As a bit of a cynic, I think people are rarely admirable but, sometimes, what they do is. Chomsky is not that different from all those down the ages - writers, artists, composers etc - who've produced work of enduring value whilst being less than stellar human beings. Chomsky's forensic study of US foreign policy has opened so many eyes and that should be his legacy.

On a personal note, Chomsky's reputation was tarnished for me by his response to Covid. It was so obviously rooted in the selfishness of a fearful man who wanted the world to do what worked for him regardless of the costs to everyone else. I suspect a similar dynamic was in play with Epstein. He proved useful to Chomsky so nothing else counted.