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Imagine what he could do for James Frey?

How is it bad press for Chomsky? Hugo Chavez is very popular in the United States and all over the world.

Remember that Bush had him on that list that includes Jacobo Arbenz, Joao Goulart, Juan Bosch and Salvador Allende. He was on that list for a couple of days in April 2002. He is the first to return from the dead, so to speak, and defy this sad history.

Chavez is demonstrating his popularity in the United States through these increased book sales. Those buying the book are not doing so to participate in some kind of freak show. They are not doing so because that's what the evil enemy of America is reading. They are doing so because they respect Chavez's suggestions and are carrying them out.

Chomsky's books are widely read all over the world, but only in his own country is he denied access to the mainstream media. Thats why his book sales only occasionaly reach large number hers.
Its another indication of how media self censorship denies the American public important alternative viewpoints such as those as Chomsky.
If nothing else, the Chavez mention will allow tens of thousands more to hear that viewpoint.

Anyone wishing to read all of the speech - and the current popularity of Chomsky tells me that many are willing to give him a hearing - should visit http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=45&ItemID=11015 It seems much shorter than two hours to me. A quote: " It was shown that the end of history was a totally false assumption, and the same was shown about Pax Americana and the establishment of the capitalist neo-liberal world. It has been shown, this system, to generate mere poverty. Who believes in it now?"

How can you say main stream media denies Chomsky's books access. I remember AJ reading it in an old episode of the Sopranos.

Wat bout all the human rights and freedom of expression Chavez forces on the straving people of venezula? Can they read adam smith? NO, but its easy to forget that when you're bashing Bush

What a load of $@#%! Chavez is a brutal dictator. He probably used his peoples money to buy up a million copies of that book just so he could look good! I don't support Bush and think he lied to us but compared to Chavez he's a saint.

you can see Chavez making the book recommendation at the UN here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6WX64O8S1U

The MSM didn't give fair coverage to President Chavez's book recommendation at the UN General Assembly. "I would like to invite you, very respectfully, to those who have not read this book, to read it. ... I think that the first people who should read this book are our brothers and sisters in the United States, because their threat is right in their own house." Nearly all TV coverage omitted Chavez's recommendation of Noam Chomsky's book "Hegemony or Survival."
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/9/21/132029/536

You have nothing on Chavez. What, he spend his petro dollars on the poor and dislikes US policies; since when is that a crime?

And, your government spends your taxpayer dollars fighting wars where the enemies were figments of a mind that cannot utter complete sentences.

Just think of the number of playgrounds, schools and hospitals you could have built in Iraq with $200-300 billion spent. No less than tens thousands of such facilities. And, what do you think the reaction of the Iraqis would have been? Would they still shout and kill for you to take your so called coalition (which included Moldova, Armenia, Tonga, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Mongolia -the A list of the so called bribed by aid and contracts), out of their country. That misleading of the public is evil.

Sure, if you had to pick "devils", GWB would not be anywhere near the top of the list. There is Khomeini, Mao, Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Tojo, et al.

The Iraqis are unfortunately lacking in leadership and strategy to pursue war reparations. After all, Iraq had no linkage to Al Qaida, no WMDs, and was subject of an offensive attack. Per Geneva rules, they are entitled to reparations -not sucking up their own oil and spending the proceeds back in their country, after skimming management and processing. That is theft. More like, US taxpayers monies. Chavez sees this and criticizes.

Strange how Americans always seem to endorse the concept of critics to improve, so long as no one ever criticizes them. Then, it is unfair, incorrect, misleading, etc.

Thank you Tom Murphy! I didn't see any mention of Chomsky on the nightly newscasts and the newspapers only made passing reference to it.

The handling of the book strengthens Chomsky's argument. The fact that the media covered John Bolton's comment--without rebutal--that Venezuelans cannot express themeselves is pure propaganda. The vast majority of the Venezuelan media is owned by the opposition. Chazez's approval rating in his country is 65%. If there was no dissent allowed, wouldn't his country be reporting that his approval rating was 100%?

I have once seen Chomsky on CNN for broef moments debating with an ex-alcoholic and ex-gambler, Willima Benet.....some paula Zhan show

Isn't it wonderful how Chavez and that Iranian president have come to America (a country which they call evil) and so quickly adopted one of America's greatest art forms, PR spin? These guys are looking like freedom fighters and you people are eating it up.
Its easy to look good when you can supress the media back home (nice try Morton) and quote Chomsky in New York, but the reality is Chavez and Iran's President control their country with an iron fist. Any disention, is neutralized quicker than Bush could hope for in his wildest dreams. Lets not lose site of reality here. No politician is perfect but Bush, is held to greater and more honest accountability than either of those 2.

Like many Americans, I was disappointed that Chavez found it necessary and acceptable to resort to name calling to express his views. And I hope that people who consider reading Noam Chomsky's work do not hold the words of Chavez against Chomsky. But I am glad that Chomsky got some press time promoting his work. Not everyone will agree with what Chomsky has to say, as his political beliefs are pretty far to the left. And his books are not the easiest to read. But he presents a side to issues, particularly foreign policy, that are not main stream here in the U.S. He takes a deep look at issues - historically, economically, politically, and globally. Chomsky definitely makes a reader think about things (policy, consequences, etc.) in a broader sense. And if some who read his work decide that they do not agree with what he has to say, I hope that his work at least inspires them to do more research on topics such as U.S. foreign policy, economic policy, the media, etc. I believe that better informed people make better and more responsible citizens.

There's no such thing as a "dictatorship" in my country... But I liked Lula's speech better, it was more spontaneous, sober, less reading from paper and in a way more critic of the US. At least Mr Bolton and Condy were present and you could feel they got the message...

