Chomsky is ABB

[eridani]

He would have supported Kucinich if nominated, though.

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=22&ItemID=5128

Chomsky: The arguments are not inconsistent. Both are basically correct, in my opinion. The political spectrum is narrow. Elections are essentially bought, and the democratic culture is severely eroded. Furthermore, the population is aware of it, by and large, but many feel helpless. It is also a very frightened country, particularly men, polls indicate. That has been true for a long time, and those fears are exploited by unscrupulous leaders to divert the attention of the people they are kicking in the face, not to speak of what they are doing to coming generations. Nevertheless, though differences are not very large, they do exist. The current incumbents may do severe, perhaps irreparable, damage if given another hold on power - a very slim hold, but one they will use to achieve very ugly and dangerous ends. In a very powerful state, small differences may translate into very substantial effects on the victims, at home and abroad. It is no favor to those who are suffering, and may face much worse ahead, to overlook these facts. Keeping the Bush circle out means holding one's nose and voting for some Democrat, but that's not the end of the story. The basic culture and institutions of a democratic society have to be constructed, in part reconstructed, and defeat of an extremely dangerous clique in the presidential race is only one very small component of that.

[bluestateguy]

1. That's good news

There is a segment of this country that just wordhips the ground Noam Chomsky walks on. If he says "jump", they will say "how high"?

[eridani]

15. Worships?

Ya gots yer head up yer ass. And in the future, address the Assistant Associate High Priestess of the Church of Noam Inviolate, and Zen Druid Avatar of Eris, Goddess of Quantum Indeterminacy, with a little more respect, please!

[Doomsayer13]

2. it's nice to see him on ball

even though I only agree with about 50% of what he says

[RichM]

6. Why don't you try to set forth some of that 50% you don't agree with?

Be specific, and try to explain the reasoning behind your points of disagreement.

[The Magistrate]

3. If Prof. Chomsky Can See It, Ma'am

It ought to be apparent to most anyone....

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[RichM]

4. Calling his thoughtful & nuanced position 'ABB' is terribly unfair.

It's a great distortion. 'ABB' is for childish partisan simpletons, who demand that Mr. Democrat be enthusiastically embraced as a great guy, a hero in a white hat. Chomsky is not saying that at all. He literally uses the expression "holding one's nose and voting for some Democrat, and goes on to emphasize that that is only the first step.

This is hardly the same thing as pretending that Kerry's many grievous shortcomings don't exist, & adopting an uncritical cheerleading mentality about him.

[The Magistrate]

7. Everything, My Friend

Must reduce down to bumper-sticker for practical use. You will get no quarrel from me if you require clothespins for your nose, but if the thing is to be done, it must be done right, and so persons must be as enthusiastic as they can manage to be in order to do the work of campaigning and see that victory is won. Otherwise, we have the criminals of the '00 Coup in office again.

"In politics and war, only what is simple can succeed."

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[RichM]

10. Well, when it's put like that, I can live with it.

It's a terrible thing, to be denied the use of badly-needed clothespins.

[The Magistrate]

11. Try A Cigarette Filter Up Each Nostril, Sir

It does not show.

There is a favorite quote of Mr. Goldwyn on Hollywood that seems apt: "Sincerity is the key. If you can fake that you've got it made."

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[eridani]

14. Since when is ABB cheerleading for Kerry?

I just don't get that. Building a political culture that can effectively go after Kerry from the left once in would seem to go without saying, no? This is what Chomsky wrote me after I requested him to endorse Kucinich. My bolds.

To: [e-mail]
From: Noam Chomsky <[e-mail]>
Subject: your letter

Appreciate your letter and sentiments about Dennis Kucinich, very much. I agree with them too. The problem for me is that there are conflicting commitments. I very much fear that if the radical statist reactionaries who now have a narrow grasp on power can extend their mandate, the future will be very grim. Dennis would really have a chance, if we could reconstruct a live, functioning, democratic culture, and what you are all doing in his campaign is contributing to that necessary end. But it will be a long struggle.

Noam Chomsky


Later on--

Noam Chomsky will endorse Kucinich if he is nominated: "For a variety of complex (but I think sufficient) reasons I've never been a public endorser of a presidential candidate. If Dennis were running against Bush, I'd change that position, for the first time."

[jonnyblitz]

5. so is howard zinn. A few other DUers and myself saw him speak

in Harvard SQ awhile back and he said he voted for Nader in 2000 but this year he would vote for whomever the DEM was because Bush is so horrendous. ABB.

[jpgray]

8. With Chomsky and Zinn voting Democratic, I'd say we're in good company

Believe it or not, voting for a candidate is not an explicit endorsement of everything that candidate has done or stands for. If that were the case, we could only vote for ourselves, and maybe not even for ourselves.

[shindig]

12. i think that only a

childish, partisan simpleton would require the candidate to be perfect in order that they vote for him over, say, a George Bush. But that's only my opeeeenyin! :)

[no name no slogan]

9. Zinn endorses Dennis in the primaries, though (n/t)

[NaderIsMyHero]

13. Will have to hold my nose too Noam..

No won't vote for Nader this time but can you guys be as hard on Kerry as you are on Bush after he wins?????? It is very important that you don't stick your head in the sand when he goes against progressive policy,which he will. Aren't you tired of the pandering? Isn't it time to take our democracy back? If you would get behind Nader after you vote Kerry in then you would force their hand to be committed to progressive politics because then you'ld be sending a message....either get progressive or we have another option. GET IT????

[eridani]

16. Can I be as hard on Kerry as on Bush?

Is a bear Catholic? Does the Pope shit in the woods? Just watch me! The Green Dog Democrats should be baying at his heels starting exactly 3 minutes after inauguration.

[Selwynn]

17. *holds his nose and votes Dem*

[Vladimir]

18. Well of course he is

Big up da Chomsker!

V

[enough]

19. Noam Chomsky and Howard Stern!

How can we lose?