Hi

[Rafael]

Hi everyone,

I am Rafael Eilon, an old-time Objectivist whose agreement with Objectivism is no longer as complete as it once was. I had been more-or-less active on OWL (objectivism@wetheliving.com) from 1994 till its unfortunate demise about a year ago. I am very pleased to see this new forum; congratulations Michael and Kat for a very impressive site!

I became acquainted with Objectivism in 1961, when I read Atlas Shrugged and then The Fountainhead. I subsequently read everything by Ayn Rand and her followers that I could lay my hands on.

I grew up in a Kibbutz in Israel (I am now a resident of Tel Aviv, Israel), and was educated with a strong Socialist (almost Communist) ethic. My acquaintance with Objectivism came as a shock and changed my perspective in a sort of personal revolution. It then took me more than a decade to wake up to the fact that Objectivism does not have all the right answers either...

Anyhow, enough about me. I have read some of the threads on this forum and generally I am very impressed, so I would like to greet all contributors and express my appreciation.

Last but not least, I want to call your attention to my essay "The Exclusivity of Physical Existence" which appears on the "Chewing on Ideas" section. As I say there, your comments are welcome.

Thank you all and all the best,

Rafael Eilon

[Chris Grieb]

Welcome; I hope you will discuss where you disagree with Objectivism. You come a long way to our embrace and I think you will find this a great site. We hope you will discuss events in the Middle East and elsewhere. It's always great to have someone from outside North America. I think the person who lives closest to you is Fran. She lives in Cyrpus.

[Michael Stuart Kelly]

Rafael,

Let me extend you a very warm welcome to OL.

I will be getting to your thoughtful article before too long. Please excuse my delay (I have been involved with some personal business that has been a drain on my time). Here is the link for anyone interested.

The Exclusivity of Physical Existence

You do raise some interesting points. I imagine it is going to be a pleasure interacting with you.

So please, pull up a chair and make yourself at home.

Michael

[Rafael]

Welcome; I hope you will discuss where you disagree with Objectivism. You come a long way to our embrace and I think you will find this a great site. We hope you will discuss events in the Middle East and elsewhere. It's always great to have someone from outside North America. I think the person who lives closest to you is Fran. She lives in Cyrpus.

Hi Chris,

1) My most fundamental disagreement with Objectivism is in my essay; perhaps I will come later to my other disagreements, which are somewhat related. 2) I have discussed the Middle East situation several times on OWL and on Monart Pon's Starship Forum. It is not my central subject of interest, but I am open to questions etc.

Thanks for the welcome. I am pleased to make your acquaintance.

Rafael

[Rafael]

Rafael,

Let me extend you a very warm welcome to OL.

I will be getting to your thoughtful article before too long. Please excuse my delay (I have been involved with some personal business that has been a drain on my time). Here is the link for anyone interested.

The Exclusivity of Physical Existence

You do raise some interesting points. I imagine it is going to be a pleasure interacting with you.

So please, pull up a chair and make yourself at home.

Michael

Michael,

Thank you very much for the welcome. I am looking forward to some discussion.

Best regards,

Rafael

[Guyau]

Rafael!

I am so glad to learn you are alive. I hope your family has also been unharmed and that the little one is coming along. I had not known how things had gone for you since I stopped publishing Objectivity eight years ago.

I will post some remarks on your thread "The Exclusivity of Physical Existence" drectly. That last word is from my Oklahoma childhood. It means shortly and this day.

Stephen

[Rafael]

Rafael!

I am so glad to learn you are alive. I hope your family has also been unharmed and that the little one is coming along. I had not known how things had gone for you since I stopped publishing Objectivity eight years ago.

I will post some remarks on your thread "The Exclusivity of Physical Existence" drectly. That last word is from my Oklahoma childhood. It means shortly and this day.

Hi Stephen,

I am very glad to hear from you too. My region is not that dangerous, and I had been honorably released from military duties more than a decade ago, so of course I am OK, and so is my wife, and my 2 rebellious teenage daughters are coming along fine. I likewise hope everything is going well for you. Best regards and see you on the thread.

Rafael

[Chris Grieb]

Raefel; I find your comment that the region you live in is not dangerous. Sometimes people have that reaction when I tell people I live in Washington DC. Some people act like I've told them I've just returned from combat duty in Iraq. I think people acquire a sense of how to act in all sorts of conditions and people in full focus do just fine.

[Danneskjold]

Hello Rafael,

I am glad to see you on this forum and hope that either we can educate you or you can educate us. That's what discussion's for isn't it?

my 2 rebellious teenage daughters are coming along fine.

Ya, that happens. My rebellious stage was about two or three years ago in Jr. High. They'll work through it. No worries.

[Rafael]

Raefel; I find your comment that the region you live in is not dangerous. Sometimes people have that reaction when I tell people I live in Washington DC. Some people act like I've told them I've just returned from combat duty in Iraq. I think people acquire a sense of how to act in all sorts of conditions and people in full focus do just fine.

Hi Chris,

There are some real dangers in our respective regions; we live under certain threats. But we take part as needed in keeping the country safe, and we take our chances. Focus helps only so much...

Best regards,

Rafael