Did you know that the first black slave in America, was 'owned' by a black man...who had to go to court to confirm his property rights?

In short: it is impossible to apply our standards of today, without a touch of empathy to their conditions, and social mores.

This.

"Hope this does not offend."

Not with me!

I believe that Ayn Rand's philosophy can be a positive influence for everyone, without a dogmatic adherence to every point and aspect. Assimilation into one's personal beliefs is a good step towards personal freedom.

All. or nothing, is counterproductive...and the wrong approach.

Ramblings of a lunatic, and feel free to ignore me!

Thank you, Mr. Aglialoro!
Happy Independence Day :)

I think a reread of AS might be a good idea.... and any other Ayn Rand writings as well.

Bravo: I also think George Mason's words represent a credo for all of us. But don't you wonder how a guy who could say such inspired words could own slaves?

No offense taken, Cherri, like everyone alse, you are entitled to express your views. But if Ms. Rand has read your post from the afterlife that you seem to anticipate, she's spinning in her grave. Afterlife? Next World? Mind of Christ = Mind of John Galt? Collective guilt? Not the way I read Ayn Rand.

Just finished watching my DVD's of AS 1 and 2 for the third time. I am really looking forward to AS 3.
The idea that wealth can be created rather than simply moved around is central to the viability of capitalism. Ayn Rand understood this as did our founding fathers. Socialism and all other forms of collectivism are not only failures of imagination and vision they are well established paths to power for the despot. Why are there so many scoundrels in government? Unfortunately the answer is simple government provides the perfect home for the unprincipled.

Thank you for the words of encouragement. And yes, reading the news.. it does bring thoughts of despair. I hope things improve in my lifetime and the US can be back on top! Might require a lot of tough love but the country must prevail!

Thank you John and we wish you an incredible Independence Day as well. As I view the television, I see that the citizens of Egypt have forced a change, I just hope that we do the same here.
Looking forward to ASIII, I think I will plug in I and II tonight!

Thank-you. It’s my birthday, too!

Well stated! Thank you and Happy Independence day to you other patriots as well. Stand ready to defend your system of beliefs as they are being chiseled down bit by bit.

John,

Wishing you a very happy Independence Day. Thanks for bringing Atlas Shrugged to life with these films. I can't wait to see Part III.

Best,

Alina

My mind has taught me so many things as I read "Atlas Shrugged" and taking that along with things my mind(spirit) has taught me earlier I know that all of the old knowledge accumulated in my emotions, will, and intellect (which by the way has been in control of my body. That is why my life has been such a mess.), must go to the cross and die in order for the mind of Christ to live (exist). Likewise, I believe that the condition of America is the reflection of the unrepentant soul of t America and it is in the processing of that long walk to the cross. Perhaps the other nations are those who are stripping us naked for everyone to see, whipping us with their cat of nine tails, revealing our weakness as we are forced to carry our cross, and nailing the works of our soul to the cross so we can not escape. America is suffering the last breath of life before the end-----but---Life will come and the Mind which John Galt spoke of (the Mind of Christ) will establish an existence of morality, purpose, reason.

I am looking for that last breath with anticipation because though the process of death is difficult, the hope of our future is radiant.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

This book is an awesome and amazing book and revealed a religious spirit dwelling within me that was part of that data in the soul that had to die in order to see truth.

Hope this does not offend.

Cherri

C_S, if you are trying to make a case for these communists in DC, you have failed. Free enterprise is the only system that has ever succeeded over the long run, and communism has either failed or been abandoned everywhere it has ever been tried. Not to mention that strict communism has only been possible under extreme violent murderous regimes, such as China under Mao and Russia under Stalin. You lose, and my guess is your reference to Oxford is fallacious too.

John, I am so grateful for your hard work and vision in producing Atlas Shrugged. With the daily attacks on our individual freedoms, having AS made into a movie will help educate more individuals to inspire them to investigate reading Ayn Rand, but also to encourage them to become stronger advocates for Freedom. Thank you for all that you do.

Hello John,

Thank you for the words of inspiration and encouragement.

Happy 4th of July to all of you at Atlas Shrugged!

Regards,
O.A.

Best of luck with AS 3 - we are looking forward to it. Yes, on this Independence Day we are particularly sober to the fact that individual liberty is all but lost in this once great nation. We do not have honorable opponents, and they fully plan to enslave us. Maybe AS will make a difference.

To you, John, not only do we wish a wonderful Independence Day 2013 and express our extreme gratitude for your spirit, your wonderful gift to us, and your dedication to getting Atlas Shrugged, Parts I, II, and III actually made but also, despite the desperate future that our government so strongly is trying to force us towards, your strength that, should that collapse come about, will help us through to returning to the greatness that America has created and will create again.

"to make money" must rest on a foundation; namely the right of the individual to own property. This was expressed best by George Mason in his Virginis Declaration of Rights published on June 12, 1776. In Section 1, he wrote
"That all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety."

Best wishes for successful completion of ASIII

Just re-watched AS 1 & 2 with my 17 year old son! Looking forward to 3!! Thanks, so much! Happy Independence Day!

You're too good to your "Producers", John. Thank you for the spirited remarks and most especially for the view of Ayn Rand's home. Happy -- Independence -- Day.

Happy Independence Day to you and all your staff.

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." Thomas Jefferson