(V): I agree with you.  And you at least have made your own argument concerning the piece.  I've watched that show and they are very irreverent.  But so are The Simpsons and Family Man.  Both on Fox.  So what?  You have provided your view of the "so what" and that's what's needed more around here.  What matters is the context of the argument. 

On the other hand, what I saw was simply a group of people slamming the idea of the Canadian military taking a year off.  That idea does seem like fair game for criticism and even some sarcasm.  Red Eye is a satirical take on the news.  That's it.  And yes the host apologized.  But Red Eye approaches ALL TOPICS in this irreverent, lighthearted, humorous and ridiculous manner.  It's what they do.  Still, it was bad form as you say.  But keeping it in proper perspective, it was a five minute segment on a comedy show.  They make fun of the news.  It's not that huge.