Christine Smith's Blog

Films: “Rendition” & “The Fountainhead”

Torture is never justified…& libertarianism and individualism at its heart in Ayn Rand’s work

I recommend two films which I recently viewed:

RENDITION

The 2007 film, “Rendition,” is a powerful story examining the question of torture and the CIA and Pentagon’s use/sanctioning of it. I highly recommend that you view, also, the bonus material documentary which explores, through interviews, those who have themselves suffered (or have loved ones who have thus suffered) under the CIA’s extraordinary rendition (the practice of sending foreigners to torture camps worldwide to extract information from them.)

I oppose torture. I do not care whether it, as a method to acquire intelligence, functions or fails – for that is not the question. Torture is wrong. There is no exception. The end does not justify the means. Under no circumstance is torture (physical or psychological) nor suspension of habeas corpus justified.

I highly recommend the film “Rendition” to you.

THE FOUNTAINHEAD

The 1949 film, The Fountainhead, based on Ayn Rand’s novel, was most interesting to view. I was glad the screenplay for the film was written by Rand herself. Although the acting was poor, the message was well stated/communicated because of Rand’s screenplay.

Timeless, powerful and true, the message of individualism, as exemplified by protagonist Howard Roark, is one the film communicates well.

Integrity. Pursuit of dreams. Personal gratification. Adherence to principle – without compromise. Following your own ideals and vision. Truth. Genius. Brilliance. Courage. Independent thought. Freedom. Individual liberty simultaneously embracing personal responsibility.

Rare are these qualities so celebrated on film or in literature…but in Rand’s work we find all of them.

The film illustrated well one of my favorite quotes (I recall having this quote on a poster on my wall even as a young teenager): “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. “-Henry David Thoreau.

Many great innovations, creative successes, and prosperity have come from such individualism…and society itself often greatly benefits from the courageous choices of such individuals (even though it is the collective itself, through society, which often tries to diminish it within the individual beginning from childhood-emphasizing conformity versus individuality).

Sadly, so many people, by the time they reach their teen years, have already accepted herd mentality, conformity, the path of least resistance, as the means to live their life. They sacrifice who they are and could be, their dreams, their values and beliefs, all to gain acceptance by the herd. They let their peers, their family, their friends, the crowd around them, determine what they think and do. They blend in, conform, and become part of the herd rather than individualize-with its risks certainly-but with personal gratification and reward sand an inner joy/contentment that only being true to oneself holds.

Choosing to individualize brings freedom of thought and life and thereby a happiness/joy that those in the herd do not (or barely) even apprehend–for how can one understand something so personal if they have never (or rarely) allowed themselves to experience it?

To me, to truly live is to follow one’s heart and mind-to follow your own path, without regard to what anyone else thinks. For me, it is the path well worth choosing!

To view a film clearly conveying libertarianism at its heart, I highly recommend the film “The Fountainhead” to you.

An Easter Message

Think about it–everything we espouse as libertarians–comes down to essentially respecting the free will, the sovereignty, of the individual…of individual rights. To me, that is at the heart of what love is.

On this Easter, a time of reflection and contemplation for me, I simply want to share a belief I hold and endeavor to live/practice as it is fundamental to how I wish to relate to others and fundamental to my adherence to libertarian principles. I believe we should live teaching only love through all we do, for love is what we are.

We, as libertarians, as individuals, come from many different backgrounds including the religious or spiritual beliefs we may hold or perhaps once held…we are diverse…but the common denominator we all share is our commitment to advancing liberty.  There are often many a practical, logical, pragmatic and therefore powerful argument for each libertarian solution we offer to share with others – and it is they I focus upon most often – but for me, and a few others I’ve had the blessing of meeting, there is also a deep commitment to liberty based upon the ethical, the spiritual, and the moral.  It’s not often something we necessarily have oft the opportunity to share, but today I decided I wanted to share a few personal beliefs.

To me, nothing is more loving to my brothers and sisters than wanting to achieve and working for liberty.  Using their free will, each individual chooses for themselves how they wish to live, with the only qualification that it not initiate force (harm) against another.  Think about it–everything we espouse as libertarians–comes down to essentially respecting the free will, the sovereignty, of the individual…of individual rights.  To me, that is at the heart of what love is.  Love is not conditional; it is not about control; it is neither hungry for power or greedy.  Love, too, is strong, bold and courageous.  Love, for me, is the fundamental basis of my libertarianism.  Libertarian principles illumine what is otherwise a very dark arena – politics.  It is such principles this nation was founded upon, and to which we must fight to return. 

Sure, I’m proficient (and always learning) at sharing the many aspects (statistics, facts) we have as libertarians at our disposal to support our principles and solutions, but, again, on this Easter morning I would like to share another aspect, a personal aspect of my beliefs, with you…and I would like to do so by simply directing you to a beautiful piece entitled “Freedom is the Key to Life’s Short Journey,” a piece written by Jacob Hornberger in 1999…when I first read it, I felt such a rapport with it – for it expresses precisely the thoughts, pondering, and beliefs I hold.  Thus, I share it with you:

Freedom is the Key to Life’s Short Journey

by Jacob G. Hornberger, May 1999

[link edited for length]

Peace,

Christine Smith