There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
Everyone who is critical of Israeli policy is deluged by crazed messages intended to flood their email system or, more insidiously, passwords are accessed and messages sent out under their name! I'm sure it's illegal. It's also an effort to undermine free speech.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the suppression of criticism through aggressive tactics aimed at silencing dissenting voices.
Noam Chomsky expresses concern about the hostile responses faced by those who criticize Israeli policy, pointing out that such backlash often involves overwhelming individuals with negative messages or even accessing their accounts to further undermine their credibility. He argues that these actions not only violate legal boundaries but also pose a significant threat to freedom of expression, illustrating a troubling dynamic where dissent is met with aggression rather than open dialogue.
Themes
CriticismFree SpeechIsraeli PolicySilencing DissentAggression
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech advocating for free speech rights, one might reference this quote to illustrate the dangers of silencing criticism.
More from Noam Chomsky
All quotes →The 'free-floating intellectual' may occupy himself with problems because of their inherent interest and importance, perhaps to little effect.
Noam ChomskyRead
If you're teaching today what you were teaching five years ago, either the field is dead or you are.
Noam ChomskyRead
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.
Noam ChomskyRead
The Republican Party has become overwhelmingly so extreme that it's hardly a traditional political party anymore.
Noam ChomskyRead
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.
Noam ChomskyRead
Similar quotes
We boast of our freedom, and we have your example for it. We talk the language we have always heard you speak.
Samuel AdamsRead
Debt is a prolific mother of folly and of crime.
Benjamin DisraeliRead
Faith fills a man with love for the beauty of its truth, with faith in the truth of its beauty
Saint Francis De SalesRead
The water has a Water that is driving it; _x000D_ The spirit has a Spirit that is Calling it.
RumiRead
Wealth is a tool of freedom, but the pursuit of wealth is the way to slavery.
Frank HerbertRead
I'm a free person; I feel terribly free. They could put me in chains and I still would be free because my thoughts would be mine - and that's all I want to have.
Arthur RubinsteinRead