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
What this quote means
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.
Themes
HaitiForeign InterventionPoliticsCoupNoam Chomsky
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about foreign policy at a university seminar.
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
Fascist movements kill off their critics, literally or metaphorically, while democratic movements value, invite and even welcome criticism.
Parker PalmerRead
The defense budget is more than a piggy bank for people who want to get busy beating swords into pork barrels.
George H. W. BushRead
Communism needs democracy like the human body needs oxygen.
Leon TrotskyRead
Bad government is the natural product of rule by those who believe government is bad.
Thomas FrankRead
Politics has long been a place where fear and loathing are exploited: fear of progress, fear of the unknown, fear of the other, fear of our own neighbors.
S.E. CuppRead
That I am a national figure because I was the first person in 192 years to be at once a congressman, black, and a woman proves, I would think, that our society is not yet either just or free.
Shirley ChisholmRead