I found that amusing too. The thing about Ayn Rand is throwing the baby out with the bath water. I think some people just dismiss the entirety because of some objectionable facts. The belief’s that she held about redistribution and capitalism were excellent they should have been widely promoted. I don’t see Greenspan’s action as a failure on her part that is guilt by association.
Your conclusion is correct, in my opinion.
From the article...
In her day, leading conservatives denounced Rand for her atheism and immorality, and her economic ideas were scarcely mentioned.
and...
That many of Rand’s fictional heroes were far from paragons of Christian virtue is beside the point in the current struggle. What matters is the ammunition she provides and the outrage she stokes against the dreaded looters.
... leads me to question the 'all or nothing' stance taken by Rand detractors.
Rands own personal conclusions derived from her philosophy most certainly are not intended to parroted by those who accept Objectivism. Indeed, She would be appalled that someone who thinks rationally would blindly accept her personal conclusions.
Those who are firm in their faith cannot feel that Rand's atheism is a threat. Their position must be that God created all atheists.
Her “Capitalism: the Unknown Ideal” is still in print.
That is NOT a novel so people don't have to get wee-weed up about the characters lack of morals as they see them.
I recommend reading it after “Atlas.”
But Rand was right to write it all into a great novel - she knew more people would read it. She was right about that. How many of you have read “Capitalism...”