As I wrote at the end of part one last week, “Atlas Shrugged” is a novel that fearlessly explores the plight of the great industrialists of its time, as the world around them becomes depressingly indifferent as to its own productivity, giving way to the “intellectual” philosophy that man exists for the benefit of other men.

   What a difference half a century makes! With the gross expansion of government fully underway it was interesting to be privy to a conversation between a college junior and near sixtyish “boomer” discussing the philosophies of Ayn Rand, writer of the timeless 1957, juggernaut novel, “Atlas Shrugged.”

The issue of urban drilling has become a political maelstrom tearing at the fiber of our peaceful community. The Town of Flower Mound, known to have one of the strictest oil and gas drilling ordinances in north Texas, recently supported a decision by its Oil and Gas Board of Appeals, standing by the Board’s ruling regarding the denial of fifteen variances requested by Red Oak Gas to permit a drill site on the property now known as the “River Walk.” The decision was unanimous and the Board will defend its decision in Denton County court. The Town’s decision on this particular application does not seem to be arbitrary given that as of May, the Town has already provided drilling permits for 21 wells on 9 separate drill site locations, most in less densely populated areas.