The only question remaining: will this VOA film be available via Netflix?

"Members [of the House of Representatives] refused, 178-254, to block U.S. distribution of a Voice of America film depicting how Afghan drug commerce aids the Taliban. A yes vote opposed release under a 1948 law intended to keep federal officials from airing Cold War propaganda domestically. (HR 2410)" Sarasota Herald Tribune, 14 June 2009.
     Actually HR 2410 (Foreign Relations Authorization Act, FY 2009 and 2010) contains language that supported domestic release of the documentary. H. Amdt. 190 to HR 2410 opposed release. Introduced by Rep Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL), the amendment failed.
     Rep. Brown-Waite: "Frankly, if, as a body, we are unable to recognize that spending taxpayer dollars for the domestic distribution of a documentary film in a foreign affairs bill is not what the taxpayers need most at this time, if this is truly a choice that's too hard for us to make, then I think we owe it to our constituents to take a good long look in the mirror and decide what we are here to do. ... And this amendment is not just about striking a provision to authorize funding for the distribution of a documentary film. If it were, I would take time to point out that this is a domestic distribution in a foreign affairs bill. I would also point out that laws have been on the books for 60 years that prohibit the executive branch from distributing government-sponsored information campaigns domestically. I might even point out that the film is available already for every man, woman, and child in this country to see right now. I am not kidding. It is actually on YouTube, and yet we have this in the appropriations bill." ... Rep. David Scott (D-GA): "Voice of America has received several requests for a clean copy of the documentary in its original high resolution and in one single piece for viewing at U.S. venues because of the film's educational value. Among those seeking access to this single clean copy are the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies Center on Politics and Foreign Relations and an Afghan students' group at the University of Virginia." House debate on H. Amdt 190, 10 June 2009. The vote on the amendment was largely party line, Republicans voting in favor.
     "The documentary will be aired repeatedly inside Afghanistan in Dari and Pashto on Radio Television Afghanistan, a VOA affiliate as well as by satellite. Audiences in that country will also hear the story on VOA's Radio Ashna, which broadcasts on shortwave, medium-wave and FM 12 hours a day in Dari and Pashto. VOA will make the film available to all its 45 language services, and distribute it online at www.voanews.com." VOA press release, 14 May 2008. It's not easy to find at voanews.com, but here is the URL: www.voanews.com/english/Fateful-Harvest.cfm. And it was always there, for the US domestic pickings, HR 2410 or no. Posted: 21 Jun 2009 Permalink Print