Noam Chomsky on Iran 4/29/2007 at MIT Part 1/7

[lumbeewoman38]

he is a genis

[thegrandayatollah]

"genius"

[vincentlafew]

he does know everything doe he not?

[Peraj82]

Wake up US

You are going to another disaster in Iran because of Israel

Hilary is just a female Bush and she will come because Zionists want her

Wake up US is being run by Zionists

[FartheadOgre]

Sounds like Chomsky's been pumping some iron.

[obliviouspet]

Another perfect rationalist. People who find chomsky interesting should also check out the studies and views of professor norman finkelstein. Many of you probably already know this individual. He is known for pointing out the hypocracy of israels policy towards its neighbouring countries. He has written some great books aswell, very advisable. I personally detest any form of extremism by heart, regardless of race, religion or personal belief.

[ARTAUDIOJOTA]

Thanks

[obliviouspet]

My pleasure.

[scort8888]

David Harvey is fantastic.

watch?v=PkWWMOzNNrQ

[achtpriorideaI972]

Don't watch Breakfast TV in the morning. Listen to your favourite music instead. Anarchist Spirit 2007.

[dogdoom]

isreal started that shit with hezbollah last year as they usually do.Your own media reported them "accidentaly"bombing a CIVILIAN beach before it all popped off!

[nellenmellen]

Perhaps if you were to pay attention to WHAT he is saying rather than HOW he says it, it might perk your interest some more.

[obliviouspet]

Well slapped.

[canadian97]

You find it boring because you are a product of infotainment. Chomsky is not trying to entretain you, he wants to inform you. Since people nowdays are brainwash with sound bites and flashy news then it's not wonder Noam Chomsky seem slow.

[MopacMurtaza]

its clear to every one you are a racist and cant keep an intelligent conversation!

[NathanZackery]

I don't think it's at all helpful to compare a religion that is over one thousand years old with a 20th century German political movement that lasted a little over 20 years. If you want to criticize Islam then do so using legitimate arguments rather than just attatching the word 'Nazi', which has become a shorthand for 'bad'.

[MopacMurtaza]

My country of war crimes? haha.. The US is the biggest supporter of terror and dictatorships! Do you deny this? The name calling of Mahmoud is totally unesecesary, he is an university professor, fond of reading studying and is far from a savage! Secondly Israel occupies several terrirtories that belong to other countries, and have displaced 5 Mill people, and its army responsible of killing thoussands of civilians, do you also deny this? There is no logic in defending Israel so Stop IT!

[MopacMurtaza]

Which is?

[MopacMurtaza]

There is no Nazisme in Islam?

I said THERES NO NAZISM IN ISLAM?

[MedicineWarrior]

so then the logic would be to NOT allow china to surpass us, no? How do you propose to NOT allow this? Your just full of cliches and labels and name calling eh? Know this: I do not care what you calll me. It only makes you look less intelligent.

[MedicineWarrior]

Allow? Are you supposing that the US is God and it is us who gets to regulate power throughout the world? This position is more likely to cause war than prevent it. I'll step off now before you try using that old tired Chamberlain cliche on me. I revile boring regurgitations of conventional wisdom and propaganda.

[MedicineWarrior]

You, my friend, are well indoctrinated.

[minstral2]

There seems to be a number of uninformed people that have a degree in 'television viewing' with majors in CNN, CBS, NBC, and ABC. But TV comic book propaganda knowledge is not real. Opinions cannot be considered if the one offering their personal view borrows a message that inspires hatred, rage, or death to people or a way of life. The real enemy are those that control what is broadcast, how much money is printed, and corporations that practice Imperialism.

[obliviouspet]

The majority of US citizens are finally waking up though. Only a humanistic revolution can save America and its soiled history/reputation. Anti-Americanism is at its peek, and Americans are fed up with it. They know it's all a big lie in order to balance the oil flow into the US to maintain the economic balace. The attack on Iraq/Afghanistan was all planned to counter the threat of the powerfull Euro. As you said: Imperialism must be countered.

