The above photo is funny. No doubt most in the Canadian military find it funny as well. It's about our forces being ill-equipped, and has nothing to do with their personal contributions to efforts in Afghanistan.

The attack by Fox is something entirely different. It was a direct attack on the veracity and commitment of Canadian troops.

Why are you supporting Fox over Canadian troops? Are you really that partisan? Oh wait...

That stock photo of the gun 'n skiff is out of date.

In 2002 we upgraded to bathtubs and heat seeking missiles.

;-)

Don Cherry gets it right again:

"Who cares what they say down there?" Don Cherry, perhaps our most famous and patriotic Canadian, said today.

On his Saturday's Coach's Corner, he wept as he showed the pictures of the latest four soldiers.

But he did not want to bite on the bate from a low-rent American TV show.

"Pay no attention to it," said Grapes. "And don't give them any publicity."

He's probably right, but once something goes viral in this Internet world of ours, publicity is what it becomes. And on the backs of some dead soldiers?

http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/National/2009/03/23/8854601.html

If by yoga, Mr. Gutman means: "shooting the Taliban", then yes, Canadians soldiers routinely do yoga- because they rock.

That show is excedingly bizarre and they are known to make odd commentary...but this really is over the top. An apology to our nation, troops and the families of the slain are in order.
kate...it's Canada first...not Fox News

My first thought was "They look so real, those computer produced cartoons are getting so lifelike". The hag looked like the toughest one there. As for the rest, they seemed a bit out of it.

As an old Vietnam vet, I salute all of the brave members of the Canadian military.

If there were ever a time when it was legitimate for Canadians to ridicule America because of political leadership, it is now. (We hope to change that.)

Clearly, right now there is only one distinctive statesman in North American leadership, and that is the very admirable and respectable Prime Minister Harper.

John: we should be outraged not at a cult tv show but at 1.5 decades of Liberal assault on the military and abuse of our forces and concerned with the subsequent problems that followed from attempting to “fight a war with peacetime process" that put Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie in a position were he felt the need to recommend an “operational pause.”

That we would put our forces in the position where they require an "operational pause is what's outrageous.

Canada's favourite pastime: watching what the Americans say about us and going apoplectic when it ain’t slobbering praise.

Some day we’ll grow up.

Just goes to show FOX employs the same moron journalists everybody else does. They don't know anything about Canada, the Canadian Forces, or Afghanistan, and they aren't afraid to let it show. They also didn't know we lost 4 guys that day, otherwise I'm sure their PC reflex would have kicked in.

Anybody in military circles knows that the Canadians are the guys you don't want to have pissed at you. The Americans know it, the Brits know it, and the Taliban really know it.

And the picture is funny as hell. I bet a guy in the Forces made it.

Let the Americans keep thinking that. Its a good thing.

What I hope is they're not feeding ammunition to the anti-war-in-afghanistan Canadians.

I don't find their comments particularly offensive, and I'm a serving member who's lost personal friends in this war. They're right - it's pathetic that we have to consider pulling out just so we can recuperate. We should have never allowed the military to degrade that far.

The thing that infuriates me is the smug hypocrisy of the idiots who are most loudly complaining about this. They're the same people who will will take any opportunity to make insulting jokes about Americans. They're the same clowns who would gladly vote for a funding cut to the CF so that they can plant more tree in downtown Toronto. Yet they have the nerve to bitch and complain when some Fox talking-heads make a crack at our expense? It's mind-blowingly asinine.

Hey Alex
As another serving member, an infantry corporal no less, who's lost many friends overseas, I can tell you that I'm not a person who makes insulting jokes about Americans. I'm not a clown who would vote for funding cuts to the CF. I'm not from Toronto, and I don't live in Toronto. And I do have the nerve to bitch and complain and in fact, be disgusted at the Fox talking-heads. Have you risked your life under fire to bail out American troops? If you have then I'm guessing from your comment that you have a couple of screws loose. If you haven't, then maybe you should talk to some of our lads who have. They'll sort you out right quick.
To Kate: If you have never had to put your arm around a grieving father who had his son blown up with only melted and charred plastic pieces of his tactical vest left around a burning LAV, then you could never understand how incredibly despicable and hurtful these comments could be. I pray that you may some day gain some sensitivity.

Gutfeld is the very funny (conservative) host of a funny show.

When you're a comedy writer and you hear a Canadian Army bigshot say, "The Canadian Army is taking a year off", the yoga jokes write themselves.

Lighten up, guys. If you actually watched the show before complaining about it, you'd 'get' the take.

PS: here's their take on David Frum. Come on, it's hilarious:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yd0Krz3q9k&feature=player_embedded

It angers me to hear that stuff on a weekend after our recent losses, but the hysteria is really misplaced. It was fairly boring material about Canada's military that reflects the image our governments have spent the last fifty years cultivating. It's all the same theme: draft dodgers, not going to Iraq and endless speeches about peacekeeping. Hey, the world noticed and that has become our image.
I wonder how many hack Canadian comics do routines about Americans as gun toting warmongers. Or Bush as Hitler?
I strongly suspect many of those complaining would happily degrade our military capabilities even further.

I have the greatest respect for the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces. They are under paid, under equipment and under respected even by many Canadians, let alone the world's most powerful military entity. Each day I try to consciously make a point of saying a silent "thank you" to these Canadian heroes as well as veterans from other wars.

That said: the Canadian Military is to the US military as Iceland's Air Force is to the Canadian Air Force. If someone dissed the Icelandic Air Force would you get YOUR knickers in a knot?

Although our American cousins are not properly sensitive to and appreciative of the blood our soldiers have shed in Afghanistan, what great military power you would rather neighbour? Russia? China? Iraq? Iran? France or Germany during their hay days?

At the end of the day Blood trumps bullshit. The ignorant insensitive idiot who made the disrespectful comments should apologize to his betters.

And yes, I have indeed watched the show before, and I have indeed watched Fox News before.
I'll lighten up when I feel it's necessary. Now's not the time.
I guess I'm with the liberals on this one. Proud to be agreeing with them on this matter.

Nice appeal to emotion, Phil. Very touching. I shed a tear, I really did.

"I pray that you may some day gain some sensitivity."

I'll sacrifice a goat that you may some day grow a pair. I'm not sure how you managed to stay in the infantry long enough to get your second hook, if this is the kind of shit that gets under your skin.

Alex took the words out of my mouth. Couldn't have said it better.

Both posts.

Of a country that hauls comedians before human rights tribunals for insulting hecklers,
how could I expect its government not to demand apologies from comedians in others?

Well, after the ridicule and neglect that our military has had to put up with IN CANADA for so many years, I hardly think they will think twice about what some talking heads in the States have to say.

Personally, I would have been more upset about being used as a prop in an attack ad by the LPC.

I think my family members in the military feel the same way.

there are no comedians in foxholes....sometimes assholes of course...

which reminds me....anyone that would call a manhole a personhole is an asshole...

anyway this ignorant shite don't bother me none....cause everyone knows us canucks are scary mofos in war....fyi we're the numero uno snipers in the conflict mentioned...among other killing things we do extremely well...yup...comparisons ARE odious but we're right up there with the limeys the scots and the marine corps.....and it IS a pity the gurkhas couldn't help out some over there...everyone knows the a-rabs(like the germans) don't like it stuck up them which is a particularly peculiarly scots/gurkha manner of rounding off a battlefield dispute...

i remember in the Falklands the brits told the argies they were cutting the gurkhas loose that night....the result ?...instant white flags.....yup...nobody much likes having it stuck up them...

What would General Patton say in a situation like this? Let me guess.......STOP WHINING.

F-in' A, Alex.

You guys, the Forces have to take a year off because we don't have any more guys to send. They sent -everybody-.

Who's the joke here? The guys who went, or the stupid sonsab1tches who deliberately destroyed our armed forces over the last 35 years?

Or is it the voters of Canada who kept voting them in and letting them do it? You know, -us-?

Hey you know what? We bought it, we paid for it, now we get to WEAR IT.

Kate I usually agree with your point of view but we part company on this one.

Joking about the size or funding of our military is fair game. But joking about our lack of contribution to Afghanistan (or worse, not even being aware of it) when we've given 116 lives to the cause in being among the only countries doing the heavy lifting in Kandahar was disgraceful. These idiots do owe an apology to Canadians.

Well, I guess I'm not turning on my heel and stomping out of the room, but some of the comments above directed to Phil are making me think I should take a break from this site. dp left a little while ago, I guess I'm outta here for a while too.

The show just wasn't funny.

The loss of four troops the same day is tragic.

Best wishes to all.

Hey, they are the ones thinking Afghanistan is connected to water.

Bush(pbuh) thought Islam was a noble religion that had invented toilet paper. Americans think Obama is a descendant of slaves when he is the descendant of slave dealers.

America lacks a lot of information it needs.

