Misunderstood? I think not

No, Greg Gutfeld we didn’t misunderstood you. We heard you loud and clear.
According to Gutfeld, a commentator on Fox News, the Canadian public “misunderstood” his words when he and his panel ridiculed the Canadian Forces on his late night show, Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld, last week.
Gutfeld’s segment was in response to comments made by Lt.-Gen Andrew Leslie, Canada’s commander of land forces, who suggested that the military will need to take a year off to recover from the Afghan mission when its operations in the war torn country start to wind down in 2011. According to Gutfeld, the Canadian army will use the time to “do some yoga, paint some landscapes and run on the beach in gorgeous white Capri pants.”
Since the segment has hit the Internet earlier this week, backlash by the Canadian public has been immense. Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay calls what was said by Gutfeld and his posse crass and disgusting. Gutfeld, who was too gutless to speak to the Canadian media, issued an apology through Fox News. This is what Gutfeld had to say: “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.”
Gutfeld describes Red Eye as a “satirical take on the news, in which all topics are addressed in a lighthearted, humourous and ridiculous manner.”
I have watched the clip several times. Instead of discussing the Canadian military in a “lighthearted, humourous and ridiculous manner,” it was a bunch of ignorant yahoos talking trash about a subject that they failed to do their research on. One pundit, Doug Benson, didn’t realize that Canada was even in the war.
Canada has lost 116 soldiers and one diplomat since the war in Afghanistan started in 2002, including Master Corporal Scott Vernelli, who died while on foot patrol on March 20. The small community of Petawawa has lost 38 of its troops since 2003. Master Corporal Vernelli leaves behind his wife, and his six-month-old daughter, Olivia. I don’t think Vernelli’s comrades will be running on the beach in their gorgeous white Capri pants any time soon.
So the moral of the story is this: when you are going to satirize a serious subject, do your homework, know the facts and perform your shtick with people who are actually informed about the subject, not with those who believe Canada is a land of ice and snow, Mounties wear red jackets and ride horses while on patrol. Not only do you look boorish Gutfeld and Co., you also look like asses. Don't expect a true apology from this gutless goof and his band of ignorant imbeciles.