[sxmadrid]

'They know it's all a big lie...' [except those in freefall denial] '...to maintain the economic balance'. So what's wrong with maintaining that? Murder for profit is historically so normal it gives you a nosebleed. But the meek have morals, govts have power. People buy and tout lies cos the truth is immoral. But we're not Christlike. We're peoplelike! Extremism? Yes! You DETEST it!! Get passionate about what you believe. But beware morality that denies reality; it gives reason to the lies.

[ARTAUDIOJOTA]

Absolutely, and as far as I can see, morality is a lubricant to harmonize inter-societal relations. It apparently had no further purpose, so it is asinine to organize and unite under something that is simply a mechanism to keep you friendly/manageable/predictabl­e/productive... inside societal boundaries.

[ultimategoobah]

exactly. this would all be significantly ezier if ppl wuld just accept that. but i suppose it wouldnt be quite humorous enough if this were the case. life is a joke. I laugh at it. I laugh at you. HAHAHA

[Chomskyan]

Testing new nukes IS in conflict with the NPT since it is not efforts to eliminate them.

India technically did not violate the NPT since they are not a signer, but they basically did what Iran did. Of course we look the other way when it is an ally, and threaten to use force when it's an enemy. I am only pointing out the hypocrisy which you simply can't reconcile.

[Chomskyan]

To still call the Chinese Red you are just not living in the present reality. China is capitialist country with an authoritarian political structure. And yes it has been building up arms, but to curb those tendencies is not to arm their neighbors, in fact it would accomplish the opposite, as they would percieve it to be a threat and work to find deterrents.

[Chomskyan]

It's not true that Iran violated the NPT, and the inspectors has not found evidence of violations. And as I point out, the US and all other nuclear powers are in violation by not following good faith efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons.

The only way we know if they'll obey or not is to support the treaty and give it enforcement mechanisms.

[Chomskyan]

And yes, we are good at handing out nuclear technology, Saddam's Iraq before he fell out of favor, and Shah's Iran before he was overthrown. You don't see any inconsistancy there? Even Kissenger the great apologists for power admitted it that we support Iran's nuclear quest under the Shah because he was a friend and we oppose it now because they are enemies.

[Chomskyan]

I accuse of my country of war crimes precisely because I am in a position to help stop it. I don't ignore crimes of other states but I am not in a primary position to do anything about it. Again, we agree the Iranian regime is repressive, and should be dismantled, but a legitimate path to that is to support progressive forces within Iran. And the most urgent task right now is to stop the threat of force issued by the US regime, which would lead to disaster if it continues.

[Chomskyan]

It's cheap to throw around blames when it is the despised enemy, but it is infinitely more productive to look in the mirror. I for one think the US should live up to the same standards we set for others, we would then rise to minimal moral standards.

BTW, Iran's position on Israel is the same as the Arab league, which is the international consensus on a two state settlement, which means full normalization of relations between Israel and the Arab states, something we reject.

[Chomskyan]

I think you discredit yourself with this line of thinking, since you seem to support the routine fact we support brutal dictators for our own purposes. And payback is not a legitimate reason for the use of force, and that's why many people (Chomsky too) who opposes US imperialism also oppose Al Queda style terror (they claim it is payback, after all).

[Chomskyan]

Imposing harsh conditions on the population most likely results in more repression by domestic power centers and the state. You see this everywhere, even in the US (as in the loss of civil liberties after 9-11.) We can do quite a lot of good by withdrawing our contributions to their conditions.

[Chomskyan]

I gave a possible solution that does not require an invasion, but again, it is out of the realm of possibility because the US consider itself an "outlaw state" by ignoring all international bodies.

No one sane wants Iran to get nukes, or anyone to have nukes. So why not support the NPT and the FISBAN? It would have the bonous effect that it coincide with overwhelming popular will, in both countries, and it would cost less than invading, no bloodshed. What's the downside of that plan?

[Chomskyan]

And yes, we are partly responsible for allowing radical Islamists to take over in Iran, by imposing the brutal client on them for years, by supporting Saddam during the Iraq-Iran war, and now by threats to use force (again, a war crime.)

