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Tuesday
July 26, 2005

Lessons Learned, Lessons Forgotten by George W. Cordero

In the years that lie ahead of us, the topic of nuclear proliferation by Islamic theocracies will increasingly dominate the news. Voices from all sides of the political spectrum will lend their expert advice on the issue. The loudest voice that you will hear is the ever-present voice of appeasement and pacifism: the voice of the guilt-ridden and self-hating Western nations. (Read more...)
Discuss this Article (135 messages)

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 3:19pm

James - can we rewind?

Let me explain. I'm sitting here looking with approval at the applause for Cordero's article, but increasingly puzzled at the comments from some who *should* have seen it before. You & Barbara in particular, since you want me to name names. Then I think, "These buggers don't even bother to *read* the FreeRad!" On top of the private campaign you've both been waging to make me over in my own house, this pisses me off. And I let rip in a way that lends credence to your campaign. I can see clearly that in this instance I owe you, Barbara & Michael an apology, which I proffer unreservedly. This was a chronic, ranting, unjust over-reaction on my part. I'm sorry.

Now please stay & help me make this pond into an ocean!

Linz

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 3:28pm

I get the hint, Lindsay. I'm gone, of course.

Over the next few days, I shall copy some of my articles and posts, and then be on my way.

By the way, I never received Free Radical #66 -- but, as you suggest, I did badger you to join the ranks of the sober and the civilized. Because James K, Michael K, and Chris have been doing the same, I warned them that their time would come; it has come.

Barbara

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 3:52pm

Barbara�as I saw it, it wasn't that you wanted me to join the ranks of the sober & civilised: you wanted to neuter me at a time when civilisation itself is under grave threat. I'm always ready to acknowledge when I've overstepped the mark, as I did here, but I know I could never be genteel enough for your liking. Ironic, given that elsewhere you've questioned my candour.

There'll now be an unprecedented orgy of Linz-bashing & theatrical departures, no doubt. Well, so be it. I remain proud of this haven of "rational passion & passionate reason" even if I get the two out of whack myself from time to time. I don't claim to be perfect, but SOLO is a pretty damn fine creation. SOLOHQ is a magnificent instrument for it. Joe & Jeff, I hope I haven't let you down too badly here.

Linz

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 6:01pm

Barbara, Michael, and James: Please stay. Although it's no fun being on the receiving end of one of Linz's outbursts - and I speak from experience! - a neutered, or even toned-down Linz is the last thing this forum, or Objectivism, needs. Yes, the man blows his stack from time to time, but that's a small price to pay in a world where so few people are as honest - or passionate about ideas - as the extraordinary creature named Linz. A neutered Linz would be an abomination of the man's spirit.

Linz puts his heart and soul into The Free Rad. Can you not therefore understand why he overreacted when we realised that three of the people he esteems most on this site had not even read the previous issue? Take it as a compliment that your opinions of the journal clearly mean so much to him!

My advice is to shout right back at Linz when he oversteps the mark - don't just walk away. For if ever there were a time when genuine Objectivists needed to band together, this is it. Let's defy those gloating prophets of doom who would just love to see this site fragment.

Linz has apologised - and he meant it. So let's not waste another minute lamenting what should simply be seen as a storm in a teacup.

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 6:13pm

Derek you took the words out of my mouth.

And if anyone has a way to hook a breathalyser up to Linz's computer I'll chip in for the installation.

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 6:32pm

Derek:

I disagree. Linz is his own worst enemy. He has many attributes but his personality is his downfall. If he wants this forum to succeed he merely has to stop posting and let others do the policing themselves as they have done in the past. He has apologized and promised to moderate his behavior � to no avail.

The issue of the 'Free Radical' is separate from this forum and it should have no bearing on it. I don't give a damn what happens to it.

The leaving of Barbara et al is a catastophe.

Sam

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 6:38pm

Sam wrote:

"If he wants this forum to succeed he merely has to stop posting..."

I beg your pardon??!?!??!?

If you want another moderator that's one thing. If you want Linz to leave that's quite another.

I'm hoping that you were just being inexact in your meaning.

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 6:46pm

Derek, I very much appreciate your concern, but I insist on treating Linz like a grown man who is responsible for his behavior. Even now, I have too much respect for him to treat him like a child who is subject to the "disease" of irresponsible tirades and tantrums. Those "gloating prophets of doom" have Linz to thank, not me, when Solo fragments. I have defended Linz when he was unjustly attacked, just as I have defended others -- and now myself -- when we are attacked.

