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September 2006
EDITOR'S KEYBOARD
BOSTON CONFERENCE ON ISLAMIC TERRORISM
C. BRADLEY THOMPSON HEADS NEW INSTITUTE AT CLEMSON
FOUNDERS COLLEGE CHOOSES VIRGINIA SITE
BACK TO SCHOOL - 2006
SCOREBOARD
OBJECTIVISM IN THE MEDIA
OP-EDS AND JOURNALISM
ARI MEDIA DEPARTMENT
THE OBJECTIVE STANDARD
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
MOVIES
ART NEWS
GETTING INVOLVED
RATIONAL RADIO
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
COMMUNITY AND CAMPUS CLUBS
AYN RAND COLLECTIBLES
THE FORUM FOR AYN RAND FANS
E-MAIL DISCUSSION LISTS
OBJECTIVIST LINKS ON THE WWW
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
YOU'LL KNOW OBJECTIVISM IS WINNING WHEN ...
EDITOR'S KEYBOARD
This is my annual “Back to School”
issue of the CyberNet and things certainly have changed over the years.
Not too many Septembers ago I was highlighting those college and high school
courses that merely used an Ayn Rand book in the syllabus. Then I added
mentions of Objectivists who were teaching college students, even if they were
only grad students themselves teaching a section of an introductory
course. Then I included Objectivists with tenure and those writing
books. Then there were so many Objectivists teaching and writing that my
“Rational Faculty” feature ran many months.
This year it’s even better because we not only have Objectivists teaching, but actually running schools -- including a planned college.
When I first started with my “You’ll know Objectivism is winning when …” signature line, every one ended with a fictional, but hopeful thought. Now they’re all coming true – including the one that said, “You’ll know Objectivism is winning when even non-Objectivists send their kids to Objectivist schools.
All
the best,
Betsy
Speicher
BOSTON CONFERENCE ON ISLAMIC TERRORISM
OBJECTIVIST
CONFERENCES will present a three-day conference on “The Jihad
Against the West: The Real Threat and the Right Response” in Boston, MA,
October 20TH – 22ND that will include YARON BROOK’s speech at Ford Hall Forum
on October 22nd. For information and
registration, click here.
Events
Israel and the War on Islamic Totalitarianism
by Yaron Brook
Lecture and Q & A
Hosted by Tufts University Objectivist Club
Friday, October 20, 2006; Tufts University, Barnum 008, 7:30 PM
"No Substitute for Victory": Military Offense and the Defeat of Islamic Totalitarianism
by John Lewis, Opening remarks by Yaron Brook
Lecture and Q & A
Saturday, October 21, 2006; Boston World Trade Center Amphitheater, 9–10:30 AM
Muhammad and His Relevance Today
by Robert Spencer
Lecture and Q & A
Saturday, October 21, 2006; Boston World Trade Center Amphitheater, 10:45 AM–12 PM
Radical Islam and the War on Terror
by Daniel Pipes
Lecture and Q & A
Saturday, October 21, 2006; Boston World Trade Center Amphitheater, 1:30–2:45 PM
Jihad Against the West: The Real Threat and the Right Response
A panel discussion featuring Yaron Brook, Daniel Pipes and Flemming Rose
This panel discussion will include an open Q & A.
Saturday, October 21, 2006; Boston World Trade Center Amphitheater, 3–5 PM
Reception
Attendees will have a chance to meet the speakers. Appetizers and refreshments will be served.
Saturday, October 21, 2006; Boston World Trade Center International Pavilion, 5–6:30 PM
Islam and Europe after the Cartoon-Crisis—Clash of Cultures or Coexistence of Civilizations?
by Flemming Rose
Lecture and Q & A
Sunday, October 22, 2006; Boston World Trade Center Amphitheater, 10–11:15 AM
Defending Freedom: The Principled vs. the Pragmatic Approach by Peter Schwartz
Lecture and Q & A
Sunday, October 22, 2006; Boston World Trade Center Amphitheater, 11:25 AM–12:40 PM
Panel Discussion and Reception for Students
Admittance is restricted to full-time high school, undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in discussing how today's world events affect them and who have registered for the event.
Sunday, October 22, 2006; Boston World Trade Center Cityview II, 2:30–4:30 PM
Democracy vs. Victory: Why the "Forward Strategy of Freedom" Had to Fail
by Yaron Brook
Lecture and Q & A
Sunday, October 22, 2006; Ford Hall Forum/Faneuil Hall, 6:30 PM
C.
