The movie is set in 2016 as the United States is on the brink of economic disrepair, eerily paralleling the current U.S. economic crisis. Young executive, Dagny Taggart, runs one of the largest remaining railroads. To save the railroad from financial ruin, Dagny seeks out entrepreneurial industrialist Henry Rearden, whose super-strength metal holds the promise of the future.  As government interference cripples economic growth, the country’s most competent and productive workers systematically disappear, expanding the realm of government influence and control. Dagny fights back against the growing influence of socialism.

Below you will find a short Q&A with Harmon Kaslow, producer of the film:

Q: Can you provide some opening comments about Atlas Shrugged: Part 1?

A: We are extremely proud of Part 1. We put together an amazing team and had an incredible experience adapting the novel. We learned a lot through the process and are very excited about proceeding with Part 2.

Q: Did the production time impose any constraints on the film? Were there any things you wished you could have done but weren’t able to?

A: John Aglialoro’s journey from acquiring the rights in 1992 to financing the production in 2010 is a fascinating story that is consistent with the novel’s themes of individualism. This is one of America’s greatest novels, yet no one but John had the courage to finance its production. So we had to proceed as an independent production and use our limited financial resources wisely. We also had a ticking clock that forced us to start production prior to June 15, 2010 or risk losing the rights. All the while, we had in our hearts a desire to adapt faithfully the book into a movie that would be entertaining and true to Ayn Rand’s message. Given these variables, my focus was on getting all of the moving parts that go into producing a motion picture in place so that the production team had what they needed to remain as faithful to Ayn’s vision as possible under the circumstances. John and the rest of the team were supportive and up to the challenge. We’re never going to be able to please everyone but one thing we know for sure: we did what everyone said was absolutely impossible – MADE ATLAS SHRUGGED INTO A MOVIE. Opinions vary but again, we are extremely proud of Part 1 and have every intention of making a great Part 2.

Q: Was the film tailored at all to tap into recent political events?

A: We wanted to adapt faithfully the book. So when you see things relating to what’s happening today, those are events that we thought could occur. What’s interesting is that many of the events we thought might happen … are happening. You have to go back and remember what the world was like in April/May 2010 when we were writing the screenplay. While there were conflicts in the Middle East, the implosion we’re experiencing now was not happening. The book is prophetic, and if you understand its message and add a bit of creativity and thought, Brian O’Toole and John Aglialoro, the screenwriters, did an excellent job in setting the foundation and context of where and when the events in our adaptation were taking place and gave us an authentic view of what the near future might look like. We dated the film September 2, 2016 and many of the things we projected might happen are happening now. A lot of these things are coming to fruition a lot sooner than any of us expected, which shows that Atlas Shrugged remains an incredibly relevant piece of literature.

Q: Do you think the message is crucial given our current political and policy environment?  

A: When it comes to the politics of Atlas Shrugged, the message really hits a wide group of people who believe that self reliance is the key to happiness and true liberty. This is about a movement back to the role of reason in human life, and the role of government and the citizen. I believe the movie does a great job of illustrating the power of the individual.

Q: Do you believe that Rand was actually prescient or just possessed a preternatural understanding of human behavior?  

A: Ayn Rand was not born in America. Apparently, she had some life-changing experiences in Russia before coming to America which inevitably impacted and shaped her view of this great country and all that it offered. She had experienced, first hand, a different form of government, which most likely affected her view of the role of the government and the individual. She seemed to have a very sound understanding of America’s greatness. It seems like immigrants see the opportunities we tend to take for granted and she saw that opportunity was being quashed by the government and was courageous enough to tell us a story that would inspire us to not stand idle and let it happen.  What’s important to John and me is that the movie inspires people to read the book.

Q: How do you respond to critics of some of the Rand’s more salacious beliefs — her atheism, the extra-marital affairs, the “greed” — all of which appear to have been represented in the film?

A: We feel no way about Ayn Rand being an anything. We are very proud to have the opportunity to bring Ayn Rand’s magnum opus to the silver screen. It’s an incredible honor that we take very seriously, and we hope to do her justice. When John and I embarked on producing Part 1 staying true to book was of primary importance. So, there was never any reason to explore Ayn Rand’s personal position on the issues you mention above. More importantly, I think people of faith will find that the film, like the story, emphasizes cardinal virtues such as self-reliance, integrity, honesty, strength of character, liberty and justice.

Q: What has been your response to the Atlas Shrugged reviews?

