A Word Edgewise

Boston—As one who has constantly urged that the United States should go on the ideological offensive, I have had my problems with the United States Information Agency, alias the United States International Communication Agency (USICA). The real problem with USIA-USICA has been lack of dynamism of any political persuasion.

To put it in a different context, I have almost thrown an ashtray at our TV screen to silence some odious political prophet. In contrast, the Voice of America is a sure cure for insomnia. If you listen carefully, you can almost hear the bureaucratic calibrations: “two minutes twenty for Ted Kennedy; now prepare a two-twenty clip of John Tower.” Switch to Radio Albania, where you can learn how Mao sold out Lenin and Stalin!

JR

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John P. Roche

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Boston—As one who has constantly urged that the United States should go on the ideological offensive, I have had my problems with the United States Information Agency, alias the United States International Communication Agency (USICA). The real problem with USIA-USICA has been lack of dynamism of any political persuasion.

To put it in a different context, I have almost thrown an ashtray at our TV screen to silence some odious political prophet. In contrast, the Voice of America is a sure cure for insomnia. If you listen carefully, you can almost hear the bureaucratic calibrations: “two minutes twenty for Ted Kennedy; now prepare a two-twenty clip of John Tower.” Switch to Radio Albania, where you can learn how Mao sold out Lenin and Stalin!