BRADLEY THOMPSON HEADS NEW INSTITUTE AT CLEMSON
One year ago, thanks to a generous grant from the BB+T CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, Professor C. BRADLEY THOMPSON founded the Institute for the Study of Capitalism at Clemson University. Prof. Thompson was quoted as saying that "the Clemson Institute is the first and only university-related program in the U.S. that takes as its core mission the defense of Capitalism as the moral and just social system."
The new institute is described in greater detail in a full-page article on Page 7 of the NAS Update, the newsletter of the National Association of Scholars.
[Thanks to MICHELLE FRAM COHEN.]
FOUNDERS COLLEGE CHOOSES VIRGINIA SITE
After considering locations in Maine and North Carolina, FOUNDERS COLLEGE, the proposed new liberal arts college headed by GARY HULL has selected a campus in Virginia. The chosen site is the former Merritt Hutchinson Resort and Conference Center in Lynch Station Virginia. A Full online visual tour of the property is available here.
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The college was the subject of an article in Inside Higher Ed (8/23/06) and they also began advertising for administrative positions. Their application to grant degrees is now under review by the Virginia's State Council of Higher Education, according to the Durham (NC) Herald Sun (8/23/06).
The story was also carried on WDBJ Channel 7 (8/18/06), the Lynchburg (VA) News Advance (8/22/06), the Richmond Times-Dispatch (8/29/06), and later in the Lynchburg (VA) News Advance (9/1/06),.
BACK TO SCHOOL - 2006
There is so much news and so many developments in education to report this year. These are some of the highlights with links for those who want to pursue further information. Click on each school’s name or program to link to their web site.
PRESCHOOL, ELEMENTARY, AND
MIDDLE SCHOOL
SPRING SCHOOL - Tenafly, NJ - Age 2 to Grade 6
Run by DEBORAH KNAPP and fully accredited by the American Montessori Society since 1970, this is probably the oldest and longest-established Objectivist-run Montessori program.
VanDAMME ACADEMY – Laguna Hills, CA – Montessori Primary - Age 5-7 and Elementary - Junior High
Run by LISA VanDAMME with a faculty that includes ANDREW LEWIS, KEITH LOCKITCH, CORNELIA LOCKITCH, SCOTT POWELL, PAT CORVINI, and LUC TRAVERS.
VanDAMME ACADEMY REMOTE HISTORY PROGRAM – Home-Schoolers - Elementary School Level
SCOTT POWELL, the VanDamme Academy's elementary grades history teacher, will offer the program in two classes this year: one for lower elementary students (grades 2 and 3) and one for upper elementary students (grades 4-6). Classes will be conducted as live teleconferences, and also be made available as web-based lecture recordings.
LePORT SCHOOLS - Mission Viejo, CA -18 mos - 8th Grade, Irvine, CA -18 mos - 6 Years (Kindergarten),
Huntington Beach, CA - 18 mos - 8 Years (3rd Grade)
Founded by ARI Board member PETER LEPORT, the Executive Director is LINDSAY JOSEPH. RAY GIRN and SANDRA SHAW are on the faculty.
CHALLENGER SCHOOLS – Locations in California, Utah, Nevada, and Idaho - Pre-school – 8th Grade
The curriculum for this chain of schools was designed and is maintained by several Objectivists. Their mission is “to prepare children to become self-reliant, productive individuals; to teach them to think, speak, and write with clarity, precision, and independence; and to inspire them to embrace challenge and find joy and self-worth through achievement.”
HIGH SCHOOL
AYN RAND INSTITUTE PROGRAMS
FREE BOOKS FOR TEACHERS
ESSAY CONTESTS
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
AYN RAND INSTITUTE PROGRAMS
OBJECTIVIST ACADEMIC CENTER (OAC)
ESSAY CONTESTS
STUDENT CLUBS
ANTHEM FOUNDATION
This is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization affiliated with ARI that supports scholarly study of Objectivism in American universities by sponsoring teaching, writing and research on Ayn Rand’s philosophy through fellowships and grants at both the graduate and undergraduate level. The Anthem Foundation currently sponsors fellowships at two of the most influential philosophy departments in the country, the University of Pittsburgh (the 5th ranked program in the U.S.) and the University of Texas at Austin. There are also programs at other high-ranked universities that have expressed interest in Objectivist faculty and programs, including Brown University, Texas State University, Rhodes College, and the University of Colorado at Boulder.
BB+T CORPORATE SUPPORT
In conjunction with the BB+T corporate support, Ayn Rand’s ideas are being taught in a growing number of philosophy and business departments at universities including Clemson University, Duke University, University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), Bowling Green State University, University of Kentucky, University of Virginia, University of South Carolina, High Point University, University of North Carolina (Charlotte), Campbell University, Christopher Newport University, and Wheeling Jesuit University.
