So yes, of course my post claiming that we paid off NTV to run a segment about the debates was fake from beginning to end. The thing is, I was a bit annoyed by the reasoning of some acquaintances with "democratic views." The logic goes like this: there was a flattering segment about them on Pavlovsky's program, therefore either they sold out to the bloody chekists and are being featured in exchange for not joining "The Other Russia" (an opposition coalition), etc. or they paid for it themselves (and that money also came from the bloody chekists). The possibility that "the debate project is successful and even mrparker , lapdog of the bloody regime, liked it, so he didn’t mind giving them a bit of TV promotion" is not considered in principle. So I decided to write outright nonsense and indulge my spite while reading posts about how wastefully taxpayers' money is being spent. Unfortunately, there were very few such posts and comments. For the most part, decent people whom I respect believed this crap, and even praised us for such a brilliant move. So I’m ashamed. I should have written it in a less believable way. I should note that I’m surprised everyone believed we got a grant for the debates when only one subsection of it even contains an amount from which TV coverage could theoretically be paid for. I assure you: the annual budget of the debates is significantly smaller than the cost of a single segment on NTV. By the way, about the Public Chamber’s money. They’re stringing us along and not giving us any cash. So far they haven’t even specified either the amount or the project they want to support. They say it outright: "We don’t know anything; the final decision is made by the Administration." A truly authoritative body.