[annalex]

I must admit that Rand has had a tremendous influence on me and my opinions.

Same here, except I couild not bring myself to reading her novels. I was a self-identified libertarian till about two years ago, and I even had a regular Pursuit of Liberty feature running on FR. I was never terribly fond of Rand or objectivism, and I stand by my epithet of "pitiful".

[jackbob]

You contradict yourself. Quoting me first, you then replied "same here" to my statement that "Rand has had a tremendous influence on me and my opinions." You then say you "stand by" your "epithet of 'pitiful.'" Which was expressed in the context of "let us not pretend that her... philosophy ever convinced anyone outside of a very narrow circle of fellow-theorizers." If that be the case, then explain how she had a "tremendous influence on" you and your "opinions."