Fine critique of US (and therefore British) foreign policy

books:

	• What We Say Goes: Conversations on U.S. Power in a Changing World Noam Chomsky, David Barsamian Metropolitan Books, 2007 - 240 pages average customer review:based on 20 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

As well-informed as ever

Chomsky consistently finds documents and articles that the rest of us have missed. Like all his books, this is full of fascinating revelations.

His title comes from a speech by George Bush senior in 1991, when he said that the main principle of his new world order was, `what we say goes'. In eight interviews conducted in 2006 and 2007, Chomsky and radio journalist David Barsamian cover matters including the US state, the Middle East, the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the rise of democracy in Latin America.

Chomsky cites a Pentagon document that recommended an information strategy including: "Diversion: list of interesting declassified material - i.e. Kennedy assassination data", for `providing good faith distraction material'. He suggests that conspiracy theories are there to distract people from real struggles.

In January 2007, Chomsky said, "there is a housing bubble that somehow overcame the collapse of the stock bubble. If the housing bubble bursts, it could turn out to be very serious."

He shows how the US state has fostered Islamic fundamentalism by supporting Saudi Arabia, `the most extreme fundamentalist tyranny in the world' - and also the US state's oldest ally in the Middle East.

He shows the continuity of imperial rule over Latin America. In 1907, the British empire's rulers instigated a massacre of a thousand workers in Iquique, Chile. He points out, "Right through the Clinton years, Colombia was by far the leading recipient of U.S. aid, and also had by far the worst human rights record in Latin America."

He shows how the biggest divide in the USA is not between North and South, or black and white, but between the capitalist state and the American people. In every opinion poll, a majority of Americans favour a national health service, more spending on education and welfare, and less spending on war. On Iran, 75% of the American people think that the USA should end military threats and turn to diplomacy. Two-thirds of the American people want to re-establish ties with Cuba.

Chomsky says that the national interest is `a mystical term', but although the capitalist class and its state naturally claim that their minority interests are the national interest, the real national interest is always a nation's people.

for more information click here

Fine critique of US (and therefore British) foreign policy

for more information click here

fresh air

Chomsky has a way of cutting through miles of obfuscation. He gets at the core of an issue and eats it away with relentless logic and rationality. This book is more of the same. Chomsky talks about our double standards, environmental and nuclear threats, the Middle East, Iraq, and much else besides.
Even where I disagree with Chomsky's analysis, I always respect his well-thought positions. He is truly commited to making the world a better place. Who else, sans Chomsky, would answer each and every one of their 200+ emails a day while maintaining a preternaturally rigorous schedule- all this by a soon to be octogenarian!!

Anyone concerned with the current state of affairs- globally or domestically- should read this book. It's easy to read interview format makes it perfect for beginners. However, do not let the lucidity of Chomsky's responses fool you; even seasoned, politically astute readers could gain much from listening to Chomsky's voice.

for more information click here

An easy intro to Chomsky

This is a series of interviews and the tone is conversational. Some of these truths seem selfevident, and one wonders how Chomsky manages not to succumb to a paralyzing depression over the powers that be. I was dissappointed that he did not think there is much to the conspiracy theories regarding the mysteries in the collapse of the World Trade Center and that other building. There is so much that is not answered, that the fact that Chomsky cannot see this, made me lose something for him. Oh well, at least he is an inspiration to Chavez.

Please read this book, American!

I didn't read the whole book yet. The first few pages' idea mirrors a classic Chinese saying, "those who steal jewels are executed; those who steal the state are made kings." (qie-zhu-zhe-zhu, qie-guo-zhe-hou). Some other reviewer mentioned that some facts may not have adequate evidence and reference, but I don't think affect the book's point much because it is really based on the well-known simple facts, e.g. invasion of Iraq.

for more information click here

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4

An indispensable set of interviews on foreign and domestic issues with the bestselling author of Hegemony or Survival, ?America?s most useful citizen.? (The Boston Globe) In this new collection of conversations, conducted in 2006 and 2007, Noam Chomsky explores the most immediate and urgent concerns: Iran?s challenge to the United States, the deterioration of the Israel-Palestine conflict, the ongoing occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, the rise of China, and the growing power of the left in Latin America, as well as the Democratic victory in the 2006 U.S. midterm elections and the upcoming presidential race. As always, Chomsky presents his ideas vividly and accessibly, with uncompromising principle and clarifying insight.
The latest volume from a long-established, trusted partnership, What We Say Goes shows once again that no interlocutor engages with Chomsky more effectively than David Barsamian. These interviews will inspire a new generation of readers, as well as longtime Chomsky fans eager for his latest thinking on the many crises we now confront, both at home and abroad. They confirm that Chomsky is an unparalleled resource for anyone seeking to understand our world today.

for more information click here

hot