Canadian defense minister to Greg Gutfeld and Fox News: Apologize; Update: Gutfeld apologizes
posted at 4:25 pm on March 23, 2009 by Allahpundit
In which a YouTube grassroots brushfire explodes into a full-blown international incident. You make the call: Below you’ll find the “Red Eye” segment that aired on March 17 followed by MacKay’s demand for an apology this morning. Four Canadian troops were killed in Afghanistan in the interim, something that I suspect would have steered Gutfeld away from this topic if it had happened before the taping. Even so, the only really objectionable line is Doug Benson joking that he didn’t know Canada was part of the fight. Otherwise it’s standard goofs about Canadians being softer/more polite than Americans blended with a critique of foreign governments neglecting military spending. It’s not a knock on Canadian troops, in other words; on the contrary, Gutfeld explicitly agrees with one panelist who says near the end that he has “tremendous respect for anyone who serves,” whether Canadian or American. But as I say, your call. Click the image to watch.
Update: Ask and ye shall receive.
“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,” Greg Gutfeld, host of the segment, told the Canwest News Service on Monday in an e-mailed statement.
“However, I realize that my words may have been misunderstood. 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, humourous and ridiculous manner.”
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Discussing Islamic Fascism gets you hauled to the human rights tribunal. Insulting the military gets you a slap on the wrist. Nice that they have their priorities straight.
In all seriousness, I watched this clip when it aired, and I didn’t think twice about it. This is RedEye being RedEye. But, props to Greg for apologizing to an organization that actually deserves apology when asked: the military.
jimmy the notable on March 23, 2009 at 4:29 PM
good thing he didn’t add “funny’ in describing Red Eye’s look at the news.
DrW on March 23, 2009 at 4:29 PM
he shouldnt have had to apologize for anything. What he said about canada is true. they are a JOKE
ousoonerfan15 on March 23, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Totally disgusting comments. Good on Fox to apologize.
I am all for free speech, but not for sniping at allies during a war about martial commitments. Free trade commitments, Canadian “Human Rights” Clowncils shakedowns and the like – well, that’s fair game. But when people are killing, bleeding and dying for our rights… we need to be more respectful.
G*d BLESS CANADA!
HotAirJosef on March 23, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Kind of sad that the Canadian federal government is paying attention to what a comedian-host, who regularly talks about tied-up houseboys, says about it at 3AM.
amerpundit on March 23, 2009 at 4:31 PM
This is an embarrassing incident, but Mr. Gutfield and Fox News are forgiven. No harm done. That’s what friends do.
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 on March 23, 2009 at 4:31 PM
How do you say spineless in French (if that isn’t an oxymoron)?
Sorry, the filthy liar in the White House, the CINC of the US military has called our military murderers. He has a long record of anti-military statements that demean the brave troops serving under the American flag. Hard to gather too much sympathy for a nation that picks and chooses its foreign engagements. The Canadian government offered up troops in Afghanistan while they steadfastly refused real support in Iraq. They are fair weather allies at best.
highhopes on March 23, 2009 at 4:31 PM
At least Canadians are putting their sweat and blood in Afghanistan.
promachus on March 23, 2009 at 4:32 PM
His words “may have been misunderstood”?? We didn’t misunderstand your words, Gutfeld. Come up to a Canadian pub sometime and any one of us will kick your panty-ass before you get escorted from the premises. Any one of our combat vets could do it with his eyes closed.
What a shithead.
Gaunilon on March 23, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Well, Fox News is safely out of Canuck Human Rights Clowncil reach. It’s not the fault of the Canuck military this is going on, it’s the fault of the pansy-a** on 24 Sussex that he hasn’t gone nuclear/Ezra Levant/Michelle Malkin/Pamela Geller/Tasha Kheiriddin and just eliminated the Clowncils with gusto.
HotAirJosef on March 23, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Mkay. Let’s take a year off from covering Canada’s @55.
ronsfi on March 23, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Methinks this gent has never seen the show.
Hey, dude, there’s an entire tree branch up your ass. Cool it.
jimmy the notable on March 23, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Oh so Afghanistan has fair weather and hot chicks?
Give me a break.
Canada’s a great ally. Not withstanding their politicos who won’t buy top-of-the-line kit.
HotAirJosef on March 23, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Redeye is a satiric take on news. If not for the bad news this weekend, i don’t think this would be a big deal.
I guess Canadians don’t have a sense of humor, in addition to having no army.
