"If I am an advocate, it is for discoveries about human nature that have been ignored or suppressed in modern discussions of human affairs," he writes. (Note: We are not saying the enviornment doesn't matter; but we are saying genes matter just as much, if not more.) Details in the NYT.

Chomsky's favored means of address is still the campus lecture or the community Q&A, speaking to people directly and engaging in dialogue with them. "Chomsky 9-11," a documentary by Tokyo-based filmmaker John Junkerman, follows Chomsky on one of his recent speaking tours across the United States. as he gives voice to the concerns of citizens troubled by their government's reaction to the Sept. 11 terror attacks. As is apparent from these encounters, people have a lot of questions that need addressing, and Chomsky's analysis tackles some hard truths. 

"Why do they hate us so much?" was America's collective question after the attacks, and many Americans were dissatisfied with George Bush's Manichaean, good-vs.-evil answer, rooted in the language of evangelical Christianity. Chomsky provides an answer rooted more in the real world, that terrorism against the U.S. is a boomerang effect of the government's support of repressive regimes around the globe, including -- lest we forget -- Saddam Hussein and the Taliban. Chomsky's prescription is simple: "Everyone's worried about stopping terrorism. Well, there's a really easy way: Stop participating in it." 

Junkerman's documentary was made on the fly, partly because Chomsky is constantly on the move these days, and partly to get this message out while it's still timely. It's mostly a talking-head film, but it should prove a useful introduction to Japanese audiences unfamiliar with his writings, as Chomsky's core themes of political double-standards and hypocrisy all get an outing. 

Speaking of the Bush administration, Chomsky says, "They can't comprehend that we should apply to ourselves the moral standards we apply to others." Noting the emotional American reaction to the events of Sept. 11, Chomsky notes the utter nonreaction of the U.S. press and public when over 3,000 civilians were killed by indiscriminate use of firepower by the U.S. armed forces in Panama City when Bush Sr. went after Manuel Noriega in 1989. Terrorism is what happens to us, says Chomsky, adding, "if we do it to others, it's normal." 

This sort of stuff will enrage as many as it illuminates, but in the end, whether you agree with Chomsky or not doesn't matter. In these times of impending war and chaos, however, no one's belief system should go unchallenged by his ideas.

In a thousand-page report, a team of 21 experts suggested for the first time a range of recommended amounts for what are called macronutrients — proteins, fats and carbohydrates — and also included advice on how much dietary fiber and exercise people should strive for to maintain good health. 

Adults should get 45 percent to 65 percent of their daily calories from carbohydrates. It recommended a maximum of 25 percent of calories from added sugars, 20 percent to 35 percent of calories from fats, and 10 percent to 35 percent of calories from protein. In addition, the panel recommended that adult men 50 and under consume 38 grams of fiber a day and adult women 21 grams a day (and no, McDonald's new French fries aren't gonna help). 

Yet you most likely never saw this astonishing event…on television and never read about it in the print media. It would have made for spectacular TV imagery; yet, as an example of calm and sensible and spontaneous action, it did not fit the media image of panic, an image that will doubtless be re-enacted next week.

If the US attacks Iraq then expect farther chaos in cyberspace, warned mi2g Chairman D.K. Matai. "It would seem highly likely that the launch of a physical attack on Iraq will see counter-attacks from disgruntled Arab, Islamic fundamentalist and anti-American groups," he told BBC News.

An even larger majority, 64%, said they would support a ground attack on Iraq if Bush decided to launch one, with 28% still opposed.

However, 61% of those who support military action said they believe the United States should attack Iraq only if the international community supports the move.