FOUNDERS COLLEGE
See FOUNDERS COLLEGE CHOOSES VIRGINIA SITE above.
ADULT EDUCATION
POWELL HISTORY FOR ADULTS
SCOTT POWELL's "A First History for Adults" is a complete course in the history of Western
Civilization, in three parts, totaling 135 hours of instruction.
Part 1 – The Story of America (45 hours) - now underway - new sessions beginning monthly
Part 2 – Europe: Context and Foil (45 hours) - Coming in January
Part 3 – The Ancient Background (45 hours) - Available in 2007
AUDITING OAC
Auditing is a great way for those
not enrolled in ARI’s Objectivist Academic Center to take advantage of its
unique educational program. Auditors can enroll in select OAC classes and
listen to class lectures, but are unable to participate in class discussions or
receive feedback on assignments. Auditing is open to anyone not enrolled in the
OAC. Space is limited and those interested are encouraged to register early.
Classes begin in September.
OAC is Now Accepting Registrations to Audit its "Seminar on Ayn Rand's Philosophy of Objectivism." Taught by ARI's Dr. Onkar Ghate, it is designed for those who already have knowledge of Objectivism but are interested in obtaining a deeper understanding of the philosophy.
SCOREBOARD
BOOK RANKINGS ON AMAZON.COM
Here are this month’s 100K Top Selling books on Amazon.com. To see and / or order a book, click on the book title.
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Book |
August |
July |
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666 |
508 |
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770 |
751 |
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4,170 |
2,202 |
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8,275 |
7,873 |
|
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17,569 |
13,303 |
|
|
23,398 |
19,732 |
|
|
24,578 |
33,331 |
|
|
27,689 |
21,886 |
|
|
33,144 |
25,584 |
|
|
36,563 |
61,535 |
|
|
53,544 |
51,452 |
|
|
57,431 |
30,974 |
|
|
64,379 |
71,191 |
|
|
69,094 |
68,042 |
|
|
76,733 |
45,145 |
|
|
85,198 |
103,195 |
|
|
93,885 |
70,209 |
To see the entire CyberNet
table of monthly book rankings, covering over 100 titles by Objectivist authors
going back to 2004, click here.
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AMAZON REVIEWER RANKINGS
Congratulations, ERIC KASSAN. You’re #1! Also cheers are in order for BILL BUCKO who made it into the Top 10K and JOHNNY LEE who is not far behind.
Anyone can join the competition. Just write reviews of books, movies, CDs, or any other products Amazon sells. Then let us know and we will track your progress. When you get to the Top 20K, you get on the Scoreboard.
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Reviewer |
August |
July |
May |
April |
March |
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3,921 |
4,045 |
4,376 |
4,329 |
4,341 |
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4,071 |
3,972 |
3,866 |
3,845 |
3,781 |
|
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4,224 |
4,109 |
3,930 |
3,845 |
3,781 |
|
|
7,127 |
6,942 |
7,070 |
6,896 |
6,751 |
|
|
7,283 |
7,088 |
6,768 |
7,155 |
8,929 |
|
|
7,767 |
7,566 |
7,477 |
7,557 |
7,697 |
|
|
9,690 |
10,259 |
10,678 |
10,921 |
|
|
|
10,049 |
10,259 |
11,048 |
10,409 |
|
|
|
11,453 |
11,200 |
10,678 |
10,409 |
|
|
|
12,600 |
12,281 |
11,745 |
11,458 |
|
|
|
14,720 |
14,359 |
13,731 |
13,375 |
|
|
|
15,571 |
15,225 |
14,551 |
|
|
|
|
17,286 |
16,898 |
16,150 |
15,786 |
|
|
|
17,589 |
17,192 |
16,435 |
16,037 |
|
|
|
17,589 |
17,192 |
16,435 |
16,037 |
|
|
|
20,083 |
19,328 |
18,798 |
|
|
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23,363 |
22,780 |
21,756 |
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|
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27,821 |
27,122 |
25,849 |
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OBJECTIVISM IN THE MEDIA
There was a major, respectful, and generally accurate article about Ayn Rand and Atlas Shrugged in American Heritage. It was posted on the history magazine’s web site on September 2nd and it noted that Miss Rand began writing her magnum opus on that date exactly sixty years ago.
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WORTH MENTIONING ...
ED LOCKE was quoted in a widely syndicated article on dieting skills and motivation.
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An article about investing in railroad stocks notes: “It's all too easy to dismiss the sector as archaic. Wasn't this Dagny Taggart's dying turf in Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged way back when?”