BTW, I don't have a problem with the Canadian government issuing statements demanding apologies...if nothing else, it helps highlight Canada's contributions in Afghanistan to our American neighbours. I think Mackay was doing his job here, defending the contributions of the CF.

I should be surprised that this got as much ink as it did, but really, I'm not. American bashing is a sport up here unfortunately.

If FoxNews disses you, who cares?

If the Taliban disses you on the battlespace, now there might be a more honorable quarrel to take up.

When the Taliban come out to play, might be a more relevant consideration for those in the CF. What some mutton heads say on TV or talk radio, has zero to do with controlling the battlefield.

I'm sure Lord Haw Haw and Tokyo Rose had many unflattering things to say in their day, but this didn't dissuade troops from carrying out their charged tasks.

I would probably be more focused on why Public Works can't get the lead out and refurbish the Leopard 2 tanks sitting on the Montreal waterfront.

Maybe Public Service need a couple of star shell rounds in their offices to light up their work space in addition to motivating their pointy little neurons.

A little Public Service 'shock therapy' might be just the ticket. Donner and Blitzen at your service.

Cheers

Hans-Christian Georg Rupprecht, Commander in Chief

Frankenstein Battalion
2nd Squadron: Ulanen-(Lancers) Regiment Großherzog Friedrich von
Baden(Rheinisches) Nr.7(Saarbrucken)
Knecht Rupprecht Division
Hans Corps
1st Saint Nicolaas Army
Army Group "True North"

"American bashing is a sport up here unfortunately."

It's because they so richly deserve it.

Come on. These guys were acting like dicks. I don't see them putting their pasty asses on the line. That's usually the funny thing about chickenhawks.

As for funding the military properly vs. planting trees in downtown TO... er... why not both?

I think anyone is entitled to make fun of anyone they want - we laugh at jokes regarding Catholics every other day.. we laugh at ignorant American jokes all the time as well..

My point - these assholes aren't funny. Beyond that - their humor betrays their ignorance.

So?

Well - why is it that as biased as they obviously are, Jon Stewart and Bill Maher have a certain intelligence to their biased humor - and what we, as conservatives have to put up with, are moronic clowns like this and Rush Limbaugh...

I mean - our best ally is probably Dennis Leary who's an avowed Democrat.

Yes - they can make fun of anyone they like - my point - is they sell the stereotype that conservatives are ignorant knuckle-draggers.. which inhibits our ability to establish a stronger foothold in politics - particularly in Canada.

I mean - what next, fart jokes?

He apologized:

http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/canada/2009/03/23/8856061.html

“The March 17th episode of Red Eye included a segment discussing Canada's plan for a ‘synchronized break,’ which was in no way an attempt to make light of troop efforts. However, I realize that my words may have been misunderstood,” Gutfeld said in the statement. “It was not my intent to disrespect the brave men, women and families of the Canadian military, and for that I apologize. Red Eye is a satirical take on the news, in which all topics are addressed in a lighthearted, humorous and ridiculous manner.”

And to those who suggest that our military should never have been allowed to degrade to the point that we need an operational break; fine. In my mind, the current state of our military makes the commitment we've shown in Afghanistan all the more remarkable, no? All the more reason for our contribution to Afghanistan to be recognized for what it is, and not mocked by a few uninformed idiots.

I know as a fact that Americans and especially American military have nothing but respect and high regard for Canadian military. The crack on Red Eye was to the government that decided to pull them back and not to the military directly. Big difference. Even so, why should your care? The show is nothing if not asinine cracks.

There are words for this where the terms are changed within the argument for the sake of disputation, but all that's pedantry. The point is, we love you with the warmth of a glowing sun. Or perhaps the warmth of a 40 Watt light bulb. See what I did there? That's what Red Eye does.

I didnt even know Fox News was even in the ratings war with the Daily Show.

Bad joke by a not terribly funny comedian, I wouldnt worry too much.

As for the military needing a rest....sure it does. It will be 9 years of combat operations for the army...time for the other Nato allies, yes that means you Germany, to put some soldiers in harms way...if not then the alliance isnt worth the cost or time and time to end it.

That being said, the US are the ones who can make the big difference now that they are largely done in Iraq, dont hear much about that anymore...hey did Obama win that war for the US? (LOL)

“It was not my intent to disrespect the brave men, women and families of the Canadian military"

And who was he accusing needed to "take a break for a spa year" if it was not the same brave men and women of the Canadian military? Who made the joke that the US had to send soldiers up to protect against a Russian invasion because Canadian soldiers would be too busy with pedicures and manicures?

There is definitely a line between joking about the commitment by Canada to our military and the commitment by Canadian soldiers to our military. And that is the line that this uninformed maroon crossed.
idiocy

Yes, we are going to be taking a breather, a sort of 'time out', to rest, refit and re-equip our land forces.The sharp end of our armed forces is about 16.3 thousand.Can you imagine the incredible amount of money and effort needed to sustain 2500 soldiers in Afghanistan for seven years? To cloth, feed, transport, arm etc etc..it has taken billions of dollars.Add to that our other obligations with regards to our navy (also on rotation in the Gulf) our air force, homeland defense, training, attrition etc, and you can see a recipe for disaster if we don't take a break from our sustained operational tempo.

Don't you worry, the same people who decry us being in Afghanistan will be the first to bray for our rested and re-equipped troops to be dispatched to Darfur.

Just you watch..

Phantom, not to be insulting, but you don't do youself any good by commenting on something you apprently know nothing about, and don't trust CTV to help fill you in because their story leave so much out it looks more like a piece meant to incite a riot rather than inform.

These aren't serious journalists, not by any stretch, and this was taped and aired 3 days before the deaths in Afghanistan.

Gutfeld is a former editor at Stuff and Maxim (UK) and Schulz writes/wrote for Stuff and various other magaznies; hardly serious journalists. They are the only permanent panelists and pretty much set the tone. All you need to know about Gutfeld is he was fired from Stuff for being too over the top although you can check out his HuffingtonPost entries to get a good glimpse of his humor. Let's just say more than one petition was launched to get him throw off HuffPo.

On thing that is clear from looking at the youtube and CTV thread on this video, is that the people most offended at the stereotyping of the Candian military and police forces as low tech and backward don't hesitate to stereotype Americans as dumb hicks and Fox news as a hate group (and then brag about how they've never actually watch it).

I would really like to see Andy Levy's 'omsbudding' of that segment though. He is usually pretty quick to bring up Canada's military record whenever we come up in on of the segments.

These guys are on in the weee hours of the morning for the same reason that lame-o's like Rick Mercer work for the CBC . . . they don't have the any talent.

The desperation of these guys to create some headlines and get some free publicity.

I don't find their comments particularly offensive, and I'm a serving member who's lost personal friends in this war. They're right - it's pathetic that we have to consider pulling out just so we can recuperate. We should have never allowed the military to degrade that far.

What'd ya do Kate, go through 500 e-mails on the topic to get that one? I think your poster boy is alone in his thinking. "Talking to Americans" is boring and stupid, this Redeye satire a whole new low.

Maybe you need to stay awake every night for 4 months straight wondering if your kid is going to come home, only to hear shit like this.

Maybe this incident will make the message hit home that we must invest much much more in our national defence and war-waging capabilities. It's not happening quickly enough.

The guy on FOX is an asshat, no doubt, but not entirely off the mark, for the inconvenient truth is that we need much more done for the CF.

On the other hand, just watch Obama decimate the US Forces. He's actually promised to do so, but how many of us heard? Of course the Big Media won't mention it.

Rebuilding the CF will be stimulative. So let's use those billions for the Forces! Let's resurrect Avro, resurrect all sorts of defence industries. If we don't, and if America doesn't, either, then the Axis will be more powerful than we are... do we want that to happen? Imagine if Hitler and the Japanese had even bigger, more powerful militaries and if they beat us to the Bomb, what the world would be like today. What will it be like if we fail to stand up to them with a bigger stick? Dammit, the Arms Race is our survival insurance! If we let the enemy win the Arms Race, they'll kill us.

And don't forget that Obama refuses to allow the replenishment of aging nuke deterrent stocks, whilst our enemies are amassing theirs.

I agree with commentor Alex. If Leftists in Canada want to make a stink over some foreign asshat nobody dissing our Forces, then they'll have to put their money where their big mouths are and call on the Harper Conservatives to inject billions more per annum into the CF.

As the father of a soldier who did 3 tours in Afstan I was insulted by the ignorance exhibited by Gutfeld, not really by his blather. The guy's an immature jerkoff, nothing more.

It's the culture of Americans to see themselves as all-important and all-powerful. They see a world map and all they see is a huge land mass called USA, and a whole bunch of little, inconsequential countries. Their educational system totally ignores geography & history which is not American.

This is the reason people like Bill Maher & Jon Stewart are so popular amongst the US population. They constantly disparage viewpoints and people from outside their cliques, because as Americans they hold the view that they can make fun of everyone, as its the American Way. However, Stewart has considerable wit when he pokes fun at political foes, and to a much lesser extent, so too does Maher. Gutfeld has nothing except a sneer & a smirk, and that makes his comments merely immature, cowardly tripe.

