Joan Rivers Holocaust Joke: All in good fun or crossing the line?

Here’s the article.

The Joke: Referring to German model Heidi Klum’s Oscar dress, “The last time a German looked this hot was when they were pushing Jews into the ovens.”

Here’s a video of her telling the joke.

Of course, this caused a big stink and Joan is refusing to apologize for it. She stated, “My husband lost the majority of his family at Auschwitz, and I can assure you that I have always made it a point to remind people of the Holocaust through humor.”

Plenty of comedians have gotten flack for Holocaust jokes over the years. In literature, comedy = tragedy + time. Is nearly 70 years not enough time? Or is it not a time issue? If that’s the case, what is the issue? Is this an issue of enjoying or not enjoying shock or offensive comedy, or is it a whole other issue altogether? (woah, way too many “issues”)

On the other hand, are people just being too sensitive? Is it just a type of joke that people should stop taking to heart? Does Joan have a point about reminding people of events through comedy?

BQ: If this joke (and others like it) offend you, do you feel the same way about 9/11 jokes? What type of comedy do approve of? Links to clips would are a plus!