Propaganda and the Public Mind

Propaganda and the Public Mind, Noam Chomsky and David Barsamian, South End Press, 2001

Here is another collection of interviews with Chomsky, world-renowned dissident and political analyst, that cover the usual myriad of subjects.

One of the reasons for US and British sanctions against Iraq is that Saddam Hussein gassed his own people, namely the Kurdish town of Halabja. When it happened, in 1988, there were no expressions of outrage from London or Washington. Actually, both countries continued, and accelerated, their support for Saddam Hussein.

Chomsky asserts that the 1998 US missile attacks on Sudan and Afghanistan are just the latest manifestation of the US giving up on the United Nations, and conducting foreign policy through NATO or the World Trade Organization, groups that are more easily controllable by Washington. In the early days of the UN, America was very much in favor, because it was doing what Washington wanted. After decolonization, the UN became much less pro-American. If the US couldn't control it, they would simply ignore it.

America achieved its major aims in Vietnam, which was to prevent the country from going on a course of independent development that might actually be a model for other countries. The US is still looking for an apology from Vietnam for war crimes committed during the war. Issues like a US apology for war crimes committed during the Vietnam War, or the continuing effects of land mines or Agent Orange on the Vietnamese people are never mentioned.

Chomsky's advice for those who want to find a way through the lies, manipulation and general nonsense coming from Washington starts with the words Be Skeptical.

For some people, the words "new Noam Chomsky" are enough to get them to buy this book. For everyone else, Chomsky does a wonderful job, again, at showing how America really works (of the rich, by the powerful, and for the corporations). It is very highly recommended.