I posted comments on Fox with Glenn Beck & Bill O'Reilly outlining my objections with Red Eye's segment. Doubtful that they are proud of having such a weak sister as Gutfeld on their channel, and they can probably help clean that train wreck up.

up teddy my BOY, life is definitly to short to joke, got to keep serious in the fore front

BTW; what was your take on the Parriah, stomping the USA flag, and refering to them very negatively

so if people don't watch the "show", it shouldn't bother them

One lame brained commentator does not represent the whole of the United States. I`ve watched late night USA TV. In most cases it lacks but one important item. IQ!

"I posted comments on Fox with Glenn Beck & Bill O'Reilly outlining my objections with Red Eye's segment. Doubtful that they are proud of having such a weak sister as Gutfeld on their channel, and they can probably help clean that train wreck up."
Posted by: Alienated at March 23, 2009 3:45 PM

I did much the same.
As a Canadian I like FOX News, O'Reilly, Ingraham, Hannity, what a breath of fresh air to listen to conservatives, even if they are American.

The best we can do is on the internet, eh Kate?

Just out of curiosity,Where can I buy one of those boats in the picture?

I don't get it. One person, that's one person, on a show that airs at 3:00am, makes a juvenile joke, and Canadians are supposed to demand official apologies? That says something more about us than about the 3:00am host.

Americans, including their military and industrialists and just about any American, are routinely condemned, belittled and joked about on Canadian television - think about Rick Mercer, 22 Minutes, Royal Cd Air Farce, CBC and CTV news..I recall Kevin Newman gravely informing us that the US was a 'rogue state'..; and sneered at by Liberals and NDP alike in parliament. And that's in prime time, not 3:00 am. Do Americans demand apologies for all of this?

I think we are the ones with the problem. And no, not all Americans are dumb about other countries; a lot are quite knowledgeable. Just as a lot of Canadians don't know a thing about the US. Or Europe. Or even, Canada, its geography and history.

But to treat this guy as if he were someone to take seriously - doesn't make any sense to me.

Alex - STOP making perfect comments so the rest of us can write in.
It is a satire show , children, not a news show - satire is sometimes offensive - we really need some adult supervision in Canada.
Our military IS a joke , not our soldiers.
If we gave the CF any more funding cuts , they would be riding (cheap , old) oxen into battle with garbage can lids as body armor.

I have to say that I am on the side of those who are outraged.

You do not joke about dead people. Period.

When people have died in Afghanistan fighting for Canada, and they joke that they did not even know we were in Afghanistan, then they have crossed the line.

I really don't care if our military needs improvement, or whatever. You do not joke about the sacrifice that so many people have made in Afghanistan.

You're absolutely right, Kate, that the Red-Eye segment doesn't deserve such major hoo-ha. And it's revolting to see Canadian media who don't support the war effort suddenly turning all defensive about our soldiers, especially when it's a pretext to attack FOX, and Americans. But it probably deserves passing comment that Gutfield et al are repulsive -- kind of gay, really, in the more pejorative, not the sexual orientation, sense.

Criticisms of Canada's decision to wind down the AFghan mission are legitimate and welcome. As Alex said, "it's pathetic that we have to consider pulling out just so we can recuperate. We should have never allowed the military to degrade that far." But in light of the fact that Canadian troops have gone right to the heart of the fight in Kandahar while soldiers from other NATO nations have stayed a safe distance away, statements like "I thought that's where you go when you don't want to fight" are ignorant. Ignorance, of course, isn't a crime, moral or otherwise.

So, are the remarks worthy of widespread gnashing of the teeth by CBC/CTV? No -- that's just evidence of prurient, opportunistic hypocrisy. Should anyone else here or elsewhere really care, or be up in arms about it? No; it was just a couple/three idiots who were trying to be funny and edgy. But -- again, for what it's worth -- they are idiots.

I think there's a positive angle to this mini-hoo-ha: as Bic said, just above in the comments here, "the people most offended at the stereotyping of the Canadian military...don't hesitate to stereotype Americans as dumb hicks, and Fox news as a hate group." To the extent that that's true, the outraged critics he describes are not conservatives, who typically don't bash America, but the prog/left. And I'm not sure there's a real downside to the prospect of the Canadian prog/left defending our troops, even by default. Maybe the "outrage" is fueled by anti-Americanism, but there is an upside to that: among the prog-left, anti-Americanism is an endlessly renewable resource, whereas defense of our soldiers isn't.

This was humor. It was an entertainment show. Not journalists, entertainers.

This is nothing compared to what Canadians say about Americans all the time. Americans poke fun at what they consider their Canadian friends.

Our politicians and media poke fun at what they perceive to be our hated enemies.

This is another tempest in a teapot.

Those who are offended by this nonsense, deserve to be. Grow up!

Even more basic; not one person here or anywhere has a "right" to not be offended, Princess. The "right" to not be offended is imaginary, and a big part of what is wrong with the world today, Nancy. There is no "right" to apologies either, Margaret.

If you do not like what they said on Fox, you can piss and moan like an impotent jerk if you want to.

Hello, people, let's get a life, eh. Because something is on Foc News Channel doesn't make it news. The Red Eye is nothing more than an air time filler for insomniacs who are tines od infomercials. Are you people worried that our defecswe policy will be changed because of a comedian's wit or lack thereof?

Lest we cast stones too fast, may I remind you of great Canadian symbols such as the Chicken Cannon on the Royal Canadian Air Farce? Or any one of a gazillion other bits of "humour" the Canadian military has had to endure.(Been there, done that.)

Sticks and stones, eh.

Righteous indignation: the Canadian national sport. Gotta hand it to Mackay though; I haven't seen a cabinet minister this lathered up since Brian Tobin, and he was the master.

Does stoicism have any value whatsoever in postmodern Canada? As much as I'd love to blame feminazis for this I think we need to have some sorta Truth and Manning The F*ck Up Commission.

Modeled after the postwar de-Nazification program, the Truth and Manning The F*ck Up Commission would assign every Canadian male a nanciness score from 0 to 5, with 0 being Canadian Tire Guy and 5 being...let's make it 0 to 4 and - I'm really stumped for a man man here...meh, call them all nancy boys, let the chips fall where they may.

Amen again, ET...

Wow! I'm really surprised at all the SDA regulars who are so offended here. Please grow a spine. Gawd!

Redirect your whining to, well, all your fellow Canadians who, like the Phantom reminds us, made so that Federal governments (Mostly Liberal) were elected and dismantled our military in front of our eyes for decades.

Almost every night, John Stewart or Colbert take little shots at Canada...But they're so cool and popular right?

Red progressive Tories you all!!!

Amen again, ET...

Wow! I'm really surprised at all the SDA regulars who are so offended here. Please grow a spine. Gawd!

Redirect your whining to, well, all your fellow Canadians who, like the Phantom reminds us, made so that Federal governments (Mostly Liberal) were elected and dismantled our military in front of our eyes for decades.

Almost every night, John Stewart or Colbert take little shots at Canada...But they're so cool and popular right?

Red progressive Tories you all!!!

Amen again, ET...

Wow! I'm really surprised at all the SDA regulars who are so offended here. Please grow a spine. Gawd!

Redirect your whining to, well, all your fellow Canadians who, like the Phantom reminds us, made so that Federal governments (Mostly Liberal) were elected and dismantled our military in front of our eyes for decades.

Almost every night, John Stewart or Colbert take little shots at Canada...But they're so cool and popular right?

Red progressive Tories you all!!!

First, I agree with Alex.

Second, this is the umpteenth time in the last few weeks that people have their panties in a knot over a joke. Who cares what you think is funny or not! If you think it's funny then laugh, if not then suck it up!

Canadians are reacting exactly as any American would expect us to react. South Park has Canadians nailed to a tee, we sound like a bunch of children who have had our feelings hurt, throwing a tantrum while everyone else laughs at us.

"That's it, go ahead and run. Run home and cry to mama!" - Ash

I think it's not so much 'feeling offended' over any insults to out military. As others in this thread have pointed out, it's our automatic anti-Americanism.

It's not about support for our military. The Liberals and NDP do NOT, repeat, DO NOT, support our military. They've never supported it financially and they certainly don't support its activities. Oh - other than shovelling snow or helping out in floods.

CBC, CTV - all are basically anti-American. I long ago stopped watching both because I couldn't stand the relentless hostility to anything American, the jokes, the sniggers, the insults.
Just as I stopped watching Royal Cdn Air Farce for the same reasons.

It's the Liberal strategy; constant anti-Americanism. This is just being used as an opportunity for them to 'do the usual'. But it has nothing to do with their having any commitment to or support of, our military.

The problem is our reaction. Not a 3:00am talk show joke.

I couldn't agree more, Kate. Thanks for posting this. Canadians were making fun of the Canadian military long before Red Eye.

