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We acknowledge that Ayn Rand made mistakes; that she didn’t answer every question that can be asked; that she was wrong about some matters of considerable existential moment, such as homosexuality (which matter we have already addressed). But we salute her as an epoch-changing giant—comparable to Aristotle—whose mistakes were of little moment when compared to her unprecedented insights (just as his mistakes were of little moment). Bingo! All of us are flawed, but that doesn't stop us from doing great things. There will always be the nigglers, the quibblers, the perfectionists, and the naysayers who will feast upon the flaws to crap upon the achievements. These dysfunctional personalties find their way into everything, including Objectivism. Look at the shower of abuse you've received for a hot temper with nary an acknowledgment from them of this wonderful soapbox you (and Joe and the others) have built from which they launch their abuse.
Fortunately the achievements do endure. Aristotle is still with us 2,300 years later. That's because men (heck, even women!) are for the most part rational. That's why Objectivism will survive the feuding of the nigglers. These small men will not tear down the achievement of Ayn Rand. She explicated for us a science of rational knowledge, and because we have the reason to know the truth, many of us over time in our different ways will come to know the truth in her philosophy. So, Objectivism will endure and will be built upon by those who stand on Miss Rand's shoulders.
Meanwhile, the niggler will continue to be sour and feud because everyone hasn't comprehended Objectivism in the same pure fashion he has. Unfortunately, he is destined to remain in his miserable lot, because Objectivism is also the creed of the hero, and there are countless ways for each of us to be heroes. The conformity of thought and action the niggler demands will never be, thank goodness! He is, in his way, a leveler - the antithesis of Objectivism. But let him feud with other nigglers over which "level" is the pure one, while we use the lessons of Objectivism to get on with our individual, idiosyncratic, delightfully flawed lives.
Andy
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