Donald Trump’s Role Model Is an Ayn Rand Character

[Socrates]

Trump describes himself as an Ayn Rand fan.

For those who did not undergo the common American *adolescent* *rite*
*of* *passage* of a brief infatuation with Rand, The Fountainhead was
her first highly successful novel, soon made into a Hollywood film
featuring Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal. It is nowadays probably less
well known than her later didactic masterpiece Atlas Shrugged, a massive
hymn to the virtue of selfishness and laissez-faire capitalism that is
frequently touted as the inspiration for libertarian-ish pols, famously
including House Speaker Paul Ryan.

But while the hero of Atlas Shrugged is the mysterious John Galt, who
gradually draws all of the major creative spirits out of a dysfunctional
socialist society in a demonstration of “the mind on strike,” The
Fountainhead’s Roark is a self-involved architectural genius who
dynamites a public housing project he designed because its builders did
not follow his blueprint. His passionate contempt for the human herd of
lesser beings reflected Rand’s own early Nietzschean influences, before
the full flowering of her systematic philosophy of Objectivism, which
was laid out in numbing detail in Atlas Shrugged.

It’s fitting and a bit chilling that Trump sees himself in Roark. And
given the mogul’s somewhat-questionable attitude toward women, it should
be mentioned that Roark is among the 20th century’s best-known fictional
rapists.

Rand and her acolytes devoted many thousands of words to denying that
the "rape scene" in The Fountainhead where Roark broke into heroine
Dominique Francon’s sleeping chambers and had what sure appeared to be
violently coercive sex was actually rape. But even if you buy into
Rand’s borderline S&M view of sexual love as involving an idealized
dance of equals submitting (the woman, of course) to and executing (the
man, of course) dominance, Roark is a questionable role model for a
21st-century man, and particularly one aspiring to the presidency.

But it seems Trump just can’t help identifying himself with Roark as a
larger-than-life figure who should not have to live by the herd’s standards.

[Fred Exley]

plagiarism |ˈplājəˌrizəm|
noun

the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off
as one's own.


http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/04/trumps-role-model-is-an-ayn-rand-character.html

[Socrates]

LOL, the article kinda leaves you stuck and without a rebuttal doesn't
it? Of course you aren't naive enough to think I pretended to be the
author but at least you get to feign (I hope for your sake it's feign)
indignation. If you were as clever as you like to pretend you would
have known that I sucked you in to posting the link (since you have done
so in the past).

If you read the entire piece it should dawn of even you that my goal was
merely to stick to the key points. Nice thing about not having idols or
Gods to worship is that no one can screw with your head about your
belief system. ;) BTW, I noticed the similarities between Trump and
Rand's imaginary character and found the article via Google.

[Fred Exley]

You can suck me anytime, pal.

[Mark Warner]

I can sleep soundly tonight. All is right with the world.

--
Mark Warner
MEPIS Linux
Registered Linux User #415318
...lose .inhibitions when replying

[JoeRaisin]

On 10/27/2016 8:18 PM, Socrates wrote:
> LOL, the article kinda leaves you stuck and without a rebuttal doesn't it

Maybe he just figured it's a waste of time.


;)

--
Narcissistic control freaks always consider their perceptions and
opinions to be obvious and true.
- Frank "Socrates"

[Socrates]

assholiopath. nown

Someone who who systematically looks for ways shame others in order to
hide his feelings of unworthiness. Common symptoms include a lack of
social conscience, antisocial behavior manifested in aggressive,
combative behavior and an inability to experience empathy or remorse.

[Charlie M. 1958]

On 10/27/2016 7:59 PM, Mark Warner wrote:
> On 10/27/2016 08:30 PM, Fred Exley wrote:
>> On 10/27/16 5:18 PM, Socrates wrote:
>>> If you were as clever as you like to pretend you would
>>> have known that I sucked you
>>
>> You can suck me anytime, pal.
>
> I can sleep soundly tonight. All is right with the world.
>

No shit, huh?

[Fred Exley]

On 10/27/16 7:10 PM, JoeRaisin wrote:
> On 10/27/2016 8:18 PM, Socrates wrote:
>> LOL, the article kinda leaves you stuck and without a rebuttal doesn't it
>
> Maybe he just figured it's a waste of time.
>
>
> ;)
>

First he claims he sucked me in, then projects I'm stuck without a
rebuttal -mutually exclusive alternatives. If one does not respond to a
post's contents it does not logically follow one is stuck. I merely
pointed out he somehow 'forgot' to credit the author of the article.

I wonder if Bellevue has an APB out for an escaped patient, last seen
jacking off in some bloody closet...

