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 prescription for endless war poses a far greater danger to Americans than perceived enemies do, for reasons the terrorist organisations understand very well.
Interpretation
Chomsky warns that the ongoing state of war poses a more significant threat to Americans than the enemies themselves.
In this quote, Noam Chomsky suggests that the continuous state of conflict, driven by perceptions of external threats, can lead to greater harm and instability within society. He argues that such perpetual warfare serves to distract and manipulate the public while undermining democratic values and creating a cycle of violence that ultimately endangers citizens more than the supposed terrorist threat itself.
In practice
In a political debate regarding military spending.
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.
Every morning I awake torn between a desire to save the world and an inclination to savor it. This makes it hard to plan the day. But if we forget to savor the world, what possible reason do we have for saving it? In a way, the savoring must come first.
Our national flower is the concrete cloverleaf.
Whenever we seek to avoid the responsibility for our own behavior, we do so by attempting to give that responsibility to some other individual or organization or entity. But this means we then give away our power to that entity.
Reason wishes that the judgement it gives be just; anger wishes that the judgement it has given seem to be just.
Faith is in the soul. Belief is thought. Faith is so rich. Faith gives me my spiritual self.
Desire nothing for yourself, which you do not desire for others.
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