Julia, I am sorry, but it's a little unintellectual of you to conclude that anyone was trying to shove anything down your throat..or you feel like it anytime someone mentions the word God? (ch) We are just analyzing, phylosophically talking about different peoples 'ideology and thinking, and the basis of it...so, from our perspective many (not all, of course) people who are not religious tend to look up for government for support and hope..remember Hope and Change(ch) ..others try to find strength within themselves and their faith..and you don't have to agree with it..it's just someone's perspective and observation..
Yes, it's true that conservatives along with our founders believe our rights and freedoms come from God, not government..because if it comes from government, the government can also take them away..so, it's all part of the phylosophy..

Just wanted to remind some of you that Ayn Rand was an intellectual also. Of the highest mark, too.
This partisan labeling becomes annoying. Intellectuals are automatically commies, conservatives are automatically saints.

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Yes, it's true that conservatives along with our founders believe our rights and freedoms come from God, not government..
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the founding fathers are spinning in their graves... can God also take them away? when and how has he done that?

because if it comes from government, the government can also take them away..so, it's all part of the phylosophy..
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you don't seem to have a problem with the government taking away the rights and freedoms of those held at guantanamo bay... you take your kids' rights away when they misbehave, we lock up those that break laws... are you saying that we are not within our rights when we do that? how much jesus juicehave you hadtoday?

who is arguing that Ayn Rand was a great intellectual?? or that every side have intellectuals?? it has not been the point at all..the point was, if you read all the articles, that intellectuals have no responsibilities of their ideas, and many of their ideas have had very unpleasant and sometimes tragic consequnces, but for some unknown reason some or most of them tend to think they know better and have an authority to decide on many aspects of our lives..
and that's what made Rand great - she understood the consequences of it..

Sveta, nice answer to Julia ( I wish Julia becomes less afraid of the word "God" (ch) , if one does not believe in one, then why be afraid?)
My other observation about intellectuals - there are a lot of selfish and envious individuals among them. They crave fame and power.

My other observation about intellectuals - there are a lot of selfish and envious individuals among them. They crave fame and power.
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except for Ayn Rand of course, and any other conservative intellectual

( I wish Julia becomes less afraid of the word "God" (ch) , if one does not believe in one, then why be afraid?)
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did she use the word fear? its not God that sends chills down my spine, but rather his crazy worshippers

There is nothing wrong with Ayn Rand.
The funniest things - she becomes more and more famous because her predictions are coming true - because of our big and enlightened GOVERNMENT, which wants to be everywhere...

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The problem is that the word "intellectual" is on quick downward spiral to loose its original meaning and become a misinterpretation. Just like "liberal" has no connection with "liberty" anymore. I recall Bill O'Reilly using the word "intellectual think tank" with the same look on his face as he would have describing Bangalore public toilets.

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here is another one - past performance doesn't guarantee future results..
justbecause I admire Ayn Rand and value her contributionS to the society,doesn't mean I have to agree with her on many other issues..and withher I have a choice which part of her philosophy to accept..when itbecomes on the "global" level, I might not have that choice..as long asall the intellectuals' ideas are not "shoved down our throats" assomething we must all embrace, because "the intellectuals" say so,under the name of saving humanity, it's all great..