Fox host's comments insult Canada, strategist says
Updated Mon. Mar. 23 2009 8:23 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Comments made by a Fox News commentator criticizing the Canadian military for considering taking a year-long break when the Afghanistan mission ends in 2011 are "ignorant" and "insulting," says a Conservative strategist.
The controversial comments were made by Greg Gutfeld, host of "Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld," a round-table chat show that airs weekdays at 3 a.m. on Fox News.
During the episode that aired on Mar. 17, Gutfeld mocked Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie, chief of land staff, who suggested in early March that the military may need a year-long break in operations due to personnel and equipment shortages.
"Once their Afghan mission winds down sometime 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," 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."
Conservative strategist Geoff Norquay said Monday that the comments are insulting to Canadian soldiers and show that the host was ignorant of the fact that Canadian troops have been working hard in Afghanistan.
"What could anybody with common sense say about his kind of trash? It's ignorant, it's inappropriate, it's insulting," Norquay said during an interview on Canada AM. "It's insulting to the 116 Canadian troops who have given their lives and paid the supreme sacrifice while we've been in Afghanistan."
In the four-minute segment, Gutfeld asked the other three members of his panel: "Isn't this the perfect time to invade this ridiculous country? They have no army!"
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."
Norquay said Canadians understand irony, but the comments are nonetheless appalling.
"We recognize that some people see us as the kind of uber-friendly, peaceable kingdom north of the border," Norquay said. "But this goes a little bit too far."
While the controversial comments were made nearly a week ago, they have only come to light in Canada in recent days.
An outraged Canadian posted the clip from the show to YouTube with a comment that says, "Fox News belittles and mocks the Canadian military." It goes on to say: "These are the people who keep Americans up to date and mis-informed."
The controversy is growing just as Canada is mourning the loss of another four soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan.
On Friday, Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli, 28, Cpl. Tyler Crooks, 24, Trooper Jack Bouthillier, 20, and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes, 22, were killed in two separate IED blasts that injured another five soldiers.
Their flag-draped caskets are expected to arrive at CFB Trenton around 2 p.m. on Monday.
Norquay said he hopes Canadians who subscribe to Fox News will cancel those subscriptions and that Canadian advertisers will cancel their business with the network.
