This war was entirely unnecessary, as testified to by your own reports. And among the most capable of those from your own side who speak to you on this topic and on the manufacturing of public opinion is Noam Chomsky, who spoke sober words of advice prior to the war, but the leader of Texas doesn't like those who give advice. --Osama bin Laden, September 2007 [186]
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Bin Laden cites Chomsky as a credible critic who warned against the Iraq war.
- In plain terms
- Bin Laden agrees with Chomsky that the war was unnecessary and used his words to criticize leaders.
- What can you take from it?
- Opponents of war often cite critics who predicted failure.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who owns the criticism of war?
- Do shared critiques imply shared values?
Another view
It conflates moral critique with political alignment.
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