The story regarding threats to the creators of South Park is scary and sad. First, why anyone is taking this program seriously was my initial question. The show has its moments, but let's be realistic. It is a badly drawn series with sharp, juvenile jabs at everything under the sun. Think of it as a 13 year-old saying dumb things to his parents until they are provoked into action. It is meant to provoke, and so it has.It appears Zachary Adam Chesser, a convert to Islam, has nothing better to do than watch bad TV and send out ridiculous emails. He basically threatened South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone because of their 200th episode that purportedly portrayed the prophet Muhammad. Mr. Chesser stated the following on his website: "We have to warn Matt and Trey that what they are doing is stupid and they will probably wind up like Theo Van Gogh for airing this show." As you may recall, the Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh was brutally murdered in 2004 for his depictions of Islam.
Having watched the episode, it is clear that Trey and Matt knew what they were doing by pushing the issue to the edge, but that is what they do every week. In fact, an earlier episode of South Park had fully portrayed Muhammad (among other religious figures) without hiding him in a bear suit or U-Haul truck, but that never received such attention. However, Comedy Central apparently overreacted after this recent threat and started censoring a follow-on episode. This has created problems between the creators and the network, but this struggle is not new (at Comedy Central or anywhere else involving differing ideas on appropriateness). The first amendment right to free speech certainly applies here, and it would be nice if the networks would stand up for the Constitution.
So should Trey and Matt be concerned? Probably not, but that does not prevent others from providing advice. Ayaan Hirsi Ali's article in the Wall Street Journal basically counseled hiding. Ms. Ali said the South Park creators should be "very" worried about the threat and suggested the two consult with experts to learn how they can protect themselves. Ms. Ali notes that the U.S. Government may need to help with these protection costs, which could run into the millions of dollars. A better suggestion made in this same article is greater solidarity in the entertainment industry to protect free speech. Makes sense to me.
If you are interested in more on this topic, here is a clip where Trey and Matt comment on this controversy and show an earlier episode with images of the Prophet Mohammad. And while I support loud cartoonists everywhere, I think I will simply go back to my favorite evening cartoon - The Simpsons.
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