Author Topic: Fox News Mocks Canadian Soldiers (Read 4510 times)

Flannel Boy · « **on:** March 23, 2009, 01:12:14 PM »

http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Canada/2009/03/23/8849371-sun.html

Quote

As Canadians mourn the loss of four more fallen soldiers in Afghanistan, a videotaped segment of an American TV talk show where panelists mock Canadian soldiers as slackers is making the rounds on the Internet.

The five-minute segment, which aired recently on Fox News late-night program Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld and later posted on YouTube.com, features American panelists suggesting Canadian soldiers need time off for "manicures and pedicures."

The item aired after Gen. Andrew Leslie, the Canadian Forces Chief of Land Staff, told a Senate committee the military would need a one-year break from operations after the mission in Afghanistan winds down in 2011.

"The Canadian military wants to take a breather to do some yoga, paint landscapes, run on the beach in gorgeous white capri pants," Gutfeld said with a sneer.

UNAWARE OF MISSION

Another panelist Doug Benson said he was unaware Canadian troops were on the ground in Afghanistan.

"I didn't even know they were in the war. I thought that's where you go if you don't want to fight -- you go chill in Canada," he said.

* Malek coughs

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posted/archive/2009/03/23/255378.aspx

Quote

Canada has suffered the largest number of deaths on a per capita basis among the 40 nations contributing forces in the conflict.

I should add that if anyone thinks the per capita causality stat is misleading, Canada has suffered more causalities in Afghanistan than Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Poland have combined.

And they even tried to make fun of Boogie:

Quote

Among other shockingly ignorant comments on the show, one panelist derided the Royal Canadian Mounted Police : "We ride heavily armoured cars, they have horses! This is not a smart culture."

* Malek coughs

Eric P · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2009, 01:18:06 PM »

quelle surprise

Howard Alan Treesong · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2009, 01:33:27 PM »

Canada started it

http://beatonna.livejournal.com/89166.html

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2009, 01:39:26 PM »

Quote from: Synthesizer Patel on March 23, 2009, 01:33:27 PM

Canada started it

http://beatonna.livejournal.com/89166.html

We burnt the White House down once; we'll do it again.

Dickie Dee · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2009, 01:40:24 PM »

The thing that always irks me is that these armchair warriors are always the pastiest, most limp-wristed fuckers around.

muckhole · « **Reply #5 on:** March 23, 2009, 03:23:44 PM »

That clip seems just so smug, misinformed and over the top that if I didn't know better I'd swear it was fake. I can't believe they broadcast this stuff. I know it's Fox News, but wow.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2009, 03:34:53 PM »

It's a comedy show

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2009, 05:36:54 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on March 23, 2009, 03:34:53 PM

It's a comedy show

The comments would, obviously, be worse if they were uttered on a news-oriented program. But the fact that they were made on a comedy show is no excuse for such ignorance and callousness.

Americans on a new station should be aware of Canada's large involvement in Afghanistan. To not be aware of the exact nature of Canada's involvement is bad enough, but they seemed oblivious that Canadian soldiers were even there in the first place. Is it too much to ask for them to know that Canadians, their next-door neighbors who share a 3000 mile border, are even in Afghanistan--at America's behest--and suffering a lot of causalities?

And the comments are callous. Maybe, just maybe, a small country might need to re-organize and regroup its forces after a costly and brutal decade long mission! How would Americans react if the commentators said that the American soldiers, coming home from overseas are losing countless friends in a brutal war, were soft and going on a vacation to get "manicures and pedicures"? (rhetorical question)

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2009, 05:47:47 PM »

Quote from: Kosma on March 23, 2009, 05:39:08 PM

Canada will be laughing last when climate change fucks up America and Americans will live in refugee camps in Canada.

According to my source, ToxicAdam, climate change isn't a problem. And if it were, Canada would still be affected.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2009, 05:49:28 PM »

Hmm...didn't I already read this thread?

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #10 on:** March 23, 2009, 05:51:41 PM »

Quote from: Great Rumbler on March 23, 2009, 05:49:28 PM

Hmm...didn't I already read this thread?

I don't know, did you?

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #11 on:** March 23, 2009, 05:59:27 PM »

Quote from: Malek on March 23, 2009, 05:51:41 PM

Quote from: Great Rumbler on March 23, 2009, 05:49:28 PM
Hmm...didn't I already read this thread?

I don't know, did you?