But even then, the "devil" remark was a necessary one... What can the US administration expect when they create such things as "axis of evil" and label "fascists" other countries when they themselves act like that ? On Latin America the US uses the "war on drugs" to set up dictatorships and overthrow governments and the "war on terror" to justify the evils they unleash on the Middle East... Let's remember that Bin Ladin was supported by the US in Afghanistan and you couldn't predict that by putting troops in Saudi Arabia this guy would then unleash his madness. There were no WMD's in Iraq, yet the US supported Saddam against Iran and those weapons were used against Kurds. The luck may end if Iran gets attacked...

The only reason Chomsky's sales are so poor in America is because he only writes negative things about the country he lives in. The man doesnt have a single positive thing to say about the US and if he did he'd keep it to himself because he knows positive stories wont sell. The man hasnt left university since graduating, his image of reality is distorted as a result. He should stick to Linguistics and stop pretending he knows anything about world affairs.

#1 on Amazon
#2 on Barnes & Noble

I like that man ! He is entertaining beyond anybody's wildest dream, although I think he secretely wants to be Bush's best chum. It's so obvious with his obsession with Bush, isn't it ? By the way, I am also impressed by his apparent intellectual capacity to understand Chomsky. Chomsky, on the other hand, is the most honest political thinker of our days.

A 'communist' leader, eh? When did communists start holding elections? That's awfully progressive of them! And a wildly popular 'communist' he is too, with over 60% of the vote - twice - and the US and UN observers gave it the ok! Both times!

As for censoring the press - it's less censored than the US press. An opposition leader called Chavez a 'ni**er' and a 'monkey', and called for him to be 'shot down like a dog' - on national TV. Try that in the US and you'll go to a nice privatised jail.

We can't help but laugh at the Americans. Where do they get their disinformation from? Fox?

As I understand it, the Webster dictionary defines a dictator as 'A foreigner who doesn't do as he's told'. Funny that :)

Communist Leader? Excuse me? That's news to me. Last I heard he was a (3 or 4 time) democratically elected socialist leader (much like your typical European or Canadian leader.) The only thing unusual about his government is that it was strong enough to repell a US backed coupe attempt about 3 or 4 years ago; not a lot of countries can boast such strength these days.

And I don't think he *hates* capitalism. As far as I've heard from him, he hates Neo-Liberalism, which is something somewhat different (mostly based on structural adjustment and US/IMF hegemony.) He still relies on a bit of capitalism to get money for the oil he sells us.

He made a very well recieved speech to the world at the UN in which he highly recommended a widely available and translated book. What did you expect to happen to it on the Amazon best-seller list? I'm surprised it hasn't gone higher.

*Sniff, sniff* Is that sulfur I smell?

BUSH IS A SUPERDEVIL.

Some people commenting here seems to not make the difference between an elected president and a dictator, between a critic of their government policies and their country as a whole, between facts and propaganda.

Since the WW2, the USA's CIA have toppled democratically elected governments, put in place and supported half the dictatorships and military juntas around the world (Chile, Iraq, Iran, Angola, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Nicaragua, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Pakistan, Mexico, Syria, Laos, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Uruguay, Vietnam, Haiti, Greece, Australia, etc) and are accountable, directly or undirectly, for millions of deaths abroad, they have also silenced democratic dissents with their death squads, 'watch lists', covert ops and black ops. The failure of the american so-called free press is that it has even propagandized their governments acts and lies as if there were done in the interest of 'freedom and democracy', which is as laughtable as pitiful, and you don't have to wonder why there is such a resentment against american past and present governments worldwide, an unbiased history of their actions would have made the things clearer.

He is a populist who seems to espouse the beliefs of Marxist Leninism. So in some senses yes he is a communist, but communists can hold elections, JT! There is a communist party in America and most EU countries. In Russia they actually hold some seats in parliament (around 7% I believe).
Chavez is in no way an EU style socialist and any attempt to characterize him as such is fiction. Economically and socially the man seems closer to Pol Pot than Tony Blair (who is a typical example of an EU Socialist). He uses capitalism to sell his oil and uses the money to secure his position and keep down enemies (including coups funded by outside interests) but from what I've read his policies point to an eventual egalitarianism and libertine socialism whereby coercive powers are used for redistribution of global wealth.

no one told me Sensi that Australia is a dictatorship, Im getting out of here!

Nothing scares the devil more than a restoration of direct control of the means of production and resources to the working class peoples who he has used as pawns.

all the idiots screeching about chomsky's lack of coverage in the mainstream media should remember that venezuelans can be and have been jailed for criticizing oogo.
why oh why do leftists always adore totalitarians?

Because Fred they are all idiots who can't grasp the big picture! Reading these comments it sounds like they'd rather have Lenin running the country than Bush. The cold war wasnt that long ago but how quickly they forget the walls and fences. Shame on you all.

The truth is that anyone who thinks Chavez is a hero or benevolent leader simply is ignorant of the facts of his life.

Even Bush's domestic foes know that.

Looking through this dialog, I'm amazed at some of the ignorance I see here, and dismayed at how easily people are being manipulated by this man. He's a smart guy, though, for sure.

Read about him, but be wary of his many hand-picked biographers.

We all know there is no absolute right way to do anything. I do think it is time we as a country focused on us as a country. Why spend money fighting wars? Why not strike a move for national healthcare, improve education in public schools, create programs to help get job training to the underprivileged, how about funding to make college education free to all US citizens (can you imagine an end to student loans). What as a country has any leaders done to improve our quality of life? Let someone else police the world and maybe at times lend a hand to them but lets take care of our own for a while.

