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My Disgusting Day

Posted by $ SarahMontalbano 8 years, 4 months ago to Ask the Gulch
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Yesterday, I saw an ex boyfriend reading a book titled The Age of Selfishness: Ayn Rand, Morality, and the 2008 Financial Crisis. He was talking about Rand's affair with Nathaniel Branden, and he was smearing her, badly. I overheard this, but I did not say anything. I did not stop him. I did not defend my hero from being smeared by a disgusting rat. The words that most closely resemble what was going through my head was: "I couldn't defend you from him." I'm not sure whether "you" meant Ayn Rand or myself. I was disgusted with the fact that a book as horrible as that exists, that purportedly intelligent people read it, and that I had been so horribly wrong in my selection of him as a former partner. My current partner was quick to blame this on the ex-boyfriend's relation to me, but my feelings of guilt would not be alleviated even if he were not an ex.

My questions for Gulcher's are these:
1. Was it right to stay silent in this circumstance?
2. Was this really a "betrayal", as my emotions felt like?
3. What is the best way to fight in situations like these, if at all?

Comments not directly related to my questions are welcome.

All Comments

  • Posted by $ Abaco 8 years, 4 months ago
    Knowing what his true motivation probably was, the best thing would have been to say, "Yeah, I've had a change of heart on all that. And, I agree with you." Then, walk away with a smile. Jerks hate that.
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  • Posted by $ sjatkins 8 years, 4 months ago
    I wouldn't have. I would have pointed to a number of good books on Rand's actual ethics and psycho-epistemology and why it is so important for full living as a human being on this earth.

    But before that I would jump hard on the notion that those that fleeced the people, and I think they were more in politics than banking, were acting on anything but what Ayn Rand taught.

    Depending on my patience and what kind of rat I considered him I might or might not hang him out to try by applying his judgments to what I know of his own character. But the last would be a less useful and more personal response.

    But tell me, why are you letting this person you seem to consider a creepazoid effect your day?
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  • Posted by johnpe1 8 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    as I have gotten older, good long-term friends have
    become more important. . and the tales which we can tell
    are exciting ... can't beat real life for surprising stories! -- j
    .
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  • Posted by $ Abaco 8 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Yeah. After that, right before I graduated, I did date one that was a keeper (all the others were just flings...really fun ones) who I let slip through my fingers. Didn't find another good one for 22 years. Happily married to her with two beautiful kids. And...that one that got away - she and I have found each other on social media recently and keep in touch. Good stuff. I told her that she was the one keeper I let get away and we both respect that, and each other. Good people are good people. Having them in your life is a blessing.
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  • Posted by johnpe1 8 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    and our kids are getting a distorted view of reality,
    for sure -- more now than ever before. -- j
    .
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  • Posted by johnpe1 8 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. . sorry. . strength comes from tough times,
    though. . what doesn't kill you........... -- j
    .
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  • Posted by $ Abaco 8 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    "My first thought was that he was attempting to hurt me by smearing her." - Then, he's a p*ssy. Adios...
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  • Posted by $ Abaco 8 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Oh, that's rich... Yeah, you can't support Cain, right!? I remember being a fan of Alan Keyes years ago. Everybody was like, "Who?" Haha...
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  • Posted by $ Abaco 8 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Teaching kids to love life more than they love a religion is very important. Otherwise...this is what you can get.
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  • Posted by $ Abaco 8 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Yeah...I helped a hot redhead study in my economics class in college. One thing lead to another. Eventually, she tore my heart out.
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  • Posted by johnpe1 8 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    it started out as a tutoring-in-math thing, and then we
    went to my rooming-house room after a session ....... -- j
    .
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  • Posted by $ Abaco 8 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Jeez louize... That's terrible. Just damaged goods from the start. Sorry you went through that, JohnPE.
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  • Posted by $ blarman 8 years, 4 months ago
    Just a question, but unless he's been 100% faithful in his life, it's quite hypocritical to disparage someone else.

    Methinks you did right by simply ignoring him. He wanted to get into an argument with you, but it wasn't over Rand.
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  • Posted by Herb7734 8 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    As all of the Gulchers do.
    After all these years, I just found out there was a book of her letters I was unaware of. Being a newbie, you'll find not only her writings, but many peripheral writings that will help round out your knowledge. I think you will find the trip very rewarding.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    So why bother with half assed measures. One drone with a JSOWS FAE and their appointments are assured.

    Oh yes the 'innocent.' Sorry I don't consider them at all. Bush First had a damn good policy. One Building One country. I like the one one dead citizen one flattened town concept. I'm not the least bit concerned with this PC sob sister stuff. But I still wouldn't support Trumpet Boy. All he knows is charge and overkill.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years, 4 months ago in reply to this comment.
    BBC released the stories at midnight. Fox probably won't have anything yet. Nice thing about being retired I can stay up all night and it's always Live at Five AM somewhere. BBC has the world segmented and any breaking news comes. automatically. Reuters also. Notice one of the articles said 'reportedly.' I through in the Burka Brigade and Poland China comments gratis.
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