[NOTE: I originally wrote this to Chris Cathcart in response to his argument that only adult human beings possess rights. Because I address at length key aspects of Rand's philosophy, I thought this was better suited for display as a separate article.]

The year I was born the Soviets raised the Berlin Wall and imprisoned half a continent. Three decades later the prisoners tore down the wall and the regime of their jailers soon fell afterwards. This was a heartening turning point in history I was never certain I would witness in my lifetime. I like to think I did my small part to bring it about by serving in U.S. Air Force during the climax of the Cold War.