[JoeRaisin]

On 10/27/2016 10:35 PM, Fred Exley wrote:
> On 10/27/16 7:10 PM, JoeRaisin wrote:
>> On 10/27/2016 8:18 PM, Socrates wrote:
>>> LOL, the article kinda leaves you stuck and without a rebuttal
>>> doesn't it
>>
>> Maybe he just figured it's a waste of time.
>>
>>
>> ;)
>>
>
> First he claims he sucked me in, then projects I'm stuck without a
> rebuttal -mutually exclusive alternatives. If one does not respond to a
> post's contents it does not logically follow one is stuck.

Shut Uuuup....

Yes it does....

> I merely pointed out he somehow 'forgot' to credit the author of the article.
>
> I wonder if Bellevue has an APB out for an escaped patient, last seen
> jacking off in some bloody closet...

It's that sort shit I /don't/ find funny.

[Charlie M. 1958]

On 10/27/2016 9:43 PM, JoeRaisin wrote:
> On 10/27/2016 10:35 PM, Fred Exley wrote:
>> On 10/27/16 7:10 PM, JoeRaisin wrote:
>>> On 10/27/2016 8:18 PM, Socrates wrote:
>>>> LOL, the article kinda leaves you stuck and without a rebuttal
>>>> doesn't it
>>>
>>> Maybe he just figured it's a waste of time.
>>>
>>>
>>> ;)
>>>
>>
>> First he claims he sucked me in, then projects I'm stuck without a
>> rebuttal -mutually exclusive alternatives. If one does not respond to a
>> post's contents it does not logically follow one is stuck.
>
> Shut Uuuup....
>
> Yes it does....
>
>
>
>
>> I merely pointed out he somehow 'forgot' to credit the author of the
>> article.
>>
>> I wonder if Bellevue has an APB out for an escaped patient, last seen
>> jacking off in some bloody closet...
>
> It's that sort shit I /don't/ find funny.
>
>

Wait.. are you defending Frank???

[Socrates]

On 10/27/2016 7:35 PM, Fred Exley wrote:
> On 10/27/16 7:10 PM, JoeRaisin wrote:
>> On 10/27/2016 8:18 PM, Socrates wrote:
>>> LOL, the article kinda leaves you stuck and without a rebuttal
>>> doesn't it
>>
>> Maybe he just figured it's a waste of time.
>> ;)

> First he claims he sucked me in, then projects I'm stuck without a
> rebuttal

Admit it Fred, you just weren't up to challenging the suggestion that
Donald Trump is in many ways comparable to the fictional hero John Galt
created by your often praised author Ayn Rand. I understand it was a
bit of a challenge but I thought you would at least try. <shrug>

[Fred Exley]

I didn't even read it. If you have something to say, an original
thought of your own, I'm all ears, Oblio. Meanwhile, polly wanna cracker?

[JoeRaisin]

Frank doesn't need anyone to defend him.

He's a very capable lad.

I've just never appreciated the humor of going to the chemotherapy
clinic and making bald jokes. He didn't share to be twisted as sport...
well... at least I don't think so...

As for Frank - I harbor no animosity and don't believe I've ever gotten
personal. I don't know how he feels about it, but as long as we could
stay away from politics, I believe we'd have an enjoyable cup of coffee.

I find no gratification in taking anything here personal... quite the
opposite - shit, it's way more fun when I don't.

Not to say there hasn't been a participant or two around here over the
years that hasn't gotten under my skin and had me feeling like I wanted
to punch 'em in the head...

But I'm getting too old for that sort of thing. The wrists aren't as
resilient as they used to be. Plus, heads seem to be getting harder.

With the life I've lived and the crap I've fucked up, I've /had to/
learn to laugh at myself... and I've become the funniest guy I know...

[Fred Exley]

Both Frank and I shared our experiences of jacking off in some office.
It's ok for one nigga to call another nigga a nigga. But the rest of
you have no right to make fun of us jackoffs.

[JoeRaisin]

Maybe - but some non-niggas might think that makes it ok to use the word...

I don't think Frank has a thin skin - Oh hell no...

I just don't find it funny - which is what I said

Being self deprecating is one thing - but don't deprecate on someone
else. To me, it's like AA - I am free to say I was there, but I am
certainly not free to say I saw you there... Okay... maybe not exactly
the same thing... but I get my point...

[Charlie M. 1958]

On 10/27/2016 10:09 PM, JoeRaisin wrote:

> I find no gratification in taking anything here personal... quite the
> opposite - shit, it's way more fun when I don't.
>
> Not to say there hasn't been a participant or two around here over the
> years that hasn't gotten under my skin and had me feeling like I wanted
> to punch 'em in the head...
>
> But I'm getting too old for that sort of thing. The wrists aren't as
> resilient as they used to be. Plus, heads seem to be getting harder.
>
> With the life I've lived and the crap I've fucked up, I've /had to/
> learn to laugh at myself... and I've become the funniest guy I know...
>
>
>

I can relate to all of that. :-)

[Charlie M. 1958]

On 10/27/2016 10:23 PM, Fred Exley wrote:

>
> Both Frank and I shared our experiences of jacking off in some office.
> It's ok for one nigga to call another nigga a nigga. But the rest of
> you have no right to make fun of us jackoffs.
>
>

Maybe that would be so... out in the politically correct world. Here in
ARAA, everyone and everything is fair game.

