There's satire, and then there's being a butthead.

I'm really surprised FoxNews allowed this. Because of this so called "satire" I'm not going to watch FoxNews again. They should have thought better than to put this on the air. I'm glad Ottawa demanded an apology. We tease the US over some things but this is over the top on Fox's part.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090323.wfoxmercer0323/BNStory/Front


Rick Mercer to Fox: Bullying is not satire

JESSICA LEEDER

Globe and Mail Update

March 23, 2009 at 1:17 PM EDT

Renowned comedian and political satirist Rick Mercer has a few words of advice for the Fox News panelists who incited the Canadian government to demand an apology for their mocking of the Canadian military.

“If you're going to do satire, three of the most important rules are you have to tell the truth, you can't be a bully and don't be an asshole,” said Mr. Mercer, who hosts his own show on CBC. “Being a bully is not satire.”

Mr. Mercer learned of the controversial comments, made by Greg Gutfeld, host of the late-night program Red Eye with Gret Gutfeld after fans of his program began inundating his inbox with clips of an episode that aired on March 17.

On that show, broadcast at 3 a.m., Mr. Gutfeld mocked Lt.-Gen Andrew Leslie, chief of land staff for the Canadian Military, for suggesting earlier this month that the military may need to take a year-long break in operations due to personnel and equipment shortages.

“Once their Afghan mission winds down some time in 2011, certain members of the Canadian military are looking to take a much-deserved break. And by certain members I mean all of them,” Mr. Gutfeld said. “Meaning, the Canadian military wants to take a breather to do some yoga, paint landscapes, run on the beach in gorgeous white Capri pants.”

In his four-minute segment, Mr. Gutfeld asked the other three members of his panel: “Isn't this the perfect time to invade this ridiculous country? They have no army!”

Another panelist Doug Benson, a comedian, replied: “I didn't even know they were in the war. I thought that's where you go when you don't want to fight. Go chill in Canada.”

The segment, which has angered Canadians across the country, prompted the Canadian government to demand an apology from Fox News for “despicable” comments.