There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
When a politician uses the word 'folks,' we should brace ourselves for the deceit, or worse, that is coming.
Interpretation
Politicians often use friendly language to mask dishonesty or manipulation.
Noam Chomsky highlights the danger of trusting politicians who employ colloquial language such as 'folks,' suggesting that this friendliness is often a faΓ§ade for deceitful intentions or actions. The warning serves as a reminder to be skeptical and aware of the motivations behind political rhetoric.
In practice
In a political debate, you can quote Chomsky to underscore the importance of critical listening.
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.
If we don't have an informed electorate we don't have a democracy. So I don't care how people get the information, as long as they get it. I'm just doing it my particular way and I feel lucky I can do it the way I want to do it.
But if the laws are to be so trampled upon with impunity, and a minority is to dictate to the majority, there is an end put at one stroke to republican government, and nothing but anarchy and confusion is to be expected thereafter.
Freedom and the power to choose should not be the privilege of wealth. They are the birthright of every American.
Attempts are being made to turn Pakistan into a security state. If they succeed they should better rename it 'ISIstan.'
Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions.
I don't approve of the notion that we should be announcing who should step down from the position of a head of a state unless we are seriously prepared to remove that person. But if we are not, if we are being prudent and careful, then let's also be careful with how we talk.
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