In a time when one cannot read an article or talk to a person without several dozen misconceptions and falsehoods being put forth as fact, no questions asked, Noam Chomsky offers a hope. Professor Chomsky has devoted much of his time to dispelling these myths and lies, but I do not consider this his most important contribution. What is better than stating the truth unabashedly? Stating the truth unabashedly and proving that the truth can be known, even to those not "in the game." He shows that we are not insane to think people contradicting themselves in the same sentence or paragraph is ludicrous. He shows us what we are many times too afraid to see ourselves and teaches us not to be afraid in the future. He teaches us so that when our teachers are gone, we can lead ourselves. For that I salute Mr. Noam Chomsky and wish him well on his 80th birthday.

Dear Noam,
You somehow erased 29 years of indoctrination in my brain within in a period of 4 months. Thank you for sharing your skill towards the betterment humanity. As a result, my life is now directed towards peaceful struggle and information dissemination. You've spearheaded the push towards real democracy and sharing for all people the blessings of the world. I love you.

In spite of the date (in spanish we used to say att "all the saints has ninth praydays" what it means that is not late if the reason deserves it), I want submit my tribute to you, Mr. Noam Chomsky. Thank for all your efforts to attain a better and more hopeful world to all of us.Your engagement and your lucidity has always been a gift and an example. I wish you many happy, happy birthays. Thanks, maestro.

The tremendous effort on your part, Mr. Chomsky, is not likely to be forgotten anytime soon. My favorite line of yours was when Andrew Marr asked "How could you know that I'm self censoring?", to which you replied, "I don't say you're self censoring, I'm sure you believe everything you're saying." I laughed so hard I had to watch it several times. Your insight has been enlightening, thanks for standing up.

As a teenager just about to graduate high school, I started to become more attuned and sensitive to the ills of society. Before, I had just accepted them as inevitable and had no systematic understanding of any of it. Then I read a book by Noam, and he named the systems for me. Once capitalism, imperialism, militarism, racism, sexism, unwarranted authority, and more, were put into my cross-hairs as the problems of society, I was ready to fight against them. Noam gave me that first spark. His words have been invaluable since. I can't thank him enough.

Happy Birthday, Noam!
(first read Noam back home in Providence, RI)

Beyond academia and its peripheries, the one thing that stands out above all else about Chomsky is his vehement upholding of elementary morals and truisms. It is by accepting these basic premises that make disagreeing with Chomsky so difficult, as his arguments and judgments are based on such virtuous ideals, namely freedom, democracy, human rights, equality, and so on and so forth.

I would like to extend a GINORMOUS thank you to this man who has inspired millions, aided in social progress significantly, and dedicated his life to his work.

Happy birthday professor Chomsky!

-Mike D from toronto

Professor Chomsky, thank you for your incalculably valuable contributions to human self-knowledge, both scientific and ethical. If we as a species survive this century, we will have to count you among the very few humans (I'm hoping there'll be others) most repsonsible for the fact (If we don't survive it, then I suppose we won't have to).

We thank you for your herculean efforts AND WE HERE RECOMMIT OURSELVES TO EMULATING THEM and proving ourselves worthy of receiving them and their benefit. We will question and test our preconceptions, including the political and scientific preconceptions that most motivate us: and we will devote our lives to serving our fellow men and women. Thank you above all for thus inspiring us. And Happy Birthday, Professor!

Your work is an inspiration to all humanity.

About 2 months ago I saw a youtube video entitled "Noam Chomsky on terrorism". I thought to myself, "Noam Chomsky, the guy we studied in psychology?" Well I clicked the link and I was startled how easily you were able to rattle off facts and information that has been eliminated from the public record. I spent that next and the subsequent days spending literally hours watching nothing but Chomsky lectures on youtube. I then went to amazon and bought three of your books reading them all in lightning speed. It has been 2 months since I saw my first Chomsky lecture, and I can honestly say I have learned more about the world in the last 2 months than I have in 18 years of life.

Thank you for saying what needs to be said,

Michael Dranove