ARI at CPAC2013?

Yes, you read that right. The "Ayn Rand Center for Individual Rights" - the Washington voice of ARI, is exhibiting at CPAC2013.
This is a complete change for ARI to take in its relationship of Objectivism to conservatism.

And just who and what is CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference)? CPAC is a yearly conference started by the American Conservative Union (primarily composed of Young Americans for Freedom - YAF retirees).They attract several thousand conservatives every year with multiple speakers - usually highly prominent nationally known conservatives (examples: Limbaugh, Gingrich, Santorum, Pat Buchanan, Sarah Palin, and in the 1980's even President Ronald Reagan). Many organizations of a conservative bent pay handsomely to have display tables to hand out their literature or attract new followers. However, ACU screens exhibitors - and Birchites, radical libertarians, any type of atheists, are not permitted.

Except for a few years when the Atlas Society had a table, Objectivism was not represented at CPAC. Lately, TAS has not displayed (or were not allowed to). Now, certainly, the orthodox Objectivists as personified in Leonard Peikoff and in ARI have never been represented. And never wanted to, until now. For all the reasons given by Rand in her many non-fiction books. She hated Buckleyite/National Review-type conservatives (and with very good reasons). CPAC is the creation and personification of Buckleyites. They run it.

In the past, and I'm sure now, many religious-oriented conservatives have had booths and many speakers at CPAC. In fact, the issue of legalized abortion is by far the most represented topic of interest at CPAC. In fact, they are over-represented.

Now, we have a problem here. Ayn Rand made her view of religious-oriented conservatives quite clear. And her views on abortion are best represented by her essays in Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal (see "Of Living Death').
In the past, Leonard would not touch these people with a ten-foot pole. Wanted nothing to do with them. ARI has essays on its web sites condemning conservatism.

And yet, now we find ARI (thru its Washington office) participating. Ayn Rand must be revolving in her grave. I'm surprised that Peikoff would allow this. Is he on life-support or something? If he did not know about this, and he finds out, he will need life support. Or somebody will.

Wow,...

Post 1

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 3:08pm

Have there been power shifts at the top of the conservative organization similar to what is now happening at Cato that will more closely align it with Objectivism over the long haul?

Post 2

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 4:27pm

I think its a great idea. This isn't supporting those conservative positions that Rand hated. It isn't treating the Buckleyites as leaders. It is an opportunity to give clear, powerful arguments in favor of Capitalism and individual rights.

The reason that it is good now and would have been bad in the past is not only the influence of CATO, but also the number of Libertarians who have been elected. Some are part libertarian and part conservative, like Rand Paul, and Mike Lee, Ted Cruz. This should be seen as changing the conservative part of the Republican party - doing it from the inside. That wing of the GOP will evolve. Will they go more religious even though that will take them to extinction? Will they try to be more moderate, which will just be another way to be wiped out? Will they stay stuck trying to do what hasn't worked in the past?

They know that they might have gained control of the Senate if they hadn't chosen such inept social conservatives in the primaries in several states. They know that they are under attack from the RINOs and hard-core establishment GOP types in their own party as well as the Progressives.

I say give them good arguments to battle the progressives, the establishment GOP, the NeoCons, and the Religious Right and help move that segment of the GOP closer to being libertarian.

Post 3

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 5:55pm

Have there been changes in the top leadership of CPAC/ACU? I am not aware of any that would indicate a more friendly or cooperative attitude on their part toward Objectivist organizations. It's possible, but I doubt it because ACU is closely aligned with National Review, which has historically taken a (very) dim view of Rand since Bill Buckley asked for and published an extremely hostile book review on Atlas Shrugged by Whittaker Chambers. National Review has seen fit to re-publish Chambers' article on several occasions, one being their 40th Anniversary celebriatory issue. I do not recall whether they repeated that with their 50th Anniversary issue. Additionally, NR has published very critical articles about Rand every few years, the last one being a cover article in 2011 regarding her rising influence within the "Tea Party" movement. It was not complimentary about it.

I have gone on here about NR because they have been the organizing and financial force behind ACU. But I think your post indicated that perhaps they are now open to considering Objectivism. Their published agenda on the website does not indicate any Objectivist speaker, nor are the topics making any reference to Rand or Objectivism. With one exception, a panel discussion on whether businessmen are now "shrugging." Unfortunately, none of the panelists appear to be Objectivists, as far as I can tell. So far, Yaron Brook or other ARI representatives are not making any presentation (but the agenda is updated daily, so maybe they will show up).

