Bill Johnson wrote:
> These are indeed interesting articles.

Glad you found them so.

> I was reading two fine examples of Objectivism.

For those of you who care about the distinction (and there is one), Tracinski is
clearly an Objectivist and makes no bones about it.  Hornberger is more of a
libertarian, though I'll admit, one probably influenced significantly by
Objectivism.  I personally am a libertarian but not an Objectivist -- in fact, I
have never read a single book by Ayn Rand, nor particularly care to, from what I
have heard of her :)

> When you read them, you will notice the complete absence of the
> one thing needed most in this aftermath, compassion.

I don't know about Objectivists, but as a libertarian I am all in favor of
*genuine* compassion -- that shown by one person directly to another.  (Or by
voluntary associations of like-minded people such as churches, the Red Cross and
other charity organizations.)  I put my philosophy (not Ayn Rand's) into action
on a personal basis whenever possible.  Like the above two authors, I am against
*phony* "compassion" in the form of government welfare programs.  (As if
government could be compassionate.  Government can no more be compassionate than
a computer can have a soul.)

> (I am sure that one could fine
> examples of the same type of thinking that are actually well written too.)

I'm sure one can "fine" examples of thinking on all sides of the issue that are
well written.  I actually thought these were pretty good; your mileage may vary.

> These essays don't lend any real help to the situation.

No, the situation in N.O. is already massively fouled up by all levels of
government.  You are right; essays (from whatever point of view) aren't going to
fix that.  The best things going right now are the private relief efforts, at
least in the areas where private relief isn't being stymied by government
officials.  But, if enough people pay attention to these essays and send the
right message to politicians, they could help mitigate the effects of future
disasters.

> There are still real things that we can do to help

Been doing 'em ...

> and I doubt that informing these people that ³the root cause of this
> particular disaster² is their dependence on the federal government for hand
> outs is one of them.

Like I said, we can't fix the past, but we can try to learn from it and do
better in the future.  Those who do not learn from history -- specifically, in
this case, the failed history of socialism -- are doomed to repeat it.

Joe

--
"One man with courage is a majority." -- Thomas Jefferson