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This article reminded me of the story of Robert Oppenheimer. In that case, at least, I think the story of how we destroy our heroes rings true.

If any of you enjoy biographies, stories of scientific and engineering heroism, and haven't read "The Making of the Atomic Bomb," please do. It is an extraordinary story.

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Oppenheimer himself at his 1954 security clearance hearings denied being a member of the Communist Party, but identified himself as a fellow traveler, which he defined as someone who agrees with many of the goals of Communism, but without being willing to blindly follow orders from any Communist party apparatus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer destroyed himself, allying himself with the only orthodoxy [but somehow being not orthodox] that was more murderous than fascism.

How is agreeing with some of the goals of an othodoxy the same as allying with it?

Further, how is an orthodoxy/political belief murderous? I thought only people could commit murder.

Oh please. If somebody is a "fellow traveler" of Nazism, he would be permanently banned from public life.

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