The Trial of Hank Rearden (Repost)

Atlas Shrugged | 1957 | Ayn Rand

[Noumenon]

From an April 2000 thread posted by the now-forgotten OWK. Still a searing classic, and entirely appropriate as the looters and cannibals on the Left 'debate' the dispostion of the fruits of our labors and the terms of our existence.

Fifty years later, Rand's scenarios are playing out before us.

"Mr Rearden," said the eldest judge, smiling affably, reproachfully and spreading his arms, "it is regrettable that you should have misunderstood us so completely. That's the trouble - that businessmen refuse to approach us in a spirit of trust and friendship. They seem to imagine that we are their enemies. Why do you speak of human sacrifices? What made you go to such an extreme? We have no intention of seizing your property or destroying your life. We do not seek to harm your interests. We are fully aware of your distinguished achievements. Our purpose is only to balance social pressures and do justice to all. This hearing is really intended, not as a trial, but as a friendly discussion aimed at mutual understanding and co-operation."

Cooperation. That's all they want. Just ask them. They all sound so reasonable, don't they? And aren't we all such selfish bastards for daring to disagree?

[Chode]

communists are just democRATS in a hurry... wi guns!!!

[GSWarrior]

For the movie version, how about Aaron Eckhart (the actor who starred in Thank You For Smoking) as Hank Riordan?

[Noumenon]

...communists are just democRATS in a hurry... with your guns!!!

[oyez]

The Kleptocrats are forgetting that that if no one is allowed to create wealth there won’t be any for them to steal.

[skinkinthegrass]

PING

[NittanyLion]

From an April 2000 thread posted by the now-forgotten OWK.

Good post. OWK was one the good ones.

[ModelBreaker]

There was no triumph in his face, no elation, only the still intensity of contemplating the enormity of the smallness of the enemy who was destroying the world. He felt as if, after a journey of years through a landscape of devastation, past the ruins of great factories, the wrecks of powerful engines, the bodies of invincible men, he had come upon the despoiler, expecting to find a giant - and had found a rat eager to scurry for cover at the first sound of a human step. If this is what has beaten us, he thought, the guilt is ours.

So true.

[Brilliant]

It’s like the libs got ahold of Rand’s novel, and used it as a blueprint to destroy capitalism.

[Noumenon]

They’re using it as a blueprint to destroy humanity.

[Noumenon]

That’s why the Ponzi scheme that is socialism/communism invariably falls apart. Always after exacting a toll of human sacrifice and misery that beggars the imagination.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

But, but, whine, sob, moan, cry, it is for the children!

[meadsjn]

The Kleptocrats are forgetting that that if no one is allowed to create wealth there won’t be any for them to steal.

Some of them are fully aware, and this is what should be paid more heed. The ones at the top already have comfortable amounts of loot. Granted, they don't mind tossing more on top of the pile, but money is not their primary aim.

They advocate the impoverishment of the populace through excessive taxation and regulation primarily for the two following reasons:

1. To increase their control over the daily coming and going of "ordinary" people, over their food and water supply, over their choice of where to live, how to live, and if they succeed, even their ability to think as they please.
2. Ordinary people need their "disposable" income to avoid being dependent on the totalitarians for their daily necessaries (see #1), to contribute to more favorable representatives to resist their oppression, to purchase legal assistance when necessary to mount defenses against usurpations of liberties, and to maintain implements of direct negotiation necessary in a declining society.

[PGalt]

...he had come upon the despoiler, expecting to find a giant - and had found a rat eager to scurry for cover at the first sound of a human step.

Thanks for the ping. Thanks for the post.

[TomServo]

One of my faves...bump!

[denydenydeny]

I would prefer not to like Rand, but damned if the typical Democratic Party presidential debate these days doesn’t sound like a convention of Rand villains.

[DaveTesla]

"I am earning my own living, as every honest man must. I
refuse to accept as guilt the fact of my own existence and
the fact that I must work in order to support it. I refuse
to accept as guilt the fact that I am able to do it better
than most people - the fact that my work is of greater
value than the work of my neighbors and that more men are
willing to pay me. I refuse to apologise for my ability -
I refuse to apologise for my success - I refuse to
apologise for my money."

And I refuse to apologise for my success.

[Noumenon]

“We’re going to take things from you for the common good.”
—Hillary Clinton

[denydenydeny]

Exactly. The Democrats insist on making Ayn Rand relevant.

[warinwartime]

what chapter is the trial in? (hope that translates to the audio book)