But don't count on it. Take a look at the agenda, the speakers, and the topics of their presentations (conservative.org/cpac/agenda). You will note a strong influence of "social conservatism," with many presentations on the issue of abortion, which they are adamantly against, especially legalization of abortion. Unfortunately, CPAC presentations have become much more social conservative and faith-based, not less.

I have attended several CPAC conferences, including one in 2005 in which I manned The Atlas Society table with Ed Hudgins. The reaction, in most cases, was that of curiosity. Most of these attendees indicated that they had not yet read Atlas Shrugged, or have read "part of it." There was a group of college students from Liberty University (that's right, Jerry Falwell's institution!) who were literally gushing enthusiasm about Rand. Let's say that they had not yet got to the atheist part of Galt's Speech, or her views on abortion in Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal. However, a few approached our table who indicated quite clearly that they were aware of Rand's position on these issues, and that they were not pleased to see us. Some wanted to pray for us. One guy exclaimed (bellowed, actually), "But Christ died for our sins!" Ed Hudgins handled these people in a diplomatic and courteous manner, but without any watering-down of Objectivist positions. In any case, TAS were exhibitors for a few years and then stopped. When I inquired, their answer was along the lines that they did not get enough positive results to make it worthwhile.

Post 4

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 6:43pm

Excellant idea! I encourage curious libertarians and Objectivists to attend CPAC2013 and see for themselves
Here are some of their scheduled speakers: Sarah Palin, Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin, Pat Buchanan, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and...Gov. Rick Perry. You might like some of the political and economic positions (even Gov. Perry's - if he remembers them), but they are not sympathetic or approve of, other Objectivist positions.

Many are openly hostile, such as Rick Santorum, whose recent book attacked the very idea of individualism, stating that conservatives need to be less selfish and more community-oriented. How about Newt Gingrich? I liked his confrontative style in dealing with the media's moderators in the GOP Presidential candidates debates, but was appalled that he told some attendees at the end of one of the debates that they must be faith-based, because "If you do not pray, how can I trust you?"

Cato Institute is not listed as a sponsor or exhibitor at CPAC2013. It is possible that they will be added, since the agenda, speakers, exhibitors lists are updated daily. At this point, I think it is unlikely.

I regret to inform you that, while the Mainstream Media has indicated that social conservatives were at fault for the Republicans losing the election, this is not the position taken in most conservative journals, print or electronic.. On the contrary, many conservative leaders have stated that the problem was that Governor Romney and the GOP were not sufficiently "social conservative"(meaning, more religious, faith-based), not less. Don't believe me? Attend CPAC2013 and see for yourself.

Post 5

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 7:27pm

Interesting development...not unrelatedly, I just published a blog post regarding the "religious element" added to ATLAS SHRUGGED pt. 3 that touches on what you're talking about, re the antagonism at these events towards Objectivists...

"Give Me That Old Time Religion," or, Dagny Goes to Church in Atlas Shrugged Pt. 3

(Edited by Joe Maurone on 2/21, 7:31pm)

Post 6

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 8:40pm

Joe,

That's an excellent blog entry!

I still think that ARI should be going to CPAC, but from what Jerry has said about the degree of social conservatism there, I have smaller hopes for it being beneficial.

Clearly the Conservatives are spending too much time listening only to each other - they don't seem to grasp that religious positions make candidates unelectable beyond the primary level. They think they need the religious right, but what they need is to remake themselves as a new party that only focuses on a small constitutionally limited government, and in opposition to debt, deficit, big government, taxes, inflation and death by regulation.
---------------

As to Atlas Part III, I'd like to see a legal action to put Aglialoro back on track. The fact is that he is violating the spirit of his agreement to honor Rand's intellectual intent.

His desire to create some kind of political bond with Christians isn't a proper addition to the story line or theme of Atlas Shrugged. Atlas Shrugged's plot, theme and story-line don't belong to him to change, only to produce with fidelity and integrity.

Post 7

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 8:58pm

Thank you, Steve.

Friday, February 22, 2013 - 5:43am

I agree with Joe's blog though I am not terribly offended by the idea of Dagny finding solace in a quiet church filled with beautiful music and approached by a priest with benevolent though misguided motives, especially since she clearly states her burden is hers alone to bear.

I doubt she would find any solace whatsoever in a mosh pit filled with malevolent head bangers.

In a world as insane as that depicted in the novel, I would always pick the former over the latter.

I know these are not the only available alternatives, but they are certainly the most visible ones.

Whatever Aglialoro's intent, that is the final message I would get from watching the scene in question.

