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[MIMIC]

As much as I love South Park, this is just an ignorant comment:

Stone Tells Undecided Voters to Stay Home

SAN FRANCISCO - "South Park" co-creator Matt Stone has a message for all you undecided voters.

Stay home," said Stone. "It doesn't matter who you're gonna vote for. If you really don't know who you're gonna vote for, or are uninformed, or haven't really thought about it? Just stay home."


Stone and Trey Parker have teamed up for the puppet parody "Team America: World Police," which debuted in third place at the box office this weekend with $12.3 million. A parody of 1980s action movies, the film ridicules both Democrats and Republicans.


In person, Stone has little patience for those on the political fence.

"If you really don't know or you're just going to vote for George Bush because he's already in office, or you're gonna vote for John Kerry because he's on the cover of Rolling Stone, don't do that. That's lame. Just stay home. That's all we ever said," Stone told the San Francisco Chronicle in Sunday's editions.

Yahoo! News/AP

Instead of telling them to just flat out "stay home," they should be advocating civil responsibility: get up off your ass and research both candidates before Nov. 2nd.

 

[levious]

that is what they're saying.

Plenty of people say it, "what's up with undecided? How can you not decide?"

 

[shoplifter]

That's what he's actually saying in a very roundabout way.

\/\/ honestly, I don't think they care if people don't 'get it'. That's just the way their sense of humor works.

 

[DarienA]

That's what he's actually saying in a very roundabout way.

Yeah but if most people don't get their movies and cartoons... how the hell do they expect people to figure out what they are REALLY saying in this news article?

 

[sprsk]

this is true.

 

[MIMIC]

Uh...he isn't saying that at all:

If you really don't know who you're gonna vote for, or are uninformed, or haven't really thought about it? Just stay home."

 

[shoplifter]

Which infers

"Get off your fucking ass and learn something about them. Then make a decision. Don't vote based on hype."

 

[impirius]

Instead of telling them to just flat out "stay home," they should be advocating civil responsibility: get up off your ass and research both candidates before Nov. 2nd.

I always figured that the goal of those comments is to make people do just that. They're saying, "if you're not informed enough to vote, just stay home." I figure it's more of a slap in the face to wake up people who can't even justify why they're going to vote for their favored candidate. It presents a choice: stay home because your uninformed vote isn't doing any good to anyone, or put in a little effort and actually become an informed voter.

EDIT: Hahahaha, I took way too long to type that. Now it's completely redundant.

 

[AfroLuffy]

Which infers "Get off your fucking ass and learn something about them. Then make a decision. Don't vote based on hype."

::thumbs up::

 

[levious]

sure he is, just in a very negative way, like "fuck you for not caring enough."

edit: yeah, what shoplifter said.

 

[Justin Bailey]

I couldn't agree more with what he said.

 

[RedDwarf]

Anyone who actually takes advice from Matt and Trey probably should stay home, they might accidentally hurt themselves pulling the lever.

 

[MIMIC]

I seriously do not see the inference that some of you say is in his statement.

It's not exactly rocket science to say something as simple as "learn something."

 

[MIMIC]

And anyway, just because they're undecided, who's to say that they won't have some sort of insight on the way to the polls, or the day before?

Since when was 100% clarity needed to vote for a particular candidate? I think it's fair to assume that everybody knows at least SOMETHING about Bush or Kerry.

 

[ChrisReid]

Yeah, Matt's telling people to get informed or be a loser that needs to stay away from the voting booth.

 

[MIMIC]

No where is he telling anybody to get informed. He isn't inferring it either.

People are ASSUMING that's what he means.

 

[Tommie Hu$tle]

If you need to seek political advice from Matt Stone at this point because you can't decide then maybe the guy has a point.

 

[impirius]

I seriously do not see the inference that some of you say is in his statement.

It's not exactly rocket science to say something as simple as "learn something."

If he said that, though, we wouldn't be talking or thinking about it. Everyone says that. This comment is meant to get under your skin.

 

[Willco]

Nobody is assuming what he means. We can read. I'm sorry you can't.

Also, these comments are old and he clarified last week in response to Sean Penn's open letter that he meant stupid people shouldn't vote.

 

[MIMIC]

If he said that, though, we wouldn't be talking or thinking about it. Everyone says that. This comment is meant to get under your skin.

