Noam Chomsky: Why Don't We Ask What's Best For the Iraqis?

[BRtankbuster]

I find it extraordinary that Chomsky can get away with comparing the invasion of Iraq by coalition forces, to the genocidal Mongol invasions of Central Asia or the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviets (where hundreds of thousands of Afghans were killed for not being communists).

Can anyone be serious for a second and think that this is a valid comparison?

The Western nations still have a higher moral standard than genocidal authoritarian states, thank you very much.

[elprincipitooooo]

Western nations profess a higher moral standard for their citizens to believe, just as native Mongols and Soviets believed in the righteousness of their government's actions. Iraq is a genocide, regardless of the effect sugar-coated terms such as "coalition", "operation", and "offensive" have had on your manner of perceiving things.

[BRtankbuster]

Garbage.

Genocide is genocide. Iraq is not, the invasions by the Mongols were. Just because we set higher standards doesn't change what a genocide is.

Iraq is a very messy situation (not because the coalition engages in genocide, but because fundamentalist crackpots keep blowing themselves up and want to reinstate a dictatorship), but it's not a systematic murdering of the population, by any stretch of imagination.

It's a ludicrous comparison, yet Chomsky constantly gets away with this stuff.

[DorianGrayism]

@BRtankbuster

When did he compare the Genocide by the Mongols to the Invasion of Iraq?

[BRtankbuster]

@DorianGrayism: Type in "This has been worse than the Mongol invasions of the 13th century" on google and you'll find an interview with Chomsky on Al-Jazeera where he says that the 2003 invasion of Iraq was WORSE (yes - worse!) than the Mongol invasions of the 13th century.

And he says basically the same thing at 6:50 in this video: he points out that some have made that comparison, and he implies that he agrees.

And it's so retarded I don't understand why anyone takes this guy seriously.

[chinopisces]

@BRtankbuster: Its okay if you don't understand. After all, we don't take YOU seriously.

[pvisserandorra]

@DorianGrayism watch?v=Dt-GUAxmxdk&feature=re­lated

[chinopisces]

@BRtankbuster: Like Nazi Germany, perhaps? They were considered the greatest forward thinking nation during the 30s and 40s. Everyone knows how moralistic they were.

[BRtankbuster]

@chinopisces:

Yes, I'm sure they were considered a very great and forward thinking nation... during the 40s... when they were bombing England and conquering half of Europe.

Thank you for making such a retarded comment and proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that you don't know what the hell you're talking about.

[chinopisces]

@BRtankbuster: You fail at history.

Start with the 30s: Hitler brought back the German economy from the depths of WWI. German state becomes the most highly regarded western nation under the new regime. Famous celebrities, such as Charles Lindburgh, admired Nazi policies. Hitler made Man of the Year by Time Magazine.

Shall I continue? Perhaps not. You obviously don't learn from mistakes.

[BRtankbuster]

@chinopisces: No, let's not start with the 30s. It's common knowledge that Hitler was able to fool a large part of the world, and was an expert at appearing reasonable even when he was never going to bend to external demands (see: various treaties which he signed, and then broke). No, talk to me about the 40s. That'll be much more amusing.

Also, you might want to explain exactly how you believe this justifies Chomsky's retarded claims that the Iraq invasion is worse than the Mongol invasions.

[pvisserandorra]

@BRtankbuster Since America was itching to get into the war (Government, not the population) and proved it by provoking the Japanese and getting the desired result (followed by a declaration of war by Germany), perhaps your point is lost.

[BRtankbuster]

@pvisserandorra: Nope, I'm sorry, that point doesn't really help prove how Hitler's Germany was considered "a great and forward thinking nation" in the 40s. I'm still waiting for that other guy to substantiate that case, but for some reason he's already scurried away.

Not to mention that your point is bullshit anyway. It's not a secret that the US was trying to curb Japanese conquests in Indochina, but if that's "provoking" in your book, well then... you've probably been listening to Chomsky.

[Irishsouthdub]

Empires may be able to destroy other nations but empires can get destroyed too i.e Britain and Nazi Germany

Just wait and see what happens to the US

[50poiuyt]

@Irishsouthdub It is true.

[wnxsilence]

I hope Noam Chomsky lives for another 100 years.

[audiorage092]

same here

[Valerian1]

Good one. Thank you.

[armghan]

Dr. Chomsky Live Long.

[bootleg42]

Chomsky doing his thing again.

Great video!!!!!!!

[mgranlun]

Many countries would benefit from a form of government where respective national universities have a default position as advisers to the president/leader.

[calipremote28]

Do you really think so? Listen to what Chomsky says about most leading intellectuals, and you'll find that their opinions are already virtually identical to corporate and political establishments.

[KentAllard]

yeah, the smart guys should run it and the rest of us should shut up