Dear Noam,
On your 80th birthday, I wanted to send you this note to express how major and positive an influence you have been in my life; and to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the consistency and persistence of your insightful and strong criticisms of U.S. imperialist and capitalist power, and your belief in the possibility that another world is possible.

40 years ago, in spring 1968, I took the class you co-taught with Louie Kampf, The Responsibility of Intellectuals, and I also had the fortune of you being my seminar leader. Your criticism of the cold war liberals and their lies in their advocacy and execution of the Vietnam War, your introducing me to the writings of Rosa Luxemburg, and the libertarian socialists during the Spanish Civil War. Together with the events going on in the world
in winter and spring 1968 such as the Tet Offensive, the assassination of Martin Luther King, I was forever changed and have been active in anti-war, solidarity and movements for economic and social justice ever since. You have been a moral and intellectual compass for me and so many others.

I also learned from you then and I totally appreciate your contempt for the rulers and their apologists while you respect the intelligence of everyday people and their ability to understand the economic and social system and work for a better world. I remember once when I introduced you in Olympia, you criticized me when I said that Noam Chomsky is a person who speaks truth to power. You immediately said to the 1800 people in attendance that you believed in speaking truth to those that don't have power, not to those with power as the truth does not influence the actions of the rich and powerful.

You have continued to address the leading issues of the day with a strong moral compass, clear analysis, and a disdain for hypocrisy and double standards, where most U.S. intellectuals and the media apply a different standard to U.S. behavior than other countries.

I also totally respect your persistence, your long-distance running against oppression and for justice, self-determination and peace. As you approach your 80th birthday, your voice and
writing about Iraq, the Middle East, the economic recession/depression continues to rings true and is very clear and right-on. I hope that you take some more time for your self as you continue to speak out and write.

I also really appreciate your personal support for me and so many others when we have faced repression. Your efforts in so many areas is truly exemplary.

In closing, I send you very strong emotions and feelings of caring. You have truly made a difference in the United States and globally in making another world possible, in reducing oppression, and you have inspired so many of us, directly and indirectly.

Peter Bohmer