How many have read a book by Noam Chomsky?

[lostnfound]

Poll question: How many have read a book by Noam Chomsky?

The US has military bases in 63 countries, and troops in 157 countries. http://www.unitedforpeace.org/downloads/military_map.pdf

While Bush* has brought America's imperialist policies to new extremes, the policies have been in use throughout innumerable wars and 'interventions'.

[Booberdawg]

1. What do your comments above the poll have to do with Noam Chomsky?

Or do they have anything to do with him? I voted never read Noam Chomsky so I'm asking.

[lostnfound]

5. I know it was odd; I'll try to explain.

Chomsky's perspective on the reasons why the U.S. has such a massive "defense", as well as the circumstances under which it is typically used, can be pretty devastating to those of us who grew up thinking that our nation's motives were always admirable. Or who thought that Vietnam was the only 'mistake' we ever made.

Once I read one of his books, the pieces of the puzzle -- why the huge military budget, why is there never peace, why don't Central Americans ever get decent leaders, why does the US government always seem to be supportive of the world's brutal dictators -- started to fall into place.

What seemed like a confusing mass of special circumstances surrounding every war, every invasion suddenly showed very repetitive patterns. Of course, I recognize the 'special circumstances' still exist, but there is a framework which is very, very consistent.

Those that are deeply interested in the facts that I mentioned, would do well to read some Chomsky. (Gore Vidal, Howard Zinn, Michael Parenti, or William Blum are somewhat similar.)

[ithacan]

2. Chomsky lays out the facts very clearly

and thus they are very devastating. No need for embellishment or anything else. Just the dirty facts of US policies around the world.

[Raya]

8. Chomsky Endorsement: Much More Interested In THAT than GORE'S

I am a real fan of Chomsky's "Manufacturing Consent" as well as earlier treatments of the modern political dynamic "The Political Illusion" and "Propaganda" by Jacque Ellul.

Sadly, the progressive movement would gain much insight into
how Govenor Dean is using (and being used by) various political forces at work which will deliver somewhat illusory outcomes.

[Myra]

9. Yes, I'm gaining much insight from reading Gore Vidal

I would recommend him along with Chomsky.
Especially to Dean supporters.

[Myra]

3. Funny you should ask. Gore Vidal speaks well of him in Dreaming War.

And doesn't speak well of the neo-con New Yorker.

The very New Yorker that recently launched an attack
on General Clark.

[RichardRay]

4. Only texts

I could never get through any of his political works.

[quinnox]

6. Never read Chomsky

I don't read political books for pleasure, I prefer other fare.

[arendt]

7. Just don't check him out from the library - you get on same list as K Marx

[cryofan]

10. What do you mean? Is there "a list" maintained by the FBI for Chomsky and

....Marx readers? Evidence?

[JanMichael]

12. The Patriot Act has given the "Authorities" the right to your check out...

...records as well as purchases, Better yet the people that have to handle the request are required to NOT inform you that you're being watched. Combine this with ideas like Total Information Awareness and you may be shit outta luck:-)

[Myra]

13. What amazes me is that the Patriot act is so long that it was clearly

Written well in advance of 911.
It's 342 pages.

[SeveneightyWhoa]

11. I'm a liberal-centrist..

..and I think Chomsky is a GOD. He's brilliant.

[Lone_Wolf]

14. Chomsky is brilliant

I've read a dozen or so of his books. It is amazing how he can make you see our foreign and domestic policies from a new perspective.

His latest, Hegemony or Survival: America's Quest for Dominance is a must read. Understanding Power: The Indispenable Chomsky is probably his best all around.

[dudeness]

15. yep..have to agree

:)