Your choice for Iranian dissidents is a false one: we are hampering efforts on the first choice; and the second choice is an imposition that has no legitimacy, would kill thousands and destablize the region further.

[Chomskyan]

Listen to the talk "Government in the Future", it's posted on Youtube and you'll get a better idea. He's described himself as an anarcho-syndicalist and libertarian socialist. He believe in mass social movements fighting for their own issues and building alternative institutions, while pushing the limits of reform within the current institutions.

[Chomskyan]

I think he sides with the Iranian people when he points out that human rights groups and pro-democracy groups within Iran is pleading for the US to withdraw the threat of force because it strengthens the repressive sectors in Iran.

As for Iran's capacity, we are partly responsible for it, as when the Shah was in power we provided them with the tools to develop it, because Iran was an client then.

[Chomskyan]

There is a simple solution to this: support the FISBAN treaty, as the IAEA recommands, and Iran is in favor of it, but the US has been blocking it, out of principle, because it doesn't recognize any international bodies.

[Chomskyan]

Also, the NPT says all nuclear states need to take good faith effort to dismantle their arsenal. All nuclear powers are in violation, but the US just tested new low-yield nukes last year, in clear violation of the NPT. The US also just signed an agreement with India to provide them nuclear technology. India is not a signer of the NPT, so of course that's perfectly allowed in your world.

That's a lot of hypocrasy.

Btw, the use of the threat of force constitute a war crime.

[Chomskyan]

Do you have anything you disagree with Chomsky on his analysis of the Iran "crisis"? That was what the lecture was about. Try to stay on topic.

[Chomskyan]

He's also said in the past when asked about it, "The collapse of the Soviet Union is actually a small victory for socialism." Because anyone who's not completely indoctrinated understand that what exists in old Russia and China and Cuba and North Korea have very little to do with real socialist movements and ideals.

[Chomskyan]

Take a look at the Q&A session from the Political Economy of Mass Media talk I've posted, where he denounced Marxist-Leninist movements.

As far as Cuba goes, he talks about it all the time, just not in this talk. And he points out rightly that the US has imposed harsh conditions for the past 40 years, the illegal embargo, and it includes terrorism.

[Marly61]

wow good analysis, i quess that makes you worse. Please present something that we can analyze and comment on or stop wasting everyones time.

[Chomskyan]

You Chomsky haters are like broken records, or skipping CDs or something.... So I'll keep asking you guys the same thing too: If you disagree with anything he says, bring up specifics and maybe we'll have a chance of a dialogue. But I suspect you are either unable or unwilling to do it.

[Marly61]

Max. Thinking critically invovles an analysis and understanding of the various elements of what you are examing and their effects and causes. Slander is just the opposite. What is it that you are saying and presenting? Noam has no impact? Please present your argument INTELLIGENTLY (with support)!

[akhnaten1234]

for this zionist(chomsky)info:

Associated press(AP)

Iran gets army gear in Pentagon sale

"...Federal investigators found that the US military has sold forbidden equipment at least a half-dozen times to middlemen for countries, including Iran,...The sales included F-14 fighter jet parts and missile components..." [AP]

[akhnaten1234]

for this zionist info (chomsky)

"...The LONDON OBSERVER estimated that Israel's arms sales to Iran total $500 million annually...In 1981, Ya'acov Nimrodi, an intimate of leaders across the Israeli political spectrum, sold the Iranian defense ministry $135,842,000 worth of Hawk anti-aircraft missiles, 155 mm. mortars, ammunition, and other weapons through his Tel Aviv-based company, International Desalination Equipment, Ltd..."

[IvanXDurham]

"Does this Jewish man ever expose, critique Israel or no? Typical."

-If knowing what you're talking is generally something you enjoy, then you should youtube Chomsky's debate with Alan Dershowitz and everything they were beefing about regarding their positions in this subject you obviously have such a passion for.

[rankdog99]

Fateful Triangle ...take a reading of it

[Perussaataja]

"hating usa" "calling usa evil" LOL

These people live in faiytale land, where some countries are evil and people criticize something because they hate it lol. There is not point in intelligent debate with them, they cant do it.

