There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
There are many terrorist states in the world, but the United States is unusual in that it is officially committed to international terrorism.
Interpretation
Chomsky critiques the United States' role in global violence and terrorism.
In this quote, Noam Chomsky suggests that while many nations engage in acts that can be classified as terrorism, the United States stands out because it not only partakes in such actions but also aligns its foreign policy in a way that supports these actions. This statement challenges the perception of the U.S. as a promoter of peace and democracy, highlighting the contradiction between its self-image and its interventionist practices on the international stage.
In practice
In a political debate about military intervention, this quote can illustrate the hypocrisy in foreign policy.
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.
Obama is making a choice now that will lead to the deaths of many thousands of civilians in Afghanistan by American hands. By ordinary standards of presidents, he is a decent man. But those standards aren't good enough. He's in a position either to kill or not to kill, and he's made the decision to kill.
Extremism can flourish only in an environment where basic governmental social responsibility for the welfare of the people is neglected. Political dictatorship and social hopelessness create the desperation that fuels religious extremism.
If a novelist had concocted a villain like Trump - a larger-than-life, over-the-top avatar of narcissism, mendacity, ignorance, prejudice, boorishness, demagoguery, and tyrannical impulses, she or he would likely be accused of extreme contrivance and implausibility.
Power must never be trusted without a check.
To safeguard democracy the people must have a keen sense of independence, self-respect, and their oneness.
Politics - I don't know why, but they seem to have a tendency to separate us, to keep us from one another, while nature is always and ever making efforts to bring us together.
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