Chudi on March 23, 2009 at 4:34 PM
I saw both segments regarding this topic on RedEye. Gutfeld didn’t need to apologize.
robblefarian on March 23, 2009 at 4:34 PM
I agree ronsfi. Let that canucks defend themselves for once. they cant do it without “big brother” USA
ousoonerfan15 on March 23, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Does this mean Canada’s going to invade us now, ‘cuz I probably need to stock up on canned goods.
manwithblackhat on March 23, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Gaunilon on March 23, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Thank you, but a bit OTT.
I have some Canuck friends and want them to enjoy the same freedom we do. The same freedom they help protect in Afghanistan.
HotAirJosef on March 23, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Also, if he didn’t intend to disrespect our troops, what’s all the idiocy about ‘painting landscapes’ and running around in ‘capri pants’ supposed to be?
He’s a shithead. If he ever gets identified in a pub in Canada, I guarantee he’ll get the shit kicked out of him.
Gaunilon on March 23, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Dear Peter MacKay,
As a fellow Canadian who actually WATCHES RedEye, I refer you to when Schulz called the pregnant man’s kid an Ewok, when Gutfeld asked if the Falklands were invaded by the Argentinians, and when Gutfeld talked about Circus Penis. You might want to take your outrage out on the people who call troops baby killing monsters or some such crap.
Lighten up, jackhole.
mjk on March 23, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Have you ever seen RedEye? When Gutfeld isn’t talking about tied-up houseboys, he’s talking about his half-brother Gunther who lives in a shoebox under his bed. It’s all ridiculous crap.
amerpundit on March 23, 2009 at 4:36 PM
So, is every MSM entity which called OIF “unilateral” going to apologize to each of the 50+ countries that took part?
exhelodrvr on March 23, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Maybe some of the undereducated people smacking Canada around here need to go here for a few minutes. Canadian blood is being shed in Afghanistan to avenge 9/11. Oh and on 9/11, it was Canada that allowed us to divert trans-Atlantic flights there and fully cooperated during the emergency, saving many a life.
Bottom line: Canucks are a noble people.
HotAirJosef on March 23, 2009 at 4:37 PM
I sense a little hypersensitity here on the Canadians part.
If the truth fits, you must create a snit.
katy on March 23, 2009 at 4:37 PM
exhelodrvr on March 23, 2009 at 4:36 PM
They should.
HotAirJosef on March 23, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Correct. Gutfeld inquired into whether you can have a uterus installed on a male body. Very little is serious.
amerpundit on March 23, 2009 at 4:38 PM
hypersensitvity-
What the hell is hypersensitiy?
katy on March 23, 2009 at 4:38 PM
go on You tube, look up Godlington’s health tips. check out when Kevin Godlington advocated the deaths of people via swallowing BLEACH!!11leleventy!!!!
You’ve clearly never seen RedEye if you’re this outraged about it….
mjk on March 23, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Yes, we understand that. That doesn’t mean they’re free from being the butt of jokes. Deal with it. Everyone is fair game, if we are to believe the constitution.
jimmy the notable on March 23, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Guess he should have likened them to the Special Olympics.
Jim Treacher on March 23, 2009 at 4:39 PM
I thought it was pretty standard Canadian defense comedy and not all that offensive until reality hit over the weekend.
But, it was good of Gutfeld to offer up the apology and shut this issue down.
myrenovations on March 23, 2009 at 4:41 PM
“Canadians being softer/more polite than Americans”
Not the Canadians I know.
jeanie on March 23, 2009 at 4:41 PM
should have sent them an “overcharge” button
CaptainObvious on March 23, 2009 at 4:41 PM
“And when that’s done, we’ll give those hate-speech-watchers a good ass-whoopin’ too, eh?”
manwithblackhat on March 23, 2009 at 4:41 PM
For anyone who hasn’t seen the show before, you can catch full episodes and clips for free here. There’s not an ounce of intellectual assessment on the show. That’s not its purpose.
amerpundit on March 23, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Oh, so is this the thing that produced the flame war at Ace of Spades over the weekend?
Y-not on March 23, 2009 at 4:42 PM
LOL. I’m Canadian. I once threatened to jam my 3 inch stilletto up someone’s arse. But I’m sure it was very soft and polite…..
FYI – we’re not softer or more polite. We’re probably worse than Americans.
mjk on March 23, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Then Greg would probably be challenged to some curling competition by last year’s Canadian champ.
jon1979 on March 23, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Sounds like the Canadians are a little too sensitive and thin skined…sounds like cousin Barack
youngO on March 23, 2009 at 4:44 PM
And to all of you who are like”How dare you insult Canada! Canada is great!”