Barbara

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 7:17pm

Holy Frijoles!

blows his stack from time to time, but that's a small price to pay
Derek you took the words out of my mouth

:: sarchasm on ::

Yes, it's so worth it. Be his bitch and be paied back over and over again. Derek and Robert vouch for that- and who better?

:: sarchasm off ::

This argument is wrong on so many levels!
You're looking for good reasons to hang around and this is what you two come up with? I was more impressed by the contents of my handkerchief the last time I blew my nose.

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 7:42pm

Robert:

I was not being inexact. My advice to him is to moderate all he wants to � after all, it's his property, but he'll do himself a disservice if he doesn't do it behind the scenes. He's demonstrated time and time again that he can't control himself.

Sam

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 8:01pm

Ah, how quickly the vultures begin their circling. But Rick - you're going to have to work harder than that, I'm afraid. Snideness may be your stock-in-trade, but it's an ineffective weapon against a giant. And the Unmitigated Gall Award goes to Sam for presuming to tell Linz how he should comport himself on his own site.

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 8:24pm

Dayaamm!

I just got in and see that I have been insulted by a man I love and respect highly and that he apologized to me.

A woman I love and respect highly is so offended that she wants to leave.

Another whom I admire and respect profoundly and will probably grow to love is so offended that he wants to leave.

And one of the best scholars I know, who is now fast becoming a beloved friend was thrown in for good measure.

What a fucked up mess!

Well it ain't over until it's over. First things first. Then, one thing at a time.

Linz, your apology is warmly accepted by me.

Michael

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 8:25pm

Here we go again.

Oy, vey!

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 8:30pm

Derek,-

Be his bitch and be paied back over and over again.

Rick - you're going to have to work harder than that, I'm afraid. Snideness may be your stock-in-trade, but it's an ineffective weapon against a giant

Take care- I wasn't talking to him I was talking to you. This 'it's worth being a bitch for' excuse is owned by you and by Robert. If you think Lindsay Perigo backs that spineless line you don't know Lindsay Perigo.

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 8:39pm

Linz,
You sure are a mean drunk. I don't believe I've ever read your life story anywhere. Did someone make a habit out of beating the crap out of you when you were a little kid?

"you wanted to neuter me "

Really? Since when is testosterone and alcohol the same thing? Does asking for help make you a sissy? Or does pissing off some of the best friends anyone could ever hope to have make you an idiot?

How appropriate the name of this thread is.

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 8:41pm

Michael wrote:

Linz, your apology is warmly accepted by me.

Bless you, Michael. The reason you got thrown in the mix was that thing you said to me in private that absolutely floored me. You know what it is, & there's no need for us to relitigate it in public. :-)

Thank you for accepting my apology. I'm very glad you'll be sticking around.

Derek & Robert, my trusty friends�thanks for being staunch. There must be times, such as this, when you'd rather shoot me than defend me, but you understand the fire that consumes me, & I love you both for that.

Linz

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 9:03pm

Well, my requests and suggestions usually go unheeded but here's one anyway.

I would really like to see on the article page itself the date it was posted to SOLO and, if it's a reprint from FreeRad, the issue number. I would also like to see publication dates for FreeRad issues on that site.

Doing so might have averted the current mess. But probably not. At least it would have been one more clue that this was not the first public appearance of the article.

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 9:15pm

As the recipient of the Unmitigated Gall Award I feel that I have the credentials to observe that the personal characteristics that make the inventor/entrepreneur successful are often inimical to those required to manage the mature enterprise.

Sam

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 10:00pm

And why is it, pray tell, that those of us who hadn't been following this thread and have only just now begun reading it are being prevented from seeing the posts by Mr. Perigo that touched off the present orgy of storming off indignantly?

Inquiring minds want to know.

JR

Friday, July 29, 2005 - 10:13pm

I deleted them myself, at the suggestion of a well-wisher, because of their incendiary nature. Normally, "incendiary nature" wouldn't bother me, but when you add "unjust" to the mix, I am bothered. I have apologised for those posts. That should be the end of the matter. But I'm sure, Jeff, someone will have copied & pasted them, & could satisfy your innocent, well-intentioned query.

Linz