My innate optimism and sense of overall goodness in the world was sucker-punched today when I learned of a level of ignorance and immaturity so stunning, I’m in disbelief. Actually, I’m in denial. People like this don’t really exist, do they? Surely, even if they do, they aren’t given large amounts of money and the opportunity to speak to millions of potential viewers and express their stupidity and thoughtlessness without consequence. Surely not. Please, tell me this isn’t the world we live in.

I know. Now who’s being stupid.

Try to watch this video. I say “try”, because it’s kind of like a car crash – it’s hard to believe that what you’re seeing can be real, and your stomach starts to turn.

Fox News mocks the Canadian military

“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, adding: “Isn’t this the perfect time to invade this ridiculous country? They have no army.”

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.   (Toronto Sun)

If you read here, you know that I’m not a political blogger. And it’s no secret that I ignore and avoid most so-called “news” because I don’t trust it any more than the guy in Nigeria who needs my help moving his bank account. If I didn’t actually watch these people’s lips move and say these amazing things, I would never be posting about this. I’d call bullshit on the idea that anyone could possibly be this dumb.

As if the existence of these people isn’t stunning enough, now they are claiming that it was a joke. That Canadians should “lighten the fuck up.”

In an emailed apology, Greg Gutfeld, the show’s host and leading idiot, wrote:

“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.”

I can appreciate a good-natured joke with grace and without losing perspective. I am most often offended by people who are way too easily offended by things and think the world owes them coddling (and I’m thinking of the many examples provided in American culture when I say this). But I am STUNNED at this level of outright insult. Only an idiot could expect us to be foolish enough to take that apology sincerely. “Ridiculous” is the only word he got right.

Everybody makes mistakes and says stupid stuff. Presumably not to this amazing degree and quantity of stupidity, and not on national television, but… ya know…

You’ll notice, however, that Gutfeld didn’t say that a mistake had been made by him. Neither did Fox News, as far as I know. An apology is meaningless when not genuine. Gufeld should be fired. Period. That is the only consequence that is reasonable to his actions and his position.

And this Bill guy, who was another panelist? The one who is continuing to slam Canadians on his Twitter account? I like this article’s take on it:

Among other shockingly ignorant comments on the show, [Bill Schulz] derided the Royal Canadian Mounted Police : “We ride heavily armoured cars, they have horses!  … This is not a smart culture.”

That’s probably not meant as irony, but that’s how it usually works.

Yes. Yes, it is, isn’t it.

I’d like to see him/them come here and say that.