22

Independence Day in the Gulch

Posted by $ JohnAglialoro 10 years, 9 months ago to Government
104 comments | Share | Best of... | Flag

Watching the news today, it's easy to find reason for despair. Do not lose hope. The ideas our country was founded upon are the strongest in the history of mankind. And, our Republic is still worth fighting for.

Tomorrow, we will take a moment to remember who we are, where we've come from and how we got here. We are proud to be Americans and we will wave our flags high.

"If you ask me to name the proudest distinction of Americans, I would choose–because it contains all the others–the fact that they were the people who created the phrase ‘to make money.’ No other language or nation had ever used these words before; men had always thought of wealth as a static quantity–to be seized, begged, inherited, shared, looted or obtained as a favor. Americans were the first to understand that wealth has to be created. The words ‘to make money’ hold the essence of human morality." - Francisco d'Anconia

From all of us at Atlas Shrugged, have a happy and healthy 4th of July.

John Aglialoro
Producer, Atlas Shrugged


Add Comment

FORMATTING HELP

All Comments Hide marked as read Mark all as read

  • Posted by mdelato 10 years, 9 months ago
    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!
    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  
  • Posted by j_IR1776wg 10 years, 9 months ago
    "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

    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  
    • Posted by cseidman 10 years, 9 months ago
      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?
      Reply | Mark as read | Parent | Best of... | Permalink  
      • Posted by Rocky_Road 10 years, 9 months ago
        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.
        Reply | Mark as read | Parent | Best of... | Permalink  
        • Posted by j_IR1776wg 10 years, 9 months ago
          I agree. Slavery has a long and horrible history. I took the following from Wiki: "Slavery can be traced back to the earliest records,
          such as the Code of Hammurabi (c. 1760 BC),
          which refers to it as an established
          institution." The link is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of...

          The colonists didn't have anyone telling them that the institution was evil. Yet there were Aboltionist in the north who eventually ended the practice.
          Reply | Mark as read | Parent | Best of... | Permalink  
          • Posted by alonzocobb 10 years, 8 months ago
            The thing to remember is that the American Revolution took place in a world where slavery was "normal." It had always been. About 2,100 years ago, a guy named Hero invented a steam engine, and everyone understood that it was possible to have an industrial revolution then. However, it was rejected, because the wealthy at the time didn't want to give up their slaves. So, we had to wait some 1,800 years or so to have an industrial revolution that would stick. So, technological capability was necessary, but not sufficient. A different world view was also necessary; the enlightenment, along with the ideas about the rights of man, were the enabler. Given how much progress has been made in the last 2 centuries of the industrial revolution, I can only imagine what reality would be like if the ancient Greeks had been willing to give up their slaves, and would have stepped out into that new world. We would be on other stars by now. It just proves what Ayn Rand said about the importance of ideas; THEY are the real movers of civilization.
            Reply | Mark as read | Parent | Best of... | Permalink  
  • Posted by AKnightsLife 10 years, 8 months ago
    I would like to add that the phrase "To make money" - holds the essence of true freedom - freedom to ones religion (as long as it does not have a history to kill, steal and destroy) the freedom to speak ones mind with civility and intellect and preferably wisdom - but none the less to speak ones mind. And the freedom of press ( as in truthful reporting with no add ons for 1/2 truths or slander) and all the other freedoms which God Himself has Richly Given to us His Children. And as His Children and so as to keep His Blessings it might be wise for us individually and collectively to spend time with Him in His Spirit & His Truth and use His Inward Strength to follow His Inward Leading & Empowerment so as to do good. When one does then their ability to make money will be Blessed with Devine Wisdom, Favor & Riches (of many sorts = to take care of ones family and to help the less fortunate, to finance worthy projects in commerce, science, the arts & or humanitarian etc.). And no matter the hardships that are faced or the lessons that are learned or the patient endurance one must keep so as to create ones lasting wealth in all its forms (family, friends, legacy, commerce, science, arts, humanitarian, etc.) one can look back upon that journey with humble pride and grateful accomplishment. BUT unless we as individuals with In this country of ours get back to The Spiritual Roots which Empowered our founding fathers intellect, emotions and will and writings and actions - then our chance to make money for ourselves and our posterities will disappear before our eyes and die in the night of the twilight's last gleaming.
    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  
  • Posted by patlou 10 years, 8 months ago
    John,
    We can change the dispair caused by our government. As citizens, we must have the courage to demand a jury trial when charged with a victimless crime, and as jurors, we must have the courage to vote "not guilty"based on our conscience instead of only on the facts as instructed by the court.
    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  
  • Posted by LeeCrites 10 years, 8 months ago
    John;

    Thanks for the comments. I am "proud" of my political attitudes -- much of which are quite in line with AS.

    I have to admit I was totally unaware of the book until the first movie. I was aware of Objectivism, and had a passing knowledge of the name Ayn Rand, but that was it.

    As a staunch libertarian, a Christian to my core, and a happily married father and grandfather, I dug into AS with gusto. I was excited to see the second movie come out, and was one of the first half dozen folks in the first showing at the theater when the second one came out!

