thanks

<3rd draft>
Scott, your original point faded as discussions went other directions [as they do, here; that is not a bad thing]. But the question about how we win the battle for the mind is more than worth asking - it is worth answering.

Since Objectivists are mostly resolute individualists, I think “winning the battle" has to be accomplished by winning a series of small engagements.

Since most Objectivists don’t or won’t do what they are told, each picks his own battles, for his own reasons. It is useful, though, as one is picking, to know about the battles currently being fought, won or lost.

There are a great many posts which recount battles fought; they are usually considered, and lead to interesting discussion. Sometimes one or more of us will follow the original link back and comment there.

I think that’s one of the most useful things we can do. If we do [partly] as you suggested above:
“We should make it a habit to post those articles that could benefit from our presence, gather the troops, and than show up all at the same time with reasoned responses. Imagine?”

I said "partly"; here follow suggestions:
We should make it a habit to post those articles that could benefit from our presence – that is, let others know what battles are being fought. Put something in the title to let others know you’re talking about a current skirmish.

gather the troops - I’d rather herd cats! We all know we’re invited to the party.

show up all at the same time [see above re cats]. How about:
those individuals who can or are willing to show up [within a 24-hour period, so as to strike while the iron is still warm]
with reasoned responses, & or
points to ponder,
arguments,
ridicule,
questions,
as our own talents and inclinations strike us.

And then report back as to what we did – as Eudaimonia did on this thread.

When you’re in the Gulch, you know you’re safe and among friends, despite the occasional troll [which your friends help you take care of, like slugs in the garden]. It’s a place to rest and recharge and get ideas.

I think it also might be a place to find out where your particular skills are needed, go there and fight the good fight, and return here with an “after action report” to take a deep breath.

I’m not proposing much that is different than many already do, except for a slightly increased commitment to chase down the skirmishes, and the more important step to close the loop with more information.

Imagine?

LOL

The biggest problem IMHO is liberals think Atlas Shrugged condemns us. I am a more-or-less liberal, if we must simplistically choose a label, and I think most of my liberal friends would like large parts of Atlas Shrugged if they read it.

lol

I want to say vote them down to death, but I fear that may be the wrong answer.

Don't know much about trolls. We are bound to pick a few up. I try to practice something I read in a biker bar. "Never argue with an asshole. The people watching can't tell who is who."

I try to spend a little time here every day. Spending some time bringing in more objectivists would be worth some more time.

I like the idea, I just don't want trolls, so how do you handle that if you provide a link in here?

Oh...good point. This gets dicey doesn't it?

Bingo. We should make it a habit to post those articles that could benefit from our presence, gather the troops, and than show up all at the same time with reasoned responses. Imagine?

Scott offers an interesting idea. Getting more involved outside the Gulch. Perhaps we could target an online discussion and overwhelm the moochers and looters with objectivist facts. We may recruit some more objectivists and increase membership at the Gulch.

I get your idea. My deal is, on those threads-I really don't want them in here as trolls. how could we avoid that?

I'm sorry but that post is 100% trolling. The comments the same thing. I'd love to upvote any good comments on there, but it's pointless. They posted it to get a rise out of people and the comments are doing the same thing.

Don't waste your time on something in which your efforts will not produce any fruit.

or "Everybody Poops".

Quite right terrycan,
They should fear truth.

If Atlas Shrugged were not important the liberals would not talk about it. Perhaps we should compare "Rules for Radicals" to "Bob the Builder."

Hello AJAshinoff,
I agree. Conservatives of the past are like the liberals of the past, in that the titles no longer mean the same thing. The Neo Cons, have in recent past history made conservatives in general look like warmongers. This is changing as more conservatives seem to be adopting a more libertarian stance on several key issues. This seems to me, to be a step towards proper footing and traditional liberal thinking (18th century liberals). Today's liberals are no longer libertarian leaning but progressive and statist, which is contrary to the ideals of traditional liberal policies... What is a conservative by traditional values less the Neo-Cons if not simple conservation/ preservation of the ideals that traditionally made this nation great? http://www.thefreedictionary.com/conserv...

Naturally the opposition misconstrue this to their advantage by distorting this to mean that they support things they do not, like slavery, or racism just because they were once tolerated or institutionalized. Conservatives I know are not advocates for reversing anti-discriminatory improvements in our Republic, just preserving what was best.

Regards,
O.A.

I posted the following answer.

A childish and naive question and answer. If you take issue with Atlas Shrugged then explain why. I enjoyed the book very much. I have noticed that most of the criticism comes from those who have not read it.

Not sure we will ever get thru to the yaaahoos on Yahoo.

I've found my ability to reach liberals at about 75-80%..where it goes from there I have no control, but I did plant a seed.

99.9% of peoples perception of Conservatism is wrong. I suspect the same can be said for objectivism (which I consider closely aligned). I've found that once people understand Conservatism they generally see themselves less moderate or less liberal because they see their own interest served.

it is why I wrote a book. I have spent years in these discussions "outside."
it's nice to have a place to go to re-charge batteries

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." - Gandhi

I'm thinking the original poster probably didn't read either book and if they did, didn't comprehend either book.