Noam Chomsky's Take on the film American Sniper

[n2doc]

During a public conversation prompted by the beginning of the Tsarnaev trial in Boston, Noam Chomsky discussed the larger issue of society's growing tolerance for violence and willingness to overlook questionable acts carried out by government agencies. He refers to a review of the 2014 film, American Sniper as a way into the conversation about what we define as terror, when we feel justified in protecting ourselves and what the fallout is for taking violent action.

Hosted at The Lilypad in Cambridge, MA by The Baffler Magazine, featuring the ACLU's Kade Crockford and linguist Noam Chomsky.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. K&R

He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would fully suffice. This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, senseless brutality, deplorable love-of-country stance, how violently I hate all this, how despicable and ignoble war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than be a part of so base an action! It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder. Albert Einstein

[Dawson Leery]

2. kick

[daleanime]

3. K&R....

[Buzz Clik]

4. The clip ends up with Chomsky calling Obama evil

Okay.

[KoKo]

5. No...he says "Evil Exists in the world and Obama knows where to find it."

He is speaking about Drone Strikes and the White House Tuesday "Kill List."

WHO gives Obama his Kill list... Is killing innocents evil to those who prepare those lists?

It's a Good Watch & Listen. I think maybe you didn't listen through it all or....you favor Drone Strikes that kill innocents.

[KoKo]

8. I don't know why you hate me...but, Chomsky didn't say what you said...

as I gave quote from him at the end.

You can put me on "Ignore" and therefore not be bothered with what you find offensive about me.

Why haven't you done that.

Peace to You....

[Buzz Clik]

12. DUers become immune to the bile they spew at each other

I've been gone for months, and this is my "welcome back"… and a stark reminder why I've been gone.

Maybe I'll try again in another few months.

[L0oniX]

14. Everyone loves to hate you. I would welcome their hatred.

[Vattel]

17. You are right that he didn't say "Obama is evil;" but he pretty much implied that Obama's

use of drones is evil.

[Dreamer Tatum]

7. Chomsky could find something to whine about in Bambi.

Fuck him and his ivory tower elitism.

[Marr]

9. I've literally never heard anyone but right-wingers use the phrase "ivory tower elite". /nt

[Donald Ian Rankin]

10. Well, you'll never be able to say that again, at least. N.T.

[JonLP24]

16. It depends

on what I won't say but can easily be figured out.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

19. No, no right-wingers have nearly 10k posts on DU.

Different flavours of left-winger (although not as much variety of opinion as one might wish), but no right-wingers.

[JonLP24]

20. I'm not using him as a basis for this comment

but other posters but I have seen many continue to post-right bullshit & nothing but support right wing bullshit for years & never face the hammer. They're either right wing or to quote Jamie Dimon "barely a Democrat".

Not saying this would apply to him, just an alternative explanation. Personally, I don't waste time wondering who is who & focus on the merits of the claims which left, right, up, or down if it is the right thing, than I support it (though my understanding of the issue hinges on that) No one really can do much to verify with someone here is a Democrat or a Republican so I only mention the "depends" based on whatever the factual reality may be. No one can prove I'm a Democrat (though I probably could scan my voter registration card & post it) but you'll see me spend a lot of time here advocating for progressive & traditional Democratic policies.

[aikoaiko]

15. You should hang around liberals who work at universities.

We talk about the ivory tower often

[Rex]

21. Check this out. I think it explains...a lot!

http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Ivory_tower

"The term is also used contemptuously for any exclusive or esoteric field or event (Mensa meetings, art shows, physics lectures, etc.), particularly by anti-intellectuals, and is associated with various stereotypes about academics and intellectuals lacking common sense and basic life skills."

[stevenleser]

11. But he would only say it if Bambi said something good about the US, Israel or the West. nt

[L0oniX]

13. Typical ...got nothing so attack the messenger. n/t

[Skittles]

18. another repuke tactic