Fox News Does It Again

[drmoe]

In another homage to blatant stupidity Fox News opens its big broadcast mouth to once again change feet. What is it this time? A weekend late night talk show decides to make fun of a Canadian General's assertion that Canadian Troops will need a year off at the end of their combat tenure in Afghanistan which is slated for 2011.

Without context, forethought or any type of empathy, Fox News' gruesome foursome decides to disparage the Canadian contingent with references to yoga, spa treatments, nail coloring and other foolishness. While they were doing this, 4 more Canadian soldiers were being transported home to be buried. A total of 116 Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan, and hundreds more wounded. Canadian Forces have been in Afghanistan since the beginning of that engagement, fighting side by side with U.S. forces.

Just when you thought Fox News couldn't lower their standards any further, they outdo themselves once again.

As a Grief Recovery Therapist I deplore their insensitivity and I say to the U.S. population "I know Fox News does not represent your country." They represent a small niche of right wing fundamentalists who choose to celebrate insensitivity and callousness in all its forms and oppose anything that is courageous and good for the human spirit.

My heart goes out to the families of Canada's recent military losses and to All the U.S. Families that have lost loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan. These soldiers deserve our respect and admiration regardless of what circumstances brought them into these wars. And Fox News deserves this growing swell of antipathy for their hosts' inane remarks.

What do you think?

Maurice Turmel PhD
Grief Recovery Specialist

 

[David Baxter PhD]

I'm not sure it's even fair to blame all of Fox News for the ignorance of 4 or 5 "panelists" trying to get a few laughs via a format copied from The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. When Obama made an insensitive allusion to the Special Olympics, he apologized on his own behalf - no one blamed the US for that. Why would anyone blame a whole network let alone an entire nation for the poor judgement of a few talking heads?

It's deplorable more for its blatant ignorance and insensitivity than anything else.

 

[drmoe]

Your point is well taken. Fox News must have more to offer than these talking heads. Sadly, I find very little coming out of Fox News that does not elicit suspicion. Anytime they do make the mainstream news it's usually a story like the one I addressed.
Maurice Turmel

 

[Retired]

Welcome to Psychlinks, Dr. Turmel! Thanks for joining us.

We'll be looking forward to your participation on the Forum.

Fox News rubs me the wrong way too.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Your point is well taken. Fox News must have more to offer than these talking heads. Sadly, I find very little coming out of Fox News that does not elicit suspicion. Anytime they do make the mainstream news it's usually a story like the one I addressed.
Maurice Turmel

Frankly, I watched the version on Youtube and I've never heard of any of the bozos who participated. I can't imagine them having a whole lot of influence.

And in Canada, we're well accustomed to most of the US knowing little or nothing about us, how we live, what we think, ot what we do.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Fox host apologizes for mocking of Canadian Forces
Monday, March 23, 2009
CBC News

The host of an over-the-top, late-night Fox network show has apologized for any disrespect he may have caused to the Canadian military with a recent segment on his intentionally inflammatory program.

"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," host Greg Gutfeld said in a statement issued Monday.

"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, humorous and ridiculous manner," he added.

Gutfeld, a former Maxim and Stuff magazine editor, hosts the cultural commentary show, which is broadcast on Fox weekdays at 3 a.m. ET.

So this was broadcast at 3 am on March 17. No wonder we're only hearing about it 6 days after the fact... if it weren't for Youtube, nobody would have known abiout it.

 

[forgetmenot]

I heard about this a few days ago and my heart dropped. My brother is at war and I think this guy just doesn't get it. There is no humour about war at all it is all just devastating. These military people and their families are suffering so much and for him to try to make humour out of any aspect of war is stupid and tragic in itself. Mary

 

[Yuray]

When I first heard this excerpt broadcast on a news program I couldn't help but smile through the whole thing. I knew apologies would soon be following. It was a bad judgement on the hosts part. I can condemn the host for being a moron to take on such a topic, but I cannot condemn him as a human. He in know way would wish death or allude to cowardice of any nation who fights for a just cause, at least just from our perspective. There are obviously other perspectives or we wouldn't be involved, and their perspectives are just as legitimate as ours in their own mind.

A lack of tact was dispalyed for the sake of a cheap laugh. He is not to be condemned any more than the lack of tact we all display, and at times, use to injure those who love us. His words can incite negative emotion in some, and bafflement in others. Other than that, there was no damage done to anyone but himself. In a way, it has created more awareness to what we as a nation are participating in. And yes, I have suffered the loss of a loved one in a just or unjust conflict. There is a bigger issue here than getting angry because of words.

---------- Post added later and automatically merged ----------

I stated there was no damage done to anyone other than himself (the host of the show). I realize now that there was damage caused to those who are offended by the comments that were made, and that their offense and anger is justifiable, acceptable, and necessary. Sorry for not having mentioned that it my first post.

 

[forgetmenot]

Thanks yuray just talked with my brother this morning on line and it was cut off by rocket attack there. I wander if this idiot know just how dangerous it is there and if he ever had a family member at war. As stated before there is no humor in war at all.