My initial reaction was much the same as Diogenes’.
But, on reflection, the poor choice of words by an obscure or unnamed Canadian general suggesting our military needs a year long break to recover is so at odds with how Americans see that opportunity for their military, and sounds so candyass, that our military was left wide open for the dig.
And the follow up comment regarding the relatively unknown Canadian participation in Afghanistan is on the mark with most Americans as well as the concept that Canada is the place to go to when you want to chill.
These were legitimate satirical comments of our military and the general American view of our participation. The resulting uproar is certain to reinforce the negative Canadian stereotype with regard to our military among some quarters, but it will also raise the profile of the sacrifice of our soldiers in helping out our neighbours to the south.
Just for the record, German officers regarded the Belgian military as a tough opponent, for its size. And anyone making fun of Canadian soldiers should go read about Dieppe.
You have a point that it’s a relatively insignificant host on an insignificant show, but Fox News as a network is not insignificant and the network is ultimately responsible for the messages of its on-air personalities.
Having said that, I hope they keep hiding Glenn Beck’s meds, though. That guy is a stitch lately.
Difference being Stewart has a show on a little network called COMEDY CENTRAL. You want to poke fun and ridicule whoever or whatever have at it. Good taste or bad it can still be passed off as an attempt at comedy.
But Gutfeld has a show on a network called FOX NEWS. Once you call yourself a news channel I would think you’d hold yourself up to a higher standard.
If Stewart’s show aired instead on CNN he’d be slamed just as harshly and just as often.
Snarky political commentary for comedy’s sake should be kept away anyone considering themselves a legitimate news channel.
Yeah, it’s totally a good comparison–two people who for personal gain harm the public interest vs. people who put their lives on the line to help fight a war to assist an ally.
Yup, I agree with you. I simply provided two examples that fit your criteria, and showed that S&I was wrong that ‘Stewart would never do the latter’. He does all the time. They may very well deserve it, but he still does it.
You’re right; I stated my position badly (and probably thought it badly to start with). When Stewart goes on the attack, it is clearly not always light-hearted fun. But I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t do it to soldiers who are helping us fight our war. He seems to confine those attacks to people who are assholes and who deserve it.
All the time? No. Stewart rarely treats anyone like that, and his interview with Cramer and visit on Crossfire were not meant to be funny. He wasn’t mocking Cramer or Carlson either time (though I think he did say a few funny things); at one point Carlson told him to tell a joke and he said “No, I’m not your monkey.” On those occasions he was seriously telling them “Stop what you’re doing, it’s hurting people.”
True, but I don’t think it’s ever mean-spirited fun, as Gutfeld had. Stewart, as far as I can tell, is either serious (rarely), or teasing (usually). Gutfeld obviously wasn’t seriously saying that the Canadians were weak of will and body, but he clearly didn’t have much respect for them either.
Did you watch the clip? It doesn’t sound like you did. I provided a link to it upthread. This is the most dopey pitting in a while. Knee jerk, lame and pathetic even by pit-thread-by-Dio-standards.