[Socrates]

LOL, this collection of ex drunks are, for the most part a collection of
basically working class, middle class folks. Original thought? Without
Polly this place would die pretty quickly.

I just watched a half hour of CNN and I was dumbstruck. Host Don Lemon
had Alan Dershowitz, Michael Isikoff and Douglas Brinkley. They talked
about Hillary, her e-mails, Trump and some of his idiotic comments and
*not* *once* did *anyone* interrupt and/or talk over another guest or
the host. Don't do Faux Snooze but I wish I had a nickel for every time
I've gotten frustrated with MSNBC (especially Chris Matthews) for
talking over the guests or more often *all* of them talking at once.
Amazing. Click!!!

[Fred Exley]

I watch Rachel Maddow religiously. Quite the polite venue, and great
insights she has. The rest of them, like pro-wrestling, seem more like
staged theatrics. But once in a while it's real:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqIpSzq-w_U

[RobD]

Socrates <conn...@frontier.com> wrote:
> .
>
> I just watched a half hour of CNN and I was dumbstruck. Host Don Lemon
> had Alan Dershowitz, Michael Isikoff and Douglas Brinkley. They talked
> about Hillary, her e-mails, Trump and some of his idiotic comments and
> *not* *once* did *anyone* interrupt and/or talk over another guest or
> the host.

Okay, now *that* would be a pearl worth reading this group for.

I have mostly abandoned TV "news" because of this very thing.

If CNN has started to do a presentation where people do not not talk over
each other, I'll give them another chance.

[Socrates]

After I hit send I realized it was unusual for CNN also. This
particular host I kind of like compared to the others. Maybe it was
just the guests but it was amazing because you could see by their
expressions that they had something to say but they waited.

[Mark Warner]

Fuck me runnin'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJJnu3qaquE

--
Mark Warner
...lose .inhibitions when replying

[Mark Warner]

On 10/28/2016 2:43 AM, Socrates wrote:

>> Socrates <conn...@frontier.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> I just watched a half hour of CNN and I was dumbstruck. Host Don Lemon
>>> had Alan Dershowitz, Michael Isikoff and Douglas Brinkley. They talked
>>> about Hillary, her e-mails, Trump and some of his idiotic comments and
>>> *not* *once* did *anyone* interrupt and/or talk over another guest or
>>> the host.
>

> After I hit send I realized it was unusual for CNN also. This
> particular host I kind of like compared to the others. Maybe it was
> just the guests but it was amazing because you could see by their
> expressions that they had something to say but they waited.

Yes, that would be unusual for CNN or most any of the news channels. The
difference there is those guests aren't spokesmen or surrogates or
shills or whatever you want to call them for one side or another. PBS
Newshour is another good one to watch if you want to keep the shouting
down to a minimum.

One thing to keep in mind is the Springeresque nature of many of these
"news" shows is intentional.

[Skeezix LaRocca]

On 10/27/2016 08:18 PM, Socrates wrote:

>
> LOL, the article kinda leaves you stuck and without a rebuttal doesn't
> it? Of course you aren't naive enough to think I pretended to be the
> author but at least you get to feign (I hope for your sake it's feign)
> indignation. If you were as clever as you like to pretend you would
> have known that I sucked you in to posting the link (since you have done
> so in the past).
>
> If you read the entire piece it should dawn of even you that my goal was
> merely to stick to the key points. Nice thing about not having idols or
> Gods to worship is that no one can screw with your head about your
> belief system. ;) BTW, I noticed the similarities between Trump and
> Rand's imaginary character and found the article via Google.
>
>
>

Glad to see you crazy kids are back at it. :)

[Socrates]

As I noted in my return from the dead post: "The shit stirring shall
proliferate." Shit stirring is like riding a bicycle. :)

[CW]

Yeah, but it seems to come so easy to you. Almost effortless....

[Fred Exley]

You're a.r.a.a.'s eel in the barrel, sir :)


"To keep the fish that they carried on long journeys lively and fresh,
sea captains used to introduce an eel into the barrel. In the economics
profession, Milton Friedman is that eel." -Paul Samuelson

https://www.facebook.com/events/733010460134708/

[Socrates]

I grew up with 5 sisters and spent over 30 years working with
machinists. Survival comes down to mischief or mayhem.

[Socrates]

Real and ironic. Besides Newt Gingrich "it's no coincidence that men's
sexual misconduct, Donald Trump's, Bill Clinton's, Rudy Giuliani, and
now Anthony Weiner's, keeps being an issue in the race that could
produce the country's first female president."

http://tinyurl.com/hv6su56