I grew up in a household in Canada whereas a child I was regularly taught that the United States offered the world the greatest experiment in social democracy ever undertaken in the history of mankind. I still personally believe that to be true but have since learned that democracy and freedom come with a great deal of responsibility. If you misuse them, don’t be surprised or shocked if people turn their back on you and walk away. In the world of the 21st century, the two great social democracies of the United States and Canada need each other more than ever, whether implementing hemispheric policies, sharing energy initiatives, and fostering the benefits of free trade. In order for this relationship to mend, grow and prosper, it must start from a common ground of respect, and that is why the Fox News corporate channels deserve whatever negative fallout may occur from the incident that took place on March 17 in one of the most unfortunate black eyes in recent American media history.
In Canada, we don’t have a First Amendment and therefore don’t hold quite the same reverence for freedom of speech at any cost. This is perhaps why there is presently a great deal of media coverage here regarding late-night Fox News host Greg Gutfeld, who recently ridiculed both Canada and its military during the same period that our nation was bringing home four more of its dead from the Afghanistan theatre of war. Mr. Gutfeld suggested that the U.S. ought to invade Canada, while its military “wants to take a breather to do some yoga, paint landscapes, run on the beach in gorgeous white Capri pants”. When the late-night talk show host and blogger was invited to explain himself by the Canadian media, he forwarded messages to a Fox publicist who responded that he was not available to do any interviews.
Canada has been feeling significantly better about its southern neighbor of late and responded in an extremely positive fashion when the new American president chose to visit Ottawa as his first foreign destination. Relationships have been on the mend, in spite of the fact that Canadians – like the rest of the intermeshed global economy – are acutely aware that many of their present economic problems originated as a result of greed, incompetence, and short-sighted actions on Wall Street. The two countries have recognized the importance of their trading relationship, and that they are fighting as allies in Afghanistan and have come to have a great deal of respect for each other because of this joint initiative.
The lesson that can be taken from this incident is how important it is for the United States, particularly during this time of great economic uncertainty, to work with its friends and allies to help regain some modicum of stability both at home and abroad. As President Obama has pointed out on numerous occasions, America made many enemies around the world over the past decade. This is a time for demonstrating respect, particularly for your largest trading partners and friends, and not a time to continue working on the divide that has separated us for so long.
If America wants to rebuild itself and is serious about repairing relationships around the world, it must start by itself censuring the Greg Gutfeld’s of the world. If a commentator had made such inflammatory comments about the American military, there would be widespread disgust and disdain. Surely, educated men and women will understand that disgust and disdain are also felt when similar comments are made about another country’s military, particularly one that is working alongside the United States of America and regularly bringing home its own dead. Freedom of speech is like freedom in the markets. It is a sacred right, but with that right comes responsibility and accountability. Those who misuse it should not go unchallenged or even be allowed to continue in their work of undoing the common good.
If I were the President of the Fox Network, I would recognize that my network had hundreds of thousands of potential viewers in Canada, as most American networks are available north of the 49th parallel and widely watched by many Canadians. This uproar in Canada could well lead to many cable subscribers across the country asking to have Fox News corporate channels removed from their menu of media choices. That is also called freedom, and that is how many logical Canadians will respond to the type of irresponsible freedom of speech that Greg Gutfeld has chosen to partake in.