Our guys are awesome, but there are only 1,000 of them on the ground in Afghanistan. Last I heard the US had 30,000.

I couldn't agree more, Kate. Thanks for posting this. Canadians were making fun of the Canadian military long before Red Eye.

Our guys are awesome, but there are only 1,000 of them on the ground in Afghanistan. Last I heard the US had 30,000.

The "Canadian" comments on the CTV segment concern me a helluva lot more than Gutman's. They've got little to whine about when it comes to someone else's maturity of expression and ignorance. Is the collective age of the average Canadian reading and commenting on Canadian online news sites greater than 15? Seems doubtful.

People including myself are probably pissed off because of the flagged draped coffins coming home. I can enjoy a good joke about our military and our country as well as anyone, but this is disrespectful to our war dead. For the record none of Alex's comments applies to me.

Cheers

We've got all kinds of Canadian lefties who cheer the deaths of Canadian soldiers. We have a Canadian blogger, 'Canadian Cynic', who posted a F**K YOU message to a Canadian mother whose soldier son was killed. Spread the rage around, don't waste it on a TV clown.

Sorry to go OT

Anyone else see this story?

mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/196925.php

Video: Taliban Threaten to Behead Pro-Taliban Canadian "Journalist"

As an American, I can state that I love Canada. But I do have to take a second and address the issue by many Canadian posters who do not seem to get the idea of "satire".

Greg Gutfeld, while a talking head, is an entertainer. He's a former comedian, which means he will make jokes. And with Red Eye being a show that is a satire of all things political (Hello? Avenue Q puppets as a guest?!), it is natural for some jokes about Canada to come out.

I don't begrudge those who are offended by it, but I would take a few moments and watch more of Red Eye before demanding apologies. I mean, hell, they skewer Barack Obama more than anyone else.

All I understand is if someone is going to cut off my head with a kitchen knife anyone there with a gun and a shoulder patch is my friend.

We can't demand an apology with a straight face.

Bic, The Fox News clowns may write for huffypoo, they may be a bunch of left wing goofs, but their mockery carries the sting of truth. It IS a joke for a major country's military to have to take a break from fighting a bunch of freaking HILLBILLIES because they ran out of men.

Luxembourg has more guys and more stuff than we do. Not better guys (by a freakin' long shot), just more.

Next time you think about that and it torques you off, thank a Liberal voter.

And thank our media, CTV specifically. You know that the longest combat shot in history was made by Cpl. Robert Furlong of the PPCLI in Afghanistan? Well, it was. And you did NOT hear that on CTV, nor Global, nor the CBC.

phantomsoapbox.blogspot.com/2006/05/longest-combat-shot-in-history-finally.html

I heard about it in Soldier of Fortune. Yes, the AMERICAN "gun nut" magazine. Here is that article reprinted.

http://arlloyd2.tripod.com/sof.html

This feat of arms did not see the light of day in Canadian media until 2006 when Maclean's finally got around to noticing. That article is linked at my blog post above.

To this day nobody in the Canadian media knows nor gives a sh1t from one week to the next what's going on overseas with the Forces. Their reporting is limited to mentioning when we lose somebody.

CTV has no right to open their mouth at all. Their boys in Ottawa did this, and they know it.

You want to be outraged about something, be outraged we don't have f-ing helicopters, so our guys keep getting blown up by roadside bombs. That is a f-ing outrage.

Guy at work was all up in arms over this today.

Until I asked him if it wasn't Rick Mercer "Talking to Americans" that he was laughing at on youtube the week before. Then he got very defensive.

Hey -- it's comedy. If you care about this, you're too stupid to apologize to.

I didn't laugh, but I'm not losing a second's worth of sleep, either.

Our soldiers might be the toughest in the world, but there's not a hell of a lot of them.

Even more basic; not one person here or anywhere has a "right" to not be offended, Princess. The "right" to not be offended is imaginary, and a big part of what is wrong with the world today, Nancy. There is no "right" to apologies either, Margaret.

If you do not like what they said on Fox, you can piss and moan like an impotent jerk if you want to.

I hope some Canadian boys just back from Afstan meet up with Mr. Gutfeld and explain to him, in very simple terms, what our troops are doing over there.

After the CBC apologizes for years of smearing the USA,
then maybe we will be in a position to ask an apology from Fox.

After the CBC apologizes for years of smearing the USA,
then maybe we will be in a position to ask an apology from Fox.

Posted by: Friend of USA at March 23, 2009 5:22 PM

BINGO!!!

You can add CTV and every newspaper in the country to that list as well.

Way to go Phantom. I'm not the only one that 'thanks' the LIDDLE THIEF FROM SHAWINIGAN for his impact on our military. We will never know how many fathers, husbands, sons and yes wives and daughters, would be still breathing, laughing and attending to the everyday tasks had they been mobile in helicopters in 'theatre' in Afghistan. Those that have voted liberal in the last couple of decades have some 'splaining to do.

The pop culture illiteracy of my fellow conservatives is an embarrassment.

RedEye is one of the only even sort of conservative comedy shows in history, let alone airing today.

Gutfeld is an anti-PC, anti-liberal guy who can be laugh out loud funny.

He was making fun of a COMMENT MADE BY A CANADIAN OFFICER that Canadian equipment sucks.

Well: Canadian military equipment DOES suck, and everyone knows it.

Our armed forces do amazing stuff with ancient equipment. But they shouldn't have to.

The Canadian govt should be gutting the HRCs, the Indian This and the Immigrant That and the Women's Whatever Ministry, and buy our soldiers new equipment.

INSTEAD of making an international incident out of a joke made by an on-side guy at 3AM.

Please please conservatives: do NOT comment on books you haven't read, and movies and tv shows you haven't seen.

It does more damage than you can believe.

Now, now Kate. You do care what the Daily Show says. One of my readers caught this:

Strack Attack said...
Kate from SDA: "I'll Care About What's Said On "Red Eye" When I care what's said on The Daily Show."

Is that so?

May 4, 2004, Kate: "Does Stewart - who has taken to ridiculing military losses in Iraq, while guffawing Chomsky admirers affirm his wit - have the balls to bring someone on his show who both served with and has openly challenged the fitness of John F. Kerry to serve as Commander In Chief?

I suspect not.

But, I think this would be a worthy internet challenge to mount. Email the Daily Show here."

Link:

http://www.smalldeadanimals.com/archives/000272.html

I'm a Canadian who would love to see the CBC axed, has no time for anti-Americanism, thinks Dubya was a pretty good president and believes that the Human Rights Commissions are a waste of money and an attack on our freedom of speech.

That said... these guys were not funny and they were first rate arseholes. It wasn't satire, it was rude and it was insulting to the Canadian men and women fighting in Afghanistan. It also showed that they didn't know what the hell they were talking about.

I guess I'm with the liberals on this one as well.

Charles Adler referred to this item on his talk show this afternoon.

Everyone take a deep breath....there....exhale.

1. who give a rat's ass what some metrosexual, mamby pamby(did u listen to their voices?)media whores say about our troops?

2. mr dithers and d1ckface cretin bear most of the blame for most of the deaths in afghani(cut, cut, cut)...was it not d1ckface cretin who sent them over there with the Iltis jeep as their primary mode of transportation? And was it not the robber baron dithers who thought the solution was the "death wagon" bought from the Germans?

Bottom line(according to my conversation with a Sgt Major who has done 2 tours)is that the CF has been pushed to the limit, and they need a time out. If it takes some jerkoffs from the USA to point this out.....so be it!

My brothers and I served for over 50 years, and none of us are offended by said comments.

It is insensitive in wartime to make comments at the expense of those in the military and their loved ones. Some jokes are just not funny, when you know that people are suffering.

Am I offended? Sure.

Does this need to be a big deal? Nope. Our lust for american bashing is really what is at show here, how many internet forums is this being discussed where the majority of the responses are "stupid Americans" or "I hate those idiot Americas"

What was said is disrespectful and in bad taste, but is created and consumed for an audience. At least they don't have elected officials calling their allies assholes and idiots like we Canadians do...

From a comment at Hot Air:

"For those Canadians who think this is somehow bad, I shall remind them of the 1990s CBC documentary “The Valor and the Horror” in which they called Canadian soldiers and airmen murderers while ignoring those of the Nazis, including the Holocaust. Did the CBC ever apologize? Not even close. - KillerKane"

Gutfield gave an apology, and I am glad he did. Perhaps he sees another side of this Afghanistan 'thing' now. Can't hurt.

This isn't about FOX NEWS, though.

It is about 'Red Eye' and Gutfield, and his panel that night.

CTV and CBC would like to make it about FOX News, and many played along.

Frankly, I never saw how 'Red Eye' fit into their programming.

Saw the vid for a few minutes. It disturbed me not because of the content but because they came across as buffoons. It reminds me of CBC stuff; why would u be that way if you weren't subsidized?

