Conservative Cartoons?

In 1999, Jerry Falwell warned us not only of Tinky Winky (the "gay" Teletubby), but also of South Park:

South Park Invasion
The creators of South Park, the juvenile animated series that airs on Comedy Central, have released a set of trading cards depicting episodes from the series that are now being sold in toy, hobby and sports card stores across the nation.

Parents should be aware that the cards feature the same impudent and vile language as the series. God’s name is frequently taken in vain, other four-letter words are continually uttered, female characters are routinely referred to in vile terms and human waste named Mr. Hankey becomes a live, speaking character.

In addition, the character of Kenny is brutally massacred in every broadcast while the remaining characters respond, “Oh my God, they’ve killed Kenny.” Many of those killings are also depicted in the card series. The trading cards are the exact size of traditional sports cards, making it easy for kids to sneak them into the home.

What a difference a few years can make.... Now, apparently, South Park is an important icon in the transformation of the media from a haven for liberals - a victory in the "Culture Wars" - and is a primer of conservative values:

Not for nothing has blogger and former New Republic editor Andrew Sullivan praised the show for being "the best antidote to PC culture we have." South Park sharpens the iconoclastic, anti-PC edge of earlier cartoon shows like The Simpsons and King of the Hill, and spares no sensitivity. The show's single black kid is called Token. One episode, "Cripple Fight," concludes with a slugfest between the boys’ wheelchair-bound, cerebral-palsy-stricken friend Timmy and the obnoxious Jimmy, who wants to be South Park's Number One "handi-capable" citizen (in his cringe-making PC locution). In another, "Rainforest Schmainforest," the boys' school sends them on a field trip to Costa Rica, led by an activist choir group, "Getting Gay with Kids," which wants to raise youth awareness about "our vanishing rain forests."

And on it goes. And in case you think that's an anomaly, another commentator proclaims,

The show mocks mindless lefty celebrities and takes swipes at the gay lobby and the abortion lobby. Some examples: Getting Gay With Kids is a homosexual choir that descends on the school. And the mother of one South Parker decides she wants to abort him (“It’s my body”), despite the fact that he’s 8 years old. The weekly disclaimer on the show says it is so offensive “it should not be viewed by anyone.” This is a new paradigm in pop culture: conventional liberalism is the old, rigid establishment. The antiliberals are brash, funny, and cool. Who would have thought?

Here I was, thinking that the makers of South Park were out to offend, as much as possible, everybody. But now I find out that they are simply reflecting the new conservative version of "family values". The show's only black kid is called "Token"? They make fun of gays? They said San José, Costa Rica "smells like ass"? Why, I can see why America's conservatives can hardly restrain their laughter, as they react to the show with all of the insight and intelligence of Beavis and Butthead.... ("Hehehehehhehehhehheheheh. They said 'token'. Hehehhehehehehehehheheh.")

(Which, I guess, brings me back to my question of a couple of days ago - when are real conservatives going to reclaim their party? Or at least take the time to explain South Park's humor to those self-described "conservatives" who apparently "don't get it".)

Comments