Stream of Association Flows Along

For no very compelling reason I'm thinking today of a particular episode of South Park.

The episode I have in mind is one in which a Mormon family moves to the neighborhood. Its son (Gary) starts attending school with Kyle, Stan, etc. The central story line involves Stan and more broadly the Marsh family, the disruption of its habits by the new family in town, and eventually the resumption of normal by the Marsh's as Stan persuades his father that the Mormon story of how their church got its start is nonsensical.

It is possible that the recent unexpected re-appearance of Mitt Romney in our national politics had something to do with turning my thoughts thus. 

But the story gives Gary the last word. Or, almost the last word. Actually, it's Cartman who gets the very last word. After Gary directs an angry monologue at Stan and walks away, Cartman says, "Man, that kid is cool, huh?"

What Gary was saying was that Stan had rejected his friendship because Stan looks down on the historical claims of Mormonism. Gary doesn't take those claims literally either, but what Mormonism means now (to him) is solidarity within the family, assistance to the poor, etc. All good things. And his family lives a good life as a result. So he concludes by cursing out Stan in terms that seem a bit shocking given the character of Gary as established in the earlier action, and he walks off.

Cue Cartman's comment.

It is all rather kind to Mormonism, given how cutting South Park has been in its parodic takes on Scientology, and for that matter the "Super Best Friends," i.e. religious figures (Moses, Buddha, Jesus ...) conceived of in comic book style (and somehow an Aquaman parody character called "Seaman" is a member of the group.)

And here I will let the stream go dry. I don't know what if anything we can conclude about Romney, except that he is less detestable than those like Bannon who now attack him from the right. But that isn't a surprising conclusion and didn't require all this run up.  Ah well.