Class Warfare -- A message from Noam Chomsky, page 1

I'm really not sure how to preface this video. Do I give out Chomsky's credentials? Do I say he's been published over 100 times? That he's credited as being the father of linguistics? Do I tell you that he's changed my perspective? How bout that he's almost always right?

Noam Chomsky gave a lecture in 1995 called Class War, a scathing critique of the direction America is being lead in by big business interests who want to "push America into a third world picture."

In 1993, the signs of this movement were clear to only some. Where Bush Sr. failed, Clinton came to the rescue, when he was able to get NAFTA passed, forcing millions of laboring Americans into working longer hours, for less pay, while securing big businesses interests in exploiting the cheap labor and decrepit living conditions of Latin America. Yet this is just one chapter in a book of battles being won against the middle class, albeit a well known one.

But what does it all mean? Why is this never discussed? And why, despite the best efforts of well spoken intellectuals, does this message never get through? The answer is complicated, caked in propaganda, a stranglehold on mass media, and an uninformed public, captivated by a fight against the "shadow of power," rather than the "substance."

To what end does this war against the poor and middle class take us? Is a plutocracy really the direction our own citizens are voting this country in? Or are we already there.

This audio was recorded in 1995, and only now is the vivid perspective depicted in this lecture, 14 years prior, manifesting itself in such a tangible way, that many Americans are feeling for the first time. And if nothing changes, it will only get worse.

As you're listening to this, ask yourself "Is any of this sounding familiar? Are we seeing examples of this war being waged right now? Is America better today than it was 50 years ago?"

Finally, if you wish to change this grim looking picture, then you have to realize that the government isn't your enemy, but the only democratic institution you have a voice in, and the only institution with the power to reign in the plutocracy.

The plutocrats didn't come to power by force -- they too used the vote, and now they are trying to take that away from the rest of us. It's time to wake up, stop playing these childish games lead by the main stream media, and take back America, for your own interests, but also for the 300 million other Americans whom this war is being waged against as well.

I've only begun to listen to his lecture, but plan to return to this thread.

Chomsky related:

en.wikipedia.org...

Edward S. Herman and Chomsky's book Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media (1988) explores this topic in depth, presenting their "propaganda model" of the news media with numerous detailed case studies demonstrating it. According to this propaganda model, more democratic societies like the U.S. use subtle, non-violent means of control, unlike totalitarian systems, where physical force can readily be used to coerce the general population. In an often-quoted remark, Chomsky states that "propaganda is to a democracy what the bludgeon is to a totalitarian state." (Media Control)

The model attempts to explain this perceived systemic bias of the mass media in terms of structural economic causes rather than a conspiracy of people. It argues the bias derives from five "filters" that all published news must "pass through" which combine to systematically distort news coverage.

The first filter, ownership, notes that most major media outlets are owned by large corporations. The second, funding, notes that the outlets derive the majority of their funding from advertising, not readers. Thus, since they are profit-oriented businesses selling a product—readers and audiences—to other businesses (advertisers), the model would expect them to publish news which would reflect the desires and values of those businesses. In addition, the news media are dependent on government institutions and major businesses with strong biases as sources (the third filter) for much of their information. Flak, the fourth filter, refers to the various pressure groups which attack the media for supposed bias. Norms, the fifth filter, refer to the common conceptions shared by those in the profession of journalism. (Note: in the original text, published in 1988, the fifth filter was "anticommunism". However, with the fall of the Soviet Union, it has been broadened to allow for shifts in public opinion.) The model describes how the media form a decentralized and non-conspiratorial but nonetheless very powerful propaganda system, that is able to mobilize an élite consensus, frame public debate within élite perspectives and at the same time give the appearance of democratic consent.

To be clear Chomsky, is discussing collective bargaining in this lecture. He cites the integral role that unions play for workers/employees in a democracy. He basically states that the dissolution of unions in the US has adversely affected the the employee's ability to have any meaningful influence or say regarding wages, benefits or continued employment. Even though the lecture appears to have been given in the mid nineties, the lessons are equally applicable today.

