The Nightly News, Courtesy of General Dynamics

Forget lightning guns, I've decided that my new favorite punching bag is going to be the not-yet-established "strategic communication agency." Look, it's too late with lightning guns, the company formerly known as Ionatron is laughing all the way to the bank. But with the strategic communication agency, there's still hope. Actually, maybe it is all over.

Check out this job advertised on journalismjobs.com:

*General Dynamics *[the same company making those armed robotic sentries below -- ed.] *is seeking English and foreign language editors in preparation for the launch of a string of web-based news sites around the world. *

*English language editors must be English native speakers or have equivalent proficiency. Working knowledge in any of the following languages is a plus: Arabic, Indonesian, Farsi, Dari, Urdu, Kurdish, Pashto, Spanish and Portuguese. Familiarity with economics and/or political science is a plus. *

*Foreign language editors must have native fluency in Arabic, Indonesian, Farsi, Dari, Urdu, Kurdish, Pashto, Spanish or Portuguese, and must have professional knowledge of English. *

*All editors must be able to edit accurately on a tight daily production schedule. Must be able to work with raw content from our teams of regional contributors and produce final copy that meets professional standards of journalism. Editors will also produce in-house content as needed, and combine material received with his/her own research and writing. *

I read this job ad, and started laughing hysterically. This is so much better than cats with funny phrases over their heads. Who here thinks news produced by an American defense company is going to win hearts and minds in the Muslim world?

Also:

• Report: War on Terror Slips; PR Ministry Needed
• U.S. Starting to Wake Up to Media War?
• Pentagon Plots Sim Iraq for Propaganda Tests
• Pentagon Panel: U.S. Must Sell 'Good News'
• Rummy Resurfaces, Calls for U.S. Propaganda Agency