Tel-Chai Nation

Update: I want to note that, since having written this topic, I've changed my mind on a little something that I note in parentheses towards the end of this item. See the later topic linked to there to know more about why.

Well it looks like UNICEF's been doing the Smurfs' incompetent archnemesis Gargamel a favor: they bombed the Smurf village, presumably by using time-warp devices to send rockets back in time to the 18th century, which is approximately the time period in which all these characters are set in, whether it's in Belgium or elsewhere. The UK Register says:

Here's a poser for you: you're trying to knock together a TV ad highlighting the effects of war on children. What's the plan?

Well, you could go down the traditional route of earnest voice-over accompanying footage of said kids miserably awaiting a better life or, on the other hand, you could arm up a squadron of attack aircraft and go and raze a Smurf village to the ground. Let's face it, it's a toughie.

Not for Unicef Belgium though, which earlier this week reduced an enchanted Smurf hamlet to smouldering rubble - much to the horror of some TV viewers across the Channel - when it aired a 25-second burst of animated warnography on the country's TV screens.

The offending cartoon, created with the full approval of the family of the Smurfs' departed creator Peyo, the Daily Telegraph notes, sees the cuddly blue creatures kicking off the action by dancing hand-in-hand round the campfire while singing that catchy Smurf song we all know and love.

Death then begins to rain from the sky as bombs spread fiery death through Smurfdom leaving just a "scorched and tattered Baby Smurf sobbing inconsolably, surrounded by prone Smurfs", as the Telegraph puts it. The end caption reads: "Don't let war affect the lives of children."

Of course, the one question surrounding this whole fiasco is - just who are these adverts aimed at? Terrorists or the goodies fighting them? Bad news: this is obviously intended for consumption by the rank-and-file Belgian (for starters anyway), and anyone who thinks that terrorists are going to sit up and take notice is just plain, flat-out mistaken.

And the part about Peyo actually approving of this monstrosity is dubious at best, mainly because he's been dead for several years now. Just what exactly are they trying to prove here by using Peyo's name/pseudonym in vain?

And here's something else from the UK Telegraph article that shouldn't be overlooked:

Philippe Henon, a spokesman for Unicef Belgium, said his agency had set out to shock, after concluding that traditional images of suffering in Third World war zones had lost their power to move television viewers. "It's controversial," he said. "We have never done something like this before but we've learned over the years that the reaction to the more normal type of campaign is very limited."

Don't be fooled by that defense or argument regarding shock value. As bad as the situation is in Europe, there are people who find the sight of death painful, and say whatever that Belgian UN rep will, shock tactics solely for the sake of it have simply no place in entertainment. It's a very transparent argument that does little more than ruin more than a considerable amount of good showbiz items, and is also a reason why Hollywood is floundering these days.

And suffice it to say that UNICEF has pretty much despoiled my childhood, exploiting a decent children's comic book/cartoon (update: read this to learn why I've since changed my mind on that part fully) for the sake of political motivations. Make sure to stay away from this horrorfest, and make doubly sure your children don't fall victim to it either, should it ever turn up on your local TV station. And lest we forget, don't let UNICEF swindle any more of our tax dollars over abominations like this.

And Peyo would be spinning in his grave if he knew this was happening!

Hat tip: Wizbang. Also available at Basil's Blog, The Political Teen, Stop the ACLU, Jo's Cafe, Bright and Early, Obligatory Anecdotes, Outside the Beltway. Others offended by the UN's latest act of contempt include The Jawa Report, Bare Knuckle Politics, Caerdroia, Donkey Stomp, The Zero Point, Truth Quante-fied, Slublog, Parrot Check, Six Meat Buffet, MsUnderestimated. Plus, here's a satire post from A Healthy Alternative to Work, and also one from The Right Place.

Labels: UN corruption