There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
Occupying armies have responsibilities, not rights. Their primary responsibility is to withdraw as quickly and expeditiously as possible, in a manner determined by the occupied population.
Interpretation
Occupying forces must prioritize their duty to leave, respecting the wishes of the local population.
Noam Chomsky emphasizes that an occupying army has a moral obligation to withdraw from the territory it occupies swiftly and according to the preferences of the local people. This statement highlights the ethical responsibilities of military forces versus any perceived rights they may claim in a foreign land, advocating for respect and autonomy of the occupied.
In practice
In a speech addressing military ethics, one might invoke this quote to underline the importance of rapid withdrawal from occupied territories.
There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
The 'free-floating intellectual' may occupy himself with problems because of their inherent interest and importance, perhaps to little effect.
If you're teaching today what you were teaching five years ago, either the field is dead or you are.
There are very few people who are going to look into the mirror and say, 'That person I see is a savage monster;' instead, they make up some construction that justifies what they do.
The Republican Party has become overwhelmingly so extreme that it's hardly a traditional political party anymore.
There is still much debate about whether torture has been effective in eliciting information - the assumption being, apparently, that if it is effective, then it may be justified.
Democracy is an awful way to run a country, but it's the best system we have.
In 2004, there were more black men disenfranchised than in 1870 - the year the 15th Amendment was ratified, prohibiting laws that deny the right to vote exclusively on the basis of race.
Our real battlefield today is Asia and our real battle is the one between democracy and communism. . . . We have to prove to the world and particularly to downtrodden areas of the world which are the natural prey to the principles of communist economics that democracy really brings about happier and better conditions for the people as a whole.
Unfortunately for governments like that of Iran, when they forbid something, people become more interested.
Neither the United States nor Israel has the capacity to impose a unilateral solution in the Middle East.
I'm always rather nervous about how you talk about women who are active in politics, whether they want to be talked about as women or as politicians.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.