About Noam Chomsky:

A professor at MIT in Linguistics, Dr. Chomsky addressed a receptive audience for nearly three hours on the historical context of the current "war on terrorism." Chomsky was introduced by Dr. Bob Buzzanco of the Department of History as one of the few intellectual dissidents left in this country. His range of knowledge on geo-politics proved this, as it helped construct for the audience an American imperialistic narrative, showing nearly half century of our attempts to influence and intervene in global affairs.

Dr. Chomsky is author of many books and essays that address America's global involvement, including The Prosperous Few and the Restless Many, Manufacturing Consent, Profit Over People and one of his most recent publications, Rogue States. Chomsky joined the staff of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1955 and in 1961 was appointed full professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics (now the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy.) Chomsky has written and lectured widely on linguistics, philosophy, intellectual history, contemporary issues, international affairs and U.S. foreign policy.

Speaking without notes and in lieu of any breaks, Dr. Chomsky traced the current administration's effort to impose American hegemony upon the globe. He first linked current affairs to those involved back to the first, earlier "War on Terrorism, effected during Ronald Reagan's tenure as President. But he then connected these efforts to a persistent, corporate globalization that is still endorsed by leading American politicians. Dr. Chomsky spoke in a simple monotone, drawing the power of his lecture from his content, not from the force of his personality.

Following his lecture, he took questions from the audience. After an hour of questions, Dr. Buzzanco attempted to pull away Dr. Chomsky. He refused. His passion for teaching kept him on the dais, answering for another hour. Some questions were combative and some conciliatory, but he addressed each speaker with dignity. Finally, he ended the lecture, quickly leaving the stage.

Learn more:

The Noam Chomsky Archive http://www.zmag.org/chomsky/index.cfm

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