There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
Perhaps the most striking assault on the foundations of traditional liberties is a little-known case brought to the Supreme Court by the Obama administration, Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the threats to traditional liberties posed by legal actions taken by the government.
Noam Chomsky's quote addresses the worrying legal implications of the Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project case, which exemplifies how government actions can challenge and undermine the fundamental rights and freedoms traditionally upheld in society. It serves as a reminder of the continuous struggle to maintain civil liberties in the face of legal and political power.
Themes
LibertiesFreedomGovernmentLawCivil Rights
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on civil liberties, this quote can be used to discuss how legal decisions can impact freedom.
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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.
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