I think it had more posts when I read it though...

muckhole · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2009, 06:28:25 PM »

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090323.wfoxapology0323/BNStory/International/home

Aaaaand the apology.

Quote

OTTAWA — A Fox News host apologized Monday to Canadians in the face of widespread outrage over comments he and his guests made on a late-night talk show.

The statement came hours after a request by the Canadian government for an apology over remarks about this country's military that were described as “despicable” and “disgusting.”

Greg Gutfeld, host of the controversial segment on Fox's Red Eye show, said he never intended to make light of Canadian military efforts in Afghanistan.
“However, I realize that my words may have been misunderstood,” Mr. Gutfeld said in a statement released by Fox News.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #13 on:** March 23, 2009, 06:53:38 PM »

I wouldn't have apologized. Political correctness bullshit in my humble opinion

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #14 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:00:41 PM »

How am I trolling? I think people are making a huge leap here to attack Fox as a whole. It's a comedy show, it was light humor - to pretend like they were insulting dead soldiers is nothing more than righteous indignation/victim bullshit. Sorry

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #15 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:12:21 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on March 23, 2009, 08:00:41 PM

How am I trolling? I think people are making a huge leap here to attack Fox as a whole.

Fox News, as a whole, should be held accountable for the views of its on-air employees. You can't dissociate the corporate entity from the personalities it hires and allows on air.

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on March 23, 2009, 08:00:41 PM

It's a comedy show, it was light humor - to pretend like they were insulting dead soldiers is nothing more than righteous indignation/victim bullshit. Sorry

I never wrote that they were directly insulting dead soldiers. They were, however, insulting the live ones, along with Canada's war effort as a whole, thereby indirectly insulting the dead soldiers. I mainly brought up the Canadian causalities to use as evidence that Canada's war effort has been substantial, a fact that they seemed completely oblivious to.

edit: arvie-like typos

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #16 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:19:58 PM »

I'm not going to defend the oblivious nature of hosts on a comedy show; they're job is to be quite outrageous if you've seen the show, or clips of it before. It was a light hearted knock on the Canadian military, and the outrage it has generated is uncalled for. If this was Hannity or some other serious news personality making such statements - and being serious about them - then I could understand.

Bottom line: if Jon Stewart makes this comment no one bats an eye. Yes Fox is a news station and CC is a...comedy station but in terms of shows, the Daily Show is comparable to Red Eye, both in its satire, lack of humor (in my opinion), and light hearted nature.

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #17 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:23:50 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on March 23, 2009, 08:19:58 PM

I'm not going to defend the oblivious nature of hosts on a comedy show; they're job is to be quite outrageous if you've seen the show, or clips of it before. It was a light hearted knock on the Canadian military, and the outrage it has generated is uncalled for. If this was Hannity or some other serious news personality making such statements - and being serious about them - then I could understand.

Bottom line: if Jon Stewart makes this comment no one bats an eye. Yes Fox is a news station and CC is a...comedy station but in terms of shows, the Daily Show is comparable to Red Eye, both in its satire, lack of humor (in my opinion), and light hearted nature.

I don't think a false and ignorant point of view on a serious subject is justifiable in the name of comedy. Jokes about the military are fine, but they were creating a completely false impression to American viewers about Canada's continued contribution in Kandahar (alliteration is intentional).

Human Snorenado · « **Reply #18 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:24:12 PM »

...Canadia has soldiers?

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #19 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:27:26 PM »

Quote from: The Card Cheat on March 23, 2009, 08:24:12 PM

...Canadia has soldiers?

Yes. Here they are in their capri uniforms:

Madrun Badrun · « **Reply #20 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:28:28 PM »

PD is right.

Olivia Wilde Homo · « **Reply #21 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:31:12 PM »

American right wingers don't take Canadians, in any form, seriously.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #22 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:31:31 PM »

Quote from: Malek on March 23, 2009, 08:23:50 PM

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on March 23, 2009, 08:19:58 PM
I'm not going to defend the oblivious nature of hosts on a comedy show; they're job is to be quite outrageous if you've seen the show, or clips of it before. It was a light hearted knock on the Canadian military, and the outrage it has generated is uncalled for. If this was Hannity or some other serious news personality making such statements - and being serious about them - then I could understand.

Bottom line: if Jon Stewart makes this comment no one bats an eye. Yes Fox is a news station and CC is a...comedy station but in terms of shows, the Daily Show is comparable to Red Eye, both in its satire, lack of humor (in my opinion), and light hearted nature.

