missle_man

Michael,

You posted: "get out of that mindset in terms of the bad part--the sweet poison of blind allegiance, but still keep the good part--the vision and dreams."

VERY well stated. If all Objectivists could adhere to this, we would be faced with far less division and animosity.

Cyrus

Welcome to Objectivist Living. Come on in and say hello.

Hello Kat,

I just met Michael on a "Rant" thread I started regarding the "Objectivist" Party (political) and thought it would be good to check in as a new member of the MB. I am the same age as Michael and have tried to live the Objectivist life for the last 40 years. I have absorbed almost everything Ayn Rand has written as well as the biographies that have been published. As I told Michael, I don't adhere to any "school" of Objectivism. The in-fighting both before and after Ms. Rand's death have done nothing to further her epistemology and, frankly, I ignore that distraction. My focus in on Objectivism and how I run my own life.

You all have a good message board here and I will try to contribute when I have something helpful to say.

Cyrus

Hello Michael,

Thank you for the welcome. I am an individualist, as well. Objectivism has guided my life for 40 years (this month!) As a student of Objectivism, I am aware of the schisms that have happened both before and after the death of Ayn Rand. I believe such conflict is bound to happen whenever type A personalities (a trait I see in most Objectivists, including myself) interact. I do not adhere to any particular "school" of Objectivism. Rather, I try to absorb the words and intent of Ayn Rand and apply that to how I run my life. It has worked well for me for 40 years.

I stated in an earlier post that I eschew alliance with any political party. Frankly, I don't see much difference between any of the parties beyond how they dress their windows. And I sure don't find much in common with them from an Objectivist viewpoint. Still, it bothers me to see a political party co-opt the term "Objectivist".

This is an interesting message board. I will continue to look around and contribute when I have something helpful to say.

Cyrus

Cyrus:

Now you got me started and low and behold Dr. Death of NoodleFood was asked to be a Presidential elector for Dr, Steven's Presidential run in 2008:

Dr. Death's response to Dr. Steven

This response, was, as she states, before she knew he was a LIBERTARIAN!

Adam

Adam,

I had read that post on NoodleFood. Dr. Death?? How did she earn such a nickname?

Cyrus

Cyrus:

I checked the page below out when I ran into their website a while ago. I am heavily political and none of the affiliates rang any bells with my network.

This is their Facebook site and affiliates page

Where did you go to school?

Are you a New Yorker?

You might want to stick around at OL since it is quite unique.

Adam

Adam,

I have reviewed their party web site and actually had an exchange with Tom Stevens on facebook. That exchange (ugh) was what led me to start my research. No, I'm not a New Yorker. I grew up in Virginia and have lived in Arizona for the last 29 years. Undergrad at Va Tech, graduate degree from James Madison University. i was a young freshman at Va Tech in 1971 when I discovered Ayn Rand, Maria Montessori, Henry Hazlett and many others. That was a life-changing time for me.

I will stick around. Sure would like to see this faux-Objectivist change the name of his political party. Maybe one of the more influential members of the Objectivist group will see my post and respond.

Cyrus ... but not the one from 1914 :-)

Cyrus:

Ayn's childhood champion's name!

Welcome to OL.

I became aware of them a little while ago, but I have not had the time to make contact with them.

"Unfortunately, your movement has spawned Toxic Randroid Cultists who reject reason in the application of your philosophy and who treat your every word on every topic as if it were biblical truth" - Dr Tom Stevens, founder of and Presidential candidate for the Objectivist Party in a speech at Ayn Rand's grave in April 2009

The quote above would certainly get my attention.

Adam

Thanks for the welcome. Yes, the quote you provided was one of the factoids that got me on the trail of Stevens and the OP. I do not know if Ayn Rand or her estate ever tried to trademark "Objectivist", "Objectivism", etc. but having an organization refer to itself as "Objectivist" when it's principles stand in conflict with Objectivism is just Wrong.

Never heard of these people, and something tells me I won't be hearing much of them again.

The best way to answer a legal question is to ask a lawyer. Short of that, I believe that you have to trademark an invented name to keep others from using it. If I'm wrong (or even if I'm right), you can expect Peikoff and his lawyers to pounce.

Stevens and the OP have been at it since 2008 and I can find no indication that they have been challenged. That's why I asked here. I've been an Objectivist since college days in the 70's and shun organized political parties, thus thought I might have missed something.

I just joined this forum to vent a rant and to see if anyone else has experience with an entity called "The Objectivist Party". This is a political party formed by a guy named Tom Stevens out of New York. He ran as a Presidential candidate in 2 states in the 2008 election and plans to run again in 2012. He reportedly has been affiliated with Republicans, the Tea Party, Libertarians and he even created the New York Personal Freedom Party last fall.

I have done some research on Dr. Stevens and the "Objectivist" Party and have found them lacking in terms of adhering to Objectivist principles. I won't go into details but wonder if any other Objectivists have crossed paths with this outfit? Lastly, can they misuse the term "Objectivist" with impunity? Has this been addressed and I just haven't found it? I do not think Ms. Rand would be too pleased with an "Objectivist" political party.

Thanks.