[Skuu]

All of the comments I've ever read against Chomsky are just slander, never take them seriously unless they actually raise a point. Thank you for this upload I enjoy these speeches greatly.

[Chomskyan]

Thanks for watching/listening. Sorry about the audio quality I need better equipment for future talks.

Haha cool card trick on your channel.

[brouhajoe]

Thanks for posting this. As long as it's audible, it's totally worth it, as I've been very interested to hear what he has to say on the subject.

[Chomskyan]

Sorry about the poor audio quality.... I was in the second row with a tiny recorder.... gonna get nicer equipment for future talks.

[Maxwedge12000]

I had no idea this left wing nut case was still alive.

[KentAllard]

ask your budies in the JDL to correct the problem

[Maxwedge12000]

Why do you mention the JDL? Is chumpsky an anti-simite as well as a kook?

[Chomskyan]

Instead of ad hominem attacks why don't you try to raise some issues and we can have a proper discussion? My guess is you probably have never read anything he has written or watched any of the videos seriously.

[Maxwedge12000]

I have and found him to be left wing kook living in fantasy land. Did you ever wonder why the man has no impact on anything? The guy only has a linquistics degree but he fancies himself some deep thinker capable to solving the worlds ills. Please.

[KentAllard]

nut case, anti-semite, kook, fantasy land.

The word for these terms is perjorative, please look it up. You use them as a means to shut down rational discourse because you cannot present an argument or cite evidence

[Chomskyan]

Just more personal attacks. If you want to challenge anything he is saying in these vids or have said or written in the past, you can raise them and we can discuss them seriously.

[Maxwedge12000]

Nothing to "discuss". Chumpsky has always sided with the likes of China, north vietnam over south vietnam, he defended pol pot and the khmer rouge while at the same time always, always attacking the USA and her policies. He is a radical left wing america hating malcontent. The people that idolize this dope tend to be the very young who just don't know any better or share is radical world view.

[Chomskyan]

Can you site any sources on those times that he "defended" Pol Pot? It's the same old charge that has no basis in fact and discredited 20 years ago. People recycle those over and over to avoid rational discussion.

Again, if you have any specific issues you want to bring up, I and others would be happy to exchange ideas with you. But I suspect you are either unwilling or unable to do that.

[Maxwedge12000]

You obviously share chumpsky's hatred of america. No amount of evidence will change your views. Perhaps as you age, you will grow in wisdom and become more realistic in your thinking.

[Chomskyan]

Why are you so afraid of engaging us in debate? I mean it's one of the things that makes America great, that we can hold different views and talk about it intelligently. But it's obvious you don't want to do that. Only an totalitarian would equate criticism with hatred.

But again, if you want to bring up something you disagree with, I'll be happy to talk about it. Isn't that the mature and wise thing to do?

[mannerheimline]

weak replies. i am mid-30's so not old but not

'young' as you insinuate. i began listening to him

in order to seek the truth. i'd rather know bad

things our govt/cia has done than have blind eye

and pretend all is rosy. not too hard even w/o him

to see blatent imperialism: war 1898 and rape of phillipines,guam, etc, how we got panama canal (TR corollary), monroe doctrine, bay of pigs, etc. now

iraq. imperialistic all.

[brianpadraic]

Does this Jewish man ever expose, critique Israel or no? Typical.

[mix234]

As much as he exposes the crimes of the US government - yes.

[mannerheimline]

google it. u should find a lot on his views on

israel/palestine.

[ZenMuadDib]

It's been said that if Mozart were alive today he would've been a linguist or a mathematician.

[911fo]

It Moztart were alive today he would be oooold :P

[eftekhar2006]

interesting comment. I've also heard that a talent for music and math skills are related. the claim however is baseless.

[mcalien24]

tell me of the waters of your homeland

[Marly61]

You don't know how bad you sound. Chomsky has had an enormous impact. The New York Times called him the most important person alive and the 8th most qouted person. I would die for him in an army attacking imperialist, state-capitalist-elites to bring about a civilized country compared to this incredibly immorale country. Just study what he discloses, a lot all of which is from right wing sources.

