In a story that’s wrapped in several layers of irony while also being somewhat alarming, FOX News is reporting that a radical Islamic website has warned South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone that they could face violent retribution for last week’s episode, which featured the prophet Muhammad in a bear suit. South Park’s “200” revisited the controversy of depicting Muhammad in its typically self-aware way, with characters worrying aloud that even having him completely hidden inside a U-Haul or deep within a furry costume would be enough to invite retaliation from Muslims, who aren’t exactly keen on seeing their prophet in cartoons, not even in a wink-wink, nudge fashion.
Apparently they were right to worry. Shortly after the episode aired, the New York-based RevolutionMuslim.com posted an admonition to Parker and Stone that included a crime scene photo of slain Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh (who was stabbed to death in 2004 after making a documentary about violence against Muslim women) with the caption, “Have Matt Stone and Trey Parker forgotten about this?” The post goes on to say, “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. This is not a threat, but a warning of the reality of what will likely happen to them.” Below that is a link to a 2009 article about Parker and Stone’s Colorado mansion, under the heading, “Where do they live?”
Reached for a follow-up by FOX, the author of the post said he was just trying to “raise awareness.” Among the choicer comments on the article from newly aware readers: “May Allah never guide them until they taste the fire of hell.” “There’s no doubt our Mujjahid Brothers from among the state itself will rise and kill them.” “I wish I could slit their throats with a rusty knife.” And we thought the comments on our South Park reviews were bad! Yuk yuk. But seriously folks, that's kind of unnerving.