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GRACE DeCICCO heard Rick Santelli, who reports from the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade for CNBC, likened the stock market to Atlas Shrugged: Can the market hold up the weight of that bullishness without caving?
OP-EDS AND JOURNALISM
RICHARD SALSMAN explained why the “Fed has hobbled another bull” in the pages of the (Canadian) National Post (6/14/06).
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ROBERT TRACINSKI has had many of his best opinion pieces featured on the widely-read Real Clear Politics web site which is also indexed by Google and featured on Yahoo! News and FoxNews.com. His articles on “The Secular Right” and “The Suicide Bomb Morality” had some important things to say about Ayn Rand and her place in the current political scene. “Five Minutes to Midnight” was widely circulated and discussed on the internet. It has an important history lesson that was later repeated in Donald Rumsfeld’s speech at the American Legion convention.
Recent Tracinski columns include:
The Unlearned Lesson of Katrina
We Can't Continue Waiting on Events
Five Minutes to Midnight (discussed, discussed).
Iran's Strategy Is Crudely Obvious--So Why Can't We Fight It?
What Part of 'War' Don't We Understand?
The War Comes to Us – (discussed)
Independence Day's Lessons for the Conflict with Iran
The Suicide Bomb Morality (discussed)
Al Gore is a Brave Truth Teller? (discussed)
Bush's September 10 Approval Ratings
Publish or Perish: The Lessons of the Cartoon Jihad
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In addition to ARI op-eds carried by The American Chronicle, DALE NETHERTON has many columns this month, GLENN WOICESHYN has five new articles, and you can also read past articles by JOSEPH McHUGH and AMY PEIKOFF.
ARI MEDIA DEPARTMENT
There is an unconfirmed report that Sean Hannity quoted at length from and ARI Media press release on Global Warming on September 1, 2006.
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Both KARL GUDER and BETSY SPEICHER heard YARON BROOK’s sound-bite during the hourly news on KFI Radio in Los Angeles. He was discussing the profiling of airline passengers. He also participated on a panel on a one-hour program on profiling on CNBC (8/17/06).
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These recently released or published op-ed articles were written for, and promoted by, ARI and are available at the Ayn Rand Institute's Media Department web site.
Most have been published by American Daily (OH, WWW), American Chronicle (WWW), the Empire Page (NY, WWW), and NewsByUs (WWW). Additional publications and mentions are noted.
On Labor Day, We Should Honor Man's Mind, Not Men's Muscles, as the Real Source of Wealth and Progress
By Fredric Hamber
Published: Rock River (IL) Times (08/31/06)
Intellectual Conservative (WWW) (09/04/06)
By Elan Journo
Published: IsraPundit (WWW) (07/20/06)
Hernando Today (FL) (07/22/06)
Enter Stage Right, (WWW) (07/23206)
Mountain Mail (CO) Newspaper (07/26/06)
Mentioned: CyberCast News Service (WWW) (07/21/06) (read)
The Indispensable Condition of Peace
Only when the initiators of force learn that their actions lead to their own destruction, will peace be possible in the Middle East.
By Onkar Ghate
Published: Gamla (Israel) (07/20/06)
YNetNews (WWW) (07/19/06)
Mountain Mail (CO) Newspaper (07/20/06)
IsraPundit (WWW) (07/21/06)
Freedom vs. Unlimited Majority Rule
America helped empower Hezbollah, by confusing the idea of freedom, which rests on the principle of inalienable individual rights, with the idea of democracy, which rests on the principle of unlimited majority rule.
By Peter Schwartz
Net Neutrality vs. Internet Freedom
By Alex Epstein
Published: Hawaii Reporter (07/14/06)
Human Events (07/17/06)
Enter Stage Right (WWW) (07/17/06)
Gladwin County (MI) Record (07/18/06)
The Columbian (WA) (07/20/06)
Keep Our "Addiction" to Oil, End Our Allergy to Self-Assertion
By Alex Epstein
Published: IsraPundit (WWW) (07/06/06)
Hawaii Reporter (07/08/06)
New Jersey Record (07/10/06)
Enter Stage Right (WWW) (07/10/06)
The Unlearned Lesson of Ken Lay and Enron
By Alex Epstein
Published: Hawaii Reporter (07/06/06)
Hernando Today (FL) (07/07/06)
New Jersey Record (07/07/06)
Santa Monica (CA) Daily Press (07/07/06)
Philadelphia Inquirer (07/07/06)
Madera (CA) Tribune (07/07/06)
FrontPage Magazine (WWW) (07/08/06)