6286: Comedic Recalls.

Foreign affairs in a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• Jewish groups blasted a Belgian public broadcaster for airing a show featuring a comedian joking about the persecution of Jews and the Holocaust. It was actually the third time in two months that Jewish groups protested against the broadcaster for its apparent insensitivity. Last October, the broadcaster scrapped a show about Adolf Hitler’s supposed favorite dish in a series on famous people’s favorite foods. In the latest scenario, a comedian criticized Jews in Belgium for overreacting to the Hitler food show. “What are they going to do if there is a big gas leak in Antwerp?” asked the comedian, in reference to the Belgian port city, which has a large Jewish community. “Take the city to court for provocation? Preemptively file charges against anyone who dares joke about that?” The comic also insisted the Holocaust could not occur again because “Jews are much smarter now. … They have spread across the world. Try rounding them up! Most are in America so you cannot send them by train to Germany” to die in gas chambers. Um, Belgium is clearly not known for its comedy. Or tolerance.

• Toyota recalled over 120,000 vehicles in China, citing a steering defect as the cause. Looks like the Big 3 aren’t the only automakers veering out of control.