BLOODY LIES

Comedy Central has shot down claims that it bowed to pressure from religious groups and banished from existence a South Park episode concerning a bleeding Virgin Mary statue. In a letter to viewers obtained by the New York Post, network execs say that while the eppy was bumped from a Christmastime South Park marathon, "we have not permanently shelved 'Bloody Mary' from future airings due to outside pressure, nor will we exclude it from future DVD releases." The missive goes on to say that "as satirists, we believe it is our First Amendment right to poke fun at any and all people, groups, organizations and religions, and we will continue to defend that right." (Sniff) I love America.