Why didn't Chavez quote from a native book instead of an American book? Seems he should be running for a state senate seat instead of running Venezula... Does anybody think - even for a split moment in the early morning - that Chavez thought his speech would have any impact on anyone besides educated people who follow the press? Give the man a mirror!!

Sure Chavez has an ego, but, hell, at least it was self-made. Bush's ego is just as outsized, and maybe worse, plus he's got that unmistakeable sense of entitlement that comes from being born into wealth and power. Wake up Bush supporters, he ain't one of you.

Chavez is redistributing the oil wealth of his country--instead of the profits being sucked out by oil multinationals, the money is being put into free dental and eye clinics for the people of the massive shanty towns surrounding Caracas. This is all brand new public service, fully documented, and why the poor love Chavez.

Bush and his buddies are oilmen. That's why it has become personal--they see Chavez as taking what's rightly theirs. The entitled rich don't take kindly to people who throw cold water on their faces. But I say, Get used to it.

How come 90% of the comments here seem to disagree with the "vision" the US Media has (creates) about Hugo Chavez? Do Mass Media and People live in different worlds? Or am I missing something here?

Chavez is not the only Foriegn leader to endorse the views of Chomsky. Gorbachev did it in an interview on CNN a couple of years ago as well. He urged all Americans to read it too.

Many flaws reading down this entire thing.
Someone said chomsky never left university, but let us not forget that he has traveled to more third world situations in his life. He has been to where the bad is, left cheeseburgers and basball for sand and mortars.
Secondly, Lenin WOULD be a better president then Bush, maybe you should read some of his writing! www.marxists.org
And lastly, Communism is not a bad thing, those who have read the manifesto understand that it when utilized CORRECTLY (china, stalinist soviet excluded...) it is more democratic the our republicrat democran one-party system.
And lastly, "devil" may be an understatement but still a statement worth listening to.

Don't you love how Hugo pats himself on the back for giving to the poor, yet as a member of OPEC could help lower the price of oil the world over, and does not. How many people could really be helped, if in fact that was his aim? He gives handouts to maintain control. The first hit is always free.

The primary export of the American left for the past forty years has been explicit anti-American rhetoric. Chavez is not the only antagonist to cite a left wing author. Bin Laden did so (Rogue State) just a few months ago. Another radical Imam in Saudi Arabia cited the movie "Loose Change" (an American "documentary" that basically blames Bush for 9/11 as being an inside job) just last week to exonerate Muslims for the attack. The World's Workers Party has banners with Bush's picture and the words "World's Greatest Terrorist" turning up in Indonesia, Gaza, Thailand and anywhere else Muslims can be riled up. Hizb'Allah and Hamas rallies routinely take place at Berkeley and other left-wing college campuses. It is no wonder that those who despise America prefer to adopt the same rhetorical tropes and bent political orthodoxy as those living IN America. Chomsky has already lauded the use of his title by Chavez - yeah, the same Chomsky that met with Hizb'Allah officials in the Middle East less than seven months ago. It is clear that terrorists are not the greatest danger to the U.S. A single liberal activist with a law degree and an axe to grind is far more dangerous than 100 17 year old religious nuts with a bad attitude.

This is a matter of good and evil, right and wrong and Chavez is evil, pure evil! Do not be tempted by his easy lies.

I agree with the comment above that "Mass Media and People live in different worlds." Turn on the news and 90% is theatre. The remainder is tragedy, fear mongering and sensationalism meant to string viewers along from one commercial break to the next.

Someone wrote earlier that Chomsky is only critical of the U.S. and its policies. But that is not true. Yes, most of his books focus on the U.S., as he is a U.S. citizen. But he also writes about and is critical of other counties. For example, in his book "Fateful Triangle", he writes about the history and problems with Israel and the Palestinians. In my opinion, he is equally critical of both (as well as U.S. involvement). And, interestingly, he was raised Hebrew. His father was from Ukraine. Chomsky is very critical of Leninist socialism. As I recall, he considers himself to be more of a Libertarian Socialist. Chomsky is largely critical of double standards, as well as military intervention and its consequences (both to the U.S. and the rest of the world). His was writing about his concerns with U.S. foreign policy in the 1970s, well before the Bush Administration. He recently completed a lecture tour in Lebanon. His biggest contribution has been in the field of linguistics, and he has also been recognized for his achievements in cognitive psychology. Here are some Web sites with information on Chomsky:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noam_Chomsky

http://www.chomsky.info/

Yeah, he could lower prices to help poor people - like your poor mama so she could drive her fat weight on her mammoth SUV to pick up her soccer kid who is too classy to ride the local public transportation while 30% of Africa has never even taken a single ride on a motorized vehicle.

5% of the world's population: US, consumes (wastes) 30% of its energy and demands more at lower prices. The logic behind the statements of people like Hugo - thats what dumbasses never see and ignorance is bliss indeed!!!

All pols are guilty of double standards, its the nature of the profession. Chomsky has the distinct advantage of being a scientist and an academic. It much easier to be critical of double standards from that position. Science is the search for truth, politics the search for comprimise and there isn't much overlap between the two. That being said Chavez is a better pol than Bush and much, much better public speaker!

My mama drives a Prius

OMG (Christ),

English in my 4th language so pardon my spelling.

