Syrian regime protesters hold a caricature placard, which shows Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin aiding his Syrian ally President Bashar Al-Assad, during a demonstration, at Kfarnebel in Edleb, Syria, on January 27. — AP BEIRUT — Throughout 40 years of Assad family dictatorship, one thing united Syrians — the culture of self-censorship, fear and paranoia. But the uprising against President Bashar Assad has unleashed a burst of blunt irreverence and black humor that would have been unthinkable before, when any satire had to be indirect or hidden. “The type of expression has now shifted, the subtlety has gone,” said Rime Allaf, associate fellow at London's Chatham House. “Today, for the first time in recent Syrian history, people are able to get out and say it openly.” Opposition Syrians are pouring contempt on Assad using whatever medium they can, with a humor that also helps them get through the death and destruction in a crackdown that has killed more than 5,400, according to the UN. “Top Goon: Diaries of a Little Dictator” is one of several new online shows. It was created by 10 young professional artists inside Syria. It uses finger puppets that impersonate Assad — nicknamed Beeshu in the series — and his inner circle. In one episode, Beeshu competes against Egypt's Hosni Mubarak and Libya's Muammar Gaddafi on “Who wants to Kill a Million,” a play on the game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” His final question: Will you be able to crush the protests? He answers yes. When he's told that's the wrong answer, he flies into a petty rage, wrecking the set.