I don't think a false and ignorant point of view on a serious subject is justifiable in the name of comedy. Jokes about the military are fine, but they were creating a completely false impression to American viewers about Canada's continued contribution in Kandahar (alliteration is intentional).

And you honestly think that's a good defense? Political satire often does that, it's nothing new. Like it or not, Canada is seen as a weak country. Which is true to a certain extent, but clearly exaggerated to ridiculous levels. Canada has a well trained army, their special forces are impressive, etc.

These snide jokes and exaggerations seem to have created an odd inferiority complex in some Canadians, who on one hand take solace in the fact that their country outperforms the US in many aspects yet on the other hand gets butt hurt over petty shit like this.

Joe Molotov · « **Reply #23 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:35:04 PM »

We can still make fun of French soldiers though, right?

French Soldiers saluting the French flag =

Madrun Badrun · « **Reply #24 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:36:42 PM »

yes. When is the last time they one a war?

Madrun Badrun · « **Reply #25 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:38:50 PM »

fuck :'( :'( :'( :'(

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #26 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:45:00 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on March 23, 2009, 08:31:31 PM

Quote from: Malek on March 23, 2009, 08:23:50 PM
Quote from: Phoenix Dark on March 23, 2009, 08:19:58 PM
I'm not going to defend the oblivious nature of hosts on a comedy show; they're job is to be quite outrageous if you've seen the show, or clips of it before. It was a light hearted knock on the Canadian military, and the outrage it has generated is uncalled for. If this was Hannity or some other serious news personality making such statements - and being serious about them - then I could understand.

Bottom line: if Jon Stewart makes this comment no one bats an eye. Yes Fox is a news station and CC is a...comedy station but in terms of shows, the Daily Show is comparable to Red Eye, both in its satire, lack of humor (in my opinion), and light hearted nature.

I don't think a false and ignorant point of view on a serious subject is justifiable in the name of comedy. Jokes about the military are fine, but they were creating a completely false impression to American viewers about Canada's continued contribution in Kandahar (alliteration is intentional).

And you honestly think that's a good defense? Political satire often does that, it's nothing new. Like it or not, Canada is seen as a weak country. Which is true to a certain extent, but clearly exaggerated to ridiculous levels. Canada has a well trained army, their special forces are impressive, etc.

These snide jokes and exaggerations seem to have created an odd inferiority complex in some Canadians, who on one hand take solace in the fact that their country outperforms the US in many aspects yet on the other gets butt hurt over petty shit like this.

Why do I need a defense, exactly?
The topic of discussion wasn't about Canada's military in general, but about its mission in Afghanistan. It's true that, compared to America's military, Canada's military is minuscule. Nonetheless, it has played a large and important role in Afghanistan. To not even know about Canada's presence, let alone its specific contribution, in Afghanistan is unjustifiable.

And I still think the comments about the soldier's vacations are callous. Nothing like saying to a soldier who has had his legs blown off that he'll be taking time off to get a pedicure.

I'm not butthurt; I'm more bemused by the ignorance and hypocrisy that comes out of certain American circles.

Quote from: Father_Mike on March 23, 2009, 08:36:42 PM

yes. When is the last time they one a war?

Too bad Canada has taken a vacation on its losing war on bad spelling.

Madrun Badrun · « **Reply #27 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:52:10 PM »

I blame the french for forcing me to taking precious time away from my grammar learning to teach me that potato means ground apple or some shit like that.

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #28 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:54:51 PM »

Quote from: Father_Mike on March 23, 2009, 08:52:10 PM

I blame the french for forcing me to taking precious time away from my grammar learning to teach me that potato means ground apple or some shit like that.

Rebiak, how the fuck did you ever confuse the two of us?

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #29 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:03:23 PM »

Quote from: Oscar the Grouch on March 23, 2009, 08:54:12 PM

I agree with PD that it's a comedy show so anything goes, but it's not hard to see why Canadians are sensitive about this kind of joke, especially from America of all places.

I accept that comedians have license to make fun of whomever or whatever they choose, but I fail to see why comedians, along with their employers, are beyond criticism when they make jokes based on ignorant premises.

Boogie · « **Reply #30 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:05:25 PM »

I went off on a whole drunken rant on the GAF thread on this subject. I don't think I'll repeat it here. And besides, all I'd really be doing is echoing Malek's remarks.

I admit I'm fairly sensitive on a topic of this nature, considering my own brother has been in Afghanistan for the past six months.

As for their Mountie-joke, well, at least those pricks have heard of the Mounties.

