The Myth of American Idealism: How U.S. Foreign Policy Endangers the World by Noam Chomsky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm of two minds on this newest work by Noam Chomsky. Perhaps the most damning is something that is quite natural--he is getting old and this particular work seems to be not of new ideas, but of a compilation of a select few of Chomsky's previous research and logical observations.

Indeed, I've read and have been amazed with the amount of erudite, carefully fact-supported recollection of history that Chomsky has put into all of his previous work. Indeed, his eidetic memory and endless examination of public documents is itself well-documented. But more important than that, Chomsky made a name for himself by asking simple questions, backed up with careful observation, that led to logical conclusions that *should* be unassailable now--in a thoughtful world.

Of course, we do not live in A Thoughtful World. You know, one that asks if our actions are aligned with our espoused idealism. Whether the countless spoken intents of governments ever actually align with policy.

Chomsky has always been a rational thought that lays out actual policy, history, and compares it to actual events, using vast, overwhelming facts. Almost like a scientist would posit a hypothesis and clearly look at the data to see if said hypothesis correctly predicted or supported the data, and what conclusion might be gleaned.

Weirdly, though, or maybe not so weirdly, Chomsky's thoughtful presentations have, for years, been labeled as radical leftist thought--as if asking whether people, any people, might have a right to live their lives in safety and peace, is a radical idea.

I'm not even joking. And it's not like we're not seeing this every day, still. If a person's right to live unmolested goes against the greedy goals of the powerful, then not only will the propaganda go into full swing against that person, but their lives will be forfeit.

This book will remind you, or perhaps teach you from scratch, of many, many examples that go in the face of stated idealism, showing the ugly hawkish truth. Of course, this idea may not be unknown to you--but bear in mind that Chomsky's detailed, fact-driven writing and amazingly clear conclusions make him a true treasure in the realm of rationality. Don't sleep on this. Or rather, even if you're a fan, this still works well to remind, as well as mesh in, the current climate.

Things have obviously gotten that much worse, and let me be clear: Chomsky predicted it all. He's a true modern Cassandra.

My only complaint? Well, it's more of a lament. Chomsky is getting old now, and health problems prevent him from giving us more of his sharp mind. If we needed anyone today, I'd say we'd need him to shine a bright light on our current situation. Unfortunately, I don't think we will ever be as lucky again.



Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

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