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The Left's spiritual leader, Noam Chomsky, went to Hezbollah - a murderous, extremist, nationalistic organization by its own leaders' account - and saluted. The fascism of the Left, like that of the Right, does not believe in the possibility of the righteousness of anyone else. They claim that there is only one truth. We have known this since the days when in front of the 'Sun of the Nations' who murdered millions, people stood and said that the revolution there is also ours. --Yoram Kaniuk, July 23, 2006 [235]

Noam Chomsky#254

PoliticsChomskyIdeologyTruthLeadershipExtremism

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author accuses Chomsky of supporting extremists and claiming exclusive truth.
In plain terms
Chomsky is criticized for backing violent groups and acting like he owns the truth.
What can you take from it?
Claiming exclusive truth mirrors the authoritarianism often criticized.

Where it applies

  • political critique
  • ideological debate
  • activism review

Putting it to work

  • question absolute claims
  • avoid supporting violence

Questions to consider

  • Who owns the truth?
  • Is supporting a group endorsing all their acts?

Another view

The comparison to historical fascism is hyperbolic.

More from Noam Chomsky

  1. ...the self-indulgent and auto-congratulatory Noam Chomsky, arguably one of the most virulent anti-Semitic Jews you can hope to encounter. His endless diatribe…

    Permalink to quote #253
  2. [Hegemony or Survival describes] a world in which, chronology be damned, 9/11 seems like an understandable response, if not justifiable one, to our attacks on …

    Permalink to quote #255
  3. It's hard to imagine any American reading this book and not seeing his country in a new, and deeply troubling, light. --Jonathan Freedland, June 25, 2006 [233]

    Permalink to quote #252

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