A: We believe the successes and failures of Part 1 are entirely on us. We are extremely proud of the work we did on Part 1. We had an amazing team, and it was truly an incredible experience. We’re never going to be able to please everyone but one thing we know for sure… we did what everyone said was absolutely impossible – MADE ATLAS SHRUGGED INTO A MOVIE. Opinions vary but again, we are extremely proud of Part 1 and have every intention of making a great Part 2.

Q: With the upcoming elections in 2012, do you believe the film can provide any guidance for Americans?

A: Absolutely, Ayn Rand’s core message really revolves around respecting the rights of the individual – that’s where I think voters will find a real connection between the book and their political beliefs.

Q: Ayn Rand’s thoughts, as conveyed in Atlas Shrugged, have caused debate and discussion around the world and next to the Bible it’s one of the most widely sold books.  Why do you think it’s so important for the book to become a movie and for people to see it? 

A: These films are our best hope for bringing Ayn’s view to a culture that has never needed it more. Since 1957, Atlas Shrugged has inspired those who are intent on rationally living their lives for their own sake and, in the process, bettering the world around them. Since today’s generation gets most of their messaging from visual and sensory presentation rather than from the written word, this generation is ripe to experience the morality of individual responsibility and achievement through the medium of film.

Q: What would satisfy you most in terms of reception for the DVD/Blu-Ray release of the film?

A: People get their friends to watch the movie and then they buy the book and their lives are changed for the better.

Q: Will there be an Atlas Shrugged Part 2?

A: Without question. We know there’s been a lot of speculation as to whether or not we’d continue – all of it due to our own mixed messages – but I can tell you now, beyond a shadow of a doubt, we are fully committed on every front to getting part 2 done. It’s all systems go, and there’s no turning back.

Between now and the primary season we need enough Republicans to have a eureka moment if they aren’t already on-board the Ron Paul liberty train. Enough Republicans need to vote for the only candidate who realizes that the Constitution is not just a banner to wave above your head during debates and media appearances. Ron Paul knows the Constitution has depth. He knows that it is meant to protect human liberty.

His effort is and always has been a tall task. He is ostracized by the “America F$%K YEAH!” neo-cons on foreign policy. He is ostracized by the “emo” liberals for championing the free market.

It is up to us supporters of liberty to do every single damn thing in our power to help Ron Paul make the ostracism irrelevant. It’s up to us to help Ron Paul win. If Ron Paul wins liberty wins. If Ron Paul wins the Constitution wins. If Ron Paul wins the individual wins. Yes, that means you win.

In 2012 the GOP primary campaign season is money bomb season with several money bombs for Ron Paul scheduled throughout the 2011-2012 time frame. The next one just happens to begin tonight at midnight. The June 5th money bomb also will include an all day radio show.

Please support the money bombs and give some of your earned treasure to support liberty through the candidacy of Ron Paul. Think of it as a down payment for all the taxes you’ll save once he wins.

June 5th Money Bomb Details

Listen to the radio show (Live: 9am – 12am) with many stellar guests all day long.

I don’t agree with a lot of what Herman Cain says, but I have to admit he has charisma that will give him a lot of support. Expect the other candidates to start attacking him if his poll numbers go up. I think they will.

Gary Johnson did very well with a few odd moments. If I’m looking at him through social-con or neo-con eyes voting for him would likely be impossible. He did come off as a very honest “make the hard choices” candidate. Sort of like Cain without the charisma.

Pawlenty seems to be channeling John McCain a bit too much and Santorum just comes off as angry. Both seem to be going after the George W. Bush voting block; however small that is these days.

Enjoy the entire debate below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yc5PtFAtn0

In the morning, Ron Paul appeared on Fox and Friends:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efXKfNgfSHg

Then Ron Paul appeared on MSNBC with Eliot Spitzer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RGU78a1ba8

And Paul then appeared within the friendly confines of Freedom Watch with Judge Napolitano:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGhM_ZFsT1Y

Here is the previously promised Colbert appearance:

And finally, look for Ron Paul on John Stossel’s show Stossel on Fox Business on Thursday night.

Some are saying it was a disaster for Rand Paul. I don’t see it that way. What do you think? Check out the video below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeWOEASzVnY

Here is his GMA appearance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQFV9nN91Oc

Here is his interview with Hannity on the radio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i0LbuS5KkM

Go, Rand, go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3y_kQgR4lk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmg_mbVTaLI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwnDdEm3xRg

The “Internet kill switch” bill was promoted by Senators Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins in the last Congress. The bill would have granted President Obama the power to shut down much of the Internet in the event of a “cybersecurity emergency.”

The good news is that Congress adjourned before passing it.

The bad news is that, on the very same day Egypt’s dictator Hosni Mubarak imposed an Internet blackout on his country, Collins announced her intention to re-introduce the bill.

