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.
Instead of working hard to keep their share of a shrinking pie, or working even harder to make sure the industry stays as is, I think the most essential thing legacy book industry players can do is set up independent ventures with great people and little interference and work really hard to put themselves out of business by starting at the bottom, not by reinforcing the top.
We become just by the practice of just actions, self-controlled by exercising self-control, and courageous by performing acts of courage.
We all have to die a bit every now and then and usually it's so gradual that we end up more alive than ever. Infinitely old and infinitely alive.
There are three things in the world that deserve no mercy, hypocrisy, fraud, and tyranny.
The future is like heaven-everyone exalts it but no one wants to go there now.
Envy will merit, as its shade, pursue
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.