The power to tax is the power to destroy.

The show has always been about reaching children with some kind of Message; the most obvious is not to judge others by their outward appearance – this pops up in nearly every episode. Some of the decisions and rumors have been rather controversial, because of the Message the kids would get from the show. Think back; the death of Mr. Hooper, perpetual rumors of Ernie being gay, or terminally ill, and of course the introduction of a character with HIV. Hell, even the fact that adults on the show can see Snuffleupagus ever since 1985 is enough to get some people hot under the collar.

Well, the State Department takes it seriously. Officials feel that the show helps teach American values to children who otherwise might never know what the USA stands for. This is why the US government (and to some extent the EU) subsidizes Sesame Street productions around the globe

Says Charlotte Beers, undersecretary of State for public diplomacy, "people we need to talk to do not even know the basics about us. They are taught to distrust our every motive. Such distortions, married to a lack of knowledge, is a deadly cocktail. Engaging, teaching common values are preventive medicine". So, the answer is Sesame Street. "The children are glued to the set. They are learning English, they are learning about American values."

And they are learning how to count. Don’t forget that.

Now, before you accuse me of being just like the New York Times in giving away our secret propaganda tactics, keep in mind that the people who actually make the show are not necessarily on board with this.

However, the Children's Television Workshop has told BBC News Online that it does not accept that it is an exporter of so-called American values. Even a policy for foreign licensing decided back in 1969 stipulated that non-US versions of the show reflect the morals and traditions of the host nation.

"We don't set out in any way to push American or western values. That's not our mission at all," says Beatrice Chow, spokeswoman for Sesame Street's foreign co-productions.

"There are universal values that we encourage, such as sharing, co-operation, respect and understanding. But we see what the needs are of the specific country where the show is being broadcast - such as in South Africa where we introduced an HIV-positive character because of the Aids problem there."

It all sounds so collectivist when you put it that way. But there is nothing wrong with sharing and cooperation, respect and understanding. These are not the values of my enemies and opponents. Right?

As the head of Sesame Street’s foreign projects told the BBC back in 2003;

…we also wanted to build into the Israeli version the diversity that exists within Israel - in fact the two human hosts on the show, one is an Israel Jew, one is an Israeli Arab.

There are places where there are different stages of conflict, and you can be in a stage where there is armed conflict, where social lessons can be done in a certain way.

Then there are times of reconciliation, when you can be more overt about connecting people or concepts.

If you have rolled your eyes through this entire post, then you have missed the point. Sesame Street is not a panacea. The feel-good fiction does not protect from rockets or take back bullets. But consider what else the boys and girls of Jerusalem and Beirut could be watching. It is an attempt to plant something other than hatred into the minds of the next generation. Bravo.