That's true, but it's a privilege of being a fiction author

Oh, certainly. But if it doesn't conform with reality, that's a defect of the author; no blame should attach to the character. I grant it's a somewhat odd point, to defend the honor of a fictional character, but . . .

. . . I think it flicked me in particular because I find a persistent pattern of people critiquing Atlas Shrugged in particular for things that aren't actually in the book. Most often people say that it claims all businessmen are good (James Taggart is a businessman and a major villain), or that being smart and virtue are the same thing (Dr. Robert Stadler is a genius and a villain), or whatnot.

Picking apart Rand's work is one thing; I've done it myself fairly often. But I like to see it done right.