[Howlin]

But what about all that MERCHANDISE? Heck, I only have grandchildren and I have a closet full of that stuff!

[Army Air Corps]

That has been a bone of contention for several years. On the one hand, PBS points to its merchanising as proof of its popularity, and yet has its hand out. However, the kiddie shows are just part of their programming; not many plush toys of the cast of the McNeil-Leherer show. I understand that they have a top-heavy administration that siphons a lot of cash out of the budget - kinda like most government departments.

[billbears]

Adding to the Democrats' unease: the new president of the corporation, Patricia S. Harrison. She was co-chair of the Republican National Committee from 1997 to 2001.

Harrison was named to the post Thursday, the same day that the House voted to rescind proposed cuts of $100 million to the corporation's budget for next year.

Now maybe it's the cynic in me, but could these two actions be tied together? And if that's true does the Republican party now just differentiate itself by offering a more conservative version of socialism?