Mid-Terms
Now that we're all familiar to the point of boredom with Verbal Self-Defense, have a look at the following interaction from a washingtonpost.com Live Online chat with Noam Chomsky:
Washington, D.C.: I'm asking you this question sincerely: Why don't you direct your hatred of George Bush toward someone more worthy of such venom, such as Osama bin Laden?Noam Chomsky: I don't recall having expressed any hatred for George Bush[.]
Trivial example, I know. Thing is, Chomsky deals with that kind of shit all the time. When folks say he seems a mite cranky on occasion, well, I think he's demonstrating an admirable amount of restraint, all things considered.
Link found on the Debates & Discussions page of chomsky.info : The Official Noam Chomsky Website.
Anyone planning on informing me how linking same indicates that I'm objectively pro-terror?
Please. Feel free.
Another trivial example, yes, but I'm using a pedagogical approach which emphasizes repetition.
Dumbass.
Comments
I think the recent interview Chomsky did on the Charlie Rose Show was verbal self-defense at its best. Pure genius. He didn't allow himself to be baited; when asked loaded questions he'd point out the problems with the question and then rephrase it in a manner that suited him and continue. Rose ended up getting extremely flustered when Chomsky wouldn't play games with him. I enjoyed it immensely, and I think I actually got more from the way Chomsky interacted with his interviewer than the (thoroughly interesting and enlightening) content of his discussion.
Maybe he's cranky sometimes, but I thought that in that case at least his performance was stellar.
Posted by: susan | March 5, 2004 11:49 AM
yeah, charlie used to be awesome but he's been in something of a decline; i knew he was about done when he interviewed michael stipe and asked some really dumb questions about the whole "are you or aren't you?" issue which made something very rare happen - michael almost blew up in his face. now every time i watch him interview someone, they usually seem to squirm with discomfort at how stupid his questions are. it's quite sad to see someone spiralling down the dumper like that. i guess charlie gets a point or two for actually having noam on his show at all...
Posted by: r@d@r | March 5, 2004 1:48 PM
No way radar... it's says something about how crappy Noam's agent/publicist is for not getting him a better gig.
Posted by: dr.nik | March 5, 2004 3:01 PM
Since no one told you how terrible you are for that link:
You terrible America Hating Pinko Commie! May Bald Eagles peck at your head, as Righteous Terror Hatin' Murricans raise thier eyes to a heaven that Blesses Our Great Nation and Our Well-Endowed Leader!
Shame on you!
You should avert your eyes from all that is not Holy and fully supportive of a Capitalist Theocracy and linking that garbage is like pissing on George Washingtons face! Like, mauling little baby puppies with stinking a foriegn vegetable of some kind! Like, disgracing your own mother!
(Was that good enough? Or, should I go for gold and bring up something about Red Blood and Patriot Missiles and Liberal Wimps Destroying All That Is Good and Sweet?)
Posted by: aldahlia | March 6, 2004 12:45 AM
Miss Aldahlia, that was superb.
Particcularly the bit about mauling little baby puppies.
Posted by: Aaron | March 10, 2004 6:07 AM