There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
If something is right (or wrong) for us, it’s right (or wrong) for others. It follows that if it’s wrong for Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and a long list of others to bomb Washington and New York, then it’s wrong for Rumsfeld to bomb Afghanistan (on much flimsier pretexts), and he should be brought before war crimes trials.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Moral standards should be universally applied to all nations and individuals.
In this quote, Noam Chomsky emphasizes the principle of universal morality, suggesting that if certain actions are deemed wrong for one country, they should also be considered wrong for another. He criticizes the selective application of moral judgment, advocating for accountability in international actions, especially regarding warfare, implying that ethical standards should be consistent across the board regardless of national interests or circumstances.
Themes
MoralityWarEthicsAccountabilityUniversal Standards
In practice
Example use cases
While discussing international law at a conference.
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