I am suprised peopel trying to elevate Chomsky to more than what he really is. A utopical idealist, that deals with matter of theory. And, not very sucsessefull at that. Please dont compare him to Karl Marx
and Fridrix Engels, those two recongnise that their theoris where not praactical guides to action.
I give you an example. What does the left knows about Economics and Distribution of Wealth? Show me sucessefull economical system based on the comminist of socialist concepts? Antill i see one, please , spearme the advice in economics. The clossest that the left came to distribution of wealth is based on Robin Hood (Good) approach " Take it from the reach and give it to the poor, wile keeping some for yourself". This system keeps the poor poor, and wile it antoganises the reach it dose not eliminate them becouse there will be nobody to "take it from" if you get redoff the reach. The key is try to doit with out violence. And this is the best scenario Sweden, France and Canada are the best examples. At the worst look for communist regimes(Cuba, Belaruss, former USSR) where usualy one depart from it own wealth right after with own head or freadom. All sucesseful sivilizations in the human history were based on private property. That is a fact.

Therefor, our economical system is better than what Chomsky and Chavwz have to offer.
This is a system that allowed us from a colony on a fare side of the planet become who we are. Nobody handeld us the wealth, we did not enherit the goods, we did what all disent ppl would do we work hard, them we work harder, when it need it be we twisted arms and showed some muscles, we bribe and we bought things - why? - becouse we could do it, we becouse we had a father view of the future than others. So blaim us that we survived and became who we are becouse we stronger, smarter and wiser. That will make you an green(or red) from envi.

Lesson in history tell us that other countries had same chances but they did not learn the lessons of history. In latin america (I am Cuban-American) the problem is not the USA, is the local corruption of all political parties left and right. Giving the oportunity and the wisdom Brazil and Argentina would "newcolonize' the rest of latin america becouse of predominance of their economies.

But their failiers to capitalize on oportunities made their econimical expansion week and irrelevan for the latin america, and it allowed new coutries to emarge as political and economicl foces Chile and Venezuela. Chile with its open market economy, that is more and more integrated in to the world economy and Venezuela with its petro dollars that will last untill we stop purchasing that oil. BTW CITCO in south usa is campletely ownd by Venezuela goverment, I personaly boycot that gas station after chaves speach.

my two cents...

First of all the guy is pretty smart and can also be funny sometimes, of course it's very funny when you see him once, not when you have to listen to him ramble on for four hours on ALL tv stations in venezuela every Sunday.

A couple of pointers so we can put the guy in perspective:

1) He said "We're going to deep fry the heads of the 'adecos' when we win" during his campaing (adecos where the major opposing party in the pre-chavez democracy). His rhetoric can get pretty nasty if he suddenly dislikes you.

2)He continuously seeds hatred between poor and middle class, middle class being hard working people that struggle to keep family business afloat. He contiously encourages poor people to 'take' houses, cars and property from others. While under the table he has arrangements with the really rich people, just to stay in power.

3)He has been incredibly lucky with the oil price very high for long, allowing him to spends immense amounts of money to do PR around the world to buy weapons for the colombian guerillas (FARC) and for all the Cuban intelligence that is now undercover everywhere in venezuela, disguised as sports instructors or 'physicians' for the poor. To be fair, they are actually providing some basic health services (sometimes deadly, because they're not fully qualified) to the very poor communities, but they're also there for brainwash everyone with communist ideas and set up 'bolivarian circles' to control the community with Castro-style watch-on-your-neighbor strategies.

4)He visits Habana almost weekly and adores the assasin of Castro and his ideals. (Read a bit and see how he got rid of Che Guevara, Matos and anybody that exhibited traits of leadership in Cuba).

5)Violence and personal safety levels in the streets in Venezuela are at their worst levels ever. People that oppose the government publicly are shot, raped or worse by the Chavist-Cuban intelligence. There are three or four leaders that are now on hiding because they have been incriminated in actions they didn't commit, only because they voice an opinion which is contrary to that of Chavismo.

6)Currency exchange is blocked in Venezuela, can't buy more than a small allowance of dollars that need be approved by the government, even though the record oil prices don't justify it, only to cause the businesses to crash and create more dependency on the populist money the distribute.

7) The distributed populist money barely help people make ends meet, new jobs are not being created and people continue to be in the dark as to how to become a more productive even with the limitless natural resources of the Country. The more convenient for him to remain in power, creating the dependency, providing no tools for real long term improvement.

8)Corruption levels (which he promised erradicate) at are all time records, in one instance by mistake they searched the house of a supreme court chavist magistrate who got suspiciously killed, the guy had couple of million bucks in a cash in a chest at home. Of course, no one can accuse them anymore, be prepared to run or be killed if you do.

9)Poverty levels keep climbing.

10)A head of state shouldn't use an UN speech to insult personally another President, that's just wrong by any diplomatic strandards, Bush is the representative of the US people, elected by vote, the comments are just ridiculous, in any case I'm glad he did so more people understand the class of clown that's running venezuela.

(And if anybody thinks that Bush wasn't properly elected by vote, then I can't even begin to describe how Chavez has manipulated the electoral Council to get his way on the past two elections).

vzln, please tell me how you measure corruption levels? you sound like you've been brainwashed by western capitalizm and you use the typcal defense of truth haters, cynism. you think your free becaues you can purchase as much of watever youwant in America but thats not freedom it is trading freedom for a consumptive addiction. Chavez cares about his citizens and Bush uses them to fatten his familys pockets.

@ AussieMatt

"no one told me Sensi that Australia is a dictatorship, Im getting out of here!"

The USA's CIA overthrow the Whitlam Government in Australia, with covert destabilisation operations against his government through the Nugan-Hand bank before that Whitlam was dismissed by the unelected Governor-General.
Check your facts.

We seem to learn through contrast. Black/ White or Good/Evil. Positioning as direct opposites. "Please show us to extreme depths of how things shouldn't be so we know better."
Lets consider that the truth is being revealed and we all get to witness the process. Bring it on.
Thank you Chavez for your role and thank you Bush for the role you have played.
Time to wake up.

get your facts straight! Chavez is a communist! http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/9/22/11130/1428

@ AussieMatt

I forgot to underline that Australia was not in the dictatorships or military junta categories in my first post, but was part of the countries which get one of its government toppled with the help of the CIA's covert ops.