As to content. I thought we were getting out the 'stan because it was time to get out, not because were all tired 'n whimpy. The tank biz? Hey Matlock, were the only people in the 'stan thats got'em.

OK....it is 'FOX news' people.....FOX news!!!!!!

Again, who cares about how 'insenstive' these idiots are?

As I said earlier, at least we are now talking about this issue.....and the only reason any librano is showing us any crocodile tears is because, deep down inside, they know that the shortcomings of our military can be layed squarely on their laps.

LIBRANOS ARE NOT, NOR HAVE BEEN FOR A LONG TIME, FRIENDS OF THE CANADIAN MILITARY

Kate, the Red Eye crew was just plain IGNORANT. Not funny, not witty, and their insults were not clever enough to be satire.

As Canucks, we mock ourselves, but we don't ridicule our troops. We speak out on everything else, surely we should speak out on this?

I was disappointed that Monica Crowley, who is usually sharp, would jump on board the Red Eye express to nowhere.

I applaud the Edmonton Comedy Club for cancelling the Benton gig.

"The pop culture illiteracy of my fellow conservatives is an embarrassment."

TY Kathy

This is exactly what I'm talking about, barring a few ppl around here, I usually feel like I'm a guest on the TV show "Life on Mars".

This whole thing is getting pathetic. From pathetic as in we have "loaner" tanks but haven't gotten them in use yet to pathetic as in Rick Mercer now lecturing American comedians as to what is funny.

Yes, it is indeed a tradegy that our troops are dying over there but the jokes weren't about Canadians dying, it's about how the Canadian military has had to make do with duct tape and baling wire since PET and his just society thought the military was a waste of time. Anyone who has served in the past 30+ years has seen and heard all the jokes by now. It's just a shame that people today seem to have long forgotten the 3rd largest allied navy in WWII, or any of the other great contributions our people have made to keep the world safer.

Interesting to see how support for Canadian troops is conditional on this website. Clearly FOX is a higher master.

I saw the same thing when Paeta Hess-Von Kruedener was killed by the IDF, the commenters here were falling over themselves to blame Kruedener for being sent on a UN mission.

KS: "The pop culture illiteracy of my fellow conservatives is an embarrassment."

-----> It shouldn't be. When you become so immersed in Fox News and Limbaugh, you forget that somebody disrespecting your own country's troops, who are at war, is a bad thing.

SDA isn't the place I'd expect to find disrespect for our soldiers.

Lighten up, you say? Well, Kate wasn't happy about the Daily Show back in 2004:
http://www.smalldeadanimals.com/archives/000272.html

"Canada's favourite pastime: watching what the Americans say about us and going apoplectic when it ain’t slobbering praise.

Some day we’ll grow up.

Posted by: Mississauga Matt at March 23, 2009 2:15 PM"

Geez, those dumb Red Eye jokes about our troops went far beyond your "it ain't slobbering praise."

To suggest we need to grow up because we're outraged at the ignorance displayed is *lame.*

As an aside, what's with the CTV and Globe and Mail news people assuming that now Obama is President of the USA we Canadians should just follow the USA on issues?

For eg., a question put to Jason Kenney regarding the British MP and Hamas supporter who's been banned from visiting Canada. Graham Richardson seems to think whatever the USA does should be our policy, too.

Last I checked, we're a sovereign country!

A lot here don't seem to get it.We should not be outraged about the fact that some idiot made "rude,insulting" comments about our military,but the fact THAT WE CANUCKS,by electing Lieberals,allowed it to get to the point where it can be made fun of!!!
I spent 12 years flopping around Canada,U.S and overseas in our Airforce,and by luck,ignorance,or God's hand,attended 36 of my fellow flyers funerals,which just as easy could have been me.
Why.Because we were flying crap shit that even Mexico had got rid of. For anybody out there who remembers,when we got the "first,top of the line" Auroras way back in '80,they where all ready 3 years out of date.The standing joke at Lockheed in Burbank at the time was,send the Canucks our old P3's.The Russians will be laughing so hard at them,they won't be able to come over the top.
Bottom line. Blame the Libs and anybody who voted for them,not our neighbours to the South.

The defining point was when it was declared that Canadians ONLY had mounties on horseback in red tunics......

The US military has not just a lot of respect for CF but welcomes Canadian recruits....bigtime.

I recall during Gulf One, getting hauled in to a very LOUD briefing by as US Colonel.

"YOU will get your **** over and check out these Canadians that showed up here just now and see what they need.....and get it to them STAT. What a pathetic country....don't be surprised if they need boots. Get them what YOU think they need, not what they have been told they need. These are the best and we are going to need them soon and TAKE SOME ***** BEER."

The Canucks thought it was Christmas.

It's astonishing that the CBC could display outrage over this. This is the same network that took a Liberal backbencher who had never been in cabinet and made her a star for her "American bastards" remark and allowed her to stomp on a doll of the U.S. president. And they certainly couldn't cite his unpopularity as the reason seeing as how this took place before he won his second term.

But for the CBC to show selective outrage over the clips comes by interviewing Canadians concerned comes as no surprise... too bad they couldn't have done the same by interviewing people from the Chinese Canadian community over Kinsella's "cat meat" remark.

That picture originally was my Vermont style "Pike fishing" boat, that somebody photoshopped. It is legal to take pike and pickerel by firearm here.

Actually, as an American, I deeply appreciate the Canadian contribution in Afghanistan, and haven't forgotten that it was a Canadian sniper who holds the record of splashing a Taliban skull right out from under its turban at a distance of 2.5 kilometers.

By the way, I love how Obama sent a letter to President Poutine, of France. I mean Chirac, not realizing that Chirac had been voted out by the french for a more right leaning govt two years ago. This is beyond embarrassing. Can he call Condi Rice for pointers, since it is pretty clear from her comments that she voted for him. I wonder how she feels about that vote now?

Off-topic, kingstonlad said, in part: metrosexual

I have never seen a word as misused on this forum as that one. I wish people would understand what it really means.

This whole sorry debacle infuriates me .... but not for the obvious, imitation patriotic reasons.

Now I'm not a soldier, sailor or airman so I don't pretend to speak on their behalf. They, however, have my greatest respect and admiration. To be quite honest, I'm not even sure that I'd have the cajones to do what they do on a daily basis.

That being said, I'm sickened and angered at the hypocrites who use this incident to take cheap shots at the Americans in general while hiding behind a "support the troops" facade. The remarks, while idiotic and in extremely bad taste, were not made by the average American, the White House or the US military. They were made by third-rate comedians in the middle of the night.

Where was the outrage when politicians and beaurocrats decimated the military in order to fund their own pet projects?

Why is there no outcry when the left brays incessantly that Canadian soldiers are peace-keepers, not warriors when history clearly shows quite the opposite.

Where is the anger when the media portrays the Afghanistan conflict as illegal, immoral,unnecessary and unwinnable?

Where is the righteous indignation when Jack Layton insists on negotiating with the Taliban?

Why is there no condemnation of politicians who constantly badger the Prime Minister to set a withdrawal date for our troops?

These are just a few examples of disrespecting our troops to a far greater degree than a handful of cretins attempting comedy at 3 in the morning.

It appears that our outrage is misdirected.

MetrosexualS, panty waste, momma's boys, pasty thigh'ed wimps......whatever.....their opinion counts for NOTHING, ZERO, ZILCH....

Will every Canadian who has ever been critical of the US in any way, ever, please STFU about this.
Thank you.
Also, thank you to every Canadian sniper team who has saved American lives in Afghanistan.
And yes I am aware that many Canadians have had the gall to besmirch those fine shooting teams.

Fair and balanced, one hopes, at "The Torch":

"Fox off!"

"Fox fools/Please staple Steve's lips/Uppestdate: And some other Canadians' too"

Mark
Ottawa

Agnostic said, "Will every Canadian who has ever been critical of the US in any way, ever, please STFU about this.
Thank you."

NO CAN DO, thankyouverymuch.

This is getting stranger and stranger.

They should have done the joke about the Sea King: 10,000 loose parts flying in tight formation. That would have been funny.

For those feigning phoney outrage, drop it. The piece was idiotic and stupid but it was nothing to get your knickers in a knot over.

Who gave aid, comfort and civil service jobs to draft dodgers? Who still wants to aid and abet deserters? The same people who are actively trying to emasculate our armed forces and now pretend to howl about how Canada has been insulted.

When Carolyln Parish, The CBC (This Hour has 22 Minutes) and the rest of far left zealots grow up then we'll discuss what happened on Red-Eye.

Isn't Mackay supposed to be the guy in charge of defense from Canada's enemies? Why is our defence minister now in charge of defending our military from bad comedians. I've heard all kind of rants from Americans about Canada's army on Sirius radio that were funnier and more offensive. I guess Mackay will now have to take time out of his anti-Al Qaeda schedule to deal with radio hosts next.

Please Peter, stop acting exactly like a whiny leftist pu$$y...

Wow!
Classless and tasteless comedians.
What a surprize!

