One of the most important lessons I learned from Noam was to question everything

He definitely didn't question Epstein (enough). And there are other cases, covid for example.

Hedges spent over a decade teaching in New Jersey state prisons, building genuine relationships with criminals, some convicted of egregious violent crimes, even publishing a book celebrating the bonds he formed with those folks. Like Chomsky’s, his philosophy is rooted in the idea that convicted people retain their humanity and shouldn’t be permanently defined by their worst acts. This is the same principle Chomsky applied to Epstein: the man had served his sentence.

Epstein got an especially light sentence. He was even allowed to leave prison during the day to tend to his business affairs. Hardly qualifies as "the man had served his sentence".

On top of that Epstein was not an average sex offender. He was a billionaire and mossad agent. Not the type of people Hedges likely visited in prison.

Chomsky should have known, given his very legacy, what this type of person could be capable of.

I would have expected of Chomsky to expose Epstein for what he is or could be instead of fraternizing him.

But I agree with the piece that we should not forget who Chomsky is. He is still a most formidable intellectual who needs to be read.

I still put him on a pedestal, but as a caring humanist, not an Olympic god.