If the CIA regularily over throws governments and puts in puppet regimes, why didn't we do that in Iraq and save ourselves $300+ billion?

@ Clark

"If the CIA regularily over throws governments and puts in puppet regimes, why didn't we do that in Iraq and save ourselves $300+ billion?"

Saddam Hussein was a CIA asset for decades... I guess that the $300+ billion are not lost for everybody, and that the crooks within the place will steal as much oil as needed to get even more money. Who cares of the US taxpayer? certainly not them.

where i live Citgo supplies gas to 7-11. Does Chavez has some hand in our Slurpee supply.

so sensi, what your saying is that Bush had this whole war in Iraq just to bilk the american tax payer out of cash? thats quite the conspiracy theory, but wat proof do you have?

Mmmm, you don't seem to be informed as to why oil is kept at it's high price...Hugo has already offered oil @ $50/barrel (compared with $75) but Bush turned it down.

"...on March 28, (Chavez) made Bush the following astonishing offer: Chavez would drop the price of oil to $50 a barrel, "not too high, a fair price," he said -- a third less than the $75 a barrel for oil recently posted on the spot market. That would bring down the price at the pump by about a buck, from $3 to $2 a gallon.

But our President has basically told Chavez to take his cheaper oil and stick it up his pipeline. Before I explain why Bush has done so, let me explain why Chavez has the power to pull it off -- and the method in the seeming madness of his "take-my-oil-please!" deal.......

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_greg_pal_060921_chavez__comments_3a_st.htm

Dear @MT

I agree measuring corruption is very hard, but I can tell you one thing, when people with decent jobs struggle really hard to buy a used car and you see the government people driving in bentleys, hummers, BMWs around the pot hole streets of caracas and the 8-year olds begging for food at the traffic lights, when you see Chavez replacing his perfectly fine presidential plane by an $75 million Airbus 340 you get an idea. Giving oil for free to Cuba, in quantities that even allow Castro to resell it.

As some regional variation of the saying goes: "Cough and money can't be hidden."

I can also tell you one more thing, venezuelan leftys hate the US as much as they envy it, they would like to be able to buy as much and have the opportunities the people of the US have, where you can work hard and live with decency and comfort, of course they want to do it without the working part.

Lastly I also agree with you that Chavez takes cares of its citizens, open your mouth, he'll take 'care' of you.

@ Clark

"so sensi, what your saying is that Bush had this whole war in Iraq just to bilk the american tax payer out of cash? thats quite the conspiracy theory, but wat proof do you have?"

You will find tens of former CIA agents that will tell you that Saddam was a CIA asset for decades, concerning the iraqi war these are only assumptions of my part, but as the only things interesting in the middle-east for american officials are oil and Israel we can guess that to be in the middle of oil fields when oil will tend to rarefy is a good purpose. We all know that Bush wanted to invade Iraq before the 9/11, we all know that his administration lied to invade Iraq (cf. The "downing street memo", between others, 0 WMD, no link with 'al-quaeda', etc), i don't tell you that the only purpose is to get the taxpayer out of cash, but giving most of his money to the defense and military industry and the other part to the oil industry, KBR, Halliburton and others, while securing its oil provisioning for the decades to come seems relevant.

Concerning saddam as a CIA asset there was an interesting article some years ago on UPI.com that disappeared, but you will find a copy of it thru google:
cf. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=Exclusive%3A+Saddam+Was+key+in+early+CIA+plot&btnG=Search
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/saddam

@vsln "cough and money can't be hidden"?? seems like every President has a private jet and car whether his people are poor or rich. Why do you only critisize the one who speaks out against Bush? Pay no attention to the devil because the person pulling back the curtain has a private plane? Come on, why not say take a look at Pakistans President Pervez Musharraf... his people are dirt poor and he has jets and cars, but because he's in Bush's pocket no one complains. This is blind naivity.

@cal
You are focusing on a side point, I said the government had a perfectly nice plane, he got a newer one that wasn't needed when there was 80% poverty level in the Country and claiming they would help the poor, of course you don't talk about the free oil to Cuba, or the expensive previously unseen personal vehicles of the government related individuals, they were just manifestations of the boundless corruption the regime is undertaking.

I don't think critizing Bush or anybody's ideas is bad, if you're not with his ideas, fine, point his mistakes and propose your solutions. I am against calling him names that are beside the point and disrespect a lot of people without purpose.

I can assure you no one can go into Venezuela today and set up a public demonstration and say bad things about Chavez, not even objective things, as he continued to do yesterday in Harlem, just because he can offer a little free oil. A couple months ago the US ambassador went to a poor neighborhood in Caracas to give some free baseball bats and hats, no name calling or anything. Well guess what happened, he had to run out of there because his car was attacked by the cuban-managed 'bolivarian circles'. That kind of stuff didn't happen in Venezuela before, its a minor incident but it goes to show that unjustified hatred is being implanted into people's heads, to keep the 'revolution' alive, hiding the truths of the worst government Venezuela's had in the last 50 years, distracting people's attention with the vitriolic, anachronic remarks of the crushing imperialism. This is just Castro with money and its bad news for Venezuelans.