Not.

RE; "As to content. I thought we were getting out the 'stan because it was time to get out, not because were all tired 'n whimpy. The tank biz? Hey Matlock, were the only people in the 'stan thats got'em."

Sorry Agent Smith, but the Danish Army also has
MBT's in theatre. They were also the first to use MBTs in recent "peackeeping" ops (29 April 1993), starting a trend of bringing extra firepower on these deployments.

This is a Comedian with free speech. Not a Cabinet Minister like the Liberals calling them Bastards in a formal way. Approved by the PM of the time.
This skit was in bad taste , which is noting new for me either. Don't condemn the whole US over a jackass comedy routine. The same nuts who love this stuff would haply cut the entire military away To nothing While spouting about evil America in concert with Islamists who laugh in the back ground at the foolhardiness of these day flowers.
JMO

Even if this actually was "insulting and beneath contempt", a real country with a real military would also find it beneath notice. I find it telling that we are so thin skinned about this. I emailed the Fox crew and told them so. Sheesh, now we're country of whiners too?

biffjr: "Where is the righteous indignation when Jack Layton insists on negotiating with the Taliban?"

And wasn't it an NDP riding assoc. that passed a resolution calling our soldiers war criminals a couple of years ago? I don't recall much indignation over that outside the blogs.

Haven't seen the Red Eye show...but my first thought when I saw this discussion was 'Can it be any worse than some of the crap from CBC?'
Joel answered that for me .

http://www.proudtobecanadian.ca/blog/

Let's put some of that anger to good use. American comedians can't hurt the reputation of our guys and gals over there.There are plenty example(NDP and the media are the worst) listed here and at Joel's.

Some of the funniest stuff I have rec'd on the web was pictures of soldiers laughing at themselves. Let's take a lesson from them.

People,

Do not be deceived by the "indignation" this matter has generated. It is part of a bigger plan to have Fox News removed from Canadian television screens.

Apart from the internet, there is virtually no media voice for the Right in Canada. However, since the early Nineties, Canada has been moving to the Right economically and, to some extent, politically. This has been the result of the rise of "conservatism" in U.S. TV and radio programming. The closeness of Canada to the U.S. border bolstered "conservatism" (of the Reform-Alliance variety) in Canada.

But, now, of the two powerful countries in North America, Canada is the one with a "conservative" leader. Harper, with all his terrible flaws, is still better than Obama. The immoral Canadian Liberals know this, and fear that his continued stay in power may mean the weakening of the CBC, the strengthening of free-trade and anti-crime laws, and the fall of the Liberals in Ontario.

The false furor over Fox is only a mask for a more sinister agenda. Do not fall for it in the name of a short-sighted patriotic anger. The Liberals are counting on the national pride of the Canadian. Let's not cut our noses to spite our faces. Let's not dance to the tune of evil.

Long Live Fox News. Long Live the North American Right.

I don't think of the show as 22 minutes, I think of it as Air Farce. Same jokes, same victims and a cruel streak. Inadequacies revealed. We pay the CBC to do it to us, the US. gave it for free.

Peter MacKay looks more pathetic today than he did in the potato patch with his dog...

Long Live Rupert Murdoch. Long Live the idea of Fox News Canada.

"Have you risked your life under fire to bail out American troops?"

Some of the folks pretending to be soldiers on this forum are very funny. Obviously the lack of military experience in Canada makes the nation susceptible to all sorts of frauds and wannabe's. In the US Forces we respect and appreciate all our allies, if they have the grit. Face it, your governments leftist cowards have cut off Canadian balls for years, they seem to have grown back, and the watch tower needs you. Those of us who have been filling in while you were gone missed you and are damn glad to have you back! About a Canadian unit bailing out a US one, please tell me the particulars. I'd love to thank them.

"Red Eye is a satirical take on the news, in which all topics are addressed in a lighthearted, humorous and ridiculous manner."

Mississauga Matt hit the nail on the head...

While any fatality in the service of our country is no joking matter, we all have to take a collective step back, and look at context.

Indeed, I've seen a number of clips of Redeye, and, yes, it's satirical. This isn't Tucker Carlson getting his nads cut off, this was satire, and given the history of our military under the gutless Liberals, it wasn't far off. I got the humour. At least PMSH has been taking steps to restore the luster of our military.

And yes, many of those gnashing their teeth right now, are likely the typical anti-American, anti-war types, using a convenient excuse to pile-on. To which I say, keep your sanctimonious political correctness to your self.

Soooooo happy to see the comment by Alex -- and others.

In fact, I had just said to the Mrs. after hearing the ludicrous crap on TV, "betcha KS or KM doesn't go along with that!"

Note the typical types interviewed, and the left, opportunistic double-faced bleat. They'll go at it for days, hoping to ridicule Fox News.

I was pretty mortified when I saw the clip and by the timing - not realizing it was a comedy show. Unfortunately it's an opportunity for left-wing peacenik types to vent their spleens against America.

MacKay was right to speak up, if only for the fact that most Americans probably aren't aware that Canadians are in Afghanistan.

Still it's really tame compared to the venom your average Liberal/NDP supporter has for the military.

Old Master Sgt,

I was thinking the exact same thing. I'm sure that Canadians have bailed out Americans, and Americans have definitely bailed out Canadians. As a serving member of the CF, it is obvious that Canadians and Americans...and Brits...and Germans...and even the Afghan National Army are all very respecting of each other. The issue is not who has better snipers or who has better equipment, but the simple fact that we are all on the same team. I have a huge respect for the American Military, and all the other militaries, even the Afghans. While our methods may be somewhat different, that is what makes us stronger.

As for being ill equipped. Our God-send of a Harper government has done its best to remedy that. Contrary to popular belief, we actually do have very nice equipment and vehicles (helicopters being the obvious exception).

I think the reason that the comments of Mr. Gutfeld have been such a shock to Canadians is that he directly ridiculed the contributions of the Canadian Military in the war. Canada's military has done an exceptional job in the war, hauling far more weight than is proportional to our size, and taking far more casualties than anyone else, in proportion. This has always been the trend for the Canadian military throughout its brief history, which is one of the main reasons Canada has always been given a power status that is disproportional to other countries. We have earned it through the blood and sweat of our military, and to have that ridiculed so distastefully is disheartening.

Intended to be a joke or not, I believe that Mr. Gutfeld and Coy's words were inappropriate, and dishonor those who have fallen in this war.

Funny thing......the US ARMY is so stretched and fatigued that it is not in much better shape than the CF.
The backlog of tanks at the US refurb/rebuilt/refit facility is about 2 years behind....the Strykers (US version of our LAVs) are simply wearing out faster than being refurbed. Their regulars and National Guard are stretched to the limit...
Logically when comparing numbers the CF in A-Stan are insignifigant compared to the US forces....2000/60,000. CF are certainly punching above their weight and it is showing.
Taliban Jack is still not content----he wants to chop De fence to ZIP.....

I can't believe all the outrage over this. I have to wonder how many of the offended have actually watched Red Eye. It's a silly comedy show, folks. Comedians look for jokes in life. When a country has to take time off from a war to recuperate, there is a joke there for a comedian.

Why are some of you calling them journalists? They're not. Gutfield is a comedian who pokes fun at the day's storys (usually from a rightwing perspective). Besides, most of Red Eye's humor is more lighthearted than the tommyrot CTV's Jon Stewart spews out.

Lighten up. Gutfield apologized anyway.

If this had run on Saturday Night Live there would have been no controversy.

"And yes, many of those gnashing their teeth right now, are likely the typical anti-American, anti-war types, using a convenient excuse to pile-on. To which I say, keep your sanctimonious political correctness to your self.

Posted by: DanBC at March 23, 2009 9:37 PM"

The IRONY is pretty rich here.

Don't worry Canucks, some of us here in America have got your backs -- there's no way we're going to defend that crass @#$%$% for this. The comments were very inappropriate in light of the Canadian fatalities, and poking fun at the troops themselves wasn't right. [but how many Canadians have disparaged American troops, and how many clapped their hands in glee at our flag draped coffins? -- moral of the story: that isn't right, and that's not what allies should be doing to each other]

That said, as an outsider looking in, I'm appalled (always have been -- exmil, 80s vintage) at how poorly equipped and supported your troops are (and am terrified for my own children now serving if our current "CinC" gets his way, supported by our Code Pink moonbats and friends, er fiends). They deserve much better -- I know that from personal experience (and my husband's personal experience, my father's, my uncles', my cousins). You have some good troops Canada, they deserve better than what they get from some of their countrymen (I could say the same for American troops).

My condolences to the families of the four soldiers killed; as always, there but for the grace of God.

Unknown jane: "[but how many Canadians have disparaged American troops, and how many clapped their hands in glee at our flag draped coffins? -- moral of the story: that isn't right, and that's not what allies should be doing to each other]"

I don't personally know any Canadians who would do that.

There is NO excuse for being so callous.