I suggest you watch this classic clip from Seinfeld:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzLtF_PxbYw
jimmy the notable on March 23, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Good thing he apologized. You don’t want to mess with these guys.
http://blazer460.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/canadian_navy.jpg
Mark1971 on March 23, 2009 at 4:45 PM
This is satire….too many people are as thin skinned as our Precedent of the US.
becki51758 on March 23, 2009 at 4:45 PM
manwithblackhat on March 23, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Yeah, we should. I think we should park an aircraft carrier in front of Ottawa and take out the Canuck Human Rights Clowncil as a thank you present.
Oh and bomb the Bloc Quebecois HQ too.
HotAirJosef on March 23, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Why would the Canadians give a rip about “Red Eye?” Is the show that big in Canada? I guess they do like red meat there once and a while.
I love “Red Eye.” I thought the show was just an American thing.
jencab on March 23, 2009 at 4:46 PM
I’m a Canadian and a RedEye fan.
Look guys, when you hear a Canadian Armed Forces bigshot says “The Army is taking a year off,” the “yoga” jokes write themselves.
I laughed. Come on. If Canadian officials are concerned about our reputation, they should be banning the Human Rights Commissions and shutting off the billion dollar tax dollar tap to women, native and immigrant groups, and fix our military.
Our equipment IS falling apart. Everyone knows that. So fix it. Don’t shoot the messenger.
fivefeetoffury on March 23, 2009 at 4:46 PM
I know a couple of Candian, the only thing that they proud of in Canada is the Canadian Armed Services. The rest of the Canadian Goverment gets red faced anger along with some gestures that are internationaly know for disaffection.
thmsmgnm on March 23, 2009 at 4:46 PM
jimmy the notable on March 23, 2009 at 4:39 PM
I understand, it’s just insulting Canadians like this as they bury their heroes is beyond the pale. The enemy in Afghanistan doesn’t lick Canuck shoes, they kill their owners just as much as ours over there.
HotAirJosef on March 23, 2009 at 4:47 PM
I thought Canadians were proud of those things. They usually shove them down our throats: “We’re better and more humane and less violent and more caring!” You just can’t please some people.
ddrintn on March 23, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Gaunilon, I was in Canada a few years back, mentioned I was a combat vet with the USMC in Vietnam…. I got a huge ration of crap from your Canuck comrades. I kicked their asses…. get over it…. I watch “Red Eye” and saw no reason for him to apologize… your country still hasn’t apologized to my brethren and I’m over it… sheesh!
MNDavenotPC on March 23, 2009 at 4:48 PM
The Canadian government has apologized for Bryan Adams
bluejacket on March 23, 2009 at 4:48 PM
fivefeetoffury on March 23, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Thanks for the air drop. I understand you are one of the warriors targeted directly by Richard Warman and the Clowncils. Good hunting!
HotAirJosef on March 23, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Blame Canada!
Cuffy Meigs on March 23, 2009 at 4:48 PM
youngO on March 23, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Peter MacKay is a conservative member of the Conservative party and former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. The guy’s a good guy, don’t fratricide him please.
HotAirJosef on March 23, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Canadian troops are terrific in my experience.
Will defense minister MacKay be taking a year-long nap along with his troops? Full salary?
Gutfeld isn’t the problem.
Stephen M on March 23, 2009 at 4:52 PM
You’re thinking of a redundant term, not an oxymoron. An oxymoron is a contradictory term, like “French War Hero”.
AaronGuzman on March 23, 2009 at 4:53 PM
You know what
The UkraineCanada is? Its a sitting duck. A road apple, Newman.The UkraineCanada is weak, its feeble. I think its time to put the hurt onthe UkraineCanada.jimmy the notable on March 23, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Chill, fellow, he wasn’t serious. It’s satire. They goof on everybody on that show. They make ridiculous and outrageous statements to be funny — it’s not meant to be taken literally.
We love Canada down here. We also love to make fun of Canada. Doesn’t mean we don’t respect you.
AZCoyote on March 23, 2009 at 4:54 PM
This is just infantile
Greenhelmet on March 23, 2009 at 4:54 PM
he sounds like a douche to me
ousoonerfan15 on March 23, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Tonight, Gutfeld should have a wise-ass response from Canadian wise-ass Steven Crowder.
ScottMcC on March 23, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Red Eye is a horribly unfunny program. I’d much rather watch a rerun of Bill’O at midnight.
JeffreyLloyd on March 23, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Oh my! Their rednecks are tougher than ours? We must not allow a Redneck Gap!
ddrintn on March 23, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Looks like some libs in Canada picked this up to create problems for Steven Harper administration for being a staunch supporter of Afghanistan war.
promachus on March 23, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Doesn’t Rick Mercer make fun of Americans on a regular basis?