    This is much more than a political philosophy, it is a lifestyle. And I am happy to share that lifestyle with anyone who will sit still long enough to listen!

    Thanks for all you have done to bring this to me.

    Lee
    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  
  • Posted by Dwatt 10 years, 8 months ago
    Many times, I have faced the fact that what I do to maintain the machine is no longer appreciated but demanded. What would happen today if we who maintain the machine just disappeared? Who will save all those souls that die of discomfort with a failed air conditioner? That poor lady that will die if I can't get her dishwasher working today. Oh, but the government will solve all that. Right.
    Thanks for putting Atlas Shrugged on the screne.
    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  
  • Posted by randallj66 10 years, 9 months ago
    Honestly I have been very down lately, mostly for my daughters who are 15 and 12. I want them to have all that I had. I've been watching speeches from Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher to cheer me up. I hope that enough of us can get together and say, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. We will no longer allow you to rule and dictate our lives!
    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  
  • Posted by petersburg 10 years, 9 months ago
    Thank you Mr . Aglialoro, I read atlas shrugged in 1971. The book changed my life. All these years I hoped someone would make a movie of Ayn Rands wonderful book. thank you again.
    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  
  • Posted by Magoffin 10 years, 9 months ago
    Hope is almost nil now. Revolution is on the table. Just like the complaints against George III, we have the same only worse against the U.S. government.
    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  
  • Posted by gtebbe 10 years, 9 months ago
    Mr. Aglialoro, considering the sacrifices American citizens have made to protect the freedom of this country, we absolutely must not lose Hope. We owe this to the past and present defenders of our Liberty. Moreover, our resolve to "surgically remove" this cancer from our government should be increased. We are experiencing first-hand what Ayn Rand as well as our Founders and others have warned us against. Atlas Shrugged - The Movie could not have come at a better time. Thank you!
    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  
  • Posted by Ron66linc 10 years, 9 months ago
    I can't say that I agree with you. I feel that we have reached and surpassed a tipping point where there are more people on the take than people producing for themselves. I will still celebrate the 4th as victory over England, but am saddened at where we and the rest of the world seem to be today. Morality is dead it seems to me. Capitalism seems to be dead here, it seems based on lobbyists not value. We seem to be on the verge of dictatorship status. The executive chooses what laws they want to "enforce", and what laws they can enact as executive order. Happy 4th.
    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  
  • Posted by sydney 10 years, 9 months ago
    A Happy and Healthy 4th of July to you and everyone there too! (And, thanks so much for bringing Atlas Shrugged to life -- great job - can't wait for AS3, but then again, don't want it to end...
    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  
  • Posted by MissaJim 10 years, 9 months ago
    John,
    Thanks for keeping the Atlas Shrugged faith. But for me, July 3th is and has been for years a day of mourning, not celebration. Mourning for the death of liberty in this country and the fascist system that was started by the dictator Lincoln and kicked into high gear by the FDR. Funny how the death of these united states was started by a senator from Illinois and will be finished by one.
    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  
  • Posted by plectocomia 10 years, 9 months ago
    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!
    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ puzzlelady 10 years, 9 months ago
    Thank you, John, for sharing the Wright house drawing and Ayn Rand's letter to him. I, for one, would love to see it built and be a memorial to Rand, The Fountainhead, and Wright. A museum/library, or perhaps your very own office? It need not be in Connecticut. Looking forward to the release of ASIII. Thank you for your unflagging passion in making the movie a reality. It may well be an antidote to our cultural rot.
    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  
  • Comment hidden by post owner or admin, or due to low comment or member score. View Comment
  • -1
    Posted by C_S 10 years, 9 months ago
    The Oxford English Dictionary has citations of the phrase "make money" in use in the English language going back to the 15th century. In other words, no, the phrase "making money" is not an American invention. Because Rand gets it wrong, D'Anconia gets it wrong. Because D'Anconia gets it wrong, Aglialoro gets it wrong.

    By the way, in your estimate, how much money do you think Part III will lose when it bombs as badly as Parts I and II?
    Reply | Mark as read | Best of... | Permalink  
    • Posted by PatrickHenry1234 10 years, 9 months ago
      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.
      Reply | Mark as read | Parent | Best of... | Permalink  
      • Comment hidden by post owner or admin, or due to low comment or member score. View Comment
      • Posted by C_S 10 years, 9 months ago

        By the way --

        "You lose, and my guess is your reference to Oxford is fallacious too."

        Nope. Got it right in front of me. Consult your local library if you don't happen to own a copy of the OED already. Which -- well, you know, what Rand reader would? It's too full of actual fact.
        Reply | Mark as read | Parent | Best of... | Permalink  
      • Comment hidden by post owner or admin, or due to low comment or member score. View Comment
      • Posted by C_S 10 years, 9 months ago
        "C_S, if you are trying to make a case for these communists in DC, you have failed."

        Which of course posits the question: is it reading Ayn Rand that gives people like "PatrickHenry1234" such terrible reading comprehension, or is terrible reading comprehension a prerequisite for being an Ayn Rand fan?
        Reply | Mark as read | Parent | Best of... | Permalink  

FORMATTING HELP

  • Comment hidden. Undo