Posted on 04/14/2006 10:19:25 PM PDT by Number57
Dear Viewer,
Thank you for your correspondence regarding the "South Park" episodes entitled "Cartoon Wars." We appreciate your concerns about censorship and the destructive influence of outside groups on the media, entertainment industry and particularly Comedy Central.
To reiterate, as satirists, we believe that it is our First Amendment right to poke fun at any and all people, groups, organizations and religions and we will continue to defend that right. Our goal is to make people laugh and perhaps, if we're lucky, even make them think in the process.
Comedy Central's belief in the First Amendment has not wavered, despite our decision not to air an image of Muhammad. Our decision was made not to mute the voices of Trey and Matt or because we value one religion over any other. This decision was based solely on concern for public safety in light of recent world events.
With the power of freedom of speech and expression also comes the obligation to use that power in a responsible way. Much as we wish it weren't the case, times have changed and, as witnessed by the intense and deadly reaction to the publication of the Danish cartoons, decisions cannot be made in a vacuum without considering what impact they may have on innocent individuals around the globe.
It was with this in mind we decided not to air the image of Muhammad, a decision similar to that made by virtually every single media outlet across the country earlier this year when they each determined that it was not prudent or in the interest of safety to reproduce the controversial Danish cartoons. Injuries occurred and lives were lost in the riots set off by the original publication of these cartoons. The American media made a decision then, as we did now, not to put the safety and well being of the public at risk, here or abroad.
As a viewer of "South Park," you know that over the course of ten seasons and almost 150 episodes the series has addressed all types of sensitive, hot-button issues, religious and political, and has done so with Comedy Central's full support in every instance, including this one. "Cartoon Wars" contained a very important message, one that Trey and Matt felt strongly about, as did we at the network, which is why we gave them carte blanche in every facet but one: we would not broadcast a portrayal of Muhammad.
In that regard, did we censor the show? Yes, we did. But if you hold Comedy Central's 15-year track record up against any other network out there, you'll find that we afford our talent the most creative freedom and provide a nurturing atmosphere that challenges them to be bold and daring and places them in a position to constantly break barriers and push the envelope. The result has been some of the most provocative television ever produced.
We would like nothing more than to be able to look back at this in a few years and think that perhaps we overreacted. Unfortunately, to have made a different decision and to look back and see that we completely underestimated the damage that resulted was a risk we were not willing to take.
Our pledge to you, our loyal viewers, is that Comedy Central will continue to produce and provide the best comedy available and we will continue to push it right to the edge, using and defending the First Amendment in the most responsible way we know how.
Sincerely, Comedy Central Viewer Services
-----Original Message----- From: ComedyCentral Servers @ ComedyCentral Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2006 11:09 PM To: Viewer Services @ Comedy Central Subject: South Park - Mohammad
Name: Ken Axxxxx
E-mail Address: fo0xxx@xxxxxxxx
Message: You guys pussed out? WTF? The bleedin' Virgin Mary is fine... crapping on Jesus and the Prez and the flag is okay...
I hope South Park goes independent.
So, if Christians started lopping off heads and burning cars, then maybe you'd stop mocking our God?
Except terrorists. And notice I didn't say muslims because the network didn't give in to muslims. They gave into terrorists because they were afraid of what terrorists might do in response to the show. They are cowards. Good letter on your part. Is ent one as well. I also hope South Park goes independent and broadcasts on the internet.
So, if Christians riot and kill a few humans each time Christian images are portrayed in an inappropriate way, Comedy Central will stop airing this stuff?
I don't think so! Public Safety my a$$. They are cowards and approve of censorship when it pleases them.
Huh? Why is Comedy Central citing the 1st Amendment? Comedy Central didn't violate the 1st Amendment.
(Comedy Central's belief in the First Amendment has not wavered...)
...we just won't bother for the right to retain it.
I guess all Christians have to do to stop networks and Hollywood from disrespecting us is to start killing a few anti-Christian bigots in the entertainment field. Oops, we real Christians don't do that!
It seems caving to violence is the best way to promote violence in the future.
No has accused them of that.
That's irrelevant here.
Oh...my...god...
The Terrorists are winning. Despite all our military action, we're getting our asses kicked by a bunch of 3rd world thugs.
If we just STOOD UP TO THESE PEOPLE they'd have to back off.
This is just completely unreal...
I know...that is why I was perplexed as to their statement (not yours).
So the little weasels stick their finger in the eye of a group that is unlikely to respond effectively, if at all.
Things like this remind me why I quit watching television 6 years ago.
The gutless little weasels!!
I will admit that with the gutting of the Patriot Act and the politically correct airport screening system we have where everybody except potentially terrorists gets searched, it is not that far fetched to think some crazy Bin Laden sleeper cell we haven't found yet would come to life and go jihad on innocent people if Muhammed got on TV right now.
At least Comedy Central is being honest and saying they are quaking in their booties about terrorists.
"At least Comedy Central is being honest"
To whom?
lil ol' me?
Why haven't all of you, and the media recieved the same LONG statement?
Is that honesty?
They only use their First Amendment right to satire to throw rocks at Christians, Catholics, Mormons, and people who can take it. But they fear the "religion of peace." They are cowards. They have no credibility. They attack people who they know won't fight back. They have no courage of conviction at "Cowardly Central".
If Christians torched their cars and threatened their sorry hides, they would fear us too. They neither fear us, nor respect us. Problem is, if we did those things we wouldn't be Christians. And they know it.
So let me get this straight..... Comedy Central believed Muslims would riot at the innocuous image of Mohammed "just standing there"?
And what Muslims? Those in the US?
Surely nobody in Muslim countries knows or cares about South Park.
CC and South Park just scammed everyone as an excuse to show Christ defecating on people during Holy Week.
I would call that pretty much a non-answer.
We could always ask to be forgiven afterward.... :-)
I know... irony.
Just so you all know I'm not BS'ing (and also to make sure I haven't been tricked), I will forward this email to someone who can read headers & such.
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