Mark1971 on March 23, 2009 at 4:57 PM
HotAirJosef on March 23, 2009 at 4:50 PM
MacKay is whinning like a typical “progressive”. How about he lighten up a bit. Nobody respects military people more than Americans.
youngO on March 23, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Obviously you’re a joke. The Canadian military have bore a huge blunt of the fighting alongside the United States, UK and the Dutch military for quite some time now while the Germans and French are moaning about getting in combat. Maybe you should look at the Highway of Heroes videos on Youtube. These men died fighting against the Taliban which they felt obligated to fight with the United States when we were attacked on 9/11.
I will say this, I support Canada’s temporary rest from the battlefield because they may not have as huge of a military as the United States but they’ve definitely done their share of going to war.
Maybe you should shut your damn mouth and start looking at what the Canadians have done for us. They’ve fought in every war alongside the United States even when the Canadians felt obligated to fight in Vietnam by coming down south and enlisting in the US military. Because the Martin government back in 2003 didn’t support Bush for OIF, the Harper government definitely does support OIF and even has sent support towards the United States which several of their generals (Materns and Devlin for example) to command American divisions in Iraq.
Kaitian on March 23, 2009 at 4:59 PM
re Canadian military:
The Baldwin brothers better duck for cover. Their aim is good. :-)
Feedie on March 23, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Maybe four dead soldiers will do that.
a capella on March 23, 2009 at 5:00 PM
As a dual-citizenship US-Canadian (yes, we DO exist)- am I the only one who noticed the constant reference to FOX?- The LOONIES (pun intended) who are complaining are pretending (or actually clueless enough not to realize) that the crew at RED EYE (hands down the best show on television!) are serious FOXNews journalists. If this had been on SNL or John Stewart no one would’ve complained (not even if it had been on MSNBC- their shows are all satirical, right?..right?…no?!?!?). It’s a dig at FOX.
Watch the CTV clip again and you’ll see it.
marks on March 23, 2009 at 5:00 PM
I’d take the guys leading Canada over the Clown in the White House.
lavell12 on March 23, 2009 at 5:01 PM
a capella on March 23, 2009 at 5:00 PM
I’m sure you can compare that to the millions of American soldiers that have died for freedom. This show was done before this happened anyway. What is up with you political correct freaks?
youngO on March 23, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Re: Canuck Human Rights Clowncil…
Ezra Levant launched on CTV his book today. It takes a soldier to defend freedom.
HotAirJosef on March 23, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Which amounts to nothing. They’re playing this game to try and attract potential NDP voters over to their party. However the Canadian Senate (hugely liberal) and the House of Commons supports Operation Enduring Freedom so they’re definitely not going to undermine it. The dominant force in Canada that’s opposed to either wars has always been the NDP. Dion was opposed to Operation Enduring Freedom during the campaign calling for drawdown and etc but since he lost the 2008 election, he’s not the leader of the Liberal Party anymore.
Kaitian on March 23, 2009 at 5:03 PM
After 9/11/01, I watched a Canadian “town hall” sort of event on TV; maybe it was on C-SPAN, I don’t remember. I do remember that several of the participants said that 9/11 was just chickens coming home to roost; only “just desserts”. I pretty much shrugged it off.
ddrintn on March 23, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Canadians have been fighting and dying in Afghanistan for 7 years. I just wish more people were more informed before coming to ignorant conclusions. That includes Greg Gutfeld, and I’m glad he’s apologized. Criticize countries who aren’t pulling their weight (European Nato allies), not countries who are pulling more then their share.
Dave From Canada on March 23, 2009 at 5:04 PM
oiops, “deserts”, not “desserts”. It’s getting near dinner time.
ddrintn on March 23, 2009 at 5:04 PM
U.S., Canada military ink deal to fight domestic emergencies
News2Use on March 23, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Candada is to the US what Iowa is to Minnesota- of course we’re going to make fun of ‘em, even if we’re more alike than different.
For all the mean-spirited America-bashing that comes out of Canada (including from the mouths of Canadian elected officials), one would think they’d develop a sense of humor by now. Guess not.
Hollowpoint on March 23, 2009 at 5:04 PM
marks on March 23, 2009 at 5:00 PM
You’re dead on! They’re only whinning b/c it’s Fox. good lord! Do ppl have any humor in them anymore? We’ve got enough grief with Barack the destroyer in the White House. Can we have a little fun at 3 in the morning? Geez
youngO on March 23, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Hear, hear.
ddrintn on March 23, 2009 at 5:06 PM
But not for Celine Dion. This slight has not been forgotten.
Hollowpoint on March 23, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Someone happen to forget they’re from Canada?
Rbastid on March 23, 2009 at 5:07 PM
These asshats all owe individual apologies.