When Western Canada separates, we will rebuild the Avro Aero and kick ass all over the world!

Mwuh hah hah!

Watch out Quebec... you'd make a convenient scapegoat for our empire building!

Since Canada has become a welcoming haven for draft dodgers maybe we have invited some sarcastic comment. I am sure not even our good soldiers think that we are on the right track when we bend over backwards for US army deserters.

From the Canadian Armed Forces website, there are currently 62,000 serving. We have trouble keeping 2000 in the field?

sarge here well those airforce boys do like to use them candian troops for bombing practice so there is that

Hmmmmm...wasn't there a statue proposed for somewhere in southern B.C to the draft dodgers that had come up to Canada and 'furthered' our society here in the great white north?
No wonder this Benton guy is confused about Canadian participation in A'stan.

John, did you read what she said? Grow a pair. The issue is our rank hypocrisy here.

How many times do we as Canadians make fun of the French military record? Even though it is truly unfair since the French military are in fact well trained and can hold their own.

I can't believe what a big deal this has become

"Yet they have the nerve to bitch and complain when some Fox talking-heads make a crack at our expense? It's mind-blowingly asinine."

Yeah yeah, blah blah blah. You know what actually bugs me about those ***holes, apart from the fact that they're mind-blowingly assinine? It's the apparently imminent prospect of John Stewart-style irony --

"...so you see (wink-wink) and *I* see -- which is the whole point -- that this is not what I'm actually saying, but I'm saying it, right, and that's what makes it funny, and then you laugh, right, so what's funny that everyone thinks it's really funny that I'm not actually saying what I'm actually saying..."

-- is now being mimicked by conservatives.

I just hate it. It's the misplaced foot, the root of what's wrong with our culture. It makes me realize that it's not what's being said by John Stewart et al that's offensive, it's the fact that mimicky smug pricks with a desperately, transparently upwardly-mobile hipster smug-brain are saying it.

Inane, wasted, loudly-announced, self-congratulatory putative irony is the last refuge of the soul-dead.

I find it revolting. Which is, needless to say, an international incident. Say no more.

A few comments:

1. rebarbarian - those 62,000 troops are the navy, air force, army, norad, nato, cyprus, golan, afghanistan, balkans, support staff, cooks, techs, mechanics etc......my guestimate would be we are short about 30,000 troops

2. again, other than waking Canadians up to the pathetic treatment the CF has received from certain jerk off libranos over the years, it is not that big of a deal.........remember......freedom of spech is why old soldiers like myself picked up a rifle, gave my youth to my country, and was ready to fight to the death to defend their right to say it!

GO ARMY !

not sure what freedom of spech is, but I sure do love freedom of speech

lol

Right on! I'm all for freedom of spech.

I'd also be interested in exactly how many people have watched Red Eye. And of that bunch, how many have tuned in more than once.

Thanx kingstonlad.

Ok ... I read all the comments. No, I am not a military soldier. No, I do no service to my country other then pay taxes. Let me ask all you military types this question. Would you ... go up to the mother of any of the boys and girls that have passed recently ... and say "Hey ... its ok, dont be such baby, we are pathetic, the job your son/daughter did over there, was fairly pointless cause they didnt have the equipment because we do not put enough money in the military so because of that you needn't be angry that someone bashed the Military when you are burying your son." Ya, I didn't think you would. Am I angry about the comments, yup ... does it matter to anyone but me, nope. But dont tell me what I can be upset about just because I am not in the military. I am ALLOWED to have pride in my country .. I am ALLOWED to have pride in the PEOPLE that serve my Military and if someone bashes it I am ALLOWED to make a comment about it. Do I have to enlist in order to be allowed to have an opinion? Now ... go ahead .. chastize me.

"Isn't Mackay supposed to be the guy in charge of defense from Canada's enemies? Why is our defence minister now in charge of defending our military from bad comedians. I've heard all kind of rants from Americans about Canada's army on Sirius radio that were funnier and more offensive. I guess Mackay will now have to take time out of his anti-Al Qaeda schedule to deal with radio hosts next.

Please Peter, stop acting exactly like a whiny leftist pu$$y..."
Knight of Good Mr. Iron Man

Mckay had to respond now that CTV, CBC and the cabal of AntiAmerican media have created and more so succeeded in sucking in the hypocritical bleeding hearts of the land feigning their faux outrage. I guess the Economy is still fundamentally strong in Canada, like the PM says, because witnessing the surge of outrage (Even this post is on it's way to 200 comments) people still have enough 'luxury' time to waste on such trivia.

Had the comment come from CNN or more to the point; by a satirist like Jon Stewart or Steven Colbert who mostly side to the left of politics like our own This Hour has 22 minutes, Rick Mercer or the now defunct Air Farce, I doubt our medias would of portrayed this so seriously. At least our MSM would of done more self reflection on how we Canucks can be thin skinned when it comes to touching our collective handycap: The inferiority complex vis-a-vis our cousins to the south.

Like some have said, it's more a disguised oppertunity to hit on right wing Fox news AND FOR MCKAY NOT TO REPLY WOULD BE BAD POLITICS. Our medias would connect the Conservatives protecting that vile right wing (Actually centrist)Fox news.
Call it "defensive" measures again'st the 'coalition' (Of Canadian MSM).

This is blown way out of purportion. These guys are comedians (good or bad who cares, I don't like Jon Stewart {only saw him once, enough} and I don't care for most of the 'news' reporting on CBC-CTV, so what.
Anyone here remember all them folks decring the US military and baby killers etc.
When I was in I was called names by my fellow Canadians... get over it.
It was distastful, but I served so folks could say what they wanted however boneheaded. js

so rabid right wingers, which is it? support the cdn military that bleeds red or support the motormouths @ fox broadcasting red eye?

quickly now, no need to think like normal people, which is it?

today's local headline: " talk show host sorry" and right under it a color pic of the wife of corporal Scott Vernelli beside herself with grief that veritably leaps from the page.

and still you rabid right wingers chime in promoting the vileness of fox broadcasting.

utterly disgusting.

"Long Live Fox News. Long Live the North American Right."

Posted by: Dare Balogun at March 23, 2009 8:56 PM

Amen to that!!
Notwithstanding the Red Eye loonies.

"so rabid right wingers, which is it? support the cdn military that bleeds red or support the motormouths @ fox broadcasting red eye?

quickly now, no need to think like normal people, which is it?

today's local headline: " talk show host sorry" and right under it a color pic of the wife of corporal Scott Vernelli beside herself with grief that veritably leaps from the page.

and still you rabid right wingers chime in promoting the vileness of fox broadcasting.

utterly disgusting."

Posted by: true north strong and free

--------------------------------------------------

AhAhAhAhAhAh!

See what I mean????

It's not the message that's truly the problem with these complex ridden caracters, it's the messenger!

And you call yourself, "true north strong and FREE".
I guess by your logic, FREEDOM of speech is not applicable.

Gutfelds apology:

http://twitter.com/GregGutfeld/status/1370389883

Shorter Kate: "We must never criticize FOX news."

I want Paul Gross's head on a silver platter.

If we're all getting outraged over people stereotyping Canadian police and military then I can think of no greater offender than then man who brought us Benton Fraser.

Sorry Kathy, but that explanation is simply post-facto Fox apologist codswallop. How is it humour or satire to suggest our Chief of Land Staff has an effeminate name or that the troops need a break to do yoga, paint landscapes or run on the beach? How is any of that commentary on our defence policy? Would it be taken as that if he or a Canadian comic made similar comments on the US armed forces at 3am in the morning? Would it be seen as commentary on US defence policy if somebody suggested that the US Army needed a break to run on the beach in 'their gorgeous white capris pants'?

As for the timing issue....sure they had no say on when four guys would get killed, but I found the comments equally distasteful given that 3 Canadians were killed the weekend before. All in all, poking fun of serving men and women requires some sensitivity (we aren't above poking fun at ourselves...some of the best jokes about the CF come from those of us in the CF). Doing so in a time of conflict when those men and women are dying requires particular sensitivity and skill. None of which Gutfeld or his panel members demonstrated. They simply sought to re-gurgitate tired cliches on Canada and our 'weak' military. When they and their supporters got called on it, they said, 'Oh just kidding'. Unacceptable.

Jonathan Kay's commentary at the Post is spot on with this issue:
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/...5-29aa237e843f

"Shorter Kate: "We must never criticize FOX news."

No one is defending this lame attempt at humour. Are you unable to read?

What is basically being said is that our military has been disrespected and continues to be disrepected through neglect, underfunding and undeserved criticism of their mission. Contrast this to a few moronic comments at 3:00 AM.

Attempting to spin this as somehow defending Fox is patently pathetic.

To Chutz:
you don't know ANY Canadians that would disparage American troops, and don't know ANY that would be so callous as to engage in a little schadenfreude at our military casualties?
None whatsoever huh? Sorry, but I have to respectfully disagree -- there are people out there who would be "so callous" (that's putting it lightly)

Thing of it is, in both countries we have people who disparage the military at the drop of a hat, and we have people who are self-admittedly happy as hell when those eviilll, evill troops of western imperialism meet with tragedy.

