'The Simpsons' offends Argentines

BUENOS AIRES, April 17 (UPI) -- A discussion between cartoon character Homer Simpson and his friends about U.S. political candidates has drawn the ire of the Argentinean government.

The conversation at Moe's Tavern was aired the same week that Venezuela's government threatened to punish a television station for exposing children to the show, The Washington Post reported Thursday.

"I'd really go for some kind of military dictator, like Juan Peron," Homer's pal Carl Carlson said, referring to the general Argentines elected president three times. "When he 'disappeared' you, you stayed disappeared."

Carl's friend Lenny replied, "Plus, his wife was Madonna," referring to the U.S. pop diva who portrayed Eva Peron, the country's beloved leader. His comment -- as did Madonna's casting -- drew protests.

"This type of program causes great harm, because the disappearances are still an open wound here," ex- congressman Lorenzo Pepe, now head of the Juan Domingo Peron Institute. "This is highly offensive to Argentines."

"The Simpsons," extremely popular in South America, doesn't even air in Argentina, although it is viewed on YouTube, the Post said.

Venezuela's telecommunications commission Wednesday threatened to punish a television station for airing "The Simpsons" during the daytime, having said the program was unsuitable for children.