Dear Terrence,
Your post deserves much more than a cursory reading and reply, but I did want to thank you for opening up a dialogue. I agree with much of what you write! However...
As my mother often said, "We are judged by the company we keep." And Terrence, you have presented yourself in conjunction with John Galt constantly. AND JG has done nothing but treat me with disdain and insult me. And you are usually there hovering in the background. Actually, I was complimenting you by granting you more humanity than shown in posts on the Ask JG or God threads where you seem to be downright sycophantic toward JG.
I never doubted the source of your quote. I've read "Atlas Shrugged", indeed I'm rereading it, but judging from Jules' response, he had interpreted it in quite a different context than Rand (or you) intended.
Now what REALLY irritates me....
Never once has my opinion been solicited as worthy of consideration or merit. Indeed, you and JG know nothing of my beliefs on any philosophical issues. If anyone has been labelled, placed in a box, treated as insignificant, it is I. Your above "lecture" only verifies this. The persona presented by JG does not fulfill the promises set forth in your manifesto. All that you write is meaningless when the small, daily actions performed and the words spoken are demeaning and cruel. You will win no converts and will alienate even the sympathetic with the ugliness he spreads.
You care deeply and passionately and that is good. Allow that others may care as deeply before you condemn them. With John Galt as your spokesman, you lose the dignity and credibility that your beliefs may deserve.
penni |
