Eh, it’s not like PBS needs the money

If you think the American media are too close to our government, then consider yourself lucky you're not living in Kabul. According to a report in Der Spiegel, the U.S. government is undertaking a costly propaganda campaign in the Middle East. Just to do some, you know, detail work on the image. The article's tragically obvious quote: The Americans hope that almost no one recognizes the broad reach of the PR machine. They haven't publicized the fact that thirty radio stations in Afghanistan have been financed with US aid. "We don't want people to recognize the participation of the US government and tune out," said Colonel James Treadwell, an expert in psychological warfare. Still no word yet on whether Armstrong Williams speaks Arabic.