I went to the Dominican back in December, and here's how the average conversation went with the people I met:

*Random cool European dude*: What do you do for a living?
*Boogie*: I'm a Mountie.
*Random cool European dude*: You're a Mountie?! Dude, that's fucking cool!
*Super-hawt European chick*: What's a Mountie?
*Boogie*: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police
*Random cool European dude*: Yeah, you know, the Mounties, RCMP, Canada...
*Super-hawt European chick*: *Blank stare*
*Boogie*: You know, the dudes with the horses...red uniforms...cool hats...
**Super-hawt European chick*: ....Never heard of them.
*Boogie*: ... $:-\$

Fresh Prince · « **Reply #31 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:05:44 PM »

I never knew Malek was such a wowser

Madrun Badrun · « **Reply #32 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:06:34 PM »

It's not that they are beyond criticism it's just that we would normally let this go if it weren't on a station that claims to be a news station.

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #33 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:08:52 PM »

Boogie, I was unaware of the GAF thread; I rarely visit the site anymore

Prince, how am I a wowser?

Fresh Prince · « **Reply #34 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:15:48 PM »

Being overly political correct. I think something may of got lost in translation seems like wowser is an Australian\NZ thing only.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #35 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:20:12 PM »

Willful ignorance I suppose, but that's kinda the point of this type of "lol canada" jest ("Canada has a ______?")

Boogie · « **Reply #36 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:24:18 PM »

Quote from: Oscar the Grouch on March 23, 2009, 09:18:18 PM

I was only a little surprised when the Japanese here didn't know what a Mountie was, but I admit to being more than a little surprised that my co-workers from America didn't know what they were. I even invoked the name of Dudley Do-right in an attempt to jog some kind of image, to no avail.

One of my coworkers taught English in South Korea before joining the Force. He said his students recognized the RCMP as a symbol of Canada, but didn't really understand anything about the RCMP other than its Canadian-ness.

So when he joined the Force, he sent a picture of himself all dressed up to his old class. Apparently, upon seeing the picture, the kids in the class asked their teacher "Why is Steve dressed up like Canada?"

Boogie · « **Reply #37 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:27:26 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on March 23, 2009, 09:20:12 PM

Willful ignorance I suppose, but that's kinda the point of this type of "lol canada" jest ("Canada has a ______?")

sure, but when the specific "jest" is "lol, Canada was in Afghanistan?" when we've been the ones holding down the fucking fort there for six years, fighting and dying, while the Bush administration was busy fucking the dog in Iraq, you should be able to admit that it's reasonable for our tempers to flare a little.

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #38 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:34:38 PM »

Just checked the GAF threads. Honestly, I just read the story today and posted a thread about it two minutes later. If I knew it was already beaten to death, I wouldn't have clicked the post button.

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #39 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:11:13 PM »

One last comment:

Having listened to the segment again, I'm not offended by the jokes as much as I am by the mean-spirited, flippant attitude of each of the commentators. Instead of discussing Canada's military role in Afghanistan at the behest of America, they focus on how grateful Canadians should be to Americans. I mean, Canada is filling a void in Kandahar caused by America when it started a pointless war in Iraq. But instead of focusing on that misadventure, they're asking whether Canada "could get away with this" but for America. Keep in mind, Canada still spends more money on its military than 90% of the countries on this planet. Yet, according to the brave men on Fox News, Canada is not pulling its weight.

tl;dr version

Fuck off you ignorant, unfunny jingoistic hypocrites on Fox News.

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #40 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:53:33 PM »

Stupid Analogy time:

Your friend is cleaning an old house and he asks you to help him clean the basement. You agree only to realize that the basement is the messiest part of the house. As you're cleaning, your friend decides to get shit faced and knock over mailboxes around the neighborhood, hit beehives with a baseball bat, and piss on cars. After cleaning for ten hours, you leave, tired and exhausted. Instead of being grateful for the job you did in the basement, your jackass friend forgets you even cleaned it. Then, after sobering up and realizing you helped clean, he disparages the job you did and tells you how lucky you are to be his friend.

Would you be a bit ticked off?

BobFromPikeCreek · « **Reply #41 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:07:09 PM »

I don't get the "it was a joke" defence. Jokes can be in poor taste, and people are fully justified in being upset when they are. You don't go to a funeral, mock the dead guy, and get mad when everyone freaks out.

News:

Author Topic: Fox News Mocks Canadian Soldiers (Read 4510 times)