There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
U.S. Government propaganda tries to give the impression that aerial bombardment achieves near-surgical accuracy, so that military targets can be destroyed with minimal effect on civilians. Technical documents give a different picture.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques the misleading portrayal of military precision in government propaganda.
Noam Chomsky highlights the disparity between the government's claims about the accuracy of aerial bombardment and the reality described in technical documents. He suggests that while the government presents an idealized image of military operations, the actual consequences for civilians are significantly more tragic, revealing a disconnection between official narratives and on-the-ground realities.
Themes
PropagandaWarAccuracyCiviliansMilitary
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about media representation of war.
More from Noam Chomsky
All quotes →The 'free-floating intellectual' may occupy himself with problems because of their inherent interest and importance, perhaps to little effect.
Noam ChomskyRead
If you're teaching today what you were teaching five years ago, either the field is dead or you are.
Noam ChomskyRead
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.
Noam ChomskyRead
The Republican Party has become overwhelmingly so extreme that it's hardly a traditional political party anymore.
Noam ChomskyRead
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.
Noam ChomskyRead
Similar quotes
There are many causes why a people politically ignorant cannot be roused to action. Perfect political ignorance must be accompanied by indifference to the general interests of society, and thus one of the most powerful motives which can act on the human mind is totally destroyed.
Benjamin Robbins CurtisRead
Remember, Republican economic policies quadrupled the debt before I took office and doubled it after I left. We simply can't afford to double-down on trickle-down.
William J. ClintonRead
The people are responsible for the character of their Congress.
James A. GarfieldRead
It is impossible that the whisper of a faction should prevail against the voice of a nation.
Lord John RussellRead
It is a fine game to play - the game of politics - and it is well worth waiting for a good hand before really plunging.
Winston ChurchillRead
I am not running for mayor yet. But if it comes to be true that people cannot voice an opinion unless they have been elected, then we are no longer in a democracy.
Margaret AtwoodRead