This is one of the most idiotic blogs I've ever seen. It reads like a bunch of college freshmen whining at each other after Poli Sci 101. The bottom line is, Chavez coming out at the UN and calling Bush 'the devil' is pure theater and media pandering and shouldn't be taken seriously by anyone with any kind of intelligence whatsoever. His comments make him look like a fool, not a great (or even mediocre) world leader. Seriously people, stop letting the media lead you by the nose. This 'story' should never have gotten the press coverage it has because it is simply not newsworthy. As long as you let the media manipulate you you are playing into the hands of all your so-called 'devils'. Have a nice day.

It may have been theatre to call Bush the devil, but compared to him Chavez is a genius. You wanna talk about foolish, everytime your George opens his mouth he sounds like fool who had to cheat to pass Poli Sci 101!

Cal
Thank you for proving my point so perfectly and promptly. By the way, I have some ocean-front property for sale in Montana. Interested?

Chavez is a world-scale breath of fresh air in a closed room full of run-of-the-mill politicians. If Chomsky was obligatory reading in US schools, awareness among the young population about the decay of democracy in the US might provoke a little revolution of its own.
More power to Hugo!

Your sarcasm aside, Tom, I don't believe in property, but tell me please why Chavez's voice is not worthy of media attention. Many outside of America feel the west's imperealism crush their souls on a daily basis. Chavez speaks to us. There is no garauntee your american empire will last forever and you only increase global hatred against it by ignoring your own hypocrasy. We cannot be afraid to listen to people who are different than us.

Amazing! Chomsky's book is now tops on Barnes and Nobels and Amazon http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=chomsky&z=y&cds2Pid=9481

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/new-for-you/top-sellers/-/books/all/ref=pd_dp_ts_b_1/104-4293054-8839111

If he's ever deposed Hugo would have a great career as a lit agent.

"A bunch of college freshmen whining at each other after Poli Sci 101?" I don't know about that, tom. Simply a lively debate, and one that we are all fortunate to be able to participate in.

I'm certainly glad to see more people discovering Professor Chomsky's fine work, and cannot honestly say I'm terribly concerned about how they're finding out about it. I have only one respectful request to direct toward all those Amazon customers (et al.) who have purchased Hegemony or Survival: don't just let it gather dust on a shelf - READ the thing!

Cal
You continue to completely miss my point. Chavez has every right to be heard, but unfortunately the media (and in turn, most of the people on this board) takes his childish bout of name-calling and blow it out of proportion and you lap it up as if it's some kind of leftist rallying cry. Pointing out a leaders faults with actual facts presented in a rational and professional manner is worthy of respect and further dialogue, not idiotic rantings deliberately playing into the media spotlight. You go ahead and keep eating it up, though, and post on these amusing blogs. As a free American citizen, I'm the last guy to try and stop you. It's very fashionable right now to blame the US for all the world's problems but reality is quite a bit different. If you can't see that then I pity you. I don't support Bush and I could call him anything I want to his face and would not be imprisoned or killed. The same cannot be said for your boy Chavez. I am not increasing global hatred here, merely expressing my views, same as you are doing. You said 'We cannot be afraid to listen to people who are different than us'? Hard to believe you said that in criticism of me. Tell me who's the hypocrit now, Cal?

Why don't those who criticize so much our USA move to Venezuela and try to exercise freedom of speach there? Try it! Ah! After doing so, certainly your a@@ will smell like sulfur.

Tom, I hear you point of view, and agree name-calling is counterproductive, but there was a lot more to his speech than the word devil. Many people feel that Bush's rhetoric of "good and evil" is only slightly more mature and given his control over your media how do you know what Chavez actually stands for? You say the media is lying and yet you rely on that media to develope your opinion of Chavez as some kind of Stalin. I agree free press is vital in order for a democracy to function but sometimes Americans confuse abundence for freedom. How can an american have any real knowledge of what is happening when Fox, CNN and the rest all pump out the same basic information?

Hahaha Mary you got it! Go people ..go to Venezuela and wake up there everyday and try a little bit of this "great love" that el loco lefty has for his people, try all the "wonderful" things that he has done for our country and then come here and I asure you that you will have things to post about it. I dont like mr bush but this chavez is way worse than him, i rather have anna nicole smith running my country than this SOB DEVIL. And this childish name calling is just an act, he's just diverting people's attention so he can continue making bikes in his "bike factory" with Iran ..hahaha bike my a$%^. and Chomsky? when the monkey learn how to read?

Cal
You're still missing the point. Let me address your concerns point by point:
1. ...'there was a lot more to his speech than the word devil'.
Yes there was, but the media focuses only on the name-calling, which spawned this blog. This is the primary point I am trying to make.
2. ...'Bush's rhetoric of "good and evil" is only slightly more mature and given his control over your media how do you know what Chavez actually stands for?'
Bush is not name-calling like a schoolyard bully. And 'Bush's control over our media'? Where do you get that idea? Obviously, from participating in this blog, I am able to read news from all over the world. All points of view are available to me. Your point is moot.
3. ...'You say the media is lying and yet you rely on that media to develope your opinion of Chavez as some kind of Stalin'.
I never said the media is lying, just that it wallows in sensationalism. Two different things. I never said he was a Stalin, putting words in my mouth is not helping you make whatever point it is that you are trying to make. He is not a Stalin, he is a Chavez.
4. ...'free press is vital in order for a democracy to function but sometimes Americans confuse abundence for freedom'.
What? I'm not sure what you even mean by this but you seem to have a VERY narrow view of Americans. Where exactly are you from?
5. 'How can an american have any real knowledge of what is happening when Fox, CNN and the rest all pump out the same basic information?'
Again, I am on this blog so obviously I have access to information other than Fox etc. And again, you take a very dim view of Americans by insinuating that we cannot think for ourselves. This nation is full of strong individuals who think for themselves and lead their lives as they see fit, free from tyranny and oppression. Perhaps that is why Chavez and his ilk have such a problem with us...he knows we could never be controlled. And before you say that we are being controlled by Bush and his perceived oppressive evil regime, remember that in America we have the right to bear arms. We have that right for a very good reason, so that our government cannot take control and do the kinds of things tyrants and dictators do.