They are usually the first to start stoking up any sort of dissention within the ranks too; it's a prime bit of opportunity for them (and all of a sudden they care so much about the brave troops and their grieving families). It's the most sickening thing, maybe more sickening is when it works for them.

With that -- please read the rest of my post.

Alex - I suppose Fox's comments might be less offensive, if they were actually funny. As it was; it was appallingly heavy-handed, definitely un-funny, laboured, and clunky. That is what made the routine so disgusting - that these people just don't have what it takes to lampoon someone with grace and a light hand.

I grew up in the military. I am a Canadian, and I find Fox's comments highly offensive, and stupid. You can say what you want - I don't even know if you're actually in the military or whether you're a poseur. Kathy Shaidle would fit right in at Fox, except she's not good looking enough.

How is it humour or satire to suggest our Chief of Land Staff has an effeminate name or that the troops need a break to do yoga, paint landscapes or run on the beach?

How is it anything but humour?

Well I am a member of the CF and I have to agree with Alex on this one. Are our skins so think here that some obviously ignorant hicks to the south spout some mumbo jumbo and now our knickers are all in a knot??

Should the commisioner of the RCMP start on about "I need an apology because we have a noble service that has more than horses and red coats!!!"?

What MacKay should have done was simply point out the insensitivity and ignorance of the comments. There is most definitely a reason why this joker is on cable news at 3am. Asking for an apology almost makes it seem like we should care.

Now getting the Liberals to apologize for the "soldiers, on our streets, WITH GUNS" commercials should be in the forefront....

I did'nt realize most of the commenters here are panzies from Queerbec...

...Is my attempt at sarcasm funny here?

Probably a little. Probably much less if you live in Quebec.

Last time I saw that photo it had "France" on the side.

Uh, no one here was ever apologizing for what Gutfeld said. We were simply pointing out the obvious - why do you care so much about some show only a handful of Americans in the US even watch? Hell, Canadians make fun of French troops and I am sure some of them have died over the last year. Gutfeld was not aware of the recent body bags and made the comment 3 days prior. Get some perspective.

Oh get a grip everyone.
Don Cherry "choking back the sobs" etc...
We are becoming bigger whiners than the Brits!
The request for an apology by Mckay is embarrassing - he needs to acquire or grow some cojones and a sense of humor.
Anyway , this has stressed me out - I need to take a breather for a year or so.
I am going to rent a Seaking to go on vacation.

unknown jane: I re-iterate: I don't *personally* know any Canadians who would do that. I didn't say it doesn't happen.

John at March 24, 2009 4:06 PM: I am going to rent a Seaking to go on vacation.

Better make that a road trip, they're still relatively safe to taxi.

"They should have done the joke about the Sea King: 10,000 loose parts flying in tight formation."-Phantom

Oh look Phantom gets his military joke info from watching last Sunday's The Unit....how cute

As the uncle of a proud US Marine that is preparring to return to that God forsaken sand box for the third time, I will say, without equivication, that the Canadian forces are brothers who have earned the respect and appriciation of all of us (that matter) in the US.
Our guys in uniform do not recognise a boarder between your part of N. America and ours. Your military are our military's brothers and sisters.
As for Greg Gutfeld and Red Eye, I watch the program every day. I love the show. It is funny the way I like funny. Gutfeld is in no way anti-Canada or anti-CF. Somebody up there set up the joke about a military vacation and he used it. I heard him say it and admittedly cringed when he said it. But what the hell, I have three brothers and I make jokes about them and vice-verse. That is what brothers do. And just like brothers, we will flip you shit in good nature. Just don't anybody try to harm one of us and we all come together.
Gee, some asshats hurt us in Sept, 2001 and our brothers have come to our aid.
Thank you.

This is obviously a move to limit what Canadians can know and what point of views Canadians can hear.

Wow this is getting way out of hand. Yahoo Canada bloggers are calling for a Fox and sponsors boycott.

Just read the comments on this story at the Yahoo.ca site. This is the first time Yahoo has allowed more than 1500 comments posted on a subject - over 5000 when I was reading them.

What people fail to realize is that DJ Obama wants Canadians to stop watching FOX News as it is the only MSM outlet that questions Obama's agenda. I strongly believe that DJ Obama wants Iggy in and what better way to get rid of Obama criticisim than getting Canadians to boycott Fox.

Don't be fooled. No it was not a nice comment, but the CBC did the same to the US on Rick Mercer.

If anyone should apologize, it should be DJ Obama for not publicly thanking Canada through his telepromptor for our support in this war against terrorism (a term that does not seeem to be used anymore).

There's plenty of current events information available on the 'net (including on the Fox News Web-site) for those of us willing to do the research ourselves, reading various international sources. My cable package doesn't offer Fox News. Big deal.

"This is obviously a move to limit what Canadians can know and what point of views Canadians can hear.

Posted by: tim in vermont at March 24, 2009 8:04 PM"

No, it's a lesson for Red Eye.

It's a big world out there. There are other sources of entertainment and news.

I don't care for this style of 'humour?' Canadian or American but the way I interpret the the snips I heard on Adler today is that the American was making fun of himself, and by extension Americans not the Canadian Military. He didn't know that Canada had an army. He doesn't know the Canadian Armed Forces is in Afghanistan. His view of Canada is tainted by fables spread in his country.

You've been linked the Canadian Town Square on ebay.ca, prepare for the leftard invasion.

WHY I'M OFFENDED:

1) These guys just aren't funny. Those scripted hacky jokes about Canada ("it's cold and they ride horses!") are pathetic and lame.

2) They showed no respect for our armed forces.

Don't like the idea of them taking the year off? Okay then, why don't we just go home for good? We apologize for going over there to help you in the first place. Best of luck.

Kate, thanks for changing your mind to post this story, despite your disrespect for what you call the mindless and thoughtless input of the Canadian Public for this issue. I hope your effort to make this post brings fortune to your website, and, at the same time, your competent readers, at the same time, see your vultourous effort to make such a post.

Canadians have a right to be offended. On the other hand what can you expect from tasteless tabloid comedy?

The “America” that most conservative Canadians loved is but a shadow of itself today. The Americans that made America great are in a shrinking minority, and would not have approved.

Canada is not perfect, and our military “machine” is a joke with our soldiers paying the price. Under funded peacekeepers should be home keeping the peace leaving war to well equipped armies and committed leadership. Liberal minds can’t make that connection wishing the best of both worlds.

In the end it’s the comedians who were the bad judge of their crass “humor”. The concern should be for the cultural decay that pays their way.

thank you for writing that post. I have been blasted for saying the same thing.. I was begining to think i was alone!!

funny to watch all you canada haters who got all pissy when heather mallick took on a POLITICIAN suddenly go so lukewarm after some true assclowns spit on our military and our fallen. i'm sure none of you were too upset when punks defaced the Cenotaph it Ottawa, either.
smalldeadintellects is showing where its true loyalty lies here -- and it sure doesn't appear to be this side of the border.

"smalldeadintellects is showing where its true loyalty lies here -- and it sure doesn't appear to be this side of the border."

What drivel! Just because many of us don't get completely bent out of shape over some stupidity extravaganza in the middle of the night just means that we're bigger than that. It doesn't mean that we're lesser Canadians for it.

For those with the ability to comprehend what has been said on this subject, our military has been disrespected and abused for decades with nary a word being raised in protest. A few ill-conceived words thrown out in a poor attempt at humour means nothing. Absolutely nothing!

Feigned outrage is no more than a poorly-disguised, hypocritical sucker punch at Americans.

"What drivel! Just because many of us don't get completely bent out of shape over some stupidity extravaganza in the middle of the night just means that we're bigger than that."

Yeah, right.

This reminds me of Don Martin on the National Post putting down those offended by the boneheads on Red Eye who tried for cheap laughs at our solders' expense, because we were building the profile of that show. And there he was, adding yet another Op-ed piece about it.

Posted by: i_am_subsidising_john_gault>>

“smalldeadintellects is showing where its true loyalty lies here……….”

I agree with the other responses to you tactless comment – “we are bigger than that.”

Thanks but no thanks, we don’t need you as our Al Sharpton whining and disproportionately outraged for our non existent minority rights. We won’t allow the likes of you to marginalize us with petty claims that we “has been wronged”!

I suggest you find a more fragile audience to wow into believing they are victims and deserving of something for nothing.

Outraged that some Americans comedians used Canada as potshot fodder for 5 minutes, but passive when Islam demands your obedience or death. Unbelievable.

"...but passive when Islam demands your obedience or death. Unbelievable."

'Unbelievable' is this wild extrapolation.

We're all on the same side here.

(Well, most of us...)

If you have an axe to grind why not post here on SDA instead of linking it to ebay?