[Marly61]

The response below was intented for Maxwedge12000. Oh, I am 53 MAXloser.

[Maxwedge12000]

Chomsky has had NO impact on anything but people that lack critical thinking skills and to brag that a left wing rag like the times thinks he is so great is just laughable. Only left wingnuts think chomsky is credible.

[Chomskyan]

The idea that the Times is a left wing rag is just laughable. Again, it's cheap to throw around insults. We can test whether he is credible by looking at facts. If you have anything specific you want to disagree with him, please present it, and we can discuss it.

I suspect, like others have said, that's probably not something you are interested in.

[Marly61]

Max has no support for his arguments because he only presented slander. Max two of Noam's main sources are The Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal, are they left wing? Max please read "Profit Before People" by Noam. It discribes the anti-Judaic-Christian-Islamic effects,killing millions of innocent people yearly, of the diabolical neo-conservative neo-liberalism structure. A child just died from a tooth ache because no doctor would care for him because he had no health insurance.

[Maxwedge12000]

Look marly, in my opinion chomsky is absolutely full of shit. You think he is great. We will just have to disagree on this guy.

[Chomskyan]

You can feel free to think Chomsky is 'absolutely full of shit', what we are asking from you is why? Instead of just throw around insults, give some reasons why you disagree with him. Tell us your positions and your supporting evidence. If he is so full of shit, then it would be no problem refute what he says. But I still haven't seen anything substantial from you yet.

[Maxwedge12000]

Why waste the time? You idolize the guy no amount of evidence will sway you from your position and we both know that. I guess there are worse things you could with your time.

[Chomskyan]

We don't know if it is a waste of time because no evidence is ever presented in your rants. We don't even know what your views are aside from hating Chomsky. And even if you can't convince me, there are plenty of people out there, maybe you can influence them for whatever you stand for.

I am starting to feel like it's a waste of time to hope for something substantial from you.

[PMorphy65]

That makes no sense. All Americans should stand up for what is right regardless if it is going to make a difference or not. "Why waste the time?" You are pathetic...stand up for what is right man! Good job Chomskyan.

[Maxwedge12000]

Sure, chumpsky is brilliant and bush is our greatest president ever.

[KentAllard]

because you sound like you'd get along well with those criminals

[jsteves313]

I'm not going to waste much time on your brainwashed, O'Reilly-like comments but I'd just like to point out that Noam Chomsky is actually Jewish. It takes a special kind of person to claim that someone is an anti-Semitic Jew.

By the way Chomskyan, thanks for the post.

[Chomskyan]

Thanks for listening.

[Seaghbough]

Ever since reading 9.11 by Chomsky in 2003 and being shocked by his claims, I have been searching vigorously for any information I can find to discredit him. I have read what there is on the internet, books, and even email the man himself (he will respond to you).

I can't find a single serious criticism of what he says. It's amazing.

[Seaghbough]

Probably the greatest criticism of Chomsky that one can level (but few ever do) is that he still takes a check from MIT! (MIT helping companies rip off the American public via pentagon funding)

Putting that aside, Chomsky is 75 years old for God's sake, does anyone really think that he's never said or done anything which he regrets? I am sure he has. But, for someone in the public spotlight for 40 years, he has remained remarkably consistent and honest.

[bluenote71]

I think his career puts him into a category that we're all in: who can escape a link to the bad things and people? If you drive a car, you put poisonous co2 into the air.

[mix234]

With respect to him working at MIT which is heavily funded by the Pentagon, Chomsky has answered in the past, and basically made the point that just like that Marx studied at British Library, the symbol of British imperialism, actually helped him with its resource develop his critique of capitalism; Chomsky also used the resource at MIT i.e. as a public and creditable platform to help organise and speak out.

[mix234]

As a linguist, Chomsky's contribution to US imperialism by virtue of being at MIT is just marginal.

[mix234]

As a linguist, Chomsky's contribution to US imperialism by virtue of being at MIT is just marginal. At the same time, it gives him a lot of access to resources and information; personally it apparently also provides him with security so that he could have done what he did.