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Chomsky Review Chapter 2 – Religion and Politics
So, the second chapter of Dr Noam Chomsky’s tome, “Understanding Power, The Indispensable Chomsky” is somewhat a mixed bag. One of my concerns when undertaking the commission to discuss and summarize this work, was made real in this chapter. To wit, trying to cover far too much in far too little space.
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Not Backing Down – Religion and Politics
Even though I want to be clear, that unwarranted death of anyone by anyone is largely counted unacceptable, I need for folks to understand, why I’m writing the piece I currently am. I’m not doing it in order to say, “I told you so.” Why am I writing it? Because years of experience have made certain things clear to me, I want others to realize. One such thing is this. Protracted unrest even for valid reasons, will cause the public at large to become weary. If it’s not for good cause or if it’s violent in nature, this process will likely be faster, and the resultant backlash, more rapid, and harsher.
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Religion and Politics – Religion and Politics
You may have come to the conclusion that beliefs based on faith have no place in the public square. You should be aware that nowhere is such an idea ensconced in the founding documents of the United States. In fact, the Founders seemed to be quite intent on making decisions on that basis.
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Government at the Lowest Level – Religion and Politics
So you may think (if you’re progressive in what you believe), that a large, robust federal government is a desirable thing. I’m quite sure you’ll find those on the conservative side have no such perspective. This dichotomy means that—unless we can all learn civility—there will continue to be name-calling and saber rattling on both sides of the aisle for the foreseeable future.
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The Means of Production – Religion and Politics
So, you may think the concept of ownership by “the people,” of the “means of production” to be a good or proper one. If so, my challenge is that you go back, reread what I’ve said, and give answers that would satisfy not just my trepidation, but the consternation of both the people at large, and those who better understand these difficulties than do I.
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Lame Duck Session – Religion and Politics
My main point, though, is this. Calling a person or group lame-duck when an election has yet to occur, or when the balance of power ends up being roughly the same after the election, as before it, is in my view, nothing more than a desperate grab at power the one attempting it, should not receive.
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On Propaganda – Religion and Politics
So in the long run, people yelling “Propagandist!” may not be something you should totally ignore, but it is something you should be wary of. People doing so likely have a vested interest in your not believing what the supposed purveyor of propaganda is saying—whether it’s valid or not.
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America the Colonizer – Religion and Politics
When people seek to imply that the United States of America is a colonizing or empire building country in modern times, they really need to take a minute to compare what happened or happens in entities like the former USSR and other such places, to what occurs here. I think they’ll find the contrast to be quite interesting to say the least.
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A Great Place to Live – Religion and Politics
So you can’t just change the way the country is run at your will. Yes, we have problems against which we’re constantly toiling. That said, there’s no place in the World I’d rather be than this one. You can be assured, based on the sheer number of people trying to get here, and the many not interested in leaving that I’m not alone in that.
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Left and Right – Religion and Politics
Summing up. I very much doubt the current understanding of a great many terms—particularly in their political application—are anything like universally accepted. In fact, I doubt they could be. This is why one of the things I try to do on a regular basis, is talk about actual positions rather than supposed leanings. Will this issue ever be “fixed?” Based on the fact that things only appear to be getting more indistinct, my current feeling is, that can be answered in a single word, “No.”