An interesting research project by college students:

walmartandunions.com...

Excellent thread, Kaytagg.

In forming my political opinions, Chomsky is by far the most influential person I've read. His work is meticulously researched and spot on time after time.

This is from the movie Manufacturing Consent which is based on his classic book by the same name. I'm pretty sure it's available to watch for free on youtube or google video.

reply to post by Divinorumus

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naw, he's not saying that at all. if you're free to live wherever you want to why don't you take your illegal behind to beverly hills? why don't you roll up to the white house and say you should be able to put your hovel up on the front lawn because we're all free? i'll tell you why, because you're looking for the lowest common demonimator while demanding the highest.

mexico sucks, you suck. deal with it.

reply to post by 1bigdog

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Chomsky has identified himself as a Libertarian Socialist. Which is basically Anarchism.

Check out this story from the Daily Mail. It looks like class warfare has already started in Germany. Normally, I wouldn't condone kidnapping and torturing an elderly man, but I did get a chuckle out of this story. Crooked financial advisors, you've been warned!

www.dailymail.co.uk...

reply to post by Kaytagg

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I'm really not sure how to preface this video. Do I give out Chomsky's credentials? Do I say he's been published over 100 times? That he's credited as being the father of linguistics? Do I tell you that he's changed my perspective? How bout that he's almost always right?

Well, for me you just need to mention his name. I have followed and enjoyed his works for some time. I hope people here will become interested and listen to some of his interviews. Check out the most recent interview by Amy Goodman at Democracy Now.
Noam Chomsky Interview on everything

reply to post by milesp

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I have often heard him described as a communist. In Wikipedia, it says that, "Specifically he believes that society should be highly organized and based on democratic control of communities and work places." If this is true, I am not a fan of his brave new world. I don't want society to be highly organized. I just want the government to leave me alone to the greatest extent possible.

reply to post by Kaytagg

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Wikipedia says that he believes that WWII could have been prevented by the prior use of diplomacy. If this is true, then he joins Neville Chamberlain as one of the most naive people in history, despite his intellect.

Originally posted by Berens
reply to post by milesp

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I have often heard him described as a communist. In Wikipedia, it says that, "Specifically he believes that society should be highly organized and based on democratic control of communities and work places." If this is true, I am not a fan of his brave new world. I don't want society to be highly organized. I just want the government to leave me alone to the greatest extent possible.

Ok, well he's not a communist. He's an anarchist, and anarchists have a long and rich history of fighting authoritarian communism.

You can often hear lots of things, but they're not necessarily true. Read his own words and statements and decide for yourself.

reply to post by Divinorumus

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As someone who has the rare (and ridiculous) opportunity to be prepaid in Karma... It means little to me as someone who has experienced misfortune all his life.

HOWEVER-

There is no denying the fact we're all being fleeced for illegals from Mexico at a rate that defies logic. The isn't a single shred of denial they are taking our jobs, money, and we're all footing the bill. What I want to know is WHY our govt is turning us into second class citizens. The same govt who is supposed to be protecting us from invasion has instead opened the borders to thieves, bandits, drug dealers, and leeches. The same govt who lets these illegals get SSI, welfare, foodstamps, and a job paying well more than what the average born here person gets- and NO TAXES. And before ya say anything about it- I experienced that little gem firsthand. I struggled thru a job, barely made anything- and the illegals were marching out the door with 4 digit paychecks. Found out they also were applying for govt programs like foodstamps to boot! I am ON foodstamps. Know what I get? 17 lousy bucks! When I go to the emergency room- I am waiting for ever because they are clogging the waiting room. Good thing I don't have to go that much- last time was for a really bad spider bite that swelled my elbow 3x.

And this affects ALL of us. Me, you, that Hindu who came here and is a citizen, the one of Chinese descent, The Mexican who went thru the system and is trying to live a normal life- all so we can ALL get fleeced by the trash that bubbles up out of Mexico. And our own govt who pumps that trash into our own country.

Or, just go ask anyone in California how life is there. Ask 100. Ask 1000.

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