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Noam Chomsky interviews 23 May 09

Section: article

Categories: Mention

Below is a passage from the beginning of the first interview in the book Noam Chomsky: What We Say Goes – interviews with David Barsamian (see below for Amazon link).

[DB] James Traub, in the New York Times Magazine, writes: “Of course, treaties and norms don’t restrain the outlaws. The prohibition on territorial aggression enshrined in the UN Charter didn’t faze Saddam Hussein when he decided to forcibly annex Kuwait.” Then he adds, “When it comes to military force, the United States can, and will, act alone. But diplomacy depends on a united front.”

[NC] As Traub knows very well, the United States is a leading outlaw state, totally unconstrained by international law, and it openly says so. What we say goes. The United States invaded Iraq, even though that’s a radical violation of the United Nations Charter.

[DB] If he knows that, why doesn’t he write it in the article?

[NC] If he wrote that, then he wouldn’t be writing for the New York Times. There is a certain discipline that you have to meet. In a well-run society, you don’t say things you know. You say things that are required for service to power.

  • Title: Noam Chomsky interviews
  • Further details: Interviews with David Barsamian