But as the letter below indicates, giving the President this power is extremely dangerous and won’t protect us from cybersecurity attacks.

Please tell Congress to defeat this bill using DownsizeDC.org’s Hands Off the Internet campaign.

You may borrow from or copy this letter . . .

I oppose the Collins-Lieberman bill giving the President a “kill switch” that can cut off most Internet traffic.

This bill . . .

* Authorizes the President to issue a declaration of a national cyber emergency to “critical infrastructure”
* Empowers the President to force the owners and operators of the infrastructure to implement the President’s response plan – including shutting down parts of the Internet
* Exempts the President’s actions from challenge or judicial review

This power isn’t even necessary to prevent or stop cyber attacks. Private operators of the Internet infrastructure already have an incentive to keep their systems safe. It’s called the profit motive.

As a report from Oxford and the London School of Economics reveals, the chances of a “cybersecurity emergency” are slim . . . http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/57/44/46889922.pdf

* Cyber attacks will be localized and have short-term impacts
* A successful prolonged attack is highly implausible, because it would mean the attacker knows methods and means not known to the information security community
* A “cyberwar” involving computer viruses and worms is highly unlikely, because these attacks can boomerang on the attackers

Giving the President this “kill switch” is also dangerous to the First Amendment . . .

* In a crisis, people need information that may be kept from them because of the kill switch
* Activists employing their free speech rights could be censored and punished because of the actions of “hacktivists”

Supporters of this bill claim that the President already has god-like power over the Internet under the 1934 Communications Act. But that’s not a good argument for a new law. You should instead repeal the old law and OPPOSE the Kill Switch bill.

END LETTER

You can send your letter using DownsizeDC.org’s Educate the Powerful System.

And we encourage you to tell this to your friends. Follow us on Twitter and re-tweet: http://twitter.com/DDCDispatch

James Wilson
Assistant Communications Director
DownsizeDC.org

D o w n s i z e r – D i s p a t c h

Official email newsletter of DownsizeDC.org, Inc. & Downsize DC Foundation.

PC SPEECH JOHN KING STYLE DISCLAIMER: We do not condone literally putting your lawmaker in the cross-hairs of your gun or guns. We merely mean that you should become active and request that your lawmakers support a full audit of the Federal Reserve as outlined in these bills. We also do not mean to suggest you, Ron Paul, or Rand Paul, literally grab a double barrel shotgun and shoot it at the Federal Reserve building or any Federal Reserve employee or official. Ok, enough! Now read the damned press release below, please.

SPRINGFIELD, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Congressman Ron Paul and his son, Senator Rand Paul, today introduced companion legislation in both chambers of the United States Congress to require a full and thorough audit of the Federal Reserve.

The bills, both titled The Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2011, but known better as “Audit the Fed,” are numbered H.R. 459 in the House and S. 202 in the Senate and continue the efforts championed by Ron Paul last year that won 320 co-sponsors before passing the House and 32 cosponsors in the Senate before falling short on a floor vote.

H.R. 459 starts the session with 56 original bipartisan cosponsors, while Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) are original cosponsors for S. 202.

The Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2011 would open up the Fed’s funding facilities, such as the Primary Dealer Credit Facility, Term Securities Lending Facility, and Term Asset-Backed Securities Lending Facility to Congressional oversight and audit by the non-partisan Government Accountability Office. Additionally, audits would include discount window operations, open market operations, and agreements with foreign central banks such as ongoing dollar swap operations with European central banks.

Public polling conducted by Rasmussen Reports in December 2010 indicated that 74 percent of the American People demand transparency at the Fed and support a full audit as called for in the Audit the Fed legislation. In 2009 and 2010, Campaign for Liberty generated over 2.5 million grassroots contacts to federal lawmakers in support of Audit the Fed.

“The Federal Reserve and its loose money, easy credit policies are the culprit for so many of the dire economic problems we face. Americans continue to demand transparency at the Federal Reserve, and Campaign for Liberty is proud to lead the fight to make this legislation the Law of the Land,” said Campaign for Liberty President John Tate. “All across the country, grassroots citizens are uniting behind Ron and Rand Paul and will demand this audit, this year.”

First, Ron and Rand appeared together on ABC Morning News with George Stephanopoulos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO9KaSrj1sM

Neil Cavuto talks to father and son in a more lighthearted discussion but ultimately they discuss raising the debt ceiling and economics. At one point Ron Paul laughs at the nibbling around the edges and says, “I want to repeal the whole government.” Good old Ron.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IJMzVHsMWw

And finally both appear on John King USA on CNN:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qPQpImxDJE