Uh, to your first point Tom this blog entry was about Chomsky's book not the devil comment, get your facts straight!

'Uh, to your first point Tom this blog entry was about Chomsky's book not the devil comment, get your facts straight!'

If Chavez had merely spoken about Chomsky's book there would be no news, hence no blog. But he went into his 'devil' tirade, the media sensationalized it and here we are.
Facts are lining up rather well, thank you.

You wrote "the media focuses only on the name-calling, which spawned this blog." The entry iteself makes no mention of the word "devil." This blog was about how a Socialist's plug pushed an academic book from the basement to the # 1 best seller in just 2 days.

I find it interesting that no one seems to realize the speech's best point was made about the history of Luis Posada.

Phil W.

'You wrote "the media focuses only on the name-calling, which spawned this blog." The entry iteself makes no mention of the word "devil." This blog was about how a Socialist's plug pushed an academic book from the basement to the # 1 best seller in just 2 days.'

The book plug would have gone unnoticed if not for the name-calling. Why is this so hard to understand?

And you know that how? Even freshman Poli Sci 101 students would flunk for making such an ungrounded assumption! Guess you prefer not to use "actual facts presented in a rational and professional manner" but instead prefer cynical sarcasm based on empty truth.
GAME SET MATCH.
-JSL

JSL
Think about it. Chavez would not be the current media darling if not for his 'inflammatory' speech at the UN. Headlines are not made by a world leader plugging someone's book.

Game set match...that's pretty funny.

NICE BLOG AT THIS CRITICAL TIME IN OUR HISTORY.

THE U.S. MILITARY IS VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT MR. BUSH, PRESIDENT. SOON, THEY WILL ASK HIM TO RESIGN AND A MONARCHY GOVERNMENT WILL BE ESTABLISHED WITHOUT ANY ELECTIONS. WITHIN FIVE YEARS THERE WILL BE FREE ELECTIONS. THE MILITARY BELIEVES BUSH HAS THREATENED THE SECURITY OF THE U.S.A. BY HIS POLICIES. BUSH HAS DAMAGED AMERICA AND THE WORLD WITH THE UNJUST WAR IN IRAG.

we have finality arrive at understanding that subjective and objective do not exist. however, Chavez has giving us a lift on that area. Heidegger has done the same. but how many will grasp the real you under all this mess. one thing is certain Chavez did not bomb Iraq neither supported Israel killings. he just call bush a devil and words awake the mind, they do not destroy babies and helpless old men like cluster bombs do. the Venezuelan press is mostly private, it is now that Chavez has a voice, for those that believe Chavez is a dictator they are wrong it is the other Way around. CISNEROS is the equivalent of Murdoch in south America, and he is against Chavez. so inform yourself properly folks.

1. ...'there was a lot more to his speech than the word devil'.
Yes there was, but the media focuses only on the name-calling, which spawned this blog. This is the primary point I am trying to make.

- Name Calling!? Agreed... it makes the ignorant tune in.

2. ...'Bush's rhetoric of "good and evil" is only slightly more mature and given his control over your media how do you know what Chavez actually stands for?'
Bush is not name-calling like a schoolyard bully. And 'Bush's control over our media'? Where do you get that idea? Obviously, from participating in this blog, I am able to read news from all over the world. All points of view are available to me. Your point is moot.

- Ah but here-in lies your flaw... you as an American and myself as an American read these blogs and expose ourselves to other points of view. Hell we may even spend a little extra time and actually research history in the accounts of more than 1 country. HOWEVER, the majority of our brothers and sisters in America have been swayed toward social and religious ignorance touting false patriotism and christian idealism. The majority of Americans believe what they are told on CNN/FOX.

3. ...'You say the media is lying and yet you rely on that media to develope your opinion of Chavez as some kind of Stalin'.
I never said the media is lying, just that it wallows in sensationalism. Two different things. I never said he was a Stalin, putting words in my mouth is not helping you make whatever point it is that you are trying to make. He is not a Stalin, he is a Chavez.

- Agreed, he is Chavez... the media may not lie but they damn sure omit. They tow a line that benefits them politically and financially. Rightees will argue but eh... I could care less. At this point we are heading toward change... good or bad...

4. ...'free press is vital in order for a democracy to function but sometimes Americans confuse abundence for freedom'.
What? I'm not sure what you even mean by this but you seem to have a VERY narrow view of Americans. Where exactly are you from?

- I am from the US, and I agree with his statement. Freedom has been dressed in versace and drives a hummer. Hell as long as you slap that flag sticker on your car your a "good american". American people in general have a very narrow view on freedom. BTW, Free Speech... IS a right and not a priviledge! (not necessarily directed at you Tom... more for the country as this is most likely my only comment on this blog)

5. 'How can an american have any real knowledge of what is happening when Fox, CNN and the rest all pump out the same basic information?'
Again, I am on this blog so obviously I have access to information other than Fox etc. And again, you take a very dim view of Americans by insinuating that we cannot think for ourselves. This nation is full of strong individuals who think for themselves and lead their lives as they see fit, free from tyranny and oppression.

- And yet we continue to accept Lies, War, Debt, Corruption, and lack of political choice!?

- How many of you were aware that during the 2004 Presidential election there was a third candidate that was on the ballot in 48 states yet BANNED from public debate!?

- Think for ourselves...!?

