Adil Najam
I think that political parody – even when not of the highest quality – is often indicative of the political trends in a society. In fact, the presence of parody itself is a medium of political expression. Shows such as Daily Show with John Stewart, the Stephen Colbert Report, Saturday Night Live, the many British political satires, Hum Sab Umeed Say Hain, Three Man Show, and GEO TV presentations such as Bush-Mush Hotta Hai are not only indicators of vivid political imaginations but also of political vigor.
I saw the following video of a parody of a Gen. Musharraf speech by a student on Adnan Siddiqui’s blog yesterday.
00:54
I do not know where and what context this was in, but it is one of a number of such parodies (some, it seems by the same young person) available of YouTube. The quality of the portrayal is variable at best as is the humor in the substance. However, like all satirical parodies it is a to be viewed not only for its humorous content but also for the points it seeks to make as a depiction of public opinion and expression.
Mistri:
The content of the parody may not be very intelligent, but it’s importance lies more in the fact that it is an articulation of what a large number of Pakistanis feel, and this kind of feeling is certainly not limited to the Mullahs.
Adnan you need to take a chil pill, you become so attacking and overdefensive of Mullahs in your posts, that your whole point (similar extremism on the other side) gets lost in your direct personal attacks. Try to be less accusing and perhaps your same arguments will make more of an impact. Also, not everyone who opposes the Mullahs is a left wing extremist who wants religion to be wiped out completely. Hope you will consider the message without yet again accusing me of being a ‘liberal extremist.’
I think CH Shujat’s statement is a good thing because it brings out this issue explicitly and somewhat more forcefully (albeit unintentionally) than the critics of the military could accomplish. More such statements on the military and this issue might start to get unravelled.
Another statement for which I am glad was Shujat’s comment that the CJ issue is between the military and the judiciary.
Mistri mian, that is the problem with left extreemist like you. Since the guy had beared so he was mullah, right? Wow! Our very own resident liberal here keep beared, maybe he would be a mullah for liberals and secular.
You don’t sound different than the community you dislike, that is intolerent and sick. Thanks again to prove my point yet again that lefts are equally extreemist and ignorant than religious rights.
next time do make a read of speeches given by Musharraf so that you have some background about the things you want to speak. You are not even aware that majority of statments given by the guy in video were “actual words said by Musharraf”.
That’s true i was taken aback by the Chaudry shujaat’s comment when i saw web edition of The news this morning.
He does’nt sound mighty powerful in uttering such remarks. All he has managed to do with this silly out break is splicing more misery to his pathetic political career.
“Doesn’t sound like Musharraf and nor is their anything particularly intelligent in the content of the parody. I much prefer the 4ManShow parodies (available on YouTube) that are at least funny, and do a pretty good job of emulating PM.”
You’re absolutely right….I turned it off after 5 minutes…it got old that fast… 4manshow does a much better job.