Washington Metro Objectivism Discussion (WMOD)


            "Reason and Reinventing Government"

                        by John Marshall

                 October 15, 1997 Meeting

Major decisions in government, especially government
procurement, are increasingly political.   This appears to be
moving us in the direction of a welfare state, at taxpayer's
expense.  This also appears to be decreasing the potential of
government's primary role, protecting its citizens, by
decreasing military readiness, while increasing costs of same.
Is the taxpayer being looted?  In "reinventing government" Can
the politics be balanced by reason thus to decrease the
looting?   Is there anything we can do about this beyond
objectivism philosophizing?  Join us Oct 15th for some answers
from John Marshall, and a chance to have a hand in reinventing
government and reducing taxpayer looting.

Colonel John Marshall, USMCR (Retired) enjoyed two parallel
careers in government:  One as a civil servant, and one as a
Marine Reservist, after 275 F-4 Fighter/Attack Combat Missions
in Vietnam, and TOPGUN School.   As he closes out his civil
service career with 32 years of government service, he is
intent on reducing the waste, fraud and abuse in government
procurement, based on lessons-learned in trying to prevent a 4
Billion dollar procurement disaster.  The answer seems to lie
in pestering Congress into taking some objective actions, per
a variety of GOOD Acts they have enacted.

                           Atlas & The World

A great time was had by over 450 attendees, and the Washington Post
coverage can be read at their web site
http://www.washingtonpost.com
Search for "Ayn" to find the article.

                            September WMOD Meeting

Thanks to Jan Helfeld for his stimulating presentation on Hierarchy. Only the
closing of the restuarant terminated the discussion.


         When and Where is the WMOD Meeting?

Join us on Wednesday October 15.  You can either join us for
dinner at 7 pm and/or for the discussion at 8:15 pm at the
Fortune Chinese Restaurant at Baileys  Xroads, VA on Route 7
between 7 Corners and Columbia Pike (5900  Leesburg Pike
703/998-8888). You can take METRO to the West Falls  Church
stop and then take METRO buses 29A or 29B East on Route 7
toward Baileys Xroads. The Fortune is on this route. After
the meeting we can give you a ride back to a METRO station.
WMOD has arranged for a $15 fixed price dinner (including
tax and tip).  Or you can order from the menu.  Please RSVP
to WMOD at (703) 820-7696 before noon Wednesday 10/15 so that
we can tell the restaurant how many tables to set up.

                      DC AREA CALENDAR

{ the announcement below is from the Lyceum Web
site http://www.lyceumintl.com - WMOD is not affiliated
with the Lyceum}

October 24-26 Bethesda, MD Hyatt Regency

Greece: Philosophy, Politics
    and Art 15 hours of courses over one weekend.
    with Robert Mayhew, Sandra Shaw and John Lewis

    Aristotle: The Father of Romanticism
    (Bethesda Conference Only)
    with Robert Mayhew
    5 hours

    Plato, the first philosopher with a theory of esthetics, had an
    extremely negative view of art. He believed that art is the product
    of irrationality, and is dangerous because it is emotionally
    evocative. The Poetics is Aristotle's brilliant and profound reply to
    Plato. After a brief look at Plato's dismissal of art, Dr. Mayhew
    discusses the basic principles of Artistotle's esthetics. Topics
    include: art as the representation of things as they might be and
    ought to be; the nature and importance of plot; art and emotion;
    and (time premitting) comedy and humor. Throughout the course,
    Aristotle's theories are compared to and contrasted with those of
    Ayn Rand, who regards, Romanticism as a product of
    Artistoteliam philosophy.
    This course was presented at Lyceum's Summer '97 Conference.

    ..."Robert Mayhew is solid as a rock, knows his material well,
    presents it clearly, and is entertaining to boot!" ---Summer '95
    attendee

    History of Athenian Democracy
    with John Lewis
    5 hours

    Over the course of 400 years, from their cultural renaissance to
    their final conquest by Macedonia, the men of the City of Athens
    developed, implemented and maintained a stable democratic form
    of government. These men resisted all attempts to undermine the
    participation of the citizens in the governing process. This course
    will trace the development of this historic means of association,
    and will examine its theory and practice throughout those 400
    years. Beginning with an overview of the historic period in
    essentials, the course will then spiral back and examine in greater
    detail important milestones and concepts relevant to the world's
    first government of, by and for its own people.

    ....."[Attendee] John Lewis' breadth of knowledge of Greek
    history and culture was an added bonus to the Lyceum Greek
    Island Cruise. His enthusiasm for the subject and articulate
    answers to questions helped make this a trip of a lifetime."
    ---Greek Island Cruise Attendee

    The Philosophical Significance of
    Ancient Greek Sculpture
    with Sandra Shaw
    5 hours

    This lecture examines the origin and significance of the sculpture of
    Ancient Greece from an understanding of the role of fundamental,
    philosophical ideas in human history. Miss Shaw identifies specific
    visual characteristics in sculpture that reveal the underlying
    philosophical ideas, thereby helping the student to properly
    evaluate sculpture. The slide presentation enables the student to
    concretize the changing values of the Greeks throughout the
    spectacular rise and fall of Greek civilization. This examination of
    Greek sculpture partakes in Man's discovery of himself and his
    potential, and dramatically demonstrates the crucial need for Man
    to hold an heroic concept of himself within thecontext of a rational
    philosophy.
    *This course was previously given at Lyceum's Summer '95
    Conference.

    ..."Sandra Shaw is superb and inspiring, thought-provoking and
    emotional. An exquisite comprehensive integration of art and
    philosophy." ---Summer 95 Attendee

           REGISTER ON-LINE NOW

    Dates and Locations:

    October 24-26, 1997
    Bethesda, MD
    Hyatt Regency Bethesda
    One Bethesda Metro Center
    Bethesda, MD
    (301) 657-1234
    Single Occupancy $ TBA per night
    Double Occupancy $ TBA per night
    Hotel Reservations to be made by attendees. Please
    notify hotel that you are a Lyceum attendee to obtain
    lowest rate.

    Registration Fees*:

    All Courses, with banquet: $275 per person ($160
    per student**)
    All Courses, without banquet: $255 per person
    ($140 per student**)
    Individual Courses: $95 per person ($60 per
    student**)
    Opening Reception and Banquet: $35 per person

    *Registration Fees do not include room or meals.
    Meals are on own.
    **Fax or photocopy of valid student ID is required

           REGISTER ON-LINE NOW

    NOTE:REGISTER 14 DAYS OR MORE IN ADVANCE AND RECEIVE A
    15% DISCOUNT OFF TUITION! PAYMENT OPTIONS ARE
    AVAILABLE, PLEASE CONTACT THE LYCEUM REGISTRAR

--------------end fwd from Lyceum Web site

               WMOD Contact Information

NOTE: Due to ISP problems, the WMOD web site has
move to http://www.infiltec.com/wmod.htm and the
preferred WMOD email address is DSaum at infiltec.com.

The WMOD newsletter is $10/yr,  email newsletter is free.

Contact:
  Dave Saum
  WMOD
  PO Box 8007
  Falls Church, VA 22041
    Email: DSaum at infiltec.com
    Phone: (703) 820-7696
    Fax: (703) 671-9350
    Web: http://www.infiltec.com/wmod.htm

----------- "Sapere aude" (dare to know) -------------------