I have been a bit heartsick here on Daily Kos in recent days, as there have been some really excellent diaries referring to Ayn Rand, libertarianism, and today's wingnuts. But I say heartsick given that my user name could easily lead one to assume that I am an enthusiastic follower of Ayn Rand. Nothing could be further from the truth. Even if no one reads this, I want to go on record as saying that while my user name may be "Randian," this has nothing to do with Ayn Rand. If I could modify my user name while maintaining my account, and my diary and posting history - of which I am proud, - I would so so in a heartbeat.
As I mentioned in a previous diary
my real name is Tom and my user name is Randian, as can be seen.
I have, in the past, had people assume that my user name was derived from the libertarian philosopher Ayn Rand, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Some of you may recognize this as being one of the PT Barnum performers from the 1930s classic film Freaks. His sideshow name was Prince Randian, and, well, he sort of freaked me out when I was a kid. When I was in the 5th or 6th grade, one of my favorite books was called Very Special People which was a series of profiles of various sideshow performers. Prince Randian was featured, along with other such notables as Tripp and Bowen, Robert Wadlow, Tom Thumb, Jo Jo the Dog Faced Boy, The Mule Faced Woman, and the famous Cheng and Eng.
So, when I was registering for a DKos account, and had to come up with a username, I kind of randomly chose the name "Randian" because of its association with an interesting figure who, by nature of being a sideshow freak, was marginalized by society. Now I'm stuck with it, but I am happy with it, in its own way. I don't think I gave a whole lot of reflective thought to the choice of this username, but that is the story.
I am stuck with a user name which I now realize refers to a disgusting philosophy with which I, and I assume just about everyone here, disagree. I knew of Ayn Rand when I registered here, but I obviously didn't know the term Randian. Had I, I obviously would have chosen something else. Anyway, it's my mistake, and I accept responsibility for it. I would gladly change it if I could. I just don't want people jumping to conclusions about me or my posts based on it, though I understand if they might happen to do so.
UPDATE: Just a quick word of thanks for all the sympathetic pats on the back. I greatly appreciate it.