(Edited by Luke Setzer on 2/22, 5:45am)

Post 9

Friday, February 22, 2013 - 10:41am

I understand where you're coming from, Luke, having presented both sides of the debate in the blog piece. And since you mention the other alternatives between church music and the mosh pit, it just dawned on me: Aglialoro is replacing Richard Halley with...the church music. (And not just because Halley's story was a personal favorite for me, it makes Aglialoro's choice that much more questionable...)

(Edited by Joe Maurone on 2/22, 10:45am)

Post 10

Friday, February 22, 2013 - 10:58am

If music is the point of this scene I fear the worst. The moviemakers could do it right, however. Catholics don't much go in for Bach, but they could use Palestrina or Mozart rather than the dreary traditional hymns.

One distinctly bad feature of the Italian We the Living was its substitution of Russian folk songs for the music Kira actually liked.

Post 11

Friday, February 22, 2013 - 11:06am

Luke,

I don't see this as the end of the world... but it is wrong. The choice, for Aglialoro isn't between a mosh pit and a church. Putting in a church and even if it is 30 seconds and Dagny is shown as having acquired a sense of reprise, of security, and comes out stronger, that is a message that is Aglialoro's and it is in opposition to what Rand would have wanted. It would be a case of Mr. Aglialoro stealing the value of Atlas Shrugged to, in that 30 seconds, sanction and promote his beliefs regarding Christianity - whatever they may be. He would be violating his integrity by going back on his agreement to present the intellectual content of Atlas Shrugged without attempting to modify its message.

Among those of us aware of this, his edit becomes our focus. Our critics will pick up on this and it will become their focus. Even if Mr. Aglialoro is a Christian with deep beliefs and even if he thinks this is critical to empowering a needed political processes, he also knows that it is morally wrong. For him to do this, is to mock the message Ayn Rand wrote.

Post 12

Friday, February 22, 2013 - 12:10pm

Okay, I understand, and thanks for hearing me out without jumping on me about it even though we evaluate the outcome differently.

I agree that the motives behind the change are ignoble though I think the actual result will be innocuous in the big scheme of things.

I agree with Michael Marotta elsewhere that someone will eventually make a better production of this novel in the future.

I still think it would make a killer Latin American telenovela.

Post 13

Friday, February 22, 2013 - 12:53pm

Aglialoro's observation that Rand included a priest early on in Atlas Shrugged and that he's merely restoring the character is unconvincing. Rand's character was among the strikers; he had given up his faith. This one, as Aglialoro describes him, has not.

I doubt that this movie version will inspire remakes. Adaptations of novels by Hugo, Dickens, Austen or Chandler that were filmed more than once were successful the first time around. I can't think of a case in which a commercially successful novel failed as a movie and got a second chance: Anthony Adverse, Raintree County, The Shining, Rising Sun, Dune, Presumed Innocent and Bonfire of the Vanities, as well as Rand's works, all come to mind.

Post 14

Friday, February 22, 2013 - 1:18pm

Peter, The Shining and Dune were initially made as theatrical movies and later remade as television miniseries, so I am not sure of the point you want to make.

As for their profits or losses both financially and critically, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) offers mixed reviews for each format of each production.

Please clarify.

I agree with your critique of the stated motivation for inclusion of the priest and would love a scene of him renouncing his faith on the big screen.

(Edited by Luke Setzer on 2/22, 1:22pm)

Post 15

Friday, February 22, 2013 - 1:47pm

These are cases of commercially successful novels that became commercially unsuccessful movies. Nobody has tried to remake them after their initial failure. This bodes ill for movie versions of Rand's novels.

Post 16

Friday, February 22, 2013 - 1:59pm

I will not frown if the novel becomes a miniseries instead of a movie remake. There are plenty of good notable miniseries in television history. Ayn Rand herself anticipated the novel as a miniseries and started scripting it for a while. Production values of television now rival those of cinema these days, too.

One possible exception to Peter's trend is The Lord of the Rings, the 1978 animated cinematic version a controversial mess that was eventually remade into the version we know today.

(Edited by Luke Setzer on 2/22, 10:29pm)

Post 17

Saturday, February 23, 2013 - 8:01am

As for the Forbes article saying that "it's just 30 seconds", a "mere nod," and "most people will miss it", all I can think of is this:

Post 18

Saturday, February 23, 2013 - 8:50am

Touch�, Joe!

Though the 30 seconds may be more like a single classical archway in a recessed door in the back of Roark's skyscraper than the monstrous defacement the clip depicts, your message is clear.

(Edited by Luke Setzer on 2/23, 8:54am)

Post 19

Saturday, February 23, 2013 - 9:53pm