I'm pretty sure that the average South Park fan (who is also an undecided/apathetic voter) won't even give a fuck.

 

[MIMIC]

Nobody is assuming what he means. We can read. I'm sorry you can't.

If by "read" you mean "see things that aren't there," then you're right.

Instead of fucking trolling, how bout give your stance like everybody else did?

 

[levious]

maybe he doesn't want to repeat what's been said ten times already.

Have your mom call Stone to clarify.

 

[Dan]

No where is he telling anybody to get informed. He isn't inferring it either.

People are ASSUMING that's what he means.

No. It's basic boolean logic.

He says people who don't know anything should stay home. By the very virtue of that statement he's also saying that people who DO know something should NOT stay home. If you can't make the simple connection between those two concepts, then well, you're a lost cause.

I'm pretty sure that the average South Park fan (who is also an undecided/apathetic voter) won't even give a fuck.

South Park has nothing to do with this. Not only can you not read what's blatantly in the news article, but you also magically throw in other facts, like how these statements are supposedly connected to South Park and thus only target South Park viewers.

 

[Justin Bailey]

I'm pretty sure that the average South Park fan (who is also an undecided/apathetic voter) won't even give a fuck.

What gives you that idea?

 

[Brian Fellows]

I agree with Matt. Thats why I'm staying home!

 

[Tommie Hu$tle]

I'm pretty sure that the average South Park fan (who is also an undecided/apathetic voter) won't even give a fuck.

I disagree. The average south park fan is probably more aware of the issues than the average american and they also have a very firm opinion. They are far from apathetic by and large.

 

[Willco]

Comedy Central viewers are smarter than MIMIC. FACT.

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

on the surface, matt stone is right. if you're still undecided after four years of seeing bush then maybe you shouldnt vote period.

 

[MIMIC]

No. It's basic boolean logic.

He says people who don't know anything should stay home. By the very virtue of that statement he's also saying that people who DO know something should NOT stay home. If you can't make the simple connection between those two concepts, then well, you're a lost cause.

OK, now we went from "implying to kids to go out and do some research" to "the other, non-spoken part of his statement means such-and-such."

OF COURSE he's saying that people who DO know something about the candidates should vote, but is he advocating that the UNINFORMED people do that? No, he certainly isn't.

 

[MIMIC]

I disagree. The average south park fan is probably more aware of the issues than the average american and they also have a very firm opinion. They are far from apathetic by and large.

...which is why I am talking about the "apathetic" portion.

Comedy Central viewers are smarter than MIMIC. FACT.

"Instead of fucking trolling..."

 

[Willco]

Haha! Look at MIMIC flip-floppin' like a Kerry Fish!

 

[Dan]

OK, now we went from "implying to kids to go out and do some research" to "the other, non-spoken part of his statement means such-and-such."

OF COURSE he's saying that people who DO know something about the candidates should vote, but is he advocating that the UNINFORMED people do that? No, he certainly isn't.

Uh huh.

Let me make two statements here.

People who don't drink water will die.

People who do drink water will live.

Are you honestly trying to say that there is no suggestion in there?

...which is why I am talking about the "apathetic" portion.

A portion that you've made up and has absolutely no connection to statements Matt Stone makes in a newspaper.

 

[MIMIC]

Uh huh.

Let me make two statements here.

People who don't drink water will die.

People who do drink water will live.

Are you honestly trying to say that there is no suggestion in there?

Just to let you know, a life or death situation is a far cry from the original topic.

But just to let you know how general a statement that is, how would this type of person fit in the equation?: A person giving someone tips on how to commit suicide.

See? The "suggestion" can go both ways.

A portion that you've made up and has absolutely no connection to statements Matt Stone makes in a newspaper.

Just because YOU don't know any apathetic friends who watch South Park doesn't mean you can generalize YOUR views.

 

[Celicar]

I like their way of thinking. Stay home!!

 

[Dan]

The fact remains that this has absolutely NOTHING to do with South Park. That's the point.

Wow, where's that "ignore" option? True believer, indeed. In his own bizarre views.

 

[MIMIC]

I like their way of thinking. Stay home!!

*uses Celicar as an example*

See? That's what Matt is conveying: to stay home.

You notice Celicar didn't say, "I like their way of thinking. I'm going to read up on the candidates and vote."

