I don't blame Ayn Rand for leaving--I certainly would have done the same thing (and so would most of those punished by Stalin / Zhdanov). Still, I admire the courage of those who were forced to stay..

It seems to me that the most effective response to faux idealism (Russian "communism") isn't selfishness (disguised as objectivism) but true altruism. Is anyone in the West doing this? Yes, some--e.g. proponents of civil rights / human rights for all; environmentalists; .animal rights activists--all of whom have little or nothing to gain from their altruism.

Do you believe that given what we know of the effects of unrestrained capitalism on climate change we should all kiss the nearest smokestack (I'm paraphrasing Rand from memory)?