Welcome to TOS Weekly!
As a frequent flier in both Europe and America, I’ve enjoyed both the extremely low fares available in Europe and the higher standard of service often provided by American carriers. That we can’t have both in either market is the fault of government, according to Michael O’Leary, CEO of Europe’s largest airline, Ryanair. In this week’s new article, I celebrate O’Leary for his willingness to name and shame government for its role in holding back aviation competition.
I hope you enjoy this week’s articles,
Thomas F. Walker
Managing Editor
New This Week
Why Airlines Suck: Ryanair CEO Points the Finger at Government
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary's recent answer to this question at the 2026 Norges Bank Investment Conference shines a light on why U.S. budget airlines have struggled to replicate his success in the American market.
From the Archive
Ayn Rand Contra Nietzsche
Why was Ayn Rand determined to distance herself from Nietzsche? Because in her time, as today, various writers portrayed her as a Nietzschean, claiming that she embraced his ideas and modeled her characters accordingly—which she did not.
This Week’s Anniversaries
Henry Kitchell Webster’s Life-Loving, Pro-Business Fiction
The fiction of Henry Kitchell Webster (born September 7, 1875) has charming, intelligent characters who pursue their goals in unusual ways. The resolutions of his novels, short stories, and plays are unpredictable, except that they’re almost uniformly upbeat.
The Song of the New World
Antonin Dvořák (born September 8, 1841) managed to capture the unique sense of life of America: the moment of dawning opportunity, the first glimpse of the potential for triumph, of the chance to prevail that has always been the New World’s greatest gift.
“I support and subscribe to The Objective Standard because I find the articles to be carefully well done, fully analytic, and thoroughly interesting.” —Doug