And, while we’re waiting for them, let’ have a little bit of unrest from the citizenry:
Comic out of Edmonton show after military comments
Doug Benson is a tool. I hope he never sees another Canadian date until he fully apologizes for his incredibly ignorant remarks.
notta_dhimmi on March 23, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Good god Canada. Grow a set. Red Eye is must see TV in my house. It’s all in fun. As a person who actually watches Red Eye I know Greg is a man who truly respects all the men and women fighting as our allies. Trying to be offended and getting all “come to my pub and say that” about a little joke just makes all the Canada jokes seem justified.
The people in the Canadian Military are our friends and true heroes
People like MacKay are the reason jokes about Canada will never get old…… eh
Ampersand on March 23, 2009 at 5:11 PM
It is totally cool to crack on Canadians, since they are mostly white.
Their military may be small but they are professional and take their jobs serious.
But the secretary is a whiny puss.
TheSitRep on March 23, 2009 at 5:12 PM
The segment touched a nerve because Canadian soldiers died in Afghanistan. That’s why MacKay pushed back, and he was right to do so. No harm done.
Outlander on March 23, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Just flew in to the nation’s capital today and this is all over the TV. The local news, being very left slanted, is trying to make this look like a slight against the Canadian soldiers, instead of what it really is, an attack on the useless Liberal government we have suffered under for too many years.
There was a good article in the post today talking about how proud the individual soldiers morale was, now they felt they were making a true difference in a real poor place.
Hopefully this brings even more support and equipment to our troops.
Canuckistan on March 23, 2009 at 5:14 PM
I don’t think most Canadians are thin skinned at all. What I think bothers us (or at least some of us), is the misrepresentation and lack of education about Canada’s military involvements (both in Afghanistan, previous World Wars, not to mention patrolling the Iraq waterways unofficially assisting in the War on Terror).
Another frustrating thing about this whole Afghanistan issue is that the U.S. media fails to mention that the Afghanistan mission is a NATO mission (not a U.S. one).
Canada has been on the front lines since the beginning of this mission. It is now up to other Nato countries to take their turn (I am looking at you, European NATO allies…).
can_con on March 23, 2009 at 5:14 PM
You can’t say that. I’ve worked with the Canadians deployed and they’re definately not a joke. They have soldiers and officers who are as fierce as warriors as us. They have been and always be counted on as one of our most loyal allies. And we theirs.
hawkdriver on March 23, 2009 at 5:15 PM
The Canadians have been amazing in Afghanistan and the fact it does not be much attention is a shame. It is a greater that they kicked around by the ignorant. Sadly, the Canadian moonbats get more attention than their world class special forces.
RobCon on March 23, 2009 at 5:15 PM
They need to walk in Southern shoes for a while.
ddrintn on March 23, 2009 at 5:17 PM
It’s a friggin’ comedy show, wtf?
Anyone wonder how many apologies Jon Stewart owes to countless groups out there? I’d be interested to know who is behind this campaign to go after Fox News. Do you have any idea how many more “offensive” things are said on Red Eye?
BTW, Gutfeld already semi-apologized in response to a whiny email the day after that show.
EXIT QUESTION FOR AP: Did you hear Levy mention you by name in the post-game the other night?
RightWinged on March 23, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Too bad the Canucks weren’t as upset over this…..
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/024826.php
At least your hockey players get better grades, EH!
VikingGoneWild on March 23, 2009 at 5:18 PM
(And yeah, most of us do wear shoes.)
ddrintn on March 23, 2009 at 5:18 PM
then again, there is some faux Canadian outrage considering it is FOX that made the dumb comments. If I had a Canadian dollar for every offensive comment that come from Canada, I would not be Bill Gates but I would be comfortable.
RobCon on March 23, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Oh please will everyone stop busting on Canada. If it weren’t for them our northern hospitals wouldn’t have a steady stream of paying clients receiving care.
Canada and the US aren’t that different now. They have a thoroughly bastardized justice system run by authoritarian madmen and we have a thoroughly bastardized justice system run by an authoritarian madman. Their human rights courts are practice for clown college, and so are many of our district courts.
Can we borrow Stephen Harper? Just for a month? Please? Obama can go to Canada and they can marvel at how amazingly tolerant they are for letting a black American run their country.
BKennedy on March 23, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Hey, Gutfield also stared in this too. I think I recognize the smirk.
Sure, it might be a humor/comedy show — but as any great comic will tell you, choosing the right material for the times is the tricky part.
notta_dhimmi on March 23, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Some countries and people on HA need to lighten up!
conservative pilgrim on March 23, 2009 at 5:23 PM
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