November 19th, 2011:

So Lululemon, that crazy popular (and overpriced) yoga and fitness apparel shop is causing a bit of a tizzy because they put the words “Who is John Galt” on their shopping bags.

In late October, the company began using shopping bags with the words “Who is John Galt?” a catchphrase from the 1957 novel Atlas Shrugged, which rails against government and advocates self-interest as a key ingredient of a better world.

The company also added the book to its staff reading list.

And the radical sect of yoga practitioners are becoming increasingly miffed;

One Toronto fitness instructor and aspiring yogi says Rand’s philosophy is at odds with community-oriented yogic beliefs.

“It’s a clash with yoga values,” said Sarah Kurchak, 29, who has about 15 pieces of Lululemon clothing in her wardrobe.

Two weeks ago, she was about to purchase a new pair of pants when a friend who knew her anti-Rand position told her of the “John Galt” shopping bags.

“That was the last straw,” she said,

Hmm… OK.

I’m very, very familiar with Rand’s works. I have read and re-read Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead, Anthem and others many times during my life.  And while I am not a fan of her philosophies, I do consider her to be one of the finest and most influential authors of the 20th century. Howard Roark has always been one of my fave fictional characters. And hell, the band Rush named their record label Anthem!

But, wait a minute. Let me get this straight. Opposing political philosophies are getting play in the mainstream media? Yoga peeps are miffed because their opinions about the role of the State in the modern era differs from those of a long-dead political philosopher? And a yoga shop is instigating all of this?

Gee, is it becoming OK to be smart again?

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