![](http://img240.exs.cx/img240/2285/korea1797mh.jpg)
The only difference I can think of is that in North Korea and the Soviet Union, propaganda was a legal, legitimate function of the government.
I realize that there are federal funding efforts to outside organizations that could probably be accurately described as propaganda efforts to some extent. An example of this, if my knowledge is correct, is the flow of funds from the Department of Health and Human Services to Planned Parenthood.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/05/180px-1988-09.jpg)
It would be foolish to believe that the White House is unaware of the thin legal ice on which it is now treading. Combine that with the fact that the GOP has the power to push nearly any bill it wishes through Congress currently, especially those that could be legitimately deemed essential to the party, and one comes to the conclusion that Bush is feeling quite isolated. And now, like a cornered animal, he has chosen not give up, but to fight even more viciously, and dirtier than before.
If the Ministry of Propaganda is able to stand without public cry and corresponding legal challenge, we've taken yet another step into pseudo-fascism.
As far as I am concerned, this is definitely impeachment-worthy material. Spread the word wherever else your travels in the blogosphere take you.
On a slightly related note, does the terminology of "Homeland Security" concern anyone else, especially with the Soviet "Your Motherland Calls", Chinese "Strengthen the Motherland" and Nazi "We Stand for Honor and the Fatherland" slogans in the past?