neighbor or not is not a moral issue. It's probably in greater measure of bravery, which is not a moral issue.

I agree with Jeffs No. 11 post. The woman was merely stating her opinion. Rand responded angrily and rudely. We can't control other people. We can, however, control our own reactions and responses. Did Rand really expect everyone to totally agree with her? Did she really think that anyone who didn't was worthless?

It escapes me how strangers are supposed to make a diagnosis of evil when the one person who knows the person in question is unable or unwilling to do so. I can only assume he expects others to do his thinking for him. Not my style.

I'm curious why you would ask strangers such a complex philosophical and psychological question. I assume no one here knows your mother. By what means should anyone decide whether she is evil if you yourself can't seem to decide. Is there any reason you're asking strangers as opposed to your own mind?

I don't intend to sound mean, but I think this problem is rampant among objectivists, namely loosing sight of what's importand and damning something as evil or bad because of a problem. Yes, the space program is government funded, yet the achievement is monumental. If objectivists want to be taken seriously, perhaps a good start would be NOT to damn something that is wonderful just because there is a problem. Yes, I know Rand said judge and be judged, but perhaps it's just as well to sometimes see the good in something/someone else instead of trying to always find the flaws. Rand herself, by her comments on the space program, certainly followed that train of thought.

I'm curious about something. Objectivists (especially the young ones) believe they have all the answers. Yet invariably, they ask the opinion of strangers on the most personal things. Why is that? Do these people believe Galt or Roar went around saying, gee, what's your opinion on this? Isn't is easier just to use your own mind? Even if a mistake is make, it's YOUR mistake.

`I think you are so right. That particular statement has always bugged me, and I believe it demands that we rething "sacrifice." Indeed, the mother that goes out, buys a nice new hat and lets her child starve is guilty of child abuse. I say that even if she desperately wanted that hat, her responsibility came first. Call it sacrifice if you want. I call it common sense.

Source, just a hint - I find that making a somewhat trite omment to a stranger ("My, what nice weather we're having today") can result in the start of an interesting conversation. Don't overthink it. That may be where you get into trouble. A simple sentence ("Will that bus ever get here") can be quite sufficient. A stranger will probably be overwhelmed (instead of impressed) by some heavy philosophical statement). Anyway, try it sometime. Ginny

I'm surprised at this. When I worked at a crisis line, every single caller was asked if he/she was suicidal. No exceptions. I remember one poor guy who dialled us kind of by mistake - he was driving and had gotten lost. Following the rules, I had to inquire into his suicidal tendencies. Almost drove the poor chap nuts. Guess not all organizations are as scrupulous as the one I volunteered at.

I wonder why AR said in 1959 that she didn't know whether her parents are alive, when in 1948 she wrote that she'd been told they were dead.