The best thing about Chomsky is that he raises the blood pressure anti-Lefties far more than he deserves. Still, Chomsky's about as challenging as Mr. Rogers. 'Hi kids, won't you be my Culturally Sensitive Leftie Neighbor? Good, today kids, we're gonna talk about the evil things America has done in Nicaragua. Can you say Nee-karrrrooah-ooah?' In a word, Chomsky is why the Left stumbled through the 90s righteously gumming its enemies rather than raptor-gutting them. --Mark Ames, December 2, 2005 [206]
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Mark Ames argues Chomsky is too polite and ineffective in challenging the left.
- In plain terms
- Chomsky is seen as too nice to be effective.
- What can you take from it?
- Effective dissent may require more aggression.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does tone affect political impact?
- Is politeness a weakness in dissent?
Another view
This assumes aggression is necessary for effectiveness.
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