"Maybe if he toned down the intellectualism just a little people would actually understand him." Noam Chomsky is probably the most highly-regarded intellectual in the world, and A lot of people DO understand him. He doesn't have to "dumb down" his message. If you don't understand him, that's not his fault.
Obama's reputation (not his 'brand') is one that he will get things done and he takes GREAT PAINS to explain his ideas to people and build consensus (although I know Chomsky would love to call that "Manufacturing Consent"). He does NOT just tell people what to do, and that is where this ludicrous analogy to dictatorship falls flat on its idiotic back.
Hahahaha.... oh man.. that's laughable. Perhaps they are very similar in that they wish to defend our country against threats and make sure our economy doesn't collapse. Is that what you're trying to get at without actually being clear about? I'm amazed you even made that statement.
@PirateImpulse I think what his main point was that the people of America have no say in the plans that Obama takes great pains to express. So for example, most people in America want universal health care and would pay a little more in taxes (even though it would mean less taxes). Obama took pains to explain and try to build consensus on HIS plan, not what people have expressed that they want. That's manufacturing consent... His comment on Fascism is on what the MEDIA portrayed was happening.
It's speeches like this that make me think Chomsky is an idiot. Yeah, I use his grammars in my computer algorithms, but calling a grassroots coalition a 'dictatorship' because he chooses to put a certain view on it is just sloppy and not well thought out.
Chomsky will never be happy with any political action within this country unless the republic is completely dismantled and rebuilt with a system that is SO FAR outside our current reality that it couldn't happen.
Even if he's right in his vision, the political system that he proposes wouldn't be accepted by Americans. To put it in place he would literally have to start his own country.
I'd like to see him recognize just once that something remotely positive may have happened.
"completely dismantled and rebuilt with a system that is SO FAR outside our current reality ...To put it in place he would literally have to start his own country. "
Another thing to consider about Chomsky is his own brand of "soaring rhetoric."
He talks a good game but rarely does anything concrete to contribute to society or improve democracy. Maybe if he toned down the intellectualism just a little people would actually understand him. If he then took some realistic action he could help change things.
Being a cultural critic without taking action is easy. He's the stereotypical picture of the elite left that is harmful to progressive causes.
as today become tomorrow's history, truth is discovered, not planned .
we have failed to elect a leader.
datzfast 2 years ago
"Maybe if he toned down the intellectualism just a little people would actually understand him." Noam Chomsky is probably the most highly-regarded intellectual in the world, and A lot of people DO understand him. He doesn't have to "dumb down" his message. If you don't understand him, that's not his fault.
kzargentina 2 years ago
Güdn Doch, isch bin dat öbama !
demokratieistunsinn 3 years ago
Obama = fascist, Mccain = fascist.
Ralph NAder = real democrat.
Nederlandac 3 years ago
Obama's reputation (not his 'brand') is one that he will get things done and he takes GREAT PAINS to explain his ideas to people and build consensus (although I know Chomsky would love to call that "Manufacturing Consent"). He does NOT just tell people what to do, and that is where this ludicrous analogy to dictatorship falls flat on its idiotic back.
PirateImpulse 3 years ago 2
Obama voted for increased military spending and TARP.
daniel987878 3 years ago 4
Yes. Do you have a point?
PirateImpulse 3 years ago
My point is that Obama is very similar to George Bush. Cosmetically he is different though.
daniel987878 3 years ago 2
Hahahaha.... oh man.. that's laughable. Perhaps they are very similar in that they wish to defend our country against threats and make sure our economy doesn't collapse. Is that what you're trying to get at without actually being clear about? I'm amazed you even made that statement.
PirateImpulse 3 years ago
The biggest threat to America is from within. Its the established corporate powers that really control things. Obama is a puppet like Bush.
daniel987878 3 years ago 2
@PirateImpulse I think what his main point was that the people of America have no say in the plans that Obama takes great pains to express. So for example, most people in America want universal health care and would pay a little more in taxes (even though it would mean less taxes). Obama took pains to explain and try to build consensus on HIS plan, not what people have expressed that they want. That's manufacturing consent... His comment on Fascism is on what the MEDIA portrayed was happening.
MrJoeBlunt 9 months ago
It's speeches like this that make me think Chomsky is an idiot. Yeah, I use his grammars in my computer algorithms, but calling a grassroots coalition a 'dictatorship' because he chooses to put a certain view on it is just sloppy and not well thought out.
PirateImpulse 3 years ago
Agreed.
Chomsky will never be happy with any political action within this country unless the republic is completely dismantled and rebuilt with a system that is SO FAR outside our current reality that it couldn't happen.
Even if he's right in his vision, the political system that he proposes wouldn't be accepted by Americans. To put it in place he would literally have to start his own country.
I'd like to see him recognize just once that something remotely positive may have happened.
popgyrl 3 years ago
Yeah, exactly.
"completely dismantled and rebuilt with a system that is SO FAR outside our current reality ...To put it in place he would literally have to start his own country. "
PirateImpulse 3 years ago
Another thing to consider about Chomsky is his own brand of "soaring rhetoric."
He talks a good game but rarely does anything concrete to contribute to society or improve democracy. Maybe if he toned down the intellectualism just a little people would actually understand him. If he then took some realistic action he could help change things.
Being a cultural critic without taking action is easy. He's the stereotypical picture of the elite left that is harmful to progressive causes.
popgyrl 3 years ago
I really admire this man.
Nederlandac 3 years ago 2
He is the man.
Nederlandac 3 years ago