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 nuclear-weapons-free zones in several parts of the world already, except that they're not implemented fully, because the U.S. won't allow it.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the geopolitical challenges in enforcing nuclear weapon-free zones due to U.S. influence.
Noam Chomsky observes that while the concept of nuclear weapon-free zones exists in various regions, their actual implementation is hindered by the political power of the United States. This statement reflects on the complexity of international relations and how the interests of a powerful nation can obstruct global disarmament efforts, revealing deeper issues about sovereignty, security, and moral responsibility.
In practice
In a debate about nuclear disarmament, one could use this quote to emphasize the obstacles to achieving a nuclear-free world.
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.
Most political leaders acquire their position by causing large numbers of people to believe that these leaders are actuated by altruistic desires
I used to think of my body as an instrument, of pleasure, or a means of transportation, or an implement for the accomplishment of my will.
History is the fruit of power, but power itself is never so transparent that its analysis becomes superfluous. The ultimate mark of power may be its invisibility; the ultimate challenge, the exposition of its roots.
If you strike a child, take care that you strike it in anger, even at the risk of maiming it for life. A blow in cold blood neither can nor should be forgiven.
The central belief of every moron is that he is the victim of a mysterious conspiracy against his common rights and true deserts.
Reality is contradictory. And it's paradoxical. If there's any one word -- if you had to pick one word to describe the nature of the universe -- I think that word would be paradox. That's true at the subatomic level, right through sociological, psychological, philosophical levels on up to cosmic levels.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.