There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
The dangers of unexamined and unregulated monopoly power, particularly in the state executive, are hardly news. The right reaction is not passive acquiescence.
Interpretation
Monopoly power can be dangerous and requires active scrutiny and opposition rather than passive acceptance.
Noam Chomsky emphasizes the risks associated with unchecked monopoly power, especially within government entities. He warns against the complacency that often allows such power to go unchallenged, advocating instead for active dissent and critical examination of those in authority to ensure that they do not abuse their power.
In practice
During a political rally, one might quote Chomsky to emphasize the importance of holding politicians accountable.
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.
Our 'neoconservatives' are neither new nor conservative, but old as Bablyon and evil as Hell.
The foulest damage to our political life comes not from the 'secrets' which they hide from us, but from the little bits of half-truth and disinformation which they do tell us. These are already pre-digested, and then are sicked up as little gobbits of authorised spew. The columns of defense correspondents in the establishment sheets serve as the spittoons.
An Honest politician will not be tolerated by a democracy unless he is very stupid ... because only a very stupid man can honestly share the prejudices of more than half the nation.
There is no excitement anywhere in the world, short of war, to match the excitement of the American presidential campaign.
In the United States large corporations control some members of Congress. All this does is delay the corporation’s funeral at our expense.
I never would have agreed to the formulation of the Central Intelligence Agency back in forty-seven, if I had known it would become the American Gestapo.
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