I am one of those who is endlessly grateful for Noam Chomsky's activism, his clear and perceptive explanations, and the withering snark he directs at the "Masters".
I know Chomsky has a well-deserved reputation as a scientific genius in linguistics, but I always thought that his political principles were simple (in a good way). Chomsky has taught me to apply the following principles to politics: States are systems of power, not moral entities and must adhere to their obligations under international law. Everyone is responsible for the foreseeable effects of his or her actions. Power is fundamentally invalid unless justified by contigent need, with the burden of proof placed on those trying to justify power. There is far more moral value in criticizing our own states and institutions (for which we are responsible) than in criticizing others.
All of this is a long wind-up to the point of this diary- namely my own panic and dismay upon reading that Chomsky predicts a McCain victory. (I remember he predicted Bush's reelection in 04, though he personally voted for Kerry). I note that I predicted a McCain victory myself, but have since taken a more optimistic view.
Noam Chomsky's prediction was a throw-away at the end of an interview and he doesn't explain why he thinks that McCain will win. However, I can hazard a guess. Obama is running a vacuous personality-driven campaign, and his coronation ceremony in Denver will be sponsored by AT&T (maybe to thank him for his flip-flop on filibustering telecom immunity). Therefore, the US population will be asked to choose between two advertising campaigns, featuring themes and rhetoric aplenty, but no clear policy differences accessible to the population. Consequently, we can expect another close red-blue election, in which people vote for the candidate they think most resembles their own values, fears, or prejudices.
Here are Chomsky's remarks (emphasis added):
And the Bush administration? Is it, more or less business as usual or astonishingly wretched?
"They’re practically off the spectrum. The spectrum’s pretty narrow, but they are extreme. I mean, everything they’ve touched" is a "disaster. And they’re really dangerous. I suspect that a McCain administration will be worse. And I think he’s going to win. You can see the ads." Chomsky compares the Bush-Cheney regime to Joe Btfsplk, uber-jinx from the classic Li’l Abner comic strip, accompanied wherever he goes by a perpetual, hovering rain cloud.
Please discuss.