I asked comic Jim Norton (above, who will be performing in Utah in a few weeks) whether it is ever "too soon" to joke about something, such as when Gilbert Gottfried (performing at the West Valley Wiseguys this weekend) joked about the Japanese tsunami that caused an uproar.

Here is what Jim said:

Yes, everything is fair game. It only seems to be humor and comedians that people are ‘offended’ or ‘outraged’ by. Actors, authors and musicians can address any subject they want anytime they want, but when a comedian does it, people want us lynched. Was Gilbert’s joke tasteless considering the timing? Sure. But since when have comedians been expected to respect and adhere to all social boundaries and conventions?