Russians Move Against South Park; Kenny in Hiding

Russia seems intent on making itself and its leaders into cartoon caricatures of late. Thus, it should be no surprise that the Russians are actually fighting cartoon characters in court. Russian prosecutors have filed an action against the South Park series after “experts” concluded that it “bore signs of extremist activity.” The prosecutors are seeking to ban the program.

Prosecutors specifically cited an episoda called Mr Hankey’s Christmas Classics which features such as Satan and Adolf Hitler.

Valentina Titova, a spokeswoman for the prosecutors office said: “In accordance with the conclusions made by experts from the court investigations committee, a claim has been filed against 2×2 for its broadcast of an episode of South Park.”

The prosecutors have noted that the show “offends the honour and dignity of Christians and Muslims alike.” Of course, that is the point of free speech. Yet, Russia seems to be rushing back toward an authoritarian system. In 2006, the legislature passed a law defining “extremism” as “the abasement of national dignity” and “inciting religious and national hatred.”, Abasement of national dignity. It appears that litigating against cartoon characters reinforces national dignity. Next, they will order Kenny shot.

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