There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
Governments are supposed to lie to their citizens.
Interpretation
Governments often deceive the public as part of their operations.
Noam Chomsky's quote suggests that deceit is a fundamental aspect of governance, implying that governmental institutions frequently manipulate or mislead the citizens they represent. This assertion challenges the ideal that governments should operate transparently, raising questions about the nature of power, control, and the relationship between the state and its people.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about political transparency during a debate or public forum.
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.
The short memories of the American voters is what keeps our politicians in office.
I get really, really concerned when I see somebody, taking $600,000 in speaking fees from Goldman Sachs, will not release what they're actually saying. That's concerning.
When you restore democracy, you cannot say that only those who worked for the restoration of democracy will be allowed to use the privileges of a democracy.
Politics determines who has the power, not who has the truth.
When Estonia reestablished its sovereignty after a half century of successive thuggish, totalitarian, foreign occupations by the Soviets, the Nazis, and then again the Soviets, we knew we wanted to create a democratic country characterized by rule of law and respect for human rights.
Today we voted as Democrats and Republicans. Tomorrow we begin again as New Yorkers.
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