 

[Justin Bailey]

*uses Celicar as an example*

See? That's what Matt is conveying: to stay home.

You notice Celicar didn't say, "I like their way of thinking. I'm going to read up on the candidates and vote."

Ok just keep on believing that if you want to, no one's gonna stop you.

 

[MIMIC]

The fact remains that this has absolutely NOTHING to do with South Park. That's the point.

Wow, where's that "ignore" option? True believer, indeed. In his own bizarre views.

My South Park comment was just something I said. I didn't claim that what he said had anything to do with the show.

And why would you need an "ignore" option? Why can't you do like everybody else and IGNORE somebody, sans the "option?"

 

[MIMIC]

The fact remains: he didn't tell anybody to research a candidate.

His words:

If you really don't know who you're gonna vote for, or are uninformed, or haven't really thought about it? Just stay home."

How the fuck does anybody get "go and get up-to-date on the issues" out of "if you're uninformed, stay home." Seriously?

Maybe it's "reverse psychology," but he sure as hell didn't suggest anything like that.

 

[Outlaw]

*uses Celicar as an example*

See? That's what Matt is conveying: to stay home.

You notice Celicar didn't say, "I like their way of thinking. I'm going to read up on the candidates and vote."

:lol :lol

Dude.....seriously.... just stop. You win some and you lose some....... you obiously have lost this one.

 

[MIMIC]

:lol :lol

Dude.....seriously.... just stop. You win some and you lose some....... you obiously have lost this one.

Way to stop me in my tracks.

 

[impirius]

The fact remains: he didn't tell anybody to research a candidate.

His words:

How the fuck does anybody get "go and get up-to-date on the issues" out of "if you're uninformed, stay home." Seriously?

Maybe it's "reverse psychology," but he sure as hell didn't suggest anything like that.

I think the subtext is pretty clear, just judging from the initial replies to the thread. Basically, he's is telling a group of people, "You are not informed enough to vote." If they accept that statement as true, they have two options: stay away from the polls and continue to be ignorant or do some research so that they are no longer ignorant.


Maybe it's just like one of those 3-D pictures. Some folks can see the boat, some can't, y'know?

 

[BobbyRobby]

If you're undecided, I'd say vote for Nader. Help get rid of the two party system.

 

[MIMIC]

Subtext, inference, virtue....

Jesus Christ. No offense, but you all are REALLY grasping at this one.

I think the subtext is pretty clear, just judging from the initial replies to the thread. Basically, he's is telling a group of people, "You are not informed enough to vote." If they accept that statement as true, they have two options: stay away from the polls and continue to be ignorant or do some research so that they are no longer ignorant.

But the previous posters are saying that he's TELLING you to go and do some research, not that you have option A and option B.

Guys, c'mon. You may like the guy, but...c'mon.

 

[belgurdo]

I'm finding the whiny argument over semantics far more interesting than anything the news article said

 

[FortNinety]

Once again, some people simply don't take the time to listen what Matt Stone has to say. People just love making knee-jerk reactionary statements. I bet the same people upset at him also think the guy's a racist based on South Park episodes.

 

[impirius]

Subtext, inference, virtue....

Jesus Christ. No offense, but you all are REALLY grasping at this one.

*blink*

 

[Zaptruder]

It would've been better if he said, if you're voting for George Bush because of his nice hair or texan cowboy hat, or John Kerry because he windsurfs, then don't bother voting at all.

then followed it up with; America can ill afford stupid voters that don't follow the issues and aren't even aware of what stance their candidates take on the many issues that affect the country.

 

[MASB]

Even if Matt Stone came out and directly said that people who are uninformed should stay that way and not vote, so what? That would just be his opinion. And any undecided voter who is so brainless and weak-willed to be influenced to vote or not to vote by Matt Stone or anyone else, is probably better off not voting in the first place. *OMG! I saw a Rock The Vote special!! I gotta vote now!!* *Oh no! I think maybe Matt Stone may have told undecided me not to vote! Guess I won't then!*

 

[Zaptruder]

Well, the people that react in an inflammatory manner are pretty much a lost caused anyway. But some people that didn't already think in such a fashion, will stop for a moment to think why he said that and hopefully see the logic in those words.

You can't affect all people, but maybe just enough for a positive change.