To all y'all Bushies out there I got say this:
NO ONE DIED
WHEN CLINTON LIED!!!!!!!!!

I would challenge any of us to find a country better than the U.S. to live in. But we can do better as a country. And I think that is pretty much in line with Chomsky's beliefs. For example, there is no developed country that has the high percentage of people without health insurance that we have here in the U.S. And I am concerned about some of the provisions of the Patriot Act; Some of those provisions leave loopholes for civil rights violations right here in the U.S. And the NSA wiretapping of U.S. citizens really disturbs me. Our country is better than that, and we as citizens deserve better than that.

I think that we have a responsibility to try to be informed about issues and hold our government accountable - our ability to do this is one of the things that makes our country so unique. But I think we could all do more as individuals, myself included. I hope that those who read Chomsky (whether they agree with him or not), will have an increased awareness and be inspired to do further research.

I am aware that in no other country, and during no other period of history, would I be able to enjoy the freedoms that I enjoy today. And I am grateful for that. But, as Chomsky points out so frequently, our country is not without its problems. And, on one hand, I can understand why many people around the world see us as hypocrites.

I spent most of my adult life either in the military or working at NSA. I worked as a cryptographer, linguist, and intelligence analyst. I served in the military during the first war in Iraq, as well as in Just Cause in Panama. And there is no disputing the unclassified facts: Both the leaders of Iraq and Panama were trained, armed, and funded by the U.S. And our country (or at least our leadership) knowingly allowed them to commit acts of violence, corruption, etc. Most of these leaders that we use our military to overthrow are monsters of our own creation. The blowback that follows is, in part, our responsibility. Since we are proud to be Americans, maybe we do not want to admit this to ourselves. But many people around the world, including those paying the consequences for our actions, see things in a different light.

And I think we need to ask ourselves as citizens some serious questions. Are we OK with our government doing these things in our names, most often without our knowledge? Is it necessary for our country to do some of these things that seem wrong on so many levels in order to remain a superpower? Are we responsible for ousting dictators that we put in power (often too much power)? Are we willing to accept large numbers of civilian casualties? Are we as a country (or planet) safer now than we were five years ago, or have our actions further threatened our security? Just some complex things to think about - I do not claim to have the answers.

SW you are absolutely on point with this. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance and over the past 5 years since 9/11 we have both lost sight of that and been manipulated by fear.
Our government is run by people who benefit from the growth, expansion and profitablity of our military industrial complex which has become so ingrained in our everyday lives that it is almost invisible. We went into Iraq for with this one goal in mind, turmoil for profit.
The White House does not want freedom for the Iraqi people, they want chaos. It is to the administrations advantage to create massive instability in the middle east and the islamic world. To facilitate a hatred where mullahs and extremists are justified in spewing bigortry against America. If we return once again to the state of Us v. Them--the state of antagonistic proliferation which existed during the Cold War then every memeber of Bush's inner circle has won.
The greater the mess they create the larger their profits. And so it is up to us in these waning days of the free empire to make a choice of either closing our eyes or standing up.
Chavez is a blow-hard and perhaps even a tyrant, but that doesn't mean he was lying. After all, who's better at recognizing a devil than a devil?

Chavez rules! A communist? yeah right, that's why 60% of the venezuelan people loves him. Go to venezuela, read the paper, wath the news and come tell me there is no freedom of speech. Give me a break...

First of all, and most obviously, the speech was not 2 hours, it was more like 25 minutes. Secondly, this "post"/article is crap.

Just read the text of Chavez' address to the U.N. (Thanks to Nathan for posting the link.) It seems that Chavez and Bush agree on exactly one thing: the U.N. is worthless. :D

The trouble many Americans have with Chomsky is what he offers is a painful truth. They can either believe they are (1) born to the Greatest Nation on Earth, who is powerful and mighty and blessed by God and shall rule the world benevolenty and kindly, or (2) successive American governments are run by big business and everything they have been told is a big lie.

Given these two choices, most Americans choose (2). The alternative is just too painful to accept.

Government and Big Business and Mainstream Media are all in each others pocket. Of course they give him no coverage. They'd rather the American people didn't know.

Reading Chomsky is painful, and you keep asking yourself "If this is true, why on Earth haven't I heard any of this before?" If you're an American, it's particularly disturbing.

The trouble many Americans have with Chomsky is what he offers is a painful truth. They can either believe they are (1) born to the Greatest Nation on Earth, who is powerful and mighty and blessed by God and shall rule the world benevolently and kindly, or (2) successive American governments are run by big business and everything they have been told is a big lie.

Given these two choices, most Americans choose to stick their heads back in the sand. The alternative is just too painful to accept.

Government and Big Business and Mainstream Media are all in each others pocket. Of course they give him no coverage. They'd rather the American people didn't know. Would Americans be in Iraq if the Mainstream media told them what was really going on?

One thing Chomsky writes about how "consent is manufactured". It's how you keep the people in line. If you think everyone else thinks it is a good idea, you're more likely to go along with it. But when once voice speaks out, those in power worry that a ripple will turn into a wave.

Hiding your head in the sand is all very well, but that only works for so long. Every Empire has its day.

America's days are indeed numbered... it only took 1 president 2 terms to cripple the worlds greatest empire... how the might have fallen...

Chomsky's book is now number 1 at Amazon

Now Pervez Musharraf and Bush are plugging books! The UN is turning into a book club.

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?feed=FT&Date=20060923&ID=6046079

I doubt anyone on this blog has even read Chomsky's book.

Maybe so, just keep in mind after we fall, other free nations will be next.
There days will be numbered too.

Maybe so. All free nations have their days numbered. After we fall, you'll most likley be next

If all free nations fall what will be left???