Everyone's a Comedian

As unfortunate as it is, food contamination does happen.  But when 16 people die as a result, maybe its not a great idea to make jokes about it. Especially if you are an elected official. Maple Leaf Foods was the company with the food contamination.

That is something that the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Gerry Ritz, (pictured at right) didn't take into consideration when he made some negative comments. When he was told about it he said " This is a death by a thousand cuts. Or should I say cold cuts." He made light of a situation in which 16 people died.

Not content to leave the extent of his disrespect at that he stated, when he found out that there had been a new death in the Atlantic province of Prince Edward Island, "Please tell me it's Wayne Easter," (pictured below) a resident of the island.

 I understand that in some cases people may take their humor to this level in order to aid in the healing process or even to further themselves from something that they do not wholly understand. Ritz, being the official that he is, should not be making these statements.  What the country of Canada should not require his immediate resignation, he should be made to make a public apology, acknowledging what he said as being wrong. 

For information check out the links within the post.