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.
In politics stupidity is not a handicap.
The world has to have zero tolerance for naked dictatorship.
In contrast to totalitarianism, democracy can face and live with the truth about itself.
Over the course of history, governments, political regimes, and leaders have done some stupid things despite all arguments to the contrary, at times even against their own self-interest.
There also exists another alliance - at first glance a strange one, a surprising one - but if you think about it, in fact, one which is well grounded and easy to understand. This is the alliance between our Communist leaders and your capitalists. This alliance is not new. ... We observe continuous and steady support by the businessmen of the West of the Soviet Communist leaders.
There are war-torn countries, people full of poverty, who still voted, 60, 70 percent. If here in the United States of America, we voted at 60 percent, 70 percent, it would transform our politics.
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