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PUH-LEEAAZE! Chomsky did not write that Faurisson was a Nazi sympathizer whose right to free speech needed to be defended on Voltairean principles. Chomsky wrote that Faurisson seemed to be 'a relatively apolitical liberal' who was being smeared by zionists who--for ideological reasons--did not like his 'findings.' Herman then repeats the lie by claiming that Faurisson's critics were 'unable to provide any credible evidence of anti-Semitism or neo-Naziism.' Feh! --Brad DeLong, July 25, 2003 [224]

Noam Chomsky#243

Free speechControversyDefense

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author corrects a claim about Chomsky's defense of Faurisson, arguing Chomsky defended free speech principles rather than endorsing Faurisson's views.
In plain terms
Chomsky defended free speech for a disputed writer, not his views.
What can you take from it?
Defending free speech does not imply agreement with the content.

Where it applies

  • academic debate
  • free speech issues

Putting it to work

  • clarify defense of principles
  • avoid conflating views with rights

Questions to consider

  • Is free speech absolute in all cases?

Another view

The author is frustrated with misinterpretations of Chomsky.

More from Noam Chomsky

  1. Noam Chomsky's idea that Bill Clinton's missile strike on a pharmaceutical plant in Sudan was worse than '9/11' is plain silly. --Ian Buruma, May 1, 2003 [223]

    Permalink to quote #242
  2. Chomsky might object that to knowingly place the life of a child in jeopardy is unacceptable in any case, but clearly this is not a principle we can follow. Th…

    Permalink to quote #244
  3. I'm not a pacifist. And I am not one of those people, like Noam Chomsky, with whom I have agreed on some points, I don't agree on this point, who believes that…

    Permalink to quote #241

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