Noam Chompsky critical of US gov't

[StageLeft]

Noam Chompsky

This is worth reading - is what he says true?

 

[SpongeBob]

Noam Chomsky is a really smart guy that knows what he is talking about. He is pretty radical though.

 

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[GL]

<< This is worth reading - is what he says true? >>



Yup. I personally think the U.S. must change its policies in the region - but they won't because they don't want to give in to terrorists. The sanctions against Iraq have done nothing but weaken the Iraqi citizens and broaden the margin by which Saddam holds power in the region. While I don't think Israel is totally at fault, they have broken Geneva Conventions in their fight with the Palestinians and I don't think it's morally correct for the U.S. to give Israel a blank cheque (i.e. American-made war material). It's also "amusing" to see the U.S. demonize the Taliban seeing that it has had the private - though not public - approval of the U.S. government in the past.

The best chance for democracy in the region is moderate Islamic-led democracy - not entirely different than the Christian-democracy that exists in the U.S. (most of the religion is just show). The west has never respected these possibilities though - possibly out of fears of an Islamic government. Look at Algeria as a prime example.

 

[weezergirl]

yes, it's totallly worth reading. chomsky knows what he's talking about.

 

[Aelus]

GL, Algeria doesn't have a fundamentalist muslim government, they have a very moderate muslim one. There are fundamentalist muslims fighting a very bloody guerilla war with the government. And both sides have commited immense monstrous crimes against humanity.

just realized i may have misunderstood you, and that you may have been talking about what france did in algeria. but i'll click the post button regardless, as my post might still contribute.

Aelus

 

[Hossenfeffer]

Noam is one well-read individual. He's knows his schtuff!

 

[Helznicht]

More Problems Listed.

More Questions Listed.

ZERO Answers.

I question the food supplies to Afganistan statement. Why are the aid agencies (to who we are giving money to help) worrying how they are going to take care of all the refugees in Afganistan if we are not allowing and aid? Afganistan is not a target, the Taliban is, these people are in essence fleeing the Taliban. Those that stay to support the Taliban, are part of the Taiban and should have supplies cut off.

He seems to point to Isolationism, but I see isolationism will have 2 effects:

1) Bringing our economy even lower, having a direct effect on our military strength.
2) Bringing about a Major war in the Middle East, with an outcome hurting our economy and military even further by the loss of a large oil supplier.
3) The next war (or continuation of that one) will bring the US into it, but we will not be an effective force. And the loss of our country will be a dangerous possibility.

That leaves me one question, should we strike hard now eliminating ALL, and I mean ALL threats to the US while were strong? Continue as-is and be threatened by terrorist attacks? Or pull back and wait for the war to come to us at a point were we will not be as effective to win?

 

[StormRider]

Interesting read...

 

[StageLeft]

Those that stay to support the Taliban, are part of the Taiban and should have supplies cut off.

No, most afghans lack the money to leave even if they wanted to.

should we strike hard now eliminating ALL, and I mean ALL threats to the US while were strong?

Without nuking the planet this is impossible. Heck, even citizens of the US are a threat to it (some), so everyone would need to die.

 

[ggavinmoss]

Pretty good read, but nothing ground-breaking.

And he's right, we should re-evaluate our foreign policy.

And finally, all countries who wish membership in the UN should follow the rules, be it the U.S., Israel, or anyone else.

-geoff

 

[novon]

He tells it like it is, I wish all the "bomb" mob here would read stuff like this before they go support "war."

 

[Capn]

He seems intelligent, however I'd disagree with several of his opinions.

 

[Miramonti]

Chompsky has always been critical of the government and the problem is that I tend to agree with him alot. He makes excellent points but the far right always discounts him full of bs. He's very critical of the Israel and the Israeli treatment of palestinians.

 

[Helznicht]

Any ideas then?

 

[LaBang]

I beleive that it was Time mag that called him "The most important intellectual alive today"

 

[GL]

<< Any ideas then? >>



Stop militarizing these corrupt regimes and start promoting moderate Muslim-democracies in the area.

 

[Helznicht]

"Stop militarizing these corrupt regimes and start promoting moderate Muslim-democracies in the area."


Who are these? I hope you not asking us to choose again, we seem to do a poor job by what I read here. So who do you think will stand up in Afganistan for us to support? How can anyone stand up to these groups when doing so = death. How about another country? Even Saudi Arabia will not get involved militarily, and they seem to hate the Taliban the most. You agree the Northern Alliance is just as bad as the Taliban, they know nothing but fighting.

Are you suggesting we go in, wipe out the taliban, then set up a democracy?

How do you think the Militant groups will view a US sponsored democracy?

Edited for example:

Indonesia is a "moderate Islamic Democracy". Whats their view of us right now?

 

[Czar]

exactly what I'v been trying to say but this is so well written


the problem isnt the terrorists the problem is why the become terrorists

edt. sp because I´m a lousy

 

[StormRider]

<< exactly what I'v been trying to say but this is so well written


the problem isnt the terrorists the problem is why the become terrorists

>>



Yes, the US has to reevaluate its foreign policies because terrorists are like cockroaches.

The problem won't be solved just by killing all the cockroaches -- we also have to make sure our kitchen is clean so no more cockroaches will breed. But unfortunately, finding a right approach to a good foreign policy seems to be very difficult -- almost like "damn if you do, damn if you don't".

 

[Aelus]

Reinstalling the king of afghanistan, with a UN peaceforce, which could be composed mostly of muslim countries, and pakistani support, then there could be a good possibility that the village leaders would support it.

Aelus

 

[GL]

Helznicht,

That's exactly what I suggest. Promote moderate Islamic governments that are democratically elected. It seems to me the only solution. The people in the area can help themselves if given the chance and the first step is to have them vote in their own government.

 

[Helznicht]

Aelus & GL:

You have garnered my support these options, although I lean a bit towards Aelus due to the US going in would cause civil war in several countries right now. And I do have concerns about a UN peace keeping force comprised mostly Islamic countries being able to "get the job done" without major help from the US, which is like us just going in. Pakistan is still in-between the rock and a hard place either way as they have strong Taliban supporters, that will have to be dealt with (though I feel most Islamic nations wont support this, let alone fight for it). The thought of us going in to finish the job after the UN force dwindles (as will support from Islamic nations) is very scary and letting it stand is not an option.

Then there is the worry of putting weapons in the hands of countries that will be Israels enemy tomorrow. The is not one Islamic country that supports the jews occupation of Israel. But that is another issue.

Thanks

 

[Aelus]

UN soldiers can't fight wars, they can only keep peace. But there's plenty of ways to get rid of the taliban.

Aelus

 

[Shantanu]

Noam Chompsky may know his linguistics, but - like Hollywood celebrities - he should learn to STFU when it comes to politics, because he has his head far up his asshole and seldom knows what he's talking about. He appeals to the "Dude, like, the government is, like, evil man! Watch out for the suits!" crowd. *yawn*

BTW, if the U.S. "reevaluates" its foreign policy towards the Middle East THAT WOULD BE A HUGE MISTAKE. I cannot emphasize that point enough. The terrorists will have totally redeemed themselves. Even if we don't like Israel now, even if we passionatly hate Israel, we still have to be steadfast in our support to them, otherwise it will seem like the terrorists had some sway in our way of thinking. If people start thinking that, then prepare for a hell of a lot more terrorist attacks.