There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
In February 2004, the two traditional torturers of Haiti - France and the United States - combined to back a military coup and send President Aristide off to Africa. The U.S. denies him permission to return to the entire region.
Interpretation
This quote criticizes the involvement of France and the U.S. in the ousting of Haitian President Aristide, highlighting foreign interference in local politics.
Noam Chomsky points to the historical complicity of foreign powers, specifically France and the United States, in undermining Haitian sovereignty through their support of a military coup against President Aristide in 2004. This reflects a broader critique of imperialist actions that prioritize political objectives over the will and welfare of the local populace, often leading to detrimental consequences for the affected nations.
In practice
In a discussion about foreign policy at a university seminar.
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.
Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build bridges even when there are no rivers.
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. Experience has taught us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession, and when the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
Any country is either becoming more democratic or less democratic. I think the United States hasn't tended to its journey toward democracy in a long time.
Government has a habit of blaming the private sector for its own failings while taking credit for advances we in fact owe to the private sector.
The task of the media in a democracy is not to ease the path of those who govern, but to make life difficult for them by constant vigilance as to how they exercise the power they only hold in trust from the people.
Bad government is the natural product of rule by those who believe government is bad.
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