[Vision2020] Noam Chomsky: No Dave, I lose!

[Donovan Arnold]

Ted,

My understanding of this was that Chomsky co-authored a paper with a guy 
that was a Khmer Rouge sympathizer. Some people wrote about the paper and 
thus, in their minds, Chomsky supported the atrocities of Pol Pot. Khmer 
Rouge was able to over through the existing government and Chomsky said that 
was a good thing that the old government fell. To anti-Chomsky supporters 
the overthrown of one government is seen as an automatic endorsement of the 
overthrowing government. This is just not true. I support the toppling of 
the Nazi Reich, but I am certainly am no supporter of Stalin.

Take Care,

Donovan J Arnold

>From: tbertruss at aol.com
>To: dave at davebudge.com, vision2020 at moscow.com
>Subject: [Vision2020] Noam Chomsky: No Dave, I lose!
>Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 20:21:54 -0400
>
>  Dave et. al.
>
>How "All American" of you!  Winning is the issue?
>
>If you could back up your claims that Chomsky endorsed Pol Pot with some 
>verifiable evidence, which you asserted you would, I would be more 
>informed.  Though I admit a bias in favor of Chomsky's integrity, my main 
>interest is in knowing the truth in this matter, not "winning" arguments.  
>If Chomsky did "endorse" Pol Pot, I want to know the all the facts, if for 
>no other reason than to not avoid misstating the truth in this matter.
>
>My interest in the truth transcends my emotional biases, at least when I 
>put on my scholar hat.
>
>Besides, "winning," in this case, from my point of view, would mean you 
>post a retraction to V2020 for libel against Chomsky when you asserted he 
>"endorsed" Pol Pot on the V2020 list.
>
>But I still "win" (if I learn a new truth, I win) if you can offer 
>verifiable evidence that he did "endorse" Pol Pot, though the exact context 
>in which these alleged statements were made, and the exact wording of the 
>statement or statements, would shed light on whether Chomsky really 
>"endorsed" Pol Pot or not.
>
>If I say that Hitler did some good things for the German people in 
>promoting an improved economic situation for some Germans during his rule, 
>this does not mean than I "endorse" any of the horrors that Hitler helped 
>to unleash.
>
>Ted Moffett
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: David M. Budge <dave at davebudge.com>
>To: Tbertruss at aol.com
>Cc: vision2020 at moscow.com
>Sent: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 14:25:33 +0000
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Chomsky Speaks Tomorrow at Beasley
>
>
>Jeeze, you don't have to yell Ted.  I admit I don't have the integrity to 
>retract.  You win.
>
>db
>
>Tbertruss at aol.com wrote:
>
>Attention Dave Budge:  Don't miss this!  It is your chance to apologize in 
>person for your shameless insults against one of the greatest thinkers of 
>the last century.  Or you could post your retraction of your lies (re: 
>Chomsky endorsing Pol Pot) to the V2020 list, but I doubt you have the 
>integrity for that.
>
>http://beasley.wsu.edu/calendar/event.aspx?event=40
>
>
>
>43rd Annual Potter Memorial Lecture with NOAM CHOMSKY
>
>
>Friday, April 22, 2005 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
>Beasley Coliseum Theater
>
>
>  "Imminent Crises: Responsibilities and Opportunities"
>
>Noam Chomsky, MIT professor of linguistics and philosophy, will give the 
>2005 Potter Memorial Lecture Friday, April 22, at 3:30 p.m. in the Beasley 
>Performing Arts Coliseum. The title of his address will be "Imminent 
>Crises: Responsibilities and Opportunities."
>
>Chomskys appearance at Washington State University provides a rare 
>opportunity for faculty, students, and residents of the Palouse, said David 
>Shier, chair of the Department of Philosophy. Noam Chomsky is one of the 
>most respected scholars of our age."
>
>For almost 50 years Noam Chomsky has been the most influential and best 
>known American linguist, added Lynn Gordon, coordinator of Washington State 
>Universitys linguistics program. His work has revolutionized linguistic 
>theory."
>
>Free Admission - Open to the Public
>
>More Information About NOAM CHOMSKY
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Vision 2020 Post by Ted Moffett
>
>
>
>
>_____________________________________________________
>  List services made available by First Step Internet,
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>_____________________________________________________
>  List services made available by First Step Internet,
>  serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>                http://www.fsr.net
>           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
>¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