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Jul 5, 2007

Have Ayn Rand, Will Not Travel


by Liberty and Power



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John David Lewis - 7/21/2007

The opening statement in the Chronicle article on my tenure case, regarding civilian deaths, is inaccurate on two counts. First, this had nothing to do with the tenure decision. The George Mason University remarks were made seven months after my application for tenure, nealy four months after the denial, and hours after I resigned in exchange for tenure and promotion. Such remarks were never mentioned, either verbally or in writing, as part of the denial.

The second inaccuracy is in their relation to my own views. My statement was part of my opposition to the use of any religion for political purposes of any kind. The separation of church and state--and strident opposition to theocratic governments of all types--is my central position.

No thinking person would speak of civilian deaths in such a cavalier manner. The writer of the article inferred this--which is why he did not quote me as saying such. I did not even call for *military* action against Iran. I do maintain that the US must confront, and destroy, its theocratic government, if there is to be an end to terror attacks world-wide. But a groundswell of intellectual opposition to this illiberal regime, for instance, could be very effective in accomplishing this without the horror of massive civilian casualties.

Whatever one's own position, the matter requires careful thought, not flippant opinions, sloppily formulated.

John Lewis


Aeon J. Skoble - 7/12/2007

Chris, that CHE link is password-only. Do you have a free link or a pdf by any chance?

Chris Matthew Sciabarra - 7/10/2007

The Chronicle of Higher Education has more coverage on Rand's academic legacy in its 13 July 2007 issue. See here and my Notablog entry here.

Peter McCormick - 7/6/2007

This story is incredible. I can't believe that Ashland denied Lewis tenure.

Doesn't the libertarian John Moser teach in the same dept. as Lewis at Ashland. I wonder what role Moser played in all of this? You have to hope that Moser led the charge in defending Lewis.

David T. Beito - 7/6/2007

Thanks!

David T. Beito - 7/6/2007

Don't worry an "incident" will be created when the time is right.

Steve Jackson - 7/5/2007

Her views are somewhat hard to disentangle, as Prof. Long notes --

http://hnn.us/blogs/entries/21422.html

Keith Halderman - 7/5/2007

Not only that but just exactly when did Iran attack us?

David T. Beito - 7/5/2007

Is the claim that Rand didn't care too much about civilian deaths accurate? The author of the article seems to take this on faith. I know that Rand could be pretty hawkish at times but never heard that she held such a view. Ragnar wasn't a baby killer!