Oct 22, 2006 | Dollars & Crosses
Global Capitalism: The Solution to World Oppression and Poverty
Capitalism is the system of individual rights. The enormous success of capitalism in Asia in the 20th century's second half, and the beginning of its positive impact in contemporary Latin America add to the evidence accumulated in Europe and North America over the past 200 years: capitalism is the system of both freedom and prosperity. Conversely, capitalism's antipode -- statism in any form -- those systems that deny the principle of individual rights, necessitates both political oppression and economic destitution. The purpose of this talk is to show that and why these claims are true. This talk shows that wherever the political/economic system of capitalism is instituted on any continent in any era men's freedom and prosperity are greatly increased. This was as true of 18th century Europe as it is of 21st century Asia. From its earliest days, capitalism raised the poor's living standards and, within a century, eradicated in the Western world the ages-old scourge of child labor. At the turn of the 21st century, the enormous benefits of capitalism are beginning to be reaped in the 3rd World, especially in Asia. As Ayn Rand stated, capitalism is the ideal social system and this talk, based on three years of research for 'The Capitalist Manifesto', proves it.
University of Southern California . Fri, Oct 27, 2006 Time: 6:30pm Location: SAL – 101. Contact Info: aynrand@usc.edu www.uscobjectivistclub.comOct 22, 2006 | Dollars & Crosses
Conventionally, most people believe that morality can only be based in religious faith - that in a world without God no principles of right and wrong could exist. Related to this, philosophers have long held that no objective, fact-based, rational code of values is possible. Regarding both points, this talk shows that the exact opposite is true. The purpose of morality is to guide human life on earth - and religion is utterly incapable of it. Flourishing life requires a code of secularism, rationality, egoism and freedom. Religious faith clashes with every principle of a proper moral code, and as such, has led--and can only lead to--hell on earth. The speaker, Dr. Andrew Bernstein, is a professor of philosophy at Marist College and also lectures at the State University of New York, where he was selected as Outstanding Teacher in 2004. He has given addresses at Harvard, Stanford, West Pont, Northwestern, Carnegie-Mellon, Columbia, the University of Michigan, the University of Chicago, USC, among others. He is a frequent contributor to several major newspapers as well as a frequent radio and TV commentator. He is also affiliated with the Ayn Rand Institute, where he is a Senior Writer and Speaker. He has published several books, including Heart of a Pagan, The Capitalist Manifesto: The Historic, Economic, and Philosophic Case for Laissez-Faire, and Cliffs Notes for Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead, and Anthem.
University of California, Los Angeles. Date: Thurs, Oct. 26, 2006 Time: 7:30 PM Location: Moore 100 http://www.ucla.edu/map/ Contact Info: info@ClubLogic.org
Oct 13, 2006 | Dollars & Crosses
Irvine, CA--Speculation is rampant about North Korea's apparent test of a nuclear bomb. But one fundamental question is being ignored: How does a country so poor that it citizens die of starvation become a nuclear menace?
"The basic answer," according to Elan Journo, junior fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute, "is that North Korea exploits the West's moral cowardice."
"North Korea is an aggressive dictatorship that holds power by force. The regime loots its enslaved citizens and threatens to do the same to its neighbors. What have Western powers done in response to the North's longstanding pursuit of nuclear weapons?
"Did they condemn the regime? Did they stand up to its bluster and seek to end the regime with a self-righteous, airtight trade embargo? Did they exhibit even an ounce of moral confidence? No; they evaded North Korea's vicious nature and appeased it with protection money. Years of Western 'diplomacy'--including gifts of oil and food--strengthened and emboldened North Korea. Whenever the North rattled its saber anew, the morally craven West responded with more diplomacy--and more bribes. This perverse cycle must end."Oct 12, 2006 | Dollars & Crosses
Monday, October 16, 2006. 6:30pm - 9:00pm; UCLA Campus: Dodd 147, Los Angeles, CA. Email: info@ClubLogic.org
The Middle East has been the stage for conflict and crisis for many decades now. What philosophical principles underlie the continued hostilities and tensions? In the five years since 9/11 especially, the Middle East has been a hotbed of military conflict--ranging from the U.S. in Afghanistan and Iraq to controversies and violence surrounding Danish cartoons depicting Muhammad to Israel's attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon. No doubt, Islamic Totalitarianism poses a grave threat to the security and prosperity of Western nations, but our attempts to stop the enemy has fallen short of successful. In many ways, the Western response has only emboldened and incited terrorist organizations and governments.
What historical and philosophical factors account for the present state of affairs and what do they suggest for the future? Is the war on terror really un-winnable? What should be the U.N.'s role in international policy? Should Israel have assented to the U.N.'s dictates, or should it have continued to fight Hezbollah in Lebanon? Should Iran be allowed to develop nuclear technology? What should Western countries do in the Middle East to advance the causes of freedom and liberty?
In his lecture and the subsequent Q & A session, Dr. Yaron Brook undertakes these questions from a unique philosophical perspective. He will show why appeasement and U.N. sanctions are ineffective, why self-defense cannot be achieved by compromise and dialogues with those who have abandoned reason, why civilian casualties are always the responsibility of the aggressor, why Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear program, why Israel and America should be unconcerned with world opinion, why terrorist organizations and governments must be eradicated, why Israel should not have compromised its campaign against Hezbollah, and ultimately, why securing liberty requires acting on consistent, rational principles.
Dr. Yaron Brook is the President and Executive Director of the Ayn Rand Institute. He is interviewed extensively by the print, radio, and television media for the Objectivist position on current events such as the war in Iraq, Internet control and censorship, and threats to freedom of speech. His recent media appearances include TV interviews on Closing Bell (CNBC) and The O'Reilly Factor (Fox News Channel). He also speaks regularly at college campuses and professional associations across the country.Oct 1, 2006 | Dollars & Crosses
The Berlin opera house, Deutsche Oper, has called off a production of Mozart's "Idomeneo" for fear that a scene featuring the severed head of Islam's prophet might lead to violence. This confirms the warnings, made by defenders of free speech during the Danish cartoon crisis, that the failure of Western governments to respond decisively to the death threats from offended Muslims could lead to self-censorship in the West.
"This decision demonstrates the disgraceful failure of Western governments to defend our right to free speech," said Yaron Brook, executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute.
"In 1989, when the Iranian Mullahs issued a fatwa calling for Muslims to murder Salman Rushdie and attack his publisher, Western governments did nothing. Last year, when violent mobs threatened the lives of the Danish cartoonists, Western governments did nothing. If a government does not ensure its citizens are able to express their views without fear of violent reprisals, free speech is dead.
"Western governments must reverse their trend of appeasement and declare their commitment to ruthlessly punish anyone who attempts to violate their citizens' right to freedom of speech."Sep 25, 2006 | Dollars & Crosses
From Variety:
Angelina Jolie is set to star in the film adaptation of Ayn Rand's iconic tome "Atlas Shrugged" for Lionsgate. Howard and Karen Baldwin ("Ray"), who hold the rights to Rand's most ambitious novel, are producing with Media Talent Group topper Geyer Kosinski, Jolie's manager. Jolie, a longtime fan of Rand's, was eager to play the role of Dagney Taggart, the most powerful female character in any of Rand's books. A movie version of the Russian-born author's novel, which runs more than 1,100 pages, has been long in the making. For years, producer Al Ruddy tried to bring "Atlas Shrugged" to the bigscreen, attracting the interest of Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway along the way. ["Jolie shoulders 'Atlas'", Pamela McClintock, Variety, Sep. 21, 2006]
