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Noam Chomsky, the Dr. No of the hate-America crowd, is accused (by his own fans, of all people) of playing a little too fast and a little too loose with the facts in his latest screed, 'Failed States.' Peter Beaumont, foreign affairs editor for the London Guardian, writes that he wants to agree with Dr. No but can't find many reasons to in this latest book. --Suzanne Fields, June 22, 2006 [255]

Noam Chomsky#274

CriticismFactsBooksFans

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker notes that even Chomsky's fans criticize his recent work for being too loose with facts.
In plain terms
Fans of Chomsky admit he sometimes ignores the facts.
What can you take from it?
Criticism from allies can be more damaging than from opponents.

Where it applies

  • literary criticism
  • fact-checking

Putting it to work

  • evaluate claims from supporters
  • check factual accuracy

Questions to consider

  • How do you handle criticism from supporters?
  • What defines factual accuracy?

Another view

The quote relies on a summary of a review rather than the text itself.

More from Noam Chomsky

  1. Chomsky says America is a warring country seeking to build an empire, not a liberator trying to achieve peace, freedom, and democracy. --Debbie Schlussel, Febr…

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  2. For all the propaganda of al Jazeera, the wounded pride of the Arab Street, or the vitriol of the Western Left, years from now the truth will remain that our s…

    Permalink to quote #275
  3. In terms of his 40 year now campaign in favor of Chairman Mao, Pol Pot, Slobodan Milosevic, Osama bin Laden most lately, he is, as I say, thus an apologist for…

    Permalink to quote #272

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