What we say goes – Noam Chomsky
Book review of Noam Chomsky’s What we say goes, published in Books&Authors on November 2, 2008.
Misinformation, or euphemistically put ‘altered information’, is characteristic of the New World Order. This machinery works overtime every four years when ‘hockey moms’ and ‘Joe six-packs’ go to the polls and elect America’s Commander-in-Chief. In the frenzy of capturing maximum air time, television networks are flooded with campaign ads which not only manipulate public opinion but at times seem to mock one’s capacity to think sensibly. In this mindless media circus What We Say Goes stands out as a much needed break. The book is a compilation of interviews and conversations Noam Chomsky had with David Barsamian over a period of two years on different international and domestic issues.
Critiquing the American media, Chomsky comes right to the point and states that the principles of American media do not allow journalists to state unfavourable truths. In his signature candid manner, he says that American journalists are only concerned with violations of international law when it is committed by the ‘enemy’ states.
As a reformative measure, Chomsky prescribes a certain degree of ‘civil disobedience to recreate a functioning democracy’ as opposed to the blind subordination to authority.
Discussing the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in July 2006, he questions the very premise for the attacks. Israel had launched the invasion as self defense after Hezbollah killed eight of its soldiers and captured two. Chomsky points out that Israel has been abducting and killing civilians for decades and no one has suggested an invasion of the country, so the reason given could not have been a justification for launching an offensive against Lebanon.
Chomsky makes a very interesting observation by pointing out American disapproval for secular nationalism in the Muslim world. According to him, America and Israel have been instrumental in promoting fundamentalist Islamic groups by eliminating secular forces.
Discussing the double standards towards democracy, he cites the example of the election victory of Hamas, which, despite meeting the international principles of democracy, irked the neo-con lobby. As a result Israel has turned Gaza into the ‘biggest prison in the world.’
The question of democracy is raised again, when the author explains the legitimacy of Latin American leaders. Evo Morales was declared a dictator when he nationalised Bolivia’s key resources, despite the fact that he was supported by 95 per cent of his populace. Chomsky links America’s aversion to Latin American democracy with neo-liberal economics. According to him, the capitalist policies, which aim to benefit the northern hemisphere, are disapproved by a democratic government hence it becomes essential for US interest to have a puppet dictatorship in place which can be easily managed. A case in point is Chile after the Pinochet coup in 1973. Chomsky also discusses the economic mess created by the infamous Chicago Boys in Chile after the coup.
The author turns his attention to American society next and analyses the divisions and contrasts within its fabric. He explains how the public is pitted against the power systems. For example on the issue of Iran, the majority of the populace favours diplomatic initiatives, but their opinion doesn’t matter much to the decision-makers.
Analysing the nature of debate and discourse, he discusses how anyone criticising the government becomes unpatriotic, and anyone questioning the rogue tactics against Iran becomes a supporter of Ahmedinejad — or worse, a Holocaust denier. Demonisation of the enemy protects the government’s right to lie.
When the book went into print, there was little indication of the global economic crisis, therefore it is interesting to see Chomsky’s warning about the fragility of the real estate sector. He predicts the collapse of the housing bubble and fears the consequences would be dire.
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