The terrorists win again (rant... sort of)

So here's the thing. I watched the 200th episode of South Park the other night. As usual it was funny. As is also usual, it courted controversy by satirically poking at a subject considered sacred by some. That is much of what makes South Park such a joy to watch. The irreverent approach to the world, as seen through the eyes of 4 foul-mouthed children and the community they live in, is the very reason they have any success.

I will admit that I haven't regularly watched over the last few seasons but I do tune in from time to time (I was a devoted fan from before they were picked up by Comedy Central and for the first 5 seasons). I will also freely admit that I strive to be a good Christian (I am a work in progress as are we all). Now I could easily have been offended by much of what they have done in the past with regard to Jesus (a religious figure which they have used for more humor than any other) but why would I? Now some of my brothers and sisters in Christ have been offended and have taken to extremes to express there feelings of outrage (there have been death threats issued). Even so, Comedy Central has done little or nothing to censor the works of Matt Stone and Trey Parker that elicited these reactions. A choice that I, as a freedom loving resident of the USA, wholeheartedly support. I mean, they have a right to express their views by whatever means they may, so long as those means are not illegal, and to do so without fear of censorship simply because they court controversy. Yet here we are.

For those who may not know, for the 200th episode of South Park, Matt and Trey chose to bring back a lot of the characters that have been used as vehicles for their sense of humor. Among them they included a "depiction" of the porphet Mohammed in a pink bear suit. Now there are some sects of islam that consider the depiction of Mohammed to be sacrilegious. In fact, there is a muslim organization located in New York, NY which issued a statement that some may perceive as a veiled threat (though they portray it as a warning). I can easily see the inherent danger in what they say, but I also stand by their right to say it. What I don't stand by is Comedy Central's response in this post 9/11 era.

This isn't the first time the prophet has appeared on South Park. In fact he was depicted as part of a group of religious figures who helped save the boys from the horror of David Blaine (if only...). At the time, there were no protests and there was no censorship (at least none that I am aware of or can remember) over the material in the episode. Move forward a few years to today and suddenly there are black censor bars over the depiction of Mohammed and some of the language (other than the usual expletives) is bleeped out. All because a group established for muslims chose to issue a controversial statement of it's own. I do find South Park to be irreverent. I do find Revolution Muslim's (the aforementioned group) statement to be problematic. I can even appreciate Comedy Central's apprehension. Even so, I find South Park to be quite entertaining and I can appreciate Revolution Muslim's need to express their concerns. What I can't understand, or appreciate in any way, is CC's reaction. They chose to kow-tow to extermists because of a percieved threat. They chose to let the terrorists win yet again. Stupid spineless corporate brown-nosing PR-whores.

I am glad they didn't just pull the show altogether. A censored version is better than nothing at all (I guess). I will say this though, thank you John Stewart. You da man.

www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-april-22-2010/south-park-death-threats

edition.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/21/south.park.religion/index.html