Posted on 03/25/2009 11:40:10 AM PDT by LibWhacker
EDMONTON - The Comic Strip at West Edmonton Mall has cancelled an appearance by comedian Doug Benson after the club received threats in response to his remarks on an American TV show about Canada's military.
Greg Gutfield, the host of Red Eye, which airs on Fox at 3 a.m. weekdays, has since apologized for comments that caused a firestorm in Canada as the country mourns the recent loss of four soldiers in Afghanistan.
On the show, Gutfeld mocked comments from Canada’s commander of land forces, Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie, who said on March 10 that the military would need a year to recover from its Afghan deployment because of the wear and tear on its equipment and personnel.
Gutfeld suggested the Canadian military would use the year to "do some yoga, paint some landscapes and run on the beach."
"Isn’t this the perfect time to invade this ridiculous country," Gutfeld continued. "They have no army."
"I didn’t even know they were in the war," said Benson, a panelist on the show. "I thought that’s where you go if you don’t want to fight."
Gutfeld said his comments were meant to be satirical.
"For the safety and security of The Comic Strip's patrons and staff, Doug Benson's shows have subsequently been cancelled," reads a press release from The Comic Strip.
The bodies of Canada’s four most recent Afghan casualties were due to arrive at CFB Trenton on Monday. The soldiers were killed Friday in two separate IED blasts.
Canada has lost 116 soldiers and one diplomat since the war in Afghanistan began in 2002.
Gutfeld and Benson crossed the line. I generally enjoy their humor, but this was too much for TV. A private joke among the fellas would be OK, but on National Television - too much.
Yes...we must remember all of the great Canadian military victories in the past!
It would be REALLY stupid for this idiot to go to Edmonton anyway, considering it’s right near the training base Canadian soldiers train at just before they deploy to Afghanistan.
He’d show up on fox the week after that gig a complete different color, dark purple.
It must shock these comedians that Canadians LOVE their country. And I don’t mean paying lip service while trashing it.
That’s because an American said it, that’s why and they loathe Americans. As an ex-canuck, the country doesn’t care about the military, believe me.
Let’s cut the BS. If a canadian said it, this wouldn’t reach the media radar.
You should, they changed the course of the war in Europe.
Even better than Ron Popeil or the Sham-wow dude?
Are you getting this camera guy?
Better set the TiVo.
Canada ping!
It was a joke, worse is said about our military by our damn politicians. After all the joking France got I don’t remember them getting this upset. Canadians need to get a little thicker skin!
Good point....
Edmonton is near the Cold Lake CFB...which houses some of the elite Canadian fighting units (4th Wing is located there, I believe).
Compare this to some comedian making fun of the US military....then doing a show near Ft Bragg, Ft Campbell, or Camp Lejeune.
Also, Alberta is the most conservative, and most military-supportive province in Canada.
Bad time and place for negative comments about their military.
Here you go, loudmouth.
On June 6, 1944, the 3rd Canadian Division landed on Juno Beach in the Battle of Normandy and sustained 50% casualties in their first hour of attack. By the end of D-Day, the Canadians had penetrated deeper into France than either the British or the American troops at their landing sites, overcoming stronger resistance than any of the other beachheads except Omaha Beach. In the first month of the Normandy campaign, Canadian, British and Polish troops were opposed by some of the strongest and best trained German troops in the theatre, including the 1st SS Division, the 12th SS Division and the Panzer Lehr Division. Several costly operations were mounted by the Canadians to fight a path to the pivotal city of Caen and then south towards Falaise, part of the Allied attempt to liberate Paris. Canadian troops played a heavy role in the liberation of Paris.
The French aren't burying four soldiers this week. Canadians have been dying in Afghanistan for seven years.
Only the left don’t. You must be an ex Canadian lefty.
One of my favorite Canadians, Don Cherry, pays tribute to fallen Canadian soldiers every week on his well-known “Coach’s Corner.” Last week he got very choked up about the 4 boys who were killed recently in Afghanistan.
Having said that, the anti-American left (ever watch CBC?) will publicise these comments, and this time they will find justified sympathy with regular folks who respect the Canadian Military.
Sorry to hear that. But, I think it still proves my point that most Nations are not beset by our anti-darwinan penchant for collective self-extinction. BTW that Red Eye show is uber-strident and really *****.
Sorry to hear that. But, I think it still proves my point that most Nations are not beset by our anti-darwinan penchant for collective self-extinction. BTW that Red Eye show is uber-strident and really *****.
I kinda preferred the slap-chop version of sham-wow dude:
"You're gonna love my nuts!"
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